Xbox Live Arcade is very special (Xbox 360 delight #001)
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Dec 11th 2005 at 12:15AM }
We sometimes forget that when we're updating this site an average of 30 times per day in the middle of the week, it's easy to miss some of the items we post on a given topic. And so when we published a string of issues that annoy us about the Xbox 360 (001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008) some newer readers to the site who had never seen all of our positive coverage of the system thought that we were being unfair. I was called all manner of names by those who could not stand to see their beloved Xbox 360 bashed in ways that they thought unfair.
Therefore, before we continue tallying our grievances with the 360 (oh yes, reader, there are more), it's only fair to note that the Xbox 360 has delighted us more frequently than it has disappointed us.
The clear standout with the Xbox 360 is the Xbox Live Arcade service. We've spent quite a bit of time waxing enthusiastic about the service and its potential, so we'll pull it all together here.
First, and most excitingly, Live Arcade is a disruptive technology. It has the potential to disintermediate the retail channel that's capturing an increasingly large portion of consumer spending through used game sales. Microsoft says that over half of the money spent to purchase a game on Xbox Live Arcade goes to the developer that made the game. That's a good thing, because some retailers have a nasty habit of ripping gamers off.
Second, the managers of Xbox Live Arcade have so far done a good job of selecting quality titles to bring to the service. Though it's got the most boring name ever, Geometry Wars is a fan-friggin-tastic game (1, 2, 3, 4). We're hearing stories of other gamers getting addicted to Outpost Kaloki, Hexic HD, and Smash TV. There's a little something for everyone, with lots more on the way.
Some "leeter-than-thou" types who still mistakenly think graphics are the most important part of gaming see our love affair with Xbox Live Arcade as bad news for the Xbox 360. They say that the launch titles must be pretty crappy if we're choosing to play Arcade games (except they say it like this: "LoL Xbox suxx0rz!") We encourage these people to grow up. Frankly, no console experience in the last five years has provided me with as much gaming enjoyment as Geometry Wars. Games are about interactivity and game designers who know how to put together a great interactive experience are going to win us over. Nintendo gets it too: that's why they've redesigned the control scheme with the Revolution and that's why they'll be offering Nintendo's 20-year catalog of games, for a fee.
In short, Xbox Live Arcade is a superior experience. Game are inexpensive, easy to try, easy to buy, and most importantly: fun. Isn't that what gaming is about?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
geometry wars = <3
Jmoney @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I thought this site was becomin a biased home for MS fans. Great to see that Joystiq is tryin to redeem themselves. I like the article, especially the part where u guys get on the" all about graphics" fanboys.
:)
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
See, Jmoney, we can't win. People tend to see only a few posts at a time and immediately assume bias of one kind or another, depending on the tone of those posts. People who saw the annoyance posts assumed we were biased for Sony. People who see positive posts assumed we were biased for Microsoft.
It's very frustrating for us. We wish people would check out our huge archive of posts on both sides of the issues before judging us.
bv @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
uh......does anyone else see a problem when the first "delight" of a next gen system is 2d arcade games that you have to PAY for? Im sorry, but that's what a computer and emulators are for. Xbox 360 is a joke and the only reason its getting so much attention is because theres nothing else to talk about! Thy kingdom come thy ps3 be done.
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
^^
I rest my case.
bv @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
^^
Sorry, but its just a deal crusher when the only thing that gets you foaming at the mouth is geometry wars. I can't get excited over an asteroids clone. I'm not knocking you guys as writers in any way, im just saying that as a result of your comments, i want nothing to do with the xbox 360. I have considered buying it, but only in hopes of selling it to a 12 year old child for a 700 dollar profit. (just kidding, they would have to be at least 16 years old for me not to feel guilty).
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
You missed the part where I said that no console gaming experience in the last five years has been as compelling as Geometry Wars. Nothing. Not PS2, not Xbox, not GameCube.
PC gaming is another matter entirely...
jopojelly @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
and here marks the end of the series on Xbox 360 delights.....heh, jk
mike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
You missed the part where I said that no console gaming experience in the last five years has been as compelling as Geometry Wars
---
Uh, are you on crack. Pick any Zelda game released for N64 or GC. Phew.. man are you lost.
bv @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I am a bit suprised by that comment. I can't possibly imagine you speaking for a large crowd when you say that geometry wars is the most compelling video game you have played in the past 5 years. Im sure you have no problem saying that because it is your opinion and i respect it, but it seems a bit weird when you are touting that geom. pride through the voice of joystiq and the video game community as a whole. Surely, Shadow of the Colossus, for example deserves more credit as a video game than g. wars. Anyone agree?
Aresef @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I love the idea of the Xbox Live arcade (scratch out "the idea of" when I actually get my 360) for several reasons.
First, like iTunes, it provides a legal place to pick up old games for a VERY reasonable price.
Secondly, it is friendly to indie developers in an age where it's hard for small companies to get into the business, so major cool points to the Xbox division for doing such an un-Microsoftish move.
Thirdly, it's convenient. If I'm ever bored, I can hop on there and four 5 bucks I can buy Smash TV, Geometry Wars, whatever, and play away for hours, and the store is always open.
Finally, it seems that MS is really pushing hard to get a lot of big names on there. Sega, EA, Midway, Atari, you name it. There will be instantly recognizable stuff up there worth buying.
Aresef @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
10: From what I've read, you get a whole lot of game for 5 bucks.
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
BV: I didn't say it's the most compelling video game experience of the last five years. I said it's the most compelling CONSOLE experience I've had in the last five years.
I've got a long list of awesome gaming experiences I've played on PC over the last five years, from Everquest, to WoW, to Starcraft to Civ, to Ages of Empires, to Counterstrike... you get the picture.
Borat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
vc,
Frankly I am surprised that you mention Geometry Wars as the 'best gaming experience' over the past five years. I mean, there have been games like Burnout, Zelda, Halo, Half life 2, GTA, and my personal faves Resident Evil 4, Pikmin(I know not many people like it) and Metroid Prime. I do have Geometry Wars which came with PGR 2, and I thought it was ok but nothing too addictive.
Of course I haven't played the new one yet so I can't really comment, but how much different is it?
Borat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Ok, change that to 'best console experience' :P
Whopping Wombat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Forget the Halo fanboy title...I am one of the first GEOMETRY WARS FANBOYS.
That isn't a joke, say it loud, say it proud.
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Borat -- read my comments above more closely. You misinterpreted me.
Bedpanjohn @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
WTF! joystiq I am disappointed, are you getting paid by M$? I thought there was supposed to be news about video games... Are you sure live arcade is a designer flaw rather then a delight?
I am being facetious of course! I am just jealous because I hear all these annoyances so I am glad I dont have one.and now the delights come and I dont have one!!!
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Lol -- nice imitation of a rabid fanboy, BPJ. ;)
Probot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I was a beta tester for Game Tap, which is that subscription service that lets you play older games on your PC. The one request that everyone made was adding multiplayer to the games.
Microsoft seems to have delievered that and more. And if the console didn't cost as much as my monthly rent, I might consider buying it just for Xbox Live Acrade.
This is perfectly named, by the way. It is the next gen Arcade. I think this will revitalize gaming as much as Nintendo wants to do with their controller.
Games used to be based on scores so gamers could show them off to other people. When games moved into homes, the scoring systems were pretty useless. So there was a switch toward storytelling.
XLA could force games back to being centered on actual gameplay. I'm way more excited about this than their silly "HD era" claims.
Too bad I won't get one until they lower the price or I find some way to get the color right on my fake $20 bills.
sscooterguy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
If xbox live is doing well, and continues to do well with the arcade, I really look forward to Nintendo Revolution's download library. I truthfully haven't played xbox 360 yet, and haven't experienced the arcade, but if people are getting excited about retro games, this can only be good for nintendo too. Hopefully Sony 3rd party people will build something online too, as Sony has opted to not have their own exclusive service. In any case, I hope its as good as people say it is...
sscooterguy
Borat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
The one thing I wish for is that most(if not all) SNES and n64 games be playable online using the revolution. How frickin awesome would that be? Imagine Waverace online!
vc,
I did notice what I misinterpreted. Still, I believe Burnout is much more addictive than Geometry Wars.
Martez @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I really dig what Microsoft and the 360 are doing with the online "Live Experience." Depending on the quantity and quality of classic titles it can put on there, they could have a serious competitor to Nintendo's Virtual Console idea, which of course would spur a lot of healthy competition and hopefully result in even more great classics becoming available on both, possibly for a lower price or more special offers (like buy a certain first party title and be able to download a game or two).
I'm really looking forward to diving into what the 360 has going for it, although I personally don't feel it's earned my $400 just yet.
Eric @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I'm really glad you posted this article. It seems like all the 360 press has been extremely negative, and I'm sure some of it rightfully so. But up until now, to read this site and almost every other site out there, it seems like 360 is the worst thing to ever happen to console gaming.
Microsoft does just about everything wrong. Windows... sucks. let's not mince words here. It sucks. But Microsoft has given us something that no other game maker has attempted; a pay-for-play service where you can get called a "c*ck f*ck*ng f*g" by children half your age. And to some degree that deserves a bit of respect.
I'd like to see more positive coverage of the console. I enjoyed the original xbox, I still think it's great, and I think xbox live is the best online service out there. I'm sure you could find 8 things about the xbox that you DO like. Or at least 3?
Phil @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
As great as old-school type of games are, it doesn't justify paying $400+ for a console of which some of its best and most original games could have seen the light of day in the last 10 years, if not 20. You paid for all the AI, physics, and graphical capacities of the console, let's see it put to some good use (See: Lost Planet, THAT looks good: http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=2288)
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I've got a ton of things I like about it. I'll keep the series going.
charles george @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I've enjoyed both your positive and negative posts VC (except for maybe that "tastes like plastic" one, just didn't laugh :-p). I generally agree, my personal addiction is Outpost Kaloki X (just finished adventure mode). I'd say between that and Geometry wars I've dropped at least 20-30 hours of game time.
Honestly, it's not even a knock against any of the games either. I have 5 launch titles (got two of them today), the four I've played have all been excellent. Kameo, PDZ, COD2 and PGR 3 all have had some flat out amazing moments, none of them are perfect, but I've had a great time with all.
My top 5 delights (in no paticular order)
-Xbox live arcade
-the launch titles
-Always online
-customizability
-turning the console on/closing the tray wirelessly
Top 5 annoyances:
-Battery life on controllers hasn't been perfectly clear
-had two game freezes on me (top annoyance)
- no way to boot straight to dashboard without opening the game tray
-Turn off button can be finicky at times.
Now the real test of time will come. Theres only one game being released for 3 months (DOA 4). Hopefully it's not going to pull a PSP and stop releasing games. heh, as long as oblivian isn't delayed again, I'm happy.
Char
mocax @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I personally think Zelda games suck, so are Mario games, Halo, MGS and a bunch of highly acclaimed games.
the only game I truly enjoyed is Minesweeper on Windows.
Now, if they make Minesweeper on Nintendo Revolution and its new-fangled controller....
Pretty Obvious @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Personally ive had more fun with my 360 in the last few weeks then ive had with my Gamecube for the last year and half (not including Resident Evil 4). So much for Nintendos innovative titles. I can def name one thing my Gamecube innovated - ways to collect dust.
Leah @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I love the XBOX 360 live arcade. I've been spending more time with those addictive games than any of the launch titles.
mike street @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
my 8 year old and my 52 year old aunt are both Xbox Aracade addicts
LR @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
You actually said something NICE about the 360? I can't believe my eyes. And I was just beginning to truly hate coming here and started visiting other sites instead.
I don't mind criticisms. And I'm not pro 360 with blinders. I like all the consoles. It's just that it appears Joystiq goes out of their way to trash the 360. And I'm not talking about reporting the news. I'm talking about the articles that make no sense. Comparing the 360 DVD player to a player that costs $20,000?? An annoyance that the 360 is not edible???
You would THINK we'd seen an annoyance that there's NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE. Now that's an annoyance.
Anyway, just from an outsiders point of view, it seems as if you're on some sort of vendetta. I sincerly hope this doesn't continue by the time the PS3 and Revolution come out.
Don @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
You say that it's good to be getting rid of the retailers. That's hardly the case. With Microsoft taking a 50% cut of the cost of the game, which is much more than what the retailer normally gets. And because the content is locked to your console with DRM, you have no resell rights, which means that MS never has to lower prices. You will never be able to find good deals, or sell games that you no longer want to play. That's the problem with digital distribution, because you no longer own what you buy.
Jason G @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Can Someobody PLease tell me how it is possible for screenshots like the one here That CLEARLY show TEXAS HOLDEM as being on the XBox Live Arcade. It is NOT on my list of games to download or play....Somebody PLease tell me WHY? Microsofts J.Allrard said on a dvd I have that you could play Teaxas holdem too, But i DO NOT see it anywhere?
Hugh Jass @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I completely agree with the author's praise of XBLA. I am casuam gamer sucker #1 and have purchased almost everything on this thing. They all take excellent advantage of the XBOX controller and the built-in high resolution graphical capabilities.
I just want to know where Robotron:2084 and Crystal Quest are hiding out. And that fish game from the old XBLA, Feeding Frenzy. More, please!
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Jason G: the screenshot is from a pre-release version of Xbox Live Arcade. The launched version looks different and has different games available.
Here's the list of announced games: http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000247063354/
Jason @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
I never cease to be amazed by fanboys from both sides. I hold high hopes for the PS3, but the 360 is one hell of a system! I wish I had one. Since no one has seen the PS3 yet (if you think the ventless box Sony unvieled at E3 is really the system, you're either stupid or on narcotics), I don't see how they can make comparisions. Eventually, I will own both systems and will buy my favorite games for each. I don't understand loyalty to giant corporations like Sony OR Microsoft. Be loyal to yourself as a consumer; that's how capitalism works! That's why it's important that MS is successful; the console market needs to be competitive in order to be good for the consumer, and Nintendo sure as hell isn't putting up much of a fight.
Jason G @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
So why would texas hold'em be pre-realese, then after you spend $400 BAM,NO texas hold'em, has there been any news at all of its realese date on xbl??? thanks
DOWN @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Applause.
I gave you cats some shyt about plenty of your previous Xbox 360 posts- not because I thought you were "biased" in any way, but because I didn't see the point in clogging your blog with negative-leaning minutae, no matter the console. (and the "annoyance" post about 360 controllers not being wireless was just silly.)
Anyway, one of the reasons this irked me is that I was a bit of a fence-sitter with the 360, that lucked into one and was really, really pleasantly surprised.
Geometry Wars is day-glo crack.
Peace ese.
Bunch O' Whiners @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Yeah, having 8 negative articles and 1 postive really shows that you are being unbiased...