A casual game blasts into XBL top 10
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Feb 13th 2006 at 10:30AM }
Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry Hyrb is reporting that the just-released Xbox Live Arcade
title Marble Blast Ultra has earned a spot in the top 10-most played games on all of Xbox Live last week. This
is not the first time that a casual game has appeared in the top 10. The free title Hexic HD has appeared in
the list twice before.
The real question is whether this statistic includes playtime from only those who purchased the full game. If so, then this would be a milestone indicating that inexpensively developed, inexpensively sold casual games can hang up there in the top 10 when it comes to grabbing a share of player attention on the 360.
- Halo 2
- Call of Duty 2
- DEAD OR ALIVE 4
- Perfect Dark Zero
- PGR3
- Need for Speed Most Wanted
- Battlefield 2: MC
- Madden NFL 06
- Full Auto Demo
- Marble Blast Ultra
Note that this statistic includes time spent connected to Xbox Live playing various games, whether the playtime is spent in single- or multi-player mode.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fan @ Feb 13th 2006 10:44AM
Yet another testament to how much the 360 needs some good games...
How about instead of wowing about the fact that a arcade game made the sales chart you look into the reason why a these games make the charts.
Its one of or a combination these reasons:
1. The lack of quality games for the 360 makes people bored.
2. The online distribution makes it easy to pick up and try a new game.
Anyone else have any suggestions? Feel free to add them to the list...
Me @ Feb 13th 2006 10:44AM
I though it had to be fully-purchased versions, as the demo doesn't allow for online play.
Zman @ Feb 13th 2006 11:06AM
When this game first came out, I'll admit that it was immediately addicting and i had to buy it. and it's a fun game to play quick when your bored with other games. And yes the current list of "GOOD" 360 titles are scarce, which is probably another reason I ever got into this game.
Josh @ Feb 13th 2006 11:07AM
Yet another testament to how much the 360 needs some good games...
You seem to be trying to rip on the selection of 360 games, and while it may be lacking to a degree - you try and use this to your case:
The online distribution makes it easy to pick up and try a new game.
That, I believe - is one of the best things the 360 has done! The ease at which people can download demos and full XBLA games is great - for developers and gamers!
A game like Marble Blast deserves its spot, because it is a fun game. Hands down. Play it online - it's addictive.
me @ Feb 13th 2006 11:13AM
just wait til the revolution comes around and you get the virtual console. that'll rip ms a new one.
Viridium @ Feb 13th 2006 11:29AM
Hey Fan:
"...the fact that a arcade game made the sales chart..."
It's not a sales chart, dude; it's the most played games on Xbox Live.
Riggy469 @ Feb 13th 2006 11:29AM
In response to #2, the MBU demo does have online play, just with only one map.
Fan @ Feb 13th 2006 11:32AM
The ONLY reason this game made the top play time list is because people are bored. And im not mocking online distribution. I use steam and personally i think it rox.
But fronting a game that belongs on a handheld as the ultimate of console gameplay is ridiculous. It maybe addictive but that doesnt make it a epitome of good gameplay.
When they release Live Arcade Portable(LAP) theyll have a good tested library ready.The XBox:LAP will also have extensive marketplace features and msn maps localisation software with targeted advertising and integrated popup blocking.
But right now people are playing these games because of hearsay and boredom..
Isurus @ Feb 13th 2006 11:44AM
Some people will say that this is because there is a lack of quality 'retail' games for the Xbox 360, but I think there may be more to it than that. Depending on what constitutes a game on this list, (Does it or does it not include the demos of the arcade games? I know my recent games list and total possible gamer points includes arcade demos I have played, even though I don't own the games) it could indicate that people really enjoy these types of games and/or they are very accepting of the purchase model (being able to purchase and download the game over Xbox Live rather than making a trip to the store and the fact that they costs a fraction of what retail games cost). I'm more inclined to believe the later. The fact that I can download a cheap game over Live that still has a high fun-factor is very appealing to me. I find that arcade games are great for when I'm waiting for various friends to hop online so that we can get a party formed to play a 'retail' game. While I certainly don't spend as much time with the arcade games, I still think they serve a great purpose and I will continue to buy quality Live Arcade games that are released.
Once the average bandwidth running to homes increases to maybe 50 or 100 mbps, I can definitely see content being distributed via the Internet taking off. I for one would love to be able to download my games instead of running to the store. I hope that in this generation of consoles we at least see episodic games reach the mass market with large amounts of quality downloadable content for games becomes the norm. I'm not talking just downloadable maps and gamer pictures either - I mean full-scale upgrades to games similar to ones that are delivered to some PC games.
soco @ Feb 13th 2006 11:52AM
i'm actually not playing these games out of boredom. i'm actually playing them because i enjoy them. if i was bored, i could pull out one of the other consoles and play a classic. instead, it's a lot more fun to set up a live game, even if it's a simple card game, with 4 friends and chat while playing it.
that being said, as i recall Condemned made it onto the list one time, which i believe probably means that this is based on the number of people who start up a live aware game during the week. i think this game will fall off in the next week or two. it's a fun game but i suspect this high spot is just people trying it.
that's not to imply that indy games couldn't make it there. i think to really catch on for live, they need to be addictive or just a lot of fun online. Tetrinet on xbl would probably be just such a game, with up to 16 people playing or something. bejeweled might have been if everyone hadn't been playing it for years now.
dsub @ Feb 13th 2006 12:44PM
In the coming weeks, when Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, and Fight Night Round 3 hit the 360, Marble Blast will be gone from that list. I predict Advanced Warfighter will overthrow COD2 for the #2 spot. Nothings going to beat Halo 2 until Halo 3 comes out.
On the other hand, Marble Blast is a fun game, but I haven't played it online yet. Don't think I will either.
Caleb @ Feb 13th 2006 1:23PM
Marble Blast is one of the most fun games I have ever played, hands down, any system.
Playing with my friends and trying to beat each others times is all we've done for the past week.
I haven't even gotten to the multiplayer part of it yet... There are plenty more levels to master.
people chatting @ Feb 13th 2006 1:54PM
Yeah, Yeah, beat level 60, then you can talk crap about marble blast ultra. I've beaten it, and all I have to say is.... XBLA RULES! In fact, I'd even go so far as to say that the XBLA makes the 360 worth buying.
The ZeroCorpse @ Feb 13th 2006 2:19PM
Um... You couldn't do Marble Blast Ultra on any current handhelds. It's in HD, it's got gorgeous graphics with lighting effects, reflections, full screen antialiasing, and some great. complex, fast-moving levels. PSP and DS would choke on MBU. You seem to think it's just Marble Madness. It's not.
I bought this one because it's a GOOD GAME. It's not filling any gap between retail titles, as I haven't even bought all the retail titles I want yet. It's not some low-tech piece of junk flash game, either. It's a solid arcade game- Just because it doesn't feature Mario, Solid Snake, or some character as a protagonist doesn't mean it's not a good game. It has solid gameplay, awesome level design, and a great multiplayer mode.
Does it borrow from Marble Madness? Sure, in the same way every platformer borrows from Super Mario Bros..
But calling this a game that only belongs on a portable shows a lack of understanding. Would you say Katamari Damacy isn't worthy of console play? It's not super-complex (actually, it's less complex than MBU, and has far worse graphics) but it's a great game because it has great gameplay.
If you haven't played MBU, you're just talking out of your rear when you try to put it down. It's on that chart for a good reason- Someone remembered the basics from their Gameplay 101 class.
Spartacus @ Feb 13th 2006 2:26PM
Why are people criticizing the 360's game selection? It's a 3 month old system. How many good games were out for the PS2 when it launched? How long did it take before there was a great selection of quality titles? Phase 2 is about here for game releases and I can't wait for Fight Night Round 3 and Gears of War, but I'm not complaining about the game selection on a brand new system. In fact, I'm quite pleased with the games out right now all things considered. And XBLA is a great service that can also cater to the casual gamer who would never play Halo or DOA4. The 360 is a well rounded package and as time goes on, will become even more so. Most of the people complaining about the 360 I doubt own one, so they either care about us 360 owners and want to express their heartfelt concerns or they are fanboys who are willing to use anything as cannon fodder. My guess is the latter and that the same will be done by MS fanboys when the other systems are launched and the circle of life will be complete.
gamer1 @ Feb 13th 2006 3:36PM
Marble Blast Ultra is a good game. Reasons for people buying Xbox Live Arcade games for boredom of Xbox 360 games is just as valid as buying them for being bored of games on other platforms. What many people don’t take into account is that many people who own Xbox 360’s are multi platform owners. I own a PS2 and PSP, and with that reasoning, the reasons for why I could buy games for the Xbox 360 could be because I’m bored of the games on those 2 platforms.
With that said, I think that what could make playing games on older generation systems seem boring are their lack of centralized online systems. It’s so much more fun to be able to compare achievements and high scores against friends online. Just knowing that one of my friends had Marble Blast Ultra made me want to check it out. And the fact that knowing what games your friends have by checking online is great by itself. Anyone who has a close group of hardcore gamer friends will find that the Live integration of the Xbox 360 introduces a new dimension of addictive gameplay.
Anyway, the boredom reasoning for buying Xbox Live Arcade games is false. I didn’t get Marble Blast Ultra because of was bored of any of my games. I buy games because I want to play more games. Isn’t that the reason why anyone would buy games at all? However, I think that there are a few reasons for why Marble Blast Ultra has done exceptionally well in the Xbox Live Marketplace, as well as Xbox Live as a whole.
1. Xbox Live Arcade games are easily accessible. The demo is free, and if you like it, all you have to do is purchase it online. There is no need to go to the store. Just press a button and it’s yours.
2. The games are a fraction of the cost of full retail games. The Live Arcade games currently range from 5 to 15 dollars. This means that you could probably buy 5 to 10 Xbox Live Arcade games for the price of a new current generation retail games. I can think of many PS2 and PSP games that I’ve bought that I haven’t played as much as Hexic HD, Marble Blast Ultra, and Geometry Wars combined. Technically, Hexic HD is free, and it wouldn’t really count, but the combined costs of those games are only 15 dollars. It’s definitely a bargain.
3. Marble Blast Ultra is a full 3D game with multiplayer features. Other than the fact that you get a full 3D game from a simple download, being able to play online with such a simple game is pretty cool on its own.
I’ve played Marble Blast Ultra for about 4 days to unlock all of the achievements and pretty much put it down after that. Even still the game was totally worth my 10 bucks, which is equivalent price to watching a movie around where I live. Right now, my girlfriend is addicted to the game. I still play the game occasionally if she happens to be my score, which kind of pisses her off, but oh well. If you get the game and have a gold subscription, definitely check out the multiplayer features. I would describe it like racing around in a first person shooter. Okay, maybe that description is not very enticing. Try it out and make your own conclusions. I think its alright.
Oncnawan @ Feb 13th 2006 4:15PM
@ Fan
Please don't try to pin your boredom on the rest of us, or claim to know why thousands of gamers are playing this game. I alternate playing Marble Blast with Call of Duty 2 and Need for Speed Most Wanted - not because I am bored, but because it is a truly enjoyable title. You can remove me from your "everyone is playing because..." category, along with everyone else with whom you have not confirmed your theory.
Domingo @ Feb 13th 2006 6:50PM
I think the game is a total blast. I played the demo and paid the few bucks for the full game about an hour later.
For such a simple game, graphics and framerate are great, and there's something painfully addictive about it. It'll piss you off to no end when your perfect run through a long level misses by a milimeter or a bounce that goes too far. At the same time, it won't stop you from trying that level again and again.
I think the whole idea of taking "simple" (and cheap) games online is awesome.
I don't care if the 360 doesn't have 50 games as long as I can still play games like this.
Half of the fun of online play is terrific voice communication and community feel.
I've got several "full" 360 games w/ online play (NFS:MW, Madden, DOA), but I think this $10 game stacks up to them in terms of fun factor.
That's what matters. If the Revolution can do anything like what MS has done with the Live system, I'll be all over it.
gamer1 @ Feb 13th 2006 8:40PM
I think so too. If the Revolution has some new simple games that can be played online, I’m all for it. I think I’d also like to play Mario Tennis 64, Diddy Kong Racing, and Mario Party online if they could make it happen too.