XBLA file size limit raised to 250MB? [Update: nope]
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jan 19th 2007 at 7:15AM }
[Update: Looks like 1UP was off by just about 100 emm bees ... alright, exactly 100 emm bees. The official XBLA file size limit has been raised to 150MB, not 250MB.]It seems that the upcoming Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will no longer be the exception to the rule -- 1UP's Luke Smith reports that the Xbox Live Arcade file size limit has been bumped up from 50MB to 250MB. The move should allow less agile developers to slip beneath the Limbo pole without winding up in a painfully awkward position. Just ask last year's Lumines Live! how chopping a game into 50MB chunks can make microtransactions even harder to swallow.
Luke also notes that with Microsoft's approval, certain games might even span 450MB. Returning to the earlier Limbo analogy, this would likely be reserved for developers that insist on wearing full suits of armor to the party. The relaxed rules may lead to games becoming more bloated, but the developer is surely better off worrying less about compression and more about, you know, making a good game.
It's worth nothing that owners of the Core Xbox 360 are adversely affected by this decision, as they still find themselves restricted by measly 64MB memory cards (remember those quaint little things?). Microsoft is likely already working on larger memory cards, though even the rumored 256MB variant won't be able to hold many games, much less a 450MB title.
[Thanks, Jonah!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mietha CAG @ Jan 19th 2007 7:33AM
Gee, now WHERE THE BLOODY **** IS THE LARGER HARD DRIVE??? Nothing they are doing means ANYTHING until it is actually on the market, and they haven't even offically announced one yet... Looks like sony did at least one thing WAY better than M$.
dvdguy @ Jan 19th 2007 7:53AM
If they'd just let us use USB external hard drives, everyone would be thrilled.
Jas @ Jan 19th 2007 8:09AM
My best guess is that they're wrapping up updated hardware and software and will create new options..
After completing IPTV software/testing, upgrade to 65nm chip we'll see Ver.2 of 360 premium for summer/fall '07 release and a drop of the Core model.
The regular premium version is now base model with 20 gig harddrive. New premium model has 100+ gig harddrive, IPTV capabilities, quieter (runs cooler with smaller chipset) and maybe more?
2)
FSK405K @ Jan 19th 2007 8:24AM
Is this also for Castle Crashers, I hope?
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 19th 2007 8:38AM
This is so friggin cool....
So, now that I have the CORE, i have to buy the hard drive...hmmm, $99....then subscribe to XBOX LIVE...$50?...hmmmm...$299+$99+$50...that's like $450 roughly. Uhm....and I still get a crap controller?
Shit...I can buy a PS3 for $499...and I get a wireless controller, free online multiplayer and a 20GB HDD??
Whose screwing who??
Fred T @ Jan 19th 2007 8:43AM
Wow.. now its MS thats copying Sony.
Now they have to get rid of those price caps... it probably costs more to develop a 450mb game than a 50mb game... esp. ini the download arena. Otherwise, its gonna be Lumines Live all over again.
Poor poor Core users are left in the stone age again. Just MS givin you guys more choice.
ihavenoideawhatisgoingon @ Jan 19th 2007 8:46AM
"6. This is so friggin cool....
So, now that I have the CORE, i have to buy the hard drive...hmmm, $99....then subscribe to XBOX LIVE...$50?...hmmmm...$299+$99+$50...that's like $450 roughly. Uhm....and I still get a crap controller?
Shit...I can buy a PS3 for $499...and I get a wireless controller, free online multiplayer and a 20GB HDD??
Whose screwing who??"
1.) You don't need to subscribe to xbox live
2.) Even if you have the wired controller, it's still better than the PS3's controller! I use a wired controller (I have 2 wireless and 1 wired) to save on batteries because I sit so close to the console.
I love stupid misinformation
DBX00 @ Jan 19th 2007 8:51AM
ihavenoideawhatisgoingon
I thought the whole Microsoft competitive advantage was XBOX Live, without that you're looking at a no real killer applications for the console. Would Gears of War really have any replay value if you didn't play online? Halo 2? Let get real...you need XBOX Live to get even half the experience.
The Intangible Fact @ Jan 19th 2007 8:52AM
360 Premium-$399- Wireless controller,1 year free live, better games.
Rask @ Jan 19th 2007 9:02AM
@ FrankTheCrank
If you bought the core in the first place you were doing without XBox Live Arcade tites to begin with wern't you? Or were you using a 64 MB memory card to do your saved games + the XBLA title you happened to be playing at that moment.
Yes MS should've made the HDD a required part of the 360 but they decided to give people the less expensive option.
In all seriousness, were you expecting to be able to ride out this entire gen without a HDD attached to your console?
You also don't need XBox Live Gold to download/play Arcade Titles(Unless you want to play it online) nor is a wireless controller necessary for play(although I seriously hated playing FFXII and being tethered to the console).
Razorback @ Jan 19th 2007 9:13AM
I love Microsoft's answer to everything. Buy or upgrade to something else! I don't know why both Sony and Microsoft scrap production on their low-end models. Wouldn't that increase production, thus lower cost and create a cheaper price for the consumer?
ihavenoideawhatisgoingon @ Jan 19th 2007 9:21AM
DBX00
I never said I didn't have live. I'm just saying that it is not NECESSARY to purchase. I've had a hell of a fun time on Gears without going multiplayer. Try beating it on insaine by yourself....That'll keep you busy for some time!
Yes, there is a lot of great stuff on live, and yes, I couldn't imagine not getting it...cuz it would suck for me! But is it absolutly needed...are you forced to get a subscription...NO, you aren't. And that was my point!
LMAO @ Jan 19th 2007 9:19AM
2GB SD memory card are going for as little as $20 online, meanwhile, a measly 64MB Memory card cost twice as much...
Pete C @ Jan 19th 2007 9:33AM
The Core should have never been released. End of story.
Matt @ Jan 19th 2007 10:00AM
DBX00
Xbox Live Gold costs $50/year. Xbox Live Silver is free. The only difference is that Xbox Live Gold allows for online multiplayer. With Xbox Live Silver, you can still download games, movies, demos, TV shows, Trailers, ect... As for needing XBL Gold, that's entirely subjective. I'm mostly a single player gamer. I spend maybe 10% of my play time in online games. Even without the matchmaking though, it's still a great service.
Mike @ Jan 19th 2007 10:02AM
I understand people bought a Core when they FIRST came out, but, do they even still sell those anymore? A trip to best buy and all I see are 500 Premium Editions. I agree with the other users, the Premium will be bumped down to $299, the Core either $199 or just removed, and a new Home-Theater HDMI,100gig,DVR 360 will be released for $399 soon. If I can upgrade my premium to that for $150-ish, I would be down for that!
Saneless @ Jan 19th 2007 10:10AM
Don't hold back the whole experience for everyone just because people are stupid and think saving $60 gets them a good system. And for those saying the core is $100 cheaper, not with the memory card it isn't
nick @ Jan 19th 2007 10:28AM
Microsoft prides themselves of listening to developers, and also customers
It would appear this was developer driven, and I have to say 'it's about time!'
Now if only Microsoft would listen to the customers seeking larger storage devices.
We want it. Where are they?
I'm not buying another 20GB hard drive if I can help it.
jestert @ Jan 19th 2007 10:34AM
do you really think that people with a memory card only and no hard drive are buying arcade games? That's got to be the dummest thing I've heard. the arcade game at 50 mb would take up almost the full memory card, so if you want to have other stuff you need another memory card, make the game no longer $10, but also the price of the memory card since you can't store much else. So it would make the arcade games $50, the price of a full retail game. Nobody with just a memory card and no hard drive are buying these arcade games. maybe doing a demo, but then delete it after words to have room for their saves. So that is not an issue.
VanGogh @ Jan 19th 2007 4:53PM
@FrankTheCrack
Thank you for pointing out that an Xbox AND a harddrive AND a year of xbox live combined is still cheaper than a PS3! Also about 100x as fun.
Also as far as live, I've had 360 since it came out and I just *yesterday* got Live, and only because I beat Saint's Row but still wanted to play it.
dybot @ Jan 19th 2007 2:16PM
Finally, it was a stupid limit to begin with, although they should have made it 600mb then they could port all the good old PC games easily without putting in midi music.
Hannibal @ Jan 19th 2007 11:00AM
This is great news. Anyone who says otherwise is a bum.
Ya hear me? BUM.
Hopefully this will mean Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers will not be completely stripped.
Ciaran @ Jan 19th 2007 12:29PM
I want a bigger hard drive!
But that's still a problem, because I can't transfer my game saves over to a hard-drive!
Ciaran @ Jan 19th 2007 12:28PM
there's nothing wrong with Core. It was definitely a good decision for Microsoft. In case you didn't realise, but not everybody can afford a premium Xbox 360!
mixshows @ Jan 19th 2007 12:29PM
first of all, who the hell carries their arcade games on a mem card? i know not of a single person who does!
mixshows @ Jan 19th 2007 12:29PM
hey FrankTheCrank, go out and buy yourself a ps3 then, and enjoy ur awesome ps3 online network, with the awesome and totally innovative controller, and 4d graphics runnning at 120 FPS with the totally hot blue ray drive!
ill be so envious of u if u do! please frank please!
check back wit me in a year, after im done playing mass effect, gta4, bioshock, alan wake, fable 2, crackdown, forza 2, graw 2, oh and..um.. halofreakin 3!
muahahahaha
SuicideNinja @ Jan 19th 2007 11:58AM
"This is so friggin cool....
So, now that I have the CORE, i have to buy the hard drive...hmmm, $99....then subscribe to XBOX LIVE...$50?...hmmmm...$299+$99+$50...that's like $450 roughly. Uhm....and I still get a crap controller?
Shit...I can buy a PS3 for $499...and I get a wireless controller, free online multiplayer and a 20GB HDD??
Whose screwing who??"
I hate to break it to you, but the PS3 is the one with the crap controller. I've had my PS3 for three days, and it is the most aggravating console experience I've ever been through. The controller feels like cheap chinese junk, AND the connection drops out several times during every session RFoM. The menu is overly complicated, and getting to the settings/field/text you want takes 20x longer than on the 360. It is not user friendly what-so-ever, and makes me feel ripped off of my money because it's more like work than play.
Did I mention that trying that trying to partition the hard drive DELETED my game save?
And the free online multiplayer is no good. XBLA has a personality, and isn't a complete graveyard.
After I get Linux running on my PS3, so I can pretend it's useful, I'll probably start playing my 360 again, and continue the search for Wii to complete the collection.
Feanor @ Jan 19th 2007 2:48PM
"2GB SD memory card are going for as little as $20 online, meanwhile, a measly 64MB Memory card cost twice as much..."
+1
It's a pity there are no game journalists in the world who could, you know, actually ask MS why this is the case.
blue cheese @ Jan 20th 2007 6:56PM
Also it needs to be pointed out that after you pay for an XBLA game, you can delete it to free up space and download it again at no additional cost. It's like you but the right to that game forever, not just a one time download.
Astro @ Jan 19th 2007 12:18PM
this coming right on the heels of EA saying they're developing for Live Arcade?
sounds like someone has been throwing their weight around.
that said... this is good news!
ill trooper @ Jan 19th 2007 1:25PM
"In all seriousness, were you expecting to be able to ride out this entire gen without a HDD attached to your console?"
No, but Microsoft wants to make some people think they can by offering a box without one.
"In all seriousness," your rebuttal is also bringing down your own reasoning - Microsoft should never have let the 360 leave the factory without a hard drive - acting like it was a "choice" is only making people cough up more money in the long run.
I love my 360, but I never would have bought one without the hard drive. Even the FIRST xbox has a hard drive.
Suicide, I have to disagree with a few things, although I do understand and respect your thoughts on the PS3 - I think the PS3 menu system is excellent, and much faster to deal with than the 360. None of the three new consoles is an amazing example of human/machine interface; the Wii menus need a serious redesign. But the 360 and the PS3 both do essentially the same thing, the same way - you move horizontally to find your catagory, then move up or down to find the specific. The PS3 menu is much quicker to respond and doesn't look like a badly designed insurance website to me. And while the controller is lighter, I like the feel. I wish it had rumble, however...
Now, if the thing had a game I loved other than the MotorStorm demo, I'd be using it more. But I like it - I think the PS3 is going to be awesome... a year from now. This is sorta how I felt when I got my 360 on launch day - maybe a little early to the party.
joe smith @ Jan 19th 2007 1:55PM
Personally I think this is a mistake (if true). Arcade games SHOULD be small and lightweight. Besides bigger games cost more to make which probably means higher prices.
Feanor @ Jan 19th 2007 2:51PM
"The controller feels like cheap chinese junk"
Nice racism there, cool guy.
pupd @ Jan 19th 2007 6:23PM
Just wondering if anybody feels the same as I do.
My decision is simple. I go for the 360. Halo is probably my fave game ever. I've always loved Rare's games. Perfect Dark Zero wasn't as good as I'd hoped for but I still think it's great. I babysit my young niece sometimes and she noticed Viva Pinata so I got that as well.
I thought Metal Gear Solid on PS1 was a great game but didn't enjoy MSG2 which I had to lend a friend's PS2 to play. I think Splinter Cell is much better. Ubisoft surprised me graphically with SC games for PS2 but they have always been better on XBoX. They've always "led" on XBoX. Remember obviously these are just my personal preferences. I'm not looking for a debate here.
I come from a PC shooter background really and remember the first Unreal Tournament fondly but after that, whilst Epic's Unreal engines are superb I just couldn't get into UT2003/4 so I'm not bothered about UT2007 really but I liked the look of Gears of War and I'm now going through it for the 3rd time on the hardest difficulty. Good game. Not tried it online yet.
I like the look of Mass Effect which I believe is a 360 only title. Bioshock as well although I'm still not sure if that's 360 only. Sort of interested in Shadowrun as well which being a Live Anywhere, or whatever it's called, game will probably also be 360 only I reckon.
Approaching 40 years of age now I've seen all the consoles come and go. Some I've bought and some I haven't. The last was a N64. But it always seemed as though they all had a fair share of good and bad games.
It's OK if you have the money for all 3 consoles but I don't. Only enough for one along with upgrading the PC.
But I have to say even if I did have the money I wouldn't get a PS3. From what I've tried, quite a few friends have PS2s and I keep up with game news on the web, I thought Ico and Shadow of the Colossus were great but that's about it.
Again I state, as I can imagine what some people are thinking, it's my own opinion. I do imagine that if I was Japanese the situation might be totally reversed. Personally I'm not into many Japanese games. Of recent anyway.
Does anybody else have a similar situation where you only need to get a 360 or a PS3 or a Wii and along with a PC the 2 do everything you want? I don't know if it's coincidence or not. It seems to good to be true. I keep expecting that at some point Sony will show up with a game for PS3 that will interest me but it hasn't happened yet. If it does it will have to be really something. I didn't buy a PS2 just for Ico and Shadow. I got a PS1 because of 3D and about 5 games that interested me after it had been on sale for about 6 months. But I got a XBoX just for Halo originally. And a Nintendo for Goldeneye.
Amen.
Father PupD.