512MB memory card and exciting XBLA news

It looks like that silly rumor was true as Microsoft just announced a bigger memory card for the Xbox 360. The new 512MB Xbox 360 memory card will be available April 3rd, will retail for $49.99, and for a limited time will come pre-loaded with Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. Simultaneously, the ancient 64MB memory card will drop in price to $29.99 (be on the lookout for clearance prices). Also, with the announcement of the new 512MB card, the XBLA size limit will be raised from 50MB to 150MB allowing developers to run wild with their creativity. Microsoft also announced that they'll be showcasing XBLA titles Boom Boom Rocket, 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures, Eets: Chowdown, Jetpac Refuelled, and Pinball FX at GDC. Check out the full press release after the break.

So, after reading that informative spiel what is your gut reaction? We definitely agree with raising the XBLA size limit to 150MB and find the 512MB memory card to be a much better deal than the old 64MB version. And for curiosity's sake, is there anyone out there who just purchased a 64MB memory card and is kicking themselves?

Microsoft Announces 512MB Memory Unit for Xbox 360 and Increased Xbox LIVE Arcade Game Size Limit

SAN FRANCISCO - March 4, 2007 - At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2007, Microsoft Corp. today announced plans to launch a 512MB Memory Unit for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system and an increase in the official size limit of Xbox LIVE® Arcade games from 50 MB to 150 MB.

The 512MB Memory Unit, available worldwide beginning April 3, 2007, will retail for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.) in North America.* The 512MB Memory Unit will be pre-loaded with the hit Xbox LIVE Arcade game "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved" from developer Bizarre Creations Ltd. for a limited time. The original 64MB Memory Unit will simultaneously drop in price from $39.99 to $29.99 (ERP).*

Eight times larger than the 64MB Memory Unit, the 512MB Memory Unit will provide Xbox 360 owners with vastly expanded storage capabilities for gaming on the go, allowing gamers to easily store and transport their gamer profile and save game data, Xbox LIVE Arcade games and Xbox LIVE Marketplace content. The 512MB Memory Unit also gives Xbox 360 owners the ability to download exclusive content from any of the 45,000 Xbox 360 kiosks accessible at retail outlets worldwide.

Beginning today, the Xbox LIVE Arcade game size limit has increased from 50 MB to 150 MB, giving developers greater flexibility in game design and expanding the opportunity to add advanced game features while still keeping games compact.

"The new size limit offers developers increased flexibility and continued opportunities for innovative game development, while also ensuring that the millions of gamers on Xbox LIVE can continue to easily access, download and play all Xbox LIVE Arcade games on Xbox 360," said Chris Early, product unit manager for Xbox LIVE Arcade and Microsoft Casual Games at Microsoft. "If you take a look at current games like 'Roboblitz' and 'Small Arms,' it's clear that our developers deliver amazing game experiences within a compact size limit. Our focus is on continuing to provide developers with an environment that allows for the creation of cost-efficient games and that nurtures an artistic and creative approach to game development."

"As we prepare to launch our first Xbox LIVE Arcade game, 'Boom Boom Rocket,' we're able to see how dynamic and creative this platform is," said Chip Lange, vice president of Online Commerce for Electronic Arts Inc. (EA). "Having 'Wing Commander Arena' on Xbox LIVE Arcade allows us to take full advantage of the online play and bring to life a 16-player online arcade experience that delivers unparalleled arcade action."

This week at GDC, Microsoft will showcase forthcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade games from a cross-section of genres to the game development community:

"Boom Boom Rocket" (EA and Bizarre Creations). This eagerly anticipated title from EA and Bizarre Creations is a hypnotic rhythm music game that will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade this spring, priced at 800 Microsoft Points.

"3D Ultra™ Minigolf Adventures" (Sierra Online and Wanako Games). The first outdoor sports game on Xbox LIVE Arcade, "3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures" lets players putt their way through 36 fun-filled holes on wild courses that include settings such as the Classic Carnival and the fantastical Outer Space.

"Eets: Chowdown" (Klei Entertainment Inc.). A completely revamped version of the popular PC title, "Eets: Chowdown" offers a fun puzzle game experience unlike anything else available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, and features new items and 120 new levels.

"Jetpac Refuelled" (Rare Ltd.). This is a new take on Rare/Ultimate's 1983 classic space blaster with enhanced graphics and Xbox LIVE features; players must clear a path through hordes of aliens to refuel their ship and amass a fortune over the course of more than 100 high-definition levels.

"Pinball FX" (ZEN Studios Ltd.). "Pinball FX" offers an unparalleled pinball experience that will be fun for novices and experts alike, with realistic ball physics and stunning 3-D tables. "Pinball FX" also features real-time, head-to-head competition over Xbox LIVE and Xbox LIVE Vision camera support.

Reader Comments (25)

First!!

Hopefully this will mean more and better games.

That's great news about the limit.

No reason to gimp XBLA with such things.

Sweet. But seriously, who still uses memory cards?

wow.. looks like we get Geometry wars for free. Buy card, copy game to hdd, return card to store. Presto.

"...allowing gamers to easily store and transport their gamer profile and save game data, Xbox LIVE Arcade games and Xbox LIVE Marketplace content."

So that we can copy those files to the soon-to-be-released HDMI-enabled 360? Hmm.

Screw the memory cards, where's the 120GB HD replacement?

i have a memory card, it is great for if i go to a friends house or a lan you have your account on you no maater what console your on, but other than that, i see no need for a 512 mb card.

I could get behind a Pinball game.

Also reading an interview with Dan Paladin recently(Artist: Castle Crashers) he was saying he felt the game could've been better with more room... well hopefully it's not too late for The Behemoth to do whatever they wanted to do as Castle Crashers is the XBLA game I'm looking most forward to now that Alien Hominid is out.

This should put to rest any fantasies people entertain that the Core System will be discontinued. So long as it represents a significantly lower cost of good delivered it will exist if ony to allow Micosoft to claim a lower cost of entry for the Xbox 360.

The 512MB for $10 more than its 64MB predecessor is a big improvement but I'd greatly prefer to see Microsoft offer a $30 SD card adapter. This would still allow a very good profit margin for MS and retailers while giving consumers a far better value. For the same $50 demanded for the 512MB unit, I could easily bundle a $30 SD card adapter and $20 2GB SD card at Fry's on a good week. Heck, with rebates they've recently had 1GB SD devices for well under $10.

Since the flash memory market is so volatile, no pun intended, it would be best for Microsoft to just sell us an overpriced adapter and let us reap the benefits of the latest pricing.

I have a need for one due to the fact that I keep running out of room on my HD.

The thing is you could get a 500 gb external hard drive for 250$ so that 50 cents a gig.. when you look at this, it's $49.99 for 512MB..

Any extra space would be nice, if they charge this much for a simple memory card, imagine how much they'd ask for something like a 120GB HD.

Jesus, 800 points for Boom Boom Rocket?

Hopefully this change in max size doesn't mean that XBLA limits aren't evaluated on a case by case basis anymore. I think the idea that some games simply need more space is far more important than arbitrary file size limits.

That said, as long as they are still evaluating space needs for games on a case-by-case basis, this is good news.

Nice upping the limit on the games, but I have a memory card already, and Ive never used it.

I still think $49.99 is toooooo much for a 512MB Memory Card. I am glad I have a preminum system. I have a Wii and I did not buy Nintendo's card either: I can buy any SD Card for the Wii and use it. This is what I hate about MS, thier proprietary accessories CRAP.

I still hate so much how they blatantly rip us off with accessories. Just look $50 for 512 MB? It really pisses me off but what can we do? They have to make their money somewhere. I have no need for one because when I go to friend's houses I simply bring my 360's HD with me. ALL of my game saves and profiles can be brought with that.

Yeah #12, that's a horrible price-point...but the $30 for the 64 MB version is even worse. 3/5 the price for 1/8 the storage.

can you take all of your content off your existing hd and transfer it to a new hd?

Dustin, you forgot the a huge item in that press release:

The first XNA-created game, Schizoid, has been announced as an official XBLA title.

One of the things I liked about the Xbox was the fact that, unlike Playstations, I did not need a memory card to save games. Same thing with the 360 and the PS3.

The only reason I can think of buying a memory card for the 360 is to transfer data. I saw that some company,(Pelican or Datel), was selling a data transfer device. You can store 360 data on your pc, but a memory card is needed, I think. Since my 360 is fast filling up, having a way to store data somewhere else would be very nice. And if I need a memory card to do it, I just might buy one.

I have a premium system and a memory card. Do not discount it or the core system's usefulness. I can take my GT to friends houses WITHOUT recovering my GT and sign in instantaneously. I can also use multiple save slots in games like GEARS and Dead Rising. So I can play Co-op with a bud in one game of GEARS and not lose my place in another. I can also download crap from kiosks and bring game saves without taking my HDD, which is a pain if your friend wats to use his own. The core is the same price as a PS2 when that was released, which also needed a memory card, but didn't have network OR capabilities built in, AND needed a $34 8-MB memory card to save games.

I'd rather spend $50 dollars more and get another 20 gig hard drive...

Umm, I meant network OR multimedia capabilities.

@coalhalo
I have a Datel HDD transfer kit. You can use it although it is NOT userfriendly, and it's not really good for using other people's game saves since the update. It is good for backing up data, though.

Previously, Microsoft said that the Xbox Live Arcade limit was raised to 250MB, and they said that this could potentially be raised to 450MB in certain exceptions.

If 150MB is the limit, then that is fine with me, under one condition:

I want to be able to play Neo Geo games on Xbox Live Arcade!

Waits for clearance of the 64MB'er.

"wow.. looks like we get Geometry wars for free. Buy card, copy game to hdd, return card to store. Presto."

exactly what i was thinking of doing.

and then get the 64mb card to bring to rez so my buddy can play halo online...and so i dont have to lug my HDD around instead.

512MB memory card and exciting XBLA news

Reader Comments (25)

Posted: Mar 6th 2007 10:09AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Mar 5th 2007 2:10AM aforty said

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