XBLA delistings will put focus on quality, argues Microsoft

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jun 2nd 2008 at 8:00PM }

Microsoft's controversial decision to bump certain games off its Xbox Live Arcade service has generated plenty of discussion, with most pundits wondering why a shelf with infinite space is suddenly in need of clearing. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Xbox Live product management director, Aaron Greenberg, argued that the move -- which is beginning to sound like a threat aimed at more dubious developers -- would ultimately promote a greater number of quality titles. "What you're going to see [is that] Arcade, in general, is going to focus on quality over quantity," he said. "While you will see [some] titles get delisted, hopefully you won't see many games getting delisted. [You'll see a] higher quality of games that won't fall into that criteria."

Greenberg also sees the cleansing, which "outweighed the cons of expanding the shelf," as a move that will improve the service's appearance to new customers. "They're going to turn on the Xbox and go into Arcade and [see] a much higher quality of selection. You want consumers to get that experience for the first time [and see that] every Arcade game is a high-quality game, so their first purchase is most likely going to be a great game."

We suspect having a clearly marked "rubbish" bin could similarly point new users to the good stuff, but it seems Microsoft would prefer not to have a waste basket standing right in the foyer.

Tags: Delisting, Microsoft, XBLA, XBLA-Delisting, Xbox-Live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ravi Nair @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:18PM

If they hadn't done it, most people would be complaining about how XBL has a ton of crapware. They are damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:34PM

look at this weeks releases...

They aren't stemming the tide of crapware, merely hiding it.

J.Goodwin @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:11PM

Well, the best way to deal with it is to let users put thumb ratings on the games. Instead, we got the dubious "recommend this game to a friend" feature.

finnith @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:24PM

What they could've done is let people review games through Xbox Live or through a computer. If a newcomer to Xbox Live tried to purchase a game, they would see these reviews and be able to determine whether or not they want that game.

The only problem I see with the "user-reviewing system" is the fact that user-reviews are often very inaccurate, being anecdotal and generally unprofessional.

Also, if everyone were able to write reviews then companies might try to write positive reviews for their own games (Hey, they did it for Wikipedia) to promote their game. Microsoft might also catch flak from devs if the devs find that it is because of low review scores that their game is selling poorly.

I still think that the reviewing system is still the best one, though, it just needs some moderators.

pakkman781 @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:34AM

I agree, I think a simple 5 thumb/star/controller/thing controller system would be great. Of course the above poster does make some good points...

I still say this is a solution without a problem though. New users have access to the same free trial version as everybody else. Try before you buy. Microsoft seems to have forgotten about this. :/

Yourself @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:12PM

I'm all for this. As far as I'm concerned, this is Microsoft saying to developers: "If you're not going to show any respect for the customer or our provided distribution, we aren't going to support you." Now let's see them start clearing out the ACTUAL store shelves as well.

Arno @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:15PM

But wait, doesn't that mean that Yaris will never be delisted because it's free and thus doesn't have a "conversion ratio."

Oh the horror!

Tiptup300 @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:04PM

Yaris has a 17/100, I'm sure MS can make an exception for that piece of cancer.

AoE @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:41PM

hahah, yeah I suspect we'll be stuck with Yaris for a while yet.

Tiptup300, don't forget it's a different story than any other game on XBLA... it's there because Toyota paid MS loads of cash to put it there; I'm sure it will remain until the contract is up.

Tiptup300 @ Jun 2nd 2008 10:03PM

I wouldn't want to own a yaris after playing that game.

Anticrawl @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:21PM

Yaris made me never want to buy a Toyota brand car. They think so little of gamers and the entertainment medium that they can pull off selling us products with their shitty game. Insulting.

LordMinogue @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:44PM

I would have suggested:

1. A titular search that allowed users to jump to a title they wanted to try or buy

2. A "most popular" category containing the top selling games of each genre

Dirty @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:44PM

I dont know why Microsoft being so defensive. Who cares.

jimbob @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:48PM

http://www.weezerjonas.com/CDA5240F87574D8387EBDE8FEC733210/tracklink.asp?guid=9338E08DB4AC447A9F28C553C5A3D6B2

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:50PM

As much as I applaud your tragic fanboyism (gotta spread the wurd), off topic. Seriously.

jimbob @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:53PM

I know, and I apologize if anyone is annoyed. I usually put a notice, but forgot.

PS. Far from a fanboy, more like overbearingly obsessed.

Darius @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:18AM

holy shit.
While that was as off topic as humanly possible, my life is slightly better for watching that video. Cheers, sir.

tmmoore_nc @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:51PM

So did increasing the size limit for XBLA games....oh wait.

BIGFAT @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:29PM

the only game i care for that could be deleted is tetris splash but my friend has it so he could just send it to me

dave @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:19PM

I think they should be concerned with the titles they are putting onto xbox live rather than the ones they will be taking off. YOU ALLOWED THEM TO THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!! These games didn't magically appear on xbox live.

wickedpheonix @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:12PM

Honestly, de-listing is not the answer: either redoing the screening process to actually screen out bad games and put in good games (not, oh we're not going to let your game in because we already have 10 racing games), or some kind of user rating system. Microsoft needs to realize that the USB keyboard text-drivers on the 360 exist for something - rating games is a good place to start, followed by text chat in games and the like.

J @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:37PM

Hi.

Some of these developers actually believe their games kick ass. While MS can simply delist their games when they feel the effort was insufficient, you canNOT blame them for trying. I figured the fact that their games aren't selling well is punishment enough, but i guess making them unavailable in the marketplace is a better motivator for these developers.

But remember, these developers have to start somewhere.

No?

AoE @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:44PM

True, first stop crap XBLA titles, then onto the movie-license title game big leagues!

Thank you, I think you just solved the "where do all these crappy developers who make movie titles come from?!" mystery!

DukeFett @ Jun 2nd 2008 10:31PM

I think this is an ok idea, but before they do it I think they should do a fire sale on those titles, like 200ms points or something. Let people get it if they want for dirt cheap, then get rid of it.

POOLSCLOSED @ Jun 2nd 2008 10:53PM

Still doesn't change the fact that games like Xevious and Pac-Man are classics. Seriously, Microsoft should just label original Xbox Live content differently and leave the REAL arcade games online.

J @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:05AM

Microsoft wouldn't have a wastebasket anyway.

It'd be a recycle bin.

J @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:36PM

why r u copying my name?

just kidding. just try not to say anything mean, please. ;)

Pralaya @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:24AM

burn microsoft burn

BMErdin @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:13AM

Eh, doesn't every XBLA game have a trial version? Why would someone buy a game when a free trial is right there? There have been many, many Arcade games I've demoed that sounded neat but got a swift boot off the HDD once I actually played it.

K387 @ Jun 3rd 2008 8:16AM

Actually, some of those titles could do better if there were lower priced. Arkadian Warriors is nothing to write home about, but I'd nab it at 400 points. Hell, I've got like 3 different versions of DOOM lying around and I still nabbed the XBLA version because it was 400 points.

K387

Skullgrl @ Jun 3rd 2008 9:44AM

A copy of doom on every system humanly possible is a must for anyone who likes to shoot pixelated incarnations of hellfire.

I'm just saying is all. Plus, you can usually get it for real cheap now-a-days.