Mass Effect pops up early on XBL Games on Demand service
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Jun 20th 2009 at 11:30AM } 
As 360sync.com rightfully points out, game manuals will be provided virtually through the Xbox.com Marketplace website according to the listing, so you've got that going for ya (which is nice). We're not sure when these puppies are showin' up on XBL for sure, but from the looks of things, we'd say sooner rather than later. For a video tour of the upcoming Games on Demand service, hit the break.
[Via 360sync]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MystileArmor @ Jun 20th 2009 11:40AM
Maybe a bit of an indication of the rest of the announced features of XBL, such as Last.fm and Facebook?
Vcize @ Jun 20th 2009 12:54PM
You do realize that you can replace the 360 hard drive with any hard drive without voiding your warranty, right? Just like the PS3.
The only difference is it's capped at 120gb and since it's not "officially" supported you have to open the instructions online rather than opening up your manual, which most people probably do already anyway.
Vcize @ Jun 20th 2009 12:55PM
Wow, I swear I clicked reply under Antonio's name...
Antonio @ Jun 20th 2009 11:43AM
lol, good luck with your HDD's
Hoaxs @ Jun 20th 2009 11:46AM
Why? It's just like installing a game to your HDD from disc.
slimshady @ Jun 20th 2009 11:51AM
What he meant to say is that Xbox 360 Hard Drives are overpriced, and most people only have 20GB and most of that is full and they cannot use it.
These complaints come up at every post about anything to download that is a little bit bigger.
But you don't have to use so either buy a bigger hard drive or don't buy it, but stop complaining everywhere.
Snowblind @ Jun 20th 2009 12:05PM
Even on a 20GB, there's room for a couple.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 20th 2009 12:07PM
"Even on a 20GB, there's room for a couple"
Well technically yeah. Keep in mind a 20gb hard drive is really only 13 or so cause of all the system crap MS keeps on it that can't be removed. So it can hold about 2 full games if you don't keep anything else on it at all.
No xbla games, no originals, no DLC etc.
Ignatius @ Jun 20th 2009 2:36PM
This is precisely why I bought the Elite when it came out. I've got over a dozen games installed and I still have space.
Antonio @ Jun 20th 2009 4:22PM
@Ignatius
Tell me about it, I got 500GB on my PS3 and there's plenty of room w/o paying for a over priced PoS HDD by microsoft.
Garp @ Jun 20th 2009 6:05PM
Antonio - Do you really think this far into the console generation you're really going to sway anyone's opinion about any of the consoles, or is it possible that you just enjoy looking small-minded and petty? Just curious. Seriously, enough with the trolling. You've got another six years to troll with the PS3. Better pace yourself!
Swagman @ Jun 21st 2009 3:00AM
I too installed a 500GB HDD into my PS3, and am in no danger of filling that thing up anytime soon.
Ironically, the reason I am in no danger of filling up my PS3 HDD, is that there is hardly ever a reason to download anything from PSN.
You got the Pixel Junk series and WipEout HD and some other cool stuff on the service (with more on the way like Fat Princess and Pixel Junk Shooter), but were it not for trailers, demos, and mandatory installs of PS3 exclusives, I'd never have anything to put in my 500GB PS3 HDD. Over the entire lifetime of the PS3, I have purchased around 20 PSN titles. Compared to over 100 titles, being my lifetime purchases on XBLA/Xbox Originals/Community Games.
As for expansion paks, when they show up for PS3 exclusives, yeah, I get those too. But for the most part (90% of the time), multi-console games are usually better on Xbox 360 (especially for online play). So games like Fallout 3, the Call of Duties, the Tom Clancy stuff, the GTAs, etc., I usually wind up getting those on 360. And consequently, wind up getting the expansion paks for those games on 360. Even that 120GB I have for my Elite system is always about 20GB to 30GB from being full - I have to remind myself constantly to erase stuff from it to make room for newer stuff.
And that is the real irony. PS3 really does not need the HDD space - I'd say if you got between 80GB to 120GB on a PS3 HDD, it is all you will likely ever need. Xbox 360 on the other hand, even 120GB is no where near enough. Even if Microsoft came out with a 250GB HDD, it still would not be enough (especially with all the new downloadable services (like Games on Demand) they have coming to LIVE over the next few months - not if people want to keep everything they ever downloaded on the system. So the one system that does not need all the space, is the one that anyone can update to as large an HDD as they like, so long as the HDD is 3.5" low profile formfactor; and the one console that needs more storage space like Popeye needs spinach, maxes out at a measly 120GB . . . and even that costs an arm and a leg if you did not happen to buy it with the Elite.
Who says the game industry is not screwed up?
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 20th 2009 11:52AM
Ironically that's the first game I'm buying on that service, and my HD just came in 2 days ago. I want it now!!
Jack_Jackington @ Jun 20th 2009 5:05PM
How is that ironic?
Garp @ Jun 20th 2009 6:06PM
Isn't it ironic, dontcha think?
Dowse @ Jun 21st 2009 6:09PM
Its coincidental, not ironic.
w00dm4n @ Jun 20th 2009 11:56AM
Hopefully they'll have some sort of "buy a 60 or 120GB HDD and get 1 or 2 Games on Demand titles free"
Sly @ Jun 20th 2009 3:33PM
that would be a good solution for both MS and consumers.
Wewtaco @ Jun 20th 2009 10:24PM
I doubt it, that would be like taking off $60 of the price. They'll probably do a coupon program if anything, like $30 off a Microsoft game.
Rhamsey @ Jun 20th 2009 12:00PM
I'm really hoping for an on demand rent idea, i know someone else posted the idea, but i still think its a great one.
Rarekillerking @ Jun 20th 2009 1:35PM
Can't wait for games on demand. Never have to change a disk again. not because i'm lazy, im disabled.
HazyCloud @ Jun 20th 2009 12:43PM
I can see this being handy if they start offering music games. I'd love to be able to boot RB2 with CoD4 in the drive.
Mychas @ Jun 20th 2009 12:50PM
I doubt that the makers of these music games will let them do that, mostly because of the peripherals. (You can never have too many plastic instruments...)
ducttapeBigSexy @ Jun 20th 2009 1:32PM
Why? If you're already getting up to get the instruments, is it really that hard to swap the game disc?
HazyCloud @ Jun 20th 2009 1:53PM
@ duct
Of course not, but my drums are always setup and in the proper place. I'd just like to have the option.
Tiptup300 @ Jun 21st 2009 12:33AM
OMG, RB2 on my console!? *creams self*
Edicius @ Jun 20th 2009 12:53PM
Nice Caddy Shack reference
ducttapeBigSexy @ Jun 20th 2009 1:31PM
I can understand the allure of downloadable games on portable devices (you don't need to carry around a bunch of UMDs, etc.), but why would anyone want to do this on a game console? In the 30 minutes it'll take to download the game, you could have went to Best Buy, bought the game, and made it back home.
As for the argument that "I don't have to switch game discs," seriously, are you really that lazy? Do you also wear Depends so you don't have to get up and go to the bathroom?
I seriously don't see any benefit to buying games digitally on a console - it's the same thing as if you bought the game disc, but you lose the ability to sell your copy, lend your copy to a friend, etc.
Von Dozier @ Jun 20th 2009 1:37PM
Answer is simple:
Why not?
ohyeahcola @ Jun 20th 2009 1:37PM
no tax
Ron @ Jun 20th 2009 1:44PM
No tax, no scratched disks, redownload ability (?)...it's the wave of the FUTURE man! Get with the times! Oh did I mention, no plastics going into landfills?
Vcize @ Jun 20th 2009 1:45PM
Yes, I am really that lazy.
Seriously, my most wanted feature in the next generation of consoles is true installs where we don't have to use the disc anymore.
SaltyGary @ Jun 20th 2009 2:06PM
For me I live in a town of 1200 people so the closest store to buy games is 20 minutes away. So convenience is one. Carbon footprint is two. I don't have to drive nor does the postman and all that paper and plastic doesn't have to be produced. digital distribution is the future for all media. Gone will be the media trophy rooms.
Sly @ Jun 20th 2009 3:35PM
yeah, it saves space inside the house, it's a tad bit easier to play different games, and it's eco-friendly. and i guess it's cheaper on the consumer and publisher ends. so it's a win all around, except you can't trade or sell them.
cuteSAVAGE @ Jun 20th 2009 4:29PM
It's kind of silly to think this service will have any affect on Plastic/Paper consumption. It isn't like all of a sudden they are going to stop producing millions upon millions of discs for a game's launch.
That's something to look forward to in the future though. Hopefully the next generation will have day-and-date downloads for all retail titles, with production numbers drastically reduced on physical copies (in the event there actually are physical copies).
This is a great service though, and I am all for reduction or elimination of plastic and paper consumption
cuteSAVAGE @ Jun 20th 2009 4:32PM
@ Sly: "...except you can't trade or sell them."
I could definitely see some sort of buy-back implementation in these services. Give up your rights to play this game, get $5 worth of space bucks towards any other title on the service.
ducttapeBigSexy @ Jun 20th 2009 7:03PM
To rebuke some of the counter points:
Why not?: Control of distribution is centralized to one retailer (less consumer choice), reliance on a centralized server (what happens if this service stops? Will you still be able to download your games if your hard drive crashes?), lose ability to sell your copy to anyone (without relying on the good graces of Microsoft to implement such a feature), lose the ability to easily show off your entire game collection
No damage to your discs: The only time I've ever had a problem with discs getting scratched was when my launch PS2 started scratching discs. Otherwise, I take care of my games - if you're spending $60 on a game and using it as a coaster, then you're just a retard.
Convenience: 30 minutes to download a game or 30 minutes to go to the store and buy the game. You're probably making a weekly trip to Walmart anyway.
Save the Environment: This falls under my category of the "Watching a movie on Lifetime." You didn't actually do anything meaningful, but man, you feel good about yourself. Kind of like people won't don't drink diet soda because it'll give them cancer, but they have no problem smoking. It's called worrying about the wrong things.
Wewtaco @ Jun 20th 2009 10:26PM
I'll probably continue to buy games. Where else am I supposed to get coasters?
Roger @ Jun 21st 2009 11:00AM
my disc drive dosnt work unless i sit there for sometimes up to 45 minutes putting the disc in and out until it reads, so spending 30 minutes downloading a game that would instantly work all the time would be kind of nice
AvA (ice~) @ Jun 20th 2009 1:40PM
I don't know about everyone else...but I don't like downloadable games. I like having the physical disc, so I know I can always go back and look at the case and get flashbacks. With Downloadable titles...I feel like i don't physically own the game, so, instead of complaining, I'll continue to buy discs. As for DL games on handhelds, that is different. No one wants to walk around with 30 UMDS and DS Cartridges. that's a pain
Doomheit @ Jun 20th 2009 1:49PM
I can download an improved version of Mass Effect for $20 right now. It's called Steam.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 20th 2009 1:53PM
Well when this comes out I can download it and know for a 100% fact that it'll work on my 360. No worrying about system requirements or expensive upgrades at all.
Mokano40 @ Jun 20th 2009 1:56PM
If microsoft could only lower the prices on the 120GB HDD
Bravo6 @ Jun 20th 2009 2:02PM
Stuff isn't going to work until that stop screwing people over with those HD prices.
Cosmo (formerly Chin-Poh) @ Jun 20th 2009 2:22PM
Microsoft, drop the prices on your HDDs and release higher capacity ones. And in the Xbox 720, make the hard drive user-replaceable!
Sly @ Jun 20th 2009 3:36PM
that's one of the things sony did completely right with the ps3. easily replaceable hard drives.
Dragod @ Jun 20th 2009 7:35PM
The Sony hardware is fabulous... It's the software, marketing, and Sony's business this time around that's the problem.
Scott @ Jun 20th 2009 2:31PM
@ Vcize
You cant replace your hard drive in the 360 with any old drive. You have to buy a certain WD drive, load special files on it, and later if Microsoft decides they want to start banning for switching drives then you get banned too. Its not an easy process and for 99% of people with a 360 their only choice is to buy the official Microsoft drive.
poopdedoop @ Jun 20th 2009 4:27PM
If anyone has noticed, If you play Mass Effect currently, the Game image in your games library is the Platinum Hits Cover. That just appeared yesterday sometime.
jCarmichael @ Jun 20th 2009 5:27PM
Great yet another service/feature that wont be available down under. Seriously Bill why do i have pay the full price for half the stuff?