Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Microsoft contemplating for-pay Avatar accessorieshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/microsoft-contemplating-for-pay-avatar-accessories/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/microsoft-contemplating-for-pay-avatar-accessories/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/microsoft-contemplating-for-pay-avatar-accessories/#commentsFiled under: ,

In an interview with VentureBeat, Xbox Live chief John Schappert confirmed that Microsoft is looking at the possibility of charging users for accessories that can be used to customize their Avatars. When asked about such plans, Schappert replied, "That may be in the future." But what about the near-term? "We want to launch these with great customization and a great library of accessories this fall," he said.

Given the precedent set early on with for-pay customization items such as gamer pics, the fact that MS might charge for more "exotic" Avatar extras certainly doesn't surprise us. We also wouldn't be surprised to see free accessories created to promote upcoming games, films, and events, much in the way promotional game pics and themes are currently offered. So, that Spartan armor helmet? It'll be, oh, 100. But that totally radical Mountain Dew Extreme Sports Action Experience billboard hat is on the house.

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]]>avatarsdlcmicrotransactionsnew-xbox-experiencenxexbox-avatarsRandy Nelson2008-08-01T20:25:00+00:00Study: Gamers not interested in MMO subscriptionshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/study-gamers-not-interested-in-mmo-subscriptions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/study-gamers-not-interested-in-mmo-subscriptions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/study-gamers-not-interested-in-mmo-subscriptions/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Market research firm Parks Associate has released a study claiming subscription-based MMOs aren't dropping enough loot for its players. According to the group's Electronic Gaming in the Digital Home II study (via Worlds in Motion) only the hardcore gamers were into the subscription model, whereas the casual gamer showed "significant interest" in the free-to-play, microtransaction model.

Another part of the study found that, of the non-MMO players polled, 14% would be interested to play if they could play for free, whereas only 2% of that group was interested in subscription-based MMOs. As we always caution, studies generally aren't worth more than the pixels they're displayed on (unless it's a nice monitor, then they're probably worth less). In a recent polling at Joystiq HQ, games that are "free to play" were also seven times more likely to grab our attention than games that weren't free.

Said Director of Broadband and Gaming Yuanzhe (Michael) Cai: "World of Warcraft, with over 10 million players, exceeded expectations for subscription-based MMORPGs, but it's unlikely any other publishers will achieve the same in the near term using a subscription model." Of course, that's kind of a no-brainer even for WoW's competitors.

[Via Eurogamer]

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]]>free-to-playmicrotransactionsmmostudysubscriptionworld-of-warcraftwowRoss Miller2008-07-24T09:44:00+00:00Sims 2 Store live today, microtransactions aboundhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/sims-2-store-live-today-microtransactions-abound/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/sims-2-store-live-today-microtransactions-abound/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/sims-2-store-live-today-microtransactions-abound/#commentsFiled under: ,


Hagimona pana! Guranda epska tali tari ta. Eska, eska, esti toni wa?

*turns on Simlish to English translator*

Better? Good! EA announced that its Sims 2 Store is now live for US and Canadian shoppers. The online retail location practices the fine art of micro transactions by offering items available in Sims 2 expansion packs and "all-new exclusive" content.

The store works by converting real money into "SimPoints" at an exchange rate of $1 for 100 SimPoints, and most items we saw appear to be between 75 - 100 SimPoints. Sims 2 fans can decide for themselves if it's worth micro-transactioning through the Sims 2 Store or picking up the full expansions at retail. The store seems like the type of thing that's perfect if your Sim just needs to have that new shower head and nothing else.

[Via BigDownload]

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]]>eamicrotransactionmicrotransactionssimssims2the-simsAlexander Sliwinski2008-06-30T19:00:00+00:00The Agency to let players buy-a-spy [update]http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Update: Added source -- this press release, which vaguely implies that Live Gamer's RMT service, called Live Gamer Exchange, will allow players to "customize their characters through attire, weaponry, gadgets, vehicles, gear and aliases that tailor their game play." However, Massively's Kyle Horner spoke last night with The Agency lead designer Hal Milton who said that no weapons will be sold. The team is currently discussing the sale of low-level operatives (analogues to low-level equipment), but currently, everything planned to be sold will be purely cosmetic and not gameplay affecting.

Original: Remember all the hoopla over virtual arms dealing in Battlefield: Bad Company? Sony Online Entertainment's not hearing it. In fact, it announced today that its upcoming espionage MMO FPS, The Agency, will feature real money trading (RMT) of everything from clothing and gear to vehicles and weapons.

SOE has yet to declassify its business model for The Agency, so this could go in one of two directions. If it's free-to-play (a la Battlefield: Heroes) the cash-for-guns program would be (slightly) easier to swallow. Since The Agency is a PC and PS3 title, we're laying a bet on a free model given the latter platform's already free online gaming service and today's announcement, which provides a means for SOE to subsidize free play with a cut of player trades. If it's subscription-based? Someone best send some fire-retardant undergarments to SOE brass.

FPS players -- console ones specifically -- are used to earning their way to the top and into better weapons and gear, as seen in Call of Duty 4. The idea of playing a game where they're at an immediate disadvantage based on cash money is unlikely to sit well. At least trade works both ways; those who take the route of being skilled players -- and not payers -- can profit from their homegrown skills by selling stuff to noobs (and people with dead presidents lighting fires in their trousers).

Gallery: The Agency

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]]>microtransactionspay-to-playreal-money-tradingsoesony-online-entertai...the-agencyRandy Nelson2008-05-14T20:45:00+00:00Rumor: Samba de Amigo for Wii getting downloadableshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/rumor-samba-de-amigo-for-wii-getting-downloadables/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/rumor-samba-de-amigo-for-wii-getting-downloadables/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/rumor-samba-de-amigo-for-wii-getting-downloadables/#commentsFiled under: ,

Since revealing intentions to charge money for some measure of online content in February, Nintendo has kept its future plans for our wallets quietly under wraps. However, new box art found on GameStop's online store seems to indicate that Sega's upcoming maraca-deficient revival of office favorite Samba De Amigo may have us praying to the microtransaction gods when the game ships for the Wii this August.

While nothing has been announced by either Sega or Nintendo, the new box art, uncovered by the sleuths at NeoGAF, carries the red "Pay to Play" program logo first shown at GDC by Nintendo to identify games that carry some sort of online fee. As our our friends at Wii Fanboy theorize, it seems likely that the game could finally introduce downloadable songs to Wii, which if true will just make the Wii versions of Guitar Hero III and Rock Band feel that much more feature bankrupt.

[Via Wii Fanboy]

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]]>microtransactionspay-to-playpaytoplaysamba-de-amigosambadeamigosegaJason Dobson2008-05-07T02:00:00+00:00EA explains Battlefield:BC's pay-to-play weaponshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/ea-explains-battlefield-bcs-pay-to-play-weapons/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/ea-explains-battlefield-bcs-pay-to-play-weapons/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/ea-explains-battlefield-bcs-pay-to-play-weapons/#commentsFiled under: , ,


After initially seeing EA's explanation about its pay-to-play DLC weaponry in Battlefield: Bad Company on MTV's Multiplayer, it was time for a nice walk around the block to inhale some crisp spring air and exhale some vexation before sitting down to write about it. The publisher states that five of the DLC weapons in its upcoming FPS will be "free," and the other five will be bundled with the game's "Gold Edition." For gamers who don't want to buy the "Gold Edition," the weapons will be available to purchase through PSN and XBM -- no prices are currently attached to the weapons.

EA states that the pay-to-play weaponry in B:BC will not unbalance the game and that "more weapons offer players more choices but do not create an advantage/disadvantage for players who do not opt to buy new item." Wait, what? Paying extra money for weapons other players don't have doesn't change the game experience? We had hoped EA had given up on its dubious microtransactions, but we're sure consumers will vote using their wallets if they agree with EA's tactic.

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]]>battlefield-bad-comp...battlefield-bad-companydlceamicrotransactionmicrotransactionsmtvpay-to-playAlexander Sliwinski2008-03-24T21:30:00+00:00Microtransactions coming soon to Nintendo Wiihttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/14/microtransactions-coming-soon-to-nintendo-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/14/microtransactions-coming-soon-to-nintendo-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/14/microtransactions-coming-soon-to-nintendo-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,


And the infernal circle is complete. Microtransactions will finally be making their way to the Nintendo Wii, largely by way of the upcoming WiiWare service. The Wii was the last of the three major consoles to not support microtransactions, and now no consumer is safe from the incessant nickel-and-diming for minor content.

IGN reports that WiiWare developer Genki will be selling an add-on pack for its puzzle game LONPOS. The expansion will cost 500 Wii points, half of the launch title's entire cost. Meanwhile, Siliconera is reporting that another puzzle game, Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Wii, will be selling additional puzzle stages for an as-yet unknown price.

As if that weren't enough to grind your gears, Madden creator Scott Orr spoke with Develop Magazine about his WiiWare title, Spogs Racing. According to Orr, the title will feature purchasable "racer packs," including cars parts and new tracks. Orr doesn't come right out and define these as microtransactions, however, instead masquerading the upgrades as "episodic downloadable content" (which it ain't). Looks like we're off to a great start already.

Read - WiiWare microtransactions priced [IGN]
Read - Go online with WiiWare and Mojipittan Wii [Siliconera]
Read - Madden creator on WiiWare episodic and user-driven content plans [Develop]

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]]>genkilonposmaddenmicrotransactionsnintendowiiwareScott Jon Siegel2008-03-14T12:40:00+00:00NHL 2K8 charges $5 to unlock feature already on gamehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/nhl-2k8-charges-5-to-unlock-feature-already-on-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/nhl-2k8-charges-5-to-unlock-feature-already-on-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/nhl-2k8-charges-5-to-unlock-feature-already-on-game/#commentsFiled under: ,


2K Sports released the 2K Reelmaker add-on for NHL 2K8 yesterday at 400 MS Points ($5 USD); the program allows a variety of video recording and playback options for the game. According to 1UP, the download for this feature is a puny 108K, which means consumers are paying to unlock a feature that is already on the game's disc. We are not amused.

If a feature is already on a disc, it should be accessible. Essentially 2K Sports is charging consumers more money for something they already bought, selling them a key to a door they already own. At least the ridiculous COG tag videos were something you actually downloaded from the marketplace, it may have been wasteful, but it was content not already on the Gears of War disc. We hope 2K doesn't become the new EA of the Xbox marketplace, nobody likes that.

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]]>consumerdownloadmicrotransactionsnhl2k8payingforstuffyoualreadyboughtAlexander Sliwinski2007-09-20T11:50:00+00:00Austin GDC: Live at the Minho Kim keynotehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/austin-gdc-live-at-the-minho-kim-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/austin-gdc-live-at-the-minho-kim-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/austin-gdc-live-at-the-minho-kim-keynote/#comments
If you haven't heard of Minho Kim, I'll forgive you -- I hadn't heard of him either until the name showed up in the list of keynote presentations at the Austin Game Developers Conference. Kim is Nexon America's director of game operations, and while Nexon hasn't made a big impact in North American markets, their free-to-play, micro-transaction driven online games (the best known of which is probably MapleStory) are a hit in Asia and Europe. Kim's keynote launches the final day of the conference with a discussion of micro-transactions. Joystiq is on-site waiting for festivities to begin, so keep reading for a play-by-play.

9:36 AM CST: The keynote, scheduled to start at 9:30 AM CST, has been delayed until 9:45 AM CST, due to the closure of the nearby Congress Ave bridge (presumably to allow everyone some extra time to get in).

9:46 AM CST: About Nexon, for those who aren't familiar.
  • Established in South Korea in 1994
  • Created the first graphical MMO in 1995
  • First micro-transaction game model
  • 85% of revenue comes from item sales
9:49 AM CST: What are casual online games? Social and free. What are micro-transactions? Items and customization, decorative (identity), functional (advantage/freedom), inexpensive (range from $1 to $10).

9:51 AM CST: MapleStory, the world's first 2D side-scrolling MMORPG. One of the most profitable online games, globally, making only $16 million monthly, with 72+ million users world-wide.

9:52 AM CST: KartRacer, a 3D casul racing MMO, the most played online game in Korea (~25% of the population). Has over 160 million registered users.

9:53 AM CST: Are micro-transactions viable in the US? After all...
  • Graphics in Nexon games are not cutting edge
  • US is traditionally a console market
  • Micro-transactions are traditionally successful in Asia
9:55 AM CST: A case-study of MapleStory
  • First launched in Korea in 2003
  • Global launch had no real marketing, weren't sure where it would be a success
  • Started getting a good population from North America and Singapore users
  • Average playtime was 40hrs/month
9:57 AM CST: When launched, they didn't know who the players were, who the players could be, whether players would buy virtual items...

9:58 AM CST: Commercialization -- launched beta cash shop with PayPal in Nov. 2005 (timed with the holidays to get the best adoption)

9:59 AM CST: Fraud! As Nexon was celebrating their success, they found they were having issues with fraud, which they were unprepared for. Time-delay on finding out about fraud, it could be 6 months. Fraud can lead to fines (can be large) and expulsion from credit card processing.

10:01 AM CST: Chargebacks -- purchases that are reversed by credit card companies. Cost the merchant an additional $20 fine. Having over a 1% chargeback rate tends to make the credit card companies pay special attention to you.

10:02 AM CST: To fight back, Nexon attempts to stop fraud before it occurs and educate users about potential fraud. Also:
  • Removed gifting function
  • set spending limits
  • educated user base
  • created internal fraud team
  • implemented vendor solutions
10:04 AM CST: Hacking adn abuse are an inevitable part of the business. If there is financial value in it, your product will be hacked or abused. Nexon has found the US to be a hacking hotbed -- it's not a problem they dealt with in Korea.

10:05 AM CST: Hacking can --
  • Turn away new users
  • turn way existing users
  • increase account theft rate (trojans)
  • shorten the life span of a user (getting through available content faster)
  • cause headaches for customer service
10:06 AM CST: Farmers invade the game and flood hunting areas -- when hacking is conducted in such volume, legit players are forced to succumb to the pressure.

10:07 AM CST: Hacking beckame an epidemic that could not be ignored. Nexon had to ramp up their GM staff and extend coverage, develop detection tools and measures to mass ban hackers, moved critical values to server side, implemented 3rd party solutions, user education.

10:08 AM CST: Target audience:
  • young teens & tweens
  • #1 online game for elementry students
  • hard-core MMORPG players, for whom this might be a second game
  • anime fans (because of the art style
10:09 AM CST: The pricing dilemma for prepaid cards: because their PayPal users trended towards spending $20+, they opted for $25 cards as well as $10 cards. Kind of a risk with limited retail space, but it was successful.
10:10 AM CST: Who the players are. Members of MapleStory's Myspace community shows some "cool" people, not just kids or anime fans. People are meeting each other in Maplestory. There are lots of different kinds of people playing.

10:13 AM CST: They got this demographic by... not advertising. They had the right timing on launch, teens were starting to live online.

10:15 AM CST: Because the playerbase was so culturally different, Nexon created a domestic localization team. We're shown some artwork done by the North American team which was sent back to Korea to be MapleStory-ified. Also localized holidays, i.e. Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc.

10:17 AM CST: Product placement with Target when they launched their pre-paid cards. Created parent NPCs that gave "chores" which gave the player an "allowance" which could be used to get cards at Target. Around 200,000 players participated in the event which translated into $1.6 million in sales and 600,000 items sold in February 2007. Really sped up the adoption of the prepaid cards.

10:19 AM CST: Why prepaid cards? It was the right fit for Nexon's demographic (50% of players did not have direct access to credit cards). Diversified payment options, when they had previously been very reliant on credit cards.

10:20 AM CST: The challenges of prepaid cards. Retailers weren't keen on the concept, Nexon wasn't a big presence in the US and even showing numbers it was difficult to prove that this would be successful. Had to convince retailers that it was an underground hit. Also, the physical cards cost money upfront for Nexon.

10:21 AM CST: A few days into the Target release, cards started selling out. Target was initially skeptical, but they had to order more to keep up with demand. Translated into $1.6 million in sales and 600,000 items sold in February 2007. The Nexon Game Card is currently the #2 prepaid card on the market, right after iTunes.

10:23 AM CST: By the holidays, Nexon will have distributed cards to 31,000 locations (Target was about 1600 of those) with millions of cards.

10:24 AM CST: Future plans for MapleStory include continued expansion of content, advertising (starting on TV in September or October, still questions on how to market to their demographic and communicate their brand), interactive trading game in development with Wizards of the Coast, animation produced by Madhouse in Japan, product placements, licensing.

10:28 AM CST: Example of the product placement they've done with CocaCola. Branded inventory items, NPCs, and monsters. Very immersive experience. In exchange, Coke advertised MapleStory on Coke cans, etc. (Viable in Korea because of MapleStory's market penetration.)

That's all for this keynote -- but stay tuned for more MMO news from AGDC!

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]]>agdcaustin game developers conferenceAustinGameDevelopersConferencelivebloglivebloggingmaplestorymicrotransactionmicrotransactionsminho kimMinhoKimnexonnexon americaNexonAmericaElizabeth Harper2007-09-07T10:35:00+00:00Reminder: Global servers, DLC for Resistance coming June 7thhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/global-servers-dlc-for-resistance-delayed-till-7-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/global-servers-dlc-for-resistance-delayed-till-7-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/global-servers-dlc-for-resistance-delayed-till-7-june/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aside from being an inexhaustible source of adorable cat pictures, the internet is responsible for allowing gamers to reach across their geographical borders, embrace a foreign culture... and then shoot it in the face. It's a noble use of technology, one that has until now been somewhat restricted in Insomniac's Resistance: Fall of Man. A new downloadable update meant to demolish regional restrictions and implement global multiplayer was initially due by the end of May, but was shifted to this Thursday.

Greg Philips of SCEA told CVG last week, "The reason for the delay is we (SCEA) needed a little extra time to get the global servers locked in and ready for thousands of players to come knocking. We would rather have a short delay and continue to deliver on our over the top, online experience." Apart from enabling men from all countries to fall, the update will introduce new multiplayer maps for purchase and "other enhancements" to the PS3's Chimera-blasting launch title. You'll be sure to see us online -- unless we're hiding around a corner with that lovely Bullseye gun.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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]]>InsomniacMicrotransactionsPatchesResistanceSCEASonyLudwig Kietzmann2007-06-04T16:30:00+00:00Valve not charging for downloadable contenthttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/valve-not-charging-for-downloadable-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/valve-not-charging-for-downloadable-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/valve-not-charging-for-downloadable-content/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Despite the rise of micro-transactions and pay-per-download content in the PC and console worlds, Valve recently announce it has no intention of charging for downloadables in games such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress 2. Designer Robin Walker explains their logic that gives Valve a big gold star in our book: "You buy the product, you get the content ... We make more money because more people buy it, not because we try and nickel-and-dime the same customers."

Micro-transactions were innocent at first, but when we had to pay for horse armor in Oblivion and tutorials in Madden, the line had to be drawn. Kudos to Valve for a step in the "don't make the customers angry" (i.e. "right") direction.

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]]>contentcounter-strikedcdownloadablemicrotransactionssteamteamfortressvalveJohn Bardinelli2007-05-25T12:28:00+00:00Friendly free stuff reminder: Aegis Wing on XBLAhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/friendly-free-stuff-reminder-aegis-wing-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/friendly-free-stuff-reminder-aegis-wing-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/friendly-free-stuff-reminder-aegis-wing-on-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,



Poor Aegis Wing totally got lost in the crowd. Seriously, if it had released during any other week it would have actually made a little splash. The free game (for North America at least) was the creation of a few Microsoft interns with the help of Carbonated Games (UNO, Hexic) and is actually a fairly enjoyable side-scrolling space shooter. Just make sure to play it with friends.

Even if you aren't going to play it right now, go download it! It's free! Even if you have no intentions of playing it, go download it ... it's free! Heaven forbid that we actually get something free on Xbox Live and Microsoft ends up seeing that people will pay and download COG tag videos more than they'll download free stuff. If you don't download it for yourself, at least download it for your fellow gamers.

Gallery: Aegis Wing (XBLA)

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]]>aegis wingAegisWingfreemicrosoftmicrotransactionsxblaAlexander Sliwinski2007-05-17T13:25:00+00:00Kongregate announces achievements and microtransactions for online Flash gameshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/kongregate-announces-achievements-and-microtransactions-for-onli/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/kongregate-announces-achievements-and-microtransactions-for-onli/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/kongregate-announces-achievements-and-microtransactions-for-onli/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Flash gaming community Kongregate recently announced a few Xbox Live-ish upgrades to be rolled out over the next few months. Starting today, time-limited achievements will be available for select games. The current challenge for The Fancy Pants Adventure requires you to collect five trophies within the game and rewards you with a collectible Rumiko card. Gather cards to participate in the site-wide multiplayer game Kongregate will unveil in a few weeks.

And coming this summer: microtransactions! Developers are working with Kongregate to weave this into their titles to allow in-game purchases. One use for this system will be unlocking extended versions of games for just a few pennies per level. Most of the microtransaction earnings are paid to the game's programmer, adding incentive for developers to hop on the unlockable-content bandwagon.

Kongregate is setting itself up to be the most developer-friendly Flash community on the web. It's an easy hook for developers, but will the casual gamer get pulled in by microtransactions and collecting achievements?

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]]>achievementscasualcommunityflashfreeindependentindiemicrotransactionsonlineJohn Bardinelli2007-03-23T12:22:00+00:00New Lumines Live! content out next Wednesdayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/new-lumines-live-content-out-next-wednesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/new-lumines-live-content-out-next-wednesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/new-lumines-live-content-out-next-wednesday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


When Lumines Live! emerged in October of last year, it ran headlong into a pack of outraged gamers who felt that the game's fragmented content and costs introduced an unwelcome element to the Xbox Live Marketplace -- a roving pickpocket you bump into between fruit stalls. New downloadable content is a touchy subject then, but it appears that next week's Live! offerings are a bit less backward and a bit less, well ... Evil!

Three new packs will be available this coming Wednesday, the first of which contains the Heavenly Star skin. Perhaps the fact that it will be free to Gold subscribers until February 21 is to be interpreted as a sign of atonement. The other two, namely the VS CPU pack and the Puzzle/Mission pack fill up the gaping holes in the base download, each costing a not entirely outrageous 100 points ($1.25) each. That lasts until February 21, after which the price goes up to a thoroughly questionable 300 points ($3.75).

Why raise the price after a month? The Gamerscore Blog labels these as "special promotional prices," which really just comes across as a temporary and thinly-veiled apology cringed out by the marketing department. So, why retract the apology then? The quest for more money seems tied to the obvious answer, but that's only if you felt that Lumines Live! got microtransactions completely wrong in the first place. All things considered, the game makes for a balanced example of what's wrong and what's right in the world of pint-sized payments:

What Lumines Live! did right:
  • Divided content: The concept of only buying the chunks of the game you're interested in is a sound one. Of course, this can be taken to extremes and games can be split into microscopic, microtransacted pieces, but working with large, clearly defined and entirely seperate parts holds clear benefits. Why bother paying for a full game if you're not going to experience every facet? If you're only concerned with the continuous Challenge mode in Lumines and not the less robust VS or Puzzle modes, you should end up saving money and time.
  • Provided ease of expansion: Should you change your mind and desire more content, it's extremely simple to find and download more skins and modes. Once it's on the hard drive, it's in the game's main menu.
  • Featured discernable improvement over other versions: You would expect this to be the most obvious part, but several past XBLA titles have indicated that not all developers bother to enhance their established games when shifting to the marketplace. Though newcomers to the series may not appreciate it nearly as much, 5.1 sound and HD graphics make a noticeable impact on a game so rich in presentation. There is some value to playing this game on the Xbox 360 and not the PSP.

What Lumines Live! did wrong:
  • Divided content, and then advertised it badly: Not only did the game's trial version make it hideously unclear as to what content the full package would bring to the table, it constantly reminded you of what you were missing out on. Having the game grind to a halt and remind you to download the next level was undiplomatic to the extreme and is exactly what infuriated gamers. Having empty modes listed in the main menu only perpetuated the idea that players weren't getting a "full" game at all.
  • It was quite obviously too expensive: Should you be unfortunate enough to shop after February 21st, you'll end up paying $30 for the complete Lumines Live! package. That's exactly the same price as Lumines II on the PSP, which contains nearly double the amount of skins in its Challenge mode -- most of them also present in Lumines Live!. The aforementioned sound and visual quality gives some leeway here, but not nearly enough.
  • Succumbed to silly XBLA size limitations: The paltry base pack that started off Lumines Live! didn't feature enough content for anyone to be remotely satisfied. The 50MB XBLA limit meant that an expansion to the original download was available almost immediately. Only it wasn't an expansion at all -- it was the piece of game (meat pun!) that ended up on the wrong side of the cleaver.
Is Lumines Live! worth it? It all depends on how you value things, or rather, how you estimate a game's value in your mind. If you're a Lumines fan who derives pleasure from the game's mesmerizing, block-dropping action, you'll find it's one of the best titles on XBLA. If, on the other hand, you measure value in terms of the number of hours or levels you get out of a game, you'd be considerably less satisfied.

Know what it is you want in a game (any game), and how much you're willing to pay for it. That makes it sound like some sort of robotic calculation, but any long-term gamer knows that it eventually becomes entirely instinctual. You know what makes you happy. Microtransactions won't be fooling you today.

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]]>LuminesLumines LiveLuminesLiveMicrotransactionsMSFTQ EntertainmentQEntertainmentXBLAXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live MarketplaceXboxLiveArcadeXboxLiveMarketplaceLudwig Kietzmann2007-01-18T20:25:00+00:00The XBL microtransaction trackerhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/the-xbl-microtransaction-tracker/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/the-xbl-microtransaction-tracker/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/the-xbl-microtransaction-tracker/#commentsFiled under: ,

Microtransactions or: Death by a thousand paper cuts. Sure, it all seemed so innocent at first, but then we started having Oblivion horse armor, Kameo Uno decks and now EA's Need for Speed: Carbon shows up exploiting the system to its full and most disgusting potential -- oh wait, EA already did that charging for Madden tutorials. And how many are willing to pay and feed this exploitation?

A group of writers at GamerFeast created a microtransaction tracker and started keeping tabs. Guess who's the top offender? (The list after the break) They've also broken everything down in spreadsheet form to review with a fine tooth comb, if you wish. It's a great resource and know we'll be checking back in again soon.

The top 10 (MSRP + Content):

1. Need for Speed Carbon - $94.97 - Electronic Arts
2. The Godfather - $90.79 - Electronic Arts
3. Chromehounds - $83.73 - Sega
4. Tiger Woods 07 - $74.23 - Electronic Arts
5. Oblivion - $74.11 - Bethesda
6. LotR - Battle for Middle Earth II - $68.74 - Electronic Arts
7. Prey - $59.99 - 2K Games
8. Call of Duty 2 - $54.98 - Activision
9. Lego Star Wars II - $52.49 - Lucas Arts/TT Games
10. Kameo - $39.99 - Microsoft

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]]>microtransactionstrackerAlexander Sliwinski2006-11-02T23:15:00+00:00Rift widens between Silver and Gold XBLA membershipshttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/rift-widens-between-silver-and-gold-xbla-memberships/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/rift-widens-between-silver-and-gold-xbla-memberships/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/rift-widens-between-silver-and-gold-xbla-memberships/#commentsFiled under: ,

Xbox Live's Major Nelson announced on Wednesday that the newest Gears of War trailer was available online ... to Gold subscribers only. This marks the first time that exclusive XBL content has been delayed (not denied) for the free Silver members, and it's just the tip of the iceberg. Nelson commented on his blog entry after mixed reaction from readers, "So here is the deal ... Silver members WILL get access to this ... probably in about a week. This is going to happen more and more (Gold getting things before Silver) so you may want to think about upgrading if you want all the latest and greatest trailers, demos etc."

It's not really a big deal at this point, because the trailer was available online within seconds of appearing on the XBLM. The real problem starts when Gold members start getting demos and downloadable game content before Silver members do; perhaps, eventually, the Silver members won't get them at all. Microsoft will find themselves treading a fine line between how much a Silver member will put up with not having, and how much a Gold member needs to feel justified in paying the cost for their features. It's important to note that this trailer is most likely a trial run by Microsoft (through Major Nelson) to see how things go, since it's not even true "exclusive" content. Nelson (can we just call him Larry, already?) admits that this is the same commercial played last week at X06 Canada. So where's the real super exclusive platinum fanboy stuff, eh?

The point is that Microsoft is finally treating the Gold level like what it is supposed to be, a step above the Silver membership. Silver members don't pay for anything; it's a free service meant to provide an "introduction" to XBL. Gold members pay for additional features and, with it, they expect some perks to be delivered. While it's limited to trailers right now, expect to see it expand to demos, downloadable content, and anything else Microsoft can think about leveraging for more subscribers to make the jump up to the next tier while their model for microtransactions seems to be falling apart with the inmates running the asylum.

And just because we love you, check out that Gears trailer after the jump in SD, or click here for the HD version.

[Thanks, E.J.]

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]]>Gears of WarGoldGoWMajor NelsonMajorNelsonMarketplacemembershipmicrotransactionsSilvertrailervideoXBLAXBLMXbox LiveXbox Live MarketplaceKevin Kelly2006-10-30T09:00:00+00:00Major Nelson on G4: microtransactions "are about choice"http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/major-nelson-on-g4-microtransactions-are-about-choice/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/major-nelson-on-g4-microtransactions-are-about-choice/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/major-nelson-on-g4-microtransactions-are-about-choice/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last night on G4's Attack of the Show, host Kevin Pereira held a debate between Major Nelson and 1UP's Andrew Pfister on the much-discussed topic of microtransactions. During the segment, entitled The Loop, Major Nelson pressed that it is "about choice," while Pfister spoke for the gaming community when he said that "it doesn't appear that anybody is in control of the situation." With the recent Godfather and Lumines debacles, we're inclined to agree.

Unfortunately, the segment's lead-in was awkward and the debate was way too short for either side to make an argument, but what we heard was engaging. Please, G4, give The Loop its own half-hour time slot; we'd watch it.

Continue reading for the video.


[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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]]>1upg4godfatherluminesmajor nelsonMajorNelsonmicro transactionsMicroTransactionsx b l ax b l mXBLAXBLMxbox liveXboxLiveRoss Miller2006-10-26T21:20:00+00:00Inconceivable: PS3 to get its own "exclusive" GTA IV episodeshttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/inconceivable-ps3-to-get-its-own-exclusive-gta-iv-episodes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/inconceivable-ps3-to-get-its-own-exclusive-gta-iv-episodes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/inconceivable-ps3-to-get-its-own-exclusive-gta-iv-episodes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Exclusive. The gaming industry keeps using that word. We do not think it means what they think it means. Or perhaps they do -- only the meaning changes from press release to press release, requiring a keen knowledge of context and PR deciphering techniques in order to obtain it. Eurogamer today reports that a source within Rockstar North (probably an exclusive source) indicates that, like the Xbox 360 version, the PS3's Grand Theft Auto IV will receive downloadable and undoubtedly "epic" episodes of an exclusive nature.

Surely this renders Microsoft's previous claims to exclusivity invalid? Actually, no. At this year's X06 event, the Redmond giant touted "exclusive access to two downloadable, epic episodes of GTA IV via Xbox Live, each with hours of entirely new gameplay and available only on Xbox 360 just months after the release of the title." As we suggested before, barring the case of Rockstar releasing only two episodes in the game's lifetime, such wording does not rule out different episodes for the PS3.

Exclusives and tired movie references aside, perhaps our concern should first switch over to the actual game (releasing in October 2007) before discussing the status of microtransacted add-on episodes. Is doubting GTA IV's quality ... inconceivable?

[Thanks, Meh and Ethan.]

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]]>GrandTheftAutoGrandTheftAuto4GrandTheftAutoIvGTAGTA4GTAIVMicrotransactionsPNPPs3OnlineXboxLiveLudwig Kietzmann2006-10-17T16:34:00+00:00Dubious rumor: Gran Turismo HD to ship without cars or trackshttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/20/dubious-rumor-gran-turismo-hd-to-ship-without-cars-or-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/20/dubious-rumor-gran-turismo-hd-to-ship-without-cars-or-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/20/dubious-rumor-gran-turismo-hd-to-ship-without-cars-or-tracks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Clearly, it's the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard of. In fact, the mere suggestion that a premier racing game would be released without vehicles or courses (arguably two of the most important elements in such a game) is so beyond what is defined as "ridiculous", things like tap dancing unicorns and flying kangaroos can actually gaze at said suggestion through a telescope. That reason alone is worth marking this story as a rumor, though it's certainly not the only one. If we're to believe the forum-posted translation of the latest interview in Famitsu, Kazunori Yamauchi has big plans in store for his beloved automotive franchise -- big plans composed of teeny tiny transactions.

Gran Turismo HD will supposedly see release in two versions. The first, entitled Gran Turismo HD: Premium, amounts to nothing more than a demo of, you guessed it, Gran Turismo 5. The 30 included cars and two undoubtedly exciting tracks are rendered in pristine PS3 glory and are meant to give you a solid idea of what Yamauchi and friends are putting together for a full release in 2008. Two more tracks and 30 extra cars can be purchased and downloaded for this version. If you prefer purchasing a full game instead of an extended prologue, perhaps Gran Turismo HD: Classic would be more your speed. Or perhaps not.

Though the Classic moniker may stem from the fact that you're getting a high resolution PS2 game, you may distinctly recall the original game actually giving you hundreds upon hundreds of cars for your $50. Not so with this version. Every car and every track may be purchased and downloaded from Sony's online network. The interview mentions a price of 50-100 yen per vehicle ($0.43 - $0.85) and 200 - 500 yen per track ($1.71 - $4.26). Being generous and sticking to the low end of the scale results in $408 spent if you want all 750 cars and all 50 tracks (roughly what you got in Gran Turismo 4). Moving up on the scale approaches values that surpass what you paid for the PS3 (newsflash: a lot) to begin with.

Is any of this true? 1UP's Luke Smith points to a more utopian quote (his version actually gives you one car!) by Sony's Phil Harrison that seems to match up with this story: "Imagine Gran Turismo shipping on a disc with one car and one track. And then you can browse, online, a dynamic circuit of vehicles that's growing every day because either the car manufacturers are adding new vehicles or we're adding new vehicles. And you can see a specific-type car that's being called up and say, 'I think I'll play with that one. Let me download and play it.'" Seems more likely that the quote created the story. Until Sony confirms (unlikely) or denies it later this week, consider this an entertaining vilification of the microtransaction and nothing more.

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]]>Gran TurismoGranTurismoGTGT4GT5Kazunori YamauchiKazunoriYamauchimicrotransactionsPhil HarrisonPhilHarrisonPolyphony DigitalPolyphonyDigitalLudwig Kietzmann2006-09-20T21:20:00+00:00Microsoft to take a bite out of "consumables"http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/15/microsoft-to-take-a-bite-out-of-consumables/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/15/microsoft-to-take-a-bite-out-of-consumables/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/15/microsoft-to-take-a-bite-out-of-consumables/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade and Marketplace have been hot topics this week, especially following the announcement of XNA Game Studio Express on Monday. Speaking at Gamefest 2006, Microsoft has further clarified some of their plans to enhance their online nexus of downloadable demos and managed microtransactions, most interestingly annoucing their intention to make a meal out of Marketplace "consumables."

As enticing as the prospect of downloading a slice of lemon meringue pie might be, the experience is considerably dulled when you have to watch your in-game character devour it. Items that would be considered as consumables would be ones that you could purchase multiple times and whenever you needed them, and the example cited by the 1UP article points to this being a potentially ludicrous concept. Let's say your level 54 sorcerer (call him ... Tim) is in need of a Phoenix Down, but your party doesn't have enough gold to purchase one. Solution: rather than traipsing through a dungeon and obtaining items from slain beasties (why was that dinosaur carrying a potion?), you could be hitting the Xbox Live Marketplace and buying more gold.

So, let's see if we understand how this goes. Use your real money to buy Microsoft's fake money to buy fake gold in order to buy fake potions from a fake in-game marketplace. Obviously, this is a rather extreme way of looking at consumables, but it certainly provides food for thought -- especially so should you consider the fact that by purchasing the game, you've ostensibly purchased the entire game world, marketplaces and overpriced inns included. Thankfully, just as with any marketplace transactions, it's still up to you to decide when something is worth the extra money and when it isn't (hint: equine items of protection).

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]]>GamefestHorse ArmorHorseArmorMarketplaceMicrotransactionsMSFTOblivionXBLXBLAXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live MarketplaceXbox MArketplaceXboxLiveArcadeXboxLiveMarketplaceXboxMarketplaceLudwig Kietzmann2006-08-15T14:55:00+00:00