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[Mario]

But if you think about it...is it really worth the investment? Do that many gamers really care?

I'd like to think so...are there any stats on XBLA sales out there?

This is the most comprehensive thread http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111094

In fact, if C4Lukins is out there, I'd appreciate an update in the next couple of days Would be interesting to see if Live Arcade sales spike as significantly as retail sales during December.


As for a return on investment, it can definitely be worthwhile, if you have the right game. I think I posted in another thread that based on my calculations there are over 16 titles on XBLA that have brought in over US$500k in revenue. Not bad when most of those products would have required significantly less than this amount to be developed and put up (several games are even over the US$1m mark).

The main advantage such games have over retail products is their ongoing availability. Once an XBLA/VC/PSN title is "up on the shelf", it is there for years and years which is great for those titles, even if they only sell small volume month to month. This means they are possibly much more likely to break even and return a profit over the long run than retail games.

 

[drizzle]

Galaga is awesome
new rally-x is good
dig-dig is ok
people enjoy pacman for nostalgy

just because YOU don't like these games, doesn't mean they're trash. Rally-x and new rally-x are somewhat popular in japan (not in america tho), thus the hate on this thread.

World is a little bigger than the local neighbourhood arcade joint.

 

[FightyF]

What would an "empty" pipeline consider? I can see all potential releases up to four months ahead of time and it's at least steady and based more on individual development timelines rather than any schedule that's set up by MS to make sure releases don't run dry.

I think the disparity between platform holders is that companies like Sony and Nintendo, since they seem to be doing "straight" ROM/ISO/whatever dumps, right now they know they have a library of X number of games they can schedule over whatever time frame they want. They could probably release them all or a vast majority right now if they wanted to. That's a luxury that MS, with having everything Live-ified, doesn't have right now, maybe never.

Are us consumers able to check out what's in the pipeline? Again, it's only my impression, I have no idea how it is in reality. I don't even know what types of games are coming...ie. the possibility of SEGA's Model 2 games coming?

Again, right now I'm most looking forward to XNA content, because I contrast it to arcade experiences that I enjoy. Ie. A Daytona-ish racer could be made for XBLA, with better looking visuals, great online play, and a great price due to a small number of tracks.

I look forward to new 2D hi def titles. I wish 3rd parties would try this out, but I figure almost all of those sort of games will come from hobbyists.

 

[Zep]

World is a little bigger than the local neighbourhood arcade joint.

whats an arcade?

 

[arne]

Are us consumers able to check out what's in the pipeline? Again, it's only my impression, I have no idea how it is in reality. I don't even know what types of games are coming...ie. the possibility of SEGA's Model 2 games coming?

Not really, there's been a few press releases which mention what's in development but typically only for a few months ahead. I don't think there's been much beyond "here are publishers/developers who will be working on XBLA stuff." I could be wrong. Something to look into.

Again, right now I'm most looking forward to XNA content, because I contrast it to arcade experiences that I enjoy. Ie. A Daytona-ish racer could be made for XBLA, with better looking visuals, great online play, and a great price due to a small number of tracks.

I look forward to new 2D hi def titles. I wish 3rd parties would try this out, but I figure almost all of those sort of games will come from hobbyists.

I personally have high hopes for what can come out of the XNA stuff in the future. Hopefully we'll start seeing stuff sooner rather than later make it's way to XBLA.

 

[CountZeroInt]

Specifically a few announcements that didn't materialize for months and months have been another point of frustration - Street Fighter is the most memorable but now the fighter fans are moaning about the lack of Fatal Fury Special (and Neo Geo Battle Colloseum is being rumored as being cancelled).

It's such a tee-ball home run to get some specific games like Super Puzzle Fighter on XBLA, and I think this is one of the clear differentiation points that MS should be worried about. If Sony and Nintendo really utilize their download services, heck I am a huge 360 fan but I will break down and buy those systems earlier than I wanted to.

 

[speculawyer]

Namco Museum runs on the xbox in backwards compatibility mode.
http://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/n/namcomuseum/

Get it for $15:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Namco Museum Xbox:1951014103

12 Classic Arcade Games Include:

Pac-Man
Ms. Pac-Man
Galaga
Galaxian
Dig Dug
Pole Position
Pole Position II
Rally X
Bosconian
Dragon Spirit
Xevious
Mappy

 

[a Master Ninja]

Wait, does "Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection" have everything "Namco Museum" has, plus 2 additional games?

 

[Segata Sanshiro]

Wait, does "Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection" have everything "Namco Museum" has, plus 2 additional games?

Sorta. Except the 12 games include arranged modes, and that list up there isn't right for the Original Museum or 50th Anniversary.

What they share:

- Pac-Man
- Ms. Pac-Man
- Galaga
- Galaxian
- Pole Position
- Pole Position II
- Dig-Dug
- Unlockable Pac-Mania

Things you get in Namco Museum that you don't in 50th Anniversary:

-Arranged modes for Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug
-Unlockable Pac-Attack

Things you get in 50th Anniversary that you don't in original Museum:

- Rally X
- Xevious
- Dragon Spirit
- Bosconian
- Mappy
- Sky Kid
- Rolling f'n Thunder
- Unlockable Galaga '88

Some of the arranged modes are cool, but the larger selection of the 50th anniversary easily trumps them.