XBLA -- What the Fans Want: They are Listening

Bamelin

I saw this over at TXB .... apparently Gamerscore had an article asking what the fans want to see on XBLA:

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/05/18/546058.aspx

Poking around somebody found a blog post by David Edery, Worldwide Games Portfolio Planner for XBLA.

Yesterday, the XBLA team posted on Microsoft’s Gamerscore blog for the first time. Our purpose: to ask the community what it wants (games, service features, etc.)

I’ve read about 500 comments, and I’m nowhere near the end of the list. :-)

The feedback is telling. If you’re very interested in XBLA, check it out. Of course, bear in mind that people commenting on Gamerscore are (generally) pretty hardcore. Nevertheless, their opinions definitely matter — they usually buy a lot of games and they generate plenty of buzz for us.

Some of the most common requests include:

Price cuts over time / “platinum (discounted) hits” / game bundles.
Hasbro IP (Monopoly seeming to top the list)
Board and card games in general (glad I publicly called out for those last February.)
Remove trial XBLA games from the “played games” list
The Simpsons arcade game and X-Men arcade game. Makes sense, especially in light of the great performance of TMNT on XBLA.
More local (i.e. same console) multiplayer that includes the ability to play with others via Live at the same time. We’ve been encouraging developers to go this route for a while now, so I’m glad to see yet more evidence of the value.
More co-op (again, with mixed local/Live play). Called out for that back in February, too.
An XBLA blade in the dash. Definitely gratifying to see this request!
Revamp the DRM setup for XBLA games
More platformers, shmups, and RPGs
Final Fantasy — all incarnations
Classic SEGA titles
More original games like Outpost Kaloki, Cloning Clyde, Small Arms, etc
Chu Chu Rocket
Killer Instinct 1 & 2
Old adventure titles ala Sierra and LucasArts
Many comments stood out to me. Again, I won’t quote them all, but here’s a sampling:

I’ve been able to get my wife back into gaming with me due to the Xbox Live Arcade. Thank you
…it frustrates me how few people on my friends list or that I know, know anything about the arcade. I think part of the problem is that it is hidden in two layers of menus…
Please tell all developers that want to release their retro titles to do what rare did for jetpac. significantly update their games while still keeping the original version available to play.

http://www.edery.org/2007/05/what-xbla-fans-want/

Wren

Free games.

Djiem

I know it's not happening now because of Tetris Revolution, but I would have killed for a XBLA Tetris title, for the simple reason that more people would have bought it (including my friends).

Dragkonias

MONOPOLY DANGONGIT!!! *Smashes buildings*

But yeah, overall been doing a pretty good job.

rufo

The only thing that matters on that list wrote: »

Chu Chu Rocket

Yes.

Arcibi

If they get The Simpsons and X-Men arcade games, I'll get a 360 just for these and TMNT alone

cj iwakura

Couldn't hurt to add The Avengers to that list.

And yes, if those games get added, I begin online gaming for the first time ever.

Cowbomb

They should release Chu Chu Rocket for free.

It's how it's done.

Einhander

Anyone remember Propellor Arena for the Dreamcast? A revamped version of that would kick serious ass on XBLA.

I don't know so much about an XBLA blade, but all of the other suggestions look great. Especially Chu Chu Rocket.

Invisible

Bamelin wrote: »

The Simpsons arcade game and X-Men arcade game.

Give me these and I'll die a happy man.

Allforce

I don't think they realize how much of a difference a seperate Live Arcade Blade would make. I'd say 80% of people I know who own 360's have no idea the Arcade exists and there there's a new game each week, etc.

bongi

oh god chu chu rocket yes please

shutz

I'd love to see more games with retro (NES/SNES style) gameplay coupled with next-gen graphics. Something along the same lines as New Super Mario Bros., in the sense that the game feels very much like the classic games, but also does things that were impossible to do then. So, more 2D platformers.

I'd love it if someone developped a MetroidVania-style game for XBLA. By this, I mean a 2D platformer with an open world that you gradually explore and uncover, using powerups and such. Also, something like N but with even bigger, scrolling levels, and more available moves, with points for speed completion and style (kind of like Sonic Rush on the DS, but again, with more available moves.)

I second the "separate blade for XBLA" request. I would also like it if I could browse my XBLA games by category, and at least filter out the demoes from the full games, as I have about 6-7 games bought, but over 50 demos, so finding a game takes longer than I'd like.

h8b1llg8ts

Free Maps ... go back to the old Xbox days and give us free maps.

And more sales on Arcade Live games. Imagine more three day sales like this weekend but with games that are good.

EclecticGroove

I just want them to be like the VC is.. only better.

And I'd love me some Mr Driller on there too.

I realize they won't get any Nintendo specific titles on there.. but man... If they could get more love from classic Nes/Snes/Master System/Genesis days.. sweeet.


My top picks?

Gunstar Hero's
Guardian Hero's
River City Ransom
Alex Kidd
Kid Chameleon (so sue me I loved this game)
the Phantasy Star Games from the Master System and Genesis
All the Shining Force games ESPECIALLY part 3 with a proper translation of the 2 remaining parts that were left unfinished outside of Japan.


That... would be awesome... they could leave them raw, but I'd love to see them given a good treatment.

Zombiemambo

bongi wrote: »

oh god chu chu rocket yes please

Algertman

I thought Simpsons Arcade was tied up in hell over rights or something

BubbaT

Arcibi wrote: »

If they get The Simpsons and X-Men arcade games, I'll get a 360 just for these and TMNT alone

Also Turtles who are In Time.

I'm surprised they haven't done more card games. I thought UNO was one of their best sellers.

And is it just me, or is Final Fantasy the polar opposite of what XBLA is supposed to be?

NBA Jam, Puyo Puyo, Bust a Move, Ivan Stewart's Super Off Road, Tecmo Super Bowl.

I wonder how many people don't bother with an XBLA game if they don't recognize the title. Maybe a featured indie title of the month free to Gold members could help. Something like Eternal Daughter or one of the ABA shmups would be great, and they're already freeware.

fragglefart

Zombiemambo wrote: »

bongi wrote: »

oh god chu chu rocket yes please

Ergandar

Old adventure titles ala Sierra and LucasArts ]

YES! I covet these and the indiana jones games.

Zombiemambo

Also:

MUTANT LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Red Leg

Guess I'm one of the few who is more excited by new IP's rather than re-releases of classics. At least I want them to do SOMETHING new with the oldies, ala Pac-Man CE or Geometry Wars. All I really want is more 2 player/co-op games that are for the same console. In my opinion, all the consoles are kind of moving away from the split screen, two player goodness I used to love so much.

cj iwakura

Algertman wrote: »

I thought Simpsons Arcade was tied up in hell over rights or something

Ubisoft have the rights to TMNT games now(I think), but Konami still kept theirs to TMNT arcade, so I don't see what the issue would be.

Accualt

That 6 player X-Men Arcade? That would be glorious.
Killer Instincts, yeah...I'd rather just see a new one.
XBLA Blade? I'm sort of surprised it doesn't have one now.

I'd love to see games only get added to your played list if you have earned an achievement.

darleysam

Ergandar wrote: »

Old adventure titles ala Sierra and LucasArts ]

YES! I covet these and the indiana jones games.

how the hell did i miss that.. OH PLEASE

B:L

Dragkonias wrote: »

MONOPOLY DANGONGIT!!! *Smashes buildings*

There's this little thing called Culdcept Saga that should tide you over... ;-)

And I'd shell out LIVERS for The Dig.

fragglefart

A_ccualt wrote: »

XBLA Blade? I'm sort of surprised it doesn't have one now.

I got a feeling it is coming.

It was featured in the semi-plausible Autumn update leak, and the comments in the OP further hint towards it's existence.

I'd like to see a new Earthworm Jim with awesome shiny HD 2D or even 3D graphics, on that classic 2 - 2.5 dimensional gameplay plain. I love Earthworm Jim. Most underutilised IP ever.

BiggNife

Dragkonias wrote: »

MONOPOLY DANGONGIT!!! *Smashes buildings*

But yeah, overall been doing a pretty good job.

I want Clue moreso. That would be awesome over voice chat. Monopoly takes too long.

I approve of Simpsons arcade, ChuChuRocket, and arcade-ports of KI 1/2. I havent seen a KI arcade machine in eons, and the SNES version just isnt the same.

bongi

i remember i got chu chu rocket for free from sega just because they were the best company ever

fragglefart

bongi wrote: »

i remember i got chu chu rocket for free from sega just because they were the best company ever

Ditto, I was amazed they did that. Free game, came in the post. So much love for SEGA that day.

and always

Einhander

I'd love to see Sega get in with XBLA. I'd probably kill to see some of the older Sega games from the Saturn and DC era hit Live Arcade, specifically Sega Rally and Panzer Dragoon (since the original has issues on Orta when played on a 360), Baku Baku, Virtua Fighter, Clockwork Knight, and stuff like that.

And I'd kill for a Phantasy Star Online proper. Universe isn't as fun.

And more shooters. Galactic Attack in particular.

And a bigger file size limit since I have like 90 gigs left on my hard drive.

h8b1llg8ts

We need to do this thread for VC too ...

But post it Is Nintendo Listening?

The_Scarab

That list is so bullshit.

The lack of chu chu rocket is disturbing.

The_Scarab

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?????

Einhander

Scarab you're kind of a dumbass.

The_Scarab

That's what you get for clicking the link before reading the post. lol.


and by lol I mean shit.

IShallRiseAgain

darleysam wrote: »

Ergandar wrote: »

Old adventure titles ala Sierra and LucasArts ]

YES! I covet these and the indiana jones games.

how the hell did i miss that.. OH PLEASE

Man that would be awesome. Especially if they had voice actors for the older games. Also, guitar hero loom.

Zek

They should have put Pacman Vs. on XBLA, or put online play in CE.

FreddyD

fragglefart wrote: »

Zombiemambo wrote: »

bongi wrote: »

oh god chu chu rocket yes please

To be honest, I'd probably play more Chu Chu Rocket than Halo 3.

Xenogears of Bore

Zek wrote: »

They should have put Pacman Vs. on XBLA, or put online play in CE.

Mario voice and GBA hook up included.

FreddyD

I think XBLA needs less ports and more experimental titles. I would like to see them release full featured games that would normally sell at a $20 price tag.

To deal with space issues, I think you should be able download the files you need to run the game and then download and delete other content as you need it. For example, a game could have 100 levels at 5MB a piece and you would just download the ones you wanted to play.