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  • elektrixxx
  • Level: 31 (15%) 
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  • Member since: Nov 9, 2004
  • Last online: 09/22/09 3:17 am PT
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2Sep 08

Macrotransactions


I have a fine collection of Xbox LIVE Arcade titles, but I don't get much downloadable content for retail games unless it's free. The only DLC off the top of my head that I'll pay for is anything for Burnout Paradise and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV content. Even so, this fantastic option of downloading content for Microsoft Points is starting to dig deep.

All these transactions seem micro on their own, but lately the price has ramped up on a few new XBLA games and without a doubt there will be more of the same to come.

Braid, an XBLA title recently released. While I love it and all it's quite fanboyish of me to think it's really worth it's near AU$20 price tag.
Castle Crashers is also 1200 points, and so far there's nothing in my opinion that makes it worth more than the usual 800 points.
I was set to buy Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode One, but I refuse to pay over AU$26 for it.

I don't feel comfortable with the thought that 1200MSP may become the new 800, but there's nothing I can do about that. I'm too much of a sucker for the instant downloadable injection, and just like Braid and Castle Crashers, if I really want a game I'll pay anything for it. I mean, I actually paid for Fable II Pub Games. Yeah, you heard me.


While downloading games saves me making space for game cases, they now take up an even more expensive amount of area. This combination of great Xbox LIVE Arcade games, title updates, retail game DLC and the new functionality coming from "The New Xbox Experience" is going to hit me hard in particular.

Because I am my crazy completionist self, I will need to have all my retail games (and their DLC) installed permanently on my hard drive, which means that my (so-called) 20GB hard drive isn't gonna cut it.

This would be no big deal if we were talking about PC's or the PS3, but Xbox 360 owners are limited to the custom casing, custom hard drive space and worst of all, custom pricing of the 120GB hard drive. Currently the RRP is AU$199, and although it's easy to find it cheaper than that price, your wallet will still get raped at any retail outlet.

If you love your downloadable content and need to upgrade your Xbox 360 hard drive, that's when it really starts hitting hard. Microsoft never anticipated that Xbox LIVE Marketplace would have so much content at this point in the Xbox 360's life cycle, but we're the one's who have to pay for their mistake.


Right at the beginning, microtransactions and downloadable content feel right, but over time, they'll end up costing you one way or another.



Of course, the elektrixxx armour is totally worth it.

elektrixxx.
  • Posted Sep 2, 2008 7:00 am PT
  • Category: Editorial
  • 11 Comments

11 Comments

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 11:19 am PT

    I agree. MS didn't have the foresight - the Arcade took off and DLC followed - all of it unexpected. Thankfully, they seem to be on a roll now, Premium's comign with 60GB of space should be more than enough for Aussies. We can forget about the Video Marketplace, I think it's a pipe dream for us. I'm not even sure if we're getting the PS3 one.

    As for game pricing - yeah, that's subjective. Braid is certainly awesome, but 1200 points of awesome? Especially considering how short it is. I too have finally realised just how much some of these arcade games are and how little they can be. You'd be surprised.

    That said - every single Arcade title comes with a trial so you can test it out for yourself.

    I recommend Cloning Clyde for yousrself. A top, over-looked title.

  • mjcowley Site moderator

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:07 pm PT

    Agree as well. I won't be able to help myself but install all retail games to my 20gb and half way through the install of the first game I will cry.

  • skillet505

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:56 pm PT

    I agree also. I don't really buy that many arcade games though or dlc. I buy it if it really interests me and i've got to have it.

  • ACID_RHANE

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 7:27 pm PT

    you could always delete games if you need more room. if you go through your list of games i'm sure you'll find that you don't really play half of em anymore, and you can download them for free again later if you really feel the need. but yeah castle crashers is a total rip. me n my bro beat it in like 2 days or something, and the achievements aren't very interesting either.

  • Turbo-Evil

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 2:44 am PT

    CC is 1200? You can get originals for that price! I guess that shows why I don't buy XBLA titles - they are hardly ever worth it. I mean you've got the MS points, then the download usage, THEN the storage space.

  • Darth_Homer

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:43 am PT

    It's amazing to think that 20GB isn't really enough anymore, huh? How time (and money) flies!

    Isn't all of Burnout's DLC free, anyway?

  • elektrixxx

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:48 am PT

    So far the Burnout Paradise DLC has been free. The Burnout Bikes Pack was supposed to have a price associated with it but it's now free.

    Eventually there will have to be something we pay for.

  • chopperlink

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 6:13 pm PT

    Sort of the same for Nintendo. Nintendo Wii is charging from 500 Wii points to 1000 wii points for old NES, SNES, or N64 games that cost nothing to emulate. I think these people are getting a little greedy.

  • elektrixxx

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 6:25 pm PT

    Good point chopperlink. I've barely spoken of the Wii though since there's been nothing new I want to play.

    I may write a blog about that, actually.

  • Rikuide_Furame

    Posted Sep 5, 2008 1:58 am PT

    The arcade titles are just that -- arcade and as such their price should reflect that fact. It seems as though we are getting closer and closer to paying full "whack" for arcade titles.

  • zintura

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 9:17 pm PT

    hey how have you been?.
    Lvl 27... hmm as compared to others you havent been much active, But as compared to me .... hahaha. Any way GtA 4 and Burnout Paradise are really smashing games. I wonder will breathing cost in future too
    Enjoy

My Recent Ratings

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Sonic Adventure 9.4
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Wii Sports 9.3
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker 9.3
Golf 9.4
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