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Microsoft to Sell Downloadable Full Xbox Games

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

November 14, 2007, 2:17 PM

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Xbox Live, Microsoft is preparing a system update that will be delivered to users starting December 4 and bring support for downloading full versions of older Xbox titles such as "Halo," "Psychonauts" and "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge."

While Microsoft has long offered downloads of arcade games via Xbox Live, this will be the first time it is offering full titles. The company says it is planning to sell a library of titles spanning the most popular genres in gaming. The capability is similar to that offered by Nintendo's Wii, which lets gamers buy and download games made for older Nintendo consoles.

The Xbox games will sell for 1,200 Microsoft Points, which equates to $15 USD. Microsoft plans to expand the initial lineup of games throughout 2008, although did not specifically name any major titles it will add.

"In just five short years, Xbox LIVE has revolutionized the way friends and family have fun in the living room," remarked John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services at Microsoft. "On its fifth birthday, Xbox LIVE truly is the place for hanging out with friends and enjoying downloadable TV shows, movies, videos, game add-ons and now downloadable Xbox games on demand."

All Xbox Live users will be able to download a free arcade game for two days on November 15 and 16, and those that signed up in 2002 -- the first year of Xbox Live -- will also receive 500 free Microsoft Points.

Xbox Live currently counts over 8 million members across 26 countries. Since the service's launch, Microsoft has bulked up the offering with videos, TV shows and movie downloads, along with game-related content.

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By Oneofakind

edited Nov 27, 2007 - 10:42 AM

Everyone is saying Microsoft copied sony,one word BULL,who came up with online play first? who came up with built in hard drives? who came up with the idea for downloadable content first? Microsoft came up with those all those morons saying Microsoft is copying sony are retarted,Sony has always stolen everyones ideas and the PS2 was poplar because it was a casual gaming system and it was the only competition aside from nintendo.

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 6:34 AM

So not only are Microsoft following in Google's shadow, they are now following in Sony's shadow. How the mighty have fallen...

Score: 0

By skags442

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 1:40 PM

so your saing sony and google had this idea first ?? are you sure?

if i remember correctly i remember some interview the first year live was around that downloading full games was somthing they wanted to do.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 8:39 AM

Let me just make sure I understand this
It's ok for sony to use other companies business models because well lets face it, it was a good idea....
But if some company takes a page out of sony's book because...well it was a good idea they have fallen?
I think you have gone well beyond failed now.

Score: 0

By mshulman

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 10:39 AM

And who says they hadn't planned on this a long time ago? Without the 120GB hard drive, this really couldn't be a reality anyway.

Score: 0

By mishihu

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 8:20 AM

Sony has a shadow??? Where???

Score: 0

By BeyondYourFrontDoor

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 2:15 AM

I'm looking forward to buying an online game for $15 I can get in the Wal-mart discount bin for $10... Hmmm... All these Wii, PS3 and now Xbox 'classic' games should be no more than $5.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 9:17 AM

They're saving you a trip to the store.

If you want to pay less, try Amazon. :)

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

edited Nov 14, 2007 - 8:14 PM

8 million times $50 a year = 400 million annually in 360 live fees alone. Poor Sony giving away their PSN for free.

Score: 0

By skags442

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 1:37 PM

well the hardware alone to keep live up and running as much as it is... and almost never any down time.. wouldnt be cheap

Score: 0

By dlab21

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 1:40 PM

have you played on live lately? there is quite a few problems and aren't the connections based off a host so they don't have a large hardware cost?

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 3:26 PM

I have had no problems so I would have to disagree with the quite a few problems statement.

Score: 0

By skags442

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 3:23 PM

i bet i dont get the 500 MP's i switched accounts about a year ago... but still have the old one ... o well

Score: 0

By ladylust

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 4:21 PM

You dong need a 500mp connection. I have 20mb connection and you can download a DVD in under 30 mins.

Score: 0

By NULLedge

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 5:39 PM

the original xbox had games on cd though right? so they'd be like under 700 megs i think. i know it had some lame a** excuse for a dvd add on to it but i dont know if the games were actually on dvd

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 1:47 AM

The games were/are on DVD.

Score: 0

By skags442

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 4:30 PM

lol... i wanst talking about my connection... i was refering MP to microsoft points...

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 5:13 PM

Does MP even stand for anything else? MegaPytes? :)

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 1:48 AM

My Peni.... oh nevermind.

Score: 0

By morriscox

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 1:44 AM

Mana Points or Magic Points or Military Police.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 6:48 PM

Megapixels?

Score: 0

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