Topic: Microsofts Game Room (360/PC)

[idolminds]

This spring, “Game Room” on Xbox LIVE lets you relive the glory days of classic arcade games in their original forms. Your avatar will take part in the original sights, sounds and gameplay that will make these retro games come alive on your Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC in one fast, fun experience.

Game Features
* Relive the glory days of the classic arcade. “Game Room” replicates the old-school look, sound and feel of a retro video game arcade. At launch, “Game Room” will bring you a library of 30 original arcade and console classics such as “Centipede®” and “Asteroids Deluxe®” from Atari Inc. and other favorites from Activision Inc., Intellivision, Konami Corp. and more, all shown in their original cabinets. Create a brand-new social environment* your avatar can explore, trick out your “game room” by arranging your cabinets, and decorate each room with themes and animated icons from your favorite games. With weekly new title releases, your arcade will soon be retrofitted to perfection.

* Prove you’re the arcade master. Think you have what it takes? Challenge friends to beat your high score by sending custom challenges and taunts across platforms, earn Achievements, unlock levels and climb your way to the top of universal leader boards. Compete in ranked mode, in which you play against other Xbox LIVE members on the world leader board, or challenge mode, in which you take turns playing a game.* “Game Room” also offers local Couch Play mode for up to two players — how will you duke it out for arcade supremacy? Enjoy a seamless experience across Xbox 360 and Windows-based PCs as you share games, track your progress and jump back into the game, no matter which of the two platforms you’re on. You can even invite friends into your custom arcade to check out your collection or visit their “game room” to demo games and scope out additions to your collection.

* Buy “Game Room” titles once and play on both your Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC. Enjoy the freedom of buying games for “Game Room” once and playing on both Xbox 360 and a Windows-based PC for about the same price as a DVD rental. Those who prefer to play on a single platform can purchase individual games for either Xbox 360 or a Windows-based PC at a lower price point, or even pay to play a single game just like in the old arcades. See how long you can last on a single token!

Retro games are shown in their original cabinets, which you can place anywhere in your personal arcade. Invite your friends in to check out your collection.

How Do I Play?
An Xbox 360 console or Windows-based PC and an Internet connection are all you need* to access “Game Room.” “Game Room” and associated games can be found on your Xbox 360 in the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace or in the Games for Windows — LIVE client on your Windows-based PC.

How Much Does It Cost?
It is free to download “Game Room,” which you can then populate with classic arcade games available for individual purchase. Buy games once and play on both an Xbox 360 system and a Windows-based PC for 400 Microsoft Points. Or, to purchase a game for only one platform, each individual Xbox 360 or Windows-based PC title is 240 Microsoft Points. You also have the option to pay to play a single game, just like dropping two quarters in the slot in the old arcades, for 40 Microsoft Points. Visit your friends’ “game rooms” and try their games free before you buy.

“Game Room” Specifications
* One or two players
* HDTV 1080p
* In-game Dolby Digital
* Voice chat
* Avatar support
* Online multiplayer (one or two players)*
* Cross-platform leader boards
* Cross-platform Achievements

Trailer

Its basically a very pretty MAME frontend. Except you buy the games. Converting the magical Microsoft Pesos into real money, thats $5 to unlock a game on both 360 and PC, $3 to unlock it on just one platform, and 50 cents to simply play any game you dont already own (replicating that arcade feel. Minus the tokens. Man, those tokens were cool. I wish I had kept some.)

Not really a bad way to rerelease these old arcade games. I'll probably download the free Game Room software and check it out, but I'm not sure I'd end up buying the games. I mean....MAME and all.

[scottws]

This reminds me about how I've wanted to build a MAME cabinet since, well... forever.

[idolminds]

That reminds me, I totally should. Ive got my old PC still. And I could get a nice LCD for my main PC and move the CRT into the cabinet.

The problem is I dont have anyplace to actually put the thing.

[scottws]

You actually have a cabinet?  My parents own Sky Shark and half of the buttons don't work so it is a possible candidate, but I want to build my own to get lots of different buttons and controls for various types of games.

I don't have a place to put a MAME cabinet now, so it kind of works out with my lack of funds, time, and motivation.

[Cobra951]

I love these "revenue streams".  They keep finding ways to charge for ancient games anyone with a bit of curiosity (and a functional brain) can play for free on PCs already.  To be fair, the Wii is much worse.  I laughed when I saw that the SNES Pilotwings went up for sale recently on Wii Arcade, long after Pilotwings 64 (a much-superior incarnation) became available there.

[idolminds]

No, I dont have a cabinet. I just worded that funny. But I would love to build one.

I think it would have been smart for MS to give away a bunch of the really old arcade games. I can't really see anyone spending $3 each for Centipede, you know? But they would make great "starter" games for your virtual arcade, something to get you into it. Then I could see people maybe dropping $3 on some of the later/more modern games like Simpsons Arcade Game, Street Fighter series, AVP, etc.

[Cobra951]

That would motivate me to look into it, at least, but MS knows they don't have to cater to guys like us.  There are plenty of takers out there with no sense of value for money.  They'll sell a bajillion copies of those primitive oldies at several dollars apiece.

[iPPi]

I hate microtransactions like this, and as a result, have no interest in this Game Room thing. 

[W7RE]

The idea seems cool, though mostly useless at the same time. The problem is, as mentioned, it's just a microtransaction model.

[Ghandi]

No, I dont have a cabinet. I just worded that funny. But I would love to build one.

I think it would have been smart for MS to give away a bunch of the really old arcade games. I can't really see anyone spending $3 each for Centipede, you know? But they would make great "starter" games for your virtual arcade, something to get you into it. Then I could see people maybe dropping $3 on some of the later/more modern games like Simpsons Arcade Game, Street Fighter series, AVP, etc.

That's downright logical. Which is why they will never do it.

[Cobra951]

My point about that was that it is perfectly logical for MS to ignore us.  They have suckers galore to plunder effortlessly.  Why give away anything?

[idolminds]

Oh yeah, totally. If PT Barnum was alive today, he would LOVE the current games industry.