What XBLA Fans Want

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.