This spring Microsoft invite you back to the golden age of arcade gaming with the announcement of Game Room at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in LA. The service will launch this spring with 30 games to available to download from classic arcade giants such as Atari, Activision, Intellivision, Konami and more. These remakes will replicate the old-school look, sound and feel of a retro video game arcade in 1080p HD with online multiplayer and Avatar support – it even goes one step further with authentic arcade cabinets to decorate your very own arcade room with.
They announced 1000 titles would be available within three years – that would average out at around 6 – 7 titles a week OR possibly 1 new title each day for 3 years. All this is being made possible via the development from Australia’s Krome Studios, who will be very busy over next few years it seems.
Costwise, the Game Room itself will be FREE to download, if you want to adorn your room with some arcades it will of course cost you.
You can purchase a game once and play on both an Xbox 360 system and a Windows-based PC for 400 Microsoft Points. OR 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 go old school and use up that spare change in your Microsoft wallet with pay to play, a single game costing 40 Microsoft Points per credit.
A unique feature is you can visit your friends’ “game rooms” and try their games for free before you buy your very own version. This could make sharing and showing your friends new cabs an interesting prospect, especially with so many on offer. All the games will offer cross platform achievements and leaderboards.
I think this is a great idea and shows the shift in focus Microsoft have from the good old days that had a lot of old arcade ports to where we are now - making way for the new original titles that have been appearing on XBLA and allowing the service to grow. We eagerly await SEGA to announce some arcades for this service!
Update: Video added
