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Online: future of game playing, buying

By Tina Benitez -- Gifts and Dec, 11/9/2005 11:42:00 AM

NEW YORK —In 13 days, a new console enters the gaming arena: It has wireless controls with up to 30 feet of range, 512 MB of memory, three USB ports, plays DVDs, CDs, MP3s, CD-ROMs…By now, most have heard about the new Xbox 360, out November 22.

And most have probably heard that most console games may cost upwards of $70, a $20 to $30 hike in price from current game prices. But the new Xbox Live Arcade component changes all of that. The Arcade will let players connect online and purchase games at a fraction of the cost of console games. There are 21 titles for Xbox Live in the initial launch from publishers like Midway, Popcap, Streamline and Silver Creek. An additional 35 titles will be out by summer 2006.

GarageGames,Eugene,Ore., is one company that will initially launch Marble Blast Ultra (pictured) with the release of 360 with several other titles throughout 2006 for Xbox Live Arcade. In Marble Blast, players can play up to 60 single-player arcade-style levels with 10 multi-player levels. Players can compete with friends online, play trial games and best of all, download and purchase their game of choice for $5 to $15 (final price is yet to be determined).

The Marble Blast Ultra is not as complex as console games like Grand Theft Auto, but, according to Mark Frohnmayer, president, GarageGames, these games have their place, and audience. Frohnmayer tells playthings.com that the games will appeal to people who want a simpler playing experience using the new 360 system. He says that most people do not have five hours to dedicate to Resident Evil or X-Men games each day, so the downloadable games are perfect—they’re also at a significantly lower price point.

“It’s the wave of the future,” Frohnmayer tells playthings.com. “It helps to have a console company that gets it, and it’s still compelling game play. It’s the old arcade experience of 5 to 10 minutes for a quarter.”

While the Xbox Live games will definitely have their audience, Frohnmayer says that it will not affect game purchasing in store, even at the higher estimated prices of console games. “It won’t take anything away,” he says. “People will always buy games. On a $250,000 budget, we’re not going to make a Grand Theft Auto, but we can make game play riskier, more niche. The big budget game has left behind players who want something simple.”

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