Game Stooge

GDC07: Microsoft Announces Increased XBLA Size Limit, Bigger Memory Unit

• Scribbled on March 5th, 2007 by Devin Grimes
• Filed in GDC, Industry News, Microsoft Xbox 360, Press Release, Xbox Live Arcade

Today, on the first official day of GDC, Microsoft has issued a press release that details some of the new policies for Xbox Live Arcade titles, as well as announcing a new memory unit.

While the memory unit won’t exactly benefit premium 360 owners, it will allow core users up to 512 MB of space. Quite a huge leap from the mediocre 64 MB that the system launched with. You can expect the new MU to be in stores on April 3, for $49.99.

So why did they do that? In addition to the memory unit announcement, they are also giving developers a little more room in expanding the file size limit from 50 MB all the way up to 150 MB. They have already upped the limit for games like the upcoming Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, so it just seemed like a natural evolution to extend the offer to other developers.

Additionally, they unveiled some of the Live Arcade titles that will be on display at GDC, including:

• Boom Boom Rocket (EA and Bizarre Creations)– This eagerly anticipated title from EA and Bizarre Creations is a hypnotic rhythm music game that will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade this spring, priced at 800 Microsoft Points.
• 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures (Sierra Online and Wanako Games)– The first outdoor sports game on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures” lets players putt their way through 36 fun-filled holes on wild courses that include settings such as the Classic Carnival and the fantastical Outer Space.
• Eets Chowdown (Klei Entertainment Inc.)– A completely revamped version of the popular PC title, “Eets: Chowdown” offers a fun puzzle game experience unlike anything else available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, and features new items and 120 new levels.
• Jetpac Refuelled” (Rare Ltd.) — This is a new take on Rare/Ultimate’s 1983 classic space blaster with enhanced graphics and Xbox LIVE features; players must clear a path through hordes of aliens to refuel their ship and amass a fortune over the course of more than 100 high-definition levels.