Game Stooge

Microsoft Announces Xbox Originals, LIVE Fifth Anniversary

• Scribbled on November 13th, 2007 by Devin Grimes
• Filed in Industry News, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, Press Release, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been five years since the launch of Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE service, but this week marks the milestone for what has become a staple in gaming and Microsoft is letting people know with quite a celebration of announcements.

November 15th (that’s this Thursday) marks the official anniversary, and to appease the over 8 million subscribers Microsoft will be making the hit XBLA title, Carcassonne, available for download from 12:01 a.m. PST on Nov. 15 and 11:59 p.m. PST on Nov. 16. Those who have stuck with LIVE from the beginning will get an added bonus of 500 free Microsoft Points.

In addition to these freebies, plans for the Fall Dashboard Update have been announced, and confirm prior rumors involving original Xbox titles being available for download on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Called “Xbox Originals,” Halo: Combat Evolved, Fable, Psychonauts, and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge have been announced, with others coming for 1,200 MS Points (USD $15).

Assuming the allotted hard drive space per game is reasonable, this could be quite a successful venture.

PRESS RELEASE

REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 13, 2007 — On Nov. 15, Microsoft Corp. will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Xbox LIVE. In addition, the company notes that the latest membership figures show more than 8 million members are now actively engaged in the largest social entertainment network on TV. Xbox LIVE has grown from a small community of gamers in two countries, playing a handful of games online with their friends, to a worldwide social entertainment network offering online access to gaming, music, movies and TV shows. As friends across 26 countries and nine languages have connected on Xbox LIVE, it is their feedback and active participation that has guided the service to become what Wired magazine recently called “the king of the online arena.” As a gesture of thanks to the gaming community, all 8 million members will have the opportunity to download a free Xbox LIVE Arcade game,* available for downloading between 12:01 a.m. PST on Nov. 15 and 11:59 p.m. PST on Nov. 16.** In addition to this, every active member who joined the service in 2002 will receive 500 free Microsoft Points.

Starting on Dec. 4, all Xbox LIVE members will receive a free system update with a host of new features and enhancements. Included in this update will be the launch of Xbox Originals, which, for the first time, will enable consumers to download and own full Xbox games, such as Halo, Psychonauts, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Fable, among others, directly to their Xbox 360. This new service will launch with an array of blockbuster titles spanning the most popular genres from action-adventure to classic role-playing games.

With no disc necessary, and at just 1,200 Microsoft Points per game, Xbox LIVE members can easily rediscover these hit titles, or check out a game they missed the first time around. This launch lineup is only the beginning, as Xbox 360 owners can expect to see a growing catalog of Xbox games to download and own over the coming year.

“In just five short years, Xbox LIVE has revolutionized the way friends and family have fun in the living room,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services at Microsoft. “On its fifth birthday, Xbox LIVE truly is the place for hanging out with friends and enjoying downloadable TV shows, movies, videos, game add-ons and now downloadable Xbox games on demand.”

* Free Xbox LIVE Arcade download includes Hexic 2 in Korea, and Carcassonne in the rest of the world where Xbox LIVE is available.

** Free download available for 48 hours starting at 12:01 a.m. EST on Nov. 15.