Microsoft Announces 512MB Memory Card, 150MB Arcade Limit


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At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2007, Microsoft Corp. today announced plans to launch a 512MB Memory Unit for the Xbox 360? video game and entertainment system and an increase in the official size limit of Xbox LIVE? Arcade games from 50 MB to 150 MBThe 512MB Memory Unit, available worldwide beginning April 3, 2007, will retail for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.) in North America.* The 512MB Memory Unit will be pre-loaded with the hit Xbox LIVE Arcade game ?Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved? from developer Bizarre Creations Ltd. for a limited time. The original 64MB Memory Unit will simultaneously drop in price from $39.99 to $29.99 (ERP).*).*

Eight times larger than the 64MB Memory Unit, the 512MB Memory Unit will provide Xbox 360 owners with vastly expanded storage capabilities for gaming on the go, allowing gamers to easily store and transport their gamer profile and save game data, Xbox LIVE Arcade games and Xbox LIVE Marketplace content. The 512MB Memory Unit also gives Xbox 360 owners the ability to download exclusive content from any of the 45,000 Xbox 360 kiosks accessible at retail outlets worldBeginning today, the Xbox LIVE Arcade game size limit has increased from 50 MB to 150 MB, giving developers greater flexibility in game design and expanding the opportunity to add advanced game features while still keeping games compact.ct.

?The new size limit offers developers increased flexibility and continued opportunities for innovative game development, while also ensuring that the millions of gamers on Xbox LIVE can continue to easily access, download and play all Xbox LIVE Arcade games on Xbox 360,? said Chris Early, product unit manager for Xbox LIVE Arcade and Microsoft Casual Games at Microsoft. ?If you take a look at current games like ?Roboblitz? and ?Small Arms,? it?s clear that our developers deliver amazing game experiences within a compact size limit. Our focus is on continuing to provide developers with an environment that allows for the creation of cost-efficient games and that nurtures an artistic and creative approach to game development.?

?As we prepare to launch our first Xbox LIVE Arcade game, ?Boom Boom Rocket,? we?re able to see how dynamic and creative this platform is,? said Chip Lange, vice president of Online Commerce for Electronic Arts Inc. (EA). ?Having ?Wing Commander Arena? on Xbox LIVE Arcade allows us to take full advantage of the online play and bring to life a 16-player online arcade experience that delivers unparalleled arcade action.?

This week at GDC, Microsoft will showcase forthcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade games from a cross-section of ?Boom Boom Rocket?pment community:

?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 Ar?3D Ultra? Minigolf Adventures?oft 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 setti?Eets: Chowdown? 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 e?Jetpac Refuelled?E 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 ?Pinball FX?s a fortune over the course of more than 100 high-definition levels.

?Pinball FX? (ZEN Studios Ltd.). ?Pinball FX? offers an unparalleled pinball experience that will be fun for novices and experts alike, with realistic ball physics and stunning 3-D tables. ?Pinball FX? also features real-time, head-to-head competition over Xbox LIVE and Xbox LIVE Vision camera support.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2...moryUnitPR.mspx

It seems like previous reports of the Arcade limit increasing to 250MB+ weren't exactly accurate.

Edited by AlphaPrime
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I think the news of a bigger memory unit aren't exactly new, I remember a post about that months ago?

This can't be the only news they have though. It's not enough to outdo sony or nintendo at this point.

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512mb is much better size than 64mb, it should have been that much from the start. It makes the core console a much more viable option.

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WOW... so i can pick between 512MB or 14000MB... HMM.. well thats hard to decide

Not everyone will want/need that much space, 512mb will more than suffice. 64mb, however, I don't think is enough in any situation.

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even 512 is quite stingy nowdays. I mean sure for saves its good but for the price id be looking at 1GB at LEAST maybe 2 even. They must make a killer profit margin but.

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I'm sure this is only the start, we'll probably get a 1GB unit later on, and a bigger HDD for sure. I think a good option will be to let the Zune act as a memory unit/external hdd also.

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GDC Kicks Off With Some Xbox Live Arcade Luv

It's morning-time somewhere in the UK, and midnight on the east coast of North America, so Microsoft is kicking off the new week in San Francisco, at the Games Developer Conference. We're beginning the festivities with a couple of announcements aimed at making things even easier for games developers and gamers.

Beginning April 3, you can pick up a new 512MB Memory Unit for the Xbox 360. The 512MB Memory Unit will retail for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.), and will come pre-loaded with the Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved from Bizarre Creations Ltd. for a limited time. The original 64MB Memory Unit will simultaneously drop in price from $39.99 to $29.99 (ERP).

On top of that, beginning today, the Xbox LIVE Arcade game size limit has increased from 50 MB to 150 MB, giving developers greater flexibility in game design and expanding the opportunity to add advanced game features while still keeping games compact.

On Tuesday, March 6, Microsoft Game Studios will present ?The Evolution of RPG Development,? a panel discussion hosted by journalist Geoff Keighley that will feature Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker, Peter Molyneux of Lionhead Studios and Ray Muzyka of BioWare Corp., the creators of the most highly anticipated role-playing games of the next generation.

We're also announcing a new game called Schizoid, from Torpex Games. It's unique becuase it's the first Xbox Live Arcade title built using XNA Game Studio Express. ?Schizoid? is a co-op action game in which teamwork matters like never before, as gamers and their friend or AI ally protect each other from barrages of glowing enemies. The title is scheduled to launch on Xbox Live Arcade before the end of 2007.[/Source:rce: Gamerscore Blog

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Yeah, nice pointing that out, it's only the first day, we have until Friday to get more and more info.

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I'm not really expecting much from this conference, but I am looking forward to Boom Boom Rocket. Sounds fun. Also, we all know Bizarre makes some awesome games (Geometry Wars). :p

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I think the news of a bigger memory unit aren't exactly new, I remember a post about that months ago?

It was never official, and was thought to be only 256MB until not long ago. Now it's no longer a rumour.

This is WAY old.

Umm no, the press release just came out. The 150MB limit is something new along with confirmation of the new Arcade games.

I can't help but feel it is way overpriced. A 4gb flash drive on newegg costs less. And that isn't even a cheap one.

I know, it is way overpriced, and it doesn't make the Core system any more of a better option. I would have thought they would have increased the capacity to at least 1GB/2GB considering the price and the fact that the competitors both allow SD cards which are far cheaper. But most people aren't going to need a memory card anyway so it doesn't bother me too much. But introducing a higher cost memory card doesn't bode well for the chance of a price cut to the 20GB drive.

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Umm no, the press release just came out. The 150MB limit is something new along with confirmation of the new Arcade games.

Well that ones not particully "new" anyway. It may or may not have been officially confirmed but I think it was generally accepted that this was happening.

In the end the announcements were about as unexpected as Apple announcing they were releasing a phone. While they hadnt said anything we all knew it was comming.

It'd be good if they could get a port of quake 2 or something onto live. In any even the 150MB limit opens up the possability for alot of the more popular 90's titles to be ported.

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I remember hearing something about a 150MB limit around the time Castlevania: SotN was announced for XBLA. And I was pretty sure it was official, especially since that game was said to break the previous 50MB barrier.

And the memory card upgrade is just logical. Everyone knew it would happen eventually.

Echoing others' sentiment... this isn't worth getting excited over. But hopefully real news is on the way! :rofl:

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