360 Arcade Pack Includes Demos Not Games?

[Siraris]

From the daily WTF department comes this (http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/xbox-360-arcade-unboxed/) unboxing of the 360 Arcade Pack. According to a user at Engadget, (who did the unboxing of the new console), you get:

a 256MB Memory Card, a Wireless controller, an HDMI port minus the cable, and a disc that includes demos of Xbox LIVE Arcade games Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship, and Uno.

I'm a bit surprised by this, as I don't think it's ever been stated that you get demos with the system as opposed to the full games themselves. Considering you don't even get a HDD, this is a pretty disappointing deal for the holidays. No cable, no HDD, no games, so where's the value?

[Zanzibar]

EDIT: nope, I'm wrong. Wow. Trial versions....that sucks.

[Johan]

MS, you never cease to amaze me...:(

This is just dumb, at least; deceptive, at worst.

[Gorvi]

So they get the same 2 pack ins as the other two models, plus a demo disc and a memory card. Not bad, I guess.

[Itchyeyes]

I don't really see this as something worth complaining about. Were people really jonesing for some hot Feeding Frenzy action? It's still a better deal than the Core was what with a wireless controller and, most importantly, a memory card. Also, since Microsoft still hasn't officially announced the Arcade bundle, you can't really fault them for not throwing in the full versions of the games just because they're not what the rumors said they were going to be.

What does perplex me though is that the value gulf between the Core/Arcade and the Premium/Pro versions is continuing to shrink, first going from a $100 to $70 price difference and now the Premium/Pro has about $80 worth of games added while the Core/Arcade only gets about $50 of 'value' added between the memory card and the wireless controller. Microsoft is continuing to marginalize their cheapest SKU. I've always thought that Microsoft would keep the Core/Arcade around in order to keep their cheapest 360 as cheap as possible, but if they continue this trend of shrinking the value difference between the Core/Arcade and the Premium/Pro then sooner or later they're going to have to phase out the cheaper version.

[EternalGamer]

The "value" comes in the fact that you are getting a system that doesn't require 200 people and four years to make a good game on it.

[Itchyeyes]

So they get the same 2 pack ins as the other two models, plus a demo disc and a memory card. Not bad, I guess.
The arcade model doesn't get the Forza 2 and MUA pack ins.

[Wraith]

I don't really see this as something worth complaining about. Were people really jonesing for some hot Feeding Frenzy action? It's still a better deal than the Core was what with a wireless controller and, most importantly, a memory card.

What does perplex me though is that the value gulf between the Core/Arcade and the Premium/Pro versions is continuing to shrink, first going from a $100 to $70 price difference and now the Premium/Pro has about $80 worth of games added while the Core/Arcade only gets about $50 of 'value' added between the memory card and the wireless controller. Microsoft is continuing to marginalize their cheapest SKU. I've always thought that Microsoft would keep the Core/Arcade around in order to keep their cheapest 360 as cheap as possible, but if they continue this trend of shrinking the value difference between the Core/Arcade and the Premium/Pro then sooner or later they're going to have to phase out the cheaper version.Those were my thoughts. Yes, way better than the Core, but still not much value compared to the new Pro pack.

$280 Arcade Pack + 2 * $30 games = $340, just $10 shy of the Pro.

[MegaChops]

this made me lawl

[Gorvi]

The arcade model doesn't get the Forza 2 and MUA pack ins.
So this is just a core with a memory card and a wireless controller? Well, that's underwhelming.

[Telefrog]

Those were my thoughts. Yes, way better than the Core, but still not much value compared to the new Pro pack.

$280 Arcade Pack + 2 * $30 games = $340, just $10 shy of the Pro.

Exactly. Nothing here to complain about other than everyone else jumped the gun and assumed that they would be full games. Technically, since MS still hasn't made an official announcement about this, we're the ones at fault for making assumptions.

[arne]

Nevermind in the photos of the unboxing it says "Plus" five trial games above and beyond the ones listed above. Everybody is jumping to conclusions.

[Itchyeyes]

MS, you never cease to amaze me...:(

This is just dumb, at least; deceptive, at worst.
How is this deceptive? They haven't even announced the Arcade bundle yet and it says very clearly on the box that the games are trial versions.

[mkelehan]

It's probably a typo. The box very clearly says it includes 5 games. All of the hard drives in enwer systems come with about a dozen XBLA demos, but it doesn't say, "Includes 12 games!"

My guess is the disc has those full games, plus demos of a few others.

[Itchyeyes]

It's probably a typo. The box very clearly says it includes 5 games. All of the hard drives in enwer systems come with about a dozen XBLA demos, but it doesn't say, "Includes 12 games!"

My guess is the disc has those full games, plus demos of a few others.
It very clearly says the opposite.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/mnikkel55/xbox360arcadegallery10.jpg

[ECM]

The "value" comes in the fact that you are getting a system that doesn't require 200 people and four years to make a good game on it.

What about the "value" in getting a system that, you know, works?

/cheapshot

[mkelehan]

How is this deceptive? They haven't even announced the Arcade bundle yet and it says very clearly on the box that the games are trial versions.

Where? I don't see "trial" anywhere, which is why I'm reluctant to believe this.

[Johan]

How is this deceptive? They haven't even announced the Arcade bundle yet and it says very clearly on the box that the games are trial versions.

Sure, the small print on the back of your picture says "trial" versions, but it's an ARCADE bundle, with....

DEMOS? :rolleyes:

What good is that at ALL?

1. If you like the games, you have to be able to go online in order to buy the full versions.
2. If you can't get online, you can't get the full versions.
3. If you can get online, WTF do you need them to include five demos for? You can download ALL of the demos yourself! :rolleyes:

It's a damn stupid marketing decision in my opinion, because it's deceptive. People will see "Arcade bundle" and assume it actually offers, you know...arcade GAMES. Not a bunch of damn demos...

IF it comes with complete games, then it's actually an Arcade bundle. Otherwise, it's a glorified demo disk from a gaming rag/mag...

[biosc1]

From the looks of it, it's 5 free Arcade games plus 5 demos.

Look at the screen shot for the dashboard...it shows the 5 games plus a menu item for "game demos" (for disc based games, most likely).

[cp#]

It very clearly says the opposite.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/mnikkel55/xbox360arcadegallery10.jpg

I take that as "These 5 games pictured here, plus 5 more demos"

[the soUL TRAder]

See this is why fanbois should use sippy cups, there's hateraid everywhere!

[EternalGamer]

Johan's right. You might as well go ahead and say the Premium and Elite come with "200 Plus" Trials since it is only a couple of clicks difference between downloading them and getting them on a CD.

[Chaos Machine]

Johan's right. You might as well go ahead and say the Premium and Elite come with "200 Plus" Trials since it is only a couple of clicks difference between downloading them and getting them on a CD.

I still know people who dont even have their 360 hooked up to the internet, or have internet to begin with. talk about fucked up priorities! hdtv and 360 but a broke ass 12 year old computer and no internet!

[Guy Mariano]

I take that as "These 5 games pictured here, plus 5 more demos"

Those are the same 5 games that the article says are demos on the disk ;)

[gzsfrk]

I'm a bit surprised by this, as I don't think it's ever been stated that you get demos with the system as opposed to the full games themselves. Considering you don't even get a HDD, this is a pretty disappointing deal for the holidays. No cable, no HDD, no games, so where's the value?

I agree--this is a boneheaded move on MS' part. There is virtually NO REASON not to pack-in one quality XBLA title (e.g. Geometry Wars) and a couple of lesser titles such as Ms. Pac-Man, Frogger, Gauntlet, Poker, Uno, or any of the myriad other fun-but-not-top-tier games. Make it feel like people are getting some value. They could even bill it as coming with three or four free games, which would be perfect for parents who groan at the thought of paying $250+ for a console then having to dish out another $100 - $150 for some games.

I still don't like the idea of the Core--I really believe they should have phased it out and gone strictly to models with hard drives on the path to eventually allowing for more games that require HDD to run. But if they are going to stick with a low-end model, they REALLY need to push the value in order to get 360s in as many households as possible.

[cool8man]

It is 5 full games plus 5 trial demos on the disc. Engadget is wrong.

Pac-Man CE and Uno are two of the best games released on XBLA.

[Delenda]

I think the suprise is coming from that fact the pack is called 360 ARCADE, and yet doesn't actually include any arcade games.

[Tyrant]

My reading comprehension has led me to conclude that they mean 5 full arcade games plus 5 demos of other games. That's assuming MS didn't hire someone with sub-par English skills to do their boxart descriptions.

[lockwoodx]

I think the suprise is coming from that fact the pack is called 360 ARCADE, and yet doesn't actually include any arcade games.

Pacman wasn't an arcade game? /boggle

[mkelehan]

I think they should've included 70 trial games instead. That'd clear this up right quick.

[Crowe]

Maybe people should wait until they are 100 percent sure it's 5 trial games only. And not 5 full games with an extra 5 demos.

[biosc1]

Maybe people should wait until they are 100 percent sure it's 5 trial games only. And not 5 full games with an extra 5 demos.

You're new to the internet, aren't you? :p

[Rex Dart]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/10/xbox360arcadegallery18.jpg

That definitely looks to me as if it includes five games. After listing the five games, it says "More Arcade Games" (emphasis added) rather than "More Demos." On the contrary, it lists demos after that.

[Kelegacy]

So it DOES include the games, plus 5 demos? That makes sense. I was ready to light Microsoft on fire for their idiocy, but if that's not the case, I'll move on.

[TrackZero]

The "value" comes in the fact that you are getting a system that doesn't require 200 people and four years to make a good game on it.

Oh no you didn't!

[EternalGamer]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/10/xbox360arcadegallery18.jpg

That definitely looks to me as if it includes five games. After listing the five games, it says "More Arcade Games" (emphasis added) rather than "More Demos." On the contrary, it lists demos after that.

The "demos" category is for full games.

Nevertheless, at the very least this terminology dancing is ridiculious. There is no need to euphemize demos by calling them "trials." This isn't a Ferrari I'm taking out for a spin.

[Johan]

So it DOES include the games, plus 5 demos? That makes sense. I was ready to light Microsoft on fire for their idiocy, but if that's not the case, I'll move on.

I agree...if it actually does include full XBLA games, and not just demos!

If it just includes demos, it's officially retarded.

[Delenda]

Doesn't 'more arcade games' take you to the marketplace, like on the console dashboard?

I am officially confused. Why hasn't MS actually announced anything about it yet?

[EternalGamer]

Oh no you didn't!

You're right I didn't. Kamalot did. I was being facetious.

[Itchyeyes]

Where?
Right on the picture 2 posts above yours.
I don't see "trial" anywhere, which is why I'm reluctant to believe this.
Hint: It helps to use your eyes.

[Itchyeyes]

I take that as "These 5 games pictured here, plus 5 more demos"
Given that nowhere on the box does it say that it includes full games, it says "trial games" directly next to the picture, the owner of the 360 directly states that they are demo games, and Microsoft has never actually announced that there would be any bundle that included 5 full XBLA games I think you're really grasping at straws here.

[Tyrant]

Given that nowhere on the box does it say that it includes full games, it says "trial games" directly next to the picture, the owner of the 360 directly states that they are demo games, and Microsoft has never actually announced that there would be any bundle that included 5 full XBLA games I think you're really grasping at straws here.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/10/xboxarcadenew001.jpg

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/10/xboxarcadenew007.jpg

I'm not sure if you're joking, but should I circle the parts where it distinguishes between games and demos?

[EternalGamer]

So does it come with a free Harry Potter too? I'm having a hard time figuring out what he is doing on the box other than just for blatant psychological association with a popular product.

[Kelegacy]

So does it include games or not? If the guy who opened the box said there aren't any, isn't that pretty much...well...fact? If not, that's some borderline false advertising right there. Very shady indeed.

[EternalGamer]

So does it include games or not? If the guy who opened the box said there aren't any, isn't that pretty much...well...fact? If not, that's some borderline false advertising right there. Very shady indeed.

You mean if it IS true it is "borderline false advertising." I would say it isn't borderline at all, either. It seems pretty blatant given all the other asterisk exception "not included" notices on the box.

[Tyrant]

So does it come with a free Harry Potter too? I'm having a hard time figuring out what he is doing on the box other than just for blatant psychological association with a popular product.

I forgot about the existence of the Order of the Phoenix game as well and pondered his presence for a moment.

[Kelegacy]

You mean if it IS true it is "borderline false advertising." I would say it isn't borderline at all, either. It seems pretty blatant given all the other asterisk exception "not included" notices on the box.

Even so, it's shady to say the least. Ridiculous.

Maybe Microsoft should advertise their new system with something akin to those Halo 3 commercials. But instead of the word, "Believe" at the end, we instead get "Deceive".

[rein]

I have to believe the game disk includes full versions of the 5 Arcade titles. I can't imagine Microsoft would do something that boneheaded.

[VictorVonViolence]

Even so, it's shady to say the least. Ridiculous.

Maybe Microsoft should advertise their new system with something akin to those Halo 3 commercials. But instead of the word, "Believe" at the end, we instead get "Deceive".

My God, hand this man a pulitizer.

Anyways, all evidence points to the five XBLA games being in the box. Case=closed.

[Uniqueusername]

What I think is crazy is that they are still bundling the silly SD only cable with the thing.
Come on, the 360 is a HD capable console. That's it's big advantage over the Wii, and MS are removing it?

Someone walks into a shop to buy a console and asks if it's HD. What's a better answer to give them:

1) Well, it depends on the version. The premium is, and so is the elite. But the Arcade isn't.
Of course you can buy a different cable seperately- A component combo cable, a VGA cable, or a HDMI cable. It depends on the ports on your TV. What ports are free on your TV?

2) Yes.

If they bundled the combo cable, they could remove all the confusion. All 360s are HD capable out of the box. Easy!
The cost difference would be minimal, and it would mean more users get the most out of their console.

Here's a question: How many core users are stuck on SD without even realising they aren't getting HD?
A lot of people don't know much about the stuff they buy. They just hook it up until it works. A study a while back showed that quite a few people had a HD tuner plugging into the comopsite port of their HD TV and didn't realise they weren't getting HD.

Perhaps this is a reason the Wii is doing well. The difference in graphics really isn't so great if your consoles are running in SD.

[bapenguin]

See this is the kind of shit that could be avoided if you just acknowledged a systems existence instead of pretending it didn't until an official release date.

From what I understand you get Pac-Man CE and Uno (the full versions) and then 5 trial games. That's what the sticker means on the front of the box.

[EternalGamer]

See this is the kind of shit that could be avoided if you just acknowledged a systems existence instead of pretending it didn't until an official release date.

From what I understand you get Pac-Man CE and Uno (the full versions) and then 5 trial games. That's what the sticker means on the front of the box.

If that is true then that sticker is blatantly misleading. it says "5 GAMES INCLUDED" there isn't even an asterisk to denote a caveat.

[lockwoodx]

See this is the kind of shit that could be avoided if you just acknowledged a systems existence instead of pretending it didn't until an official release date.

From what I understand you get Pac-Man CE and Uno (the full versions) and then 5 trial games. That's what the sticker means on the front of the box.

It doesn't say 5 trail games it says 5 games. Pass the pipe I want some.

[muddi900]

Why the fuck is there no component cable??? The main draw of the 360 was HD gaming.

[Vader582]

FIXED: I'm a bit surprised by this, as I don't think it's ever been stated that you get demos with the system as opposed to the full games themselves. Considering you don't even get a HDD, this is a pretty disappointing deal for the holidays. No cable, no HDD, no games, no reliability, so where's the value?I keed, I keed. :D But really, who isn't worried about their 360 dying of redringitis? At least the PS3 and Wii appear innoculated.;)

[KingGorilla]

I have to believe the game disk includes full versions of the 5 Arcade titles. I can't imagine Microsoft would do something that boneheaded.

How to spot the guy who did not read the article. Unless there is some console code or button combo that the Engadget guys missed, then no, they just have demos in there.

What I cannot figure out is why Microsoft is still trying to sell a stripped down 300 dollar console. Go after the Wii, go for 250, 200, toss in a copy of Kameo, PGR3, Perfect Dark, something.

[rein]

How to spot the guy who did not read the article. Unless there is some console code or button combo that the Engadget guys missed, then no, they just have demos in there.

What I cannot figure out is why Microsoft is still trying to sell a stripped down 300 dollar console. Go after the Wii, go for 250, 200, toss in a copy of Kameo, PGR3, Perfect Dark, something.
I read it, I just don't believe it. Read the thread, I am not the only one. I think this guy is missing something.

[Brady]

This really should be removed as a news item.... The news item says there are 5 demos, not 5 games... This is still something that nobody really knows.


I believe there are the 5 FULL games then under "more arcade games" there are demos for 5 more arcade games.

The news item states this as fact... people visiting this website see it and just assume it to be true. When really nobody knows. There are only confusing pictures and no first hand knowledge.

[EternalGamer]

This really should be removed as a news item.... The news item says there are 5 demos, not 5 games... This is still something that nobody really knows.


I believe there are the 5 FULL games then under "more arcade games" there are demos for 5 more arcade games.

The news item states this as fact... people visiting this website see it and just assume it to be true. When really nobody knows. There are only confusing pictures and no first hand knowledge.

Apparently, you didn't read the article. The dude PLAYED them. They come on a CD and they are not the full games, at least some of them aren't.

[DarkDaY]

heres the best idea ever!!!!!!!!!!!!


dont buy it.

case solved.

[Tyrant]

Apparently, you didn't read the article. The dude PLAYED them. They come on a CD and they are not the full games, at least some of them aren't.

I read the article and sifted through their comments and I still don't see where it says they're all demos.

[menage]

If they only include demo's at least they could have picked better crap than this.

Puzzle Quest, Lumines, Worms, etc.

[Ancalagon]

MS, they are XBLA games! How much are they worth to you?

Put the greed down!

[Kelegacy]

For some reason this still astounds me. It's a blatant finger up the ass of the consumers that won't know what to expect.

I hope this dies on the vine. Or I wish for consumer backlash.

[Venkman]

Edit- nevermind. That casing is pretty misleading.

[Norse]

No cable

There are cables, but only composite. Just like the PS3.

I actually think it's great that they finally removed the wired controller and added a memory card. This way the Core/Arcade is actually usable out of the box.

[Kelegacy]

They removed the wired controller? So, it's wireless with the core now? That's cool. It remains a gimped box by far, but if someone isn't going to seriously game on it, it will more than suffice. I'd personally rather be stuck with a Core 360 than a Wii.

Still a shitty way to market the system. If you say there are 5 games included, they should be. When the consumer opens up the box and realizes they are demos and not full games, they realize post-purchase they just got hosed.

[Tyrant]

While one would imagine the images posted in the linked article for this newspost would be sufficient to show that there are 5 full arcade games included, here's a post (http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/10/22/officially-announcing-the-xbox-360-arcade-finally.aspx) from Major Nelson confirming the contents of the newly announced Arcade pack:

Available now in most stores for US $279.99
Comes with a wireless controller
Has HDMI out
256 MU in the box

Includes full versions of the following Arcade titles on disc:
PAC-MAN Championship Edition
Uno
Luxor 2
Boom Boom Rocket
Feeding Frenzy

[Trazzlo the Magnificant]

This thread is yet another great example of a sourced "news" article, that turns out that the source was wrong. I still think it was fine for this to be "news" even if it turned out wrong, but the Sony folks won't ever see that side.

Demanding that stories all have sources is as silly as expecting all sources to be correct, and that all news is true and unbiased. The only truly biased news is when censorship decides not to permit discussion at all. I expect to make up my own mind, and not have someone demand a story be removed simply because they don't like the focus.

Microsoft blew it for not stepping in and controlling the public statements made, so they aren't innocent victims.