MS confirms Xbox Originals, free Carcassonne Thursday

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 13th 2007 at 1:30PM }

Well that didn't take long. Microsoft has issued a press release confirming reports from earlier today that original Xbox games will soon be available for download from Xbox Live Marketplace. The games -- referred to as "Xbox Originals" -- mentioned explicitly by Microsoft were Halo, Crimson Skies, Fable, and Psychonauts, though it's unclear if all of these titles will be available on the day the service launches. That day, incidentally, is not December 2 as previously reported, but rather December 4. As noted by the press release, "This new service will launch with an array of blockbuster titles spanning the most popular genres from action-adventure to classic role-playing games." Classic role-playing games on the original Xbox? Really? All three of them? Anyway, the games will be available for the previously reported price of 1200 MS Points ($15). Whether or not the launch lineup that was reported earlier is accurate remains to be seen.

Microsoft also added some announcements about the fifth anniversary of the launch of Xbox Live on November 15. In celebration, Microsoft will be offering a free download of the Xbox Live Arcade game Carcassonne (Hexic 2 in Korea) starting at 12:01am EST November 15. The game will be free to all subscribers for 48 hours. Also, all subscribers who have been a member of Xbox Live since 2002 will receive 500 MS Points for free.

Tags: fall-update, fallupdate, xblm, xbox-originals

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Tarl @ Nov 13th 2007 1:35PM

Do those downloaded games come with achievements? That's the real question.

blakbuzzrd @ Nov 13th 2007 1:37PM

How about fixing the damn DRM on the Carcassonne expansions? Word of warning: if you buy the expansions for this game and then have to replace your hard drive or system, the expansions will no longer function properly.

It's thanks to the DRM setup on them. MS is uninterested in solving this problem. Check out the Carcassonne forum on Xbox.com for the scoop.

Rex @ Nov 13th 2007 1:38PM

Maybe I'm smoking something, but isn't the 15th in two days, meaning not tomorrow (as suggested by the heading)?

stinger503 @ Nov 13th 2007 1:40PM

Was I a live member in 2002? Anyway to figure that out?

ogvor @ Nov 13th 2007 1:40PM

But I already bought Carcassone!

ccc @ Nov 13th 2007 1:41PM

Hmm, will these games have achievements and will they be in my arcade or a new slot on the blade. Also, I'd rather have hexic 2.

John @ Nov 13th 2007 1:43PM

wtf, I already bought Carcassone.

Token White Guy @ Nov 13th 2007 1:44PM

Yay, useless bullshit. I have one question. Why? Why not give us an update that makes the blades run smooth and not lock up when you hit "friends list" while some one is sending you a message? Why not give me Divx support, and more codecs? What about a web browser? No, Microsoft dicides to give us 3-4 year old games that have no HD capabilities and games we have or already beat. To top it off we have to pay for them. I know they aren't forcing me to buy it but give me something useful.

Paul @ Nov 13th 2007 1:45PM

hahaha the early adopters (i guess that's what you would call them) of carcassone get screwed! i will be getting my free copy on the 15th suckers....

Paul @ Nov 13th 2007 1:48PM

whoa chill out Token White Guy this isn't the fall update or anything. this is just something m$ is doing to make more money and i welcome any new features b/c they only make the 360 that much better.....

Etchasketchist @ Nov 13th 2007 1:51PM

Good lord, you all are a bunch of whiny bitches. Just sayin'...

ccc @ Nov 13th 2007 1:52PM

We NEED Max Payne, The Warriors, Serious Sam, Unreal Championship 2 and Gauntlet Dark Legacy with achievements FTW!

krusty @ Nov 13th 2007 1:55PM

Glad many of the above cheevwhores were thinking the same as me.

WILL THERE BE CHEEVES?

CPickler @ Nov 13th 2007 1:54PM

I e-mailed Xbox Live to see if I joined in 2002. I am pretty sure I did, but when I hear back from them I will pass along the information if it works, or relay the correct person to get in contact with.

Deezul @ Nov 13th 2007 1:59PM

I bought UNO, then bought the Camera. I was stuck with "free" game I already had. They could have just given 800 points to everyone who logs in that day, but whatever. I didn't buy Carcassone, but I'll grab it on my Gold account and a few Silver accounts I have as well.

Freeze @ Nov 13th 2007 2:01PM

All I want to know is; will games like Halo and marvel vs. Capcom 2 have online capabilities.

xenocidic @ Nov 13th 2007 2:03PM

@deezul why didnt you just sell the redemption code on eBay? or give it to a friend?

and yes, there must be cheevos or I won't buy any original Xboxen games.

Stan G. @ Nov 13th 2007 2:08PM

I'm hoping all the xbox live issues clear up before this happens, they are getting in over their heads.

Wilson @ Nov 13th 2007 2:08PM

Damnit, I knew that I shouldn't have bought Carcassone once I got my Live account... oh well, at least I'll be able to play win some ranked matches with all the n00bs coming in XD

And Psychonauts on Xbox Originals: FCK YEAH!

Viridium @ Nov 13th 2007 2:11PM

Goddamit, that's how I'm rewarded for already buying Carcassonne and all its expansions so far!?

Why not do it for a NEW game, like with Texas Hold'Em, so existing buyers don't get F*CKED!

Rk @ Nov 13th 2007 2:13PM

Why would anyone buy online when you can get them for like £5 now?

Grant @ Nov 13th 2007 2:15PM

I think i joined in 2003... and i already own carcassone.
So, i got hosed.
awesome.

Scott @ Nov 13th 2007 2:16PM

I love free arcade game days! So far I haven't been screwed once (unless you count paying full price for zuma and then like a year later it went half price) on the arcade giveaways, knock on wood.
Wonder if MS will giveaway the old xbox games every so often too (pipe dream, but who would have thought they would give away 800 point games; Poker, Carcassone now) or have them on sale. I am still convinced if they lowered the Arcade game prices over time the way they do with real titles that they could get increased sales of the older games.

Grant @ Nov 13th 2007 2:16PM

"Why would anyone buy online when you can get them for like £5 now?"

the man has a point.
plus, who doesn't already own those games?

xenocidic @ Nov 13th 2007 2:18PM

@scott I've only been slightly screwed ;

I bought Pacman CE and then it became available on the Xbox Live Arcade Compilation disc.

Foggy Bottoms @ Nov 13th 2007 2:27PM

for once i agree with Viridium. probably because he's not trying to shout out facts that he makes up in his head. way to be, V!

Paul @ Nov 13th 2007 2:36PM

crap i am an idiot, this is part of the fall update....danget now i am kinda angry as well....

Tony @ Nov 13th 2007 2:37PM

Aw come on, I bought that XBLA game already! :(

dunnypop @ Nov 13th 2007 2:39PM

damn, I love Catan. I'm going to give this a go!

Mr BoomStick XL @ Nov 13th 2007 2:50PM

#1 poster hit the nail right on the head!! Are we getting achievements with old games that they are charging $15.00 USD for when you can get a box and instructions at your local EB or Gamestop for $5.00 to $7.00 less??

Scott @ Nov 13th 2007 2:56PM

@xeno Yea, but with that disc, you have to actually put the disc in the drive and take out Halo 3. When u get it for the Arcade, you get the sweet satisfaction of just flipping it on to play some pac man during commercials of the office.

mattclarkie @ Nov 13th 2007 2:59PM

Does "All Subscribers" mean even people not living in America. Because that is getting old real fast.

Adam @ Nov 13th 2007 2:59PM

This better not be the only update.

DjDATZ @ Nov 13th 2007 3:03PM

heheheheheh...i'm gonna get hexic 2 AND carcassonne. :D

DjDATZ @ Nov 13th 2007 3:06PM

yes, i'm an asshole. :D

mtgo @ Nov 13th 2007 7:57PM

I already bought it too but i'm just happy more people will be online to play it.

ccc @ Nov 13th 2007 3:24PM

The fall update is supposed to also be fixing the problem with dlc for people that had existing dlc and got another base unit.
Other than that, This is a deal breaker with no achievements, I wonder if this means ms will up the meg size for an arcade download.
Oh yeah and this opens the doors for Kotar everyone rejoice!

Sheep dog @ Nov 13th 2007 3:31PM

Oh crap I got my live in 03 oh well =0

mattclarkie @ Nov 13th 2007 3:33PM

I assume that games available for DL will also be BC if you have the Retail Disc. Because if they only make a game work on the 360 if you pay to download it there will be a lot of annoyed people who paid £40 for the original disc.

Me included.

Mat @ Nov 13th 2007 3:46PM

Sweet mercy,

If you don't want the Xbox v1 games, don't download them. If you want to go buy them at GameStop, go right ahead.

A lot of people want to play them and have no problem buying them online for easy downloading and access.

I think this is a great thing and will only encourage more content on the system.

And if you bough Carc? Well, you got to play it and enjoy it and had no problems with that until they announced they were giving it away free. If they weren't giving it away, you'd be fine with having bought it.

Save it, all of you.

un1qu3 n3wy0rk @ Nov 13th 2007 4:56PM

I hope Halo: CE will come with online play like the PC version. And Achievements to... hopefully.

Dale @ Nov 13th 2007 5:12PM

I think free points is the best option, that way nobody's hard done by.

LaughingMan @ Nov 13th 2007 5:19PM

I never thought the 360 would actually have full xbox games on its Live service. They're so weird when it comes to XBLA file sizes (it has to be under, what, 150mb?) that a game file in the 1-2 gig range would never work. Glad to see I'm wrong.

Oh and Fable with achievements? I am so there.

tiremfej @ Nov 13th 2007 5:31PM

I've been on since beta testing of Live, we're getting 20000 points for free...

xenocidic @ Nov 13th 2007 5:49PM

lies

jamesgrasso @ Nov 13th 2007 8:42PM

Lame, I just, *JUST* bought Carcassonne two days ago. :(

Anton @ Nov 13th 2007 8:17PM

@39

I agree with you in principal, but some of us really support XBLA (I own around 35 games) and it stings just a bit when time and again people who aren't supporting the service get the prizes.

Only being with Live since '06 what gift do I get? zippo. Despite feeding several hundred dollars into points, and gold, and creative club. (not to mention several thousand dollars on games themselves).

It'd be nice to perhaps have something like a 5% rebate on the points we'd spent.