Delisted XBLA games not entirely delisted
by Dustin Burg 
{ May 26th 2008 at 12:45PM }
After hearing about Microsoft's controversial move to "delist" certain underperforming XBLA games, we questioned whether or not these delisted games would be available for re-download to those who already purchased them. And, according to the Gamerscore Blog crew, the answer is yes. In other words, if you purchase a delisted XBLA game before it gets delisted and for whatever reason it gets deleted from your HDD, you'll ALWAYS be able to re-download it from your download history.This news will of course beg the question why a need for delisting if the games will still be on Microsoft servers for previous purchasers to re-download. The answer to that is ... erm, we dunno. Just be happy your craptacular delisted XBLA game purchase didn't go to waste.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony @ May 26th 2008 12:51PM
I couldn't care less about stuff like Yaris disappearing, but this does make me concerned about the reaction of publishers. While it could encourage better quality titles on the service (although the worst offenders have issues that make you wonder what the hell Certification is for), it could also encourage publishers to not want to take chances on unproven concepts.
I really hope they come up with a better way to deal with this. But either way, I'm glad I can still redownload stuff like TMNT and Contra considering I don't agree with the reviews for them lol (and since my 360 is getting fixed and I'd like to avoid problems).
Drachen77 @ May 26th 2008 12:53PM
Gotta admit, this whole delisting thing seems like a public relations move. Microsoft says they will remove crappy underperforming games because they want to bring in more developers to create original games they can charge more for.
Why not just reorganize the Xbox Arcade into it's own blade (or reorganize the games blade into Arcade) and then break down titles into different genres like "original", "classic", "board games"; things like that?
I think it would make it easier to navigate and see what's availble. Completing deleting them doesn't really get you anywhere.
navstar @ May 26th 2008 1:45PM
I'm all for delisting. There's too much old crap on XBLA. But how many games would be affected? Less than 65 on Metacritic, more than 6 months old, less than 6% conversions.
I'm thinking maybe Yaris? What else?
Exo @ May 26th 2008 1:55PM
yaris is free, so it has 100% conversion
Zac LaCombe @ May 26th 2008 1:12PM
For whatever reason, they're really dropping the ball this year. Come on, no new features except for stupid marketing moves, as a poster above me put it. They're trying to make it look as though they're "making progress". It's 2008 and we still don't have group chat? Are you kidding me?
UnwiseDolphin @ May 26th 2008 1:22PM
The bigger thing is that if you own a delisted title you can still recommend it to friends andn they can then purchase it. So if you really want a certain crappy title you can have friend recommend it to you. I actually agree with the decision because it will make it easier to find the good Arcade titles.
Exo @ May 26th 2008 1:27PM
the delising is only taking it off the market place list. you can still buy and download the game after its delisted but you will need to get it recomended from a friend or already have the trial download
Brave @ May 26th 2008 1:32PM
Chuck Norris can never be missing in action. Action can only be missing Chuck Norris.
JBurton @ May 26th 2008 1:44PM
Major Nelsons interview with some guy in his podcast states you can also recommend those titles to friends. They can still download them if you "link" it to them via the "Tell A Friend" feature.
DRock067 @ May 26th 2008 2:14PM
umm... would a brick and mortar store keep a game in it's store if it wasn't selling? of course not.
mattclarkie @ May 26th 2008 2:15PM
Doesn't make any sense.
The only thing they are doing is reducing the number of items visible, which could be done by adding a category such as old releases, and then the main list shows new and popular games. There is already a new releases and classic releases list alongside all items.
Striker @ May 26th 2008 4:32PM
Chuck Norris is never "Missing in Action". Ever.
FieldEffect @ May 26th 2008 8:26PM
There's no reason at all to de-list title other than (as mentioned in the Major Nelson interview) to make good games easier to find.
This would be better addressed by improving navigation in the dashboard which... they could do... with a spring.... dashboard upd.... never mind... :)
Gemini Ace @ May 27th 2008 7:58AM
Instead of delisting, just mark them half price. That's what stores like Target and Wal-Mart do. Delisting means they make no money at all. Isn't half price better than no price?
Bring back Peter Moore!