Summer of Arcade may terrorize your wallet [update]

by Xav de Matos { Jul 30th 2008 at 11:45AM }

Update: It looks like the high prices of Braid and Castle Crashers are "incorrect" according to Microsoft. Click here for the full story.

If you're anything like us you stocked up on MS Points in preparation for August's extensive XBLA release list. With releases like Galaga Legions, Braid and Castle Crashers around the corner it looks like it's going to be a good time for the Arcade. There is some potential bad news however, the Summer of Arcade is going to missile-dropkick your wallet.

According to the official Japanese Xbox 360 blog, Braid (August 6) lists a purchase price of 1200MS Points ($15 US), while the highly anticipated Castle Crashes clocks in at a hefty 1800MS Points ($22.50 US) -- making it the most costly XBLA title to date.

While these prices have only been set for the Japanese market, readers should keep in mind that prices are generally the same in Europe and North America. While -- based on hands-on impressions of both titles -- we can't wait to play Braid and Castle Crashers, we wonder if anyone feels too burned to throw down $37.50 (US) for a pair of Arcade releases.

Galaga Legions and Bionic Commando: Rearmed are both priced at 800MS Points each.

[via GameBytes]

Tags: braid, castle-crashers, summer-of-arcade, xbla, xbox-live-arcade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Shogan @ Jul 30th 2008 11:49AM

Well I won't be getting Castle Crashers or Braid...

Kevin Gass @ Jul 30th 2008 1:08PM

Yup 1800 points means myself and probably a few other people will not be getting this

dmb360 @ Jul 30th 2008 2:40PM

I agree, at 1800 points no sale for me. I'll bite at the 800 point price.

iLuvUrOpinion @ Jul 30th 2008 11:53AM

castle crashers for 1800MS points?! i'm having a hard time seeing how anyone could justify 800MS points for a soft copy (no resale value) of an arcade game, let alone 1800MS pts!

Sean @ Jul 30th 2008 1:26PM

I can't resell Steam (or Stardock) games and yet I use those services to buy retail softcopy games. If a game is worth it, then it will sell. If it's not, it won't sell well and then it will be discounted.

Digital distribution is, for better or worse, the future of the industry.

I'm curious why so many people have this problem expensive games on the Arcade service. Is it the name? If it were titled 360ware or 360store, would people have a different opinion?

To me, games like Castle Crashers and Braid could have be released to retail. Heck if they were on Wii they probably would have been.

I think if we want really cool innovative games on the service then we should also be willing to pay for them. If were not, we are going to keep getting crappy ports of arcade classics or other shovelware because no one is willing to pay anything more that 800 points.

dmb360 @ Jul 30th 2008 3:16PM

And..... for this price I should be able to purchase the game on a credit card for the exact price and not have goofy left over points.

The purpose of the points were to allow companies to do micro-transactions, the points would allow them to avoid the credit card transaction fees for purchases under $5.

Now MS seems to be happy fixing prices and pushing the bar higher and higher on pricing to see what they can get away with. Lets say you have to buy 2 1600 point cards to buy castle crashers you will have to spend $40 to get a ~$20 game. So not only do they get the sale, they also come out of the deal $20 ahead.

Would this make sense if any other business would do this? Imagine going to McDonalds to buy a Double Cheeseburger Meal for $4 and them forcing you to buy a $10 Gift Card to make the purchase.

I understand using points are a great way for people without credit card to buy games and they allow companies to charge less than $5 for content to avoid credit card fees (but it seems that MS has forgotten about that marketing bullet point).

Imagine if Bungie charged $1 - $2 for the map packs (or even better use an Itunes business model and make it $1 a map), nobody would hesitate to buy the content. Look at how the community balied on GRAW and GOW when they launched the paid map packs. The other benefit of doing this would be the community would not fracture into haves and have nots. And if you keep a strong community your business will prosper (i.e. Valve and Epic who have supported the PC community with free content for years). Imagine a game lobby that will launch into a game without blinking that someone hasn't purchased the content, its awkward and divides the community. Someone should try to take advantage of the knee jerk purchase reaction that happens at .99, many people may not feel they play COD or Halo enought to justify and $10+ map purchase, but if it was only .99 a map people could feel if they played the maps once they got their value out of the content. Were talking digital downloads where the cost of distribution is low, why not take advantage of it?

Ben @ Jul 30th 2008 12:05PM

Ouch! Looks like I'll be trying before I'm buying those two games.

Tony @ Jul 30th 2008 12:05PM

I don't know if this true, but it does seem inevitable. $10 for games on XBLA isn't sustainable for these companies in the long run... particularly when their PC counterparts often sell for twice that.

Triforceowner @ Jul 30th 2008 2:44PM

Oh come on. Two guys made this game over two or three years. What's the budget on that, $500,000. That means you only need to sell 50,000 copies at $10 to make up that cost. That wouldn't be a difficult feat for a game as hyped as Castle Crashers. No need hurting those sales with a high price point.

msusig @ Jul 30th 2008 12:05PM

Why not charge an ass load!...We know that there is a lot of hype for this game and there will be tons of people buying no matter what the cost. "Supply and Demand"

YoRone22 @ Jul 30th 2008 1:26PM

Too bad the supply is unlimited. It's more like demand.

Glitch W @ Jul 30th 2008 12:07PM

That might go out of my price range for Castle Crashers and Braid

Glitch W @ Jul 30th 2008 12:07PM

Hey, Xav is posting again!

ZEBRA NINER @ Jul 30th 2008 12:12PM

w00t!

Xav de Matos @ Jul 30th 2008 7:14PM

Damn right I am!

ZEBRA NINER @ Jul 30th 2008 12:10PM

How much was the Penny Arcade game? $20 right?

Meh, I have been excited for Castle Crashers for a long time. From all the praise it's received so far, I'm still looking forward to it. The great thing about all these titles is that you can try them before you buy them.

Now that I think about it, with as long as it took to develop Castle Crashers, we are lucky they aren't charging more money to cover all the expenses. ;)

Dirty @ Jul 30th 2008 12:35PM

I dont think that it is too much for that game. Pending reviews it looks like it has quite a bit of depth and fun for everyone to play together which gives it replayablitity.

These people are far to price sensitive around here. He hand drew every animation for Christ sakes.

joey @ Jul 30th 2008 1:00PM

Penny Arcade has a fan base.
Castle Crashers doesn't.

Richard, Dustin, Alexander
Is the game worth it at this price?

Mike Schramm @ Jul 30th 2008 1:23PM

I played Castle Crashers at E3, and 1800 points is expensive, but IMO still worth it. For anything above $20, I'd kind of like to get a disc and a case, but for Castle Crashers, I'll make an exception.

I can't think of another arcade game I'd do that for, though. I also played Braid, and it's terrific, but not $15 terrific. They do a disservice by making these so expensive. Braid is a great experience and a great example of how developers can break new ground on smaller platforms like XBLA, but not nearly as many people will experience it at that price.

Of course, people will still buy Castle Crashers, because it's co-op, and just that good. But innovative games like Braid will get murdered by a high price like this.

Xoviet chiK @ Jul 30th 2008 12:13PM

I really, really, really hope the 1800 is a typo on MS Japan's part. It's one of my most anticipated games, and I'd have a hard time justifying my purchase of another $20 arcade game... Let alone getting at least three other friends on board to buy, especially with all these games coming out around the same time.

ZEBRA NINER @ Jul 30th 2008 12:23PM

That's true, at $10 I can bother my friends to buy the game. With this price, I doubt they would fork over the money to get in on the fun.

Also, with the higher prices I want more cheevos.

qbix @ Jul 30th 2008 12:13PM

That's steep for XBLA titles. How long is Castle Crashers anyway? I beat Alien Hominid is a relatively short time so it worries that that I won't get my money's worth despite of how fun I know it will be with 4 people.

No game in XBLA should go upwards of 1200. MS is definitely ripping us off on that end due to the success they are seeing. I mean, how long before we see 40 dollar games there? The reason I've bought so many XBLA titles is because they were reasonably priced, but I think MS just put a stop to that.

Jcarpio @ Jul 30th 2008 12:46PM

okay.. first of all, MS would only be to blame for this price if they actually published these games themselves.

the pricing decision is made by the publisher, not microsoft.

and second of all, quit bitching (not directed at you qbix) about value b/c you can't trade it in after you're done. the pc people that buy digital download games don't.

Glitch W @ Jul 30th 2008 1:45PM

yes MS doesn't publish some these arcade games but they did recently increase their cut of arcade games didn't they? this would lead to a need for the publishers/developers to increase the price to make back the money It might not be so sever as to raise the price a full price level but it seems like you have to go in patterns of 400 pts

craig64 @ Jul 30th 2008 12:19PM

1800 points?!?! WTF? That means I'd have to go and by TWO points cards? Just to get one game? That seems retarded... (even though I'm sure I'll be buying it).

Josh @ Jul 30th 2008 4:54PM

you you can buy $20 cards and $50 cards right

Robert SRT @ Jul 30th 2008 12:29PM

The Castle Crashers 1800 points price tag may keep me away from the game. I really liked the images but a new high price just for this game, it better be really good.

Drew @ Jul 30th 2008 12:31PM

my expectations for this game are for it to be:

- insanely fun
- smooth co-op experience
- high replay value
- longer than 20 minutes to beat (which can't be said for most cheaper titles)
- high replay value (unlockable weapons and characters should take care of that)

if all those are met, i have no problem dropping $22.50 on this game. i've paid $60 for games that don't meet those criteria.

goliathsdkfz @ Jul 30th 2008 12:37PM

Only 20 dollars !? Im gonna have to pay 40 damn Pounds.

Tucker @ Jul 30th 2008 2:27PM

amazon.co.uk lists 2100 point cards at 17.99 pounds. Don't see where you're getting your numbers from...

goliathsdkfz @ Jul 30th 2008 4:46PM

What I meant was. I have to pay 40 odd dolars. Because pounds is near twice as much ( although more accurately its less but still alot less than you pay in the UK.

Fire Fawkes @ Jul 30th 2008 12:43PM

1800 points? Eh, I don't know if I'll get Castle Crashers now. That seems a little too steep for XBLA game. I'll wait it out and hope for a price drop.

Senecal @ Jul 30th 2008 12:45PM

Guess I'll just buy Bionic Commando(PS3 for PSP compatability) and just save my money for Fable 2, Halo Wars, Star Wars Force Unleashed, Socom, Resistance 2, Little Big Planet, oh and Red alert 3(which I now HAVE to get on my 360). GOD, it's a good time to be a gamer!!!

Stupendous52 @ Jul 30th 2008 12:45PM

I just bought a perfectly good copy of Crackdown for $14.99, and I'm expected to drop $22 on an ARCADE game? grrrr

Felder71 @ Jul 30th 2008 2:39PM

To be fair, you got Crackdown more than a year after it came out.

That said, if Castle Crashers is as good as everyone is raving about, then it'll probably be a purchase for me. The best part is at least we get a demo on the same day to feel things out. You can't say that for many $60 games out there.

Stupendous52 @ Jul 30th 2008 3:31PM

True, it definitely isn't an "in" game right now. But I'm just equating the value of a new (to me) gaming experience in Crackdown, which I think will be much better than that of Castle Crashers. Although I would love to get CC - $22? That's insane. I'm already getting taken down shits creek with the new DLC for Ticket to Ride!

joey @ Jul 30th 2008 12:48PM

I was holding on to my last 800 points for Castle Crashers.
What was I thinking???

Is Bionic Commando still 800 points right? I remember a survey or something and the developer said it would be 800 points.

Time to look for cheap live points.
Hopefully the games will be worth the price.

Magic Whiskey @ Jul 30th 2008 12:54PM

...Wow. Pricey. Not insane, but pricey.

BKB @ Jul 30th 2008 2:12PM

Wow.... castle crashers can go F*** themselves if they think I'm paying 1800 MS points for an Xbox Live Arcade game. If I want 4 player multiplayer I'll buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to get my fix.... for 1400 MS points less!!!!!!!!!

That price point is really going to cost them.

zero2dash @ Jul 30th 2008 2:46PM

You stole the words right out of my mouth.

Hell I picked up Gauntlet when it was on sale for 200 points, and that's *also* 4 player compatible.

I believe Streets of Rage and Golden Axe are 3 player.

If Castle Crashers was 1200 points ($15), it would be higher than I'd like, but I'd still buy it and play it over Live 'cause I'm sure it will be fun. But over $20 is preposterous.

Senecal @ Jul 30th 2008 1:14PM

One of the nice things about PSN is that you can share anything you buy from the store with up to 5 different people, and the cost. Makes it allot easier to justify buying games. MS should seriously consider "Game Sharing", especially with Sony only gaining momentum with third party publishers.

FriskyFlorist @ Jul 30th 2008 1:27PM

Didn't MS just put out a new rule where arcade games can only cost up to 1600 points? I could swear that happened when Penny Arcade came out...

OrgunDonor @ Jul 30th 2008 1:32PM

Must admit, not been overly excited about Castle Crashers, more looking forward to bionic comando. But 1800MS points? Ball Bags. I wish i was only paying $22.50, but for us in the UK your looking at about £17(for 2000 points) which is $33.7(roughly). That is a hell of a lot for just one XBLA game..... Going to be hard to justify.

Afro_Dude @ Jul 30th 2008 2:23PM

Yes & its a similar story elsewhere in Europe. Here in Ireland its gonna work out at $22.50 + 50% = $33.75 or €21.71.

OrgunDonor @ Jul 30th 2008 2:59PM

Penny arcade i pulled at stretch and really enjoyed, thought it was a well valued purchase... and very close to purchasing geowars 2, even tho i suck at the original. Spose its going to be impossible to gudge to we get our handss on them, with which it may turn out to be the best arcade game, and worth $30...

Stranger things have happened right?

Delirium @ Jul 30th 2008 1:27PM

HAHAHAHAHAHA, you wish. Arcade games are NOT worth 1/3 a retail game. Those guys must think I'm a fucking idiot.

murph @ Jul 30th 2008 1:32PM

Ugh! $20 for Castle Crashers? No way. Especially not after I dropped $10 on Alien Hominid and played it about 3 times....

Procris @ Jul 30th 2008 1:34PM

Sadly as much as i want Castle Crushers, it may have to wait now. I had 800ms points all ready to buy it day one but now looks like i'll have to go and find myself a points card, on top of everything else i need to buy during August.

I don't mind paying extra but for something thats $20, i'd prefer it on a physical disk.