Castle Crashers set at 1200MS Points
by Xav de Matos 
{ Aug 14th 2008 at 8:30AM }
When potential prices leaked from the official Xbox Japan blog, gamers feared the possibility of paying over $20 for Castle Crashers on the XBLA. While Microsoft strongly denied the controversial pricing of both Braid and Castle Crashers the former ended up releasing for the leaked price of 1200MS Points. Today, Xbox owners waiting for the sky to cave in on them when Castle Crashers was officially priced are breathing a sigh of relief.On its official blog developer The Behemoth has confirmed that Castle Crashers will ask 1200MS Points when it releases on Wednesday, August 27 -- rather than the rumored 1800MS Points. Arguably the most anticipated Arcade release this summer, Castle Crashers promises a classic single player and co-op beat-em-up experience wrapped in The Behemoth's classic art style. We're excited and for 1200MS Points we think the game has the potential to set the XBLA world on fire.
Note: Obviously, the time shown in the image of this post is off.
[Thanks, Menno B.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex @ Aug 14th 2008 8:40AM
it's cool anyway because I picked up a few 1600 point cards for only $15 at target....can't wait
joey @ Aug 14th 2008 9:29AM
Why is there no target in nyc why?
Gamertag: WarpZr0 @ Aug 14th 2008 10:47AM
@Joey
There are 2 Targets that I know of.
Brooklyn: Same block as the Atlantic Ave train station B/D/M/N/Q/R/2/3/4/5
Queens: 1 block away from the Grand Ave Newton train station G/R/V.
joey @ Aug 14th 2008 10:57AM
I meant Manhattan.
Why?
PeacefulOutrage @ Aug 14th 2008 8:55AM
If it was the rumored 1800 pts, it would have had to knock my socks off in the demo (especially because I thought they said it would be 800 pts) . At 1200 pts, as long as I've been waiting for this game, it's bought with no trial.
It doesn't surprise me, though, since they delayed the game over a year which would increase their costs substantially. That would definitely necessitate a $5 increase. From the initial buzz and what I've seen, I think this one will be good, too.
ottoman673 @ Aug 14th 2008 8:59AM
1200 isn't as bad as 1800, but still.. $15 is alot for a game that i can't sell or trade for something else. If it's good, i'll get it.
Has anyone noticed a trend with the pricing? It wasn't TOO long ago that 400 points was the norm for arcade games.. then 800 became the norm. Now with Penny Arcade Ep. 1, Braid, and Castle Crashers, is it a sign that 1200MSP is going to be suggested retail?
Glitch W @ Aug 14th 2008 9:49AM
But if it was something you could trade in, at $15 how much would you get back for it really?
Kevin @ Aug 14th 2008 10:07AM
Probably more than half.
Neuromancer @ Aug 14th 2008 11:04AM
Unfortunetly I don't think 400 was ever really the norm, even when XBLA started I think most games were 800.
It's an unsettling trend, with Penny Arcade started the whole 1600 point thing. Glad to see Behemoth having some common sense. 1200 points for a great 4 player coop game is not bad.
Triforceowner @ Aug 14th 2008 3:51PM
I completely agree with the trend and got murdered on Joystiq for bringing it up. Don't expect anything less than 1600 point games for the next console. They will be worth the money, but there won't be anymore Geometry Wars Evolved like games (one mode with a cool idea for five bucks).
Boff @ Aug 14th 2008 9:02AM
I'll definitely download the trial, but I'll reserve judgement until I've played it through. Initially I was really excited for this but it was announced so long ago that my excitement just tapered off.
I still need to get Braid and change my gamertag so that's 2000points gone already. Plus if Castle Crashers is good there's not going to be much change from 4000pts. Ouch!!
PeacefulOutrage @ Aug 14th 2008 9:41AM
If I remember correctly, someone said just get your friends to all say that your gamertag is offensive, and MS will e-mail you telling you that you have to change your gamertag for free.
DjDATZ @ Aug 14th 2008 9:21AM
BS. I'll play the trial, and if I REALLY like it, I'll get it.
DjDATZ @ Aug 14th 2008 9:22AM
*Microsoft realizes they can charge 1200 points for arcade games, proceeds to keep screwing us over even more.*
Gemini Ace @ Aug 14th 2008 9:50AM
Agree completely!
Ithilis @ Aug 14th 2008 10:13AM
You two just never give up, eh?
Keep on whining, we'll be enjoying the game.
DjDATZ @ Aug 14th 2008 11:10AM
No, it's not about whining. If we're promised at the consoles launch that essentially ALL arcade titles WILL be 800 Microsoft Points (or lower) and ONLY 800 Microsoft Points (or lower), then it's really annoying when we get fucked over, and charged more.
When's the last time I whined about this?
Wow! Congrats on your Second comment on X3F! I'm sure you've seen ALL of my behavior in the past over 2 years that I've been commenting on X3F! Woohoo!
'tard.
ithilis @ Aug 14th 2008 11:24AM
How are we getting 'fucked over'? Are you being forced to buy the game? Didn't think so.
XBLA prices are escalating because the service is evolving beyond its original concept. Remember the old size limit? We're getting larger games with higher production values, and the price should be indicative of this. Stop being so close-minded about the issue.
Also, I have been posting here for over a year. This profile is one that I created on my new work computer because my old email address containing my password was shut down. My original profile is here: http://xbox.joystiq.com/profile/549519/
'tard.
DjDATZ @ Aug 14th 2008 12:24PM
LOL...my bad on calling you a n00b. lol
Well, to some extent we are getting screwed over. Sure, we're NOT being forced to buy the game, but if we do WANT the game, we ARE being forced to shell out more of our hard earned monies.
Sure the service has evolved, but that still doesn't mean that it should be more expensive for us. This should have been seen as a natural evolution, hence letting us users stay with the norm we're at. Does it cost Microsoft MORE to store these 'larger' games on their servers? Hardly...with the way hardware prices are moving these days, it could only be costing them less to store these 'larger' games on their servers now, than it cost them a couple years ago when games were forced to be under the 50mb limit on the servers then. Why the transfer of the cost to us then?
Devs are spending more and more money, time and effort on developing their games? Well, that's their problem. Do you see retail game prices going up even though their quality this generation has shown a somewhat similar evolution?
You have proven a good ability to counter, so I'll also retract the 'tard comment from before.
Arnon @ Aug 14th 2008 9:07PM
So you're telling me you would rather spend $60 on a retail game that may have less playtime than a $15 arcade game you can purchase from the comfort of your couch?
DjDATZ @ Aug 14th 2008 9:56PM
Actually, I would. I own a total of at last count, 13; I only purchased 5 of those directly off the marketplace. For a lot of games, to me, they just don't justify a purchase off of XBLA. Castle Crashers would have to be quite good for me to get it at 1200 points. If it was 800 MSP, I'd get it without thinking about it.
Blue_Falcon @ Aug 14th 2008 9:23AM
I would have been fine with 1600 points, but 1200 is even better. I too also just some of the cards at Target yesterday, and I may go and get some more today again with everything else that's come out recently.
ScottyGEE @ Aug 14th 2008 9:23AM
I'm gald Microsoft for some reason decided to give me 500 points for some error I never recieved, allowing me to afford this!
:D
Sgt Barone @ Aug 14th 2008 9:27AM
i really dont mind this being 1200 points cuz it'll actually be worth it and have enough content in it to be worth 1200.
emirabal @ Aug 14th 2008 9:28AM
Thats fine by me.
joey @ Aug 14th 2008 9:34AM
May I point out this is the same price as BRAID.
So why was there so much bitching about Braid and not Castle Crashers?
ottoman673 @ Aug 14th 2008 9:37AM
scroll up to my first comment.
exact same reason why I didn't buy Braid or Penny Arcade.
Kevin @ Aug 14th 2008 9:40AM
Because Braid sucks.
PeacefulOutrage @ Aug 14th 2008 9:48AM
Braid was the first release from Blow that many people haven't played. Castle Crashers is being released by The Behemoth, who not only already released the stellar Alien Homonid, but they have also been going to conventions where ANYONE (not just journalists) can play their games and get a feel for them. Many of these fans have already said that the game is awesome.
gnik eltrut @ Aug 14th 2008 9:55AM
Braid was made by some random dude and CC has been hyped way out of proportion (maybe) by a small company who has talked about this project for 2 years. I mean maybe this dude should have worked on this marketing too and made little suit guy figures.
QuasarSquirrel @ Aug 14th 2008 8:11PM
Castle Crashers also has mulitplayer which extends the value for some people.
teknomusik @ Aug 14th 2008 9:35AM
Even though I haven't played it yet I have a feeling this game is going to be worth the 1200 points.
GallowGlass @ Aug 14th 2008 9:46AM
Hilarious. Judging from comments around the web I get the following feeling:
Braid = 1200 ms points: Oh noes, world coming to and end, M$ is out to get me, arghghghghg.
Castle Crashers = 1200 ms points: Oh, Jolly good deal chap, it could have been 1800.
Hopefully I am not the only person confused by this dichotomy.
Xav de Matos @ Aug 14th 2008 9:54AM
I think the difference on our end is, in all our hands on time with the game we've had nothing but great things to say.
The game offers various modes of play and a ton of content. I think $15 for Castle Crashers is a fair deal considering the amount of content.
As for the 400/800 debate... I agree somewhat. 400 was always reserved for arcade upgrades and 800 was for new titles with lower production values.
As some of the bigger titles are hitting the service I think 1200 will be the standard for more substantial Arcade releases while 800 will still make up the majority of the "new ip" games with smaller overhead costs -- like a puzzle game or something.
Puzzle Quest for example should have been 800MS points.
PeacefulOutrage @ Aug 14th 2008 9:56AM
See my above comment. Another problem with Braid is that people who breeze through the first world (2) and get to the castle won't see what the draw is all about.
Neuromancer @ Aug 14th 2008 11:07AM
Part of the difference is Castle Crashers is made by a respected developer, Braid was made by a relative nobody. Also graphically you have to admit screens of CC blow Braid away.
Odog4ever @ Aug 14th 2008 11:18AM
Oh no Xav! Why did you have to drag Puzzle Quest into this?
How long did it take you to finish that game and get to lvl 50? If you say less than 15-20 hrs you are lying? (Maybe you were playing on easy difficulty?)
How many XBLA single player campaigns last that long? Plus there's multi-player over live, HD graphics, and it was half the price of the original DS/PSP versions. It is the best version of the game when you take the portability factor out of the equation.
craig64 @ Aug 14th 2008 10:27AM
I'll take 1200 over 1800 any day. I just picked up a 2800 card yesterday so that I could get Bionic Commando and Castle Crashers. I'm glad it's not 1800!
czar @ Aug 14th 2008 10:37AM
I think the real issue of value for Castle Crashers is that it's online coop (and versus) 4 player multiplayer. I'm actually suprised Geometry Wars 2, Galaga Legions, Braid, and Penny Arcade don't have online multiplayer (and several of these don't even have local multiplayer). Local Multiplayer is a minor inconvenience to program; Online Multiplayer is *not* an easy programming feat and XBLA cert makes it even more fun.
In the end, tho, value is what you think it is. $15 is not pocket change (or is it?) but in a time where triple A titles are selling for $60 (and we rush out to buy them), we jump on sales for these titles when they are marked down to $50, $40, or $30 (and alot of these games are garbage). Disk games have alot of advantage (ie, selling them, taking them to a friends house, rental), but lets not forget that its near impossible for independent developers to compete for shelf space at Best Buy and Walmart against such mega giants as EA and the 1st party publishers.
So, download the trials or play them at a friends house, and then decide for yourself if its worth $15 (one dinner out or a trip to the movie theater). For me personally (and I've played Castle Crashers quite a bit), I'll say its underpriced at $15.
murph @ Aug 14th 2008 10:39AM
1200MP is the new 800MP.
Probably passing. Spent 800MP on Alien Hominid and played it for about an hour. I'll DL the demo and give it a shot though...
therpham @ Aug 14th 2008 10:49AM
More like most anticipated XBLA game ever, am I right?
(I didn't bother reading the other comments so someone else might have already said this. Whateva! I do what I want!)
BKB @ Aug 14th 2008 10:57AM
I knew the 1800 MS points price was just a RUMOR floated by Castle Crashers dev... so that 1200 MS price would look more tasty...
But this should be 800MSP!!!!!!!!!!! I'll wait for the sale (or just pass). Looking forward to trying the demo though.
ZenGaijin @ Aug 14th 2008 10:57AM
:D
*cabbage patch*
Alexander @ Aug 14th 2008 11:03AM
In the whole Castle Crashers vs Braid argument for 1200 ms points, Castle Crashers has more replay value and online co-op and multiplayer.
I really didn't find Braid to be that great from the demo, it was okay. I didn't really like the art style that much but the puzzles were fun.
Neuromancer @ Aug 14th 2008 11:08AM
Agreed, the main character and the enemies looked a little like ass. The backgrounds were nice though.
offday @ Aug 14th 2008 11:09AM
We're approaching the stage where XBLA games are going to automatically be 1200 and up, whether they are worth that or not.
I just hope Castle Crashers isn't a huge bug fest mess of a game that Alien Hominid was. And if it is, expect to wait half a year for a patch.
Tony @ Aug 14th 2008 11:45AM
Christ, two games come out at 1200 points that obviously took a significant amount of development time and have really high production values considering the size of their relative "teams" and people claim that's the new 800 points?
These are pretty much the only games either of these developers are releasing this year. Keep that in mind. Capcom has 500 other titles to bring in their millions from.
monkeywithnoeyes @ Aug 14th 2008 12:32PM
vote with your wallets people. If you dont agree with the price then fuck em...got some god damn principles. Otherwise ofcourse microsoft are going to set 1200points as the new standard, and then 1600 after that, and 1800 after that, and so on and so on.
SABCA @ Aug 14th 2008 1:07PM
Is it so hard to see the difference in quality BTWN old 400 points games with "HD" graphic modes, Older 800 points games, New 800 point games, and new higher point (1200 - 1600) games?
800 points once got you Cloning Clyde. Now it gets you Bionic Commando Rearmed. We used to have to wade through releases like Screwjumper! before. Now each game coming to arcade is as high quality as Nintendo DS and PSP games. These are no longer just bite-sized week-or-2 distractions, these are full games, that will be played in your system as long, if not longer, than full shelf releases.
The sound effects, music, graphics, features, variety of gameplay... these elements are expanding in each game coming to the service now, or are being much better refined, in the case of more singular experiences.
Retail games across all systems have lower cost releases, higher cost ones... XBL will stay the same way. AND this fall we're getting community games, which, hopefully, will give us some low priced games that offer high amount of fun.
Kevin @ Aug 14th 2008 6:15PM
Hey, right on! If I blind-fold myself and spin around at 100 mph for a minute (just kidding!) I probably couldn't beat Braid in two weeks! Hahaha, good point bro!