PSA: Only 2 episodes in 'full' version of Arkanoid Live [update]

by Richard Mitchell { May 12th 2009 at 12:30PM }

We've been getting a lot of tips in the last week informing us that the full version of Arkanoid Live only comes with the first two episodes, despite the fact that there are four shown in the game's menu. While some have cried foul, claiming that the "full" version of the game (800

) is really only half of the game, we should point out that both the trial version of the game and its Xbox.com page note that the full version contains only the first two episodes.

What is shady is the way in which episodes 3 and 4 are offered. Apparently, the only way to download the new episodes is to complete the first two, at which point the game will ask if you want to purchase episodes 3 and 4 (reportedly 400). According to a comment on this story and the Arkanoid forum on Xbox.com, the DLC is not offered upon completing episodes 1 and 2. It appears the DLC will be available at a later date. The DLC itself is not listed on Xbox Live Marketplace, so it's not surprising that many gamers are confused.

It's important to note that the extra episodes are not required to get all of the game's Achievements. Also, even with only two episodes, the full version is no slouch, containing 62 levels and plenty of mutliplayer options. We'd say it's more likely that the unorthodox nature of the DLC is the result of bad marketing decisions (remember Lumines Live?) and not a nefarious plan to bleed gamers dry.

All of our requests for comment from Square Enix (parent of developer Taito) have gone unanswered as of press time.

[Update: Clarified that the DLC is not yet available, even upon completing episodes 1 and 2.]

Tags: arkanoid-live, square-enix, taito, xbla, xbox-live-arcade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

joeybeast @ May 12th 2009 12:47PM

Japanese developers just don't seems to understand DLC.
Not everything can be turned to micro transaction, or in this case - mini transaction?

tabicat @ May 12th 2009 12:49PM

That's all I need to know to boycott the game.

Michael Paul @ May 12th 2009 1:27PM

My MadCatz Arcade controller's spinner refuses to play the Arkanoid demo properly, with the paddle jerking around instead of moving in the proper direction. I've got to go back and play AstroPop again to see if the controller has gone bad, the 360s drivers have gone bad, or if Arkanoid is just not written to accept the Arcade spinner. Really poor planning if they went out of their way to avoid doing what worked for AstroPop.

Meanwhile, Arkanoid now seems even LESS like a bargain...

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 12th 2009 1:42PM

Lolz, a faulty Madcatz product. Madnezz!

Mo @ May 12th 2009 1:35PM

I've completed both episodes in the "full" version and it never told me anything about episodes 3 or 4. It doesn't tell you that you can (or will be able to) download them, and it doesn't hint at any pricing. I personally think that no decision has been made regarding how episodes 3 and 4 are going to be made available.

Someone correct me if I missed it, but I was paying very close attention and didn't see anything about those episodes, and still don't have access to do anything with them, and they aren't available to download from the in-game download menu either.

ThomasJay @ May 13th 2009 12:29AM

I'm almost positive that it only showed up when you exited the demo, so if you bought the game outright then I'm pretty sure you never saw that screen. I know I saw it at least once.

Personally, I think I'm more disappointed that it doesn't include a level editor.

Mo @ May 13th 2009 10:35AM

That would explain why I didn't see it then. What was the wording that was used? I'm just curious if it said you had to BUY the 3rd and 4th episodes, or if it just said DOWNLOAD. Because if it's the former, I understand why everyone is in an uproar, if it's the latter, that could mean anything from free to $10.

I agree, a level editor would have been an amazing addition to this game, including the ability to send level "blueprints" if you will (like in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts) to your friends.

rNilla @ May 12th 2009 1:43PM

[Ackbar]IT'S A TRAP![/Ackbar]

A (not so?) clever way of trying to disguise a $15 dollar game as a $10 game.

Gemini Ace @ May 12th 2009 1:43PM

You would think someone like Major Nelson would address this.

Prox @ May 12th 2009 2:01PM

So what should be a $5 game is now essentially $15?

ccc @ May 12th 2009 3:20PM

Shits weak.

Anticrawl @ May 12th 2009 3:21PM

Huh, I purchased the game already but I just assumed from the Episode selection page you had to unlock 3 and 4 by beating the 31 stages in each previous episode.

dead @ May 12th 2009 3:48PM

A bad port of Arkanoid anyway. Good game, bad port. Space Invaders, however, is worth every penny.

Prox @ May 13th 2009 11:38AM

I just wish you could buy Space Invaders Extreme on Amazon. I hate paying $20 so I can buy a game that is $10.

Tel Prydain @ May 12th 2009 4:46PM

If they had been up-front about this, it would have been great.
How cool would it be to have a 800pt arcade game with 10 levels cost 80pts a level?
It would be the same cost as a normal arcade game, but if you only get halfway you only pay half the price. Pay only for the content you use.

If only they had been up front about this cost.

Arashikou @ May 12th 2009 5:48PM

I agree this is dishonest and penny-pinching, but in all fairness, the game DOES tell you that this is the case if you move the cursor over episodes 3 and 4, even in the demo. The problem is that so few gamers would bother to hover over two sets of levels that are at the end of the list... and clearly marked as "not unlocked yet"... and placed after another entry that's not unlocked, but for a subtly different reason... let alone actually read the text on the side describing why the levels aren't available instead of assuming they're just locked because it's the demo.

So, Taito WAS upfront about it, they were just upfront in a place they knew no one would look. Reminds me of something... ah, here it is!

------------

Prosser: The plans were on display.

Arthur: I eventually had to go down to the cellar...

Prosser: That's the display department.

Arthur: ... with a torch.

Prosser: Ah, the lights had probably gone.

Arthur: So had the stairs.

Prosser: But you found the notice, didn't you?

Arthur: Yes. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.’ Ever thought of going into advertising?