Downloading Xbox games via Live

I was shooting for the Soapbox with this blogabout downloading Xbox games via Live, but didn't make it.

I'd still like to know what peoples opinions are on the subject. If you don't want to read the blog, how much would you pay to download these games? How much of an issue is space? I'd be keen to download Halo and Halo 2 before the final instalment comes in September. Maybe the subject has been covered some time ago, if it has, I'd be happy to be educated.

I was shooting for the Soapbox with this blogabout downloading Xbox games via Live, but didn't make it.

I'd still like to know what peoples opinions are on the subject. If you don't want to read the blog, how much would you pay to download these games? How much of an issue is space? I'd be keen to download Halo and Halo 2 before the final instalment comes in September. Maybe the subject has been covered some time ago, if it has, I'd be happy to be educated.

bacchus2

I think it would be cool and I think it can happen, but the thing is that MS would charge to much money for these games, I mean there already charging to much for some of the Arcade games and DLC. You can go buy the Xbox games from a store for cheaper than MS would charge.

In Oz, budget Xbox games sell for $20-$30. My theory is that if they charge 1200 points, or even 1600 for some quality games, that would be $19-20 or $26-40, so the price would be comparable. I don't see how either the developers/publishers or Microsoft could make less money if they sold for the same price, assuming the games do not need much in the way of reprogramming. The savings on physical goods would shift to Microsoft for server space or % per download. But I don't know the specific business model. It seems Microsoft do what they want, as can be seen with the Gears of War map pack. Charging more for an Xbox game than it was in stores seems nonsensical.

This is how you will be able to buy Tomb Raider: Anniversary in September.

It will come in episodes and cost 2400 MS points for all the episodes.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/tomb-raider-anniversary-episodes-hitting-xbox-360-in-september/

ag1002 : If an Xbox game was a gig or so in size, it wouldn't download in a few minutes... but then we get the shaft on broadband here in Australia.

Thebatcat : Tomb Raider isn't quite the right analogy here, as that is a game that has been designed for the Xbox 360. I was referring to games that have already seen release, and made the the developers their money at full retail; now they can keep trickling income through the downloads I propose.

Army_Veteran : Blu-Ray or HD-DVD is touted as being the last physical format before it is all digital download. I expect that these formats will last a bit longer than the year or two that you suggest though.

ag1002 : If an Xbox game was a gig or so in size, it wouldn't download in a few minutes... but then we get the shaft on broadband here in Australia.

Thebatcat : Tomb Raider isn't quite the right analogy here, as that is a game that has been designed for the Xbox 360. I was referring to games that have already seen release, and made the the developers their money at full retail; now they can keep trickling income through the downloads I propose.

Army_Veteran : Blu-Ray or HD-DVD is touted as being the last physical format before it is all digital download. I expect that these formats will last a bit longer than the year or two that you suggest though.

bacchus2

No what I was saying is that the current format war will last a year or year and a half from now. Then from there it will last an additional year to two years from there. That is giving it three to 4 and half years. By this time it will be 2010 or 2011. By that time digital distribution will start to kick off hot and heavy. Then the consoles will be either announced or hitting the market. MS will probably push a system that can both play the current format then and digital download games as well as movies and TV. That is how I think it will evolve the net four or five years from now.