The info was e-mailed a short time ago to Joystiq from Microsoft's PR agency so they have updated the story they had up earlier to let everyone know it seems totally legit.

I thought there was going to be a new Arcade release every Wednesday.

Oh well. I got to play the NNN demo. I thought it was actually cool. All the faults of the game (too simple, not enough combos, too straightforward) are pluses in my book. I may or may not pick this up at some point.

There is going to be a new release every Wednesday, at least for a little while. They didn't have anything to fill today's slot, so they're releasing a picture pack for Cloning Clyde. Next week, Hold 'Em is coming out and Time Pilot is coming out the week after.

I'll definitely get Hold 'Em when it's free.

Yup, I got the email at 11pm last night. Didn't see it until today though.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=18966


Chris

This is great. I can see it now, all the MS & Sony fans talking smack about Wii owners looking like idiots, but will buy cameras for the respective systems and do the same kind of goofy gestures.

*edit for typo

You can't look like an idiot if you're in HD. HD changes everything.

*end sarcasm* Sorry, I just had to.

every time I see Scramble listed I think I see ScraBble ... now, that would be a neat game to have on Live.

From: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/725/725856p1.html

For anyone that really loves spending their hard-earned cash, Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace is like a dream come true. For example, having blown your wad once on your original game purchase, the obligatory follow-up content expansions offer infinite opportunities to splash even more dough. Sometimes, this actually works out quite well - see Oblivion's run of quality stuff like the Thieves Den swash-buckle-a-thon. Sometimes, it's a bit of a gip - see Oblivion's utterly rubbish horse armour pack.

Now however, Microsoft is set to launch its latest initiative, known as "Consumables" - unveiled at Gamefest 2006 by Xbox Live Marketplace business manager, Rohan Oommen - promising new and exciting opportunities to spend more money in increasingly diverse ways. Essentially, "Consumables" are in-game assets that can deplete and be re-purchased - think forking over cash for the equivalent in in-game currency, or paying for armour that wears down as you battle. Microsoft intends to incorporate this technology into its next Xbox 360 SDK update.

Additionally, Microsoft plans to integrate Marketplace more closely into games themselves, enabling players to purchase items in-game, via NPC vendors and the like. Initially, goods purchased during play will be stored in a 'shopping basket', with a visit to the Xbox Live Marketplace required to hand over your cash and complete the transaction. No word yet if you can skip that whole handing over real-world money thing by stabbing your friendly vendor in the face with your scabbard.

The "Consumables" idea is a mess....if they truly do incorporate that, I can see people bitching a LOT. I would not want to rent a few maps, then have to do it again to play them again....as long as the rental fee is a LOT less and you can still purchase the content for keeps.

Consumables is a bad idea, but it was going to happen at some point. Just dont buy into it.

Exactly. If people truely spoke with their wallets this would die a quick death.

Yeah, I don't like the consumables idea either. It's basically cheating, so why not just use a cheat code? Is it somehow considered "legit" because you're paying for the help?

Consumables is a horrible idea and should be applied to green beans, coffee and toothpaste only - power ups, armour, health, etc are what cheat codes are for

The whole thing sounds elitist to me.

Barf. Well, there's another reason I'm not buying into the online gaming revolution.

It's really not that big of a deal. If you want to buy something, buy it, if you don't then don't.This is just another way to make a little more cash from those willing to pay it. As long as this doesn't turn into a situation where I fire up Perfect Dark Zero and I go online only to find myself in a battle with people who have infinite health potions and armor that only a nuclear bomb would damage I am fine with it. The only way this is bad is if it interferes with online play. Games like Oblivion could use this. The Horse armor isn't my thing personally, but if you really love Ovlivion and wanted more content and more unique items, go for it. I think it's great they make these extras available. It's just a personal choice.

Now, is there a way they can convert MS Points into a consumable for games? Let's say, Texas Hold'em?

Speaking of which, anyone who is getting this game needs to add my gamertag. We are going to end up needed a seperate thread so we can make sure all of us get added.

The scenario I dread would be developers making games damn near impossible to beat. The solution? You need to buy this add-on which will get you through that tough part of the game.

True.. but I think both paid added content and paid consumables could be potentially dangerous.

Bingo.

Check out this sucker, and then balk at the price.

BALK!

The new OXM came in today and it has the F.E.A.R. demo as promised.

Demos:
Top Spin 2
Prey.

Videos:
Prey
Battle For Middle-Earth:II
Test Drive Unlimited
MK: Armageddon
and more music mixer shit like they have every other month.

Features:
The Making of Halo 3
Halo 3 Trailer
The Making of Forza 2 Trailer
Middle-Earth Insider
Things That Make You Go "Ew"

I'll post the unlockable things in a few after I check out the F.E.A.R. demo and unlock it all.

Consumables is the world's most retarded idea.

The Locked Content:
Dead Rising Gamerpics
A demo of a Japanese Mech game - It looked cool but I was clueless and got annoyed
Sonic The Hedgehog Gallery
Small Arms Gallery

The F.E.A.R. demo kinda sucked. I'm not sure if is was a bad port or what. I've been wanting to try the game and it didn't really impress me at all. I'm going to play one more time and see if it gets any better.

I love it when the magazine gives free gamerpics. I also really want to see the Small Arms gallery - that game interests me.