$10 is my limit for non-resellable DRM-laden games. It's a very pricey rental IMO. I either buy games that I can flip later if I want or to keep them forever. XBLA games don't really fullfill either requirement.

I won't go past that for any downloadable game...(I'd maybe make an exception for downloadable PC games from Stardock thanks to their no-DRM policies)

Yeah the DRM thing also bothers me. When Live was having all the issues over the holiday at the end of last year i was locked out of a couple of the first games i had bought and it really aggravated me.

Yeah they really really really really need to address the DRM issue.
It's imperative that the license be able to be moved between consoles.

I'm with the 10 buck people. Obviously it depends on the game, but ten bucks is still in the reasonable stage. I was browsing the "XBLA Classics" thing and actually started playing Doom, and was thinking "Damn, this is only five bucks?" I remember paying five bucks for the original Doom shareware floppy disks. 400 points is in the 'impulse purchase' category, 800 is in the, "hmm, let's think about it", and 1600 is very difficult. Puzzle Quest was a notable exception, but I've definitely gotten my (1200?) points worth out of it.

Seriously - can anyone explain? Ok, it got a good review...but what is it about, and what's good about it? All I know is that it's some comic strip or something? What type of game is it, and why would it be so much more than any other game?

I guess it's supposed to be sort of like an RPG, but with a lot of video-game inside jokes (along with inside jokes from the comic strip), and it's more expensive because it's pretty much a full-length game - sorta like buying a new PS2 game, or something, but you can't sell it back used when you're done with it...

Actually, it's not an RPG. It's like a more old-fashoned adventure game like Grim Fandango or something. It is certainly a "fan sevice" sort of game, and as such I'm not sure it'll be of much use to the many of us who feel that the comic is very lame and rarely funny.

Example

It looks like an RPG to me.

http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/8...082556911.html
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/8...002733024.html

Stop, you're both right!



Although it's mainly an adventure game, Hothead and the Penny Arcade crew are building plenty of RPG elements in as well. At the beginning of the game, you'll create a 3D version of your character by choosing from a variety of looks, outfits, accessories, etc. That character will then be rendered in the game, which flips back and forth between 2D and 3D depending on where you are.

The combat in Penny Arcade is turn-based with a time element. Your party members (you can fight with three at a time) will take turns attacking enemies using both basic and special attacks, which are unlocked as you level up. You'll unleash those special attacks through a pattern-matching mini-game.

As you progress in the game, you'll also earn the right to summon powerful damage-dealing characters to aid you in battle. In typical RPG fashion, gaining battle experience will let you level your character up and add new abilities.

Well, tried Assault Heroes 2.....and it feels exactly like Assault Heroes 1. That's not a terrible thing, of course, but I expected a larger departure from the original. The new ice gun is almost completely worthless except against helicopters where it comes in real handy. I guess the graphics are better but they don't really look much different to me, except for an on-foot only section that did look nice.

Overall, it's worth a purchase for me since I'm a fan of the original, but for those who weren't wowed with the first one, I don't think would be convinced by this sequel.

Depending on my reaction to the demo (and the early reviews), I might pick up the Penny Arcade game. I've been a fan of the comic for a really long time, and if it truly is comparable to a full retail game, I don't mind the price. The DRM stuff doesn't really bother me either.

I'm not interested in the game (I've never found PA to be funny), but I don't mind the price either. I think Live titles which are more like brand new full games should have the flexibility to charge a bit more. Having a $20 tier might lead to us getting a whole different set of games outside of the puzzle/shooter/popcap type stuff that populates Live now. I like this stuff, but I do think the prize is limiting could be possible (along with file size restrictions).

And if it's something I'm interested in, and it's $20, I don't mind about not being able to resell it. Hell, when I buy those used sub $20 games from gamestop I know that it would be a waste of time trying to sell those again, so it works out to be the same to me. $20 is way paste the impulse buy, but if it's something I want paying that wouldn't bother me at all.

I only tried the first one last night, but I liked what I played. I'm thinking of getting the second. Looks like a lot of the achievements are in co-op play. If I jump in, you wanna work out a time to play?

Sure, I'd love to. Keep in mind that I suck, though. If you see me online, send me an invite.

Now that your breath is bated :), I was looking forward to Assault Heroes 2 because my younger brother wrote the music for it. He wrote all of the in-game and menu music but not for the short cut scenes. I could tell it didn't sound like "him" while playing and, after talking, found out I was right. I feel like talking more about him his accomplishments so far at only 22 but I'll refrain. He's working on a Wii game now and I'm excited for his future.

As for the game itself, coming from someone who only played the trial version of AH1, it is simplistic and repetitive but fun especially the co-op mode. The on-foot parts are engaging and, although I'm bias, the music helps create the atmosphere. I've read the sound effects are bad but I've got them turned down pretty low anyway. Not usually the type of game I enjoy playing but it serves as a nice break from GTA.

Penny Arcade just got cheaper, down to 1600 from the original announcement of 2100 pts.

:hscratch: Did I miss something? Wasn't Penny Arcade originally announced at the $20 price point (i.e., 1600 MS points)?

I should point out that the Penny Arcade game is episodic - so if you expect to reach the "end" in this game, you'll be a little sore when you don't.

I wonder if each episode will be $20 or if this first one will be considered the "base" and future episodes will be cheaper "add-ons".

Ya it was always $20/1600. 2100 points Corvin? :hscratch:

I think if enough people buy it at $20, the next "Chapters" or whatever will show up around there.

My bad, it seems to have stemmed from an article on Xbox360Achievements.org. The article now has the correct price but you can see by the comments they originally had it at 2100.

The XBLA Thread Part II
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread....22#post8687822

Part I ready for lockage :D

says who?

Well, I looked at all the XBOX/Wii/PS3 threads and they seem to be locked at 900-1000 posts, I'm fine with this one going to 2000 :)

You are aware that the number of posts in a thread created by you do not give you bonus points right? ;)