XBLA De-Pantsing

[KingBroly]

So it seems Microsoft's "unlimited shelf space" model isn't exactly unlimited as they are now preparing to axe underperforming XBLA titles that have lower than 65% rating on Metacritic and have less than a 6% demo to purchase turnover rate. This is of course, instead of bargain pricing these games like they should be in order to generate more sales.

What is the reaction about this here?

I think it's a stupid move, and will alienate developers to move to either Wii Ware or PSN.

[cortjezter]

yeah... i'm not sure it's a healthy sign of a thriving online market; seems more like the reaction to a rotting underbelly.

but i think you're right, while it may not directly hurt/affect gamers (because how many people really will miss such lowly rated games that aren't selling), it doesn't send a very positive message to developers, who might now be more likely to go with wiiware or psn where there's less risk, and at least in nintendo's case, no direct involvement in policing the quality of the software.

did the press release or news article cite any particular reason WHY ms is doing this?

[Ranis]

Well, I think it's different from the standpoint of the consumer that nobody wants to cycle through the TONS of crap floating around the XBLA to find the one thing that they want or risk spending their money on something that will suck (even though that shouldn't happen because demos are free) and thus be less inclined to buy more XBLA games in the future.

I don't think it's fair to say that developers will jump ship to Wiiware or PSN just because of this. There are simply a lot more games on XBLA than the online systems of the other two consoles in this generation, especially because Wiiware just came out. I'm sure that either one of the other two companies would eventually do the same thing when they reach the numbers that Microsoft has as far as it's gone.

Also keep in mind that most of the games that are less than 65% Metacritic are the old arcade remakes that were just shoe-ins for money in the first place, so no one will exactly cry over them not selling. Most original titles got much much higher than a 65%, and not that many games are going to get delisted as I think it looks on paper. This is much more of a case of "cleaning up the trash" than it is "cleaning up the list." It looks better on Microsoft that way, at least that's how I see it.

[t27duck]

I wouldn't mind seeing them do something like move all these lower rated titles into a sort of "discount bin" where their prices would be slashed. They'd be separate from the newer and better known games so you wouldn't have to wade through the bad titles, but they are still there to buy if you are so inclined.

[cortjezter]

Also keep in mind that most of the games that are less than 65% Metacritic are the old arcade remakes that were just shoe-ins for money in the first place, so no one will exactly cry over them not selling. Most original titles got much much higher than a 65%, and not that many games are going to get delisted as I think it looks on paper. This is much more of a case of "cleaning up the trash" than it is "cleaning up the list." It looks better on Microsoft that way, at least that's how I see it.

lol.. that's exactly what i said

i think t27's idea of an online discount bin is great. instead of the disappearing act, they ought to be put in the blade of shame; keep things people want separate from the things people obviously don't. lol

[SteveDaWonder]

With the criteria they've given for which games will be de-listed I am not all that worried about it.