Arkanoid XBLA wants extra money

By Robert Purchese Published 7 May, 2009

800 MSP is only for first two episodes.

This week's Xbox Live Arcade offering Arkanoid Live! may include a hidden charge that users must pay in order to finish the game.

Microsoft asks for 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60) for Arkanoid Live!, but Xbox.com forum members (as well as Eurogamer readers and posters on the Major Nelson blog) claim this only covers episodes one and two, and that a further 400 MSP (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.80) is needed to unlock episodes three and four.

The "Full Game - Arkanoid Live!" listing on XBLA only mentions the initial 800 MSP charge.

We've contacted Microsoft to comment.

Arkanoid is based on the old retro game Breakout, where balls bounce off a Pong-style paddle into block patterns above. The DS version was appalling, although we've yet to tackle the XBLA attempt.

Thanks, Chris L.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (46) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Ninja_Tino #1 3 years ago

    Wow. Unless it says it somewhere, hidden away, then isn't that kind of... illegal?

  • speedjack #2 3 years ago

    Yes

  • systems #3 3 years ago

    1200 points for Arkanoid? Bargain.

    It's all kicking off over at Major Nelson.

  • SixFootHalfling #4 3 years ago

    Glad I didn't buy this then,

    And yes, I'm sure that advertising the "full game", then charging extra to unlock the actual full game is illegal

  • menage #5 3 years ago

    Lumines all over again. This is pure deceit.

  • Fodder #6 3 years ago

    It'd be interesting to know what rights you have when it comes to XBLA games. You're not actually buying the games really, you buy points which you later exchange for games. Does consumer protection law still apply to the swapping of points for games, or only the initial transaction of buying points with real money?

  • Shane86 #7 3 years ago

    wow, witholding half the game for dlc unadvertised. Can't believe they got away with that.

  • menage #8 3 years ago

    Seeing as the points are the only valid currency for buying stuff on Live I'd say it still counts as money.

  • neilka #9 3 years ago

    Doh.

  • TheNinkyNonk #10 3 years ago

    And why do they insist on this 'points' nonsense? Merely to hide real costs, or at least create a smokescreen.

    I do prefer having pounds and pence a la PSN.

  • corposant #11 3 years ago

    It'd be interesting to know what rights you have when it comes to XBLA games.

    Interesting point Fodder. I guess we'll never know until someone tests it in court. To be honest, I've always been a bit uncomfortable with MS' disclaimer that points spent on games/themes/gamerpics are non-refundable. That in itself seems like a violation of consumer rights to me.

    Maybe EG should look into it - a feature perhaps on our consumer rights in this digital age of downloadable content!!!
    Edited by 1 at 07/05/09 @ 12:32

  • dpb135 #12 3 years ago

    Ms points are better than real money on Sony store. Not only do items cost more on the Sony store you can pick up points cards cheaper than retail price so items from MP are even cheaper, ie, HMV where selling 2100 cards for £9.99 the other week so COD5 map pack 1 is 800 points which in real money if you got that deal is £3.80 but still twice the price on PSN at £7.99. That deal has now gone but you can still get 2100 points for under £15 so 800 points is £5.71 in real money.
    They need to release PSN cards so we can buy them cheaper online using things like quidco, vouchers etc
    Edited by 1 at 07/05/09 @ 12:57

  • berelain #13 3 years ago

    @ TheNinkyWonk "And why do they insist on this 'points' nonsense? Merely to hide real costs, or at least create a smokescreen."

    ostensibly, its so that items on the stores across the world cost the same money, creating a unified digital currency. Better than the PS Store, where the same items cost different prices in different regional stores depending on current exchanges rates. the US PS Store still works out cheaper for a lot of titles; at least with points its all the same value.

    As for this arkanoid thing, seriously, who pays that much for breakout anyway? You can play it on virtually every other system known to man for free.

  • beckyh #14 3 years ago

    If this is true then it is the worst case of price gouging on XBLA to date. Not only that, it would be illegal under the trade descriptions act

  • GamesConnoisseur #15 3 years ago

    The real money of PSN costs more in real term than the fakery of the points which would seem to be deceitful.

    What I think it would be interesting to see if gamer spends far more on XBL and Nintendo store via 'points' rather than real money of PSN? Which would serve the real function and only relies on the actual gamers to know what they are spending!

    I noticed a long time ago things are more expensive on PSN!!

  • beckyh #16 3 years ago

    To those asking if microsoft points would be under the same law as money transactions, then yes they are. Think of points as a store voucher. Someone redeeming a store voucher has exactly the same rights as someone paying cash or card. Manufacturers such as Microsoft and the concerned developer would be bound by the same trading laws. To advertise something as full when it is not, would be illegal. This is not the same though as other pieces of download content when you pay for extra (say for example levels removed to sell later) because in those games you do actually get to see the end of the game. You can then choose whether or not to purchase the extras. Microsoft are going to be in a lot of shit for this unless they release the end of the game for free.

  • IronCladChicken #17 3 years ago

    I saw Space Invaders - but Arkanoid too?

  • bad09 #18 3 years ago

    This is why I am buying nothing of Live now. disgusting!

  • BBIAJ #19 3 years ago

    @ Shane86:

    It's not un-advertised, the trial informs you of this at the end, it just negates to tell you if there is a charge.

    Don't forget that the extra levels for Exit were free.

  • DFawkes #20 3 years ago

    Fraud actions. Sorry. That really is really awful though. If you're saying it's the Full Game, it's the Full Game or you're breaking the law, as well as just being a prat.

  • woodnotes #21 3 years ago

    Didn't Taito do this with EXIT, too?

    TAITO should be ashamed of themselves. MS, sort them out!

  • Eraysor #22 3 years ago

    The cheeky shits.

  • Retroid #23 3 years ago

    I've yet to see where anyone got that extra 400 points from. All it says is that another two 'episodes' of levels will be available later.

  • MilkYMoO #24 3 years ago

    I'll stick to the ultimate version of arkanoid, the amstrad cpc version for now then.

  • asphaltcowboy #25 3 years ago

    It does say somewhere in the game that you have to get the second pack, so it's not illegal, but it is damn shady. It's also not mentioned anywhere in the description when purchasing the game from the dashboard. Lumines didn't really bother me because I knew beforehand what I was getting (I'm pretty sure they did say before that there would be additional packs), but this just smacks of trying to cheat customers! Poor form!

    EDIT: Retroid is right, I think people assumed the second pack would be 400pts... I'm not sure that's actually been confirmed. Who knows, maybe they won't charge for it?
    Edited by 1 at 07/05/09 @ 13:53

  • dirtysteve #26 3 years ago

    What the hell does Arkanoid need episodes for?

  • homerramone #27 3 years ago

    [/i]What the hell does Arkanoid need episodes for?
    Because M$ need money.

  • Dodgymat #28 3 years ago

    Unreal on the part of Eurogamer to even consider posting this.

    With the statement of fact headline "Arkanoid XBLA wants extra money" then in the very first sentence saying "This week's Xbox Live Arcade offering Arkanoid Live! may include a hidden charge that users must pay in order to finish the game." is a complete contradiction. No better than the guy who posted a link to his 2-bob blog in the XBLA thread last night, citing comments from majornelson.com and xbox.com forums as his source!

    Certainly a new low for Eurogamer, tabloid at best. Wouldn't surprise me if "Chris L" is the same guy that posted the blog post to be honest. Taito did the very same thing with EXIT and the withheld content was completely FREE, all 120 levels of it.

    At the very least Eurogamer should've waited until they had confirmation from Taito / MS that it would cost money for episode 3 & 4 before posting this. Rob Purchese - you should be ashamed and I hope you're made to eat your [inflammatory] words.
    Edited by 1 at 07/05/09 @ 14:10

  • GamesConnoisseur #29 3 years ago

    ??!

    The points system is not held up as suspectible here?! Arent people missing the real point (pun intended) which is the false advertising.

    Sure anyone guilty of that by stating the full game is to be had for 800 mp OR £5.99 etc and then charge later for dlc to finish the game.

    This could be DONE by any company!

    Sue MS re Arkanoid by all means, I m happy to add my name to petition but on overall content, MS points worked out as cheaper and better value than Sony's real world economy. Often for same game by same company yet still bit tad more expensive why?!

    Doesnt stop me downloading x numbers of contents on X360, Wii and PS3 though!

  • miiiguel #30 3 years ago

    I dig the points system, cons like this not so much.

  • MrSnotbail #31 3 years ago

    Alright, Dodgymat, why all the rage against your fellow gamers..? I think it is only fair to assume that the plan was to charge for the extra content. Somebody came up with the idea that the extra contect would be available for 400 points, which would make sence, albeit you are right, there is no confirmation for that whatsoever. You are also right that it's all just guessing for now but why would Taico split the game content in 2 parts if not for charging for the second part later on..?
    I hope they will make it a free download and all of use who smell something funny here will be proven wrong.
    But if so, I'll may think the decision to give it away for free was made after Taico has been urged to do so on behalf of Microsoft / bad press about the whole thing ;) --so I'm glad for this news entry.

    If the content is meant to be free right away and a publisher has to withhold it for whatever reason, it should be told upfront and clear (we will release extra content / levels / whatever / FREE OF CHARGE) and nobody will get angry - simple as that.

  • Dodgymat #32 3 years ago

    Why is it only fair to assume they are going to charge for it?

    Did you not read that "Taito did the very same thing with EXIT and the withheld content was completely FREE, all 120 levels of it"

    There's nothing in the demo to say it will cost money, just that it can be downloaded later if you unlock the full game. Conclusion : not worthy of an article on Eurogamer until proven that it will actually cost money, as the headline suggests. This story is 2-bob blog fodder and nothing more.

    Fucking 300k ers....

  • MrSnotbail #33 3 years ago

    "We've contacted Microsoft to comment." ---let's see what they will say...

    They did the same with Exit and didn't learn from that experience (I guess people where worried there as well)?
    Even if it will bee free: if they are not going to tell it upfront...the way they do it just smells fishy and alienates the customer.
    The headline of the news article is indeed a bit flashy but the article has the facts and rumours straight and is far from tabloid by my standards.
    And would you please tell me what you mean by that (English isn't my first language): Fucking 300k ers....

    GamesConnoisseur, you are right (if I understood your post halfway correct ;)), a lot of the DLC available for points is a ripoff anyway (costumes and such, which should be already in the game when you first buy it).

  • LiamK #34 3 years ago

    "Wow fuck you Microsoft and your rape points system"

    I know that this recession means that some companies are getting desperate for new ways to make money, but that's a bit extreme.

  • Gearskin #35 3 years ago

    "Assume." Makes an Ass of U and Me.

  • Paperghost #36 3 years ago

    "No better than the guy who posted a link to his 2-bob blog in the XBLA thread last night, citing comments from majornelson.com and xbox.com forums as his source!"

    I guess that would be my blog. It's a CNET top 100 blog and has been on the frontpage of Slashdot, Digg, Boingboing and a ton of major tech news sites and printed press too many times to mention but thanks for the kind words ;)

    As far as your "citing the source" comment goes, I'm frankly baffled. At no point in my writeup did I say the extra levels WOULD cost money. My beef was with the poor disclosure and frankly dubious colouring of the sentences designed to make you miss the part that states the second half of the game is missing. I was going to leave it at that, but after I'd written about my own observations about the ropey disclosure, I then went looking for threads on forums to see what people were saying about this, and realised gamers who'd bought the game were worried it might cost them additional money - something I hadn't actually considered up to that point. I linked to them with the following comment:

    "Many people (here, here and elsewhere) suspect that they're going to charge you a "small" fee - say, 400 additional Microsoft points - to get the rest of the game.

    If that turns out to be true, then effectively an 800 point (10$ or £6.80) game just became 1200 points ($14.99 or £10.20)."

    How is that a problem, exactly?

    "Certainly a new low for Eurogamer, tabloid at best. Wouldn't surprise me if "Chris L" is the same guy that posted the blog post to be honest."

    No, I'm Chris B. Close though, but who / where is Chris L?

    / edit - never mind, I just realised its whoever submitted the story. And for what it's worth, I agree that the title is a contradiction to what the story says - though again, at no point in my blog did I say *anywhere* that the extra levels actually would cost money - I simply asked if they would or not. Again, I don't really see the problem with that.
    Edited by 1 at 07/05/09 @ 16:07

  • Widge #37 3 years ago

    Episodic Arkanoid?

    "Last week on Arkanoid you hit the shit out of some bricks.... this week...."

  • steveb07 #38 3 years ago

    I thought the DS version was alright even on the Japanese import I have

  • Retroid #39 3 years ago

    They could've called them level packs too, calling them episodes is a bit silly :)

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #40 3 years ago

    Taito are notoriously cheap bastards (look at Space Invaders Get Even on Wii, where you have to buy every level separately), so my money would be fairly strongly on Episode 3 and Episode 4 costing 400 points EACH.

  • ozzzy189 #41 3 years ago

    such a shame a potetially great game ruined by poor controls. all they had to do was let us use a usb mouse. job done. anyone know if the spinner on the shitty madcatz arcade stick works with this game ?

  • Uncle_Spanks #42 3 years ago

    Microsoft = CON! In the French sense of the word.

  • Lamb #43 3 years ago

    *cough* RIPOFF!!! *cough*

    Find the old Taito game and just play that on your computer if you need to play Arkanoid.

  • Royal Fool #44 3 years ago

    Oh wow, this is kinda like the Lumines Live shit.

  • metalangel #45 3 years ago

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you need to go online to download the extra levels in the original PSP version of Exit too?

  • Calgon #46 3 years ago

    Ok IF this turns out to be that the rest of the game is free as I suspect(as anyone should suspect as it does say "Full game";) untill they hear otherwise from the source... Eurogamer owe MS a full apology for this and for winding their readers up yet again.

    People who don't even own 360s or use live are getting wound up over something that hasnt happened yet and have no reason other than cynasism or hatered towards MS to beleive they have planned to charge anything extra for it.

    So those of us who have common sense, what have we learned is the real disgrace here? Bad journolism?

    Why is it that whenever its Sony in question EG actually do their research behind the story/roumer but when its MS they sometimes decide not to bother?