Microsoft reveals Game Room pricing

By Robert Purchese Published 7 January, 2010

£2 for a cabinet, 38p per play.

Microsoft's announced the pricing for the newly announced Game Room for Xbox Live and Games for Windows - Live.

Playing a game will cost 40 MSP; that's 38 pence here but 50 cents over in the US - two quarters.

It's more expensive to own an arcade, because although the space itself is free, each game cabinet costs 240 MSP (£2/€2.80) - 400 MSP (£3.40/€4.65) if you want it on both PC and Xbox 360.

That sounds quite pricey to us, not to mention the currently unknown price of decorations to wow visiting friends with.

Game Room was announced last night at the Microsoft CES 2010 keynote. There'll be 30 classic game cabinets to buy at launch, and a total of 1000 to be available in the next three years.

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 (63) Latest comment 2 years ago

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

  • barnard666 #1 2 years ago

    a couple of pounds isnt so bad - so long as they have achievements and on line high score boards...if its just the game running in an emulator I dont so much see the point - I may as well just use mame.

  • smernicki #2 2 years ago

    GTFO M$

  • Rirekon #3 2 years ago

    Is that 40MSP per- play? 'Cause there's no way in hell I'm paying per-play in a digital arcade

  • maguire12 #4 2 years ago

    only costs 10p down the slotties!!

  • DanWhitehead #5 2 years ago

    I'm hoping that if you opt to buy the cabinet you don't have to pay each time you play it.

  • Widge #6 2 years ago

    Thats how I was reading it, buy the thing and then pay to play it.

  • sneetch #7 2 years ago

    That's my hope too Dan, because I'm not interested in throwing virtual money into a virtual arcade machine; avoiding that is pretty much the reason I bought a console and games in the first place (Super Ghouls and Ghosts and the SNES in my case).

    Edit: Apparently that is the case. You can pay 240-400 points for unlimited play or 40 points for a single play. Not so bad then. I'd pay that for some classics.
    Edited by 1 at 07/01/10 @ 17:30

  • BBIAJ #8 2 years ago

    From what I've read, it's free to play if you own it, just pay-per-play if you're using a friend's cabinet.

  • PearOfAnguish #9 2 years ago

    Nah, it must be you either own the cab or pay to play one, surely even MS wouldn't charge people to play a game they've bought.

  • BabyJesus #10 2 years ago

    When will people realise putting 'M$' is neither funny nor witty and never has been.

  • Mkwone #11 2 years ago

    So it's about £2.30 to buy an arcade machine for the 360 alone? Maybe tempted by some but in all honesty these games are widly free on the internet.

  • Rirekon #12 2 years ago

    So thinking this through MS have basically found a way to charge for demos;
    Pay 40MSP to play a game once to see if you like it, pay 240MSP to get "full access" - because lets face it you'd have to be pretty stupid to pay-play a game more than a couple of times given the full game cost the same as 6 plays

  • bodypopper #13 2 years ago

    Sneetch said it all really. This is just exploiting gamers appetite for retro titles.

  • uzivatel #14 2 years ago

    those 40MP are per play or per day?
    if its per game, I could see myself buying some good cabinets the same way I buy XBLA/Indie Games, but I would not touch anything else
    Edited by 1 at 07/01/10 @ 17:34

  • Retroid #15 2 years ago

    240 points for a cabinet and you've got yourself a deal, MS.

    Yes, I've been playing these games for free for years in MAME but I also pumped lots of cash into the actual cabs. I've also picked up plenty of retro compilations and I've always preferred the ones where they have replicas of the official machines to look at. Having a collection of the cabs to wander around in and play whenever I want....

    /Sexwee

  • Quixz #16 2 years ago

    240 is not bad at all i might buy most of them. I cant wait for that Kart racing game does anybody know when it will be out?

  • Eraysor #17 2 years ago

    "This is just exploiting gamers appetite for retro titles."

    I don't think simply selling something that people want is classed as exploitation, and at £2 a game it's hardly extortion.

  • GitSomE_UK #18 2 years ago

    Give me Space Harrier, Spy Hunter, BattleZone, Marble Madness, Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Alien Syndrome, All versions of Gradius, R-Type, Shinobi and you've got yourself a deal.

    Oh and I want to see shady gaunt people hanging around pointless slot machines, rain outside, a morose looking cash attendant, ambient sounds of Galaxians/Any annoying SEGA loop and flock carpet with garish fluorescent lighting.

    Hmm maybe MS should offer scratch and sniff cards of old sweat, wet carpet and eau de stale fags for the complete experience.

  • Beano #19 2 years ago

    If we buy a "own" a cabinet, do we still have to pay per play, or is that only if we don't "own" the cabinet?

  • lcmnick #20 2 years ago

    The amount of people who seem to be endorsing these payments is unbelievable.

    They should all be free for Christ sake; any moron can see that.

  • DUFFKING #21 2 years ago

    If any moron can see that, does that mean that if I can't see that I'm not a moron?

    Phew, I'd hate to be branded a moron simply for disagreeing with someone.

  • secombe #22 2 years ago

    As a recent XBox purchaser I'm amazed by the additional costs which aren't particularly obvious when you 'sign up'.

    My favourite example is Forza 3, my assumption was always that a Gold subscription = online play, Silver = most other online things.
    Forza takes that to another level, obviously you can't play online - as expected - with Silver, but you also can't customize single player races (a staggering 'oversight') without it or access quite a few features which have nothing to do with playing oneline, then there is the LCE version, which is borderline redundant without Gold.

    Sure, Gold isn't too expensive, but with that cost you would then expect it to be plain sailing...then you realise the incredible cost of customizing your avatar to any degree. Sure, you don't need to do it and nobody is forcing you (I don't), but I'm amazed at the cost of such items.

  • freakzilla #23 2 years ago

    Wait, so you Pay £2 to buy the thing and have to pay 38p each time you want to play? Sounds about right (since you have a monthly fee to play games you've already bought).

  • cairbre1977 #24 2 years ago

    Can you kick the machines so the money falls out.... I will watch with interest but I didnt renew my xbox live membership its cheaper to buy the cards now thats just crazy.

  • WinterSnowblind #25 2 years ago

    @freakzilla
    No, you pay £2 if you want to keep the machine, that lets you play it as much as you want for free.
    You have to pay 38p if you just want to have one game, without actually buying the "cabinet"

  • weejok #26 2 years ago

    3 words - #@CK OFF MICROSOFT

  • Beano #27 2 years ago

    @teh9182 : It was a polite question - no need to get insulting.
    Edited by 1 at 07/01/10 @ 20:19

  • whoslotte #28 2 years ago

    And the alternative is Mame and some ROMs... total price - nothing.

    What a total rip off... Honestly, with this and the almost certainly doomed Project Natus, MS are really screwing up lately.

  • IronGiant #29 2 years ago

    Get one of the many emulators on the PC, for free.

  • StooMonster #30 2 years ago

    1982's Atari VCS (Atari 2600) version of Star Raiders was terrible, I remember because I saved up my pennies to afford the £40 or so it cost ... £40 was a lot of money to a 14-year old back then, equivalent to £100 today adjusting for inflation.

    Although it did come with the Atari Video Touch Pad peripheral (a keypad that fitted in the joystick port), which was sadly only used on this title.

    One of my friends had well-off parents and an Atari 800, which is how I knew the 1979 Atari 400/800 version was far superior. Even the subsequent Atari ST version was inferior to the original.

  • StooMonster #31 2 years ago

    My friend also had Eastern Front on cartridge, which was completely awesome too.

    Atari 800 emulator, now _that_ would be worth paying for.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #32 2 years ago

    Don't they realise that of you price these things too high people will just use mame and illegal roms.

  • Dizzy #33 2 years ago

    >Get one of the many emulators on the PC, for free.

    Like many people have said... this is actually piracy.

  • MrsPacMan #34 2 years ago

    Anyone remember Yar's Revenge?

    F'king bag of shite that was.

  • WinterSnowblind #35 2 years ago

    Well there's a few videos going around now demonstrating this whole thing, and it seems most peoples suspicions have proven true.

    Really doesn't seem to be anything like Home, there's no walking around or interacting, it's simply a 3D interface for selecting the game and customising the area. Which does make it seem rather trivial, but still, people eat this stuff up. Also confirmed that the games have revamped menu's and achievements, etc.

  • moggsy #36 2 years ago

    38p would buy me a Mars Bar. Money better spent methinks.

  • Weezer #37 2 years ago

    How much is it to by a second-hand virtual cabinet... maybe one with the wrong stickers on?

  • Anthony_UK #38 2 years ago

    Why the hate for this? After watching the brief video on xbox live I have to admit I can't wait to have my own little arcade!

    £2 a pop is basically an impuse buy. The idea of being able to invite friends to your arcade, and free play games you own is also a great idea. If this does have friend leaderboards this could potentially be huge!

    Only complaint would be these games are almost to retro for my liking. Personally I wouldn't mind fast forwarding to the Double Dragon

  • Penguinzoot #39 2 years ago

    @StooMonster

    Ahh ... Atari 800 Star Raiders - still my favourite game of all time.

    /polishes Star Commander Class 1 badge
    Edited by 2 at 07/01/10 @ 23:49

  • MrsPacMan #40 2 years ago

    Anthony_fast >>>> forward >>>>>>> to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> MAME

  • spookyzombie #41 2 years ago

    Anyone else buy their 360 to play current gen, full titles?

  • Connobi #42 2 years ago

    MS are smoking bananas if they think this will take off - seriously!

  • Jayke #43 2 years ago

    What the hell! I was joking earlier about them charging a lot, but the not only charge you 5 bucks for the stupid old game, but 50 cents to play the game you just bought? HAHAHAHAHAHAH

  • Anthony_UK #44 2 years ago

    @MrsPacMan I love MAME, but the friend leaderboards get get me every time. It's the ease of use to a certain degree also. Alot of my personal friends are on xbox live, and as much as we grew up with games alot of them genuinely have never heard of MAME or would even have the know how to use it properly if they did! Surely we've all got friends like these, those friends who we had to go round and set up live for them in the first place!......'whats a mac address' and all that business! So a service like this where we can invite each other to our own little pretend 'early 90's' arcade I think is great!

    Besides i'm lazy!

    Must admit reading a few of the later comments WinterSnowBlind's especially, its dissapointing to here that the arcade itself seems to be just a 3D interface rather than somewhere you can walk around!

  • Spekingur #45 2 years ago

    "What the hell! I was joking earlier about them charging a lot, but the not only charge you 5 bucks for the stupid old game, but 50 cents to play the game you just bought? HAHAHAHAHAHAH"

    Only, they aren't.
    Buy the game for the higher amount and try it for the lower. When trying you will get access to the full game, as opposed to the other XBLA games where the demos only give you certain amount of gameplay.

  • fatboy996 #46 2 years ago

    will these arcade games be full screen (i.e. widescreen) or the horrible 4:3 version that they tend to release

  • jonsaan #47 2 years ago

    What's the betting all the launch games are already available on LIVE. Double Dragon, Joust, MK etc.etc.

  • SlackMaster #48 2 years ago

    Does the 40msp per play still apply if you buy the cabinet? If so that's rediculous and I'd not even bother visiting the Game Room even though I'm a huge retro game collector.

  • homerramone #49 2 years ago

    This could be quite interesting - if they dont screw it up with greed. (IE the cabinet is on FREE PLAY and you dont infact have to pay once you buy it - Im assuming nothing ! And of course the prices need to stay at a reasonable level. )

    Oh and I had better get free cabs for the ones I already about on XBLA (does a quick fist shake at M$ just in case)
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/10 @ 09:25

  • penhalion #50 2 years ago

    Call me when they get Escape from the planet of the robot monsters and Xybots.

  • SlackMaster #51 2 years ago

    I think though I'd be more interested if they released some more games post Double Dragon... Would be great to get some of the side scrolling Dungeons&Dragons games or Double Dragon II.

  • irve77 #52 2 years ago

    not knocking the quality of some retro games it does seem to me that the sort of compilation of 80 of these games for £20 has now turned into £2 a game ....

    Ah the digital download age where everone wins except the consumer !

    I don't think this will be a draw for me.

    But please anyone who actually buys any of these to use on a PC is an idiot ! forgetting the excellent MAME which is as everyone said illegal to play the ROMS .. these games can be played as flash games perfectly legal and perfectly FREE !!!

  • StooMonster #53 2 years ago

    Also, one word ...

    DEFENDER

  • Spooke #54 2 years ago

    I suppose I'd pay £2 to play BombJack, Spyhunter, Gradius, R-Type...

  • Shakey_Jake33 #55 2 years ago

    @fatboy996 - I'd say the opposite. The games were originally 4:3. It would be horrible if they tried to force some kind of widescreen mode out of them by cropping, or warping the aspect ratio.

  • DAN.E.B #56 2 years ago

    final fight and killer instinct better not be 38p a game
    i want to buy them out right!
    ive read the coments thank god!
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/10 @ 12:06

  • Sunyavadin #57 2 years ago

    MS ARE aware why consoles killed off arcades in the first place, right?

  • chubster2010 #58 2 years ago

    38p for one go on an ancient game that I've probably got on my mobile phone?

    Are they having a laugh?

  • TheDon. #59 2 years ago

    Ha Ha MS ripping you xboxers off again. Pity it's only a matter of time before sony start doing it in home.

  • Amblin #60 2 years ago

    wow a selection of 1000 cabinets I will never buy, rock on MS!

  • gjgjg #61 2 years ago

    yay atari 2600 games! im starting again on my first console 20 somthing years later. kudoz to nature's cycles ! :p

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #62 2 years ago

    "I think it's better that you don't walk around. Initially it would probably seem cool walking around your collection of machines, but once that novelty wears off, you'll just want to get down to playing the games."

    Why would you have to choose between one or the other? The original Namco Museum titles on PS1 let you walk around the virtual museum, but you could also skip straight to a game-select menu if you wanted. The entire appeal of selling "cabinets" rather than just normal 400-point retro release is surely putting them in a 3D virtual arcade setting?

  • metalangel #63 2 years ago

    Paying to watch pretend people playing on pretend arcade cabinets?