"two out of three Xbox 360s are made out of explosive marzipan, and go off quite loudly sometime within the first year of their life" Wasnt the number 32%? I am moore of a ps3 guy but this article was mostly BS, i could agree that some of the stuff are a little to expensive (Same for psn).

the framework is there for more original content but it looks like we (an 360 owner) is getting ports and rehashes of older software. Leave that stuff to internet arcade sites. This is why I like the PSN game model. Arcade, quick filler NEW games are what people want. I'm not saying to throw out the old classics. That should not be the focus. I think Microsoft started doing this with games like Roboblitz. We need more of them.

Please don't confuse Xbox Live Arcade with the Xbox Live on-line play infrastructure as I think some people will do when ready the title.

Who the hell are these people writing this crap? Save What? How can the industry pioneer and leader in this type of service be told what they can do to save it?

It's as ridiculous as asking Nintendo how they can save the DS.

Sure, it could be better like everything is, but XBLA is doing pretty well right now and it's better than before and better than anything that's comparable (think PSN). XBLA is actually one of the highlights of Xbox 360 right now.

I seem to Disagree with MS's "pricing" of sh!t more than anything else. Ms is all about making money, which is fine but they do "rape" gamers on Misc items/content with their prices. If gamers are going to pay for such service, items, and content, they should expect MS, to atleast listen to gamers, when it comes to adding and giving them XBL users what they want/need.

I don't think "SAVE" is the right word to use here. Last time I checked, XBL kept adding new users. Now if they were steadily loosing users every month, then we could sit back and take a look at the whole infrastructure/pricing and content being offered, while demanding some changes.

This Article, is moreso, "XBL can get better", if some of these gripes were heard. I would hope so. Any little noise is better than nothing.

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Agree - 1.Support could always be better.

Disagree - 2. More is always better, it's all about content, and yes you'll have 6 million+ that might like different games.

Agree - 3. More classic games, I've heard of, would be nice. I know, Nintendo Wii Virtual Console has plenty of them classics we all love, but they don't take advantage of a network service(what they are lacking), like MS has achievements and multi-player and such.

Agree - 4. Yes the D-Pad is horrible for certain games. I love fighting games but trying to pull off MK moves or on, that weak version of SF, well it's just terrible. The PS dual-shock is great for Fighting games, I'm actually gonna get that connector to be able to use a Dual-shock for certain games. Sony has the better D-PAD no doubt. Analogs positions go to MS.(Great for FPS's.)

Sorta Agree - 5. Paying for a service, should have some freebis, here and there. They do have "samples" but yeah, we pay for this service, so it doesn't hurt, to give something free,now and then. Of course I have no probs paying.
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XBL is not perfect, I'm sure, you could find little examples, here and there, that contradicts this article but, XBL will not get better if we users do not NAG and complain. If MS was loosing Gamers on XBL, well thats a different story. So really, on my part, no need to be all defensive here, XBL is on top and has been the last 5 years or so. Sony is playing catchup with little features, XBL has gotten from the getgo.

Now, I feel like, MS has to slowly differentiate itself from the competition(PSN), and let the fans have a say, on what they like or don't like, so XBL can continue prove to the naysayers, on why it's members are willing to pay for the service.

-Really no major complaints from me.

Why, exactly, does it need to be saved? Is it in Peril? Why, in this current gen, are so many people suddenly experts on everything? I've got about half a dozen or so XBLA titles I've purchased and will buy more. I am into casual games more than the next person I guess and XBLA makes great sense for that genre.

it doesn't need "saving". I'm not sure what this guy is talking about. Although, I have to say, he was spot on about the D-pad. The DualShock D-pad is the best in the biz, and I hope MS will work on improving theirs. Of course, that has nothing to do with XBLA content. Overall, I think it's got great variety, and is pretty well priced.

XBLA arcade is great...I play bomberman..
i recently got marathon:durandal.....
and im waiting for quake...

by that i mean if someone purchased a live arcade title for the original xbox, it should be available at no charge for when they get a 360. I purchased zuma and smash tv as well as collapse all for the original xbox. I was suprised to find that I would have to re-buy those same games if I wanted to play them in full on the 360. Not good practice.

I am forced to hook up my original xbox and play them 'offline' if i want to play them at all. I shouldnt have to pay twice for something i already bought but I guess that is in the fine print when you get a MS product.

XBLA is doing pretty good. id, EA and Ubisoft have all recently praised XBLA after their XBLA games sold better than they had expected, and they are preparing to roll out more XBLA games.

I'd say XBLA is a selling point of 360 for casual gamers. However, if you're hardcore and just want to play the latest next-gen games like BioShock and Mass Effect, then XBLA is not really for you anyway.

it dosent need saving, its doing great

Another PS3 fanboy who has no idea what he's talking about. Hello? XBLA is doing fantastically well right now, thank you very much. If those fanboys just have to look for reasons to bash Xbox and Microsoft, AT LEAST try to find the right reason so they don't look like a dumbass.

This article is nothing but one person's wishlist about what he would like to have the arcade look like.

I do have to agree with the pricing problems. I am not a fan of most of MS's content prices but I doubt it will ever change. If anything they are getting more expensive and I am buying less.

All of the arcade ports have been asked for by the community and I think MS has done fairly well listening to what people want. At E3 the numbers MS showed looked like people were buying like crazy and they are making some big cash (thus my comment above about not changing).

I've been really happy with the Arcade for the most part.

Dolphins and etheopians need saving, xbox live arcade is fine!!!

It's no secret that I prefer 360. So most of the articles I contribute to this site are XBOX related but not all. It just seems like even the hottest XBOX 360 articles are negative news.

XBOX Live Arcade is going strong. And isn't perfect but it is new and also the first of it's kind.

Over time it will improve. I think it is a great service and it is truly a great thing to play old classics in Hi-def with online co-op. As well as new and original titles for the fraction of the cost of a new $60 game.

Ther is a difference bw being a fan and a fanboy. I believe this site has become overrun by fanboys.

IS
JUST
AWFULL
AND
DO..SN...`T
W..OO.R.K

CASTLE CRASHERS!!!

Wow, another flame bait article. Right now what service is better thean the XBLA? Like anything, it can be approved on but it does not need saving. I am suprised this article was even approved.

Microsoft has been far too complacent with. They better wake up before PSN ends up surpassing Xbox Live, which seems imminent.

The XBLA is doing very well and more games are coming. The only problem I would have with it, is that there are not much XNA games coming through.

the coolest thing is that we can demo the game before trying it! you can't do that with the wii's VC. im not sure bout the ps3 though

If XBOX live arcade need [saving] in terms of arcade games... I wonder what PSN needs? Resurrection? Or better.. yet... to be born...

I sort of agree with what this article's saying. It's not saying XBLA is terrible, but that there are trends emerging and problems out there which are starting to damage it. How many people are really gonna get excited by Track and Field tomorrow for example? It's unfair to call whoever wrote this a fanboy - they don't mention Sony at all.

...I'm excited about Track and Field. And so are a bunch of my friends. Those games were always alot of fun. Not to mention Bomberman Live is the BOOOOOOOOOOOMB!

XBLA doesn't need saving, I just bought Marathon Durandal from it and IMO it's the best arcade game on the XBLA.

Can't wait for Castle Crashers. ^_^

XBLA is a great idea, and it really allowed for a whole new genre of videogaming. But, to say it's perfect is far from the truth. The d-pad is crappy, and it is also my opinion that free games beat ones you have to pay for anyday. It just feels like XBL in general is stuck in neutral, and that PSN and the Wii online service are constantly improving, and even building upon what XBL established. Yes, XBL is currently the pinnacle of online console gaming, but I see improvements on Sony and Nintendo's side constantly, but not Msoft's.

and for good reason.

XBLA is great. more support will only make it greater.

this article made me lol.

Fact.
also PSN games uses the motion sencing in the Sixaxis which makes the wii useless and arcade and wii is only to download roms from the late 90's nothing original they both fail at it.
Sony wins again.

i think in last months egm they compared the the three. I think nintendo came up on top wit the best classics..

correct me if im wrong..