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Home Xbox Live Arcade updates

MS offering undisclosed free XBLA game to make up for XBL problems

11:26 PM on 01.03.2008, Nick Chester 57 comments

MS offering undisclosed free XBLA game to make up for XBL problems photo
     Xbox Live Arcade

Because I can play Puzzle Quest just fine offline, the recent rash of Xbox Live problems haven't had much of an impact on me. From what I understand, however, people are a bit upset. Who can blame them? These are people who pay good money for the privilege of being cussed out by pre-teens and racists, for cryin' out loud.

While Microsoft continue to work on the problem (which they're publicly blaming on "increased usage"), Xbox LIVE General Manager Marc Whitten wants to make nice. In a letter printed on Major Nelson's blog, Whitten thanks current members for their loyalty and patience. He then offers a token of appreciation to all Xbox LIVE members around the world -- a free, full Xbox LIVE arcade game. 

No word on what the game will be (Yaris!), but Whitten says more details should emerge in the coming weeks. Head over to Major Nelson's blog for the full statement, but let's be real -- the only thing you care about is that you're getting a free game, right?


Next page: More Microsoft stories




Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 01/03/2008 23:25
I'd rather see them drop the price of Live, but a free XBLA game is nothing to sneeze at, unless it's one I already have.

MS, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, GIVE US A CHOICE IN GAMES!!!
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 01/03/2008 23:26
Choice please...
Shin Oni's Avatar
Shin Oni at 01/03/2008 23:33
i'd rather them just make Live free after this silly incident seeing if they have time to blame this on "increased population" such a thing can happen again. What's the next free thing they're willing to give?

and i'm with Cheeburga. I want a choice of the free game. just just 1 but at least 3 free XBLA games. That game besta be Omega 5.
cbre88x's Avatar
cbre88x at 01/03/2008 23:34
That picture is full of win.
Y0j1mb0's Avatar
Y0j1mb0 at 01/03/2008 23:35
Enjoy Hardwood Billiards bitches..
RJG's Avatar
RJG at 01/03/2008 23:36
If people can't choose the game themselves, then this is pointless.

Just their warranty for already broken and practically unfixable consoles.
brosef's Avatar
brosef at 01/03/2008 23:40
"Beware of hoof" I lol'd, epic pic.

Yeah, unless I can get to pick my game, I'm calling hoopla (similar to shenanigans only less cheeky). Metal Slug FTW.
FreePablo's Avatar
FreePablo at 01/03/2008 23:45
Yes! I've always wanted another free Joust!
Polish Hill's Avatar
Polish Hill at 01/03/2008 23:50
Oh man I can't wait to play a terrible free game, bring on the tacked on story and unapologetic lack of story please.
Polish Hill's Avatar
Polish Hill at 01/03/2008 23:51
Oh no I just read my comment and regretted it completely I'm clearly drunk...stop the presses!
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 01/03/2008 23:51
Hopefully it's not a game I already own, like when they announced they'd give out Carcassonne for free.
ZMTToxics's Avatar
ZMTToxics at 01/03/2008 23:54
Hawt picture.
codespinneker's Avatar
codespinneker at 01/04/2008 00:00
Man you guys know that they are probably going to give you that stupid space giraffe game or some shit like that right...
Neonie's Avatar
Neonie at 01/04/2008 00:03
Thats a dude under that box isent it? I just know if you lifed it up the box there would be some flat chested gay dude stareing at you. I don't trust pictures anymore :C
Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 01/04/2008 00:03
All MS needs to do is announce Geometry Wars 2 and all will be forgiven.
akathatoneguy's Avatar
akathatoneguy at 01/04/2008 00:07
I love the fact that people don't even wait for all the information before they complain now. They just start with the complainin'! Gotta get a jump on the bitching before we hear all the details! Like when the EA free game was announced for those with Rock Band issues, and the thread was filled with people shitting on EA and proclaiming that people would get a three year old Madden game for free. But lo and behold, they got a nice list to choose from!

I'm not saying MS will give us a choice, but let's at least wait for all the details before we start bitching, shall we?

*sigh* Of course not. What was I thinking? Resume unnecessary gripefest, you babies, you!
Trowble's Avatar
Trowble at 01/04/2008 00:16
Beware of Hoof? Nice innuendo... haha
16bitmonster's Avatar
16bitmonster at 01/04/2008 00:18
not to get off topic but where did you get that pic? that seriously looks like this girl i used to date and her house haha. but for realzy's..where you get the pic? oh and i hope they finally give us geometry wars cause damn if i haven't played that demo to the ground.

also, semi.
Gangles's Avatar
Gangles at 01/04/2008 00:23
Gah, 90% of the games on XBLA are TERRIBLE.
I'm not optimistic :(
Imako's Avatar
Imako at 01/04/2008 00:31
now you too, can enjoy the gift of Joust!
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 01/04/2008 00:33
Microsoft, I'll take pac man CE or Metal Slug 3, and I'll hush up. For Cereals.
Justin Villasenor's Avatar
Justin Villasenor at 01/04/2008 00:46
I would laugh so hard if the game was Space Giraffe.
onomelon's Avatar
onomelon at 01/04/2008 01:06
Something tells me its gonna be <i>Lumines</i>. Lord knows they'll make a killing off song and skin packs alone.
deanhatescoffee's Avatar
deanhatescoffee at 01/04/2008 01:13
The full version of Pac Man CE would be rockin'.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 01/04/2008 01:14
I hope you guys have some acid ready, because I’m guessing it’s gonna be Space Giraffe.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 01/04/2008 01:20
Hopefully it's not Robotron. Or Joust. Or Frogger. You know, the games they've given away a million times already.
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/04/2008 01:32
So, Microsoft is owning up to their mess and people are pissed?

In normal people language, Microsoft says - "We fucked up. We're sorry, and thanks for staying with us. Here's little somethin' for your time."

Granted, it could fucking Joust, but at least it's something. I hope to God it's something good, though. Metal Slug, pleeeez!
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/04/2008 01:42
"oh and i hope they finally give us geometry wars cause damn if i haven't played that demo to the ground. "

There is no reason why you don't have this game. And I hope to God it's not Geometry Wars. I think a large number of people own this game. Including me.
LilJimmyNordin's Avatar
LilJimmyNordin at 01/04/2008 01:58
Free game < Week+ of live service I paid for and didn't get. I call "Fuck that".
cainball's Avatar
cainball at 01/04/2008 02:44
I like to bitch and complain as much as the next guy, but at least let them announce the game before we cry foul.
amalgamut00's Avatar
amalgamut00 at 01/04/2008 03:00
Cloning Clyde?
gamerzworld's Avatar
gamerzworld at 01/04/2008 03:03
Yaris! 2 anyone?
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 01/04/2008 03:10
The best part of this is that my own internet has been screwy so I haven't been able to use Live. Now I just get a free game! My guess is it will be something old like Track and Field.
wonky360's Avatar
wonky360 at 01/04/2008 03:47
I dont want frogger...:(
Just credit some points fer gawds sake.
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/04/2008 04:21
If I could just have about 400 points minimum ($5 - cost of an arcade game) I would have nothing to bitch about.
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 01/04/2008 06:45
In someways now i'm glad my 360 is currently being fixed
Scientist tz's Avatar
Scientist tz at 01/04/2008 08:10
Agree with previous comments: If we can't choose the game ourselves this is totally pointless.

Last time they gave a free game - Carcassone. Oh, too bad I had bought it months ago.
Rosseh's Avatar
Rosseh at 01/04/2008 08:28
It's not just playing online, I had to yank out my network cable to play anything because it took four weeks to load the games blade.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 01/04/2008 08:39
Oh man that's pretty cool. I'm looking forward to my new game?
timtheterrible's Avatar
timtheterrible at 01/04/2008 08:54
Moar puzzle quest, plz.
SniperFodder's Avatar
SniperFodder at 01/04/2008 09:56
Mmmm...hoof.
Ed Cetera's Avatar
Ed Cetera at 01/04/2008 10:38
It better not be Hexic 2.
joelogan's Avatar
joelogan at 01/04/2008 11:23
I think the hoof is referring to Kate Ground's foot. Assuming that is the model underneath that box.
akathatoneguy's Avatar
akathatoneguy at 01/04/2008 12:08
Also, there's no way they can win with this. If they give a really good game ike Geometry Wars, Pac-Man CE, etc. then most who are really interested in the game will aready have it, and will bitch. If they give a shittier game that many do not have (b/c it's shitty), people will bitch. Giving 400 or 800 points is the best way to go. But still, let's wait for details before we complain, eh?
Eques-Ardor's Avatar
Eques-Ardor at 01/04/2008 12:32
Why can't they just give us all 1000 points and call it a day?
ScottyG's Avatar
ScottyG at 01/04/2008 13:21
Will she come with the free game?

Heck, forget the free game if I can have her! :p
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 01/04/2008 15:47
@Eques-Ardor

This way they can give us crappy stuff, instead of letting us choose our own good things.
JohnnyWadd's Avatar
JohnnyWadd at 01/04/2008 16:25
I love that pic, if only all girls came like that.

Anyways GIVE US A CHOICE OF ANY GAME not some shitty one i wouldn't play for free.
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