Quantcast


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

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?








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

56 comments | showing # 1 to 50
prev
next 50 comments

sleepingagain's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:23
sleepingagain
free stuff is always nice... but fix the fucking service! i want to COD4
MrSadistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:25
MrSadistic
I haven't played on Live in forever, so that whole business didn't effect me whatsoever, but I'm pretty sure those who were are going to get screwed by getting a free crappy XBLA game.
Joe Burling's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:25
Joe Burling
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 - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:26
Cheeburga
Choice please...
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:33
Shin Oni
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 - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:34
cbre88x
That picture is full of win.
Y0j1mb0's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:35
Y0j1mb0
Enjoy Hardwood Billiards bitches..
RJG's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:36
RJG
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 - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:40
brosef
"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 - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:45
FreePablo
Yes! I've always wanted another free Joust!
Polish Hill's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:50
Polish Hill
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 - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:51
Polish Hill
Oh no I just read my comment and regretted it completely I'm clearly drunk...stop the presses!
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:51
Darren Nakamura
Hopefully it's not a game I already own, like when they announced they'd give out Carcassonne for free.
ZMTToxics's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/03/2008 23:54
ZMTToxics
Hawt picture.
codespinneker's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:00
codespinneker
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:03
Neonie
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:03
Joe Burling
All MS needs to do is announce Geometry Wars 2 and all will be forgiven.
akathatoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:07
akathatoneguy
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:16
Trowble
Beware of Hoof? Nice innuendo... haha
16bitmonster's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:18
16bitmonster
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:23
Gangles
Gah, 90% of the games on XBLA are TERRIBLE.
I'm not optimistic :(
Imako's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:31
Imako
now you too, can enjoy the gift of Joust!
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:33
AgentMOO
Microsoft, I'll take pac man CE or Metal Slug 3, and I'll hush up. For Cereals.
Justin Villasenor's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 00:46
Justin Villasenor
I would laugh so hard if the game was Space Giraffe.
crimson diabolik's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 01:06
crimson diabolik
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 01:13
deanhatescoffee
The full version of Pac Man CE would be rockin'.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 01:14
Samit Sarkar
I hope you guys have some acid ready, because I’m guessing it’s gonna be Space Giraffe.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 01:20
Bob Muir
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 01:32
vexed alex
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 01:42
vexed alex
"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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 01:58
LilJimmyNordin
Free game < Week+ of live service I paid for and didn't get. I call "Fuck that".
cainball's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 02:44
cainball
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 03:00
amalgamut00
Cloning Clyde?
gamerzworld's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 03:03
gamerzworld
Yaris! 2 anyone?
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 03:10
ArrestedDeveloper
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 03:47
wonky360
I dont want frogger...:(
Just credit some points fer gawds sake.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 04:21
vexed alex
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 06:45
Orionsaint
In someways now i'm glad my 360 is currently being fixed
Scientist tz's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 08:10
Scientist tz
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 08:28
Rosseh
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 - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 08:39
Holyetheline
Oh man that's pretty cool. I'm looking forward to my new game?
timtheterrible's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 08:54
timtheterrible
Moar puzzle quest, plz.
SniperFodder's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 09:56
SniperFodder
Mmmm...hoof.
Ed Cetera's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 10:38
Ed Cetera
It better not be Hexic 2.
joelogan's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 11:23
joelogan
I think the hoof is referring to Kate Ground's foot. Assuming that is the model underneath that box.
akathatoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 12:08
akathatoneguy
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?
ME4Twaffle's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 12:32
ME4Twaffle
Why can't they just give us all 1000 points and call it a day?
ScottyG's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 13:21
ScottyG
Will she come with the free game?

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

This way they can give us crappy stuff, instead of letting us choose our own good things.
JohnnyWadd's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/04/2008 16:25
JohnnyWadd
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.
prev next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!