Lumines Live ... Disappointing

Lumines Live hit Xbox Live Arcade yesterday, and is easily one of the most anticipated games to hit Microsoft's game service. Up until now, DOOM was at the top of the charts as the biggest rip off ($15 for a years-old game), but that title is now squarely on the shoulders of this puzzler from Q! Entertainment. At least with DOOM, the game was there in its entirety.

Despite ringing in at half again the cost of most other Xbox Live Arcade titles (1200 points, or $15), Lumines is not a complete game. Within an hour, I was bumping into messages telling me that I needed to purchase additional content (which is not yet available, incidentally). Outpost Kaloki X offers far more gameplay at half the price. Coupled with frustratingly imprecise controls, and an experience that isn't as portable as it is on the PSP, I'm instantly regretting having hoarded points for this game.

Update 12:30 PM: I just got word that the "Advance Pack" is now available for purchase. No word on when any of the other packs might be available.

Ironically, if this experience had simply been the trial (or if the game had been free, with additional packs (available day and date with the game) it would have been satisfying. Yet the trial version is even more limited.

I loved Lumines on the PSP, and it was the only reason why I regretted trading my PSP a while back (there isn't a single other compelling game for the handheld, as far as I'm concerned), which makes it all the more frustrating that the experience on the more expensive Xbox 360 is such a disappointment. Of course, there are no refunds for Xbox Live Arcade purchases, but I can't see that delivering a $15 game with hardly any actual gameplay is going to convince people to pay even more (600 points, or $7.50 per pack, reportedly) later. In fact, I'd hazard a guess and say that if the additional packs don't come out without a week or two, Lumines Live will be long forgotten by the time games like Small Arms arrive.

Edit: Clarified the price. What can I say ... it was 3:30 AM when I bought the game this morning.

More News from X06

Peter Jackson is working on a new Halo title with Bungie. It's not Halo 3 since Bungie has said that the series is ending at 3. Speaking of Halo titles ...

Halo Wars, a brand-new real-time strategy game set in the Halo universe, made by the current kings of RTS titles ... Ensemble Studios. Suddenly, Microsoft putting the smackdown on fan-made RTS "Halogen" makes more sense.

This isn't all that's keeping Jackson busy, though ... Jackson and Microsoft are teaming up to create Wingnut Interactive, a new game studio. Wingnut will be producing another Jackson-helmed game under this new partnership, exclusive to Xbox 360.

Still need more Peter Jackson news? How about this? Included with the HD-DVD drive for Xbox 360 will be the Universal Media Remote and a copy of Jackson's King Kong on HD-DVD. All for $199.

Grand Theft Auto 4 may not be exclusive to Xbox 360, but the two downloadable episodes will be, and they'll be out just "months" (way to be vague) after the release of GTA4.

GTA4 isn't an exclusive, but the next Splinter Cell will be. Also exclusive is Bioshock, Microsoft having deftly ripped the game away from the PS3. If you're not familiar with Bioshock, just know that it's the spiritual successor to the acclaimed "System Shock".

Project Gotham Racing 4 was announced, the worst kept secret ever.

Oh, and when exactly is DOOM coming to Xbox Live Arcade? How about just a few minutes ago?

Xbox 360 Announcements from X06

Rare is bringing the "Banjo-Kazooie" IP to Xbox 360. No timeframe was given, so probably in three or four years, given Rare's usual pace.

DOOM is coming to Xbox Live Arcade TONIGHT. Wow.

Reconfirmation of native 1080p gameplay. Time to start saving for that 37" Westinghouse HDTV.

What Are the Games That REALLY Sell?

Just saw a story at GigaOM that led me to this piece at Next-Generation, discussing the Top 100 Games of the 21st Century. That means 2000-2006.

The results are somewhat surprising, but not very when you dig a little deeper. The results? Kids games and Casual games are ruling the list, and here's the kicker ... Backyard Basketball by the fine folks at Humongous/Atari beat Doom III. Doom III made more money, but probably wasn't as profitable. Other notables ... games with a non-game IP sell well (just about any marketer could have told you that), and multiplayer games are not the gold mine (Warcraft pun entirely intended) that you might think.

But it was the following line that I found curious ...

"Most gamer magazines and sites underserve and misrepresent the game industry."

It's a flawed assumption. Why? Because the hardcore gamers are primarily the ones buying the magazine. By definition, "casual" gamers are the ones that want something pick-up-and-play ... they're not going to spend time finding and reading a magazine to find out what's good. They'll download a bunch of trials (or play Web versions), then pay for the games they like. Similarly, Xbox Live Arcade has a demo model built into every game, negating the need for a magazine. The magazines are doing the exact right thing for them ... catering to the enthusiasts and developers.

Here's something I find far more interesting. Just how few units some of the top games sold. You don't crack 250,000 units until you get into the top 80. The PC platform is tougher to make big-budget games for, so you have to ensure that you can keep your costs under control to make a profit.

Other interesting facts ...

* The number 1 game (The Sims) sold almost TWICE the volume of the number 2 game (Diablo 2).
* Blizzard had three games in the top 10, including the aforementioned Diablo 2, World of Warcraft at number 3, and Warcraft III at number 7.
* EA dominates the top 10 like they dominate console publishing, with three titles. Microsoft Game Studios has two. Aside from Blizzard (who self-publishes, according to the list), Maxis has three games on the list from a development standpoint.

Check out the list. It's very enlightening.