So, as you may have guessed from the updates, we’re back from Vegas!… and by Vegas I mean CES. This was by far the biggest expo I have every attended! But this was definitely geared toward a broader audience of consumer electronics, rather than having a specific niche, like gaming.
Anyhoo, the first thing we did upon arriving at the LVCC (Las Vegas Convention Center) was to get some lunch. After that, we headed into the Center Hall where we were greeted by a huge exhibit by none other than Microsoft. At the exhibit we got two demos, one for the new Zune HD video library, and the Game Room App for the Xbox360.
With Xbox LIVE, Facebook, and Twitter, the X360 definitely has the upperhand in online-social gaming. The Game Room is yet another online-social gaming App to add to the list, and an exciting one at that.
For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s the gist: The game room is a new app for Xbox LIVE where you can create a virtual arcade, with virtual replicas of arcade classics from the 70s, 80s and 90s. These virtual consoles play exactly like the originals, and the arcade unit itself has all of the original cabinet designs, down to the decals.
The Game Room comes initially packed with 30 games for you to try out. You will then have the ability to purchase games through the Game Room with your Microsoft Points, allowing you to fill up your virtual arcade with more arcade units. These arcade games are playable both through your Xbox and through Windows Live. The games will be available for 240 Microsoft Points ($3) for one screen (either the X360 or Windows), and 400 Microsoft Points ($5) for multiple screens (playable on either media).
This virtual arcade creates a whole new arena in which to socialize and compete with your friends. First and foremost, friends will be able to visit each others’ Game Rooms. Everybody will have one free trial on arcade games they find in a friend’s Game Room. If your friend happens to own that arcade game, they can play on that machine and attempt to beat your high score. Once you enter the Game Room, each machine will have either a green or red banner on top of it, indicating the current top high score; green means you own it, and red means someone else owns it. Naturally, leaderboards will also be available, with both a world and friends filter. There will also be replays available to watch, so you can see how the top scorer achieved their spot on the leaderboard.
And of course, what would Xbox gaming be without Achievements? From what we’ve heard, there will be a total of 99 achievements available, for the Game Room as a whole. There are also awards available both inside the Game Room, like little 8-bit icons that run around the Game Room, and avatar awards such as special baseball caps.
All in all, the Game Room app looks pretty awesome. With new games scheduled to come out on a weekly basis, this app is sure to provide hours of old-school, arcade style challenges from the comfort of your own home. The Xbox LIVE Game Room is scheduled to be available sometime in late March.
