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{{short description|Digital video game download service}}{{Infobox online service
| logo = XBLA Logo.png
| launched = November 6, 2004 (Xbox)
November 22, 2005 (Xbox 360)
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| platform = [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[Xbox 360]]
| status = Discontinued
| website = {{URL|https://marketplace.xbox.com/Games/XboxArcadeGames}}
| discontinued = April 15, 2010 (Xbox)<br>July 29, 2024 (Xbox 360)
}}
'''Xbox Live Arcade''' (or '''XBLA''') was a [[video game]] [[Digital distribution in video games|digital distribution service]] that was available for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[Xbox 360]] consoles. It focused on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers. Titles on the service ranged from previously released arcade and console games to brand new games designed for the service, and were priced from a range of 5 to 20 [[United States dollar|US dollars]]. While originally requiring a disc to gain access to the service on the original Xbox, the Arcade was integrated into the Xbox 360 along with the rest of the [[Xbox Games Store|Xbox Live Marketplace]] (later renamed Xbox Games Store) with the launch of the new console.
As of October 2016, there had been 719 Xbox Live Arcade titles released for the Xbox 360, with 27 being released for the original Xbox. The release of the [[Xbox One]] did not carry the Arcade branding over, and following the closure of the [[Xbox network#First-generation Xbox Live shutdown|Xbox Live services for the original Xbox]] in 2010 and the Xbox Games Store in 2024, the Xbox Live Arcade branding is effectively defunct.
==History==
===Xbox===
[[File:xboxlivearcadexb1.jpg|thumb|Xbox Live Arcade on [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] (2004)]]
The Xbox Live Arcade service was officially announced on May 12, 2004, at Microsoft's [[E3]] press conference<ref>{{cite web|author=Luke Guttridge|publisher=play.tm|date=May 11, 2004|access-date=May 19, 2008|title=E3 2004: EA joins the Live party as MS dates Halo and more|url=http://play.tm/story/3541|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118193924/http://play.tm/story/3541|archive-date=November 18, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=E3 2004 - Complete Microsoft Press Conference |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHKeUq_GA_M |access-date=2023-10-18 |language=en}}</ref> and launched on November 6, 2004, for the original [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] game console.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-live-arcade-available-now/1100-6112590/ |title=Xbox Live Arcade available now |first=Tim |last=Surette |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=November 6, 2004 |access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref> The XBLA software was obtained by ordering it on Microsoft's website. It was sent by mail on a disc that also contained a free version of the ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'' video game.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dale Nardozzi |publisher=[[TeamXbox]] |date=December 3, 2004 |access-date=May 19, 2008 |title=Xbox Live Arcade Breakdown |url=http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/969/Xbox-Live-Arcade-Breakdown/p1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517035015/http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/969/Xbox-Live-Arcade-Breakdown/p1/ |archive-date=May 17, 2008 }}</ref>
To generate greater publicity for the service, the disc was also distributed with special issues of the ''[[Official Xbox Magazine]]'' and as part of the ''[[Forza Motorsport (2005 video game)|Forza Motorsport]]'' Xbox console [[Product bundling|bundle]]<ref>{{cite web|date=November 12, 2005|title=Forza Motorsport Bundle|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xboxforzamotorsportbundle/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024071744/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xboxforzamotorsportbundle/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=October 24, 2006|access-date=May 26, 2006|work=Xbox.com Catalog|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> The service launched with six titles and expanded its library to twelve titles by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hilary Goldstein|date=November 1, 2004|title=IGN: Xbox Live Arcade Review 'We check out the first wave of Live Arcade games. Will they be worth your cash?'|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/562/562571p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041104035401/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/562/562571p1.html|archive-date=November 4, 2004|access-date=May 27, 2008|website=IGN}}</ref> Once connected to [[Xbox Live]], customers could purchase additional titles by using a [[credit card]], or download a limited [[game demo|trial version]] of a game. Prices for the games range from $4.99 to $14.99.<ref>{{cite web|author=Microsoft|author-link=Microsoft|date=June 10, 2005|title=Xbox Live Arcade Games|url=http://www.xbox.com:80/en-US/games/livearcadexbox/default.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821232029/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcadexbox/default.htm|archive-date=August 21, 2008|access-date=June 13, 2008|work=Xbox.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="clear:none; font-size:90%; padding:0 auto; width:60%; margin:auto"
|-
! colspan="3" | List of Xbox Live Arcade games released on the original Xbox since early 2011 (27 titles)
|-
| style="width:33%;"|
* ''Alien Sky''
* ''[[AstroPop]]''
* ''Atomaders''
* ''Bankshot Billiards''
* ''[[Bejeweled (video game)|Bejeweled]]''
* ''[[Bookworm (video game)|Bookworm]]''
* ''Dangerous Mines''
* ''Dino and Aliens''
* ''[[Feeding Frenzy (video game)|Feeding Frenzy]]''
| style="width:33%;"|
* ''[[Gauntlet (1985 video game)|Gauntlet]]''
* ''Guardian''
* ''[[Hamsterball]]''
* ''Hardwood Solitaire''
* ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]''
* ''[[Marble Blast Gold]]''
* ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]''
*[[MicroBot|Microbot]]
* ''Mutant Storm''
|
* ''[[Namco Vintage]] ([[Pole Position (video game)|Pole Position]], [[Dig Dug]], & [[Galaga]])''
* ''Orbz''
* ''[[Pipeline (video game)|Pipeline]]''
* ''[[Ricochet Lost Worlds]]''
* ''[[Robotron: 2084]]''
* ''[[Smash TV]]''
* ''Super Collapse II''
* ''ThinkTanks''
* ''[[Zuma (video game)|Zuma]]''
|}
===Xbox 360===
[[File:Xboxlivearcade.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Xbox Live Arcade on [[Xbox 360]]]]
{{see also|List of Xbox 360 games}}
On November 22, 2005, XBLA was relaunched on the [[Xbox 360]]. The service was integrated into the main [[Xbox 360 Dashboard|Dashboard]] user interface, and the Xbox 360 hard drives were bundled with a free copy of ''[[Hexic#Releases|Hexic HD]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 22, 2005|title=Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20GB)|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360harddrive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311215836/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360harddrive|archive-date=March 11, 2007|access-date=February 3, 2007|work=Xbox.com|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> Every Arcade title on the Xbox 360 supports leaderboards, has 200 [[Gamerscore|Achievement]] points, and high-definition [[720p]] graphics. They also have a [[game demo|trial version]] available for free download. These demos are playable and most of them offer only a fraction of the levels, modes, and content of the full game. A full version of the game must be purchased to allow the user to upload scores to the leaderboards, unlock achievements, play online multiplayer (with a few exceptions), and download bonus content.<ref>{{cite web|title=Xbox LIVE Arcade: Classic and New Games on Xbox 360|url=http://www.xbox.com:80/en-US/games/livearcade|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624120930/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcade|archive-date=June 24, 2008|access-date=June 26, 2008|work=Xbox.com|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> Several new features and enhancements have been added through [[Xbox 360 System Software|software updates]] including a friends leaderboard, additional sorting options, faster enumeration of games, an auto-download feature for newly released trial games, and "Tell a Friend" messages.<ref>{{cite web|author=Microsoft|author-link=Microsoft|date=October 30, 2006|title=November 2006 Update Features List|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1030-novemberupdate-completelist.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512054157/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1030-novemberupdate-completelist.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=May 12, 2008|access-date=May 13, 2008|work=Xbox.com}}</ref> The original size limit imposed by Microsoft for Xbox Live Arcade games was 50 MB, in order to ensure any downloaded game could fit on a 64 MB [[Xbox 360 accessories#Memory units|Xbox memory unit]]. The limit has since been changed to 150 MB, then 350 MB, and now 2 GB, the latter of which is a technical limitation of the system (rather than an arbitrary limit imposed by Microsoft).<ref>{{cite web |author=Erik Brudvig |url=http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/102/1028055p1.html |title=TGS 09: 2GB is the Limit for XBLA |publisher=Xboxlive.ign.com |date=September 24, 2009 |access-date=June 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115031256/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/24/tgs-09-2gb-is-the-limit-for-xbla |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 12, 2012 the [[2 GB limit|2 GB limit]] was raised to an unknown number with two titles, ''Red Johnson's Chronicles'' and ''[[Double Dragon Neon]]'' weighing at 2.68 GB and 2.24 GB, respectively.<ref>[http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Red-Johnsons-Chronicles/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258411260 Red Johnson's Chronicles]. Marketplace.xbox.com (2012-12-09). Retrieved on 2013-08-23.</ref><ref>[http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Double-Dragon-Neon/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258411252 Double Dragon Neon]. Marketplace.xbox.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-23.</ref>
On July 12, 2006, Microsoft launched the "Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays" program, which promised a new Arcade game to be launched every Wednesday for the rest of that Summer.<ref>{{cite web| author=Jason Dobson|website=[[Gamasutra]]|date=July 12, 2006|access-date=July 12, 2006|title=Microsoft Confirms 'Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays'|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10036 }}</ref> When that summer ended, Microsoft announced that new titles for XBLA would also be released on Wednesdays.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tor Thorsen |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=July 11, 2006 |access-date=July 12, 2006 |title=$10 Street Fighter II coming to Xbox Live August 2 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153857.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715082131/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153857.html |archive-date=July 15, 2006 }}</ref> In order to promote the service in retail, Microsoft released ''[[Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged|Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Volume 1]]'' as a compilation disc of six games.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|work=Xbox.com|date=September 5, 2006|access-date=February 3, 2007|title=Xbox LIVE Arcade Unplugged Volume 1 Game Detail Page|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/x/xblarcadeunpluggedvol1/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061119063229/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/x/xblarcadeunpluggedvol1/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = November 19, 2006}}</ref> On October 18, 2007, Microsoft announced the [[Xbox 360 Arcade]] console [[Stock-keeping unit|SKU]] which includes full versions of ''[[Boom Boom Rocket]]'', ''[[Feeding Frenzy (video game)|Feeding Frenzy]]'', ''[[Luxor 2]]'', ''[[Pac-Man Championship Edition]]'', and ''[[Uno (video game)|Uno]]''.<ref name="360ArcadeAnnouncement">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181267.html |title=$279 360 Arcade official |author=Tom Magrino |publisher=Gamespot |date=October 18, 2007 |access-date=October 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020033626/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181267.html |archive-date=October 20, 2007 }}</ref> On May 22, 2008, Microsoft's general manager of [[Xbox Live]], Marc Whitten, detailed changes for the service that included increasing the size limit of the games to 350MB and "improving" the way [[digital rights management]] is handled. Furthermore, Microsoft created an [[First-party developer|internal]] games studio to create "high quality digital content" for XBLA.<ref>{{cite web|author=Joe Keiser|publisher=[[Next Generation Magazine|Next-Gen.biz]]|date=May 22, 2008|access-date=May 22, 2008|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MS to Delist XBLA Titles|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/exclusive-interview-ms-delist-xbla-titles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124190447/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/exclusive-interview-ms-delist-xbla-titles|archive-date=January 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On July 30, 2008, Microsoft announced the XBLA Summer of Arcade. Anyone who downloaded one of the titles released over August, (''[[Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2]], [[Braid (video game)|Braid]], [[Bionic Commando Rearmed]], [[Galaga Legions]]'' and ''[[Castle Crashers]]'') would be entered into a prize draw with a grand prize of 100,000 [[Microsoft Points]], 12 Month Xbox Live Gold subscription, and an Xbox 360 Elite console. Another Summer of Arcade began the next year on July 22, 2009. Anyone who purchases all the titles released (''[['Splosion Man]], [[Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes|Marvel vs. Capcom 2]], [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time|TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled]], [[Trials HD]]'' and ''[[Shadow Complex]]'') will receive an 800-point reward. The next Summer of Arcade began on July 21, 2010, and features ''[[Limbo (video game)|Limbo]]'', ''[[Hydro Thunder Hurricane]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Despair]]'', ''[[Monday Night Combat]]'' and ''[[Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael McWhertor |url=http://kotaku.com/5580738/limbo-lara-croft--castlevania-heat-up-xbox-lives-summer-of-arcade |title=Limbo, Lara Croft and Castlevania Heat Up Xbox Live's 'Summer of Arcade' |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=July 6, 2010 |access-date=June 16, 2011}}</ref> A "Shopping Spree" promotion ended November 1, 2010, in which anyone who spent over 2400 points during October 2010 received an 800-point reward.
By March 10, 2006, three million downloads had been made on the service.<ref name="gs310qa">{{cite web| author=Simon Carless|publisher=[[GamaSutra]]|date=March 10, 2006|access-date=March 10, 2006|title=Q&A: Microsoft Discusses Xbox 360 Live Stats|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8474 }}</ref> By January 30, 2007, that number had grown to 20 million.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|work=Xbox.com|date=January 30, 2007|access-date=June 26, 2008|title=Xbox.com: Ten New Titles Approach the Xbox Live Arcade Horizon|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/community/news/2007/0130-xboxlivearcade.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080222004358/http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/community/news/2007/0130-xboxlivearcade.htm |archive-date = February 22, 2008}}</ref> The service reached 25 million downloads on March 6, 2007<ref>{{cite web| author=Simon Carless|publisher=[[GamaSutra]]|date=March 6, 2007|access-date=March 6, 2007|title=GDC: Microsoft Announces 6 Million Xbox Live Users|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18759 }}</ref> with 45 million downloads projected by the end of 2007.<ref name="gamefest07stats">{{cite web| author=Brandon Boyer|publisher=[[GamaSutra]]|date=August 15, 2007|access-date=August 15, 2007|title=GameFest: TMNT, Street Fighter II Top XBLA Charts|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15117 }}</ref> On March 27, 2007, Microsoft declared ''[[Uno (video game)|Uno]]'' to be the first Xbox Live Arcade game to exceed one million downloads.<ref>{{cite news|work=Reuters |date=March 27, 2007 |access-date=March 27, 2007 |title=Souped-up Xbox 360 set for April |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2724344720070328?pageNumber=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012214431/https://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2724344720070328?pageNumber=2 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref> Nearly 70 percent of Xbox 360 owners connected to Xbox Live have downloaded an Arcade title<ref name="top10games" /><ref name="mscasualgames">{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=May 13, 2007|access-date=May 13, 2007|title=Developing for Xbox LIVE Arcade|url=http://www.microsoftcasualgames.msn.com/developers_xla.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520211422/http://www.microsoftcasualgames.msn.com/developers_xla.htm|archive-date=May 20, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the [[attach rate]] being 6–7 titles per user.<ref>{{cite web| author=Patrick Klepek|website=[[1UP.com]]|date=August 13, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2007|title=Gamefest 2007: 45M Downloads on XBL|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161901 }}</ref> Original games typically receive 350,000 downloads in the first month. Titles have an average 156% financial return over twelve months with the first two months of sales accounting for just 35% of total volume. Average [[conversion rate]] (from trial download to purchase) across all titles is 18%<ref name="gamefest07stats" /> (a low of 4% and high of 51%).<ref>{{cite web|author=Scott Austin|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=July 16, 2007|access-date=July 16, 2007|title=Partner Day Seattle 2007 - XBLA Business Update|url=http://www.microsoftcasualgames.msn.com/developers_resources/VAustin_MS_Casual_Games.pdf|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625000700/http://www.microsoftcasualgames.msn.com/developers_resources/VAustin_MS_Casual_Games.pdf|archive-date=June 25, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 19, 2007, Microsoft announced the top ten Arcade downloads worldwide as ''[[Aegis Wing]]'', ''[[Uno (video game)|Uno]]'', ''[[Texas Hold 'em (video game)|Texas Hold 'em]]'', ''[[Geometry Wars|Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved]]'', ''[[Bankshot Billiards 2]]'', ''[[Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting]]'', ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade game)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade]]'', ''[[Worms (2007 video game)|Worms]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'', and ''[[Contra (video game)|Contra]]''.<ref name="top10games">{{cite web|publisher=[[Next Generation Magazine|Next-Gen.biz]]|date=September 16, 2007|access-date=September 16, 2007|title=Microsoft's Complete Xbox 360/Live Stat Attack|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7222&Itemid=9 }}</ref>
===Xbox One===
With [[Xbox One]], Microsoft has decided to forgo placing different types of games in different channels. As such, Microsoft has discontinued use of the Arcade moniker, instead grouping all types of games (would-be Arcade titles, retail, and indies) together.<ref>{{cite web| author=Mike Rose|publisher=[[GamaSutra]]|date=March 22, 2013|access-date=June 18, 2013|title=XBLA dropped for Xbox One, all games lumped together|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/192755/XBLA_dropped_for_Xbox_One_all_games_lumped_together.php }}</ref>
{{clear}}
==Pricing and releases==
Xbox Live Arcade titles range in price from $2.50 to $20 with the vast majority selling for $10 and under. The games are generally aimed towards more casual gamers, striving for "pick up and play" appeal.<ref name="mscasualgames" /> Several games were temporarily free, including ''[[Texas Hold 'em (video game)|Texas Hold 'em]]'', ''[[Carcassonne (video game)|Carcassonne]]'', and ''[[Undertow (video game)|Undertow]]''.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|work=Xbox.com|date=August 15, 2006|access-date=August 15, 2006|title=Xbox.com: Texas Hold 'em Free in Arcade for First 48 Hours|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-us/community/news/2006/0815-texasholdem.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060831124352/http://www.xbox.com/en-us/community/news/2006/0815-texasholdem.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = August 31, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=César A. Berardini |publisher=[[TeamXbox]] |date=November 15, 2007 |access-date=November 15, 2007 |title=Reminder: Get Carcassonne for Free |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/15111/Reminder-Get-Carcassonne-for-Free/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213194239/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/15111/Reminder-Get-Carcassonne-for-Free/ |archive-date=December 13, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| author=Chris Kohler|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=January 18, 2008|access-date=January 18, 2008|title=XBLA Undertow, Free For Your Live Troubles|url=http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/01/xbla-undertow-f.html }}</ref> Others are permanently free including ''[[Aegis Wing]]'', a game created by three Microsoft interns,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|work=Xbox.com|date=May 11, 2007|access-date=May 11, 2007|title=Aegis Wing Game Detail Page, Xbox.com|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/a/aegiswingxboxlivearcade/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070602154337/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/a/aegiswingxboxlivearcade/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = June 2, 2007}}</ref> ''[[TotemBall]]'', a game that can only be played with the [[Xbox Live Vision]] camera,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|work=Xbox.com|date=October 3, 2006|access-date=October 4, 2006|title=TotemBall Dances on to Xbox Live Arcade|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1003-totemball.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061127040723/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1003-totemball.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = November 27, 2006}}</ref> ''[[Yaris (video game)|Yaris]]'' (a [[Toyota]]-backed [[advergame]]),<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|work=Xbox.com|date=October 8, 2007|access-date=October 8, 2007|title=Yaris Game Detail Page|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/y/yarisxbloxlivearcade/default.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011020841/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/y/yarisxbloxlivearcade/default.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 11, 2007}}</ref> and ''[[Dash of Destruction]]'', which was released on December 17, 2008, as a Doritos [[advergame]].<ref>{{cite web| author=Chris Faylor|publisher=[[Shacknews]]|date=November 19, 2007|access-date=November 19, 2007|title=Doritos Dash of Destruction Wins XBLA Contest, NinjaBee Developing for Summer 2008 Release|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/49998 }}</ref>
On November 30, 2007, Microsoft introduced "Xbox Live Arcade Hits", where games are permanently reduced in price (a similar concept to their "Platinum Hits" for regular retail Xbox 360 games).<ref name="xblahits">{{cite web| author=Brandon Boyer|publisher=[[GamaSutra]]|date=November 30, 2007|access-date=November 30, 2007|title=Microsoft Details Xbox 360 Update, Announces XBLA Greatest Hits|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16447 }}</ref> As of July 22, 2008, current Arcade Hits include ''[[Lumines Live!]]'', ''[[Assault Heroes]]'', ''[[Zuma (video game)|Zuma]]'', ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'', ''[[Bankshot Billiards 2]]'', ''[[Small Arms (video game)|Small Arms]]'', ''[[Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords]]'', and ''[[Marble Blast Ultra]]''.<ref name="arcadehits">{{cite web|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=November 30, 2007|access-date=November 30, 2007|title=Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/arcadehits/default.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071201152623/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/arcadehits/default.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = December 1, 2007}}</ref> On June 24, 2011 video game website [[1UP.com]] reported that Microsoft was preparing to bring [[free-to-play]] games to Xbox Live and said games will include a [[microtransaction]] service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/xbox-live-getting-free-to-play-games-report |title=Xbox Live Getting Free-to-Play Games, Report |author=Jim Sterling |access-date=June 24, 2011}}</ref> The first free-to-play game, ''[[Happy Wars]]'', was released on October 12, 2012.<ref name="happywars">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/120057-Happy-Wars-Dev-Predicts-AAA-Games-Will-Shift-Towards-F2P | title=Happy Wars Dev Predicts AAA Games Will Shift Towards F2P | magazine=[[Escapist Magazine]] | date=11 October 2012 | access-date=20 November 2012 | author=Carter, Johnathan Grey | archive-date=May 18, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518125030/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/120057-Happy-Wars-Dev-Predicts-AAA-Games-Will-Shift-Towards-F2P | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2012}}
==Removal of games==
In May 2007, Microsoft announced that games older than six months would become eligible for delisting from the service if they had a [[Metacritic]] score below 65 and a [[conversion rate]] below 6%. The objective was to "focus the catalogue more on larger, more immersive games and make it much easier to find the games you are looking for."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/exclusive-interview-ms-delist-xbla-titles|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MS to Delist XBLA Titles|publisher=Edge Magazine|date=May 22, 2008|access-date=June 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124190447/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/exclusive-interview-ms-delist-xbla-titles|archive-date=January 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Microsoft has never removed a game using this method.
In February 2010, it was announced that nine games from [[Midway Games]] would no longer be available for purchase, "due to publisher evolving rights and permissions" (even though Sony's PlayStation Store never did as such with its own downloadable Midway games), referring to the purchase by [[Warner Bros.]] of some assets of Midway Games, including certain rights related to the nine games.<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3178005 "Several Midway Games Pulled from Xbox Live"] Feb 17, 2010, 1up.com</ref> [[Id Software]]'s ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'' was pulled from the catalogue due to Id being purchased by publisher [[ZeniMax Media]], and as such the publishing rights were removed from then publisher [[Activision]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/doom-double-d-dodgeball-pulled-from-xbla/|title=Doom, Double D Dodgeball pulled from XBLA [update]|publisher=[[Joystiq]]|date=October 25, 2010|access-date=January 20, 2012}}</ref> From January 19, 2012, ''Doom'' was restored to Xbox Live Arcade under new publisher ''[[Bethesda Softworks|Bethesda]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/doom-returns-to-xbox-live-arcade-219946.phtml|title=DOOM returns to Xbox Live Arcade; Destructoid|date=January 19, 2012|access-date=January 20, 2012}}</ref> In 2011, [[Ubisoft]] announced that ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled]]'' was due to be removed from the Xbox Live service on June 30, 2011, due to an expired license.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/tmnt-re-shelled-no-longer-available-in-us-after-june-30|title=TMNT Re-Shelled no longer available in U.S. after June 30|publisher=[[Joystiq]]|date=June 23, 2011|access-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Chessmaster|Chessmaster Live]]'' has also been removed.
On December 15, 2013, Capcom announced on their blog that ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes|Marvel vs. Capcom 2]]'' and ''[[Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]'' would be removed from the XBLA store. Although no specific date was listed, the last date for DLC for these titles was listed as December 26, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom-unity.com/combofiend/blog/2013/12/13/last-days-for-umvc3-and-mvc2-on-psnxbla-store|title=Last Days for UMVC3 and MVC2 on PSN/XBLA Store|publisher=[[Capcom]]|date=December 15, 2013|access-date=December 16, 2013}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[Xbox Games Store]]
* [[Xbox Live Indie Games]]
* [[PlayStation Network]]
* [[Virtual Console]]
* [[WiiWare]]
* [[Nintendo eShop]]
* [[Nintendo Network]]
* [[Nintendo Switch Online]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
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{{Xbox 360}}
{{Xbox}}
{{Software digital distribution platforms}}
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