Xbox Live Arcade: higher file size cap equals higher prices

Xbox Live Arcade titles used to have a cap size limit of 50MB. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that it has officially raised that limit to 150MB, making it possible for developers to add more content and flair, so to speak.

Microsoft Casual Games Manager Bryan Trussel mentioned during this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) that this should have repercussions on pricing.

“I think as you find that people make a very, very robust game with a lot of levels, a lot of art or a lot of music associated with it, you might see a correlation between some of the pricing. There won’t be any direct ‘this size equals this price‘ but I think you might see correlations along those lines,” commented Trussel.

Prior to the announcement, the most expensive titles on the Xbox 360’s download service can be purchased for 1,200 Microsoft Points (MP). Konami‘s upcoming Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is said to reach 96MB.

Trussel added that there are no hard line rules yet to size and pricing as they are considering if fans will react to this development favorably.

“We really want to make the canvas size for this type of game an area where a three-person garage developer can make games that stand side by side with EA (Electronic Arts) in a cost-effective way. And that has to do with size and pricing,” explained Trussel.

Xbox Live Arcade titles used to have a cap size limit of 50MB. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that it has officially raised that limit to 150MB, making it possible for developers to add more content and flair, so to speak.

Microsoft Casual Games Manager Bryan Trussel mentioned during this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) that this should have repercussions on pricing.

“I think as you find that people make a very, very robust game with a lot of levels, a lot of art or a lot of music associated with it, you might see a correlation between some of the pricing. There won’t be any direct ‘this size equals this price‘ but I think you might see correlations along those lines,” commented Trussel.

Prior to the announcement, the most expensive titles on the Xbox 360’s download service can be purchased for 1,200 Microsoft Points (MP). Konami‘s upcoming Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is said to reach 96MB.

Trussel added that there are no hard line rules yet to size and pricing as they are considering if fans will react to this development favorably.

“We really want to make the canvas size for this type of game an area where a three-person garage developer can make games that stand side by side with EA (Electronic Arts) in a cost-effective way. And that has to do with size and pricing,” explained Trussel.