Monday, June 2, 2008

Newsflash to No One: Internet Screaming About Xbox Live Arcade Changes

Oops.  Apparently, Microsoft didn't explain their new XBLA policy as well as they might have.  Can they get a do-over?

The Internet cried foul when Microsoft said underperforming Xbox Live Arcade games would be removed from the service.

The blame falls on Microsoft, according to Aaron Greenberg, product management director for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live.

“That’s probably our fault for not explaining that better,” he said in a phone interview with MTV Multiplayer last week. “The reality is we’re not removing any games from the service, if you will. They’ll always be there for purchase. Think about a book on Amazon. It’s not always going to be featured on the front page of the store.”

This is a much better idea (and better explained!) than the original translation that caused internet gaming forums to spontaneously burst into Human Torch-like flames.  Still, if this is going to work, a serious re-design of the marketplace is in order.