| Game Room | |
| GameRoomBoxArt.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Krome Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Designer | |
| Engine | |
| status | Status Missing |
| Release date | March 24, 2010 |
| Genre | Arcade |
| Mode(s) | |
| Age rating(s) | ESRB: E10+ |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360, Games for Windows |
| Arcade system | Arcade System Missing |
| Media | Download |
| Input | |
| Requirements | |
| Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough | |
Game Room is a gaming service for the Xbox 360 video game system and Microsoft Windows PCs. Launched on March 24, 2010, Game Room lets players download classic video games and compete against each other for high scores.[1] Players on both Xbox 360 and Windows PCs access Game Room through their respective versions of Microsoft's Live online services (Xbox Live and Games for Windows – Live).
Format[]
The Game Room front end can be downloaded at no charge from Microsoft's Marketplace online storefront. When launched, players are presented with a three-story virtual video arcade, each story containing four separate rooms. These rooms may be decorated however the player wishes, using the included themes and set pieces. The player can fill the rooms with virtual game cabinets that are used to play arcade and console games downloaded through the service, with each room holding a maximum of eight cabinets.
Games for Game Room are made available through downloadable "game packs" released from time to time. While the game packs are free to download, individual games must be purchased in order to be played fully.[1] Players may play each game in the game pack once without charge, limited to ten minutes of game time. Games may be purchased for unlimited use on one platform of the player's choosing (either Xbox 360 or Windows PC) or on both platforms. Players who purchase games for use on a single platform may upgrade them later to add the other platform. When a game is purchased, the player may stock their arcade with copies of the cabinets, which are then used to launch the games themselves.
Gameplay[]
Games in Game Room are launched by selecting them while players browse through their arcade. Each game offers a number of gameplay options, dependent on its format. Arcade games have DIP switches that may be changed in order to increase difficulty or offer additional lives to the player, while console games have their original gameplay variations. Both are accessible using Game Room's on-screen interfaces. Also, most games can be played in "ranked mode," which allows scores to be posted to online leaderboards while limiting gameplay options to a single variation common to all players.
While browsing their arcades, players will see avatars of themselves and their online friends wandering around and playing the games; Xbox 360 players will see their console avatars, while PC players see generic avatars instead. Similarly, players may visit the arcades of their online friends as well as play the games found there. If a friend's arcade has a game that the player does not own, the player may purchase plays or may use their in-game "tokens." However, the player may play copies of a game they already own for free. Players may also challenge their friends at various games in both score-based and skill-based contests.
During gameplay, players win medals based on their score or how long they have played the game (both for that individual play and all-time on that game). Medals are offered in gold, silver and bronze, with each being worth a certain number of points. As players earn medals, they can advance in levels, which will unlock new themes and set pieces to be used in their arcades. Like other LIVE titles, players also earn achievements based on their gameplay.
Game selection[]
The initial game pack releases for Game Room are a mix of arcade, Intellivision, and Atari 2600 games. Other arcade machines will also be covered with Microsoft promising at least 1000 virtual arcade cabinets over the next three years. Initially, Microsoft announced plans to release game packs weekly, starting on April 28, 2010, although the first new release did not take place until May 5, 2010. As of August 2011, there are currently 13 game packs to download.
| Title | Platform | Release Date | Pack | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe | Atari 2600 | August 4, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Atari |
| A Game of Concentration | Atari 2600 | September 1, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Atari |
| Activision Decathlon | Atari 2600 | July 28, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Activision |
| Adventure | Atari 2600 | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Atari |
| Air-Sea Battle | Atari 2600 | June 16, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Atari |
| Amidar | Arcade | December 1, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Konami |
| Armor Battle | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Intellivision |
| Asteroids | Arcade | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Atari |
| Asteroids | Atari 2600 | July 28, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Atari |
| Asteroids Deluxe | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Atari |
| Astrosmash | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Intellivision |
| Auto Racing | Intellivision | July 28, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Intellivision |
| Barnstorming | Atari 2600 | July 14, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Activision |
| Baseball | Intellivision | June 9, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Intellivision |
| Basketball | Intellivision | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Intellivision |
| Battlantis | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Konami |
| Battlezone | Arcade | May 12, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Atari |
| Beamrider | Atari 2600 | August 4, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Activision |
| Black Widow | Arcade | June 23, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Atari |
| Blades of Steel | Arcade | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Konami |
| Body Slam! Super Pro Wrestling | Intellivision | October 6, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Intellivision |
| Bowling | Atari 2600 | September 22, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Atari |
| Boxing | Atari 2600 | September 1, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Activision |
| Boxing | Intellivision | May 26, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Intellivision |
| Breakout | Atari 2600 | October 27, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Bridge | Atari 2600 | September 8, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Activision |
| Buzz Bombers | Intellivision | May 26, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Intellivision |
| Canyon Bomber | Atari 2600 | May 12, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Atari |
| Casino | Atari 2600 | June 23, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Atari |
| Centipede | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Atari |
| Centipede | Atari 2600 | August 4, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Atari |
| Checkers | Atari 2600 | August 25, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Activision |
| Chip Shot Golf | Intellivision | August 18, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Intellivision |
| Chopper Command | Atari 2600 | June 16, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Activision |
| Circus Atari | Atari 2600 | June 9, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Atari |
| City Bomber | Arcade | August 25, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Konami |
| Codebreaker | Atari 2600 | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Atari |
| Combat | Atari 2600 | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Atari |
| Cosmic Commuter | Atari 2600 | August 4, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Activision |
| Crackpots | Atari 2600 | June 30, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Activision |
| Crystal Castles | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Atari |
| Deep Pocket Billiards | Intellivision | September 29, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Intellivision |
| Demons to Diamonds | Atari 2600 | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Atari |
| Desert Falcon | Atari 2600 | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Atari |
| Detana!! TwinBee | Arcade | December 8, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Konami |
| Devastators | Arcade | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Konami |
| Dodge 'Em | Atari 2600 | August 11, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Atari |
| Dolphin | Atari 2600 | August 11, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Activision |
| Double Dunk | Atari 2600 | October 27, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Dragster | Atari 2600 | August 11, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Activision |
| Enduro | Atari 2600 | July 21, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Activision |
| Finalizer | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Konami |
| Fishing Derby | Atari 2600 | July 14, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Activision |
| Flak Attack | Arcade | September 15, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Konami |
| Food Fight | Arcade | December 15, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Atari |
| Football | Atari 2600 | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Atari |
| Football | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Intellivision |
| Freeway | Atari 2600 | August 18, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Activision |
| Frog Bog | Intellivision | June 2, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Intellivision |
| Frostbite | Atari 2600 | July 28, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Activision |
| Galactic Warriors | Arcade | September 22, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Konami |
| Golf | Atari 2600 | November 10, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Grand Prix | Atari 2600 | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Activision |
| Gravitar | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Atari |
| Gravitar | Atari 2600 | July 21, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Atari |
| Gyruss | Arcade | July 14, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Konami |
| H.E.R.O. | Atari 2600 | June 23, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Activision |
| Hard Hat | Intellivision | September 8, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Intellivision |
| Haunted House | Atari 2600 | May 26, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Atari |
| Hockey | Intellivision | August 11, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Intellivision |
| Horse Racing | Intellivision | September 22, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Intellivision |
| Hover Force | Intellivision | July 14, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Intellivision |
| Human Cannonball | Atari 2600 | November 10, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Hyper Crash | Arcade | September 29, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Konami |
| Ice Hockey | Atari 2600 | July 21, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Activision |
| Iron Horse | Arcade | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Konami |
| Jackal | Arcade | October 27, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Konami |
| Jail Break | Arcade | July 28, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Konami |
| Jungler | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Konami |
| Juno First | Arcade | June 30, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Konami |
| Kabobber | Atari 2600 | November 3, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Activision |
| Kaboom! | Atari 2600 | June 30, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Activision |
| Keystone Kapers | Atari 2600 | May 12, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Activision |
| Kitten Kaboodle | Arcade | September 15, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Konami |
| Konami GT | Arcade | October 6, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Konami |
| Konami's Ping Pong | Arcade | June 16, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Konami |
| Laser Blast | Atari 2600 | June 23, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Activision |
| Liberator | Arcade | June 16, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Atari |
| Lunar Lander | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Atari |
| M.I.A. | Arcade | December 15, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Konami |
| Major Havoc | Arcade | July 7, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Atari |
| Maze Craze | Atari 2600 | August 18, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Atari |
| Mega Zone | Arcade | May 12, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Konami |
| Megamania | Atari 2600 | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Activision |
| Millipede | Arcade | May 26, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Atari |
| Millipede | Atari 2600 | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Atari |
| Miniature Golf | Atari 2600 | November 10, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Missile Command | Arcade | June 2, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Atari |
| Missile Command | Atari 2600 | September 29, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Atari |
| Motocross | Intellivision | June 16, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Intellivision |
| Mountain Madness: Super Pro Skiing | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Intellivision |
| Mr. Goemon | Arcade | June 2, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Konami |
| Night Driver | Atari 2600 | May 12, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Atari |
| Night Stalker | Intellivision | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Intellivision |
| Off the Wall | Atari 2600 | December 1, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Atari |
| Oink! | Atari 2600 | May 12, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Activision |
| Outlaw | Atari 2600 | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Atari |
| Pinball | Intellivision | August 25, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Intellivision |
| Pitfall! | Atari 2600 | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Activision |
| Pitfall II: Lost Caverns | Atari 2600 | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Activision |
| Plaque Attack | Atari 2600 | September 22, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Activision |
| Pooyan | Arcade | December 8, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Konami |
| Pressure Cooker | Atari 2600 | September 29, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Activision |
| Private Eye | Atari 2600 | October 6, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Activision |
| Quadrun | Atari 2600 | July 14, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Atari |
| Rack 'Em Up | Arcade | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Konami |
| Radar Lock | Atari 2600 | October 13, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Atari |
| RealSports Baseball | Atari 2600 | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Atari |
| RealSports Tennis | Atari 2600 | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Atari |
| RealSports Volleyball | Atari 2600 | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Atari |
| Red Baron | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Atari |
| Reversi | Intellivision | September 8, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Intellivision |
| River Raid | Atari 2600 | May 26, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Activision |
| River Raid II | Atari 2600 | June 9, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Activision |
| Road Fighter | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Konami |
| Scooter Shooter | Arcade | July 7, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Konami |
| Scramble | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Konami |
| Sea Battle | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Intellivision |
| Seaquest | Atari 2600 | August 18, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Activision |
| Shao-Lin's Road | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Konami |
| Shark! Shark! | Intellivision | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Intellivision |
| Sharp Shot | Intellivision | October 6, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Intellivision |
| Skiing | Atari 2600 | June 2, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Activision |
| Skiing | Intellivision | November 17, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Intellivision |
| Sky Diver | Atari 2600 | July 7, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Atari |
| Sky Jinks | Atari 2600 | June 9, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Activision |
| Slam Dunk Basketball | Intellivision | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Intellivision |
| Slap Shot: Super Pro Hockey | Intellivision | November 17, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Intellivision |
| Snafu | Intellivision | August 18, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Intellivision |
| Soccer | Intellivision | May 12, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Intellivision |
| Space Armada | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Intellivision |
| Space Battle | Intellivision | November 17, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Intellivision |
| Space Cadet | Intellivision | November 3, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Intellivision |
| Space Duel | Arcade | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Atari |
| Space Hawk | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Intellivision |
| Space War | Atari 2600 | November 3, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Spider Fighter | Atari 2600 | May 26, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Activision |
| Spiker! Volleyball | Intellivision | December 15, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Intellivision |
| Sprint Master | Atari 2600 | November 3, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Stampede | Atari 2600 | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Activision |
| Star Raiders | Atari 2600 | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Atari |
| Star Ship | Atari 2600 | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Atari |
| Star Strike | Intellivision | June 30, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Intellivision |
| Starmaster | Atari 2600 | July 7, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Activision |
| Strategy X | Arcade | May 26, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Konami |
| Street Racer | Atari 2600 | October 13, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Atari |
| Sub Hunt | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Intellivision |
| Submarine Commander | Atari 2600 | October 13, 2010 | Game Pack 010 | Atari |
| Super Basketball | Arcade | September 1, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Konami |
| Super Breakout | Arcade | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 | Atari |
| Super Breakout | Atari 2600 | September 1, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Atari |
| Super Cobra | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Konami |
| Super Football | Atari 2600 | November 10, 2010 | Game Pack 011 | Atari |
| Super Pro Decathlon | Intellivision | August 11, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Intellivision |
| Surround | Atari 2600 | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Atari |
| Tempest | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Atari |
| Tennis | Atari 2600 | August 25, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Activision |
| Tennis | Intellivision | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Intellivision |
| The Main Event | Arcade | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Konami |
| Thin Ice | Intellivision | August 4, 2010 | Game Pack 008 | Intellivision |
| Thunder Castle | Intellivision | September 8, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Intellivision |
| Thwocker | Atari 2600 | December 8, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Activision |
| Time Pilot | Arcade | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 | Konami |
| Tower of Doom | Intellivision | July 21, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Intellivision |
| Trick Trap | Arcade | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Konami |
| Triple Action | Intellivision | June 23, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Intellivision |
| Tutankham | Arcade | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Konami |
| TwinBee | Arcade | December 1, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Konami |
| Utopia | Intellivision | July 7, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Intellivision |
| Vectron | Intellivision | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Intellivision |
| Venetian Blinds | Atari 2600 | December 22, 2010 | Game Pack 013 | Activision |
| Video Chess | Atari 2600 | September 8, 2010 | Game Pack 009 | Atari |
| Video Hustler | Arcade | June 9, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Konami |
| Video Pinball | Atari 2600 | June 2, 2010 | Game Pack 005 | Atari |
| Warlords | Arcade | June 30, 2010 | Game Pack 006 | Atari |
| Warlords | Atari 2600 | December 15, 2010 | Game Pack 012 | Atari |
| Yars' Revenge | Atari 2600 | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 | Atari |
| Yie Ar Kung-Fu | Arcade | July 21, 2010 | Game Pack 007 | Konami |
Development[]
On the release date of Game Room, Xbox 360 and PC users were having difficulty accessing it due to overwhelming demand.[1] Xbox 360 users, after they had installed two game packs, couldn't load the Game Room, users were stuck on the loading screen. The Games for Windows version was likewise broken, users attempting to install received the error message "Install of item failed".[1] These two problems were fixed soon after.[1]
Game Pack 003, the first new game pack offering for the service since launch, was announced for April 28, but hours before the new game downloads were to be released, Microsoft stated that newer game downloads were on hold until further notice.[2] The company released the software the following week, and since then has released new packs periodically.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Fried, Ina (2010-03-24). Xbox Game Room launches, but with issues. CNET News. Retrieved on 2010-03-25
- ↑ http://twitter.com/LIVEGameRoom
External links[]
Template:Microsoft video gaming