LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O on Monday said it will offer a lineup of arcade, puzzle and card games on its Xbox Live online service, targeted at infrequent video game players.
The move was aimed squarely at broadening its audience for the Xbox by bringing in older adults and women, many of whom would not usually spend much time in front of a gaming console and are looking for a simpler diversion than the types of games typically available today.
Microsoft said starting this fall, Xbox Live Arcade would offer a range of puzzle and board games and older arcade titles, with pricing roughly set at $10 each. Players will need to have an existing subscription to the Xbox Live service to access the games.
Greg Canessa, who oversees the new program for the Xbox, said the company will develop some of the games itself but has also done deals with third parties like Atari Inc. ATAR.O , Namco Ltd. 9752.T , PopCap Games and WildTangent.
To initially access the service, users will need a DVD, which will be widely available either on its own or included in the Xbox Live starter kit Microsoft sells.
"We're still working out the details of the distribution strategy," he said. "We intend to put that DVD into a lot of people's hands."
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Source:
Reuters
