Game Room
 | |
| Developer | Krome Studios |
|---|---|
| Type | Online service |
| Launch date | March 24, 2010 |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360, Windows |
Game Room was a social gaming service for the Xbox 360 video game system, Microsoft Windows PCs, and Windows Phone 7. Launched on March 24, 2010, Game Room let players download classic video games and compete against each other for high scores.[1] Players on both Xbox 360 and Windows PCs could access Game Room through their respective versions of Microsoft's Live online services (Xbox Live and Games for Windows – Live). The servers shut down on October 31, 2017.
At the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft announced a mobile version of Game Room for Windows Phone 7.[2] Asteroids Deluxe was the only game announced, but a show floor demo revealed working prototypes of Centipede and Shao-Lin's Road.[3]
Format
[edit]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. While the packs are free to download, individual games must be purchased in order to be played fully.[1] Players may play each game in the pack once without charge, limited to ten minutes of game time. Games are purchased on a game-by-game basis, which allows unlimited play of the game.
Previously, this was limited to Xbox 360 or Games for Windows, but a late update removed this distinction, defaulting the game purchases to the previous "Play Anywhere" model (a multiplatform spending model that would be expanded years later for Xbox One and Windows 10 as Xbox Play Anywhere).
Gameplay
[edit]Games in Game Room are launched by selecting them while players browse through their arcade. Each game offers a "classic mode", where one can set a number of gameplay options, dependent on the game's 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, some games can be played in a special "ranked mode," which allows scores to be posted to online leaderboards while limiting gameplay options to a single variation common to all players, as well as disallowing several Game Room options, seemingly to prevent falsifying rankings or other forms of cheating.
While browsing their arcades, players see avatars of themselves and their online friends wandering around and playing the games; Xbox 360 players 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
[edit]The initial game pack releases for Game Room were a mix of arcade, Intellivision, and Atari 2600 games. Other arcade machines were also to be covered, with Microsoft promising at least 1000 virtual arcade cabinets over the subsequent three years.[4] Despite Microsoft's promise, there have not been any new games or other content since Game Pack 13 was released on December 22, 2010. Initially, Microsoft announced plans to release game packs weekly, starting on April 28, 2010,[5] although the first new release did not take place until May 5, 2010.
Available games
[edit]| 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 |
| 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 |
| NFL Football | Intellivision | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 002 | Intellivision |
| 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 |
Additional themes
[edit]Along with the several pre-loaded themes available at the start in Game Room, Microsoft has added other themes in the game packs. Unlike many of the pre-loaded themes, which require the player to have attained a certain level in order to be used, these themes are available to be used immediately.
| Theme Name | Release Date | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Activision | May 5, 2010 | Game Pack 003 |
| Activision Showroom | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 |
| Arctic | August 25, 2010 | Game Pack 009 |
| Atari Showroom | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 |
| Caveman | September 22, 2010 | Game Pack 010 |
| Fantasy | May 19, 2010 | Game Pack 004 |
| Intellivision Showroom | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 |
| Konami Showroom | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 |
| Laundromat | November 24, 2010 | Game Pack 012 |
| Lost Temple | March 24, 2010 | Game Pack 001 |
| Old West | June 2, 2010 | Game Pack 005 |
| Pirate | July 14, 2010 | Game Pack 007 |
| Tiki | October 27, 2010 | Game Pack 011 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Fried, Ina (2010-03-24). "Xbox Game Room launches, but with issues". CNET News. Archived from the original on 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
- ^ Cohen, D.S. (9 January 2011). "CES 2011 – Microsoft's Retro Game Room Announced for Windows Phone 7". About.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ frankcifaldi (8 January 2011). "Game Room for Windows Mobile 7 Demonstration from CES 2011". 1Up.com. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ Plunkett, Luke (6 January 2010). "Xbox Game Room To Feature "Over 1000" Classic Arcade Games". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ "No New Titles for Game Room Until Late April". 30 March 2010.
External links
[edit]| Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Accessories | |
| System software | |
| Xbox Live | |
| Games | |
| Related | |
