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Microsoft Confirms 2 GB Size Limit For XBLA Games
by Kris Graft [PC, Console/PC]
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September 25, 2009
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When Xbox Live Arcade originally debuted, Microsoft told game developers that their games couldn't exceed 50 MB in size. Microsoft wanted the games to be easy and quick to download, and that the games be fast, simple, pick-up-and-play experiences.
But Microsoft this week confirmed that, after numerous previous size increases, the size limit has been raised once again, now to a full 2GB, or 40 times that original size. "We are always working closely with our partners to deliver innovative and high-quality Xbox Live Arcade games to our community," a Microsoft rep said in a statement.
"In order to continue fostering the creation of great titles on the platform, Microsoft has increased the file size limit of XBLA titles to 2 GB. We pride ourselves in being the premier destination for downloadable games, and the new file size limit allows developers to push their creative boundaries."
The confirmation follows a Tokyo Game Show report from consumer site IGN, that said the 2GB size limit is final, reportedly a technical limitation of XBLA's file structure. Larger games are downloadable on Xbox Live's Games On Demand service, where users can download full-sized retail games like Mass Effect and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
The re-release of Konami's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was the first game to break the 50MB mark in 2007. Larger games continued to push that limit upward, resulting in frequent reports of rising size limits for the service. The loosening of the size restrictions reflects Microsoft's growing acceptance of digital distribution.
Recent XBLA release Shadow Complex weighs in at 835 MB, less than half of the limit, and another top-selling download, Trials HD, is just 207 MB.
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I do believe you mean 835 MB.
Now w/ the 2GB size limit, though, I think we're gonna start seeing a lot less of those types of games, which-I feel-isn't a good thing. Also, the 50MB limit forced developers to work w/ limited resources, often going w/ the best and thinking smartly. Not saying that won't continue to be the case, but there's the likelihood more developers could get a little lazy in that department now w/ the limit increase. Finally, I kind of wonder how many indie developers can realistically make a game that fills up 2GB of space meaningfully, and in a way customers expect from a game that large.
Just as well, I'm not a complete downer on the limit increase; quite far from that. I'm just hoping the arcadey-like releases aren't phased out entirely as certain developers try to compete more w/ the retail releases given his file size increase, that's all.
For instance, the game "I made a game with zombies" is actually a geometry wars clone, and for $1 is provides comparable quality with the $5 title.