Amazon Drops XBLA Sales

[Andy Chalk]

Amazon Drops XBLA Sales

Barely a year after it began, Amazon.com [http://www.amazon.com] has announced that it will no longer offer Xbox Live Arcade game codes for sale.

It was back in April 2009 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/90790-Amazon-Begins-Selling-XBLA-Games] when Amazon became the first retailer to offer XBLA games for sale outside of Xbox Live. Don't feel too badly if you didn't notice; most gamers apparently either didn't know or didn't care and little more than a year after it began, Amazon has pulled the plug on the deal.

"We are no longer selling Xbox Live arcade game codes on Amazon.com," the site says [http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Live/b?ie=UTF8&node=979417011]. "You can continue to purchase Xbox Live points on Amazon.com and those points can be redeemed through your Xbox 360 console to purchase any of the games that were previously available."

Previously, 360 owners could buy codes for XBLA games with real money rather than Microsoft Points, which could then be redeemed through Xbox Live. No hint was given as to why XBLA games are no longer available, although presumably a lack of interest has something to do with it. Whatever the reason, Xbox Live memberships and points cards are still available and for now, at least, PlayStation Network and Wiiware game codes remain on offer.

Source: GamesIndustry [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2010-08-23-amazon-stops-selling-xbla-titles]


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[WINDOWCLEAN2]

How did this go completley un-noticed by Masses of gamers?
My 360 is so unreliable with Downloads that this would have been a massive help had I known about it. (Sad face)

 

[Darktau]

They should of advertised it more, I would of rather got them off amazon to be honest.

 

[Colonel Alzheimer's]

Fuck, I wish I had known about this. That way I could have actually bought a $7 game and not have $8 of useless Microsoft points left over.

 

[lostzombies.com]

Yeah, poor advertising on Amazon's part here. I'm constantly on Amazon and nowhere have I even seen above product never mind an advertisement for it.

 

[Danpascooch]

How did this go completley un-noticed by Masses of gamers?
My 360 is so unreliable with Downloads that this would have been a massive help had I known about it. (Sad face)

You realize you still have to download it right? That was just a code.

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

I never knew about this...

Depending on pricing I may have used it.

 

[rossable]

genius. pure genius.

 

[jp201]

they ended something no one knew began?

 

[TelHybrid]

Marketing fail of epic proportions.

 

[mjc0961]

I knew about it, but never used it because it was just easier to have it generate a code for some points. Plus I don't recall the selection being all that great.

 

[Jared]

Well. Im not too surprisd. Never thought it took off too well

 

[jp201]

I understand why.

I mean I had no idea that there was a PSN amazon store until I fell on it by chance. These things should really be advertised more, wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happened with XBLA-no one noticing :-/

There is a PSN amazon store?

 

[WINDOWCLEAN2]

How did this go completley un-noticed by Masses of gamers?
My 360 is so unreliable with Downloads that this would have been a massive help had I known about it. (Sad face)

You realize you still have to download it right? That was just a code.

I meant with downloading/buying Microsoft points. Should have specified that one. XBL doesn't like me when I try to buy points.

 

[Rayansaki]

One closes another one opens... Gamestop announced a couple days ago they will be selling PSN and XBLA dlc and games (Only XBLA stuff available as of right now) http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/08/19/gamestop-launches-downloadable-content-centers-in-every-store.aspx

I still don't see the point to this, you can always use leftover money to buy more stuff, but then again I already spent over 300? at PSN, some people might want only 1 game or 2 with weird pricing.

 

[Nerf Ninja]

Unless the arcade games actually came on a physical disc why would you bother buying it from anywhere other than directly?

 

[Risingblade]

I bet almost no one will know it was canceled either