Xbox Live Marketplace

by Shooshy

You may have already strolled around xbox.com.au and read up on some features of the Marketplace but how has this "one stop shop" changed the face of console gaming and what's it all about?

The Marketplace is cleverly integrated into the 360's dashboard allowing gamers to easily download all sorts of goodies adding to the whole Xbox 360 experience. The currency for the Marketplace is known as Microsoft Points (purchased online via credit card with pre paid cards scheduled for the not too distant future). But you don't actually need credits to browse around and there are plenty of free downloads to satisfy your appetite for entertainment.

Looking forward to that new movie coming out? Why not download a HD trailer from the marketplace? Want to customise the look of your dashboard? Simply download a new theme - download yourself a new gamer picture while you're at it. Sounds OK? It gets better.

The Marketplace really starts to deliver when it comes to actual gaming. By downloading game content, you're able to milk that game you love for all its worth. Kameo: Elements of Power fans should be impressed by the latest (and free!) co-op pack allowing gamers to play the game with a friend. Owners of Project Gotham Racing 3 can purchase the recently released "Speed Pack" adding plenty of new cars and game-play to the mix. Those lost in the world of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion can now spruce up their horses with a new armour pack and further immerse themselves with the recent addition of a new quest!  When it comes to content download, the Marketplace has opened a lot of doors for game developers to offer extra missions, multiplayer maps and other goodies well after the game has been launched.

One feature I love to abuse is the game demo download. Whenever I hear one of the XboxZone fellas get excited by a game I like to give it a quick spin before deciding whether or not it's for me. The Marketplace caters to my needs here by making many new titles available to download for a demo run so I can't see myself having to hire any games in the near future.

By far my favourite aspect of the Marketplace is the whole Arcade concept. Xbox Live Arcade is all about those small, addictive games. All arcade games can be downloaded fairly quickly and can also be downloaded as a demo version - just in case it doesn't blow your hair back. Personally, I'm completely addicted to Geometry Wars Evolved (even Mrs Shoosh gets sucked in occasionally). Fans of PGR2 may have played the original found hidden in the game, but this iteration really shows off in an explosion of colour & sound. It has an old school Space Invaders feel to it and is all about the points. Climbing your way up the leaderboards trying to pass your friends (and sending them a text message to let them know it) is half the fun. Street Fighter 2 & Texas Hold 'em are two titles making their way to the Arcade and I can't wait to try both.

The Marketplace is in many ways a gamer's best friend and I couldn't imagine the 360 being the same without it. I'm totally addicted to the Arcade and love the fact I can try games before I buy. I'm looking forward to a lot of great gaming content coming this way.