Anyone know what restrictions Live Arcade content has for playing on new system? [Mobile/Archive]

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Wolfpup

11-16-2007, 11:46 AM

This keeps coming up again and again in threads (most recently in the X-Box 1 on Live threads), and no one seems to really know.

From the language on downloadable content, it appears that:

-You can play a downloaded game offline if it's played on the original console.

-You can play a downloaded game on a second/new console *IF* the Live account that bought it is connected to the Live service the whole time.
Some people have claimed that's no longer the case as of the spring update (that you could play stuff offline if using the original profile), but Microsoft's language directly contradicts that.

But...there appears to be a possible loophole, which some people have claimed works, others have claimed doesn't:

-As long as Microsoft keeps a piece of content on the service, you're able to redownload it. So does that mean if the content is downloaded on a new system, it's now tied to the new system, and can be played offline?
If so...well, that's a fairly decent work around to actually owning the content. It's really stupid Microsoft makes you actually redownload it (rather than just writing the new console's serial number or whatever to the already downloaded file). Pretty silly if you have to pull down a 5GB original X-Box game a second time just so a few digits in it get altered. But at least it's a work around (which Sony and Nintendo lack completely).

So anyone actually know if that's the case? Microsoft to my knowledge has no info explaining this stuff up on their site.

whiptcracker

11-16-2007, 12:38 PM

This keeps coming up again and again in threads (most recently in the X-Box 1 on Live threads), and no one seems to really know.

So anyone actually know if that's the case? Microsoft to my knowledge has no info explaining this stuff up on their site.

Not the case in my experience. I've hada console break and tried to delete the game and re-download it to the new system but the DRM license is still tied to the profile and original Xbox it was downloaded from. Unless that's changed since June.

Wolfpup

11-16-2007, 12:50 PM

Not the case in my experience. I've hada console break and tried to delete the game and re-download it to the new system but the DRM license is still tied to the profile and original Xbox it was downloaded from. Unless that's changed since June.

Thanks! Well that settles it I guess. That's really weird they don't let you associate it with a new system (NONE of the three companies do).

I'm really disappointed as I'm not going to buy any games if I'd lose them if I have to replace my 360. There's already some good looking arcade stuff, and I hoped to get some X-Box 1 games.

Well, at least now I don't regret "only" getting the 20GB model. (Scary thing is it's almost completely filled with demos already :D )

radjago

11-16-2007, 12:59 PM

Justden

11-16-2007, 01:02 PM

What if you plug in your original harddrrive, with all of the games on it, from the busted console to the new console? Are you still forced to be online to play those games?

Wolfpup

11-16-2007, 01:05 PM

The only way I have ever heard of anyone getting their content "reauthorized" for a new console is if you send in your console for warranty repair and ask customer service to give you codes to redownload all your content.

Yeah, and unfortunately in another thread someone's said they won't do that anymore (though that could be YMMV).

It should be EASIER to do this right on the 360 than on any other platform. It's done right on PC by Steam and Apple, and the 360 is 100% closed. It doesn't even let you use your own storage devices...should be really easy to lock stuff down so that it's secure for them, but can be played offline like a normal game for us :(

Oh well, I appreciate the responses! I hope we don't go to a download-only system for the next generation of consoles. Not if they still have these lame restrictions. At least right now there's no shortage of normal games to play.

Wolfpup

11-16-2007, 01:05 PM

What if you plug in your original harddrrive, with all of the games on it, from the busted console to the new console? Are you still forced to be online to play those games?

Yeah, unfortunately. The games are tied to the console hardware, and not the hard drive.

whiptcracker

11-16-2007, 01:26 PM

What if you plug in your original harddrrive, with all of the games on it, from the busted console to the new console? Are you still forced to be online to play those games?

Yep, plus the profile that purchased them is the only profile that can play the games anymore. I bought Uno for my wife under my profile, console broke and now she can't play it under her profile anymore. They really need some sort of family friendly program for Live membership/download content.

Wolfpup

11-16-2007, 01:35 PM

radjago

11-16-2007, 04:52 PM

Yep, plus the profile that purchased them is the only profile that can play the games anymore. I bought Uno for my wife under my profile, console broke and now she can't play it under her profile anymore. They really need some sort of family friendly program for Live membership/download content.
That's not entirely true. She can play on her profile as long as your profile is signed in and connected to Live. So sign in with your profile on one controller and connect to Live, and she can sign in on another controller with her profile and access all the content tied to your account.

ogbaka

11-16-2007, 05:16 PM

it will work if you are sign on... i just did the same thing...
transfer from 20gb to 120 gb and using new 360 cause my is sent to microsoft for repair...
everything seems to work.

Malik112099

11-16-2007, 08:51 PM

whats the big deal about having to be signed in? everytime i get on my 360 im signed in so whats the problem?

SpazX

11-16-2007, 10:19 PM

whats the big deal about having to be signed in? everytime i get on my 360 im signed in so whats the problem?

Because you're paying for something that is never really yours and there shouldn't be any requirement for you to be able to play a game that you paid for.

Justden

11-16-2007, 10:34 PM

whats the big deal about having to be signed in? everytime i get on my 360 im signed in so whats the problem?
That's a good point. For me, I can't think of a good reason I care right now, other than cuz it seems stupid that I should have to.

Altho, one day my internet could go out and I'll be S.O.L. if I want to play Pinball FX.

Milkyman

11-16-2007, 10:43 PM

whats the big deal about having to be signed in? everytime i get on my 360 im signed in so whats the problem?

how about you want to take your system on say, a snowboarding trip and want to get some 4 player bomberman going but can't because its your second xbox and theres no internet connection at the lodge? Or if your internet is down and you want to play some single player game like lumines?

Malik112099

11-16-2007, 11:22 PM

Because you're paying for something that is never really yours and there shouldn't be any requirement for you to be able to play a game that you paid for.

video games are never really yours..you technically just buy the license to play them

Puffa469

11-17-2007, 12:12 AM

XBLA arcade games are really extended rentals. Think anything else and your in for dissapointment.

If it upsets you enough send Microsoft a message by not 'buying' anymore DLC.

SpazX

11-17-2007, 01:55 AM

video games are never really yours..you technically just buy the license to play them

XBLA video games are a license, I can play a 360 disc or any other disc-based video game whenever and wherever I want. The fact that they made XBLA games a license and I know it's a license doesn't make it any less stupid or annoying.

Malik112099

11-17-2007, 11:51 AM

how about you want to take your system on say, a snowboarding trip and want to get some 4 player bomberman going but can't because its your second xbox and theres no internet connection at the lodge? Or if your internet is down and you want to play some single player game like lumines?

WOW....my xbox NEVER moves...it has a home and it likes to stay home... my ds lite is the "travel system" .... i shudder to even think about making my xbox mobile ::shudders::

i hate moving it around to get the serial number...makes me nauseous