Microsoft Unplugs Live Arcade Game Collection

Microsoft has announced the first volume in its Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged series, giving offline players a sample of the currently download-only games available from its bespoke online service. The collection, available in the US on September 5th and across Europe on September 15th, contains six full versions of the most popular selections from the Live Arcade Service: Geometry Wars, Wik: Fable of Souls, Outpost Kaloki X, Bejeweled 2 Deluxe, Hardwood Backgammon, and Texas Hold 'em, at a suggested price of $39.99, or €39.99 / £24.99 for its European counterpart. The disc also contains a one month subscription to the Xbox Live service at the "gold" level, the top tier of its subscription packages giving players full access to its online arena. It also contains three trial versions of other Live Arcade titles: UNO, Marble Blast Ultra, and PopCap's Feeding Frenzy, both features hoping to entice consumers to fully commit to its online service. Purchased separately the selection of full games would cost 4000 of Microsoft's "point" currency, at a current converted value of $50, so even apart from the one-month trial subscription, the collected package is being sold at a discount. The contents, special offers, and availability of future Unplugged volumes for the Xbox 360 have yet to be announced.