March 8, 2007
Bigger Memory Unit and XBLA Games
Posted at 11:40 pm in GDC 2007, Xbox 360

Microsoft has announced its plans to launch a 512 MB Memory Unit for the Xbox 360; it also revealed that the official size limit of Xbox Live Arcade games has been increased to 150 MB from 50 MB.

To be available starting April 3, the 512 MB Memory Unit will retail for $49.99 in the US (£34.99 in the UK) and will come pre-loaded with Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. The original 64 MB Memory Unit has had its price cut to $29.99 (£22.99 in the UK).

As for Xbox Live Arcade, the increased size limit will give developers flexibility in game design, letting them expand by adding advanced game features. Microsoft also announced that it will showcase the following XBLA games at GDC: Boom Boom Rocket (EA and Bizarre Creations), 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures (Sierra Online and Wanako Games), Eets: Chowdown (Klei Entertainment Inc.), Jetpac Refuelled (Rare Ltd.) and Pinball FX (ZEN Studios Ltd.).