How can they be taking pressure off retail?

Why not release these games at a low retail price just for casual purchase, how about 5 - 8 GBP each, how about a cd box rather than a dvd case just to differentiate, and then maybe do compilation/collections in a full size case,

Taking pressue off retail = taking business away from retail!

Yes, and when they're done with retail they'll make the film industry redundant when every film is made digitally - and with digital rather than human actors. With M$, it all comes back to the PC.

I'm sure when retail stops taking away business away from Microsoft by selling used games, they'll be happy to stop taking business away from retail by selling direct.

@Phil

I guess retail needs some pressure taking off it because there are so many faulty consoles coming back and people do not want to deal with Microsoft's inept customer service agents? Not to mention the fact that increasing numbers of people use prepaid retail cards to buy their Live subs and MS Points because they don't trust Microsoft with their card details...

However it is good that niche games like Penny Arcade get a release in Europe thanks to Xbox Arcade - I think we all know the awareness of Penny Arcade in Europe isn't strong enough to support a decent retail return.

Microsoft also needs to up the file size limit - Wipeout HD is the kind of quality they should be aiming for and it represents fantastic value at £11.99 - with quality exceeding anything on Xbox Arcade!

jon you are very sad

Never ever had any probem with Microsoft Service agents. They have always excelled in everything I have ask of them.

People buy prepaid because its cheaper. You can get 13 months LIVE for £25. Bit better than the £39 MS charge. MS points are also much cheaper.

I would also like to see a file size increase, but I can see why they don't given the number of Arcades and Cores out there.

Still at least you didn't refer to MS as M$. God I hate that.

@ Noob,

Oracle did... comment 2. It irritates me.

As much as I'd like the file size increased on XBLA games as well, I'd also like to find out what you mean by "quality" Jon.

If we're talking visually impressive aswell as an impressive game. Then fair enough. Because visually Wipeout HD, is fantastic, But if otherwise then I beg to differ. XBLA arcade has quality games, i.e Braid. You just have to see it's metacritic scoring to see its impressive.

Scrub the word arcade after XBLA. My error.

Online distribution is obviously going to be detrimental to retail in the future. However, it is not constructive of retail to sit and moan at Microsoft and blame it on greed etc - instead it is the obvious evolution in the distribution of such a medium. To sit and begrudge Microsoft (and they are not the only ones pushing online distribution) is not going to change anything - instead retail needs to react to such a change, because to do anything other is just going to mean technology leaves them behind. Yes there is the concept of loyalty/support between publishers/retailers but this will only last as long as it is needed by the other. Unfortunately I myself dont have a solution, but I can guarantee that "hoping with fingers and toes crossed" that online distribution doesnt become the norm in the future definately isnt the solution either.