The last presentation I attended today from Microsoft was for XBox Live Arcade with the general manager of the Xbox Casual Games Group, Greg Canessa. He was quick to point out the success they've experienced over the past year, with 10 million downloads, 30 games down, and a promise of 50 by years end — which means that the regular 1 release on Wednesday schedule will probably get more crowded in coming weeks.

Next up is Totem Ball, which comes out next week, and will be the first XBL Arcade title to support the just-launched Live Vision camera as far as play goes (Japan release of the camera is set for November 2). Canessa performed a demonstration of the game, which is very Eye-Toy-like, with your hand gestures performing all movement in the game. The camera will be used in retail games as well (a poker game from Konami, and Rainbow Six, both for face mapping in the game), but XBL Arcade is seen as a strategic and important avenue for the device, with many more camera-specific games planned.

They were also touting the strong relationship they've developped with Japanese developers for retro coin-up releases, with Konami (Contra, Super Contra, Track and Field), and SNK (Fatal Fury Special, which may be Asia-only), and especially Namco (Dig-Dug, Ms. Pac-Man), also promoting the recently announced Pac-Man world-wide championships, promising a special twist that has yet to be announced. As far as the whole idea of region-specific releases (like the just-announced Asia-only Yie Ar Kung Fu), they would be receptive, depending on demand, to offer some sort of "import" channel, which could include releases that haven't been localized.

For those still waiting on Lumines, prepare to be disappointed as release is now said to be "in a couple of months," but definitely before the holidays.

Being a rather avid boardgamer, I really wanted to bring up the announcements earlier this year of bringing some European-style boardgames to XBL Arcade (currently in development are Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Alhambra, which are all set for release early in 2007). Seems like the whole team is very passionate about boardgaming — with weekly game nights a ritual — and they would love to see even more come to the platform, depending on demand. So a plea to you all from this passionate gamer: try these out, as I want/need to see more! Jean Snow