Capcom cracks XBLA size limit

After granting an exception to Konami's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night to exceed the skimpy 50MB XBLA file-size limit in January 2007, Microsoft officially ditched the stifling restriction in favor of a slightly more spacious 150MB limit. However, many developers have still found the expanded limit constrictive, especially considering games found on Sony's PlayStation Network aren't subject to the same restriction, and Microsoft has doled out several more exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

It now appears Capcom may have found one good way to get Microsoft to ease up on its file-size limit: go multiplatform. With Capcom's Digital Day under way, producer Rey Jimenez gave Street Fighter fans an update on Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix on the publisher's official blog. After laying out much of the information found in GameSpot's recent preview of the game, Jimenez addressed concerns that the Xbox 360 version of the game will be hampered by Microsoft's file-size limit.

"The last thing I'll mention is concerning the talks that have been occurring online concerning the file size of the game with respect to features on the 360 and the PS3 versions," said Jimenez. "I can officially say that the file size will not be an issue. With great help from the guys at Microsoft, we will be able to offer the same features on both platforms to the same quality as each other. To use the term I've been reading on the forums, neither console version will be 'gimped' due to any kind of limitation."

Speaking with GameSpot, a Capcom representative confirmed that Microsoft has indeed slackened the limit for SSFIITHDR, and also noted that Bionic Commando Rearmed will also not be subjected to the 150MB XBLA file-size limit.

"Given the sizeable content in Bionic Commando Rearmed and Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Microsoft allowed Capcom to work with a larger file size limit for both of those titles in order to provide gamers with the game experience that Capcom desired, such as full hi-res textures (on Bionic Commando Rearmed) or 1080p support (for SSFIIT)," said the Capcom rep. "The Xbox Live Arcade versions of both titles will have complete feature and graphical parity with the iterations that will be available on other platforms. There were never any issues with 1942 or Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3, as those titles were designed from the ground up to meet [Microsoft's] standards."

Despite the concession made for Capcom's two upcoming downloadable games, Microsoft plans to stick by its 150MB size limit for the time being. "On the whole, our partners are happy with the size limit framework currently in place, and we do not anticipate the need to change the 150 MB size limit policy," a Microsoft representative told GameSpot. "We will continue to work closely with our partners to bring the best games to Xbox Live Arcade, and if a game warrants a file size limit exception, we will provide one on a case by case basis."