Chromehounds digs up content

Ammo, spare parts now available on Xbox Live for Sega's battling bots; light arms, heavy arms, spacers, and more 100 points ($1.25) each.

When Microsoft introduced microtransactions for its current version of Xbox Live, much of the hubbub was over accessories for cars--everyday stuff like spoilers, new rims, and paint jobs. Outfitting one's ride with some serious munitions in exchange for some cash was an absolute no-no. However, that's all changed today, provided gamers have a copy of Sega's Chromehounds.

Following last month's release of a free teaser of add-ons for gamers' mechs, developer From Software has made 10 new items for purchase over Xbox Live. Each of the downloads cost 100 Marketplace points ($1.25), downloading all 10 will cost gamers $12.50.

Mechs can now be pimped out with various upgrades such as light and heavy arms, spacers, generators, and a new color pattern.

Chromehouds is rated T for Teen and retails for $59.99. For more information on the game, read GameSpot's full review.

79 Comments

  • QuadraxisIV

    Posted May 21, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    think of it like this, the more money you spend on stuff now; the more stuff microsoft can afford to come out with later

  • corgish07

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 2:24 pm PT

    Chromehounds is domination without the extra parts!

  • FoxHoundADAM

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 6:53 am PT

    2 words: Rip Off!!!

  • misterzeno225

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 6:10 am PT

    This milking with the x360 has to stop, this is getting out of hand. Hell im spending more money on mediocre games than anything, the only games so far that have been worth my $400 have been cod2 and nba 2k.

    If this keeps up and the ps3 has some good software that $600 isnt looking so bad.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 5:43 am PT

    chromehounds = 7.9 ... its hardly the great hope it was hyped to be, is it?

  • gamenux

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 11:00 pm PT

    lol, And people are saying ps3 is too expensive. For what you are getting, the ps3 is actually a value console.

  • Sociologist

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 8:57 pm PT

    @drspotxxx and Thom

    I have read the story and have my facts straight, insofar as the new content is concerned. Some of the new weapons clearly add an advantage to a consumer who purchase them. As a player of Chromehounds, I will admit that they are not large advantages, but they still have the potential to unbalance a game from time to time, (depending on the Mech's loadout). Moreover, both of my attackers on this forum have argued that I am ignoring the facts that "consumers will be able to play and compete online whether or not they buy the pack." While that may be true, and while consumers are not forced to buy the new content to continue playing a game, both of you seem to be missing the bigger picture in this case, which is that the testing waters of xbox live for microtransactions will be the future, but not in the way that you are thinking about it. Imagine, for a moment, that in the future of online combat games (ala Halo or Battlefield, for example), all users would have only a pistol in multiplayer, but would need to buy AK-47s, RPG-7s, and extra body armor for a few bucks a pop to remain competitive in the game, (courtesy of Microtransactions). This would be a travesty and would be contrary to playing online games in the first place, (to escape reality), which are frequently done to have fun on a seemingly level playing feeling, (ignoring Cheats and Bots for the sake of my argument at the moment). If the business plan of major gaming companies revolves around profiting off of selling weapons through Microtransactions on 'X' Console, this design in contrary to the current notion of online gaming as the the only place where everyone is truly equal to start off with, (the better players will stand out, while the weaker players will need to improve to compete). That is, the playing ground of a game is equal in theory. If we as gamers or social observers see the trend of microtransactions starting to weaken this model, then there is a problem that is coming down the pipeline that will be a huge controversy for the next few years. Perhaps I'm looking at this a bit too much like a Social Problem, but I do see it's potential to create a greater gap between the haves and have nots online. While it's only a few bucks here and there for some new armor and guns, PLEASE don't be naive enough to think that companies won't raise those prices to exorbitant amounts when they have a blockbuster game at their disposal.

    Also, my main complaint with the GRAW mappacks is that while the consumer does not have to play them to play online, many users eventually do buy the maps so that they can stay within the same network of gamers whom they play online with frequently. Essentially, the consumer doesn't want to be left behind, and they will grudgingly pay to be able to play with their XBOX LIVE friends on the old and new maps again. Although UBI isn't forcing consumers to buy the maps, the gamers who don't will feel left behind, and in a sense, alienated. This may drive them to buy the maps to catch up with their former peer group of online gamers, (just to remain in the game so to speak).

    With microtransactions for weapons, firearms, etc. this will create a lot of stability problems in online gaming, as there will be some with only the standard loadout, (in our example) with the pistol, and those with rocket launchers, mini-guns, and M4A2s ready to take out the pistol wielding player. Yes, this scenario does not seem plausiable by todays standards, but give it a few years or even a decade. I can assure you that this will one day come to pass.

  • drspotxxx

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 4:10 pm PT

    thomasonfa
    y read one comment when u arent gonna read them all. I cant stress this enough, these new weapons DON'T GIVE YOU AN ADVANTAGE, JUST MORE OPTIONS. stop trying to make it seem like people can pay to get an advantage, it's just not true. not with this game. sure it could happen but it didn't. get your facts straight

  • thomasonfa

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 2:56 pm PT

    Sociologist,
    I agree with some of the things that you said, but there is error. The companies aren't forcing to to buy these parts or extras to beat the games but to add more for the people who want to keep it fresh.

    My problem with the microtransactions: Companies that release a game and not give it a full list of features. So far I think that Elder Scrolls and GRAW have released their upgrade properly, because you feel that you have played the full experience of the game even if you don't buy the add ons. But with

    Chrome Hounds, it seems that they rush it to get it out for summer, instead of waiting to add more parts for the hounds. Even when you buy upgrades for the hounds you are going to create some kind of balance problem for people who can't afford or don't want to pay for the upgrades. If they want to do this the should release packages like one for sniper, coms and so on....

    But for now it is all free so no complaints, I'm guessing this are to balance it out a little.

  • drspotxxx

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    Sociologist, what you are saying in general may become a problem as you say. however, you are ignoring the facts for this specific game. there is NO NEED to buy any of these weapons to have a fair chance at playing the game online. before you make comments on a story you should inform yourself of the facts involved with the particular instance which you are commenting on. though you may have some good points, it does not mean you can slander a game that doesn't create the enviroment you're claiming

  • Deagler_

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 2:20 pm PT

    SWEET im buying it!

  • SilV3RSix

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 1:50 pm PT

    To everyone getting their panties in a wad over this...

    If ideas like this break a games playability and longevity, then the trend will fade. Demand dictates supply, not the other way round. The few people in here that actually HAVE the game have confirmed these are simply alernative upgrades that balance out in the long run.

  • Sociologist

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 1:31 pm PT

    I agree with many of the objective thinkers here who can see the big future. If Microtransactions are the future of video games and create a have and have nots scenario where buying new weapons becomes necessary to compete online, then I don't want to be a part of that future. I saw this coming down the pipeline within the next few years, but I didn't think it would happen so quickly. I'm already disturbed by companies (UBI) essentially forcing consumers to buy extra levels to continue to play online with large numbers of people, (i.e. GRAW), because that leaves the door open for the whole 'release 3/4 of the game today, charge for the other 1/4 later' scenario. However, this is not nearly as bad as making multiplayer online gaming unbalanced by selling weapons which offer a competitive edge via microtransactions. Those who don't see the problem are completely ignorant to the situation. XBL Marketplace and the idea of microtransactions are still in their infancy, and after testing the waters, companies such as UBI and Activision will realize that there is a vast consumer base who will shell out cash/credit to buy new weapons/equipment. The prices will increase for these types of microtransactions for blockbuster games, (Halo 3, GTA 4, etcl.), leaving those gamers behind who won't pay. However, not wanting to be left behind, many will eventually pay so that they can compete online and play with their friends. People on these forums have said that this idea is a credit to capitalism and such, but it really is a disgusting practice to create a have and have not situation in online gaming.

  • AncientDozer

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 1:26 pm PT

    All I have to say is this: some of you kids are spoiled. And some of you lack sense. You've heard it before and you'll keep hearing it until it finds itself lodged in your head. . you aren't required to buy these; they're just incase you feel like it. No super advantages, no "milking", no nothing. If you don't like it, don't get it. It's simple.

  • drspotxxx

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 12:06 pm PT

    just want to add that the spacers are actually 60 points (75 cents)

  • drspotxxx

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 11:43 am PT

    you guys need to calm down. the game is 60 bucks and it definitly packs 60 bucks worth of content into it not even including the free parts that u can download as well. if the 300 parts in the game arent enough for you then y shouldnt you pay more money? these parts are NOT creating any unfair advantages they are simply options for people looking for more ways to customize your mechs. i personally bought 3 parts because i found them useful to the types of mechs im designing. unless u are making 20 completely different mechs there is no reason to buy all these parts, and that is y they are seperate. contrary to popular belief it does require effort, time and money to add these new parts. Chromehounds is an extremely well balanced game, and im sure they put in a lot of work to ensure that these parts maintaIN the integrity of the balance of the game. im sorry but this is not as easy a task as many of you would have us believe. we can argue all day about how much exactly it is worth, however, nothing is being taken away from the game by adding these items, so if it's too much for u, don't buy it. personally i prefer being given the option

  • Cski00

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 10:07 am PT

    When I read $1.25, I though it would be for all 10. Requesting $12.50 for only 10 parts is ridiculous. WTF were they thinking.

  • erikthe10man

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 8:35 am PT

    Micro-transactions are a 2K term for "console patches". It's an obvious marketing ploy and it will alienate the average consumer from making impulse purchases. This, IMO, falls along the same lines as those bundling tactics at video game stores that consist of hint book/game combo discounts. This takes the skill levels out of gaming as people with $$$ to spend have an unfair advantage over people with tighter budgets. Paying for bonus parts is the same as using steroids, boys and girls. If EVERYBODY can't have them, it's CHEATING.....

  • REVENGEotSITH

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 8:08 am PT

    Anyone that doesn't see the bigger picture of this issue is just blind. Buying spoilers, rims, decals, etc. for your car (in PGR3) is one thing. Buying better weapons for your HOUND and then taking them online to compete against other players is WRONG. Therefore, if you wish to compete, you must pay.

    Chromehounds is a great game (don't believe the reviews), but it is soon to become a battle of the "haves" and "have-nots". Its a path that MS shouldn't go down.

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 7:44 am PT

    People should stop complaining...you don't HAVE to buy it thats YOUR choice. But anyway I don't have chromehounds yet but I plan on getting it...eventually :S

  • SirRocky

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 7:07 am PT

    While you do not need the parts to be competitive online, it still doesn't make it right to charge $12.50 for them.

    Again you have to go back to scope. The game costs $60.00. The original number of parts are roughly 100+ parts. If you paid $1.25 for each part you are essentially saying you are willing to pay over $100 for the same number of parts that are in the original package.

    It's a ridiculous amount. Considering there isn't a huge change in appearance on the new parts, the development costs are very minimal. Reused artwork, tweaking a few numbers here and there, and writing a new description.

    They should be releasing parts packs as a download containing around 20 parts for 100-200 MSP.

  • Kn0w0ne

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 1:43 am PT

    Come on Sega, you've never been one to follow suit. Don't start doing this on a regular basis. Gamers shell out the innitial money for the game - isn't that good enough. You start doing stuff like this and you lose gamers, not just fanboys.!!!!!!!!!

  • Murpheus007

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 1:01 am PT

    Well, I guess that earning things the right way is going to the wayside. I agree with what someone said. If they're going to be grab@$$es about this, then at least make it to where you can earn them ingame as well. Beat all the missions under xx: xx minutes or something. I don't have Chrome Hounds, but I remember Syphon Filter: Omega Strain. Now there was a game that made you earn your way. It's just like any other business in the world. It's gonna take us gamers to keep saying no to ludicrous transactions like this for them to go away. Otherwise, as long as other people buy them, they will sell them.

  • DanBal76

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 12:39 am PT

    I have and love Chromehounds, but it's pathetic to sell parts. Charge for new maps i can understand, but not this. This stuff should be free. I'll not buy them.

  • acidicdot

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 11:14 pm PT

    SIgh, this stuff is probably only going to get worse and I get the feeling that Sony is going to be pushing this even harder than what Microsoft is.

  • imkro2

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 8:23 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • The_Game21x

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 8:06 pm PT

    $12.50 for 10 new weapons? I think I'll pass on that one.

  • subrosian

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 6:57 pm PT

    Microtransactions have finally started to turn into the "pay cash or lose" system that I feared would start to show up in competitive games (Halo 3 anyone?)

    What makes video gaming fun is that it's not real life - in real life the richest guy gets the coolest toys - in video games we can escape that - in real life you might drive a NIssan Sentra because you have three kids to take care of - but in a video game you can drive a Porshe Carrera any time you want. The fantasy, the fact that it's not reality is what makes it fun.

    Allowing players to gain a competitve advantage in a game simply because they spend more money is ridiculous. Imagine if the richest basketball team was allowed to use jetpacks - would the game even be entertaining any more? Mark my words - the microtransaction system is a slippery slope - and its the people who say "oh that's not a lot of money - in real life $1.25 isn't anything" that are allowing this to happen.

  • moe556

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    the assualt rifle is good - fires a 3 round burst - others aint so good

  • Sam_Lowery

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 1:52 pm PT

    I wonder how powerfull / usefull these new weapons are?
    And how much of an edge would they give you over people who don't buy them?

  • dodgyd55

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 12:50 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • zippyzee

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 10:20 am PT

    should be free

  • smiley17O

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 9:54 am PT

    the only thing that seems worth the money is the 3 burst assult riffle but i aint gana pick it up

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 4:20 am PT

    If you think $15 or $1.25 is alot of money, wait til real life responsibilities gets ahold of you...lol. Then you'll see that this is not even a drop in the bucket in comparison..hell gas cost more than this per gallon...lol

  • abigserve

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 3:02 am PT

    hey you know if they released it for free everyone would download it then they would make heaps more money because that's the way life works!

  • thakingrocka

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 2:27 am PT

    not worth it at all. i felt the same way about the oblivion dc. i paid 65 bucks for 130 hours of brilliance. the 1 or 2 extra bucks for ten to twenty minutes more seems just plain silly. i still feel that the dc for es4 would be a better deal though.
    not about to pay the money for these parts, and i think most people will be in the same boat.

  • Flamingpostman

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 8:01 pm PT

    Ugh... I've always been a little weary of this point purchases. Idunno, it feels like a ripoff. for 12.50 I should be getting completely new levels. I think maybe the whole 10-pack should of sold in bulk at maybe 5 dollars. We're not made of money, and they'll make more sales by getting a little more reasonable.

  • VolcanoMan001

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 6:44 pm PT

    Ok, fine. Just don't buy the stuff, why whine about it?

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 11:51 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • Fatality4u

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 10:18 am PT

    I would have liked to have gotten the parts for free, but you don't have to buy them to continue playing online, so I will be ok with it.

  • ryanwh

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 10:13 am PT

    Ugh... I've always been a little weary of this point purchases. Idunno, it feels like a ripoff. for 12.50 I should be getting completely new levels. I think maybe the whole 10-pack should of sold in bulk at maybe 5 dollars. We're not made of money, and they'll make more sales by getting a little more reasonable.

  • John_of_Fire

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 10:06 am PT

    I liked the system in Gunbound. You can earn all parts; if you want to; otherwise you can buy them. I like a fair playing field. But like most people have said these new pieces don't make that much of a difference.

    I also agree that the discriptions of items on live need to be more flushed out. I like knowing exactly what I am paying for. They need to require pictures of all items on Live. I don't want to buy a theme/picture/etc if I cannot see it first. I am tired of knowing what some look like and not knowing about others.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 8:32 am PT

    I feel sorry for anyone turned away by the reviews of this game. It got underrated and these parts are optional and you don't need most of tehm i noticed only 2 parts that i wanted to buy. depends on what type of mech you like to use.

  • djord02

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 6:23 am PT

    I like the idea of downloadable content, but if they want to charge for it, I think they should give you a better idea what you are buying. I looked at the descriptions for these parts last night, and they generally were pretty vague. I wish I could at least see a picture of them instead of descriptions like "Upgrade to the MC1000, more efficient." Huh?

  • WESLY_SNYPES

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 3:35 am PT

    In my personal opinion, Sega is only trying to increase the replay value of a game I think is lackluster but that's another issue all together. Even if there are extras for the game that people can use in multiplayer it should not matter what the other person has on their mech how good someone does should depend on the skill of the practitioner and I'm pretty certain Sega balanced out the equipment because if not then it wouldn't be fun to play. I don't think there is a BFG for sale on the game. Besides this game just came out people should enjoy it as is and not worry about what little Johnny put on his mech if you don't have the money. Remember you DID spend $60 on it.

  • Wickedneoq

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 2:57 am PT

    I have no idea why people are freaking out over this. You do not have to buy the parts (and everywhere I look, the prices of these items in MSP are quoted incorrectly! The spacers are worth 60 MSP, making them even more ridiculous to buy...) to enjoy playing the game. But very likely, this is the future of gaming, being able to purchase small things like mech armory because you're that obsessed with the game. No doubt that Sony will come up with something like that too, so that they don't feel left out.

    By the way, these purchase guns are CRAP. I can't see how anyone with any kind of skill could benefit from them. The only cool part I can think of is the WWII Winter camo, because... well I think it was requested...

  • Corvin

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 1:13 am PT

    This stuff should cost minimum, 1/2 of what they priced it, 50 points or so, per item. And if buying content like this gives people unfair advantages in multiplayer, thats pathetic. Consoles online, unlike PCs, present a constant performance level and levels the playing field so the game can be more about skill than who has more money to waste.

  • mtwmtw

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:46 pm PT

    For everyone complaining about the price, here's a solution:

    Buy your game used, half.com has it for $40 or so, use the extra cash you saved to pimp your mech. Simple...

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:21 pm PT

    Its lame to charge especially if you don't buy them then your mech will be underpowered and the people that did buy will have an unfair advantage. So that's just lame. Another reason is this, hey, 1.50 here and 1.50 there really adds up, money is money regardless of how little it is. If it really is that cheap to you, please, by all means, donate to the people that are complaining.

    Yes one did pay 60 dollars, but think about it, that sixty dollars INCLUDED THE ENTIRE GAME, if you were to split that 60 dollars up in the context of what you get out of the game, then 15 dollars for 10 weapons is definitely not worth it. Once again, microtransaction sucks, especially if it affects multiplayer. We love games, but we also know when we're getting screwed. Those that are rich enough to afford it, power to you, but please don't yell at us for complaining because we can't afford it or know when we're being ripped off.

  • KnightwingX7

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 8:58 pm PT

    To bobo3682 , Yeah, its great they are making new things for it. But they shouldnt charge for weapons. Ubisoft added the Downloadable Co-Op Missions in Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory for free, so did Rare with the added Co-op Mode of Kameo. To have a player better armed in a game, because they payed for it with real life money is outrageous and unfair.

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Chromehounds Boxshot
Chromehounds

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    2,052 of 59,100
    (up by 267)
    X360 Rank:
    318 of 1,489
    Tracking:
    4,283 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    1,600 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    938
  • Number of Players:

    1 Player, 12 Online Online Modes: Competitive, Cooperative, Team Oriented

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. chromehounds
    2. sega
    3. from software
    4. mech
    5. xbox 360
  • Teen Rating Description

    Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close

Related Games

Site Blogs