Xbox 360 kiosks brought to hospitals with pre-loaded games; coin-op version next?

Ever since Microsoft revealed the term “Xbox Live Arcade” along with the concept that has included original content along with remade classic arcade titles, people have thought of bringing the Xbox 360 into the arcade. While one might wonder the value in such a thing, it’s good advertising for Microsoft, it would advertise XBLA games giving people a chance to play the full versions at the arcade, thus seeing if the game is worth it beyond the demo and it’s not bad for arcades either which would have a platform for constant new content. One notable reference was the Fragisle platform that was demonstrated to distributors but has since disappeared.

Now Microsoft has revealed a specialized Xbox 360 kiosk that has been created for children’s hospitals across the US. It is connected to a specialized version of Xbox Live that has been created specifically for the kiosks and essentially keeps the kids separate from the standard XBL network (which sometimes isn’t very kid friendly). Says the source:

The customized and hospital-friendly Xbox 360 kiosks are pre-loaded with a variety of E and E10+ rated games, Y-rated television programs, G-rated movies, as well as Xbox LIVE Headset and LIVE Vision Camera capabilities, which enable patients to communicate over a dedicated Xbox LIVE network.

There also is this: a website dedicated to the”Xbox Arcade Machine“. One needs a password to get anywhere but you have to wonder, is this the next step, say an official Xbox Arcade machine??

[Xbox 360 Hospital Kiosks @ Pat LaFontaine] [Discuss on the Forum]

Discover more from Arcade Heroes

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

14 comments

Geo May 6, 2008 at 2:38 am

This is old technology for us in latin america but very nice kiosk`s, now they only need to install the coin insertor door and is ready to star making some money……..

Shaggy May 6, 2008 at 3:07 am

Yeah I remember seeing stuff like this in Brazil, although not as sophisticated

Paul May 6, 2008 at 5:45 am

There IS an Xbox arcade machine. I was thinking about sending you the link sometime so you could do a post on it (filed under the WTF category). You have to wonder why they ever made the thing. I want one just as a collector of the obscure and rare. Check it out, Shaggy:

http://store.arcadegamesuperstore.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=arcadegame&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=706234157&Count2=623374581&CategoryID=100&Target=products.asp

editor May 6, 2008 at 12:38 pm

We have a big feature in the Stinger on Home-Games in arcade. You guys in Latin America have had the PS and XB coin operated systems for some time, but you will notice that they will be attacked by legal action – as is being done in Taiwan.

A lot of the Xbox machines you pointed us too are for rec-rooms – not arcade. The Quazi’ machine was removed from the arcade (coin-slot) scene in 2005 after TSR questioned its legality.

Be VERY careful of claims of legality to run home games in amusement.

Geo May 6, 2008 at 1:15 pm

nobody claim they are legal, but is seems that you have a big problem with console arcade systems, but i can tell you something now is too BIG that will be very HARD to stop it, i`m not 100% present happy with people using arcade console systems and i think the best way to go with an arcade bussines is using professional ones, but it bothers me when people think that our nations work the same american way,
that`s what they thought about iraq, and what will be next using military actions…???

editor May 6, 2008 at 2:02 pm

No mistakes here Geo.

I try and separate all territories, and deal with them independently.

I would say that though it is difficult to stop (at the moment), connected consoles will make it harder to run AAA titles as coin-op enabled.

It would also not surprise me if MS comes down

editor May 6, 2008 at 2:04 pm

[link cut]… start again

…I would not be surprised if MS comes down hard on XBLA usage in arcade!

Shaggy May 6, 2008 at 2:11 pm

I just claified the last point – I am wondering if MS will be doing an official coin-op version in the future. Editor already mentioned legal challenges to these machines and there was the Fragisle platform that was demonstrated but challenged.

The link is coming up service unavailble Paul.

Geo May 6, 2008 at 3:14 pm

This is the IRONY, people want to stop arcade console system with legal actions overseas, what they don`t know is that arcade consoles system are being use here in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA yeass here and with triple AAA games like Call of Duty 4 and FIFA 2008 in U.S territory, now people will have more reasons to be angry about this and it could be a nightmare for some`s, but i am happy that arcades will not desapear for a long time, i want to open my own arcade but have i no intentions to use consoles here, i hope one day Microsoft and developers fix the legal issue, so everybody can live in peace……..

Paul May 7, 2008 at 5:13 am

To see the Xbox arcade machine go to arcadegamesuperstore.com and do a search for
X box
(they don’t combine it for whatever reason).

Geo May 7, 2008 at 12:50 pm

Paul i saw the Xbox arcade it look very interesting, but i think the price is crazy……

editor May 8, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Paul,
I finally searched the site and came across the ‘XBox Inside’ system from Jesler – is this the system you are talking about? Jesler entertainment was a client of our operation, and I know the guy that runs it. The Xbox inside system is one example of three prototypes made and is not a serious platform – another victim of MS legal!

I am finding a serious issue with illegal PS and MS system run in venues as coin-op. The feature I am going to run in the Stinger focused on the Asian and Spanish connection. I will be the target for attack if I do MS or Sony’s job for them pointing out illegal US coin-op systems – but it needs to be reported!

If anyone wants to point to systems (other than the Jelser) please keep me posted.

jonathan December 1, 2008 at 3:50 pm

any ideas if this is legal or not in the uk to offer an xbox elite on coin op timer for plays??

jonathan.hughes@tofallinlove.co.uk

Frank Li August 5, 2010 at 3:35 am

It is legal, there is a company weavefuture Inc. which made lots coin operated xbox 360 PS3 kits, which can convert the Xbox360 or PS3 into coin operated.

Arcade Heroes