We’ve been looking at the T2 Arcade Station for a while now, it turns an Xbox 360 into a coin-operated 
device and while there have been questions about it’s legality that had gone unanswered, the company who created the system, Quasimoto Interactive Inc now says that they have obtained authorization from Microsoft Corp. to go ahead with the product. While MS has yet to release a press release about it, my sources are saying that one will be out soon and they are confirming that this is indeed a legitimately licensed product.
It should be interesting to see what kind of effect this will have in arcades, while it’s true that the 360 install base is fairly large there is the social arcade appeal and the fact that players could get a chance to play the full versions of certain games like this before buying them.
UPDATE: I have received an update from Microsoft and here is what they have to say about it: Microsoft does not support or endorse such a product. We suggest you direct any questions to Quasimoto Interactive.
Also on the page for the XBOX Arcade Machine it says at the bottom ” This Web site is not endorsed, sponsored or affiliated with Microsoft, xbox or any other affliates or business partners.”
So are we back at square one again?
Ah! So its Quasimoto Inc! They had been making similar next-gen “console arcade” products for the home entertainment market for awhile. I thought this might have been afly-by-night operation, but sounds more legitimate. Kudos to them for hamering out a licensing agreement to approach the commercial markets.
Although personally, I don’t foresee patrons of FEC, bars, nightclubs, and shopping malls paying money to play an obvious console game. They can already preview games for free at the local gamestore or from game magazine subscriptions that come with demo discs. Time will tell I guess, I could be wrong.
Lastly, from a technical perspective, I’m a bit disappointed they didn’t try to implement a control panel with arcade controls. I know they’ve already solved the analog joystick and buttons with the previous products.
All valid points Dave_K
I would throw into the mix that free player retail console demonstration kiosks may become a thing of the past in the next couple of months as retail is replaced for e-distribution, and retailers are charged for these kiosks!
Makes me laugh that the console media claimed this story was false, now they are all banging on the MS contacts complaining about us having the exclusive!! 😉
There is no way that this machine can be deployed in the arcade environment. There is no such thing as a blanket license from Microsoft that would allow the EULA of each individual game disc to be overridden. While the machine might be legal, operating the individual games in a coin-op environment is not. Each game carries an EULA that specifically prohibits public performance.
Right, I have had to hold my tonge regarding this – you know how much I vilify those that release machines that use console games but dont get licenses for the manufacturers and publishers
Well I was promised on a stack of bibles that this was not the case wit the Acrade Station… guess who just got a call from Microsoft!
oi my typings getting worse!
Hey…. wait a minute… David Foley… is that the David from UltraCade? Hey David give me a email or a call!!!
Yep to the update, I got called by MS this morning and they inform me a official press release will be issued regarding their rejection of the Arcade Station use of their license. I tried to get a word from Quasimoto but they are on the road at the moment. I smell another FragIsle situation!