In media related industries pretty much everything that's old will eventually be new again and video games are no exception. I know, "No Duh." Nintendo's Virtual Console, the PS3's backwards compatibility and of course Xbox's LIVE Arcade have made that oh so clear and I'd assume profitable on some levels, but Microsoft has apparently decided to take things a little further.

According to the Stinger Report (via a posting at Kotaku.com) there's a plan in the works to produce an upright arcade style version of the Xbox 360. Similar to the familiar demo kiosk model that you see all over the place, the new 'Arcade Station T2' model is being developed by arcade manufacturer Quasimoto Interactive and will be coin/credit-operated and feature a 26-inch high definition monitor, Xbox LIVE support (supposedly), Memory Unit functionality and licensed game software. The system uses handheld controllers for one or two player action, and is also network LAN capable for even greater multiplayer actionplay. I threw the 'supposedly' qualifier in above regarding LIVE support because I've seen this both confirmed and questioned in a few places online and regardless of capabilities, to use this functionality the physical spot where the unit sits is going to need a broadband connection. Maybe your corner dive will pony up for that, but I'm pretty sure mine won't. I'm still pushing for clean glasses and a periodic mopping of the floors. But in a perfect world how cool would it be to access your gamertag remotely without any security issues.

Games that the system could feature initially could include are Halo 3, FIFA 08, Assassins Creed and Devil May Cry 4. It also looks like the systems will work on a time based model, meaning that players won't be able to milk their quarters/credits. This part is a departure from the arcade feel and what we enjoy on our 360's at home and frankly blows, but what are you gonna do. Will this flashback take off? Time will tell. But say you are at the bar, the bowling alley, 7-Eleven, getting an oil change, whatever; would you drop in a few dollars to see what's happening on LIVE or jump into a quick game, especially if you could save your progress and get the usual achievments? Mmmmmm, could very well happen. The T2 are currently being tested in Asia and the UK, so if they do well we may be seeing these around the corner here at home.

--Hobson's Choice

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