One of the most widely speculated announcements coming out of CES for Microsoft this evening is the ‘Game Room’.  Why this is big news?  I have no clue, but its big, really big.  I mean who doesn’t want to commingle with other avatars while playing Space Invaders.  Especially if those avatars are as sexy as mine.

There was an interview posted on Channel 9 but was pulled from the website, and has now been put back up, and then was pulled again.  When it comes back online, we’ll post it but the jist of it goes.  ” “It’s sort of a retro approach. It’s interesting, there’s a generation… who grew up with a set of games like Centipede,” Bach says of Xbox Game Room. “They look almost like casual, fun games today, at the time, they were high-end, edgy games. So Game Room is the idea of bringing that back to the market.”

**Update  Gameroom to feature over 1000 Classic Arcade Titles, will serve as ‘mini home’ to Xbox avatars, with customizable arcade machines, getting a better looking picture of the feature now. Thanks Kotaku.

Official Gameroom Fact Sheet

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Developer: Krome Studio Pty Ltd.

Genre: Arcade and console classics

Platform: Xbox LIVE on Xbox 360 and Games for Windows LIVE

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)

Price: 240 to 400 MPfor game downloads;40 MP for single gameplay

Release Date: Spring 2010

Remember pumping quarters into your favorite video games at the classic arcade or passing the joystick between friends on the couch after school? Nothing could beat the sights and sounds of the arcade, with all the colorfully decorated cabinets, or the endless hours of console competition with friends, trumping the top score and mastering the machine.

This spring, “Game Room” on Xbox LIVE lets you relive the glory days of classic arcade games in their original forms. Your avatar will take part in the original sights, sounds and gameplay that will make these retro games come alive on your Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC in one fast, fun experience.

Game Features

• Relive the glory days of the classic arcade. “Game Room” replicates the old-school look, sound and feel of a retro video game arcade. At launch, “Game Room” will bring you a library of 30 original arcade and console classics such as “Centipede®” and “Asteroids Deluxe®” from Atari Inc. and other favorites from Activision Inc., Intellivision, Konami Corp. and more, all shown in their original cabinets. Create a brand-new social environment* your avatar can explore, trick out your “game room” by arranging your cabinets, and decorate each room with themes and animated icons from your favorite games. With weekly new title releases, your arcade will soon be retrofitted to perfection.
• Prove you’re the arcade master. Think you have what it takes? Challenge friends to beat your high score by sending custom challenges and taunts across platforms, earn Achievements, unlock levels and climb your way to the top of universal leader boards. Compete in ranked mode, in which you play against other Xbox LIVE members on the world leader board, or challenge mode, in which you take turns playing a game.* “Game Room” also offers local Couch Play mode for up to two players — how will you duke it out for arcade supremacy? Enjoy a seamless experience across Xbox 360 and Windows-based PCs as you share games, track your progress and jump back into the game, no matter which of the two platforms you’re on. You can even invite friends into your custom arcade to check out your collection or visit their “game room” to demo games and scope out additions to your collection.
• Buy “Game Room” titles once and play on both your Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC. Enjoy the freedom of buying games for “Game Room” once and playing on both Xbox 360 and a Windows-based PC for about the same price as a DVD rental. Those who prefer to play on a single platform can purchase individual games for either Xbox 360 or a Windows-based PC at a lower price point, or even pay to play a single game just like in the old arcades. See how long you can last on a single token!

Retro games are shown in their original cabinets, which you can place anywhere in your personal arcade. Invite your friends in to check out your collection.

How Do I Play?

An Xbox 360 console or Windows-based PC and an Internet connection are all you need* to access “Game Room.” “Game Room” and associated games can be found on your Xbox 360 in the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace or in the Games for Windows — LIVE client on your Windows-based PC.

How Much Does It Cost?

It is free to download “Game Room,” which you can then populate with classic arcade games available for individual purchase. Buy games once and play on both an Xbox 360 system and a Windows-based PC for 400 Microsoft Points. Or, to purchase a game for only one platform, each individual Xbox 360 or Windows-based PC title is 240 Microsoft Points. You also have the option to pay to play a single game, just like dropping two quarters in the slot in the old arcades, for 40 Microsoft Points. Visit your friends’ “game rooms” and try their games free before you buy.

“Game Room” Specifications

• One or two players
• HDTV 1080p
• In-game Dolby Digital
• Voice chat
• Avatar support
• Online multiplayer (one or two players)*
• Cross-platform leader boards
• Cross-platform Achievements

* Xbox LIVE Gold Membership required for online multiplayer on Xbox 360. Xbox LIVE requires broadband access.

The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when it is first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft Corp. makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with regard to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.