nicksmith July 6, 2009 Downloadable, Xbox 360 13 views Comments Print This Post  Email This Post

Very few casual games have had me anxiously awaiting their arrival like the 1 vs 100 beta did earlier this summer. Recently there have been tweaks and changes to improve the game, cryptic messages about prizes, and even a screen that suggests that a paid “season pass” may be part of the future. I thought that after spending plenty of time with the beta and considering these changes that it would be the right time to put together a review of the experience. Our friends in the UK finally get their version of the beta next week, so this may help them decide whether to play or pass.

On the first night of the beta I was unable to get into the game for more than an hour. During my wait time I did some forum browsing and this was a widespread problem. After waiting for so long for the game to come to Xbox Live, this was a major disappointment – beta or not. I was finally able to get into the game and have not really had any problems joining up ever since. I have seen the number of players well over 100K which is on par with games like Halo 3.

Once you get into the game there is a lobby outside of the theater that you often have to spend a little time in dancing around with other avatars. Then once the game starts you get placed in either “The Crowd”, “The Mob”, or chosen as “The One”. I can only speak on being in “The Crowd” even after playing several games. While in “The Crowd” you are placed in a small group of up to three other people that you can communicate with and that you are able to compete with directly. There were a couple times where I was locked into a back in forth battle with one of these contestants which made it more fun than going against thousands of anonymous people. Also there were times that talking with these people between questions made it seem more like a “pub” environment and added to the experience.

What Microsoft has done well with “The Crowd” is allow hundreds of thousands of people play along with a rather small group of people and have it be enjoyable. I enjoy looking at my statistics and comparing them to all of the others but sometimes I want more. It is fun to answer trivia questions and compete but not getting to play as “The One” or in “The Mob” tends to grow a bit old sometimes. I would love to see a more robust collection of statistics and maybe other subtle ways to throw “The Crowd” a bone from time to time. There will be achievements added to keep people coming back but the skill based prizes are only for the 101 selected to play in the show.

The technical problems that I saw are worth mentioning even though they may be worked out before the game goes live for real. I noticed that sometimes “The Mob” would be filled with numerous matching characters. I am not sure if these are generic filler characters or what. Either way, they are taking up a seat that my avatar would gladly fill. The announcer Chris Cashman does a great job of entertaining during the game… when we can hear him. There have been numerous occasions when his audio would be choppy or just missing. My biggest beef so far is that I caught that a player I saw as “The One” also in “The Mob” later in the same session. Out of all of the people waiting for their chance (myself included) the system still allowed that person two chances to take the stage in one night.

The problems that I have with the game are minimal and I have fun playing the regular version as well as the “Extended Play” where you can answer questions to increase your chances to get picked for the regular game “on stage” roles. Chris Cashman does a very good job of keeping the experience lively. He has done interviews during the show with Taking Back Sunday and Major Nelson among others. He also takes emails, gives shout outs, and interacts with the players too.

I really like the potential of the Primetime format and enjoy playing 1 vs 100. I can’t wait to get a chance to get on stage and have a shot at winning some of the prizes when the season kicks off for real. If any of you have had an opportunity to play this beta, we would love to hear your thoughts on the experience too.