Microsoft folds on free poker plans

Microsoft appears to have stumbled in its plans to launch a free Xbox Live Arcade poker game, branding issues calling a halt to both the game's intended release date and its lack of cost to consumers.

Announced at the CES show at the turn of the year by Bill Gates and Peter Moore, Texas Hold 'Em Poker was supposed to be launched this summer on the Live Arcade service, without charge to consumers thanks to a sponsorship deal with Riverbelle.com.

After reports on US website Gamespot that the title would be released on August 23rd, and no denial of the free-to-download promise at the start of the year, everything appeared to be on track.

However, according to a Joystiq interview with XBLA boss Greg Canessa, the game still has no release date and the price has yet to be decided.

"First of all, it won't be free," Canessa stated.

"We haven't decided on what the final price will be, but it will not be free."

Further reports on Gamespot suggest that legal negotiations with sponsorship parties may be taking longer than expected, Microsoft confirming only that it had "not yet provided any official details regarding pricing on this title," and adding that "full details regarding the launch date will be announced."

Quite what the stumbling block with the games release is, no one appears sure at present. In the meantime, Microsoft is working hard to ensure that consumers are not without choice on the XBLA service.

The company recently announced its Xbox Live Wednesdays promotion, offering a new Live Arcade title each week for the following five weeks.

Additionally, Canessa suggested that there are over 80 games in development for the service at the moment, and that Microsoft has been secretly storing new titles for a staggered release over the coming months.