Comments on: Microsoft Does ?Who wants to be a Game Designer??

By: Spartan117

Spartan117 — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:35:48 +0000

I think this is the best move MS has made in a long time! i have a xbox 360 and i love it, but i would agree the game line up at the mo isnt really on top of its game (pardon the pun), but this will change that… how could it not? not only will people be able to just make a game if its not already out there, but big big game producers will be able to watch the market and see what games people are wanting on the 360, its one thing to write on a blog… “oh i wish there were more RPGs, or Sim games.. ect..” its another where producers see people in there masses making the games and other people downloading/buying them! and with respect to the ps3 and wii, a product like this just wouldnt work for them platforms, they are just far too complex and hard to “homebrew” games for! I mean lets face it, the ps3 is famous at the moment for being a pain to devolop games for thanks to its “cell” . As for the wii i think game development could be possible for the public, but not really wanted, if you look at Nintendo as a whole, its aimed at being simlpe family fun, i find it hard to belive to has the right following to get behind a idea like this( not to mention a probable lack of interest)

By: bobbygeorgina

bobbygeorgina — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 01:56:25 +0000

Nintendo has already expressed that individual/start up comanies will be able to distribute games to consumers through the Wii's virtual console. Game manufacturers have also expressed that it costs a lot more to develop a game for the 360 or PS3 than the Wii.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:14:14 +0000

>> first, you can only share it with those who also spend $99 yearly for the club membership.
>> second, in order to share anything, you have to send all the source content and assets and then the recieving party compiles it all themselves.

That's true, as of now. But MS also said that they are working on more features that would allow the best games to be made available to everyone. I'm sure once that happens they will also be precompiled, etc.

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 15:59:14 +0000

Good article. I know the guys who own Garage Games (an Indy game group), and thought it cool you mentioned them.

Should be interesting to see what happens

By: justin

justin — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 12:46:34 +0000

there are two things that will keep this from really taking off on 360.

first, you can only share it with those who also spend $99 yearly for the club membership.

second, in order to share anything, you have to send all the source content and assets and then the recieving party compiles it all themselves.

that kills all desire for me to develop anything on this platform.

also, i guess you're unaware that the ps3 will ship capable of homebrew support. i think nintendo has expressed at least some interest in utilizing the virtual console for homebrew.

By: Rob Enderle

Rob Enderle — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:33:50 +0000

Yes, part of the program is to help people market the games once they are created. So their will be a commercial aspect to this as it matures.

I imagine the "Junk" problem will get worked over time, probably through YouTube like ratings. (Lot of junk on YouTube as well).

By: Jason Howard

Jason Howard — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 22:53:53 +0000

I would be willing to be that Microsoft will charge money for the download of games. Otherwise, what is the incentive? But, I bet it will either be fairly cheap, or the price will be determined by the creator.

I think this is a great step, as long as there is a way to wade through the junk you know will be submitted.

By: Ian Bell

Ian Bell — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 22:15:32 +0000

I think this is a very smart move. People are capable of creating some amazing things.

Do you think Microsoft will charge players to download these games to play though? Maybe offer the creators a rev share of some sort?