Comments on: Write Games for the XBox 360, without a publisher! http://blog.tokash.org/2006/08/14/write-games-for-the-xbox-360-without-a-publisher/ Gadgets, Games, Hacks, Code Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:54:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Jeff http://blog.tokash.org/2006/08/14/write-games-for-the-xbox-360-without-a-publisher/#comment-677 Jeff Mon, 14 Aug 2006 21:06:09 +0000 http://blog.tokash.org/2006/08/14/write-games-for-the-xbox-360-without-a-publisher/#comment-677 What do you think the chances are of an exploit through this, or free content undercutting the paid XBL Arcade service? What do you think the chances are of an exploit through this, or free content undercutting the paid XBL Arcade service?

]]> By: Matt Franklin http://blog.tokash.org/2006/08/14/write-games-for-the-xbox-360-without-a-publisher/#comment-676 Matt Franklin Mon, 14 Aug 2006 19:38:03 +0000 http://blog.tokash.org/2006/08/14/write-games-for-the-xbox-360-without-a-publisher/#comment-676 This is definitely cool, but I'm still trying to figure out how cool. First, it's all managed C#. I understand their concern about the ability to distribute non-approved content to other XBox360 users, so requiring people to write to a safe target makes a lot of sense. There's no networking right now (they say they may add it), and I'd imagine there are a number of other restrictions for security reasons. Next, distribution is source-based right now: you have to distribute the source, and other people have to build it. You can't just send your friend a binary over XBL. Furthermore, I haven't seen any discussion of a payment system once they remove the distribution restrictions. Established indies want to get paid. :) I'm very encouraged to see MS announce this program. Assuming it continues to get a good level of support from them, I see a lot of these hurdles going away. A friendly distribution system seems at odds with their tightly-controlled once-a-week XBLA approach, however, so let's hope the forces of good prevail in that conflict! This is definitely cool, but I’m still trying to figure out how cool.

First, it’s all managed C#. I understand their concern about the ability to distribute non-approved content to other XBox360 users, so requiring people to write to a safe target makes a lot of sense. There’s no networking right now (they say they may add it), and I’d imagine there are a number of other restrictions for security reasons.

Next, distribution is source-based right now: you have to distribute the source, and other people have to build it. You can’t just send your friend a binary over XBL.

Furthermore, I haven’t seen any discussion of a payment system once they remove the distribution restrictions. Established indies want to get paid. :)

I’m very encouraged to see MS announce this program. Assuming it continues to get a good level of support from them, I see a lot of these hurdles going away. A friendly distribution system seems at odds with their tightly-controlled once-a-week XBLA approach, however, so let’s hope the forces of good prevail in that conflict!

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