330°

Nobody can rival Microsoft and Xbox for downloadable games, says Castle Crashers dev

Console indie community "would not exist" without XBLA

Godchild10204160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

I think Flow, Flower and journey can put up a fight. Probably not sales wise but enjoyment and gameplay. Pushmo on the 3DS is a great one as well.

@Dirty, I'm sure Journey sold fairly well and made a profit for them. What makes you think they won't just developer for all platforms or what makes you think they will move to solely to XBLA? What if their 3 game contract ended with Sony and now have the money to build on more platforms.

DiRtY4160d ago

And the lacking sales are the reason the developer did not renew the contract. They will develop for XBLA from now on.

moegooner884160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

What lacking sales, Journey broke PSN sales records and became best selling PSN game of all time, TGC just want to share their material with more audience.

GribbleGrunger4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

Yeah, someone offered to buy me a Ferrari for Christmas but one look at the sales put me off taking the offer.

Ducky4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

^ Ferrari have lower sales because their cars have a drastically higher price than 'common' cars.

XBL/PSN games are priced in the same range, so your analogy doesn't work.

That being said, I don't think TGC went multi because they had disappointing sales and I'm glad that more people will get to experience their future titles.

MikeMyers4160d ago

The production of Ferrari cars is limited and often sold out. How does a service selling the same games and for the same price relevant to your analogy of high-performance cars?

This isn't Honda sales versus Ferrari sales. It's a console service competing with another console service that both sell Indie games.

ABizzel14160d ago

I disagree, PSN has some great titles just like XBL. But what I will say is MS does a much better job at marketing and advertising them on the Dashboard and since Sony only has the XMB they can't offer the same advertisement unless you go to the PS Store and hopefully notice the ad that goes by.

Another bonus MS has is it was more accepting of Indie Devs. while the other consoles remained closed. But with PSMobile and the new PlayStation Store (better at marketing games) Sony should be able to remedy that.

As far as Castle Crashers on PS3 it was at a disadvantage because it was already on 360 for what 2 years before it came to PSN, so it was going to have a hard time selling on PSN.

His statement reigns true for now, but it seems Sony at least are trying to be more open as well. What would be great is if mods are allowed on the next consoles as long as they go through the developer's approval (UT3 allowed mods on PS3 so do it more often). Mods would be easier than ever if the rumors of SOny and MS using off the shelf parts are true. Not to mention Skyrim would actually work on PS3 by now.

nukeitall4160d ago

@ABizzel1:

Say what you want, but whatever vodoo magic MS does, it has certainly helped indie devs.

Before MS and until today, there is still no other console manufacturer that allows indies to create games with superb development tools, sell them on the market without a publishing contract and at less than a $100 cost.

MS deserves credit for that!

In regards to PS Mobile, it is just a closed platform on an essentially open smart phone platform.

"Sony at least are trying to be more open as well."

It's kind of odd, since Sony was very open with their PS3 hardware this generation (while the PS Vita was and is pretty closed), yet their dev kits cost $10k and indie devs have no access.

Sony definitely deserves credit for that, but I doubt Sony will continue to pursue that course next generation as seen by the PS Vita memory cards.

BitbyDeath4160d ago

@DiRtY, Journey didn't lack sales, it was the fastest selling title ever on US PSN.

http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

MmaFan-Qc4159d ago

this "article" is coming directly from the "Official Xbox Mag", so we can pretty much assume that its totally objective and non-biased......

its kinda like when reggie told us that COD look and is WAY better on the wii u....

yep...

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4159d ago
fermcr4160d ago

If you take out the PC, the X360 does have the best downloadable games from all consoles.

CalvinKlein4160d ago

shadow complex is not on PC and it IS the best DL game made this generation, FACT.

DigitalRaptor4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

That's a cool sentiment, but they're still playable on my PC with bells and whistles.

@ CalvinKlien

Shadow Complex? Games like Braid, Outland, Bastion and Dead Nation are just as good if not better, FACT. ;)

spicelicka4160d ago

The article is referring to xbox live as a whole, not specific xbla games that are better than others, those games are great but they wouldn't be developed without xbla setting a comfort for success.

I think the devs are talking about what xbla did for the community as a whole. Plus there's the indie games community which no other console really has.

SilentNegotiator4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

A certain service starting with an "S" and ending in a "team" absolutely does. Which in fact has Castle Crashers.

And they do it without dictatorial restrictions or timed exclusivity payoffs.

morkendo234160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

from YAHOO NEWS the xbox 360 was never going to make up the slack , and microsoft can no longer aford to keep investing in it. kinect is great technology but, for a company like microsoft, xbox not enough. so, nice as xbox is it's not going to be enough to boost sales ........ xbox 720 will be DELAYED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! from what is announced on YAHOO NEWS !

ThatsGaming4159d ago

XBLA has brought more retro arcade games (with achievements) to XBLA through Game Room and single downloads than the other consoles.

Meanwhile, XBLA had Zen Pinball, Braid, Puzzle Quest, Castle Crashers, Outland, Portal Still Alive, Monkey Island, etc. as timed exclusives before they went to other platforms.

And they still have Trials Evolution, Minecraft, Trials HD, Limbo, Mark of the Ninja, Super Meat Boy, Geometry Wars, Geometry Wars 2, Rez HD, Shadow Complex, Ikaruga, Spelunky, N Plus, Comic Jumper, Bastion, Splosion Man, and Ms Splosion Man as highly rated exclusive home console downloadable games.

All consoles have quite a large selection of exclusive and non-exclusive downloadable games. XBLA has the most comprehensive selection of quality downloadable titles.

I will admit that Flower and Journey are probably two of the most unique, quality, downloadable titles on any console. And Sony has games like Fat Princess, Stardust, and Wipeout are good quality as well. But XBLA, has the strongest overall lineup.

Godchild10204159d ago (Edited 4159d ago )

Limbo is on PSN. It's one of the free titles for European PlayStation Plus users. And a few are on PC.

The Xbox does have quite a good amount of titles that are only, on that platform.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4159d ago
GribbleGrunger4160d ago

There is no doubt that MS and LIVE have contributed to the Indie scene in a major way, but when I consider games like Journey, Flow, Flower, Unfinished Swan, the Pixel Junk series and many other titles, I can't help but feel that it's actually Sony that are pushing the Indie scene now.

spicelicka4160d ago

but that's due to the developers being amazing, Sony just happens to have those great studios. Of course Sony is helping them, but only now that the scene has been established.

HammadTheBeast4160d ago

I can say the exact same about Microsoft. Then again, PSN has the upcoming Dust 514 which wipes the XBL market off the floor, and is also free.

spicelicka4159d ago

@HammadTheOne
You said nothing but fanboy b.s.
I made a comment about xbla because i feel it did some innovative things, and came out a whole year before PSN and Nintendo's VC. I didn't mention any specific games, nor did i say it's soo much better than PSN.

I don't know what stroked your insecurity to bring up Dust 514...and compare it to the whole XBL marketplace-_-

Shepherd 2144159d ago

Spicelicka was only commenting on how XBLA established the awareness of console downloadable games and Hammad somehow felt the need to be defensive and try to one-up Xbox as a whole...

Knight_Crawler4160d ago

Go home Gribble Ginger you are drunk again.

baodeus4159d ago (Edited 4159d ago )

@gribblegrunger

here is why Sony aren't helping indie developers to get their foot into the consumer doors. Sony doesn't implement a demand that all indie game have some sort of demo/information/etc...therefo re some do post something, and many just don't even bother. Some just have pictures or just a short description; I jumped for joy when I recently start seeing some videos for god sake. How the hell does Sony expect consumers to buy anything if they don't have a clue of what it is (even if it is GOTY potential like journey)?

On the xlive, they have an entire section dedicated to just indie games. Furthermore, when you, as a consumer, click on any indie game (or any other game for that matter), it gives you all the information, demo (available for every games), pictures, related contents (if any), sale notice, advertisment, etc.......that is how you expose the game to consumer by giving them enough information to make a purchase decision. MS also release XNA for people to create games for free, but they do have to pay $100/year (pretty cheap for indie developer) for admission to the XNA creators club.

Zha1tan4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

lol ok...

BanBrother4159d ago

I actually agree with the author. The downloadable part has always been in Xbox's favour IMO, too bad not so much in the retail part.

This year Sony has fought back very hard though; Journey, Dyad, Papo and Yo to name a few.

Zha1tan4159d ago

The console indie market is really not that big. Xbox may have a big share of it but PC is where the indie market really comes through.

BanBrother4158d ago

I agree. I was talking about XBLA. I don't even have the indie games in my country lol.

Jinkies4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

Yeah but recently MS are restricitng Indie Devs and are not giving them a lot of freedom. Since Kinect launched they seem to care less and less about the indie community. I think Sony can put up a fight with there indie games.

If you were an indie dev would you rather work on a game for a money hungry company who will restrict what you do or a company who will give you the freedom.

NeverEnding19894160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

SONY is just as money hungry as Microsoft. Actually, considering SONY's financial difficulties, they are more money hungry. It's called capitalism. SONY's #1 priority is shareholders.

Looking at some of the top rated PSN games: Braid, Castle Crashers, Super Stardust HD, it's evident of the effect of XBLA. These games were either made for Xbox 360 originally or direct copies of XBLA games.

God article. M$ deserves the credit for bringing indie games to the forefront this gen.

Jinkies4160d ago

If Sony were so money hungry like MS then they would of caved into the casual audience especialy under the finacial situation they are in but they havent.

4160d ago
SDF Repellent4160d ago

@JinkieS, Xbox live does have the best games and developers are not restricted. Please play with a x360 for once and go look at the selections of Xbox Live Arcade games to see for youeself. Indies company will go make games that can can make them the most money and Xbox Live is the place. It is strictly business 101.

Sephiroushin4160d ago (Edited 4160d ago )

Castle Crasher dev John Baez and obviously Itagaki are always biased anyways ...

Oh, and Dead Nation says Hi!

Show all comments (79)
120°

Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Video games are no longer just a simple past time. Today's games are evolving into true works of art. Offering intriguing narratives, cinematic setpieces, and profound messages, games can entertain us for hundreds of hours.

Read Full Story >>
wealthofgeeks.com
Chard12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

I never got around to mass effect - I’m skeptical that it would hold up if I were to try it now

Furesis11h ago

I would say it does. The combat is a bit shit for todays standards but everything else is great.

anast9h ago

It's worth a play through today.

gold_drake3h ago

the first one is abit the odd one out but after u finished it, believe it it gets tremendously better and better

90°

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron - Coming Back for a New Generation

Originally launched in 2011, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is coming to Nintendo Switch, so It's time to look back at the original.

jznrpg1d 6h ago

Still have my ps3 copies. Bought it at launch and another one when I found it cheap and in perfect condition about 10 years ago. I wouldn’t buy it on Switch but if they made a PS5 version I would. I still have one of my PS3 Fats hooked up so good to go either way.

darthv721d 5h ago

Id play it again on the switch. I wished my 360 version was bc but this is still a good way to play.

150°

Fallout 3's Reveal Led To Death Threats And Bethesda's First Security Guard

The artist behind Fallout 4’s Deathclaw reveals just how bad things got back when Bethesda took over the series

anast1d 7h ago

People are stupid I get it. No one should feel unsafe,

But I think they need to talk about why they cut so many corners during the development process and why none of their games ever look current. And why they think all of this is okay while they charge full price.

LucasRuinedChildhood1d 7h ago

As much as Bethesda deserve criticism, that's not really relevant to the reveal of Fallout 3 in 2007.

VenomUK1d 4h ago

The default angle Kotaku always go for is to highlight the worst in gaming.

I would’ve focused on the creative.

anast10h ago

The game went downhill at Fallout 3's release. This is when they started to cut corners.

gold_drake1d 2h ago

there is no "but". the hell lol
you dont send death threats, period.

anast9h ago

Usually, you have good comments but this isn't one of them. It just rides the mob. We can do both condemn the actions and not let them use it for other things.

I can say I received a death threat and everyone needs to shut up. People are not honest and will use horrible things to their advantage.

Armaggedon22h ago

Not all games “look” current.

anast9h ago

Their games always look like the gen before it.

Armaggedon42m ago

Yeah, but thats not the result of laziness, incompetence, or a bad engine. Thats what happens with their type of open world games. Its hard for people to find a point of comparison because no one makes games like Bethesda does.

gold_drake3h ago

mh ok thanks, i still think ur wrong in this mate.

anast2h ago

No problem. I'm not here to convince you. I'm only stating an actuality. What your words do if we look at them like events.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 42m ago