330°

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

Console indie community "would not exist" without XBLA

Godchild10204153d ago (Edited 4153d 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.

DiRtY4153d ago

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

moegooner884153d ago (Edited 4153d 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.

GribbleGrunger4153d ago (Edited 4153d ago )

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

Ducky4153d ago (Edited 4153d 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.

MikeMyers4153d 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.

ABizzel14153d 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.

nukeitall4153d 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.

BitbyDeath4153d ago

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

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

MmaFan-Qc4152d 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 4152d ago
fermcr4153d ago

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

CalvinKlein4153d ago

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

DigitalRaptor4153d ago (Edited 4153d 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. ;)

spicelicka4153d 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.

SilentNegotiator4153d ago (Edited 4153d 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.

morkendo234153d ago (Edited 4153d 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 !

ThatsGaming4153d 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.

Godchild10204153d ago (Edited 4153d 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 4152d ago
GribbleGrunger4153d 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.

spicelicka4153d 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.

HammadTheBeast4153d 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.

spicelicka4153d 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 2144152d 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_Crawler4153d ago

Go home Gribble Ginger you are drunk again.

baodeus4153d ago (Edited 4153d 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.

Zha1tan4153d ago (Edited 4153d ago )

lol ok...

BanBrother4152d 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.

Zha1tan4152d 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.

BanBrother4151d ago

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

Jinkies4153d ago (Edited 4153d 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.

NeverEnding19894153d ago (Edited 4153d 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.

Jinkies4153d 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.

4153d ago
SDF Repellent4153d 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.

Sephiroushin4153d ago (Edited 4153d ago )

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

Oh, and Dead Nation says Hi!

Show all comments (79)
100°

70 percent of devs unsure of live-service games sustainability

With so many games fighting for players' attention and interest losing out over time, time sink games are at risk of eventually losing steam.

Read Full Story >>
gamedeveloper.com
thorstein6h ago

It was worrisome to begin with.

It's a niche genre with only a handful of hits that can stand the test of time.

CrimsonWing695h ago

What’s to be unsure of!? Look at the ratio of success to failure!

shinoff21834h ago

Yes. Stop all the live service bs.

jznrpg4h ago

Only a few will catch on. You need a perfect storm to be successful in GaaS and a bit of luck on top of that. But a potential cash cow will keep them trying and some will go out of business because of it.

MIDGETonSTILTS173h ago

Helldivers 2 manages just fine…

Keep production costs low… don’t just make custscenes until the mechanics and enemies are perfected first.

Make so much content that you can drip extra content for years, and the game already feels complete without them.

Most importantly: make weapons, enemies, levels, and mechanics that will stand the test of 1000 hours. This might require more devs embracing procedurally generated leveled, which I think separates Helldivers 2 from Destiny’s repetitiveness.

Show all comments (8)
60°

The Battle Pass Is The Worst Thing To Happen To Modern Gaming

Nameer from eXputer: "Some exceptions aside, I don't think the battle pass is a net positive for gaming with how they're implemented in most live service titles."

got_dam8h ago

Battle passes AND meta gaming both.

DivineHand1256h ago(Edited 6h ago)

I like the way Helldivers 2 does battle passes. It allows you to make purchases on each level of the battle pass and gives you the option of choosing which item to unlock first. The more purchases you make using medals the further you progress. There is no timer and you can earn medals towards purchasing stuff via personal orders and Major orders.

I haven't played much live service games that have battle passes but I remember some games that have battle passes where you progress through it linearly using an exp system. What makes it really bad is that the battle pass will have like 50 or more levels with the cooler stuff being closer to the end. They also have an in-game shop that sells exp boosters so you can reach the end of the pass before it refreshes. Everyone ilse will have to grind their way through.

lucian2295h ago

battle pass in fortnite is perfect; buy one and it buys the rest for every other season as it gives you more money than the first cost. so 8.50 and season ends with you getting 13.00, it pays for the next and you have some pocket change to save up for cash shop. All of which is optional

470°

PS5 Pro specs leak video taken down by Sony

Sony is taking actions as video by Moore’s Law is Dead, has been issued with a copyright claim.

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
andy851d 1h ago

And people say it's all fake because Sony haven't said anything 😂 conveniently forget the PS4 Pro was only announced 2 months before release.

BeHunted1d 1h ago

It's fake. There's no factual evidence other than his own made up specs.

Hereandthere1d 1h ago

What were the specks Sony was afraid of showing?

Shikoku1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

Digital foundry put a video out saying what he leaked was exactly what they also knew about the PS5 PRO. So no it's not just stuff he made up

Babadook721h ago(Edited 21h ago)

If it’s fake what copyright does MLID infringe upon?

😂

andy8521h ago

Aye because they'd go to the effort of copyright claiming it if it didn't exist 🙃😂 you'd have to be a special kind to be thinking its not a thing by now

Cacabunga20h ago

They need to reveal it with uncharted killzone or a heavy hitter like this

Ironmike20h ago(Edited 20h ago)

U mean the specs that we'll established digital foundry which said these are the actual specs published a video on 2 weeks ago I mean they are only one of most trusted sites for tech information but they just made up a video for the sake of it

Christopher7h ago

I would love for it all to be fake, but lots of people are saying they've seen/heard the same thing. But, man, we 100% don't need mid-gen upgrades when we're failing hard to optimize current hardware.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 7h ago
Seraphim2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

if I recall Sony lowered sales expectations for PS5 earlier this year. if that is the case we won't hear anything about a Pro until next year or shortly before/when it's dropping. After all, if the Pro was dropping this year/fiscal year they wouldn't have lowered expectations.

As for squashing rumors. Yeah, shit like this prevents potential buyers from adopting now, just like slim rumors in the past. It only makes sense to keep things under wraps from a business perspective. Despite living in a technological age of unfettered access to information we don't need to know whats going on behind closed doors be that at Sony, Nintendo, MS, or amongst any development studios. When the steak is done we shall feast.

JackBNimble1h ago

By the time games are actually made to take advantage of the pro spec's the ps6 will be released or close to it.

jznrpg1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

Just announce it already! I want to preorder one asap. But in reality they don’t want to lessen PS5 sales until Pro is ready to launch so I understand the business part of it. September is probably when they announce it with an early November launch like the PS4 Pro

Ironmike20h ago

Pro won't lessen sales sames ps4 pro never and the ps4 pro was more relevant at the time cos move to 4k this not needed

RaidenBlack14h ago(Edited 13h ago)

Yea, my brother got his PS4 (coz of a good deal) after the PS4 Pro's release.

darthv7210h ago

^^same here. I got a base 4 for only $100 off a guy who bought the Pro. then a few months later I found a guy on craigslist selling a pro for $100 because it was left behind by his former roommate who moved out. That was the beginning of my obsession to buy up the different variants of the PS4 that were released.

As of now I am really only missing the 500m one and the gold slim but otherwise I have pretty much all the other retail ones. https://consolevariations.c...

crazyCoconuts3h ago

Anyone with 4K that appreciates 60fps is gonna disagree about it not being needed.
DLSS is a god send for Nvidia, and there's been nothing like it for AMD...yet ...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3h ago
DeadlyFire8h ago

They will announce it around E3 timeframe about May-June whenever they do a showcase for the year.

neutralgamer19921d ago

Just announce it this thing will sell well

Ironmike20h ago(Edited 20h ago)

I don't think it will pll still haven't seen the potential of ps5 yet

Cacabunga7h ago

agreed, but it might sell if they announce some 1st party games to lead the way. if people see the difference with the base version they can move on. for my sake I am still gaming mainly on PS4 (still not finished with RDR2 due to lack of gaming time). I have a huge backlog on PS5 I am hoping to get into.

mark3214uk15h ago

why? game makers havnt even come close to maxing out current spec yet, were getting al lthese new TFlops and game maker are making crappy remakes not worthy of the ps3

Minute Man 72111h ago

The guts of the 5 and X are 5 years old

fr0sty4h ago

People keep saying that, yet we still have games running at near HD resolutions, 30fps, and ray tracing features turned off.

PRIMORDUS21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

I would take that video and upload a torrent of it, fuck that copyright bullshit. If your going to do something that has a chance of being taken down, make a torrent first share it. Then Sony or any other company is helpless and you can laugh in their faces, taunting them to try to take it down 🤣

LoveSpuds14h ago

With kind of analysis and advice, you could be a lawyer for Trump!🤣

tronyx1214h ago

As much as the PS4 Pro didn't represent a major % in the playerbase, announcing a 'better' model will hinder sales from the 'base' model. They are right, business-wise.

Show all comments (36)