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General Gaming / Re: Microsoft's real stance on Indy developers
« on: August 09, 2008, 03:49:54 AM »Quote from: destructoid.comSource
Any indie developer will tell you it's a challenge to create the title of your dreams, but the bigger hurdle by far is getting the game published and distributed -- by someone that won't rape you for all you're worth. In a recent Gamasutra editorial by Ron Carmel of 2D Boy (developer of World of Goo), he takes a conversational tone towards Microsoft while addressing what he identifies as their three key moves that have turned off indie developers:
1. Xbox Live Arcade royalties cut by about half
2. De-listing of games from XBLA
3. Xbox Live Community Games terms established
Ouch. We certainly are aware of those first two, as they have been discussed to death by developers and fans alike, but Carmel goes on to address the flaws in the recent Xbox Live Community Games announcement, pointing out price limitations and how game promotion can be a double-edged sword:
"If the royalty rate drops from 70 percent to 40 percent for the promotional period, the promotion would barely affect the developer's bottom line, only stuffing Microsoft's pockets. Worse, if sales do not nearly double, developers actually lose money due to the promotion. Nickel and diming developers will not help XBLCG get the best games and is in my opinion a myopic strategy."
Will any of Carmel's opinions make a difference to a behemoth like Microsoft? I want to say it's unlikely, but at the same time I applaud him for standing up and clarifying thoughts that many others may have, but don't speak aloud. The indie pool is where some of today's most dynamic ideas are coming from, and I can only hope the courage Carmel displayed in speaking his mind here will be an inspiration to others to stand up for the games they create.
Even with the Wii's "Draconian" 40MB size limit on WiiWare stuff I bet it's more friendly than XBLA, I think the profit ratio on WiiWare is Developer/publisher 70/30 Nintendo which can still be amazing considering how Nintendo was always stingy with licensing pricing. And last time I checked 70% profit to the game creator is much better and more inviting than the 40% that Microsoft offers.
Only thing is that Nintendo supplies zero help to indie developers through software tools or internal support, whereas Microsoft has a whole department devoted to helping devs (indie or not) with their projects (XBOX or not). Also, XNA game development studio thingy, which is a huge deal.
I find it funny that they've completely ignored Nintendo's presence in the market in this regard by choosing to **** their potential indie devs just as WiiWare debuts.
No one's perfect, but Nintendo has never been helpful to indies, no matter what they say when announcing/launching WiiWare; Microsoft has more follow through on this, even if it's just baby-steps in comparison.