Community-games
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PSA: You're doing it wrong, community game teaches foreplay [Update]
Update: Community game, Break One Out, has been pulled from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Ladies and gentlemen, we're doing it wrong. After years of thinking we'd figured out every trick available from books and television, video games have revealed that the easiest method to get someone naked is by playing an Arkanoid clone over their (already naked) body. How did we discover the answer to one of the world's greatest mysteries? The Xbox Community Game, Break One Out (yeah, that's the name) taught us, of course! The game features Kitty -- we're sure that's her real name -- covered with blocks that must be destroyed by sending balls flying toward her. In hindsight, we probably could have put that in a less "double entendre" kind of way ... Even though the game doesn't feature any real nudity (naughty bits are covered up by black bars) it's surprising Microsoft wouldn't pull the content for fear of damaging its family friendly image. Thankfully, all Community Games are considered unrated content, which means the game isn't accessible when any of the Xbox 360 Family Settings are adjusted. Here's the real PSA. Don't buy this game, folks. Not because it's a bad game (and it is), not because it's sad (and oh boy, is it) but because it's 200 ($2.50) ... and the sequel will probably include co-op.
Joystiq Interview: Binary Tweed talks 'Clover' file size problems, Community Games
click to Dr. Manhattanize Indie developer Binary Tweed revealed that it has hit the Community Games size limit ceiling for its upcoming game, Clover. First on the strike list? Unlockable art; however, the developer mentions it may "have to make some compromises on the audio side too." Unlike the murky size-limit waters that surround Xbox Live Arcade titles, Community Games are stuck in a strict 150MB sized pool.We wondered if this meant Clover's Q1 2009 release would change and where the developer hopes to go once its freshman entry is available to play -- so we asked. Joystiq talked with Binary Tweed's managing director, Daniel "Deejay" Jones, and picked his brain about the recent file size issues, the Community Games platform and how the industry is reacting to the indie game push.%Gallery-42065%
The Maw developer not keen to idea of Community Games
In a comment made to MTV Multiplayer, CEO and software engineer Michael Wilford of Twisted Pixel Games (the team behind recent XBLA release The Maw) admitted that the Community Games program is less than appealing and that they're happy developing on the XBLA with Microsoft support. Partly due to the fact that the Community Games program is shrouded in mystery. "I like the looks of the business model, but Community Games face[s] the same problem PC web portals do," said Wilford, "which is an open platform and an overabundance of not-so-stellar games." He continues, "we may develop for Community Games at some point, but XBLA is very successful partly because it is a closed and tightly managed portfolio of games." Adding that, with their relationship with Microsoft, they hope to continue "down the XBLA path."We tend to agree with Wilford. The new Community Games section is a great opportunity for start ups, offers great potential and is generally a good program for up and comers. But the sheer amount of titles and amount of lower quality games tarnishes the program's goal. What say you?
Community Games devs still in the dark on sales figures
If you happen to be a developer for Microsoft's Community Games on the Xbox 360, our heart goes out to you. MTV's Multiplayer is reporting that since the Community Games service launched in November 2008, developers have yet to receive any sales information about their games. Thus far, the only official information available to the developers is the same information that's been released to the public, namely the top ten Community Games lists that Major Nelson compiles every week. As Multiplayer points out, knowing what rank a game is doesn't exactly tell the whole story without sales data: How many copies sold does it take to make number one? Thousands? Hundreds?In response, Microsoft stated that the sales data will be available to Community Games developers via the XNA Creators Club website by March. Hopefully, Microsoft will see fit to release some information on the overall performance of Community Games in that time frame as well.
CES 09: Is Kodu really that simple? Answer: Yes!
Our homies over at Joystiq got a chance to sit in on a demo of Microsoft's recently announced and supposedly user friendly Community Game Kodu and were able to answer the still lingering question that's on everyone's mind: Is Kodu really that easy to use? Quick answer, yes ... yes it is.According to Microsoft's Matthew MacLaurin, Kodu was created with kids in mind and describes the game as "programming as a fourth-grade art class." And Joystiq's Justin McElroy agrees that it really is basic and well, simple. Check out the informative (and totally factual) Kodu bullet points listed below: Will ship with 20 different objects/characters. 20 pre-built (and editable) levels will be included. Commands given to objects are called "Pages". Kodu has been tested with kids for over a year. Releasing this Spring for a yet to be disclosed price.
Kodu is the new Boku: Xbox Live's 'LittleBigPlanet'
Microsoft pulled no punches during its CES keynote, shuffling an "actual 12-year-old girl" onstage to demonstrate its newly renamed Xbox Live Community Game "Kodu." Apparently too reminiscent of the failed 80s-era adult juice, the former name, Boku, was dropped in favor of the less associable two-syllabler. But we digress. Kodu is still easily described as a LittleBigPlanet-esque effort, but on a much simpler scale -- and probably far less "brilliant," in the Brits' all-purpose sense of the word.Sparrow, that 12-year-old we mentioned, apparently did create a "pretty impressive" game using Kodu, described by Engadget as, "Katamari meets light-cycles from Tron. It's totally bizarre -- now her and Robbie [Bach] are using cycles to steal rocks from each other." Actually, sounds brilliant to us.Kodu was originally designed as a learning tool for kids, but Microsoft promises it's compatible with people ages "seven to 70." Players reportedly create their game worlds in mere minutes using a pool of 200 building blocks designed to drive simple gameplay concepts like vision, hearing and time. Kodu is scheduled for release this spring and has yet to be priced.Update: Video after the break, and more details here. [Thanks EvilDud!]
CES 09: Game making made easy with Kodu
On stage, during this year's CES keynote, Microsoft' Robbie Bach announced the new game building playground that's coming to the Community Games channel later this year. It's called Kodu (formerly known as Boku) and allows anyone to pick up a 360 controller and build their own game. It's sorta like Little Big Planet, but more open, free and targeted towards all age groups. With a simplified control scheme, over 200 building block options and possibilities galore, Kodu is an interesting lil project. Though, from Bach's Kodu on-stage demo, we were quickly overwhelmed by the amount of menu navigation that was going on. It's supposed to be intuitive, but to us, it seems a bit overwhelming. We'll see.
Starting 2009 with a few popular Community Games
For those of you have yet to jump into the ever growing library of gaming fun found in the Community Games, we urge that you do. Really, there's a lot of goodness to be found and even though each game is paid content, there are trial versions for each and ever title. To get you started on your 2009 Community Games test drive, we took the liberty of compiling a list of the top seven most popular games available. All of which are, for the most part, good times (except Fireplace, it's that controversial title that got a Major plug). Go ahead, jump in! Fireplace - "Enjoy the awesome ambiance of a crackling fireplace in your living room." Air Legends - "Take to the skies in frenetic WWII dogfighting." Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp - "Play as Johnny Platform himself in this retro-styled platformer!" sin(Surfing) - "Ever wished you could surf inside an oscilloscope?" Weapon of Choice - "Insane action and humongous aliens tied together by a twisted story." RPaints - "Do you like to mess with colors, or just doodle? RPaints allows you to do just that!" Dr. Popper - "Dr. Popper is a bubble breaker game."
Cozy up to the virtual Xbox 360 fireplace
During this time of year, we begin feeling envious of those who are lucky enough to own a fireplace and can snuggle up next to it with a hot cup of cocoa and oversized blanket. For those who are beginning to feel the fireplace envy creep in, we recommend navigating to the Community Games section and downloading the newly released virtual fireplace. For "only" 400 Microsoft points, you can download Fireplace and own your very own Xbox 360 fireplace. This Fireplace "game" comes complete "realistic smoldering embers and flickering" and requires no skill to ignite. Check out the amazing Fireplace video after the break and wonder exactly why you haven't yet made the purchase.
Halo still rules Xbox Live, community games now included
There's a new top games of Xbox Live list up over at MajorNelson.com and, for the second week in a row, Halo 3 is sitting atop all other Xbox 360 games. That includes Gears 2 and World at War. Funny thing about World at War, this past week it actually beat out Gears 2 for the second most played game on Live. Poor Marcus, he never had a fighting chance ... This week, Major also brings us a new weekly top ten list of Community Games, which should help you weed through game candidates and give you a weekly list of hot games. You know, hot games like Mr. Silva's ZSX4 Guitarpocalypse which made it into the top five.
James Silva's ZSX4 Guitarpocalypse now on Community Games
James Silva is one busy guy. First he creates The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai (which is coming "soon"), then he writes a book about how to make an XNA game, and now he's gone and created another game. To be specific, he's created a new Community Game called (ahem) Zombie Smashers X4 Guitarpocalypse. If you're hoping that we'll be able to explain the title to you, we're sorry to let you down. All we know is that you select a character, pick a guitar, and start smacking the crap out of the other three players. Gather enough energy and you can start banging out a wicked guitar solo (no, seriously) which (again, seriously) unleashes a powerful special attack.Also, there's a cat that shoots fireballs from its eyes. So, essentially, this is the game design you used to scribble in your spiral during history class. Also, it's only 200 points ($2.50). Check out the trial version. Just try it.[Thanks, desertpyrate]
MS expands Community Games into new regions
Today, Microsoft announced that they've expanded their Community Games initiative into new regions, thus growing the amount of developer participants.Singapore, Australia and New Zealand have just been added to the list of regions that can produce and participate in the Xbox Live Community Games program and create games like these. On top of the three new region additions, the Community Games program is available in: United States Canada England France Italy Spain Nordic Regions
Reminder: Check out Live Community Games
With all the excitement surrounding the New Xbox Experience, one "feature" we haven't discussed and some haven't explored are the new Community Games. If you weren't aware, the XNA developer community is churning out XBLA-style games that get voted on and the best are pushed onto the Xbox Live Marketplace's Community Games section. And, just like official XBLA games, you can download a trial before you buy. To get you started on your Community Games game search, we took the liberty to list the seven most popular games that are currently available. Also, don't forget to tell us what your Community Games top choice is.Seven Most Popular Community Games Weapon of Choice - (Action & Adventure) by MommysBest sin(Surfing) - (Sports & Recreation) by Raph Colosseum - (Fighting) by Shortfuse Games In The Pit - (Action & Adventure) by luvcraft Word Soup - (Puzzle & Trivia) by Fuzzy Bug Funky Punch XL - (Fighting) by SolusG painball - (Shooter) by radlogicgames
Xbox 360 community games: 48 hours from submission to release
In its latest developer diary, Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog highlights the NXE Community Games Channel, which we've heard about since February 2008. The separate channel will let theoretically anyone who submits a game and passes peer review to sell their title to other Xbox 360 owners (with Microsoft, unsurprisingly, taking a little bit off the top). What is surprising to us is that the peer review process there's only 48 hours between the time of submission and release on the channel, a much shorter time frame than Microsoft's weeks-long certification process for Xbox Live Arcade games and title updates. Video embedded after the break; the New Xbox Experience launches November 19.
Video: XNA community games on the NXE
Just posted over on Major Nelson's website is a fresh New Xbox Experience video that takes a look at community games and the system that'll be used to bring content to the Marketplace. In the vid, Major sits down with the XNA community team's Kathleen Sanders to discuss the process, who can create games and what we should see heading into November 19th. It looks to be quite the democratic process and one that should bring new experiences and possibilities to the 360.
XNA Community Games pricing, marketing structure detailed
Microsoft has revealed the marketing and pricing plans for its Xbox Live Community Games program, which is expected to launch in some public form this holiday season in North America and select European markets.Microsoft has set three tiers of pricing for XNA developed titles, games may cost 200MS points ($2.50) for titles 50MB or less and 400 ($5) or 800MS points ($10) for titles that weigh in at a maximum of 150MB.Microsoft is set to share up to 70% of profits from any XNA developed title. Microsoft has also revealed plans to help promote the more successful titles on the service. "If we help you sell an absolute ton of these, it's going to be up towards 30% [more of your total revenue]," Microsoft chief technology officer Chris Satchell told MTV Multiplayer. "If it's not doing so well, down towards 10%."As Shacknews described, developers who choose to distribute titles via the Xbox Live Marketplace will not be able to opt out of royalty-cutting promotions. Creators must first agree to a common set of terms when adding a game to the service and, According to Microsoft, "the majority of sales and revenue a creator earns will be generated by our promotions." Unfortunately, XNA Community Games will not include achievements and the service is structured so no game may be released for free, but we assume we'll see demos for each title.
User-created Xbox Live games to cost as low as $2.50, devs get up to 70% revenue
Microsoft confirmed today that the final phase of its XNA initiative would commence later this year when the "Community Games" channel is added to the Xbox Live Marketplace in the US, Canada and select European markets (other regions will be included in 2009 and "beyond"). User-created games will be sold at three price levels: 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50), 400 Microsoft Points ($5) and 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Microsoft has committed to share up to 70% of revenue of an indie game with its developer. (In addition, we're presuming that some games will be offered for free. Actually, no games will be free -- read our full Q&A with XNA GM Boyd Multerer right here!) Microsoft expects that user-created contributions will double the number of downloadable games available on Xbox Live when the Community Games beta launches in the fall as part of the "New Xbox Experience." A peer-review system -- already in operation -- will theoretically keep these titles from coming under the watchful eye of the delisting committee. Though, just in case a few stinkers slip through the cracks, let's keep our fingers crossed for the availability of demo versions.[Note: Above image is not an accurate depiction of XNA development conditions.]
Xbox Live Community Games launches beta test
After being announced at GDC 08 the only questioned that lingered about Microsoft's new Community Games initiative was when the program would officially begin. Today Microsoft inched the program closer to launch by announcing the Beta test for Community Games is available to premium XNA membership owners and the new XNA Creators Club Online community site.The beta allows creators to submit games for review to the newly formed creators site and once reviewed and approved the game is made available on Xbox Live.According to Microsoft during GDC, Community Games will land on all Xbox Live connected consoles this holiday season and hopefully the early beta means we can have a healthy catalog of titles to choose from.Make sure to check out the XNA Community Games tutorial video after the jump.
XNA community games downloaded 750,000 times
Today, as we churned through February's NPD numbers, we came across an interesting number that was included as part of Microsoft's NPD press release. The magic number is 750,000 and it's the number of times the seven free XNA games were downloaded the week after GDC. Microsoft's internal estimates peg the seven XNA games (including gems like Dishwasher: Dead Samurai, JellyCar and Little Gamers) were downloaded around 750,000 times over Xbox Live and, by our internal calculations, that sounds like a lot! Hopefully the exposure these downloads received not only got gamers excited for their release, but excited for the big XNA community games rollout later this Fall. Bring on the free XNA goodness already, bring it!
Shhh ... Dishwasher: Dead Samurai demo not dead
Keep this one on the down-low, we mean don't go putting this on the internets or anything but it looks like someone at Microsoft forgot to hit the "off" switch on the XNA demo for The Dishwasher - Dead Samurai.Set to expire at midnight on March 9, we found that the demo still booted up and worked correctly today -- March 10. Still having the demo on our hard drive, we attempting to boot the game when a screen told us that the demo had expired, but oddly continued to the main menu of the the game.The Dishwasher - Dead Samurai, created solely by James Silva, was heralded by Microsoft as their main attraction for the upcoming XNA Community Games feature, set to release this holiday. While we expect Microsoft has already noticed, they can see what you're playing you know, we at least can give the fantastic demo for the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade release a final farewell. Video of the demo going through after the jump.At this time we haven't been able to confirm if all XNA demos are still functioning, but it seems likely that they will.%Gallery-15513%
