150°

Vanishing of Ethan Carter Developer Criticizes Microsoft’s Indie Program

"The Developer of Ethan Carter, Adrian Chmielarz, has gone out and criticized the indie program from Microsoft. The indie program has been criticized for being closed and demanding fees from small developers to just be in the program. " - Dennis Mrozek

Read Full Story >>
s2b20blog.mukyou.com
4Sh0w3315d ago (Edited 3315d ago )

Yeah, I believe this guy really wants to get his game on X1 with the ps4 version about done. It's old news from this same guy saying the same thing even before he released Vanishing of Ethan Carter on PC last year. Unless I'm mistaken I believe I read that Microsoft has since softened their parity clause so any game can come to X1 even after a ps4 release, they just wont give free kits and dev support I think.
Edit, yep here it is:
http://www.gamepur.com/news...
http://segmentnext.com/2015...

KiwiViper853315d ago

Just shows he hasn't been in contact with Microsoft for a while...

r2oB3315d ago

If Microsoft has no parity clause, or if it's as simple as "talking to them" to circumvent the clause, then why have it in the first place? They said it's not for quality control, so what's it for, just for the developer to initiate communication? Clearly something is not working if there are a lot of indie developers not planning on bringing their games to Xbox One. If Microsoft wants more indie games on their platform, then something needs to change. Whether is getting rid of the clause or making it more transparent. This "come and talk to us" approach doesn't seem to be working well, so maybe it's time for them to take the initiative.

freshslicepizza3315d ago

they don't want the xbox one to be a cesspool of games that come out later on. they know most sales are front loaded. sony also has a policy at least they did on the ps3 that made developers add extra content because sony also knows the importance of getting games released at the same time, not later.

what this guy is saying is it's ok for big titles to do that but not for indie games. which makes me think that these indie developers don't want to make extra content or exclusive content and would rather just have an easy port.

microsoft is also known for only caring about known titles, they could care less about some indie game that probably won't sell very well especially an older title already released on a competitors platform. i think this policy is not serving microsoft well because the ps4 is already outselling it 2-1, so why would you also turn away more support even if it's small games? developers are naturally going to flock to the most popular system first most of the time.

r2oB3315d ago

@ moldybread

I don't think it's as big a deal for an indie to be released later on a platform compared to a retail game. Think about it. Retail games that release later have to justify the $60 price point, and it's harder to do that when the game is older and more likely cheaper on the competitors platform. So one way to justify the price is to add more content, which makes sense. Most indie games are $10 to $15, which is an easier price point to justify for a game released later. Plus indie developers barely have enough resources (I.e. Time and money) to release the game at the same time. It seems a bit unreasonable to expect them to release the game on an additional platform while covering all the expenses themselves of porting it, plus the additional resources required to make additional content. They may not be able to afford making the additional content, or it may not be cost effective for them to do so (they may have to use the revenue to fund their next projects, not use it for additional content for an already finished project). Microsoft should just allow them to port the game later (these are indie games, not AAA, they are not going to make or break the console... Just the icing on the cake), or help them with the additional content (whether it's with money, or man power, or whatever).

freshslicepizza3315d ago

r2oB,

i agree on your points but it is in microsofts best interest to not have games released later on. one way they are trying to do that is offer free dev kits.

the main concern to them are the indie games getting attention like no mans sky. sony was smart getting on this early and tying up a timed exclusive deal. microsoft is doing the same with the new game from the makers of limbo. so as we can see indie titles are now the new frontier for battle wars of exclusive partnerships.

one direction i would go (they might already be doing this) is advertise the new cross-platform features windows 10 enbales. ethan carter is a pc game too and porting to the xbox one is supposed to be very easy. it took them only one day to port shovel knight to the xbox one. what we will see are more pc to xbox one games. you will also see buy one on windows store and be able to play on both advertised as well.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3315d ago
donthate3315d ago

A tactic of these indie devs is to stir up controversy and put themselves right in the middle for some free PR. This isn't the first time Adrian Chmielarz has done that!

I buy very few indies, and most of the ones I buy aren't really indies. Indies today are more like AAA games of last generation.

3-4-53315d ago

What a lying sack of dirt.

He basically just bragged to everyone in the industry that he is out of touch with Microsoft's policy's and he's just trying to get attention for his game.

Leave the video games industry please.

OC_MurphysLaw3315d ago

After reading his comments..I have little sympathy for this dev.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3315d ago
MilkMan3315d ago

This guys aren't new to MS policies. They are the old devs from People Can Fly. I think they know a thing or two about MS indie policies.
I heard about the softening their policies, but even after that wasn't their a dev that complained again? I cant recall.

ScorpiusX3315d ago

Blah blah then take your crap game and vanish as you pound sand Chmielarz.

Haseo1063315d ago

Bring them to the PS4. SONY welcomes all developers!

Kingscorpion19813315d ago

Sony has the best current policy, as indie companies can self publish. The only thing they need to go through is quality control. Nintendo i am unsure about

Show all comments (16)
150°

10 Biggest Xbox Mistakes of All Time (So Far)

The Xbox brand has done a lot of good over the years, but their various blunders are pretty wild to look back on in their magnitude.

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
piroh2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Ironically number 9 can save them at this point (releasing games on multiple platforms)

ChasterMies1d 16h ago

By “save them” you mean make more profit for Microsoft. Xbox will still be a dying hardware platform.

OtterX2d ago

You could add the naming scheme for the consoles, it just confuses customers. I know they wanted to avoid traditional numbering bc it would always be lower than their competitor, but this whole 360 then One then Series thing is confusing af. Imagine a Soccer Mom trying to figure this stuff out. I still mistakenly call the Series X the One from time to time on accident.

RNTody2d ago

Don't forget about the Xbox One, Xbox One X and Xbox Series X! Good luck to Soccer moms around the world.

S2Killinit1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

They did that on purpose to confuse and direct attention away from the generational numbering.

MS doesn’t like reminding people that they joined the industry after others had already been involved in gaming.

For instance, they called the xbox “360” to combat PlayStation “3” because they wanted to seem like “more” than “3”, so instead of xbox 2, they opted for xbox 360. Also this had the additional benefit of selling consoles to uninformed parents who might purchase a “360” instead of a “3” by mistake, or because they thought 360 was more than 3. Kind of a disingenuous move.

They have been continuing with their confusing naming patterns for pretty much the same reasons. Frankly, it fits with who and what they are as a brand.

FinalFantasyFanatic1d 8h ago

I can understand their reasoning, but whoever came up with that naming scheme should be fired, bad naming schemes have killed consoles (I'm pretty sure it was the major reason for the downfall of the WiiU). They should have had unqiue names like Nintendo and Sega have had for their consoles, far less confusing for the consumer.

Cacabunga2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Phil Spencer is the worst that has happened to Xbox.
They built a respectable brand up to Xbox one. Then this guy took over and things became a joke

Reaper22_1d 23h ago

He still has his job. Something you can't say about Jim Ryan.

Cacabunga1d 23h ago

Both bad execs. One is on job and one thankfully retired.

FinalFantasyFanatic1d 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h ago )

I didn't like either person, both people damaged their respective brands and produced worse outcomes, but Phil did save the Xbox brand from being retired by Microsoft. Although in hindsight, he should have just let it die, rather than languish in limbo like it is now.

Rainbowcookie10h ago

Yeah but the one that was "bad" didn't even affect sales.

bunt-custardly1d 18h ago

Phil Spencer was also on the team back when 360 was around, alongside Shane Kim, Peter Moore etc. I think the damage that did the most harm was the Don Mattrick "Always Online" console (ahead of its time basically). They handed Sony and Nintendo a free-pass when that was revealed. It went downhill from there. Then the corporate machine went into full swing to try and recover. They have to a degree as a games company for the masses, and less so for the core gamer. Outside USA, the Xbox brand does not sell as well as Japanese based consoles (citation needed).

Cacabunga1d 18h ago

Want a decision maker. The always online and TV plans was a disaster yes, but they caught up by announcing 1st party games that gamers actually kept the hype going.. until this moron took over and introduced the PC day one release.. e all know where that ended..

S2Killinit1d 15h ago

I dont think they were ever a respectable brand, not since the beginning, when their goal was never to be involved and share in the gaming space. I think the OG xbox was an exception because MS as a brand was still getting its foot in and so the people behind that were people of the gaming industry.

FinalFantasyFanatic1d 8h ago

The 360 was the brand in its prime though, everything went downhill towards the end of that generation. Its staple games like Halo, Forza and Gears are what kept the console relevant and afloat for so long.

MaximusPrime_2d ago

Really good video.

I remember the days with RRoD was big news on here, N4G.

Microsoft had it turbulence number of years.

Looking at the success of Sea of Thieves despite being 6 years old, time to release Halo, Forza horizon 4 & 5 on PS5. It'll help their revenue

shinoff21831d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

2 of the 4 games they did already sold really well. So it's definitely going down. Idk about halo or forza but I feel those studios they've bought in the last 5 years, their coming

ChasterMies1d 19h ago

I found this video painful to watch. Can someone list them out?

Top 10 for me from are:
1. 2013 reveal presentation
2. Bundling Kinect 2 with Xbox One
3. RRoD or why rushing to market with hardware is always a bad idea.
4. Buying studios only to close them.
5. Ads on the Home Screen
6. Letting Halo die.
7. Letting Geard of War die.
8. Every console name
9. Charging for Xbox Live on Xbox 360 when Sony let PS3 players play online for free.
10. Cancelling release of OG Xbox games after the Xbox 360 launched.

Show all comments (30)
150°

Microsoft to Add Copilot AI to Video Games

Microsoft recently revealed its plans to incorporate Copilot directly into video games, with Minecraft being the first showcased example.

Read Full Story >>
xpgained.co.uk
Fishy Fingers6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

F*** AI

"Hey Copilot, what's a good meme to prove I dislike AI".... https://giphy.com/clips/sou...

Einhander19726d ago

Two trillion dollar company that just can't wait to put as many people possible out of work as fast as possible.

It feels like every single thing they do is making gaming worse and destroying the industry.

6d ago
6d ago
6d ago
darthv725d ago

....you know it takes people to program the AI.... right? It isnt like it is sentient. We haven't reach skynet level of situation or anywhere close to the matrix just yet.

That's next Thursday.

Einhander19725d ago (Edited 5d ago )

It takes a people to program the AI then that AI is used for who knows how many games eliminating countless jobs which only grows as AI is used for more and more game creation functions.

What you're saying is so ridiculously short sighted and truly larking any kind of understanding and foresight.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5d ago
CaptainFaisal6d ago

Why all the hate? Im actually excited about this! Always wanted this kind of immersion, and an AI companion with me all the time helping me out knowing the status of my skills/inventory/progress and giving me tips on the best approach or how to craft something specific is game changing for the industry.

Hate all you want about AI, but this is just the start and I can see the potential already. You wont be complaining in the next 5-10 years about this, but rather complain if a game hasn’t implemented it.

MrDead6d ago

Yes we can't wait for the work of others to be used without the need to pay them so that MS can profit even more from the people they fire.

I_am_Batman6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

There is no chance I'd ever use something like this, especially if it's not part of the core game design, but a layer on top of it. It's way too much handholding. Many games already feel like busy work, because they don't let the player figure things out on their own. Having a real-time interactive guide defeats the purpose of playing the game in the first place in my opinion.

If this were to become the standard like you predict, we'll see more and more video games get away with bad design, because people will just be used to ask for help from the AI companion anyway.

Number1TailzFan6d ago

Well Nintendo don't need this with some of their games these days, with invincible characters, items, easy bosses etc.. they do the hand holding built in

helicoptergirl6d ago

Takes "hand holding" in games to a whole new level.

BlackDoomAx4d ago

Because human nature xD Almost every new technology had these kind of comments.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4d ago
Show all comments (19)
70°

Activision team is opening a new game studio in Poland 'Elsewhere Entertainment' to build new AAA IP

Microsoft's Activision subsidiary announced today that it is opening a new game development studio to take advantage of the huge talent pool growing in Poland. It'll be the second Activision studio based in the region, joining Infinity Ward Krakow, although this studio is, in fact, not working on Call of Duty.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
Psychonaut859d ago

They’re not working on Call of Duty? Give it time.