Info about Xbox Live Arcade?
by Brandon Pollet · in General Discussion · 06/11/2005 (1:25 pm) · 4 replies
Now that both Marble Blast and ThinkTanks are on Xbox Live arcade I wonder if anyone can talk about what is involved in the process to get a Torque game on there. I'm not sure what is under NDA but I would like to know the following things if possible.
1. What is the process for getting the game on the Arcade? Does GG have an way to assist developers to get the deal with Microsoft or is it something the developer must do completely on their own?
2. Is there any kind of discount for Xbox dev kits? I know in the early days of the Xbox there was some kind of system to get dev kits to small companys without a large investment.
3. What role will the Xbox Live Arcade play with the Xbox 360? I know that there is a free Live membership that all users can get and I believe that they will have access to the arcade, but I'm not sure. I watched the Microsoft Press conference at E3 and was very excited to see Marble Blast on the screen as a downloadable game. I guess the real question is, will the requirements change for the 360? Do you have to refactor your game at all for it to be available for the 360?
That is all I can think of right now but any extra info you can share would be great. I'm not looking for sales numbers or anything like that, just some info on how the process works. This is mostly aimed at the GG and Bravetree guys but I'd love to hear from anyone who has this info, or knows were I could find it.
Thanks and congrats to the guys representing indie developers on Xbox Live.
1. What is the process for getting the game on the Arcade? Does GG have an way to assist developers to get the deal with Microsoft or is it something the developer must do completely on their own?
2. Is there any kind of discount for Xbox dev kits? I know in the early days of the Xbox there was some kind of system to get dev kits to small companys without a large investment.
3. What role will the Xbox Live Arcade play with the Xbox 360? I know that there is a free Live membership that all users can get and I believe that they will have access to the arcade, but I'm not sure. I watched the Microsoft Press conference at E3 and was very excited to see Marble Blast on the screen as a downloadable game. I guess the real question is, will the requirements change for the 360? Do you have to refactor your game at all for it to be available for the 360?
That is all I can think of right now but any extra info you can share would be great. I'm not looking for sales numbers or anything like that, just some info on how the process works. This is mostly aimed at the GG and Bravetree guys but I'd love to hear from anyone who has this info, or knows were I could find it.
Thanks and congrats to the guys representing indie developers on Xbox Live.
About the author
Brandon earned a Master's of Science in Computer Science from the University of Tulsa in 2005 before they asked him to leave. Since then he has worked in web development and mobile development all while honing his game design/programming skills.
#2
With the 3rd question I guess I was mainly asking if you would HAVE to rework your game for 360 Arcade. I only ask this because Microsoft has made such a big deal about every game on 360 supporting HD, and integrating with their UI and things like that. I know that this is really a small price to pay to be on 360 arcade, but I didn't know if those requirements extended to Live Arcade games or not.
Again, thanks for your quick response.
06/11/2005 (2:36 pm)
Thanks Pat I appreciate your answers. I know that it can be hard to filter out what you can and can't say in regards to things like this. With the 3rd question I guess I was mainly asking if you would HAVE to rework your game for 360 Arcade. I only ask this because Microsoft has made such a big deal about every game on 360 supporting HD, and integrating with their UI and things like that. I know that this is really a small price to pay to be on 360 arcade, but I didn't know if those requirements extended to Live Arcade games or not.
Again, thanks for your quick response.
#3
06/11/2005 (3:40 pm)
Well on the hard drive, you actually can't assume the hard drive is there, because it's removable. As for integrating their UI, it's actually nothing like that. Their UI is always available, you don't have to do anything. Like I said, everything on 360 is easier. The work we had to do to integrate the UI into the Xbox Marble Blast was hell, on the 360 that problem is nonexistant.
#4
06/11/2005 (4:20 pm)
That's awesome. Thanks for the info 
Torque 3D Owner Pat Wilson
1. We do, to some degree. I am not entirely sure how much, if any, focus is on the Xbox anymore at Microsoft. Xbox Live Arcade was essentially a trial run, as far as I can tell, for the Xbox 360 version of XArcade. That doesn't really answer the question, I realize, but I don't have a good answer. Yes, we have a good relationship with Microsoft regarding getting games onto Xbox Live Arcade, and Xbox 360 Arcade, and we can help get good games on there.
2. I'm not exactly sure what is ok to say about this. If Microsoft wants your game on their console, you will be given all that you need.
3. I am not exactly sure what the question is with regard to requirements changing. Basically, comparing Xbox Live Arcade and Xbox 360 Live Arcade, everything about 360 is better. From design restrictions with regard to leaderboards, distribution methods, design restrictions in UIs, technical restrictions, everything is vastly improved from Live Arcade. There isn't a single thing that we've talked to them about where myself and John Quigley and everyone else didn't say "awesome!" with regard to restrictions and technical things.
Basically the 360 is nothing but good news for indie developers and all gamers. I tend to err on the side of caution with my answers, or I try to at least, so I'm sorry if it wasn't very helpful. I will try to write a .plan that goes over a lot of things sometime before the 360 release that will answer a lot of questions. IGC at the latest.