We Need a Level Editor for Xbox 360
by John Kiska · in Marble Blast · 02/08/2006 (2:53 pm) · 6 replies
Just wanted to say that a level editor needs to be created for the 360 version of MBU as either an add-on to be downloaded for more points...or in the next version you create, as I'm sure will be done considering the success of this one. Being able to share levels via live, and post times on them would be a great addition. Also, being able to vote on them after downloading would create a new competition of who could create the best level. Just my opinion that I'm sure everyone shares, considering Level Creation has its own forum on here for the PC version. Would it be possible to make one for this version, or would it have to be in a sequel?
#2
02/09/2006 (7:13 pm)
I would love to do this. I would love for Marble Blast Ultra to be the first Xbox 360 game with a level editor, however, as Alex said, there are no plans to do this. It is not feasable to go back and add this into Marble Blast Ultra.
#3
I'd also bet that if a level-editor was a seperate dl on xbla for the same 800 points, that at least 50% of the people that own the game would get it. Throw in the fact that its needed if you want to download other peoples creations, and i'd bet on more like 80-90%. It also takes some pressure off of you by having to make a sequel so soon to meet the demands for more levels, as the fan-base would be doing this for you. I think this would make up for the extra time it would take to add it to the game.
But then again, I'm not a creator of games, so I have no say in what is or isn't made, and can only give my opinion. But my opinion, as well as a long line of supporters of this, is that the main focus or addition to the next version of the game should be this. Not a new power-up, or surface to race on. This is what the players want, so why not give it to us? If it's possible in other games, than its possible in this one. If you really wanted to I'm sure you could make a game where all you did was arrange pieces to create a level(example being Roller Coaster Tycoon...now what if they said you get a pre-ordained number of coasters, and can not make your own, how much fun would that be after a while?).
If there are no plans for the current MBU its very understandable, but to overlook it in the future is irrational to say the least. You have people hacking codes on the PC version to be able to do this, which means there is a demand for it. If it was an available option to begin with, almost everyone would do it. You have a great game on your hands, so why stop now, lets make it even greater.
02/10/2006 (12:44 pm)
I agree that it probably wouldn't be worth it for you guys to add it to the current MBU although everyone would love it. However, in say MBU2, it would be the best addition to the game you could possibly make. I'm not alone on this, as everyone i've played with agrees. You can check out the forum on Xbox.com, and there are a lot of requests. There are many games on the market that offer level editors, player creation, and other such features that make the games replay value skyrocket through infinite possibilities. I completely disagree that it would not be worthwhile, or have "limited pay-off". Clearly this is a great game, heck, it could be released as a standard game in retail stores and i'd bet that everyone would buy it. I'd also bet that if a level-editor was a seperate dl on xbla for the same 800 points, that at least 50% of the people that own the game would get it. Throw in the fact that its needed if you want to download other peoples creations, and i'd bet on more like 80-90%. It also takes some pressure off of you by having to make a sequel so soon to meet the demands for more levels, as the fan-base would be doing this for you. I think this would make up for the extra time it would take to add it to the game.
But then again, I'm not a creator of games, so I have no say in what is or isn't made, and can only give my opinion. But my opinion, as well as a long line of supporters of this, is that the main focus or addition to the next version of the game should be this. Not a new power-up, or surface to race on. This is what the players want, so why not give it to us? If it's possible in other games, than its possible in this one. If you really wanted to I'm sure you could make a game where all you did was arrange pieces to create a level(example being Roller Coaster Tycoon...now what if they said you get a pre-ordained number of coasters, and can not make your own, how much fun would that be after a while?).
If there are no plans for the current MBU its very understandable, but to overlook it in the future is irrational to say the least. You have people hacking codes on the PC version to be able to do this, which means there is a demand for it. If it was an available option to begin with, almost everyone would do it. You have a great game on your hands, so why stop now, lets make it even greater.
#4
02/10/2006 (12:46 pm)
By the way, since you're looking at this thread...Is there anyway to get the Xbox360 controller that works with windows, to also work with Marble Blast Gold? It won't recognize it when I try to use it. Thanks.
#5
As far as the future goes and level editor: I absolutly want to see/make it happen. Just in the interest of expectation management, however, Marble Blast Ultra 2 is not in development right now.
02/10/2006 (4:21 pm)
Marble Blast Gold doesn't accept controler input, unfortunatly. As far as the future goes and level editor: I absolutly want to see/make it happen. Just in the interest of expectation management, however, Marble Blast Ultra 2 is not in development right now.
#6
02/10/2006 (8:12 pm)
Thats too bad about the controller...I can't stand mouse and keyboard controls in any game except point and click. But I'm glad to hear that about the level editor. I just hope you don't keep us waiting too long for a sequel now, and congrats on the best game available for the 360 thus far(out of every game, not just the arcade ones). 
Torque Owner Alex Swanson
We currently use the open source level editing tool Quark, which would probably be impossible to port to 360, unfortunately. Some people use the TGE mission editor to put together pre-fabricated parts... like level building legos. This would probably be more reasonable on 360, but would require a totally redesigned interface for use with an analog pad. It would be very difficult to make it work well, I suspect, and would require a lot of R&D time to get a solution that would be worth releasing.
What you would be more likely to see in future versions of MB is the ability to download new packs of levels from GarageGames, as this would make the game extensible without requiring us to develop a whole new editing application using an interface (gamepad) not particularly suited to the task.