How di I get a 360 Dev kit
by Morrie · in General Discussion · 11/20/2006 (6:31 am) · 3 replies
How do I go about getting an Xbox360 dev kit. What do I need. Also does anyone know how much it would cost.
#2
2. You have to go through the necessary channels with a nearly complete and rather polished game, if not having been complete and being sold and profitable on the PC for some time as a new developer.
3. Money.
4. You will then, once approved and working with the hardware and SDK, have to go through a rather expensive and rigorous approval process, including the ESRB process to have your game rated.
5. Money.
There are a lot more steps, but approval and money are the two biggies, and an idea won't get approval. Portal and PC sales of your title have a much better chance of getting it into the door. For example, Marble Blast Ultra was banking off of the XBox version, GG's agreements with Microsoft for TSE 360, a proven track record on PC and Mac (getting it on every installed Mac was a genius way to get the word out). Cloning Clyde from Ninja Bee is probably a closer example of a small studio getting their game out there on XBLA. CC is a great game (though I wish I could find a multiplayer server, dammit) with a lot of levels, some of which are rather devious, and a simple concept that works and is fun (though I am not a big fan of the combat). But Ninja Bee had it available for the PC before approaching Microsoft, and took it the whole way. If I can ever make it down to SLC during their indie night, I'll have to see how daunting the entire process was. I am interested way down the road, but I need a solid game first. And that's what I'm trying to work on now.
I can't remember how much the devkits were, but it seems like it was in the $10,000 - $50,000 range depending on the system. It's been forever since I even thought about looking at the base cost of console licensing.
11/20/2006 (7:13 am)
1. Money.2. You have to go through the necessary channels with a nearly complete and rather polished game, if not having been complete and being sold and profitable on the PC for some time as a new developer.
3. Money.
4. You will then, once approved and working with the hardware and SDK, have to go through a rather expensive and rigorous approval process, including the ESRB process to have your game rated.
5. Money.
There are a lot more steps, but approval and money are the two biggies, and an idea won't get approval. Portal and PC sales of your title have a much better chance of getting it into the door. For example, Marble Blast Ultra was banking off of the XBox version, GG's agreements with Microsoft for TSE 360, a proven track record on PC and Mac (getting it on every installed Mac was a genius way to get the word out). Cloning Clyde from Ninja Bee is probably a closer example of a small studio getting their game out there on XBLA. CC is a great game (though I wish I could find a multiplayer server, dammit) with a lot of levels, some of which are rather devious, and a simple concept that works and is fun (though I am not a big fan of the combat). But Ninja Bee had it available for the PC before approaching Microsoft, and took it the whole way. If I can ever make it down to SLC during their indie night, I'll have to see how daunting the entire process was. I am interested way down the road, but I need a solid game first. And that's what I'm trying to work on now.
I can't remember how much the devkits were, but it seems like it was in the $10,000 - $50,000 range depending on the system. It's been forever since I even thought about looking at the base cost of console licensing.
#3
They are very willing to work with you if you have a complete game. From my experience they are very nice people and have always taken the time to answer my questions.
11/23/2006 (12:51 am)
It is 10,000 USD for a dev kit. You have to go through an approval process. Basically you need to have sold a decent amount on PC if you are a new studio OR if you are a new studio with a couple big wigs supporting you, you can also land a dev kit. More than likely you don't have the second option available so you will have to aim for PC first and try to grab a market for it in order to get approval for a dev kit, assuming you have the 10k you will need.They are very willing to work with you if you have a complete game. From my experience they are very nice people and have always taken the time to answer my questions.
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