Microsoft to Release Tool for User-Created Games
User-generated content is expanding into new realms almost daily, with the latest forays being in the videogame genre. According to New York Times, CNET News, and Washington Post reports, Microsoft is expected to announce the fall release of a product called XNA Game Studio express. The product is a basic version of the company’s game-authoring tools that will allow aspiring designers write games on a PC and then test them on an Xbox 360. Once the games have been developed, they can be shared or sold on the Xbox Live Network.
“The tools we are talking about make it way easier to make games than it is today,” said Scott Henson, director for platform strategy for Microsoft’s game developer group.
Peter Moore, a Microsoft VP, said of the XNA program that “It’s our first step of creating a YouTube for video games. It will give you everything you need to bring your game to life on Xbox 360.”
In the first incarnation of XNA, the tools will not be available to the Xbox community as a whole. Those interested in developing games will have to pay a $99 yearly fee to be part of a “Creators’ Club,” and the games will be playable only by other members. Microsoft hopes that by next spring, there will be a broader set of tools to create games that can then be sold through the Xbox Live Arcade.
Eventually, the company plans to enable anyone to publish games and allow a community to separate “hits from the flops.” While the programs may not look as sophisticated as most packaged titles, many feel that an independent games business could revive gamers tired with current offerings.
Reader Comments.
XNA Game Studio Express
Microsoft has recently released XNA Game Studio Express ($99), which is a more basic version of it’s XNA Framework, which will allow anyone with a Windows (gee, no Apple support?) PC to design Xbox 360 (gee, no PS3 support?) video games. Actually, on the surface I think this is pretty cool. Good idea. Here’s where it becomes a bad idea.
According to Microsoft vice president Peter Moore, the XNA Game Studio Express, will let anyone with the desire, create their own video games and then share them on Microsoft’s Xbox Live online game service.
Let’s recap, shall we?
Pay $99 for a cool video game programming toolkit. Good idea if you’re so inclined.
Develop your great ideas for video games and possibly launch a lucrative career as a video game programmer. Good idea if you’re so inclined.
Share said designs & hard work with other Xbox live gamers. Maybe a dumb idea, as someone may steal your idea & pawn it off as their own.
Share said designs & hard work on a Microsoft sponsored web site, which they no doubt will be perusing so they can “innovate”. A company known for stealing ideas & crushing competitors with anti-competitive tactics. An EXTREMELY dumb idea.
Makes sense if you’re Microsoft though. Why pay programmers for the next great idea in gaming, when you might be able to get it for free. Hopefully the people who use this product won’t be blinded by the Microsoft PR machine. If their smart enough & talented enough to design video games, they should be able to blow away the smoke screen.
Just say NO, to Microsoft.
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