So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

[Crimson Knight]

According to the GDC, Microsoft will allow independent development and publishing on their Xbox 360. If you wanted to make a game, put it on a console, and get paid for it, without having to be a multi-million dollar corporation, I suggest you read up on XNA and Xbox LIVE Community Games.

I've started developing using XNA Game Studio. I'm very good at making games using languages like C++. But damn, XNA makes things complicated! In order to really understand how to use the thing, you have to learn a great deal of C#, as well as a few other programming techniques. After the initial confusion though, I believe any code savvy developers will get the hang of things, as the documentation is pretty helpful.

But for those of you who've used Game Maker for PC, this definitely isn't "a Game Maker for Xbox 360". For a development environment that supports console development though, I'm glad it's only moderately difficult to use. Although we won't be able to do things established Xbox developers will(achievements/leaderboards/any outside net interaction other than multiplayer), I'm looking forward to the time when Microsoft will fully open its doors.

I wonder if Sony/Nintendo have anything like this planned? I imagine Nintendo might consider changing its Wii Ware strategy a little.

[Red Dragon]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

Considering we are getting a slew of crappy $20 Wii games (Jenga World Tourny anyone?) It seems that we won't get anything like that for Wii. 'Cause they already HAVE it.

I could be wrong though.

[Chrono]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

I believe XNA games can use achievements/leader boards. If you have downloaded the XNA player off of the Marketplace, then go to the XNA tab on the Library page. You can then download some of the demos that have been released. Like The Dishwasher and Jelly Car. I’m looking forward to seeing what these independent game developers come up with.

[marcus]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

I think Xbox Live Arcade is one of the best things to hit the consoles in a while. It allows people to release products that most publishers wouldn't bat an eye at and you don't have to worry about paying some greedy editor for distribution costs and advertising. All proceeds go to you after you factor in the 100$ a year subscription fee which is CHEAPER than most MMORPG.

Still waiting for Castle Crashers...

[pinkymadigan]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

I really liked XNA when I tried it (content pipeline was great), but the fact that it's C# based really annoys me. I can't stand not having pointers. I'll stick with DirectX and C++.

[Crimson Knight]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

I believe XNA games can use achievements/leader boards.

I think with a publishing contract. Otherwise, established companies who release crappy remakes of crappy games wouldn't have much power in the marketplace. I don't know if it's been officially confirmed or not, but it was discussed at the official XNA forum, where it was decided that games from the creator's club wouldn't have achievement features(not even for 0G). There was a scenario described where the system could easily be abused, so maybe that's another reason.

[Toaster]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

I hate to rain on your parade, but I've heard through the grapevine that somewhere on Kotaku there was an article regarding Microsoft "fazing out" XNA.

Of course this is all hear-say and the kid could just be making stuff up... but I don't see any reason for him to just lie like that. But Kotaku isn't alyways 100% reliable so let's hope that's the case. It's be pretty damn stupid to eliminate XNA, if you ask me.

[Chad]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

They just put out new tools for XNA. In fact, students can get the XNA software for free, along with Visual Studios 2008 and Expression Studio. I really don't think they're phasing it out, and if so it must be a long term plan.

[pinkymadigan]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

It really hasn't been that long since I first heard about it through school from a Microsoft rep, so I would bet against that, unless they are just talking about putting together a c++ version or an updated version to go along with the next visual studio or something. In which case, yeah, they'd stop supporting the old product like ms tends to.

[orius]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

Sounds like a cool idea. Ok, there'll probably be crappy games made from this, but every now and then, there'll be some gifted designer out there who makes something good, and it's a good way for MS or any other company to scout talent.

[Perversion]

Re: So, uh... how 'bout that XNA?

There are (I think) currently 6 or 7 XNA-made games available for download for free from Marketplace. It says they expire in March, but I'm not sure if that means you DL the full game now, and can only play it until March, when it reverts to the demo version, or if the demos are currently available, and will be unable to be played at all in March. *shrug*

I downloaded 5 of them, but have not played them yet.