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XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?
XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?
GameSetWatch - February 24, 2008
Submitted by llonesmiz (508) at 12:40AM PST on February 25, 2008
So, one of the big stories from earlier this week was Kotaku's one on Microsoft apparently 'cutting XBLA royalties in half'.One of the problems here, of course, is that Kotaku's report only had one side of the story - and Microsoft will not discuss original or current royalty rates in public. Which leads us to a problem to be resolved - did Microsoft really cut its XBLA royalty rates in half without _ANY_ changes to the developer package?The answer is no.
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2dazer posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 12:06PM PST on March 3, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@GoblinMerchant,
XBL (the games at least) are hosted by a bunch of people going on the internet and basically ptp -ing it. the servers MS uses for the XBOX is mainly for chat and message systems.
XBL is half as stable as Playstation online. I guarantee it- deds[ Veteran ] [ Level 11 ] [ Rank: 897 ]bids
3GoblinMerchant posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 11:09AM PST on March 3, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@dazer,
The reason people like Xbox Live is because it's an integrated service run completely by MSFT. Letting people run their own servers would just decrease the quality of the online experience. Yes you would have competition, but do people actually remember personal servers they played on? Most of the time I just end up on a crappy, laggy server someone set up.
I like the integrated workings of XBL, keeping track of meaningful stats and allowing you to accomplish achievements in a fair environment. There isn't any cheating.[ Guru ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 260 ]bids
3GoblinMerchant posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 11:02AM PST on March 3, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
GIMP is available for multiple systems not because its open source but because its developers care about developing it for Linux, Solaris, and BSD.
The reason Photoshop isn't available for those platforms isn't because it is proprietary, it's because Adobe realizes there's no market, and therefore no return on using resources for developing a version of Linux, Solaris, and BSD. Like all business decisions, this is a question of allocating resources and whether it makes a sufficient return for the risk. It's simply not worth hiring developers to make a Solaris version of Photoshop because there just aren't graphic designers who use Solaris.
The open group of GIMP doesn't run like a business and therefore is inefficient--they allocate resources not based on demand but on personal whim (these coders like alt OSes). So they spend a bunch of time developing apps that no one will use (Solaris version of Photoshop).[ Guru ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 260 ]bids
2dazer posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:03AM PST on March 3, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
How is that socialist?
If anything, that comment would be capitalistic.
It's also the truth.
If the UK and all of Europe would let go of the companies, and just not allow anyone to become a monopoly, I guarantee you that 90% of the issues EU people have with the gvt would go away.
Notice how private schools are nearly Twice, even Three times as good as public ones, because they have to compete with the gvt monopolies.
If I were MS, I wouldn't make people pay for the service, but allow them to run their own servers thru their computer/xbox, driving down costs and complexities for the company.[ Veteran ] [ Level 11 ] [ Rank: 897 ]bids
2Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10:47PM PST on March 1, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?My point was incompatibilities come from closed standards and software proprietors choosing not to be interoperable to weaken the competition. It's why they just got fined $1.3 billion.
"Microsoft currently faces two European antitrust investigations, one related to interoperability and one over the “tying” of separate software products."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/business/worldbusiness/28msoft.html
The amount of open source applications used in the world today bears no relevance to the point I was making.
Competition is a good thing. Even in software. It requires openness to truly benefit the consumer though.[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
1ItachiItachi posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10:15AM PST on March 1, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?bids
-1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 9:48AM PST on March 1, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
Open source is NOT the majority of programs. We're talking about the majority of the industry, not a set of niche programs.
Oh and I do agree with you about being used to free online, I'm the same way (grew up with PC shooters).
And to answer your online question, comparing MS and Nintendo (not familiar with Sony), Nintendo doesn't offer a tenth of what MS' service does. Also, given how incredibly popular Live is, Microsoft somehow knew that their consumers would be willing to pay for such a service, so it was a very smart business move (they're easily the leaders in console online).[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 9:43AM PST on March 1, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@apujanata,
I don't think Nintendo's costs that much. It functions mainly as a matchmaking service, not in a server capacity. They can likely cover these costs simply by determining how many sales are added due to online functionality.
Yes, I agree there are incompatibilities. But imagine if there were 4-5 main OS' for the PC instead of 1...it would be a mess.[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
2apujanata posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:29AM PST on March 1, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
Doesn't it cost Nintendo and Sony money to run their online service or do they run on pixie dust?
Yes, which is why I will not be surprised IF Nintendo or Sony change their policy and start charging for their service in the future. I am not saying it will happen, but IF it happen, it is not surprising (to me).
@Laoldar,
About incompatibilites among modern software, it still happen. Even for HTML format, there is still incompatibilities (sometimes). Even SQL, XML, UML, Java, they all have incompatibilities issues.
UNIX itself, which is the first effort at solving the issue, is failed because of bickering between their proponent (HP with HP UX, IBM with AIX, Sun with Solaris etc). The only attractiveness of LINUX is it is free, while those other UNIX are not free (or only work on certain H/W Platform).
Even on Windows 3.0 (and perhaps 3.1), there are lots of incompatibilities, in the form of UAE (Unrecoverable Application Error, IIRC), which happen whenever there is incompatibilites. And don't forget that NT programs does not run well on 2000 or Windows 98 / ME.[ Oracle ] [ Level 30 ] [ Rank: 14935 ]bids
4Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 4:33AM PST on March 1, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
"(ie, programs can't work on different operating systems that are too different from eachother). "
Not if they're open source. OS doesn't attempt to construct or maintain monopolies through platform biasing. As such, you can run most OS programs on multiple operating systems. Take GIMP for example. This is a list of packages for different systems.
* GNU/Linux: Debian (deb) Fedora Core 3 (RPM) Gentoo Portage Slackware SuSE 9.2 (RPM) Ubuntu (deb)
* BSD: FreeBSD
* Sun Solaris: Blastwave Software Distribution
* Mac OS X
* Windows: GIMP should run on any NT-based version of Windows (NT4, 2000, XP or Vista). Older GIMP versions (2.0.x) could also work with older versions of Windows such as Windows 95 but they are not supported anymore
The incompatibilities you speak of arise from closed development and more importantly closed standards. Compare GIMP to Photoshop which doesn't support Linux and will not allow people to do the porting for them. Good job those nice people at Google are putting a lot of money into Wine based Photoshop support ey? ;)
RE XB-Live:
I don't mind paying for a service but if I want to play an exclusive game like Halo 3 I have to pay for Live. I'm not free to chose from a range of Live service providers, It's MS or no-one. PC gamers are just too used to free gaming I guess...
Doesn't it cost Nintendo and Sony money to run their online service or do they run on pixie dust?[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 9:36PM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@apujanata,
Fair enough. Oh, and Windows 3.1 was my first that I recall (I'm 25 and it was on the first family computer after using DOS a few times).
Oh and I was speaking about incompatibilities among modern software (ie, programs can't work on different operating systems that are too different from eachother).
You clearly know more about that time than I.[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
2Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 7:49PM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
"Also, Microsoft isn't a gaming monopoly"
I know. The whole point is I do not want to see it happen to the games industry.
Of course you always have a choice but most people don't even realise they have a choice. MS have made sure there is only one OS the masses know about. The same happens in other industries. I helped troubleshoot someone's broadband who thought there was only one provider in the country even though several large providers exist. The company was BT but don't get me started on them...that's another rant for another day.
Then you have interoperability
"Looking at Linux/Windows/Mac we can see how more competition would only lead to incompatibilities."
Why? No open standards. Further securing the monopoly. Competition in open source works just fine.
Meh it's too late for this[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
4apujanata posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 6:41PM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
There are too many things I need to share with you regarding MS vs competition during DOS and Windows era, and you need to be familiar with PC during 1980 - 1990 era, before you can really know what kind of company MS was during that era.
What is the first windows you use ? I used Windows 286/386 (not many people are even aware of that OS, which is a precursort of Windows 3.0, Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 for Workgroup). I used IBM DOS 3.3, 4.0, DR-DOS 6.0 and 7.0, I used OS/2 (a very difficult OS to install and setup, unlike Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1). I have used Quarterdeck QEMM etc. Just trust me that there is a plus and minus to standardization compared to customisation. During DOS era, there was no problem in compatibilites, except those that are introduced by Microsoft, specifically to kill competition (IBM, Digital Research, the creator of CPM, which command, like dir, MS-DOS copy).
I do like free things, which is why I like Linux. However, when talking about unfair competition, that is what Microsoft do to Netscape (and what later on, Open Source did to Microsoft for the OS). I am not talking about how IE benefit Microsoft directly (it is only indirectly).
Have you ever installed Mac ? Or Linux ? There is no problem with installation, except when the driver of the H/W is incompatible. In Mac, if you use Mac OS (Leopard, OS X), there shouldn't be any problem, since Mac machine are fully tested and have proper driver in the OS (unless you bought third party VGA card that don't have proper driver for OS X).
FYI, I am in the IT Business, and I sell IT equipment (H/W, S/W), and I was in this industry from a long time ago, so I know what I am talking about. I remember my TRS-80, the first PC I use.[ Oracle ] [ Level 30 ] [ Rank: 14935 ]bids
1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 4:58PM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@apujanata,
I was talking about once Windows came out. Yes, some existed but companies that were much more established than Microsoft couldn't even dent them.
Microsoft did well because they had a great DOS OS...quite frankly, I couldn't imagine what an insane mess PC use would be without a standard OS setup anyways. Looking at Linux/Windows/Mac we can see how more competition would only lead to incompatibilities.
Oh and regarding issues like Netscape vs IE...well that's an issue for another day. Personally I don't see having a free browser with your OS as a bad thing. People could (and do) just download a different one. It's not like using IE benefits Microsoft in any substantial way.[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
3apujanata posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 4:02PM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
About your last sentence "Also, Microsoft isn't a gaming monopoly. And their computing monopoly only occurs because no one bothered to compete with them in PC operating systems, so they're hardly evil".
If you are familiar with PC-DOS, DR-DOS, IBM OS/2, you wouldn't be so quick to say "no one bothered to compete with them in PC". Also "Lotus Notes" vs "Exchange" is a nice story of how Microsoft leverage their monopoly into other vertical. Also "Netscape" vs. "IE".
I do agree with you, that Microsoft doesn't have monopoly in console (now).[ Oracle ] [ Level 30 ] [ Rank: 14935 ]bids
1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10:15AM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
Developing the project you speak of would cost billions...in development time, resources, manufacturing, marketing...this is all fairly standard stuff that such a project would have to deal with. I'm not sure why you think it won't cost much to put together, companies aren't exactly giving components away. It's really basic economics.
Oh and public transit is HEAVILY subsidized by tax dollars...so you can complain about pricing, but you're not paying anything close to what it actually costs to run it (unless the UK is unique in this, which I doubt).
Stop complaining about Microsoft. They're not "ramming" anything. If you don't want Vista, don't buy it, or a computer that has it pre-loaded. Simple as that. Get XP...get a Mac...get Linux, etc.
Complaining about Live? Again, no one forces you to use it...much like no one forces you to pay for MMOs or any other service. It costs money to run servers and you shouldn't expect companies to shoulder the entire cost of running an online service as full-featured as Live (which consists of a lot more than game match-making).
Also, Microsoft isn't a gaming monopoly. And their computing monopoly only occurs because no one bothered to compete with them in PC operating systems, so they're hardly evil.
[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
1Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 9:59AM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
This is getting ridiculous...but here I go again
Why will it cost billions? Haven't I just explained that this is nothing like the PS3 or 360? Fine. Ignore my points and skim the topic if it makes you feel better.
I'm glad you brought up public transport. Do you live in the UK? Our prices are outrageous as is the service! That has arisen due to there being no alternative, other than getting in your car and sitting in traffic. There is one rail provider in my area, so they can charge what they like.
MS is exactly the same but in the desktop market. Is Vista worth it's price tag? Has it pushed the boundaries of computing? Is it rammed down people's throat when they buy a machine? Is it packaged with machines that can't even run it properly?
Now do you honestly think if we let MS muscle in on the console market things will be any different? Just look at Live. Why should I pay for that service? Why can't I pick or run a server like most PC games? The answer. Business decisions which seek to obtain or maintain a monopoly at the expense of the consumer. Yes it's true you can have a monopoly which doesn't abuse the consumer but can you name one? I can't. So I just equate them, especially where MS are concerned.
I really don't want to continue this with you. Why? You have already made your choice and I mine. So you go on defending MS, I'll carry on attacking them. Discussing it is pretty pointless when neither of us is going to change. We're both too stubborn and opinionated.[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:38AM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?bids
2Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:37AM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
No, you haven't covered anything. The complete lack of ANY companies getting involved contradicts you. Besides, you can't assume companies will jump on just because you think they should.
Looking at the forum there, those people seem to think that the first games on their "system" will be free downloadable games from the net...yah, companies will want to spend billions on a system that runs free flash games...
"I just don't want people putting profit before the consumer. Which is what happens in monopolies"
No, that isn't want happens. Monopolies are cases where a company functions as a single seller (a post office is a monopoly for instance, as are most public transit systems).[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
-1dazer posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:17AM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?bids
5Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 1:36AM PST on February 29, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?Perhaps I'm missing the point here... but isn't the project I linked you to using standard PC hardware and only creating a development platform with OS code? Thanks to plenty of open source code, this surely means they won't even have to write all the software themselves. Once hardware producers realise they can be part of a worthwhile project, they invest in the project.
So I've covered:
The billion $$$ hardware expense
Where the money comes from
Why it's not a PC and is effectively a console
Anything else?
BTW - Why does everyone think I don't want people to make a profit? I just don't want people putting profit before the consumer. Which is what happens in monopolies. TBH I don't care. I can see I'm wasting my time here anyway.[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
4Alpha posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 9:36PM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Powertrade,
These consortiums generally aren't that "Open" either. They usually have a fee and you either share technology or license it from a few of the key players. Nobody is going to give you a license to their patents for nothing.[ Guru ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 173 ]bids
4Powertrade posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:50PM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido, I'm a bit confused by what you mean by "open console." The link refers to some kind of hippy Linux-like "open source" type video game platform. That is not what DVD is. DVD is a technology developed by Toshiba and backed by a consortium of companies for the purpose of making a profit. That is the reason organizations are motivated to spend money on developing products and selling them.
The reason something like this will likely not succeed is because many for-profit companies have tried to introduce new consoles and failed. A non-profit will not be able to raise financing from investors to hire people to develop the product, manufacture the product, and most importantly market the product. Developing and manufacturing the Xbox 360 and PS3 costs billions. That's far beyond the resources of this OGCC group.
Getting things done takes resources. To get anyone to provide you resources, you have to promise them a return on their capital that warrants the risk they take.[ Guru ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 219 ]bids
3Powertrade posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:44PM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
"I'm quite happy to wait for the day when there is an open console and organisation that actually gives a crap about games instead of pure profiteering."
People operate businesses for the purpose of earning a return for their work. Same reason people work jobs. The reason people work is to make income.
Microsoft created a distribution platform for downloadable games through the XBLA service. Developers choose to distribute their products over this service based on the terms MSFT offers. If they don't like the terms, they could develop for PSN instead. If they don't like that they could develop their games for PCs. All MSFT is doing is providing a service to enable developers to reach gamers in an easier way.[ Guru ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 219 ]bids
2Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 4:39PM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
Have you given any reason that one could exist? Or how it would be of any benefit to anyone?
For one thing, standarization. One huge hurdle to non-console gaming is the lack of standarization. If I buy a Wii game, it will work on my Wii. I can buy a PC game and not be able to run it on my PC...open source multiplies this issue because there is no central force that maintains the standards of the system.
For the simplest way to put this, go look at Linux. Linux will never come anywhere close to Windows for the same reason that an open console will never be built.
"Open" (whether it be source or console) is very unfriendly to consumers. Consoles require a large install base to survive infancy (look at Sega Saturn or Dreamcast for examples) and an open console wouldn't have the initial push (which is a huge investment) to get a share of consumer mindset.[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
2Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 4:19PM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?bids
2Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10:11AM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
It's not a serious effort. In fact, after a year of having that site up, I can't find evidence of ANY effort at all. There is zero evidence of anyone being involved in this besides the domain owner and a couple dozen forum users.
Microsoft isn't "suppressing open development" for consoles. Open development is its own worst enemy and proponents of it keep looking for boogeymen to explain why it simply doesn't work.
Why will following the path of DVD fail? DVD isn't interactive, it's a system where electronics companies compete to produce the cheapest product that requires the user to hit "Play". Hardly the best model for a gaming system. That website doesn't even grasp the importance of the input device (controller).
Oh and in case you're too biased to notice, what company rolled out Live Arcade, one of the best platforms for small developers to publish on? Oh right, Microsoft. They've done more for small developers than open development ever has, or ever will.[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
0Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 9:52AM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
Did I say they've finished an open console? No. I simply pointed out they are making a serious effort, as are many groups around the world. The reason I linked you is to prove that this will be a reality much sooner than_you_think!
Do not underestimate the power of open development. Yes of course they need more than a basic specification. They need to write the code for one, which is what they are doing now. When they have something bootable, then comes the time for supporting companies and developers to step in.
Of course this isn't going to happen overnight. Not with companies like MS suppressing open development left, right and centre.
No. It's not obvious why this project will fail. Spell it out for me.
MS are making the consumer and the small developer suffer but you're clearly blinkered to your own "perspective" so I won't waste my time any more.[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 8:04AM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
I had a look at that open gaming link to sent. Um, there's nothing there. It's a website for a non-registered group that doesn't appear to have any members. Beyond that, they envision a "console" that follows the path of electronics such as DVD players (why this won't work for gaming should be incredibly obvious).
All they're doing is creating an alternative to the PC market anyways, not the console market. This project has no chance of ever getting off the ground because there isn't anyone behind it. Consoles require a company to guide to the market...you can't create a basic specification and expect developers to fall over themselves to create for it.[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
0Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 5:38AM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?bids
0Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 4:30AM PST on February 28, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Laoldar,
I do love a good "corporations are evil tangent" it has to be said
RE: Open Gaming - Not as long as you think
http://www.opengameconsole.org
Remember an open project will just define a specification, rather than spend billions developing hardware that really isn't that impressive. All they need to do is to create the appropriate software, which several groups are currently working on.
There's no misuse of profiteer.
profiteer noun [C] DISAPPROVING
a person who takes advantage of a situation in which other people are suffering to make a profit
http://dictionary.cambridge.org
Taking a huge chunk out of small, upcoming, developer's profit isn't taking advantage of suffering people? I think your definition is a little too tight, though I still admire your strict adherence to the English language. I did read the article. I still think the percentages are not good enough.
The point I was trying to make is Microsoft are scum that have abused the desktop market and now they'd love to do the same to the console market. Sod them and anyone who wants to defend them.
While we're on the subject of "taking advantage". If they just seek to profit, as is the way of business, why did I get this story in my mail box the other day.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/business/worldbusiness/28msoft.html
Rant over[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
1Laoldar posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10:10AM PST on February 25, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?@Bobuido,
Well, you'll be waiting quite a while.
It takes a massive amount of money to develop and distribute a console (nevermind support for it). You're never going to see one that isn't based around profit (this industry isn't exactly a charity). Oh and you should look up the definition of words like "profiteering" before you misuse them.
Also, if you took the time to actually read the article (which is mostly opinion from an outsider with no first-hand knowledge), smaller developers were getting a good chunk of money for their games and MS is now offering to help them out with services (localization, testing, ratings, etc) that are a pain for small companies to deal with.
Microsoft is here to make money. In fact, it's their legal obligation to do so for their shareholders (which includes millions of workers invested through pension plans, etc). If a developer finds their practice "unfair", they're free to try Sony, Nintendo, PC, Mac, Mobile, etc.
Don't go off on a "corporations are evil" tangent about a company that has spent billions developing this platform...without which many XBLA games wouldn't have been made.[ Oracle ] [ Level 21 ] [ Rank: 182 ]bids
0Bobuido posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 9:54AM PST on February 25, 2008. RE: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?I still think these offers to the smaller developers are ridiculously unfair. I noticed people discussing the investment Microsoft made in XBLA. Do they honestly think they wouldn't recoup that money, even without smaller devs being abused? I'm quite happy to wait for the day when there is an open console and organisation that actually gives a crap about games instead of pure profiteering.[ Contributor ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 467 ]bids
16llonesmiz posted on Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 12:40AM PST on February 25, 2008. Article: XBLA Royalty Rate Changes - Closer To The Truth?So, one of the big stories from earlier this week was Kotaku's one on Microsoft apparently 'cutting XBLA royalties in half'.One of the problems here, of course, is that Kotaku's report only had one side of the story - and Microsoft will not discuss original or current royalty rates in public. Which leads us to a problem to be resolved - did Microsoft really cut its XBLA royalty rates in half without _ANY_ changes to the developer package?The answer is no.[ Oracle ] [ Level 19 ] [ Rank: 508 ]
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I hear of plenty of people not running Linux purely because they can't use certain applications. The most prominent of which is Photoshop. If Photoshop could be run on Linux then I'm confident there would be a dramatic rise in the Linux install base.
So you can see why Google have funded better WINE support for Photoshop. I'd rather they funded GIMP development but it's still very welcome support from Google.