By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Gaming - Why Game Developers Are Flocking to Sony and Fleeing From Microsoft

Nsanity on 08 April 2013

Didnt Behemoth say that indie console community would not exist as it does without XBLA?



Around the Network
Lostplanet22 on 09 April 2013
pokoko said:
Lostplanet22 said:
pokoko said:

"Despite the bad rap that PlayStation Vita has been getting as of late, developer Brian Provinciano (creator of Retro City Rampage) says that indie developers should give the system a second look. He also says that the Vita version of RCR has been the most successful.

In a tweet he sent today, Provinciano stated: "Indies should definitely jump onto the PS Vita. RCR's sold much more on PSN than XBLA and more on PS Vita than even PS3."

After some of his followers asked questions regarding whether that included versions of RCR released for free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, he responded: "This doesn't include PS Plus. It's _SOLD_ far more on PSN than XBLA. With PS Plus, there are a bajillion more copies out there"

He also compared PSN sales to RCR's Steam sales: "Steam's done far better than XBLA too, but PSN has still done the best."

He also appeared critical of Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade, tweeting, "[It took] two bouts of 6+ months of pitching, paperwork, negotiation just to get onto XBLA. It's absurd. They don't make it easy." and added, "It cost more to do the XBLA version than all other SKUs combined. Made more on all other platforms. XBLA: 'a learning experience.'"

Conversely he praised both Nintendo and Sony saying, "Nintendo's great to work with. Both Sony and Nintendo are welcoming to indies."

It's interesting, and definitely echoes what we've heard from other indie devs, who seem more and more disenchanted with Xbox Live Arcade."   http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/02/26/retro-city-rampage-developer-says-vita-version-most-successful.aspx

So where am I wrong?


 30 March 2013:

Clarification: WiiWare version of Retro City Rampage has not generated dev revenue or hit the threshold, still a "gift to the fans".

The XBLA version sold 15k at the end of the MARCH after 2 months of release
While the PSN version sold 40k  6 months after release..       I bet you the numberrs would have been different if they released around the same time.

http://nintendoeverything.com/117462/a-breakdown-of-retro-city-rampages-sales/

Of course, it’s important to note that it’s not necessarily fair to directly compare the XBLA release of Retro City Rampage to its counterparts on other platforms. After all, the PSN and Steam versions of the game released in October 2012, well in advance of the XBLA port, providing ample time to establish a commanding sales lead. On top of this, Retro City Rampage included a Vita/PS3 cross-play incentive, and it was part of a PSN+ promotion. Finally, it was also published by Sony on PSN and, therefore, received much more promotion on that platform than on XBLA, where it was published by D3.

http://www.xblafans.com/retro-city-rampage-dev-labels-xbla-a-learning-experience-64324.html

"Retro City Rampage
@RetroCR

Clarification: Those sales numbers per platform circulating are not accurate, extrapolated from a bar graph that didn't show to-the-digit."

Regardless, where am I wrong?  He was much happier with his experiences elsewhere, that much is clear.  He made a LOT more money elsewhere, and the XBLA version cost more than all other versions combined.  Microsoft's silly publishing rules probably had something to do with that, which itself is part of the problem.  Just look at the stupid Machinarium situation.

I don't understand why people are in such a rush to fall over themselves denying what these developers are saying.  Is it's that hard to accept that Microsoft has lost a lot of ground in this area?  Why the head in the sand routine?


Their are now 20k people on the XBLA leaderboards and that are the ones who have GOLD.  So yeah that 15k sales for XBLA are a safe bet.  You are using him to show devs are going away from XBLA while the service has one or two games releasing every month and some are giants exclusives.