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

Forums - Microsoft Discussion - Rumor : MS crippling the smaller developer.

"We've heard from industry insiders that Microsoft US is increasing the minimum limit of games which need to be produced for each Xbox 360 game to 50,000 units. This will enable Microsoft to claim that for every Xbox 360 game released in the US the company will apparently make US$300,000. In Japan, the minimum amount required of an Xbox 360 game is supposedly 6,000 units.

What does that mean? Smaller Japanese developers, who seem to have warmed up to the Xbox 360 of late, that might have been tempted to develop for the Xbox 360 for the first time due to PSP/DS piracy problems and could shift their attentions to other platforms like cell phones. The reason being that those smaller developer would have a difficult time bringing niche titles to a US market at the newly imposed minimum limit. The other bad thing is that this Microsoft US requirement means small studios won't be able take chances on risky game titles or ideas."

 

Kotaku

The material featured in this thread is subject to SDF copyright protection unless otherwise indicated. SDF copyright protected material may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium for research, private study or for internal circulation within an organisation. This is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context.The information posted in this thread is not representative of SDF's personal views.

 



Around the Network
Imperial said:

"We've heard from industry insiders that Microsoft US is increasing the minimum limit of games which need to be produced for each Xbox 360 game to 50,000 units. This will enable Microsoft to claim that for every Xbox 360 game released in the US the company will apparently make US$300,000. In Japan, the minimum amount required of an Xbox 360 game is supposedly 6,000 units.

What does that mean? Smaller Japanese developers, who seem to have warmed up to the Xbox 360 of late, that might have been tempted to develop for the Xbox 360 for the first time due to PSP/DS piracy problems and could shift their attentions to other platforms like cell phones. The reason being that those smaller developer would have a difficult time bringing niche titles to a US market at the newly imposed minimum limit. The other bad thing is that this Microsoft US requirement means small studios won't be able take chances on risky game titles or ideas."

 

Kotaku

The material featured in this thread is subject to SDF copyright protection unless otherwise indicated. SDF copyright protected material may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium for research, private study or for internal circulation within an organisation. This is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context.The information posted in this thread is not representative of SDF's personal views.

 

Small developers should start off with the Wii.

 



why not sell on XBLA instead thats were the small developers can get some traction. Though I think thats bogus by MS if true



PS3, WII and 360 all great systems depends on what type of console player you are.

Currently playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Fallout 3, Halo ODST and Dragon Age Origins is next game

Xbox live:mywiferocks

How could one make a retail game for an HD system that wasn't required to sell 56k for a profit?



starcraft - Playing Games = FUN, Talking about Games = SERIOUS

xman said:
why not sell on XBLA instead thats were the small developers can get some traction. Though I think thats bogus by MS if true

Or XBLA. That works too.

 



Around the Network

Agreed with above. If you do not expect you game to sell 50k copies, make it for Wiiware/PSN/XBLA/DS.



Yup, all replies above make sense.
If you only sell 50K games, you'd need to sell them at $200 each just to break even.

WiiWare/XBLA/PSN are all more viable solutions for the new developer.



crippling small developers?

I think you fail to understand what small developers are, they probably can't even develop for ANY company because of the costs involved.

That's exactly why Microsoft is the friend of the truly small developer through it's XBLA service, which is far superior to PSN and Wiiware (obviously) because it's a platform for unknown and very small developers to put their products out there for people to play without the huge costs involved with actually making discs.

PSN is doing that, but MS led the way.



This is funny especially since MS has touted using XNA if you are a small developer. They want small devs to get into the business by starting on XBLA.



Love the product, not the company. They love your money, not you.

-TheRealMafoo

If you can't ship more than 50,000 units then why are you making a console game? Make an XBL game.