Microsoft says XBLA is hot, anonymous developers say its not. This could be a very interesting war of words.

Gamesetwatch also posted comments from a developer that stated the new system is really not that terrible considering what you're trading it for. At this point, I simply get the impression that there's a lot of misconceptions about it because MS hasn't explained it well. That and who is to say how much experience any of these guys have with the other platforms to begin with...

My understanding about Wiiware is that it has no real requirements, which is great for most of these developers. Plus, much like PSN, these games don't require a publisher. XBLA titles either have to find an accepted publisher or do it through Microsoft, which I imagine causes some frustrations.

The question there is, really, how much is that going to affect the community games thing that's coming up...? My understanding of it is that prices are determined by the developer and it's fairly hands off, much like Wiiware is. In that sense, why aren't those that complain about these things just moving over to that system and being done with it?

At the same time, it's easier to do things "better" or offer new things when you're the new guy following up a company that had to establish all of these prescendents from scratch on the console scene. I imagine as Wiiware becomes more developed we're going to see both MS and Sony figure out ways to combat it.

Well, to be honest, Wiiware will be full of shit 6 months after it launches, just look at the virtual console and wii retail games. People want to make a quick buck.

Another thing I'm noticing with WiiWare Vs. XBLA is that Nintendo's basic rules regarding the type of content for WiiWare is basically that it has to have an ESRB (or otherwise, for international folks) rating. Otherwise they won't really step in and say what can be released. I like that and think it's pretty cool.

There's already quite a few games for WiiWare I'm really anticipating.

They can say XBLA is full of shit all they want, and bitch about retro titles....but what all thus far is available on Wii for download? Only old retro games. And as was posted, Microsoft has been in the downloadable game business for quite a bit before Wii has even launched their WiiWare, an before PSN was up....if worse comes to worse, MS will no doubt will step things up a notch if they feel they'll be losing out on anything from either of these other two systems games.

 

I'm sorry, but in the whole war of dl games, online gaming, an such, I still don't see MS falling behind anytime soon. Wii an PSN have both not had really much to offer, an PS3's whole Home thing, from beta I've heard blows chunks, and still isn't out, nor will it probably be for awhile....WiiWare, yay, come late into the game an talk crap. The Wii itself, while goes for the casual audience, and I do want one myself, even doesn't have that many real GREAT games for it that would appeal to the regular gamer IMO. Only reason they probably sell so many systems and games is because of their lack of producing systems, and retailers selling them in bundles where you need to buy like 6 games to get the damn system to begin with. Don't recall MS having to do that when I went to buy my 360 a year after launch or so. MS should just respond to this with a mushroom tattoo on the face of whoever said it to begin with.

XBLA is full of shit? You can say that again!

There are a few gems on the XBLA, but far more garbage.

I think part of the problem is that MS requires arcade games to integrate all dashboard features of the 360.

If not having achievements meant I could play Darwinia on my 360, I'd be perfectly happy with that.

Instead, it's so expensive to integrate all the 360 features properly, that only cheap to develop games (retro) can make it onto the service, unless the devoloper has huge resources.

So instead of seeing a lot of indie titles, we see a lot of retro crap and originals that don't take any risks on new gameplay ideas.

So much big words coming from someone who doesn't want to reveal names.

 

If a developer who think developing for Nintendo's kiddy console in 480p is better, let him do it.

I have both consoles so I'd like to think I have a neutral point of view. The one thing that makes me choose XBLA games over WiiWare is the ability to play online with people and they're mostly originals that we haven't played before. It's really comparing apples and oranges.

I agree there's a lot of crap on XBLA, and that's not likely to change either. But WiiWare will be the same. They won't have the retro titles that blight XBLA (as Wii have a separate download service for retro titles), but with Nintendo's non-existent quality control, it'll fill up with garbage pretty soon.

Vitual Console is WAYYYY more loaded with crap than XBLA. Sure they'll be two seperate channels but they're both competing for the same dollars.

XBLA, PSN and Nintendo’s download options all have some serious issues for both developer and consumer. It is pretty hard to say one is better overall since they are all lacking in different areas.

Personally MS is driving me up the wall, but I have the most interaction with their system. A good friend of mine only has a PS3 and he is absolutely fed up with PSN. My cousin refuses to buy anything from Nintendo’s VC due to lack of refunds even under a warranty Wii replacement (seems they have started fixing this, but her Wii died before the policy change).

I can understand a dev choosing a platform over another for royalties, but it is yet to be seen how well Wii Ware will sell overall. A greater percentage of fewer sales (remember the lack of online features on the Wii overall) does not necessarily mean more money made.

If this dev is so insightful then I will sum it up for them.

p^qà~r

Heh, seems they should just stick with Steam.

Microsoft is picky because they've got the higher quality/standards issue going on. You don't really have that with the competition.

They have more testing, but I wouldn't say higher standards. There have been quite a few notable issues with releases, upon releases and with prices.

Granted emulations will have fewer issues since that is the nature of it all. If the original software worked without issue then a proper emulator should have few, if any issues.