+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted February 22, 2008 Subscriber² Share Posted February 22, 2008 News of Microsoft's democratization of indie game development was overshadowed this week by an increasing discontent among established indie developers that the company was halving the royalties paid to them for future Xbox Live Arcade projects, several well-informed sources told Kotaku. Several developers directly affected by the cut told Kotaku that the once generous royalty share of 70 percent given to them by the company was within the past few months cut down to 35 percent. The move, some believe, may be tied to Microsoft's future reliance on the recently announced initiative to deliver games created using the company's XNA software package to Xbox Live users for a still undisclosed price. At least one developer I spoke with said they were considering moving over to Sony and its Playstation Network in light of the cuts. Microsoft has been contacted for comment, but has not yet replied. We'll make sure to update as soon as we hear word. Update: Microsoft has responded, and you can see what they have to say here. Source: http://kotaku.com/359668/microsoft-cuts-in...yalties-in-half Microsoft Responds to Royalties Cut Rumor Earlier this morning we ran a well-sourced rumor about Microsoft halving the royalties they pay to indie developers for the games they create for the Xbox Live Arcade. Microsoft just responded to our request for comment with this statement: Xbox LIVE Arcade has long been known as the premier destination for digitally distributed original and classic games - making it a very appealing platform for game developers. We don't disclose details on our business contracts, but what we can tell you is that we work closely with all of our partners to provide the Xbox 360 community with the best entertainment possible while making publishing a title on XBLA an attractive prospect. While not really a confirmation nor a denial, it does sound as if they are reacting to what our multiple indie developer sources told us was fact. We will be meeting with some of the XBLA indie development folks with Microsoft later today and will make sure to follow up with them about this issue. Stay tuned. Source: http://kotaku.com/359750/microsoft-respond...lties-cut-rumor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconboy Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 u should pay someone fairly for something they have created. end of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tech Star Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 That is such a rip off, 35%?!?!? Wow, I would make my stuff on the PSN if I was getting that much paid for my creativity. :no: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Charming Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Thing is, you also have to think of user base. This isn't a PS3 vs 360 troll, but 35% of something that can target way more users may be better than 70 or 80% on PSN, but with the ability to target far less users. Still, if its true and its not confirmed/denied either way, it is pretty crappy from MS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magik Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Thing is, you also have to think of user base. This isn't a PS3 vs 360 troll, but 35% of something that can target way more users may be better than 70 or 80% on PSN, but with the ability to target far less users. Still, if its true and its not confirmed/denied either way, it is pretty crappy from MS. +1 (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corris Veteran Posted February 23, 2008 Veteran Share Posted February 23, 2008 Thing is, you also have to think of user base. This isn't a PS3 vs 360 troll, but 35% of something that can target way more users may be better than 70 or 80% on PSN, but with the ability to target far less users. Still, if its true and its not confirmed/denied either way, it is pretty crappy from MS. While I get the point that the user base is bigger on the Xbox360 so you would be able to target more people with your product, the userbase of the PS3 is over half of the xbox360 so if you are getting twice as much money on PSN and there is over half the xbox360 user base, you could very well make more money on the PS3. Just saying. Pity about halfing it, I woudl think %35 is a bit low, if it was 50/50 I would say it was far more reasonable but still a bit crappy form %70. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Live Veteran Posted February 23, 2008 Veteran Share Posted February 23, 2008 the userbase of the PS3 is over half of the xbox360 Not if you're in the US. Guess it depends on your target market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corris Veteran Posted February 24, 2008 Veteran Share Posted February 24, 2008 Not if you're in the US. Guess it depends on your target market. Well yes, technically, and tastes differ by region, by why aim at only one market if there is a chance others could embrace it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kushan Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Can you even make games for the PSN without buying the full PS3 development kit? OT: This is a pretty ****ty move by Microsoft, if it's true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magik Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Well yes, technically, and tastes differ by region, by why aim at only one market if there is a chance others could embrace it? Because it's not even available on the PS3... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayepecks Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 The truth on the matter? http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/02/xbla_r...hanges_clos.php http://www.jakeworld.org/JakeWorld/main.ph...amp;#AnchorHere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corris Veteran Posted February 25, 2008 Veteran Share Posted February 25, 2008 Because it's not even available on the PS3... I was pointing out that while it may have more market share in the US, games made for XBL shouldn't aim for just the US. nothing to do with the PS3 when I said that. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconboy Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 actually i thought about it and you know what? big companies have to pay a premium to ride the big live arcade ride, wee little devs dont have to pay this, so maybe this is how they make up for it. instead of having to pay $70,000 up front to gain access to live in the first place they let that fee slide in exchange for higher revenues off the game itself. and remember if your not on live you get nothing- so 35% of something is always better than 35% of nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kushan Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Plus, as the links Ayepecks posted describe, you get a LOT of the services paid for you. Those getting 70% still have to pay a lot for testing and localisation and such, the devs getting 35% pay nothing. So it may **** off some established indie devs, but the new ones trying to get a piece of the action are probably a lot better off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBreakerG Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 The fact that this is from Kotaku means i don't believe ANYTHING about it until I see this from a more credible source. Kotaku is heavily biased anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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