Sethos Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Independent developer Introversion Software has claimed that Sony?s PlayStation Network has ?a much weaker negotiating position? in place for small developers, when compared to Xbox Live Arcade. ?I think there are different challenges with Sony,? Introversion MD, Mark Morris told CVG. ?With Microsoft your approval is given at the start, as long as you deliver what you said you?d deliver, you?re going to launch, where as it?s not like that with Sony. ?Sony?s clearance for launch comes quite later and you have to invest quite a lot of time before you get it. That?s a problem because it means you have to invest a lot of time and effort and then you?re in a much weaker negotiating position because they could turn around and say ?we don?t want it?. ?However, to be fair, I?m sure if Microsoft wasn?t happy with what you?d delivered they?d say ?you need to fix this?. ?When you?re a small developer you kind of have to go with whatever you?re offered. I would prefer a world where we could put our content out on 360 and PSN, because I think that being able to do that is really going to enable small developers to take risks.? Introversion?s next game, Darwinia+, is slated for release on Xbox Live Arcade next month, and the developer provided the world with an example of the XBL approval process last April. VG247 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mystic MVC Posted January 22, 2010 MVC Share Posted January 22, 2010 I don't think anybody will be surprised by this. PSN has made some great strides this generation and has focused on bringing an all around good experience to those wanting to go online or for marketplace content. Because XBL setup last generation, MS could focus on making a good environment for small/indie developers this generation. You can expect Sony to implement something for small/indie developers either late this generation or for sure next generation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted January 22, 2010 Subscriber² Share Posted January 22, 2010 The problem relates mainly to how SCE operate, how they have to pass everything through different channels for approval for all of Europe - Hence frequent delays in content compared to USA. SCE need to streamline their approvals and Q&A processes. Not much to do with indie devs, Everyday Shooter was made by one guy. GNRambo 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedon Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 It's a matter of "catch up" for Sony I am sure. This is new grounds for them, and they are learning as they go. Microsoft has over 7 years of fine tuning LIVE, where as PSN wasn't really a mature option until the PS3 was released (PS2 online was not really a PSN IMO). Sony will get there, I am pretty confident of that. As for Xbox Live Indie titles....my god, there are hundreds of amazing games in there. I downloaded 10 recommend demo's the other day. Some games were a dollar, some were $4. I bought them all. They are a hidden gem. I am just jonesin' for achievements in them, but that will never happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belazor Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I believe when this was brought up in the past, the point was made that this was because Sony wanted to ensure that the end product was of a good quality - quality over quantity as the expression goes. Obviously this is a downside for developers, but until Sony shifts enough resources over to user-generated content and provides a free community library for developing games, I don't think this policy is going anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted January 26, 2010 Veteran Share Posted January 26, 2010 (edited) I look at this in two lights With PSN, Sony make sure there is a quality game at the end of the development, which benefits gamers obviously. On XBLA, there isn't the same strictness which means some games suck but the developer isn't going to be left empty handed. Do you give up on a developer just because their first effort sucked, possibly throwing away great potential for a game which is yet to be made, but just needs the right direction & funding. Or do you make sure the game you are buying is one you'll enjoy and the developer still makes a living. The latter please (Y) I might not enjoy their first game, but in a few years they could come up with something great. Why would you want to miss out on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedon Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Actually, after reading that guys' comments, it sounds like MS won't allow a non quality title to hit the XBL marketplace either. He mentions that even at the end of the game development, if MS doesn't like it, they send it back to be addressed. ?However, to be fair, I?m sure if Microsoft wasn?t happy with what you?d delivered they?d say ?you need to fix this?. Sounds like they both want to have quality titles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted January 26, 2010 Veteran Share Posted January 26, 2010 There is quality control on XBLA to make sure the game meets requirements (think cross-chat, achievements etc). But don't mistaken that for "your game sucks, we're not releasing it". They'll help bring the standard up rather than a simple "no" answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soniqstylz Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I look at this in two lights With PSN, Sony make sure there is a quality game at the end of the development, which benefits gamers obviously. On XBLA, there isn't the same strictness which means some games suck but the developer isn't going to be left empty handed. Do you give up on a developer just because their first effort sucked, possibly throwing away great potential for a game which is yet to be made, but just needs the right direction & funding. Or do you make sure the game you are buying is one you'll enjoy and the developer still makes a living. The latter please (Y) I might not enjoy their first game, but in a few years they could come up with something great. Why would you want to miss out on that. Not always the case with Sony, either, take Pixeljunk racers for instance, which was not well-received. Monsters, Shooter, and Eden, on the other hand, people love. MS's advantage is the XNA Community Marketplace. If you have a crappy game, make your next development on XNA, and get peer reviewed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedon Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 MS's advantage is the XNA Community Marketplace. If you have a crappy game, make your next development on XNA, and get peer reviewed. They need to advertise the indie game section more. There are some dang fun games in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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