MS softens stance on user created content for 360 [update 1]

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 15th 2007 at 3:30PM }

Coming from Gamefest 2007, it looks like Microsoft might be changing its tone on user created content. Longtime followers of the Xbox 360 will know that user created content has long been sought after by Microsoft, though it is somewhat hindered by the fact that all downloadable content has to be cleared by Microsoft before it can be distributed via Xbox Live Marketplace. At Gamefest, it was revealed that developers can circumvent this restriction by using what is called Xbox Live Server Platform (XLSP). Using XLSP, publishers can provide content directly from their own servers instead of Marketplace. Of course, such publishers would be solely responsible for all content delivered by these means. Also, use of XLSP by any publisher must be approved by Microsoft. During a panel at Gamefest, someone even asked if it would be possible to create a PC level editor that built levels playable on an Xbox 360. In response, Microsoft Software Design Engineer Zsolt Mathe said, "Even though nobody has done that, I would highly recommend that."

Given Epic's recent lamentations concerning user generated content for Unreal Tournament III on the Xbox 360, perhaps XLSP is the answer.

[Via BeyondUnreal. Thanks, Dave]

Update: 1UP incorrectly states that XLSP stands for Xbox Live Silver Platform. DXL540 informs us that it is in fact Xbox Live Server Platform, which makes a bit more sense. Furthermore, DXL540 sends us an SEC filing from Activision detailing what's possible with XLSP.

Tags: epic, epicgames, midway, unrealtournament3, unrealtournamentiii, ut3, utiii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sean @ Aug 15th 2007 3:36PM

I'm sure Forza 2/Live Anywhere had initially planned to have a PC Livery Editor that could then be transferred to your 360. This could be the first step to such a thing.

Destroyer88 @ Aug 15th 2007 3:39PM

This better be in UT 3 if its possible. Knowing that it got delayed, they now have plenty of time to throw this in.

Tony @ Aug 15th 2007 3:39PM

I was really worried they would not concede this and I'm extremely happy they have. I wonder how much of it relates to the user created aspects of Unreal Tournament 3 that Epic was so big on. This should make that a reality and not a complete nightmare like I was figuring.

Yay!

DjDATZ @ Aug 15th 2007 3:44PM

Destroyer...the whole reason for this announcement was for UT3.

You KNOW MS is going to let Epic use XLSP.

Booya for MS and Epic.

bigd7387 @ Aug 15th 2007 3:52PM

So now the only selling point for the PS3 is Blu-ray? Wow I'm glad I bought a game system and not a movie player.

Destroyer88 @ Aug 15th 2007 4:08PM

Unreal Tournament just isnt the same without user created content. Yeah, the game has alot of maps already, but after a few years you will get tired of all those maps and if you have user created maps, all your problems are fixed.

Bleh at Microsoft trying to make a few quick thousands of dollars they really don't need. Let us have user created content. It's not like your going to go bankrupt if we get it.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Aug 15th 2007 4:20PM

@4 booya? u should be worried MS is becoming completely unstable back tracking on everything they said from pre launch to post. why should i believe anything MS says now. everybody worrying about not having a keyboard/mouse on the 360 no need to worry be prepared to have your wish granted in the near future. Just for a second i though MS knew what there were doing in the gaming market but after seeing the need to have HDD then needing, more than 20 HDD gigs for downloads like movies and Arcade games, needing more than 8gigs for a game, needing a heat sink, needing/wanting HD-DVD(when was DVD a HD format just think your playing HD games on a DVD format what the hell is HD-DVD for then.) needing/wanting HDMI MS looks like there stepping on there own toes. the 360(EPIC isntead of releasing UTIII next year release GoW2 please) has great games but thats the only thing holding it up, wait bfore you bash me if the 360 had as many games as the PS3 would you buy it just for XBL knowing that the PS3 will just copy it anyway. dont compare last gen to now because you know the single player experience(PS2 was king of RPGS) is what ruled last gen not the multiplayer maybe on the xbox with Halo 2 and maybe PS2s Socom but are ther any others (MGS3 substance doesnt count).

Iced_Eagle @ Aug 15th 2007 4:21PM

Awesome! Can't wait to see what devs do with this.

THA1icarus @ Aug 15th 2007 4:24PM

Douse this mean that all that content could be given for free?? If not then it would suck...

Stranger @ Aug 15th 2007 4:28PM

Boy, Bethesda could make a mint off of Oblivion again if they made this happen via DLC.

I'd gladly pay for a download-only "custom mode" if it enabled user created PC mods to work on the 360 version. That would be incredible.

Wonder if it's even possible...

TripQue @ Aug 15th 2007 4:33PM

Isn't it Xbox Live SERVER Platform, not SILVER platform?

PACMAN4EVER! @ Aug 15th 2007 4:52PM

Hey Troll 'MYPS3KilledMy360' Go back to your POS3 Forums Sucker..

Zeus the God @ Aug 15th 2007 6:19PM

Now we just need to pressure MS into getting us some dedicated servers. :D :D :D :D

Zeus the God @ Aug 15th 2007 6:29PM

PS3 fanboy- a.k.a. MYPS3killedMY360, the only thing MS has backtracked on is things that were limiting, and they are going back on things they said for the better of the console, and to remain competitive.

Oh, and DVD is an HD format for games. Just as much so as Blu-ray or HD-DVD. The only thing that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray enhance are movies- and that is because the HD files are much larger than the standard files.

With games (and movies) all the info is going to be the same, its just the space. You will see no difference in video quality between a game on HD-DVD and DVD or Blu-ray and DVD. Educate yourself before you try to talk shit.

And what do you mean "if the 360 had as many games as the PS3?"

Take a look at this: http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/06/17/console-exclusive-games-list-for-xbox-360-ps3-and-wii-as-of-june-2007.htm

That is a list of exclusive for all the current gen systems. You will see that Xbox 360 has the most exclusives, and those exclusives dominate the pitiful ones that the PS3 has.

I think you're just insecure about your purchase.

SteveMB @ Aug 15th 2007 6:44PM

What game is that? It sort of reminds me of War of the Worlds.

mike @ Aug 15th 2007 6:51PM

I always wished that level editing on the pc for 360 games was a possiblity, and now it can eb. Lets hope games in the future allow this. Hell they could even give us a halo 3 editor and patch the game later to allow user level uploads. Nothing would be cooler.

This is also good news for DLC content. Now when companies like epic want to give us Free levels, MS cant Boss them around anymore and force them to charge money. Now they just set up a few server, and boom, free maps.

ccc @ Aug 15th 2007 8:59PM

I could give a rats ass weather or not Im killing U looking like homer simpson or if U made a map that looks like your high school, All I want is to use a mouse and a kb doing it. Only noobs play with a troller in these kind of games.

Boff @ Aug 16th 2007 6:54AM

@7: A DVD is just a storage medium, you can put whatever information on it you want. 'HD' is mainly the resolution of the screen/graphics - as far as games go.

@15: It's Unreal Tournament III. The machines do look like the Tripods from WOTW. Surprised no-one's thought of doing a game on that yet actually.

Bring on the User Created Content I say! But does this mean EA will get their own server and there'll be no-one to stop them overcharging us for stuff that we've created???