Filed under: Community Games
The Maw developer not keen to idea of Community Games
by Dustin Burg 
{ 9 months ago }
In a comment made to MTV Multiplayer, CEO and software engineer Michael Wilford of Twisted Pixel Games (the team behind recent XBLA release The Maw) admitted that the Community Games program is less than appealing and that they're happy developing on the XBLA with Microsoft support. Partly due to the fact that the Community Games program is shrouded in mystery.
"I like the looks of the business model, but Community Games face[s] the same problem PC web portals do," said Wilford, "which is an open platform and an overabundance of not-so-stellar games." He continues, "we may develop for Community Games at some point, but XBLA is very successful partly because it is a closed and tightly managed portfolio of games." Adding that, with their relationship with Microsoft, they hope to continue "down the XBLA path."
We tend to agree with Wilford. The new Community Games section is a great opportunity for start ups, offers great potential and is generally a good program for up and comers. But the sheer amount of titles and amount of lower quality games tarnishes the program's goal. What say you?
CES 09: Is Kodu really that simple? Answer: Yes!
by Dustin Burg { 10 months ago }
Our homies over at Joystiq got a chance to sit in on a demo of Microsoft's recently announced and supposedly user friendly Community Game Kodu and were able to answer the still lingering question that's on everyone's mind: Is Kodu really that easy to use? Quick answer, yes ... yes it is.
According to Microsoft's Matthew MacLaurin, Kodu was created with kids in mind and describes the game as "programming as a fourth-grade art class." And Joystiq's Justin McElroy agrees that it really is basic and well, simple. Check out the informative (and totally factual) Kodu bullet points listed below:
According to Microsoft's Matthew MacLaurin, Kodu was created with kids in mind and describes the game as "programming as a fourth-grade art class." And Joystiq's Justin McElroy agrees that it really is basic and well, simple. Check out the informative (and totally factual) Kodu bullet points listed below:
- Will ship with 20 different objects/characters.
- 20 pre-built (and editable) levels will be included.
- Commands given to objects are called "Pages".
- Kodu has been tested with kids for over a year.
- Releasing this Spring for a yet to be disclosed price.
CES 09: Game making made easy with Kodu
by Dustin Burg { 10 months ago }
On stage, during this year's CES keynote, Microsoft' Robbie Bach announced the new game building playground that's coming to the Community Games channel later this year. It's called Kodu (formerly known as Boku) and allows anyone to pick up a 360 controller and build their own game. It's sorta like Little Big Planet, but more open, free and targeted towards all age groups. With a simplified control scheme, over 200 building block options and possibilities galore, Kodu is an interesting lil project.
Though, from Bach's Kodu on-stage demo, we were quickly overwhelmed by the amount of menu navigation that was going on. It's supposed to be intuitive, but to us, it seems a bit overwhelming. We'll see.
Starting 2009 with a few popular Community Games
by Dustin Burg { 10 months ago }
For those of you have yet to jump into the ever growing library of gaming fun found in the Community Games, we urge that you do. Really, there's a lot of goodness to be found and even though each game is paid content, there are trial versions for each and ever title.
To get you started on your 2009 Community Games test drive, we took the liberty of compiling a list of the top seven most popular games available. All of which are, for the most part, good times (except Fireplace, it's that controversial title that got a Major plug). Go ahead, jump in!
- Fireplace - "Enjoy the awesome ambiance of a crackling fireplace in your living room."
- Air Legends - "Take to the skies in frenetic WWII dogfighting."
- Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp - "Play as Johnny Platform himself in this retro-styled platformer!"
- sin(Surfing) - "Ever wished you could surf inside an oscilloscope?"
- Weapon of Choice - "Insane action and humongous aliens tied together by a twisted story."
- RPaints - "Do you like to mess with colors, or just doodle? RPaints allows you to do just that!"
- Dr. Popper - "Dr. Popper is a bubble breaker game."
James Silva's ZSX4 Guitarpocalypse now on Community Games
by Richard Mitchell { 11 months ago }
Also, there's a cat that shoots fireballs from its eyes. So, essentially, this is the game design you used to scribble in your spiral during history class. Also, it's only 200 points ($2.50). Check out the trial version. Just try it.
[Thanks, desertpyrate]
