A recent announcement has Xbox fans buzzing about user-generated content. At the Gamefest 2008 conference in late July, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Group CTO Chris Satchell revealed the launch of “Xbox LIVE Community Games,” a program through which independent developers will be able to develop and market their games for the console.
Satchell said in a press release, “Not only are we democratizing game development with Xbox LIVE Community Games later this year, but we’re creating an opportunity for aspiring developers to start their careers on the world stage. It is really a win for both developers and consumers because this will no doubt act as an incentive for game creators to continue to develop the best, most innovative games for Xbox 360.”
Microsoft has taken steps in the user-generated content arena before by unrolling a toolset for Xbox game developers. The XNA Game Studio toolset was meant to be affordable and intuitive, giving anyone the opportunity develop unique and creative Xbox games. The 2006 launch has been a success according to Boyd Multerer, general manager of XNA. In a press release Multerer revealed, “To date, we’ve had more than 1 million downloads of XNA Game Studio and adoption in more than 700 universities. For some perspective, the incredible creative community we’ve unleashed worldwide is more than 25 times the number of professional developers in the industry.”
Now, XNA will not just be a tool for dabblers and university students. Any developers can use the toolset to bring their games to life, and those who meet high standards will be sold on the Xbox LIVE marketplace. Independently developed games in the marketplace will have “successfully passed a rigorous peer-review system” and pricing will be suggested in three brackets, from 200 to 800 Microsoft Points ($2.50 to $10). Additionally, as Wired is reporting, community games will be available free of charge for timed trial periods. This will enable cautious shoppers to test out user-generated content before paying the fees.
As for revenue sharing, Microsoft has set up a system by which community developers who launch successful games will profit from their hard work. The press release promises aspiring developers “will receive up to 70 percent of the total revenue generated by their game,” and a follow-up FAQ on the XNA Creators Club website gives specifics. Microsoft will split any profits generated by community games with developers and take a percentage as a fee for marketing and promoting the product.
To kick things off, the second annual “Dream-Build-Play” contest has been announced. Games built on XNA will be judged for quality and creativity, and winners will received prizes valued at over $70,000. One winner will be invited to sign a contract withXbox LIVE Arcade publishing for a chance to live the dream of becoming a game developer. Last year’s top winners will be sold on theXbox LIVE marketplace. Interested developers can visit Dream-Build-Play’s website for official rules and details.
Xbox’s foray into user-generated content is a great opportunity for both developers, the company, and gamers. The community games are bound to break some creative barriers, and the fact that Microsoft will split revenue with successful developers is a step in the right direction. So many technology companies have asked users to participate in their success, and it’s nice to see that Microsoft is willing to make the deal a profitable one for all involved.