Microsoft 's New Policy

DAVID · **Joined:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:05 pm **Posts:** 43

"Titles for Xbox 360 must ship at least simultaneously with other video game platform, and must have at least feature and content parity on-disc with the other video game platform versions in all regions where the title is available. If these conditions are not met, Microsoft reserves the right to not allow the content to be released on Xbox 360,” the policy reads.

You might say the Microsoft is trying to set an equal battle ground for everyone but why would Microsoft do such thing maybe they are wary that other competitors might be able to offer different experiences that can only be done in other consoles (but again Microsoft would be shooting themselves in the foot by not allowing developers to try utilizing things like their precious kinect.) At the end of the day even if a game where to have exclusive content or a earlier release dates for other platforms Microsoft still can allow the title to be on their console their just addressing that they don't want it to happen and will try to punish small developers that try and utilize a console's strengths that will not make their(Microsoft's) version superior.

Resources
Microsoft's Chris Lewis - Interview

Microsoft 'Killing Any Creative Exposure' With XBLA Exclusivity Policy

Sony: Microsoft is "Protecting an Inferior Technology"

Sony: 'Publishers Are Getting the Living Crap Kicked Out of Them by Microsoft'

Why Microsoft won't publish PSN firsts

Fox · **Joined:** Tue May 27, 2008 1:07 am **Posts:** 1509

Makes sense. No one wants sloppy seconds or a half @$$ed version.

Kaiserhawk · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:08 am

I don't see how this punishes small developers. If they make a game that doesn't meet that standard anyways then they're pretty much punishing themselves.

Also not serious. Take it to Xbawks.

Danimal Collective · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:09 pm

Microsoft just bein' Microsoft... but I don't really see the outrage here.

Crono · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 2:16 pm

Danimal Collective wrote:

Microsoft just bein' Microsoft... but I don't really see the outrage here.

It has to do with content size. On Xbox you have to use massive compression techniques (which Microsoft only provides if you're a well known developer) to be able to match the amount of content you can easily store on a BluRay ... as a result, most multiplatform games on PS3 suffer due to Xbox's media storage limitations. (Keep in mind, at the same compression you'd need 11 dual layer DVDs to match a dual layer BluRay)

As a result most PS3 games are ported later. It's just another step in trying to control the industry ... and that should piss you off.

Colonel Panic · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:49 pm

As always Crono said it best. But here are my thoughts...

So they're pretty much openly admitting they're blackmailing publishers now? Im getting pretty fed up with Microsoft this console generation with them buying exclusivity windows and dlc. They started out great by really pushing online. Pretty much forcing Sony to go out of their comfort zone in order to do the same. But sony "caught up" 2-3 years ago, and instead of innovating even further MS just started throwing money on the publishers. Is this really what the last few years of this console generation is going to be like? Sony making original games, and MS paying publishers to give them a minuscule advantage and/or earlier release date?

We'll probably never find out how much they've spent on screwing over anyone that doesn't own a 360. But I wouldn't be surprised if it equaled a couple of self published titles. Or at least a few great downloadable games.

Crono · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:51 pm

I think, in terms of consoles, Microsoft is trying to really dip into that GameStop-crowd who buys games ASAP plays them and trades them in within a week.

This type of cycle has accelerated the game industry so much that games aren't even relevant a month after release. Even HUGE titles aren't talked about again until additional content comes out and even then only stuff like Black Ops gets any notoriety.

It's, really, the general consumer mindset reaching video games. It doesn't matter that you can get a better deal in a month or two months, as long as you have it and have used it first; Microsoft is capitalizing on that pretty self-destructive cycle.

DAVID · **Joined:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:05 pm **Posts:** 43

Kaiserhawk wrote:

I don't see how this punishes small developers. If they make a game that doesn't meet that standard anyways then they're pretty much punishing themselves.

Also not serious. Take it to Xbawks.

The small developers thing goes for things like xbla and psn. Heres a senario since psn is on tuesday and xbla on wensday Microsoft makes it seem like they are losing massive amount of costumers and whill not let the tittle be on xbla unless it is realesed on xbla first therefore getting long release date dispands or having to chose one platform for exclusivity therfore limiting their profit made.

Fandango · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:41 am

I see it as this: Microsoft is the french side of Belgium and Sony is Flanders. Flanders is a blooming half, with a massive population and an ever growing business side. The French side, on the other half, is basically muddling along, being kept alive by funds tossed at it by Sony. Flanders needs to pay in order for the French Side to even have a paddle to swim upstream with. That needs to fucking stop. Especially when the French side is screwing everyone over in an attempt to stay on top.

mscupcakes · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:46 am

I'm not sure if it's just the wording, but does this imply that they don't want anymore staggered release dates by region for 360 games, because I can get behind that.

oneshotfinch · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:17 am

I read it as them wanting things like the free copy of BF1943 that came with copies of Battlefield 3 on PS3.

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