3 ms·

XBOX is a closed system for a very good reason -- it ensures a general spec of quality for consumers. Aside from obtaining a license, console manufacturers li

by JMiao 20y ago

XBOX is a closed system for a very good reason -- it ensures a general spec of quality for consumers. Aside from obtaining a license, console manufacturers like Microsoft enforce strict quality assurance measures on developers before code goes gold (manufacturing). Just think about the open-standard PC, putting aside some obvious benefits like keyboard control: Who wants 50 unregulated, crappy versions of a football simulation game? Additionally, 5-6 patches (normal with PC games) is simply unacceptable for an out-of-the-box, plug-n-play device like a game console.

bootload 20y ago
'... XBOX is a closed system for a very good reason -- it ensures a general spec of quality for consumers ...' Sony Playstation is a closed system but i can still program qbasic on it. [0] You missed the point. How do the next generation developers get a taste of developing software for MS's game platform? Get a copy of Windows and start with DirectX? MS missed the chance to capitalise users from the next generation to create their own crappy games, with some basic MS technology (compilers, languages and editors), pass them around with their mates. I hardly expect anyone to create a game worthy of a gold. But it doesn't mean you couldn't let users try, for curiosities sake. Reference [0] Even if it was to get a tax break. I can also use antiquated Linux operating systems and various hacks. Can this be done with XBoxes? I don't know.
- JMiao 20y ago
  Playing around with QBasic on an XBOX doesn't sound too practical, aside from questionable tax tactics. =) Have you heard of XNA? It's a popular C# framework amongst game developers that allows anyone interested in game development to bring their creations to life on PC and XBOX 360. As a matter of fact, one of the projects I developed in university is now being transferred to XNA by a friend of mine...some people from the XBOX Live group saw our game and encouraged that it be ported to XNA so they can look into making it available on XBOX Live Arcade.
  - bootload 20y ago
    '... Have you heard of XNA? It's a popular C# framework amongst game developers that allows anyone interested in game development to bring their creations to life on PC and XBOX 360. ...' Now that's more like what I meant & more usable. Why didn't/don't they ... [looks up XNA on google] ... ahh so they have thought of this ~ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/default.aspx http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/default.aspx Looks like you can run your code on the XB360 via the XNA creators club ~ http://creators.xna.com http://creators.xna.com '... the XNA Creators Club opens up video game development to untapped creative minds, enabling anyone to affordably build and play amazing game ideas on Xbox 360 systems for the first time ever ...' Thanks for the heads up. That's why I do not discount MS doing some interesting technology. This is superior to Sony who will not allow you access to key sound & graphics API's without forking out the $200K developers license. '... As a matter of fact, one of the projects I developed in university is now being transferred to XNA by a friend of mine...some people from the XBOX Live group saw our game and encouraged that it be ported to XNA so they can look into making it available on XBOX Live Arcade. ...' Good stuff. Just out of interest how is it licensed?
    - JMiao 20y ago
      There's two versions of the IDE -- Professional and Express. Express is absolutely free and meant for enthusiast game developers.
      - bootload 20y ago
        'Express' ... but there's an annual $99USD cost to join the XNA club to get access to the means to play your creations on the XBOX. But that doesn't stop using your own machine. It's like the Vintage Microsoft of old giving cheap access to their development tools and with a bit of an extra cost platform.

by JMiao 20y ago

bootload 20y ago

'... XBOX is a closed system for a very good reason -- it ensures a general spec of quality for consumers ...' Sony Playstation is a closed system but i can still program qbasic on it. [0] You missed the point. How do the next generation developers get a taste of developing software for MS's game platform? Get a copy of Windows and start with DirectX? MS missed the chance to capitalise users from the next generation to create their own crappy games, with some basic MS technology (compilers, languages and editors), pass them around with their mates. I hardly expect anyone to create a game worthy of a gold. But it doesn't mean you couldn't let users try, for curiosities sake. Reference [0] Even if it was to get a tax break. I can also use antiquated Linux operating systems and various hacks. Can this be done with XBoxes? I don't know.

JMiao 20y ago
Playing around with QBasic on an XBOX doesn't sound too practical, aside from questionable tax tactics. =) Have you heard of XNA? It's a popular C# framework amongst game developers that allows anyone interested in game development to bring their creations to life on PC and XBOX 360. As a matter of fact, one of the projects I developed in university is now being transferred to XNA by a friend of mine...some people from the XBOX Live group saw our game and encouraged that it be ported to XNA so they can look into making it available on XBOX Live Arcade.
- bootload 20y ago
  '... Have you heard of XNA? It's a popular C# framework amongst game developers that allows anyone interested in game development to bring their creations to life on PC and XBOX 360. ...' Now that's more like what I meant & more usable. Why didn't/don't they ... [looks up XNA on google] ... ahh so they have thought of this ~ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/default.aspx http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/default.aspx Looks like you can run your code on the XB360 via the XNA creators club ~ http://creators.xna.com http://creators.xna.com '... the XNA Creators Club opens up video game development to untapped creative minds, enabling anyone to affordably build and play amazing game ideas on Xbox 360 systems for the first time ever ...' Thanks for the heads up. That's why I do not discount MS doing some interesting technology. This is superior to Sony who will not allow you access to key sound & graphics API's without forking out the $200K developers license. '... As a matter of fact, one of the projects I developed in university is now being transferred to XNA by a friend of mine...some people from the XBOX Live group saw our game and encouraged that it be ported to XNA so they can look into making it available on XBOX Live Arcade. ...' Good stuff. Just out of interest how is it licensed?
  - JMiao 20y ago
    There's two versions of the IDE -- Professional and Express. Express is absolutely free and meant for enthusiast game developers.
    - bootload 20y ago
      'Express' ... but there's an annual $99USD cost to join the XNA club to get access to the means to play your creations on the XBOX. But that doesn't stop using your own machine. It's like the Vintage Microsoft of old giving cheap access to their development tools and with a bit of an extra cost platform.