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Mark Rein is trying to make mods happen on UT III for 360 photo

With the allowance of mods really helping out the PlayStation 3 version of Unreal Tournament III, it seems practically myopic of Microsoft to stomp its foot and ban them from the Xbox 360. Complaining of mythical, hypothetical troubles that would arise, it seems MS hasn't noticed that the PS3 really isn't suffering as a result of mods. Nevertheless, it still fears user-created content, probably because complete and utter, jugular-grasping control is taken from the hands of The 'Soft itself (that and it can't charge for extra maps so easily).

Epic's Mark Rein is still determined, however, to include mod support on the Xbox 360, no matter how he does it. Rein stated he was working with Microsoft to try and figure it out, and that mods will be included in some way, shape or form:

We're still trying. We're working with Microsoft to try to figure out how to support it, but regardless of what happens, mods will play a part somewhere along the line. We'll make sure we get a fair share of mods working. We'll figure that out.

I really wish Microsoft would just stop being babies about the whole thing. If it didn't want to allow mods, it shouldn't have tried to make the Xbox 360 like a PC. Gamers love mods, and with consoles and computers sharing more in common than ever, it makes sense to allow them. Most gamers are ready to spit on the Xbox 360 version of UT III because it lacks a huge part of what makes the PC and PS3 versions fun. Put frankly, Microsoft is bloody stupid to continue down this ignorant, arrogant path.  

But hey, at least you can split-screen now, right? Right? Guys?


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27 comments | showing # 1 to 27

RRDelay's Avatar
RRDelay at 04/24/2008 06:07
I can't see this ending without following these two predictable paths

1) No Mods for you X-box live!
2) Only 400 M$ points to enable Mods!
starsneverpass's Avatar
starsneverpass at 04/24/2008 06:19
with all of the attention to games, especially console games (hello god of war and no controversy over 3 some mini-game in 3 games vs. mass effects skin-o-max [despite m rating (pg 13-R)].

I understand m'softs lack of wanting of taking flack. Combine that with hd space, and players options of servers, players willing to buy/use hd space the new map content doesnt take a genius.... the only smart way to do it is filter the crap a) everyone will have it b) unfortunately getting rid of questionable content

The sad thing is the idea that videogames are still just for kids...
ironmanrules1333's Avatar
ironmanrules1333 at 04/24/2008 06:20
if i have to pay for crap maps i am going to be very angry
Aertyr's Avatar
Aertyr at 04/24/2008 06:23
This is why I stick to the PC so much, gamers love freedom. The fact the 360 hasn't turned on to that fact has kept me away from it from day 1. Now it seems I may buy a PS3 instead soon.
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 04/24/2008 06:36
Mods would be an excellent addition to the game assuming epic makes the tools secure enough as not to compromise the console. This would add so much potential longevity to the game - People were buying Quake 1 and Half-Life 1 for years as a means of playing CTF, Counterstrike, and Team Fortress.

Microsoft is very closed off when it comes to their console and live, I highly doubt they will allow mods due to the possibility that they could break XBL, or affect a user's system outside of the scope of the game.
Boolean's Avatar
Boolean at 04/24/2008 06:41
No wireless allowed, no mods allowed, no third party controllers allowed. Why don't we just call it the HITLER BOX.
RRDelay's Avatar
RRDelay at 04/24/2008 06:43
wireless is allowed.

But you must pay 100 dollars + your soul for the wireless addition!


Muhahahah!
Mabec's Avatar
Mabec at 04/24/2008 07:03
good image, jim :)
NightDehumidifier's Avatar
NightDehumidifier at 04/24/2008 07:06
Marc Rein is using a Nerf bat to beat up a tank. Why should he bother with mods when the modders will just lameify the game with people making mods of Cloud, Barack Obama, and Rick Astley (because people feel the need to mod games that are good into crap) when he could make his own stuff that's canon (like maps and Gears of War stuff) that can be sold for profit? He makes money, he is happy. End.
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 04/24/2008 07:07
MS aren't ignorant and stupid - they are well aware that allowing mods for one game opens the floodgates for user submitted content in other games and suddenly the DLC market disappears down the toilet where it frankly belongs.

They are simply protecting their overpriced, overrated DLC pricing. free DLC = no money for MS.
Mikescool's Avatar
Mikescool at 04/24/2008 07:27
guys MSOFT will allow mods, except you have to pay for them LOL.
moocow21's Avatar
moocow21 at 04/24/2008 08:05
This is one of the main reasons I'll always enjoy PC gaming more than console gaming.. a lot more freedom & customization.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 04/24/2008 08:32
That's awesome that they're trying to get mods going on the 360 version. That makes me happy.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 04/24/2008 09:17
Just get it for PS3 and save your self the trouble of getting screwed.
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar
TrailerParkJesus at 04/24/2008 09:36
Microsoft is afraid users would get used to getting free stuff, so they make up crap about vulnerability issues to prevent mods from happening.

Epic has a responsibility to make sure mods are included because its exclusion will certainly hurt sales.
Josh Tolentino's Avatar
Josh Tolentino at 04/24/2008 10:11
Microsoft made their console more like a retarded PC not because it would be able to perform PC functions but because it was EASY.

Game transition from PC to 360 and vice-versa would be easier, expanding the market and drawing devs away from the more exotic (and complex) PS3 development.

They clearly had no intention of making the 360 a more interesting or superior gaming platform. As mentioned by industry insiders earlier, the initial (and current) objective of the 360 was to carve out, expand, and hold the market foothold established by the original Xbox, and leverage that into providing a unified Windows-based home entertainment base. They've certainly succeeded in the first respect, but not less due to them making a better console but by exploiting Sony's missteps (and networking stupidity) and other opportunities for success.
Android8675's Avatar
Android8675 at 04/24/2008 10:40
unangbangkay: Are you for real? You are just precious... I'm just gonna follow you around for a while. Absorb the inevitable gems of insight sure to come from many of your future posts.

I think having a simple dev platform like XNA is hugely appealing to the indie scene and wanna-be devs. I simply love that idea. I also like the idea that if I come up with something I'd like to make myself that I could start developing it on my own with almost zero startup costs, because I can simply make it on my PC and know it'll work with 360, I think this was/is the appeal for modders. Would be cool if Microsoft embraced third party dev platforms like Source, or Unreal3, but I'd guess they want people on XNA so until they get some kind of incentive I can see why they may be hesitant to let UT3/Unreal3 mods into the house of XNA.

(I may be speaking outta my ass here)
manasteel88's Avatar
manasteel88 at 04/24/2008 11:16
something tells me that if it does allow mods it will be on a Official basis. Meaning that I'm gonna have to submit my mod to MS then they'll choose when to release it on Xbox Marketplace or something. Its gonna be stupid and if its not as easy as the PS3 its not worth it...I dont want to have to wait for a lesser product.
Josh Tolentino's Avatar
Josh Tolentino at 04/24/2008 11:44
Android8675:
I'll admit that XNA wasn't in my thoughts at the time of the post, but I don't see how that conflicts with what I said.

XNA makes PC-to-360 and 360-to-PC development easier. That doesn't mean that MS had great plans for the 360. They fudged hardware design to get a head start, they fudged mod makers by not making an HDD (essential for any 3rd-party development) standard, and they're screwing over modders by vacillating over making custom content that isn't under their total control.

Sure, it's not great business strategy to allow the UT3 dev tools to compete with XNA, but sure as hell it points to them not being as sure about embracing indie development as they claim.

To quote from that interview re: RROD:

"Xbox's mission statement is to preserve the Windows monopoly and extend it into the living room, as a media extender for a Media Center PC, along with a host of other MS and other company's hardware devices that fit into a digital entertainment lifestyle."

That's not much different from Sony's mission statement, of course, but none of it implies that fostering indie development is part of that master plan. Given their actions thus far, it looks like it's something they're still thinking of as opposed to committed to. Increasing user freedom undermines MS's control over content delivery and distribution, which is something they want to maintain to extend the windows monopoly.
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 04/24/2008 12:15
To be honest, I think paying some MS points to enable modding wouldn't be so bad. It's basically a set fee for an unlimited amount of DLC. And that sounds alright to me.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 04/24/2008 12:18
Microsoft doesn't want Live users to say, "if I can get maps for free for UT3, why should I pay for maps for any game?"

Maybe Epic will take the most popular maps and skins, and get them certified to download, and post them on Live for free. That's the only way I see this happening.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 04/24/2008 12:19
Ahh consoles. Thats why us PC guys love our PCs so much. No certification.
Knives's Avatar
Knives at 04/24/2008 13:28
I think MS will charge for mods saying something about the certification process and probably something about making it easy for xbl users instead of the complicated installs and continuous bugs or something on the PC version.

I'm still wondering if MS/Epic can charge for content not made by them.
mistic's Avatar
mistic at 04/24/2008 13:39
I love those mods on PS3 :-)

if it won't be possible on 360, you guys'll be missing out on loads of crap...

and euh... I bet M$ will be really happy to let you guys use the Gears Of War or Master Chief character models that are in fact huge infractions on IP... guess you'll have to do with 'original user mods' not that they aren't fucking brilliant, but having a huge battle with Samus, Master Chief, Marcus Phoenix and Spawn in one map is nothing short of utter genius!
Holiday's Avatar
Holiday at 04/24/2008 13:55
The only game I still have on my PC since it was first installed many years ago is HL 2. Why? Because modders keep putting out lot's of enjoyable content via the game's SDK, and just about all of it is free.
DryvBy's Avatar
DryvBy at 04/24/2008 14:23
This won't happen and soley because Microsoft's marketplace is only about making money. CliffyB couldn't get his Gears content for free for a good while, what makes this less important guy think he's gonna change Microsoft's mind?
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 04/24/2008 16:01
"...I think paying some MS points to enable modding wouldn't be so bad. It's basically a set fee for an unlimited amount of DLC..."

It's this attitude that allows MS and developers to keep ripping people off on consoles.

Really? You don't mind PAYING MONEY to play something that somebody has created for FREE? Especially when the money goes into MS's pockets for doing nothing and NOT the mod designer?

What the fuck is up with some people? Paying MS to allow you to play mods is far and away a much worse idea than paying for a handful of shitty maps.
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