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?
Contest:
6:05 AM on 04.24.2008
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1) No Mods for you X-box live!
2) Only 400 M$ points to enable Mods!
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...
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.
But you must pay 100 dollars + your soul for the wireless addition!
Muhahahah!
They are simply protecting their overpriced, overrated DLC pricing. free DLC = no money for MS.
Epic has a responsibility to make sure mods are included because its exclusion will certainly hurt sales.
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.
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)
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.
I'm still wondering if MS/Epic can charge for content not made by them.
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!
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.