Hey D'toiders, this is the second poll (of two), asking for your thoughts on the quality of Community Games versus Xbox Live Arcade titles. Like the last one (you can still vote), the goal is simple: If you regularly buy Community Games, tell us why: Above are five choices, if none of them apply to you, click “Other” and shoot us an e-mail at nicholson [at] destructoid dot com.
Again, like the one right on top of this, we’re encouraging you to expand on your vote in the comments section, through c-blogs or even e-mails. Say, for example, you chose “I buy Community Games because I like to support indie developers,” tell us what has impacted your conclusion. Also, don't forget to mention how many Community Games titles you've purchased since the service's debut on Xbox Live.
The only community game I bought so far was ZP2K9.
It was the only game that was really fun for me. I liked that it was so easy and quick to connect to games, and lag is nonexistant. It's a perfect game to play in short increments.
And the 200 point cost is great. There's really no risk on a game that's that cheap.
I bought a community game that teaches spanish on accident.
Also, I think community games could be great if it was treated like an app store. I love how there is stuff to have as a background, or stuff that can help set up an HD tv, or whatever. It's neat.
I think the results of these polls will be very interesting to XNA developers. As it turns out, no one is buying community games right now and they all want to know why.
I wouldn't say that no one is buying. My title, Snake360, sold over 1,500 copies to players that were able to look past the popular first impression of "it's Snake" and bought it for its deep feature set, challenging levels and great multiplayer.
According to Microsoft, several of the top-selling games grossed over $30,000. It's not enough for us to quit our jobs but it is certainly an indicator that people are buying.
Quality is there and open-minded gamers are willing to pay for it. The problem I see is promotion. MS doesn't do very much to promote CG. It may not be their fault though...I would guess that retail and XBLA developers want to keep the hobbyist competition to a minimum. So we have to do everything ourselves and it's not easy...
I buy usually based on recommendation of trusted online reviewers or word fo mouth from friends irl. That and because of cost. A good game for 200 points is more interesting to me than a mediocre big studio XBL Arcade game for 1200 pts.
Purchasing decision often comes down to if I like the demo, but I answered "to support indie devs" because that's usually the reason I go in there. If I'm looking for a more assuredly higher range of quality, I'm usually looking into XBLA
I'm gonna be nice to this thread by posting in it, just to make up the numbers from the 70+ comments in its negative counterpart. :)
I haven't brought any Community Games, and I can think of two reasons why. One is that they're never advertised so i've no idea whats worthwhile or not (Destructoid is one of the only sites that reviews them!) and the other is that due to Microsoft's monopoly money points system which costs £18 every time I want to buy anything from their store, I havent had the will to fund the account.
I don't. Nothing against them, I just don't buy Arcade games often and the last one I did buy was before community games were even available, as far as I know.
First rule: Have attractive "boxart", useful screenshots and a punchy description. This gets you a trial download. Boxart must be identifiable and attractive at any resolution, because the XBLM displays them at many different sizes. Don't give me a screenshot of the menu screen or the death screen. A lot of the descriptions I read are obnoxiously brash and clichéd, so try and be punchy but subtle. Use the few resources you have properly.
If the trial is poorly put together, it doesn't matter how good the game is, I won't be buying it. Like I said, the quality of XNA games is so sporadic that I won't buy a game unless I know that it is going to be good. The trial should, obviously, give a taste of fun and hint at the potential for more. sinSurfing is a great game, but I don't see any way of getting more out of it than what is already in the trial.
It also helps if they're nice and cheap, that way I have a more useful thing to spend my left over points on than gamer pictures.
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Contest:
1:39 PM on 03.30.2009
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It was the only game that was really fun for me. I liked that it was so easy and quick to connect to games, and lag is nonexistant. It's a perfect game to play in short increments.
And the 200 point cost is great. There's really no risk on a game that's that cheap.
Also, I think community games could be great if it was treated like an app store. I love how there is stuff to have as a background, or stuff that can help set up an HD tv, or whatever. It's neat.
Although I could take a guess.... *quality*
According to Microsoft, several of the top-selling games grossed over $30,000. It's not enough for us to quit our jobs but it is certainly an indicator that people are buying.
Quality is there and open-minded gamers are willing to pay for it. The problem I see is promotion. MS doesn't do very much to promote CG. It may not be their fault though...I would guess that retail and XBLA developers want to keep the hobbyist competition to a minimum. So we have to do everything ourselves and it's not easy...
I haven't brought any Community Games, and I can think of two reasons why. One is that they're never advertised so i've no idea whats worthwhile or not (Destructoid is one of the only sites that reviews them!) and the other is that due to Microsoft's monopoly money points system which costs £18 every time I want to buy anything from their store, I havent had the will to fund the account.
That's all!
World of Goo was my last indie purchase - its great.
Actually yeah I am trying to check out this XBLA thing, thanks.
That's kind of the same right????
If the trial is poorly put together, it doesn't matter how good the game is, I won't be buying it. Like I said, the quality of XNA games is so sporadic that I won't buy a game unless I know that it is going to be good. The trial should, obviously, give a taste of fun and hint at the potential for more. sinSurfing is a great game, but I don't see any way of getting more out of it than what is already in the trial.
It also helps if they're nice and cheap, that way I have a more useful thing to spend my left over points on than gamer pictures.