This is how Microsoft really treats PC gaming.

[J Arcane]

Indie adventure game Machinarium has been denied publication on XBLA. (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3178776) The reason? It's not Microsoft exclusive, thanks to the PC and Mac versions:

Asked for comment by Joystiq after his game was reportedly declined for the service, Machinarium designer Jakub Dvorsky explained, "They told us, 'It's not Microsoft-exclusive, we don't want it.' They didn't cite the Mac and Linux versions [as reasons for the refusal] but it's quite clear that's the reason."

Machinarium has not been outright refused space on the service. Microsoft will not allow the title to be self-published, but they will allow it on the service if the developer Amanita Design is able to find a publishing partner.

According to Dvorsky, "It means if we want to release the game on XBLA we must throw, probably, most of the profit out of the window -- to the publisher. Just because we created Mac and Linux versions."

[kyrieee]

Wtf?
Why would you need a publishing partner on an established digital distribution network?!

That's moronic

[Sazime]

What about games that are also no XBLA exclusive? How to those get past? Or am I wrong in thinking there are no non-XBLA exclusive Arcade games?

[digitalErich]

I've heard they are coming to PSN with this anyway, so good for them.

For the past year I've argued that in aggregate, PSN is giving me more compelling original content than XBL has. Sure, Shadow Complex was great, but in the past 18 months I've downloaded way more games over PSN games than XBL. I have to think that eventually MS's greed concerning everything XBL will come back to bite them in the ass.

[J3DI]

This all makes sense to me.
They wanted MS to publish.
MS said only if we can have it.
They said no.
MS said no.
The End (Gears of War ref)

The game is not exempt from distribution (Apple ref), it just won't be distributed by MS and is still allowed on XBLA they just need to find a 3rd party publisher.

[Loki]

It was denied to be published by Microsoft on XBLA. If you're part of a publishing house, then you have no problem with them being by third party. Also, Microsoft wasn't concerned about the PC version. Only the Linux and Mac versions available. As was stated in what you quoted.

[Deadend]

Not allowing self-publishing of a high quality game is quite stupid.

I expect the BS Microsoft response in a day.

[Mike Kelehan]

I really, really don't get it. MS has bothered me with how closed XBLA has always been. More content and more choice, please. If you want to deny a game because it's technically flawed, or just an all-around awful game, I get that. If you want to deny it because they don't have a big name on the title screen... I don't get it.

[Adam Blue]

Well, I think MS is trying to keep the amount of shit down on XBLA. Not saying there isn't shit. Microsoft isn't saying 'NO', just that they need a publisher first. I don't really see this as a bad thing really since we always have PC.

Also, MS charges much less for published games on XBLA anyway, Sony allows whatever because they charge a lot more. That's why you see the amount of SHMUPS released as boxed retail copies on the 360 and not on PSN, PS3, or XBLA.

There's give and take for all sides. In the end, the game can still be on PC and XBLA.

[J3DI]

I really, really don't get it. MS has bothered me with how closed XBLA has always been. More content and more choice, please. If you want to deny a game because it's technically flawed, or just an all-around awful game, I get that. If you want to deny it because they don't have a big name on the title screen... I don't get it.

It wasn't denied from XBLA it was denied publishing by MS. They [MS] can publish whatever they want. The thing here looks like they wanted MS to publish something making money somewhere else... doesn't sound smart to me. Man that is like EA putting out a game for Activision

[Mike Kelehan]

It wasn't denied from XBLA it was denied publishing by MS. They [MS] can publish whatever they want. The thing here looks like they wanted MS to publish something making money somewhere else... doesn't sound smart to me. Man that is like EA putting out a game for Activision

They wanted to put it up themselves. They wanted to self-publish. They were told that they cannot. Unless you're an already established publisher, MS will only allow your game on their service if MS gets exclusive publishing rights. I do not like this.

[menage]

I just ordered the PC CE for quite cheap online. And I rarely buy PC games.

And lo and behold my laptop kicks the bucket.

[Vigil80]

What really gets me is it's an easy win for Microsoft. They didn't put any resources in it, did they? So any copies sold on XBLA, their cut is pure profit. Why does it matter that it isn't exclusive, except to service some corporate ego?

[H.Bogard]

Re: The title.

Welcome to 2006. Where the fuck have you been?

Fun fact: Mass Effect was supposed to be co-developed for PC and 360 at first. But Microsoft refused to allow Bioware to do that on the grounds that the PC version would outdo the 360 version in the more PC-centric European regions.

Exhibit B: ALAN WAKE

[Satertek]

This is getting overblown, Microsoft isn't denying them to XBLA, they're denying being the publisher of the game. Now why digital releases even need publishers, I don't know, but they do, and it's perfectly reasonable for Microsoft to deny publishing a game themselves they don't have full control over.

There's nothing stopping the Machinarium devs from going and finding their own publisher, after which they'd have no problem getting their game on XBLA.

[Kelegacy]

This is stupid. The whole needing a publisher thing is foolish.

Oh well, buy it on PSN and show your support, if it ever arrives there.

[tacitus]

It is annoying, but it should be pointed out that it has been out for awhile on all of these non-console platforms and I am cluless what goes on in these deals. If you are the publisher you probably do want control of all versions, not just the xbox version. Trine I think is having a similar problems on xbla (they stated it would definately be coming out on xbla - but it seems not). Also, Microsoft might be getting really antsy about he mac since the since the steam announcement. There is only limitted space on xbla - and I have heard statements that this is causing major problems for the indies.

[roboninja]

There is only limitted space on xbla - and I have heard statements that this is causing major problems for the indies.

Limiting space on a virtual storefront...

HXCzyMPU_x0

[tacitus]

Limiting space on a virtual storefront...

Yes actually that is true - for example if every week you have 20 new products that you announce some are going to get lost in the shuffle on xbla it dilutes the ones already there. Just try to find what you want on the indie area on xbl.

Thats one of the cools things about steam - is they do some vetting, whether people might buy it or not - but they seem to be able to add and keep large number of products. But occassionally, I will be looking for something that I know is there, I have to search and search for it because I misspelled part of the name.

[muddi900]

Yes actually that is true - for example if every week you have 20 new products that you announce some are going to get lost in the shuffle on xbla it dilutes the ones already there. Just try to find what you want on the indie area on xbl.


"You must get a publisher because we are incompetent at designing a decent interface."

[CappinCanuck]

Ah, I'm so happy to hear this will be on PSN. The PC version has been giving me some problems unfortunately so I can't make any progress. Buttt, I only paid a bit during the Christmas sale so I might just pick it up again on PSN so I can finish it off.

[RandoM51]

Exhibit B: ALAN WAKE

Alan Wake should be the only exhibit anybody needs. The game was used to demo Intel's quadcore processors at IDF, lol.

You want another example, just consider Shadowrun. What could have been the leader in a wave of cross-platform gaming is instead sent out to die as the poster child for the stillborn triplets, Vista, DX10, and GFWL.

I don't blame Microsoft in the least bit for keeping their games(and the games they control one way or another) on the 360 and off of the PC. PC gamers don't seem to be interested in paying multiplayer tax, nor are they that interested in paying $10/game next-gen tax for the same resolutions they've been enjoying on PC for years.

That being the case, limit the games to the platform where your customers have to pay the premiums or do without.

[nabokovfan87]

I saw the title "THIS IS HOW M$ TREATS PC GAMES" and I just have to share....

THIS IS HOW M$ TREATS PC GAMES:

I beleive this is patch 1 of about 7 or so now... ENJOY!

HuRPANXfvXo

[Food Nipple]

So if Microsoft allegedly doesn't publish games with mac and linux versions, why did they publish Darwinia?

[Sazime]

So if Microsoft allegedly doesn't publish games with mac and linux versions, why did they publish Darwinia?
They had a publisher, I think that's the argument being made (if I'm reading right). With a publisher, they lose money just to distribute something that already works and little investment is made, by said publisher, to distribute.

[Food Nipple]

They had a publisher, I think that's the argument being made (if I'm reading right). With a publisher, they lose money just to distribute something that already works and little investment is made, by said publisher, to distribute.

My mistake, you're right

[Sazime]

My mistake, you're right
Either way, it really hurts someone trying to make something on their own, quality product or not. When you FORCE someone to give up a majority of their initial profit just to get it on the marketplace, you have to be sure you're gonna move a ton of product just to make back your money.

What I find troubling is that this does not help indie developers at all. Just like a band, if you want to sell in their store you need to sign with a label. And I think it's become pretty obvious how little new bands make out of a record contract.

[Food Nipple]

Either way, it really hurts someone trying to make something on their own, quality product or not. When you FORCE someone to give up a majority of their initial profit just to get it on the marketplace, you have to be sure you're gonna move a ton of product just to make back your money.

What I find troubling is that this does not help indie developers at all. Just like a band, if you want to sell in their store you need to sign with a label. And I think it's become pretty obvious how little new bands make out of a record contract.

If you look at it the other way, it's a pretty fair deal. Microsoft is willing to cut you a big break if you agree to make your game a timed exclusive. That seems pretty reasonable to me.

These guys didn't have the business sense to do their homework ahead of time. Johnathan Blow managed to land a sweetheart deal with Microsoft because he did his research; these guys could have done the same thing.

[J Arcane]

OF course. It's THEIR fault MS does not believe in independent publishing.

[Hawkzombie]

I gotta completely disagree with you there, Food. Who says they didn't do their homework? To me, this seems simply like a case of 'Well, it's on the PS3, Mac and Linux, so we're not going to compete directly with those platforms unless you play by our rules, which are sign a publisher to take a chunk of your profits to make this viable for us to want to distribute.'

My guess is MS wanted to be that publisher. Double dip if you will. Anyone with a brain isn't going to sign a publisher to throw away profits and give them almost all of them simply to be allowed on a platform. It's ridiculous.

[nabokovfan87]

They had a publisher, I think that's the argument being made (if I'm reading right). With a publisher, they lose money just to distribute something that already works and little investment is made, by said publisher, to distribute.

I'm 99% sure this is only if the game doesn't sell well. It would make sense that the publisher in that scenario makes more money because they just have to spend to rip the discs and not fund the entire project.

[MagGnome]

These guys didn't have the business sense to do their homework ahead of time. Johnathan Blow managed to land a sweetheart deal with Microsoft because he did his research; these guys could have done the same thing.

Yes, and meanwhile us PC gamers would have had to wait yet again. No thanks.

This kind of control is why I'd prefer to support the PC over the 360 any day.



Edit - Where are some people getting the idea that Amanita wanted MS to publish the game? Why couldn't they just publish it themselves? I know that's a shocking idea, really. :p

[Deadend]

If you look at it the other way, it's a pretty fair deal. Microsoft is willing to cut you a big break if you agree to make your game a timed exclusive. That seems pretty reasonable to me.

These guys didn't have the business sense to do their homework ahead of time. Johnathan Blow managed to land a sweetheart deal with Microsoft because he did his research; these guys could have done the same thing.

You mean research information that you have to sign an NDA to have, and possibly other contracts as well?

No one REALLY knows what the deals are, aside from those who aren't allowed to say.

Microsoft has also changed their policy on XBLA, as if you haven't noticed, it's become full of games from major publishers while MS is wanting to force indies to use XNA and be in the indie ghetto section.

[tacitus]

Microsoft has also changed their policy on XBLA, as if you haven't noticed, it's become full of games from major publishers while MS is wanting to force indies to use XNA and be in the indie ghetto section.
I don't think Microsoft has changed their policy so much is that larger concerns have noticed how lucrative XBLA is - and its now much more competitive. I wish I could track down the podcast where I heard an indie developer who was discussing these issues and other issues of being an indie developer.

[Telefrog]

Microsoft has also changed their policy on XBLA, as if you haven't noticed, it's become full of games from major publishers while MS is wanting to force indies to use XNA and be in the indie ghetto section.

This absolutely untrue.