a Master Ninja
Member
MAJOR UPDATE
Epic President Tim Sweeny confirms this topic is TRUE 51 minutes into the 1UP Yours Podcast for 4/6/07.
http://zdmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o1/Podcasts/040607.mp3
Back in November Pat Wilson, developer at Garage Games, announced that their team had just finished making a FREE downloadable update (that featured bug fixes, 11 new multiplayer maps, and new gametypes) and that it was in Microsofts hands for certification. Weeks later in his blog, Pat explained to fans why the free content will NEVER be made available. (The site he blogged at, angrydev.com, is no more, but you can still find the info he posted on numerous sites) On the record, Garage Games says "...we are unable to come to an agreement with our publisher for the Marble Blast Ultra update." Seeing as Garage Games is both the publisher AND developer of Marble Blast Ultra, you need to read between the lines. The gist of Pats blog says Microsoft wont allow them to release free content for their game, but he doesnt go into what their motivation might be, but allow me to.
Reasons allowing publishers to release free content is BAD for Microsoft:
1.) Microsoft gets a cut of all microtransactions, and doesnt make anything from free content, the Xbox division wants to make profit this gen
2.) It makes publishers who make pay content (something Microsoft wants to encourage) like EA look bad. Why would I want to buy stadiums for Madden or cheats for Tiger Woods when other publishers make kickass content like map packs for free? Consumers would begin to question the value of the Marketplace.
Reasons why releasing free content is GOOD for publishers:
1.) Builds goodwill between the publisher and gamers, example: Epic
2.) Gives online multiplayer longer life without fracturing your user base
Ok, I might be the only person who liked Marble Blast, so I didnt bring this up when it happened. But now this policy is affecting Gears of War. Multiple sources, including todays 1UP Yours podcast (1 hour 12 minutes in), support a rumor that Microsoft and Epic are currently fighting over the new Gears of War content. The content is basically finished, they are just fighting over pricing. Epic want to make all the new weapons and maps 100% FREE. Epic doesnt want to fragment their online community, and frankly weve come to expect these gestures of goodwill from Epic. Microsoft, as you might expect, is not letting Epic do this. Mark Rein, as you can imagine, is PISSED about this. Gears fans, lets all pray Epic wins this fight.
I'd like to thank Luke Smith for encouraging me to think critically about this issue.
EDIT:
Excellent Game Informer article where they take Microsoft to task on this issue. (post #228)
In their official forums, Developer Team 17 complains about Microsoft not allowing them to release the FREE content for Worms HD they want in order to protect the "value" of other companies' (EA?) pay content. (post #234)
In an interview Bizarre Creations said they wanted Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved to be FREE over Xbox Live, but Microsoft wouldn't let them do this. They ultimately reached a compromise and charged the lowest amount Microsoft will allow, 400 points ($5).
I'd also like to add that the two free maps Epic released were sponsored downloads. This is pure speculation on my part, but I think Microsoft may have seen these free maps as a compromise to satisfy a.) the gamers that would remember Mark Rein's promise of free Gears content, and b.) Epic, which loves to support their games with free content after release. Microsoft and Epic just don't share the same philosophies, but let's all support Epic because they are looking out for themselves AND gamers.
Epic President Tim Sweeny confirms this topic is TRUE 51 minutes into the 1UP Yours Podcast for 4/6/07.
http://zdmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o1/Podcasts/040607.mp3
Back in November Pat Wilson, developer at Garage Games, announced that their team had just finished making a FREE downloadable update (that featured bug fixes, 11 new multiplayer maps, and new gametypes) and that it was in Microsofts hands for certification. Weeks later in his blog, Pat explained to fans why the free content will NEVER be made available. (The site he blogged at, angrydev.com, is no more, but you can still find the info he posted on numerous sites) On the record, Garage Games says "...we are unable to come to an agreement with our publisher for the Marble Blast Ultra update." Seeing as Garage Games is both the publisher AND developer of Marble Blast Ultra, you need to read between the lines. The gist of Pats blog says Microsoft wont allow them to release free content for their game, but he doesnt go into what their motivation might be, but allow me to.
Reasons allowing publishers to release free content is BAD for Microsoft:
1.) Microsoft gets a cut of all microtransactions, and doesnt make anything from free content, the Xbox division wants to make profit this gen
2.) It makes publishers who make pay content (something Microsoft wants to encourage) like EA look bad. Why would I want to buy stadiums for Madden or cheats for Tiger Woods when other publishers make kickass content like map packs for free? Consumers would begin to question the value of the Marketplace.
Reasons why releasing free content is GOOD for publishers:
1.) Builds goodwill between the publisher and gamers, example: Epic
2.) Gives online multiplayer longer life without fracturing your user base
Ok, I might be the only person who liked Marble Blast, so I didnt bring this up when it happened. But now this policy is affecting Gears of War. Multiple sources, including todays 1UP Yours podcast (1 hour 12 minutes in), support a rumor that Microsoft and Epic are currently fighting over the new Gears of War content. The content is basically finished, they are just fighting over pricing. Epic want to make all the new weapons and maps 100% FREE. Epic doesnt want to fragment their online community, and frankly weve come to expect these gestures of goodwill from Epic. Microsoft, as you might expect, is not letting Epic do this. Mark Rein, as you can imagine, is PISSED about this. Gears fans, lets all pray Epic wins this fight.
I'd like to thank Luke Smith for encouraging me to think critically about this issue.
EDIT:
Excellent Game Informer article where they take Microsoft to task on this issue. (post #228)
In their official forums, Developer Team 17 complains about Microsoft not allowing them to release the FREE content for Worms HD they want in order to protect the "value" of other companies' (EA?) pay content. (post #234)
In an interview Bizarre Creations said they wanted Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved to be FREE over Xbox Live, but Microsoft wouldn't let them do this. They ultimately reached a compromise and charged the lowest amount Microsoft will allow, 400 points ($5).
I'd also like to add that the two free maps Epic released were sponsored downloads. This is pure speculation on my part, but I think Microsoft may have seen these free maps as a compromise to satisfy a.) the gamers that would remember Mark Rein's promise of free Gears content, and b.) Epic, which loves to support their games with free content after release. Microsoft and Epic just don't share the same philosophies, but let's all support Epic because they are looking out for themselves AND gamers.