Next Generation on user-generated content
I just read an awesome article over on Next Generation about user-generated content on gaming consoles and the fact that its growth will be directly proportional to that of the gaming industry's. (duh!) However, the focus of the post is the various types of content that could be offered and how each of the big three console developers could take advantage of it. A short excerpt from the two-page long post:
Second, console makers are likely feeling the pressure of widespread network computing. Consoles were born as low cost home gaming alternatives to what were originally more expensive personal computers. But technology has since decreased prices while increasing the quality of both hardware and software. In the process, the line between consoles and computers has been significantly blurred, if not obviated.
Recommended reading for everyone. The article discusses Miis, Sony's plans to make user-generated content a priority for the PS3. Comparisons are made between custom-made maps on XNA and those on Google Earth and the article questions whether or not this content will be embraced by a majority of the gaming community and to just what extent the users should be able to mold it.
Related reading:
Phil Harrison on Miis
PlayStation Home to be revealed at GDC?
3 comments:
It might just be me but I really couldn't get past that first page of the Phil H Q&A. That kind of slam the competition with a compliment and a knife in the back is really what put me off the PS2 and PSP, not suprisingly, its doing little to win me over with the PS3 too.
Honestly I'd like to see less bullshit and more product from everyone. Where we can now easily download videos, read reviews and access demos I fail to see the need to employ these smear campaign PR pushes.
Sorry. pointless rant overwith. :)
I like the XNA approach. I believe there is a free version available which people can cut their teeth on before going for a distributed model. The internet is also a great place to hook up and coordinate projects, artists, modelers, musicians and coders just fall out of the sky these days.
Still its a powerful tooth and while in-game editors can go so far to introduce content MS should be applauded for bringing the tools to the masses.
Sony, I guess after today, will be showing their cards next week. The ability to run another OS does beg the question of whether they'll follow MS and release a full dev kit on the PS3. The thoughts of what an imaginative and motivated community would do to that powerful hardware if let loose.
Nintendo I feel have limited themselves with the exclusion of a hard drive. They can of course allow USB storage devices. I however think Nintendo would be the last of the three to consider opening its platform to such uncontrolled development. Best I would hope for is a form of game construction kit like the Amiga used to have. Still they should be commended for the Mii integration (don't let it stagnate and keep improving it) and the channels are looking up too.
In all I think all three have a lot to offer but for serious development the 360 and possible the PS3 will be the best option. I'm actually most excited here about a demo scene revival between the PS3 and 360. Damn those Amiga mega demos pushed some boundaries! I think I'm going to hunt down a couple right now. :)
Wow Jelster, your comments are getting more and more essay-like. That's awesome. :D
I agree, less BS from both, Sony and Microsoft would be welcome. Although, Microsoft has been praising Nintendo's approach to gaming a hell of a lot lately, and frankly; it's making me very, very suspicious of what they're up to.
I think XNA has a ton of potential, too. I still don't know exactly how much freedom developers will have and to what extent they'll be able to push the limits of the 360's hardware using XNA, but it certainly is an invaluable asset to Live.
Coming to Nintendo, I'm willing to bet that their demo channel and their version of XNA (whatever they choose to call it) will both be revealed at GDC. Keep in mind that Miyamoto hasn't given a keynote at GDC in years, so this one is probably going to be huge. I just hope the rumours of him announcing his retirement aren't true.
It's true that the company's really limited itself by not allowing for a harddrive or anything of the sort, and well; USB devices can only hold so much. However, depending on how much freedom their game development software offers users, this may not be an issue.
And finally, coming to Sony...to be honest with you, I think they have the most potential when it comes to user-created material. True, they may be way ahead of themselves with some of their ideas (I mean, really; sharing videos through a YouTube-like service on the PlayStation network?), but considering that the PS3 can run an entire OS is nothing short of fascinating and opens up tons of possibilities. That said, I don't think their Eyetoy and all those other peripherals are really going to take off any time soon.
Problem is, the PS3's hardware is complicated as hell and if IBM is having to stage workshops to help professional studios with figuring it out, I don't think the Indy developers and amateurs will have anything too mindblowing to present on that front just yet...I could be wrong, though.
LOL I think I have to much time on my hands. :)
I'd speculate that MS knows its own direction and doesn't feel the need to compete with the Wii. Features like Live, IPTV, downloadable content, HD graphics etc are pretty much out of the Wii's reach and pretty much what MS is capable of pulling off well.
I'd like Nintendo to open up more I'm just not feeling them coming through on it this time round. A demo and original content channel would be great distraction. If they do make an XNA I'd be expecting it being very much user oriented.
If they allow USB storage you should be able to plug in any third party external hard drive. Worst limitation is the download sizes but I guess the existing space check would avoid that problem. mmm.
Sony is so schizophrenic recently I wonder if they won't scupper this very obvious advantage they have. I'd put them firmly in second place as far as developer tools but the hardware could more than make up for that. I'd also not worry about the complications, your average joe will have ample horsepower to realise their dreams and those who have talent will put developers to shame.
Again, I just have to point to the many breakthroughs and techniques found by bedroom coders hammering machine code at some custom chips. After watching some of those demos last night, despite their now terrible graphics, it did remind me of the total awe they put me in when I first saw them.
Sony, MS, Nintendo. You ALL owe us some of that!
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