Author Topic: drm fix, delisting underperforming xbla titles and more HAHAHA M$ (Read 6129 times)

MCD · « **on:** May 22, 2008, 03:53:29 PM »

http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10620&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=0

Quote

Could you describe the changes we can expect to see in the Marketplace in the near future?

This means that we need to allow developers more time and more space to make even bigger and better games. So we are officially increasing our XBLA game size limits dramatically from 150mb to 350mb. We are also giving publishers more flexibility in how they price their games and opening up a new 1600 Microsoft Points price point for some of these now bigger and better games.

What would qualify a title for delisting? Would Microsoft choose titles for delisting, or would the publisher or content creators be involved in the decision as well? Are there any titles currently on the Marketplace we can expect to be delisted in the near future?

The way it will work is that the title will need to be at least 6 months old and have a Metacritic score below 65 and a conversion rate below 6% on the service. This way titles are not just considered if they are not selling well or not getting good reviews, but actually a combination of both. We will also give a three-month notice before delisting any title. Overall I think you will find this will focus the catalogue more on larger, more immersive games and make it much easier to find the games you are looking for.

Can you explain a little bit more the background on the new 1st party studio?

Well the main idea behind the concept is to invest deeply in developing original content that will be compelling and exclusive to Xbox LIVE. This is a place where we’ve redoubled our commitment and I’m putting both dollars and people behind new games that push the quality and the bounds of the system. Wish I could share more today, but definitely stay tuned on this, as we have some very exciting things in the works including some big original XBLA games we will be announcing soon.

Last year Xbox 360 owners got a spring dashboard update in early May. It's now late May and you still haven't announced anything regarding this year's update. Should 360 owners be holding their breaths for it?

We have taken a different approach this spring and spent a lot of our time and resources of building the proper infrastructure and scale for the service not just today but also into the future. So while most users will not notice any significant changes to the dashboard this spring, I can tell you that the team will be releasing a new digital rights management (DRM) tool next month that will allow you to better consolidate your licenses for downloaded content to a single Xbox and allow you the freedom to be able to play your content both online and offline.

There have been some high profile complaints on the web about how difficult it is to transfer things like XBLA game licenses to replacement 360s in the wake of an under warranty hardware failure. Would these changes to DRM policy address these issues, letting people who have experienced such failure re-license their purchases on their new Xbox so they don't have to be connected to Live to play? Are there any other sorts of changes to DRM policy being made here that would affect the end-user experience?

Yes, this new tool will officially launch next month on Xbox.com and will allow you to be able to consolidate these licenses onto one box so you can access things like Xbox LIVE Arcade games and TV show you have downloaded even if you are not online. Because this involved allowing users to re-download licenses for content that belongs to our partners it has taken some time to work out the agreements with them to allow this, but we have heard the concerns from folks about DRM and are happy to announce that everything is nearly in place to roll this out in June.

so long yaris.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2008, 03:56:07 PM »

So will you be able to re-download titles you've already purchased?

MCD · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2008, 03:57:20 PM »

don't ask me!

removing games? way to go MS.

:suicide

Mupepe · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:00:01 PM »

MS is probably the dumbest company out of the three when it comes to good relations with their customers and publishers.

MCD · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:02:15 PM »

IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICE MAN

demi · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:03:21 PM »

REMOVING games?

?

Oh my god, lmao

MCD · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:14:24 PM »

yo

this game scored under 65 in metacritic and bombed, we are removing this game ahahaha.

demi · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:15:30 PM »

Go to Metacritic right now, there are at least 6 games on the front page (of Xbox 360) that are below 65% and have no chance of climbing up

This is a horrible idea.

MCD · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:18:47 PM »

not only that, they are making their 1st party studio for xbla and opening up a new 1600 microsoft points price point, obviously their games will be at this price lulz.

Mupepe · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:21:24 PM »

jesus christ they make dumb decisions.

I wish they'd open up a new studio for full 360 games because their 1st party shit is the most lacking out of the three as well.

These guys are dumb. Are they trying to lose?

MCD · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2008, 04:31:47 PM »

seriously, this shit better spread like wildfire.

i want the whole fucking media on this.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:00:57 PM »

What current titles might be effected?

demi · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:08:20 PM »

Quote from: mojovonio on May 22, 2008, 05:03:03 PM

Texas Hold em - Free
Contra - Free from Old Spice Challenge
Arkadian Warriors - Paid for
Aegis Wing - Free
Yaris - Free

These are the only games I have from that huge list

So... maybe it's not such a bad idea after all

MCD · « **Reply #13 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:10:05 PM »

free games don't have demos so they don't count i think.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:11:21 PM »

Frogger's on the sub-6.5 list, but Space Giraffe narrowly avoids the cut. Jeff Minter vindicated!

pilonv1 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2008, 07:37:09 PM »

It's going to hurt because people like me download demo's of games I have no interest in playing.

That said It has to be under 65% AND less than 6% conversion. I'm guessing Poker and Pacman and things like that will be above 6%.

This just feels like Microsoft realising some of their XBLA approvals have been shit so they're removing the unwanted shit. Basically now if you make a shit game you better be good at fooling people into buying it.

MoxManiac · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2008, 08:46:36 PM »

Removing games (that people have no doubtedly purchased) from a digital distribution system is probably the worst thing you can do.

If I had a 360 it'd sure lower my confidence in buying any of the XBLA titles.

MrAngryFace · « **Reply #17 on:** May 22, 2008, 08:50:34 PM »

They just need to have Play Magazine review all their games, that will ensure their safety.

Bildi · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2008, 08:59:26 PM »

Increasing the XBLA limit to 350mb should help push sales of their hopelessly overpriced 120GB hard drive. Good move there.

And about frickin' time on the DRM thing too you pack of useless cunts.

Removing games is truly distinguished mentally-challenged. Admittedly the only game I have from mojo's list is Marathon 2, but still.

MCD · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2008, 09:05:21 PM »

The way it will work is that the title will need to be at least 6 months old and have a Metacritic score below 65 and a conversion rate below 6% on the service. This way titles are not just considered if they are not selling well or not getting good reviews, but actually a combination of both. We will also give a three-month notice before delisting any title.

...

pilonv1 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2008, 09:27:43 PM »

Well Gripshift made it on there. Of course the 360 version is better but still.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2008, 09:44:46 PM »

really. No wonder they wont let them update it to share the same features with XBL

MCD · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:05:47 PM »

pilonv1 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:08:39 PM »

Quote from: Groo on May 22, 2008, 09:57:35 PM

Quote from: some dude on neogaf
I just went to check to see if this was true or not (not that I don't believe you, but I was interested), but yeah, when I pushed delete, I got a blade that reads "GALAGA is not available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace. If you delete it, you will not be able to download it again."

Oh shit. It begins.

has anyone actually vericated this?

MCD · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:38:33 PM »

nintendo = still storage problem plus piracy.

sony = zzz, someone need to wake them up.

MS = cocky fuckers.

muckhole · « **Reply #25 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:42:24 PM »

I wonder if these games will be "GONE!" gone or "Hey, no new releases this week, BUT! Here's your chance to download Rootbeer Tapper and Backgammon for a limited time!" gone.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #26 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:45:52 PM »

welp, that about wraps it up for my xbla purchasing

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #27 on:** May 22, 2008, 11:17:35 PM »

Quote from: McDragon on May 22, 2008, 09:05:21 PM

The way it will work is that the title will need to be at least 6 months old and have a Metacritic score below 65 and a conversion rate below 6% on the service. This way titles are not just considered if they are not selling well or not getting good reviews, but actually a combination of both. We will also give a three-month notice before delisting any title.

...

wow, that'll boost sales over the last 3 months! :doh :doh :doh

This is as dumb as anything I've seen in the console sphere.

originalz · « **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2008, 11:38:12 PM »

Although I don't think it's a bad idea, they're doing it the wrong way. Just put the games that meet the credentials into a "top rated" section or something, bloody pointless getting rid of the games.

I think that the only game I have on the list that has a low score is Triggerheart, that game sold pretty well in Japan though, so it would be pretty stupid for them to remove it as they need as many Japan-centered games as they can get.

That's another problem, XBLA is a global service, but regional tastes will be different. Are they going to do overall worldwide sales numbers or just regional ones? It's not like Japan cares about metacritic ratings, it'd be stupid as hell to delist a game on the JPN marketplace because it didn't sell well on the west.

MrSingh · « **Reply #29 on:** May 23, 2008, 12:56:50 AM »

Just got word there's some 1/2 assed reporting going on here. Stay tuned.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #30 on:** May 23, 2008, 01:03:50 AM »

tell me more..

MCD · « **Reply #31 on:** May 23, 2008, 01:04:31 AM »

he's bluffing.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 23, 2008, 01:11:18 AM »

Rman · « **Reply #33 on:** May 23, 2008, 01:34:48 AM »

Totally distinguished mentally-challenged. The whole point of DD is to provided unlimited shelf space since they are no physical barriers like shelf space. XBLA had so much promise and its said to see it go to waste now. Hopefully, MS listens to the outcry.

MrSingh · « **Reply #34 on:** May 23, 2008, 01:50:50 AM »

Don't know the real deal regarding disappearing titles, but apparently people who have purchased the titles should still be able to re-download them again in the future.

chronovore · « **Reply #35 on:** May 23, 2008, 06:29:28 AM »

So much for "long tail" use of XBLA.

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #36 on:** May 23, 2008, 10:21:33 AM »

So instead of organizing their interface better they're going to start scrapping games?

WAIT, and you can't redownload them? And there are mad good games that qualify? And Galaga is already dead?

what the fuckkkkkkk

This punishes well-advertised games too, because people without money might download the demo in droves to see what the hype is about, killing the conversion rate. What an ass-backwards policy.

DJ_Tet · « **Reply #37 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:10:25 AM »

Quote from: Rman on May 23, 2008, 01:34:48 AM

The whole point of DD is to provided unlimited shelf space since they are no physical barriers like shelf space.

This is the point right here. I think we all can understand a limited selection at the beginning of a DD service, but they should ALWAYS be building their library, not culling and perfecting it. When their competition is free and complete (mame roms,) it's asinine to make a decision like this.

demi · « **Reply #38 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:53:33 AM »

Quote from: Borys on May 23, 2008, 11:49:40 AM

Steam FTW.

Imagine how Steam would be "booting out" lesser know games

You can just download them from a torrent site

hyp · « **Reply #39 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:57:15 AM »

i'd take this with a grain of salt.

never mind, MS is THAT stupid. rock on with the DRM fix though.

MCD · « **Reply #40 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:58:43 AM »

Quote from: demi on May 23, 2008, 11:53:33 AM

Quote from: Borys on May 23, 2008, 11:49:40 AM
Steam FTW.

Imagine how Steam would be "booting out" lesser know games

You can just download them from a torrent site

MrSingh · « **Reply #41 on:** May 23, 2008, 10:08:49 PM »

Well here's the funny bit. Everyone agrees that something has to be done about the clusterfuck of an online store that the marketplace currently is now. MS wanted to put the less popular games in a "bargain bin" section, but most of the publishers balked at this idea. Hence the current solution. Games that have been removed however, can still be purchased if someone playing a game that has been removed invites you to play the game.

Anyway, expect the likes of Major Nelson to clarify things next week.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #42 on:** May 23, 2008, 10:28:58 PM »

Bargain bin would have been awesome. Fuck publishers

MCD · « **Reply #43 on:** May 23, 2008, 10:31:10 PM »

Quote from: MrSingh on May 23, 2008, 10:08:49 PM

Well here's the funny bit. Everyone agrees that something has to be done about the clusterfuck of an online store that the marketplace currently is now. MS wanted to put the less popular games in a "bargain bin" section, but most of the publishers balked at this idea. Hence the current solution. Games that have been removed however, can still be purchased if someone playing a game that has been removed invites you to play the game.

Anyway, expect the likes of Major Nelson to clarify things next week.

even if this is true, do you think nelson or ms would say publishers don't want this?

pilonv1 · « **Reply #44 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:30:11 PM »

I think they'll say "we had a few options but this was the one that everyone agreed on" or some such bullshit

MCD · « **Reply #45 on:** May 24, 2008, 03:23:08 AM »

http://www.xblah.net/2008/05/rant-mode-microsoft-to-start-delisting.html

Rlan is awesome.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #46 on:** May 24, 2008, 04:51:56 AM »

Rlan

fellow aussie

although he loves sonic

MCD · « **Reply #47 on:** May 24, 2008, 11:37:06 AM »

update: http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/05/24/559300.aspx

Quote

You may have seen the Next-Gen.biz article with Marc Whitten, and it may have left you confused.

Don't panic - we've seen your questions, and we have some answers for you.

We've upped the XBLA size limit from 150mb to 350mb.

We've stated that underperforming games on XBLA may be delisted. To be delisted, a game has to meet all three of the following criteria:

* Been on the service for at least 6 months
* Have less than a 65 Metacritic rating
* Have a conversion rate of less than 6%

Now, let's get into your delisting questions:

Q: What's "conversion rate"?
A: When people download a trial XBLA game, and then purchase that game, that's called a conversion. So if less than 6% of all trials downloaded lead to full game purchases - that's one of the 3 criteria we look at when deciding to delist a game.

Q: Why are you delisting games?
A: We have a LOT of XBLA titles onto the service. By filtering out the lower performing games, it will actually make it easier to find the games you really want.

Q: If I bought a game, and deleted it, can I redownload it even if it's been delisted?
A: Yes, you can. Go to Download History under the Account Management section of marketplace (far left blade).

Q: Can I still play a game after it's been delisted? What about playing online? What about leaderboards?
A: Yes, yes, and yes. The game will function normally even after being delisted. You can continue to play the game single and multiplayer, as well as use the leaderboards as you normally would.

Hopefully this helps clear up some of the confusion. Leave comments here and we can pass on feedback, and attempt to answer any other questions you may have.

While I'm sure I'll get a lot of hatred here in the comments, please keep it constructive.

While it may feel good in the short-term, calling us idiots and swearing isn't going to help make a better product unless you explain WHY you think we're idiots.

idiots.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #48 on:** May 24, 2008, 11:43:45 AM »

MrSingh · « **Reply #49 on:** May 24, 2008, 11:58:01 PM »

If they can't figure out why they are being called idiots, then they are truly idiots.

MS must have collected all their lepers and put them all in the Xbox division. That is why Bungie and Peter Moore wanted out.

Mupepe · « **Reply #50 on:** May 25, 2008, 12:04:08 AM »

Quote from: MrSingh on May 24, 2008, 11:58:01 PM

If they can't figure out why they are being called idiots, then they are truly idiots.

MS must have collected all their lepers and put them all in the Xbox division. That is why Bungie and Peter Moore wanted out.

yeah, you are not our xfag emperor

MrSingh · « **Reply #51 on:** May 25, 2008, 12:37:45 AM »

They need to put us in charge.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #52 on:** May 25, 2008, 12:43:10 AM »

Not sure what it's like overseas but the local office here seems to be going through people monthly.

demi · « **Reply #53 on:** May 25, 2008, 09:58:36 PM »

I just listened to the new Major Nelson podcast, and he alleviated a lot of concerns I had

You can -still buy the games-, but they won't be publically available.

What you have to do now, is find someone who bought that game, and have them use the "Tell A Friend" feature, which gets sent to you - and from there, you can try the demo, or buy the game.

The games -will still be on the server/service- but just not cluttering the shelves.

Obviously this can easily be alleviated by setting up another section of XBLA for these "bad" games and making the high-sellers and popular titles their own, but Microsoft obviously has enough trouble making good decisions as it is.

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #54 on:** May 25, 2008, 10:03:01 PM »

That's still distinguished mentally-challenged but at least I'm not losing out on content.

Did they already do their sweep?

Hitler Stole My Potato · « **Reply #55 on:** May 25, 2008, 10:07:41 PM »

Quote from: demi on May 25, 2008, 09:58:36 PM

I just listened to the new Major Nelson podcast, and he alleviated a lot of concerns I had

You can -still buy the games-, but they won't be publically available.

What you have to do now, is find someone who bought that game, and have them use the "Tell A Friend" feature, which gets sent to you - and from there, you can try the demo, or buy the game.

The games -will still be on the server/service- but just not cluttering the shelves.

Obviously this can easily be alleviated by setting up another section of XBLA for these "bad" games and making the high-sellers and popular titles their own, but Microsoft obviously has enough trouble making good decisions as it is.

Dumb.

If it's still on the servers then all they need to do is add another tab on the dashboard for...oh, I don't know, "Games too shitty even for XBLA" and store all of it there. Problem solved. Wouldn't hurt them to reduce the price of this garbage-ware so they can freakin' move it. Relying on the "Tell a Friend" feature is just typical distinguished mentally-challenged MS bullshit.

demi · « **Reply #56 on:** May 25, 2008, 10:11:24 PM »

Yeah, the guy uses a lot of "Retail Store" comparisons, saying that they just "remove the product for better things" -- i said out loud, "no! they put them on sale! liquidate!"

demi · « **Reply #57 on:** May 25, 2008, 10:19:23 PM »

now they are joking about this...

"its like a reality show... who is the first to go!!!"

Sysgen · « **Reply #58 on:** May 25, 2008, 10:21:56 PM »

It's nice that I can still download games if I need to but who exactly running the service MS or the publishers?

demi · « **Reply #59 on:** May 25, 2008, 10:22:02 PM »

"as an industry, we owe it to our customers to be straight with them" -- Aaron Greenberg

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Author Topic: drm fix, delisting underperforming xbla titles and more HAHAHA M$ (Read 6129 times)