MS marketing for XBLC games "woeful" Comments by Robert Purchese

Okay, sorry but I seem to need to elaborate on my point. Although I know that an article title of myself calling MS marketing "woeful" is compelling, it isn't my stance on the matter. Perhaps this idea came from what Daniel Jones has said, but I can't talk on his behalf because I haven't talked to him directly about this. Microsoft will do what's best for their business as a whole, and it's up to me to decide if their services are right for my own product.

Yes, developers are responsible for marketing their own game. Any developer is responsible for their own success, and that doesn't just mean marketing. Knowing what platform is financially viable is important, and knowing what ON that platform succeeds is important. Sure there are things that Microsoft could do that could make the service better for me personally, but that doesn't mean it's their fault if I don't succeed. I chose to make the game I made for the platform I went to. It didn't get much marketing beyond Gametrailers because frankly, the sites that cover independently developed games don't have any interest in yet another Scorched Earth game. My marketing banked on people knowing what kind of game it was at first glance, and their own memories of the genre. Things like box art, titles, and the game chosen to be made are marketing decisions. From that standpoint I did well. I didn't make enough for long term viability, but I did make a game with a good conversion rate that over 10000 people had tried in its first month on the market. It's nice to have that for my first indie retail title.

I can make just as little on the iPhone as my game would be buried under a mountain of other games. I was just at the wolffire site and saw that their game Black Shades iPhone just hit 1000 sales, after months of being on sale for a lower price than my game. I made more sales in less time for a higher price point than a more prominent company on a platform with a huge userbase. The iPhone is a VERY viable platform for some people and apple has done a great job marketing their service, but it's not viable for everyone, or even the majority of people. I think XBLCG is viable for some people as well, and developer's don't have to compete with as many people. We have a smaller development community but there are some titles that have done well and continue to sell. Most of these are "applications". Perhaps I made the wrong product for my audience. Perhaps my price points are too low. Maybe I didn't market well enough after my initial release. Either way, you can't really blame Microsoft's involvement on the success of your own individual titles. There will always be successes and failures, and trying to scapegoat your failure on your distribution channel won't help you make more successful games in the future, now will it?

Look. I'll be blunt. MS are f**ked in the head. They have a medium for selling say... "themes" or "gamer pictures" online. Great. Good idea. You can't see the product without purchasing it. No refunds are available. I'll be kind. This is the behaviour of a corporate cretin. They are better with the games that they are pushing. You can play demos, and can unlock the demo for cash. Good. It seems basic. So. The community games channel? It isn't even available in Australia. The chances of me buying anything that is on it? Precisely zero. Do Microsoft want to make money? Apparently not. I will return to my opening point. MS are f**ked in the head. They have good ideas, sometimes, and they shoot themselves in the foot by hiring chimps and ballsing up a process that would seem like a no-brainer to the floor mopper at Apple. Bluntly, MS could f**k up a cup of coffee.

See, there's your answer. As soon as your games are available to the Australian market, you'll all be millionaires! On a more serious note, I always thought of XBLC as "donation ware", like the games I used to play on PC 20 years ago where the author was happy to accept any donations if you enjoyed their game (one just wanted a local postcard for his collection!) as opposed to a serious cash making enterprise. And certainly many XBLC game demos are far more restricted in what you can do without buying the full version than many PC shareware titles I could name (the famous Chopper Commando for one)

sadly, MS are not allowed to publish Community Games in Australia(and etc) because they come under unrated content (as in, age ratings). I totally agree they are ****ed in the head, but this one isn't entirely their fault since the XNA community self-regulates community games content.

I'm sorry, but I don't see why anyone would think it wise to sink up to £30,000 into a XBLC game. The only thing I'm sinking into mine is my own time and it's basically a fun side project to my degree. If you've got that sort of money, you should choose some other channel, because it's clear that community games are really going to struggle to make that sort of money.

Also, I agree that the advertising is a lot to do with the developer. I'm already planning what methods I can actually use the promote it with minimal cost.

I think the better way to support Community Games is talking about good titles are on service.
Many people says there some gems under the general trash and it is true but if noone talks about gems gamers can't discover them.

I bought some good Community Games despite the low price and little exposure.
Here my own top 5 chart:

1) Bricks4ever - A bricks breaker game with 50 levels and many game modes; Bipolar mode is really innovative and funny http://www.bricks4ever.com
2) Groove - A double stick shooter with a music twist I liked so much.
3) Biology Battle - A little but wel done double shooter that now has a reasonable price too.
4) Cocktail Paradise - I know it's a drinking app but who said all apps are evil? Ok I confess my alcohol addiction lol.. seriously I found a cool idea as a party tool and my friends have the same opinion.
5) Crystal Crush - A little match-three game probably noone knows, I tried, enjoied and it relaxed me.

I suppose a lot of gamers disagree with me. I just suggest to talk about good exemples of Community Games instead of crappy ones so to give a little more exposure on forums as this.