XNA boss defends Xbox Live Arcade

By Tom Bramwell Published 18 April, 2008

"More interest than we have publishing slots."

Microsoft XNA general manager Chris Satchell has rejected the suggestion that Xbox Live Arcade has lost the initiative when it comes to supporting independent games.

"I think we still get an amazing amount of interest. Normally we have way more interest than we kind of have publishing slots to put things in," Satchell told Eurogamer, when asked whether PS3 and Wii were starting to steal XBLA's thunder.

"And when you think about the community and what we're doing with distribution on XNA Game Studio, nobody is going to have that combo. I don't think anybody has got that level of innovation integrated the way we have."

Satchell added that he is "really confident" that Microsoft will provide the best platforms for content from the community, indies, and small professional studios, as well as major game releases.

"We've really got the right tools and distribution mechanisms for that range of content, so I feel really confident about all parts of the ecosystem and I'm going to keep working to make sure we support them correctly," he said.

Xbox Live Arcade now has over 100 games on it, but the ranks of PSN exclusives are also filling out and Nintendo's WiiWare service launches next month with games from the likes of David Braben's Frontier Developments.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (27) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dizzy #1 4 years ago

    2 games a week for 2 years is pretty impressive (even if there are some dire remakes ;) I see no reason why they need to be defensive about XBLA.

    XNA player will probably appear in the next update, opening the gates for more independent games.

  • bad09 #2 4 years ago

    I have to admit most of the arcade games lately don't interest me at all, still Soul Calibur in the summer Yay!

  • Retroid #3 4 years ago

    Let 'em release stuff like Do Don Pachi on XBLA then, you useless sod! XBLA is *PERFECT* for games like this.

  • Dizzy #4 4 years ago

    >Do Don Pachi

    Hmmm.. maybe... but you must admit that Japanese shooters are pretty hardcore ;)

    I think they have a very wide and good selection. Some are great for hardcore players and some are great for casuals.

    Personally I would like to see Saturn games coming to XBLA ;), some RPGs or some great (semi-massive) multiplayer classics (XPilot etc...)
    Edited by 1 at 18/04/08 @ 10:00

  • brooza #5 4 years ago

    I want to see the whole DC back catalogue on there!

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #6 4 years ago

    I want more Amiga games and old graphics adventures - LucasArts could make a KILLING putting stuff like Monkey Island, DOTT, and Grim Fandango on XBLA, especially if MS are releasing a pointing device at Xmas.

    Whilst I'm at it, get Ron Gilbert back on board and release some NEW graphics adventures too!
    Edited by 1 at 18/04/08 @ 10:15

  • Darren #7 4 years ago

    @bad09 - Like you, I find about 99% of the XBLA's output uninteresting or just downright bad so I rarely buy any games these days, although I continue to try the trial demos and have a good laugh when I realise how thankful I am I didn't pay for it! LOL

    It's not all bad though, the remaining 1% throws up great games like Geometry Wars Evolved, GripShift, Lumines Live and Doom so I can't complain really. And with stuff like Soulcalibur on the way; well that I'm sure will more than make up for all the guff. :)

  • Chakitty #8 4 years ago

    Wish they would hurry up and port Duke3d (How long can it take?)

    Also Doom2 would be nice, then they can continue to put up rubbish.

  • bad09 #9 4 years ago

    @ Darren

    Yeah it was sold as so much more at launch. It really needs some more console and arcade classics on there. I am happy with the love the Dreamcast seems to be getting though Ikaruga is still class!

  • beckyh #10 4 years ago

    The problem I see with Live Arcade is that there are too many gem-swap puzzlers and remakes of old games and not enough original content. Of course this is just a matter of opinion and I am sure there are many out there who love gem puzzlers and old games, the current releases are perfect for them.

    I just do not think there is enough variety and the platform is being neglected. If something is not done about it soon it will for sure end up losing ground because people will simply know it as "Live Arcade, land of the re-makes"

  • DSKUK #11 4 years ago

    The problem with XBLA to me is that some games are a bit much for the game. When they announced XBLA HITS I thought this would be good, however they don't update it enough. I've wanted to buy Cloning Clyde for a while, just not at 800MSP (I'm Cheap You See)

  • DjFlex52 #12 4 years ago

    It's not all bad though, the remaining 1% throws up great games like Geometry Wars Evolved, GripShift, Lumines Live and Doom so I can't complain really. And with stuff like Soulcalibur on the way; well that I'm sure will more than make up for all the guff. :)

    @Darren

    that's pretty discriminating...what about Rez, PoP, Castlevania, Ikaruga, Metal Slug3, Mutant Storm Empire, Catan, Pac-Man CE, Puzzle Quest, Puzzle FighterHD, Alien Homind HD, Eets, and N+ amongst others?

  • DrDamn #13 4 years ago

    I think XBLA has had a lot of good stuff, but there has also been a fair number of cash-ins and poor ideas which should never have got through. In comparison I tend to prefer the direction and style of the PSN titles - personal preference. I also massively prefer the PSN pricing which is much more sensible than the XBLA stuff. I think XNA will balance things out quite a lot though.

  • ccfb #14 4 years ago

    Peoeple in the industry should have learned by now that they should keep their mouths shut, especially when "defending" their own services, as it only opens themsevles up to more criticism and pointless lists of petty demands from people who seem to be suffering worst from the general hobby-wide ADHD that appears to be infecting a lot of console owners (especially 360 people).

  • samaran #15 4 years ago

    dodonpachi is objectively a better addition to the service than battlezone

    i do not believe you chris satchell

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #16 4 years ago

    It's absolutely INSANE that they've blocked potential smash hits like Dodonpachi and Raiden Fighters from XBLA, and forced them onto ridiculously-overpriced discs instead. I hope they sober up soon.

  • Stoatboy #17 4 years ago

    @Darren: Even with you dismissing an awful lot of very good games you're still making 1% of just over 100 equal 4. ;)

  • PeterM #18 4 years ago

    Blocking of new games due to lack of publishing slots => Add more publishing slots

    Indies losing interest in XBLA due to worse rates => Improve rates

  • Roamer #19 4 years ago

    If they would fix the broken DRM system, I'd be more supportive of Xbox Live Arcade. Now, since I had to send my Xbox in for repairs I can't play any of the Arcade games I bought on the refurbished unit. A call to customer service didn't help either. Stupid DRM!

  • Darren #20 4 years ago

    @DrFlex52 - Well of those you list, only Rez, Puzzle Fighter HD and Prince of Persia were games I really wanted to play, the other didn't interest me, i.e. keep me playing for more than ten minutes and actual play more than once. Ikaruga looks fantastic but it's far too hard so that was a no-no for me too. So, yes, perhaps my 99% figure was inaccurate in all fairness, it's more like 90% really that doesn't appeal to me. ;)

  • agamer #21 4 years ago

    Having recently (2 days ago) been stung by the XBLA DRM measures (I’ve paid for a game that I can’t now play!), I will no longer buy ANY content from XBLA. I dont have broadband access, so I took my 360 hard disc to my brothers, and paid and downloaded a game using his 360 and internet connection (onto my hard disc). Customer service told me that game is now locked to his machine, so I cant play it on mine offline; was told I should have read all the terms and conditions and basically it was tough! Never buying from XBLA again.

  • Retroid #22 4 years ago

    Do Don Pachi and other bullet bukkake japanese shooters are EXACTLY the sort of thing which would benefit from XBLA. Yes, they're hardcore games, but they'd be cheaper on XBLA than on disk and always be available to try / buy, instead of being released as far more expensive retail disks with small production runs which'll probably be overpriced collector's editions before they hit store shelves :/

  • Kiigan #23 4 years ago

    "Normally we have way more interest than we kind of have publishing slots to put things in"

    That being the case, why is MS squandering publishing slots on retro ports and tat like Rocky and Bullwinkle?

  • espibara #24 4 years ago

    Xbox live arcde is going to die unless it lets publishers freely produce games for it .

    Namley ARCADE games which the public have never had teh joy of playing.

    e.g.
    Dodonpachi
    Espgaluda
    Ketsui
    Dodonpachi 2 bee storm
    Under defeat
    Ibara
    Mushihimesama

    Okay all 2D shooters, but all friggin brilliant. When you conisder the shite new games being releeased on xbox live arcade and the classics just being ignored it makes you think what the fuck is going on. Ikaruga, Rez and Triggerheart exelica help to smooth over what to be honest has been the 360's biggest failing so far.











  • SomaticSense #25 4 years ago

    /looks at derivative crap like Triggerheart Exelica and Omega Five...

    /remembers that they blocked a couple of Cave shooters due to the excuse there are too many arcade shooters on Live...





    Twats. How about releasing the QUALITY stuff instead of the pap, rather than just rejecting it. Wouldn't that free up a few more publishing slots?



    Edited by 1 at 18/04/08 @ 18:19

  • DAN.E.B #26 4 years ago

    They really need to release XMEN Children Of The Atom on XBLA
    come on Capcom DO IT!

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #27 4 years ago

    "derivative crap like Omega Five"

    Oh dear.