MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

March 23, 2004 - 9:00pm

Microsoft has used GDC to announce the launch of its XNA platform, advertised by the colossus as "a powerful next-generation software development platform." For any one who knows Microsoft however, it is clear that things are not as straightforward. XNA will cover games for future iterations of all Microsoft game platforms, including Windows, Xbox and XBox 2 and Windows Mobile, based devices.
As is the case with most all-in-one systems it promises to free developers from spending too much time writing mundane, repetitive boilerplate code. Instead, XNA promises to allow game creators to spend their time where it matters most, on the creativity that differentiates their games. It can, of course, be argued that the creation of the same old repetitive code may be part of what makes games unique and that the way each developer tackles aspects of the game creation process also add to that uniqueness. It may also be argued that making all games technically identical may reduce the gaming experience to a generic process but Microsoft has a long time ahead of it to prove all these arguments wrong.

The Trojan Horse of this package however, may be the introduction of the Xbox Live development tools to Windows developers, for functionality such as billing, security, login, friends and matchmaking. Microsoft claims that the tools will make it easier to create the same social, unified online gaming experiences on Windows that game players have come to expect on Xbox, for some, see EA, a scary thought.

On the input front, as part of XNA, Microsoft will develop a common controller reference design and unify input APIs and button standards across multiple platforms. The result will be a family of common controllers for Windows and Xbox game players. In addition, the move will fuel a whole new wave of compelling, cross-platform input devices from peripheral manufacturers.

In graphics and audio, many tools such as PIX (an analysis tool) and XACT (an audio authoring tool), previously available only to Xbox developers, now will be available on Windows as part of the XNA development platform. Likewise, innovations from Windows such as High-Level Shader Language (HLSL) will come to Xbox. The DirectX API and the Visual Studio development system will continue to be the baseline environment for both platforms. Collectively, these tools and technologies will enable movie-quality graphics while forming the impetus for new software that will help developers cope with the looming complexity of high-definition video and audio.

It is certain that with Microsoft backing XNA and with the immense resources at its disposal, this new platform will become very attractive to many developers, we will all have to wait and see if it will be adopted by enough developers to create a problem for PS3.

Comments

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

This is for xbox and xbox next and pc it would seem.... One of the biggest things about this is that developers were worried that developing for next was going to be hard... complicated... Now with this, micrsoft is saying it will be easier, which might bring more developers on board... as for xbox, who knows what it will really do in its remaining time... and pc... well.... ya, look for ports and xbox style controllers plugged into your usb ports.

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

"Microsoft claims that the tools will make it easier to create the same social, unified online gaming experiences on Windows that game players have come to expect on Xbox, for some, see EA, a scary thought."wow i guess that means a downgrade because if you arent a noob you would know that online gaming experiences on a PC is far supior to that of any console

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

the small pic of that creature looks wicked, i hope thats what they mean bye better shaders, high polygon in game models, pc rocks because it will always be in date, of course you have to bye the updated equiptment, but you dont have to throw away your cool looking modded box (assuming u have one)

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

I haven't read anything else into this so don't quote me on this... but this just looks like either a replacement or a subset of DirectX 10 that offers a common interfaec for all MS systems.PS:"Jesus Chainsaw Massacre" that is just way to sad you're using VB to make code jokes... please...

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

hmmm to think about it some other gamecreaters make their own systemsso it might be just anoter stupid thingBut it eill not be free for those hu makes games to buy itsome has already made thier own systems and at some age it will get to old and need update so it can follow how it goes or else it will get to oldGreat it uses pixelshader and shadowshaderbut some companys have made better systems that work on both PS2 XBOX and pcsorry my bad english

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

wow "OMG", how could you be any more wrong? it was all great back when console games were made FOR consoles, but now console games that deserve to be on just PC or PC games that deserve to be ONLY put PC are now being made on console-for example: dues ex: invisible war, anyone would know if they played the original (on PC) that it was nothing compared to the original-max payne-socom navy seals(it was just for PS2, but anyone who has a decent net connection and plays PC games online knows that games 7 years ago on PC were far supior in online play)-enter the matrix---the list goes on and on and on, and of course console gamers dont realize this because they know nothing about what a real game is and know nothing about PC'swhich is retarded because games on consoles are limited in every single way, for pretty much one single purpose: to not be too complicated and in-depth for the average person.thats why this is a bad thing, because PC users dont want their games limited by shitty software programs devised my MS to make more money.and its not 99% of people being narrow minded on the PC side of things because PC users know that this is bad and that 99% of the narrow minded ppl are you, why else would microsoft be doing this, duh, to make more money because there are less PC users than console users(game wise)i hope i didnt forget anything

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

that doestt mean a damn thing, a year or so before the XBox came out there were trailers of its supposed "graphics" that were just as good as this trailer, which it wasnt, because the XBox doesnt have AA, AF, or pixel shadersand there are games coming out that have that good of graphics long before this POS is going to be out(which i doubt it ever will be) and one thats out already: Far CryIf this thing does happen it will end good games forever, f**k you microsoft, f**k YOU.

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

I see alot of PS2 lamers, dont forget Xbox dominates PS2 by speed and GFX.We all use Microsoft, good or bad, its standard. Its common truth that microsoft is a welthy f**ks company, I think they take 60% of cost of software developed to run under MS for themselves.As far as XNA goes, then it might be very powerful thing for developers, i aint saying it is, but certanly should be given a chance, cuz there is alot of gay pointless code writing. But, no limitations can be set from microsoft for PC users, the so called pay games, thouse will be cracked, controllers my ass... Its just one of thouse console thingies, to enslave people to use MSGAYBOXes, cheat out money and teach developers to do Xbox2 games real easy.oh ye, alot of kids here are narrow minded.

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

wow apparently no one really seems to know much on here. Xbox and both Ps2 have there ups and downs, one really can't be put above. Problem with the Xbox is just a glorified x86 machine and the major problem with the PS2 is the fact that they only gave it 4 megs of VRAM and also the on-the-fly compression and decompression isnt the best.I own a SS, PS, DC, PS2, GC, and soon Xbox. Every one has there advantages over the other rival system. So just take it for what its worth and don't bitch.

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

Keep pc games for pcs and console games for consoles. Pc games (really good ones) are nothing alike console games(also the good ones), there are many differences between them and trying to make something that fits in pcs and consoles wont really be that good, it doesnt take full advantage of the platforms capabilities, I mean, gameplay was, is, and should always be different on pcs and consoles. What if one day pcs and consoles share every single game out there? Who the hell would want a console if a pc has the same games and does so much more(not to mention its upgradable) and console prices just keep getting higher with each release so the "consoles are cheaper" argument wont work forever will it

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

It seems that microsoft has gone from making a try-hard pc; the xbox, to attempting to turn pc's into xbox's. WTF! at first I thought gaming really coming into the mainstream would be a good thing, but now it seems that its just raping it in the ass.f**k off billy, I don't want your stupid generic platform.

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

Apreciado Sr. gerente:Lo saludo cordialmente, yo soy Roberto Vejarano E., creativo de varios juegos, ahora lo invito a conocer el Superfutbol y el TORNEO ESTUDIANTIL FULLGOL, yo estoy buscando un socio inversionista como su compañia, para comercializar este juego novedoso y el torneo estidiantil con el juego SuperFutbol, usted puede visitar en internet la página web del juego, para enterarse de muchos negocios que se pueden hacer con el juego, por favor visitela, está en ingles y español: [url removed] juego es didactico y ya se vendió con éxito en los supermercados Las 14 de Cali colombia, se vendieron 5.000 juegos en un mes de diciembre hace varios años, sobre el aporte de la inversón, son USD$100.000 para que usted se gane el 6O% para usted gane de todas las utilidades derivadas del juego Superfutbol en todas las líneas y en todos los paises del mundo,donde quiera que se realicen negocios con el mísmo, durante 10 años.LAS PRINCIPALES LINEAS DE COMERCIALIZACION CON EL JUEGO :1. VIDEOJUEGO en CD ROM; Para ventas en supermercados y tiendas especializadas.2. PORTAL DE INTERNET CON EL VIDEOJUEGO: FULLGOL, Las utidades y el negocio está en la publicidad de los "banners" que puede generar millones de dolares en varios años.3. EL TORNEO ESTUDIANTIL FULL GOL, puede proporcionar a usted como socio muchos millones, dependiendo del porcentaje que adquiera de los derechos de autor,4. La Venta del juego FULLGOL en los Super mercados de todo el país.Cual quier pregunta no dude en escribirme a mi email:superfutbol777@hotmail.comGracias por su amable atención, quedo atento a su pronta respuesta.Por favor tambien visite otro de mis juegos, es un original puzzle shaped de 300 animales, didactico con textos al respaldo, tambien para comercializar este juego busco un socio inversionista. los zoos del mundo estan interesados. [url removed] buena informacion, de cual quiera de mis otros juegos:- El Jueg

MS Simplifies Next-Gen Game Creation

Hey, gamers. I see a lot of comments about the pros and cons of the XBox platform. I'm in a game development BA degree program, and I'm exploring console platforms for game development. I'd like some specifics on why the XBox is "Crappy", or why there is a majority insistance on maintaining a strict division in PC games and console games. Why not make the capability, so the option can be explored? Nothing starts off working perfectly, but if you don't at least try to impliment a new idea, nothing can ever be improved or innovated. How would cross-platform games "ruin" gaming?I'm not trying to argue a point, I'm genuinely curious. If I could get a definitive list of issues, I'd be better able to design games to avoid or correct those issues. Something beyond "it 5uxxor5," please.Thank you!

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.