GDC 2006 and the next-gen consoles

[Belmontvedere]

This is probably when the floodgates will start to crack open. Insider information, technical details, even screenshots. Why? Launch titles for PS3 and Revolution are being developed right now, and the developers making many of those games will be at GDC. It's not a huge leap of logic to think that developers, who have insider information, will have some of that information get out. We might even see some upcoming second generation games that really start to show off the 360's hardware. Maybe some more confirmed realtime PS3 stuff. Probably nothing from Nintendo.

So what do you guys think we'll see?


The Game Developers Conference 2006
March 20-24
San Jose, California
http://www.gdconf.com/

What's Next
Next-gen game development will revolutionize every aspect of the gaming industry. From increased production complexity, team sizes, and budgets to new ways to reach the mass market, GDC:06 will answer the questions critical to the industry's success.

Learn lessons from next-gen, handheld, and current game development, explore collaborations with the film industry and gain access to the people, technologies, and tools that define what's next for our industry.

 

[Riddlewire]

I don't know what will be shown at GDC...
But I do know that it would be silly to call anything shown for X360 so early 'Second Generation'. Even if it's by Rare or Bizarre. All the launch games were just ports and quick knockouts. I'd argue that we haven't even seen 'First Gen' games for X360 yet.

 

[OICAspork]

I don't know what will be shown at GDC...
But I do know that it would be silly to call anything shown for X360 so early 'Second Generation'. Even if it's by Rare or Bizarre. All the launch games were just ports and quick knockouts. I'd argue that we haven't even seen 'First Gen' games for X360 yet.

ERm... that is what first gen games are.

 

[Riddlewire]

ERm... that is what first gen games are.

Nah, the X360 was a heavily rushed launch. I'd say its games are the least platform-optimized of any console ever at launch. Kameo and PDZ had their genesis on very old hardware, and final devkits weren't available until very late for any of the developers. They're nearly all just PC games with the bare minimum amount of work done necessary to get them up and running on the X360. Terminologically? Sure, you can call them 'First Gen' games. But, I don't think that's fair to the console itself. And it's certainly way too early to consider anything second generation.
But I hope this semantics argument doesn't sidetrack the topic. I didn't answer the original poster, and I didn't intend to hijack the thread.

 

[overclocked]

Wtf, Kameo looks great! PGR3 also and Condemned. Def NextGen gfx IMO.

 

[NavNucST3]

In terms of new ways to reach the mass market, I think of Live Arcade and smaller/tiny devs maybe making the jump there, first, seeing if they can get a hit. Even if they don't get stellar sales, maybe they make enough to keep them afloat for a second go-round.
I would really love to see Arcade take off for independents. Who knows, one of us might be making a hit Arcade title. Hell, I think it would be crazy of the "majors" not to devote a little time and effort to Arcade, I would love to see Bizzares PGR3 vs GW Evolved profits.

 

[AlNom]

Does anyone know the process for making a Live Arcade game and submitting to MS? Do you need devkits or a special cut-down devkit?

 

[Synergy34]

Wtf, Kameo looks great! PGR3 also and Condemned. Def NextGen gfx IMO.

Then what would you consider GoW to be? I mean, that game runs circles around everything out right now. I'm just seeing Next Gen Resolution right now. GoW is Next Gen Graphics IMO.

 

[blakjedi]

In terms of new ways to reach the mass market, I think of Live Arcade and smaller/tiny devs maybe making the jump there, first, seeing if they can get a hit. Even if they don't get stellar sales, maybe they make enough to keep them afloat for a second go-round.
I would really love to see Arcade take off for independents. Who knows, one of us might be making a hit Arcade title. Hell, I think it would be crazy of the "majors" not to devote a little time and effort to Arcade, I would love to see Bizzares PGR3 vs GW Evolved profits.

Of all the ideas ever presented on this board, this post is surely the most sound. MS would do well to utilize Live arcade not only as demo showcase for games from big houses like EA a la FN3 but small devs trying to get their work known could be presented first through Live and see what the public reaction is to the game. Suggestion boxes attached to the games would help devs with ideas, glitches, etc. Using Live as a indie software site would be MAJOR and MS could probably find a lot of talent and new IP for their box that way.

If you suggested it to MS with a letter or petition I'd sign it. Great idea Nuc...

 

[expletive]

Of all the ideas ever presented on this board, this post is surely the most sound. MS would do well to utilize Live arcade not only as demo showcase for games from big houses like EA a la FN3 but small devs trying to get their work known could be presented first through Live and see what the public reaction is to the game. Suggestion boxes attached to the games would help devs with ideas, glitches, etc. Using Live as a indie software site would be MAJOR and MS could probably find a lot of talent and new IP for their box that way.

If you suggested it to MS with a letter or petition I'd sign it. Great idea Nuc...

I've always imagined the 'best case' scenario for XBL arcade would be something like animal crossing for the DS. Easy to develop graphically (therefore, cheaper), addictive, online 'community' interactivity, simple interface, broad appeal. These are the kinds of games that would really push XBLA into a different stratoshphere.

What do you guys think the development costs are for a DS game like animal crossing compared to what we think we would see on XBLA? What do you think they would have to charge for it to turn a nice profit?

For example, GW is $5, what would a game like animal crossing need to cost for it to be 'viable'?

 

[overclocked]

Then what would you consider GoW to be? I mean, that game runs circles around everything out right now. I'm just seeing Next Gen Resolution right now. GoW is Next Gen Graphics IMO.

I dont know, the eye gets spoiled so quickly esp when you play pc games also.
The FN3 demo etz. I still like the D3 engine though and hope they can make more progress with it, they shouldnt have rushed Q4 so soon but they should waited awhile to get the story better aswell as difference in level design. Look at Quake Wars and thats a MP game so much of the visuals goes spilled so to say because you lower setting etz just to get a stable fps.

 

[Metal]

Yeah it should be neat. I'm looking forward to the PS3, and I want to see some real games for it and not tech demoes / trailers. Looking forward to Factor 5's Lair.

 

[scooby_dooby]

Of all the ideas ever presented on this board, this post is surely the most sound. MS would do well to utilize Live arcade not only as demo showcase for games from big houses like EA a la FN3 but small devs trying to get their work known could be presented first through Live and see what the public reaction is to the game. Suggestion boxes attached to the games would help devs with ideas, glitches, etc. Using Live as a indie software site would be MAJOR and MS could probably find a lot of talent and new IP for their box that way.

If you suggested it to MS with a letter or petition I'd sign it. Great idea Nuc...

"I you have a crazy nutty idea with three friends in a garage that wants to do something "genre-busting" breakout that's going to broaden the audience, you should give me a call and you could do that with a hundred thousand dollars. You could go and invent a breakout kind of game." - J Allard

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61240

No need for a petition!

 

[blakjedi]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61240

No need for a petition!

Great all I need is a home equity loan, a devkit, and a couple of college cs majors and I'm in the money!

 

[scooby_dooby]

I'm sure J could lend you the cash

 

[NavNucST3]

Great all I need is a home equity loan, a devkit, and a couple of college cs majors and I'm in the money!

Thats just it though, if a game like Hexic, which was found to be just Flash/swf, maybe it changes the requirements to being a game dev also. If you are a super talented Flash dev, maybe now you can break into new territory, console games. Obviously, someone will need to know how to work with the dev kit, but I am thinking that this opens doors to more than just your typical indie game dev. (read: C++ pro/CS student), the downside being you still need to come up with the 100k for the dev kit.

 

[drpepper]

(read: C++ pro/CS student), the downside being you still need to come up with the 100k for the dev kit.

100k loan isn't hard to come by. You just have to know how to beg.

I think Live Arcade will thrive. My girlfriend got me addicted to the games made by PopCap so as long as those games com along I think there will be a market for it. However, I don't see myself actually purchasing a lisence just to play those games.

To have Street Fighter 2 is just a bonus. Literally I can see Arcade to grow into something huge and I think is a large feather in Live's cap.

[edit: crap, wrong thread!]

 

[Shifty Geezer]

All the launch games were just ports and quick knockouts.

I wouldn't call Kameo a quick knockout. How many year's was it in development?

 

[Johnny Awesome]

Sure, but Kameo's a great game.

 

[Powderkeg]

Obviously, someone will need to know how to work with the dev kit, but I am thinking that this opens doors to more than just your typical indie game dev. (read: C++ pro/CS student), the downside being you still need to come up with the 100k for the dev kit.

Start up a private business and get a business loan. That's much easier to aquire than trying to get a personal loan.