MMF for video game consoles?

[AllistairF]

People do play computer games. And even if they didn't, I would try and find a niche market for my material. Besides, console games such as those compatible for the Xbox or whatever are made a certain way: and it would seem to me like the only reason you'd want to build anything for a console system is because you sense there's more money to be made in it. Even if you could make a game compatible with these systems, it comes with no guarantees that it would sell. So for me, it would be finding a niche market and making a name for myself locally.

[AllistairF]

[]People do play computer games. And even if they didn't, I would try and find a niche market for my material. Besides, console games such as those compatible for the Xbox or whatever are made a certain way: and it would seem to me like the only reason you'd want to build anything for a console system is because you sense there's more money to be made in it. Even if you could make a game compatible with these systems, it comes with no guarantees that it would sell. So for me, it would be finding a niche market and making a name for myself locally. [/]

Personally, I think it's probably best to make do with what you already are capable of before moving on to bigger things. And as for making console games for free, I doubt that's ever going to happen. And I seriously doubt that anybody around here is ever going to get the blessing of a console vendor...

[jlsvhmk]

I think it would be quite likely of no use to create a game with MMF for a console. Most console players are probably used to fascinating 3D accelerated graphics and making stuff like that with MMF could prove to be quite of a task! How to advertise and distribute a game on the markets that are controlled by gigantic companies?

Though making a game for a handheld console doesn't sound so bad. But as mentioned in this thread getting the developing tools is difficult. Unless of course one's daddy has got rich in the stock market.

It has to be admitted that playing on a console does have its advantages. I for one am totally fed up with always having to configure some settings to play a PC game. Then again the distribution of a ready project sounds pretty problematic. What's the point of having to download a handheld game from the Internet by first using one's computer and THEN transferring it onto the console?

Mobile phone markets sound interesting as the amount of multimedia phones keeps on growing. That would need thinking of compatibility issues so to fit the screen in the phones of various manufacturers. Again distribution is kind of a problem. Surely many phones can be used to load a game using the WAP/GPRS connection but for me atleast distributing an indie game made with PC sounds currently the best of ideas.


Maybe some day the available tools will make it easier to expand the markets. Shareware distribution seems like it would be blossoming again thanks to the easy distribution channel and services with a commission fee for independent developers to get their money.

If you ask me Clickteam should try to make it possible to port MMF-made applications for Mac as well as Linux without having to hassle with all the emulation rubbish.

[DavidN]

They should just use a normal OS :P

Actually, Clickteam did discuss a Mac runtime at one point, but that was put on hold because of the lack of a Mac developer. Any volunteers?

[AllistairF]

I still think it smells very much like the perception of easy money. I also don't really like the direction Shareware or freeware is going; such channels I didn't think were intended to make money, but now Shareware and freeware developers are coming up with crass ways to ensure they get that registration fee. If you develop Shareware, you do take the chance that some people, for whatever reason, are just not going to pay. That's the chance you take. I doubt that we've done everything we can with the PC or computer gaming market to the point where we'd need to start developing console games, anyway. I think that whoever would be shocked to find that the money in console games isn't that easy.

[jlsvhmk]

On the basis of what I've seen about some shareware distributors, all they are doing is cashing on their game. Sure, shareware is about getting paid. Still if I were to make a game I wouldn't just do a little bit of this or that, in other words create stuff half-heartedly and expect people to pay for it. I want people to see that I've created a game which is worth of playing because I honestly believe it's a good game and there has been no lack of effort when doing it.

I want to do games for which I'm entitled to get my share but which are ad-free (unless the "game humour" needs some fake advertisements, err...), funny to play, simple enough without 8 or 12 actions buttons to use during the game. Not a game that one could probably enjoy for 5 minutes and notice afterwards that it was total rubbish and it cost 20 bucks!

[Sam_Dillard]

PC Games, especially those made by small and independent companies, are actually going through serious jeopardy. This is not because people like consoles over PC's but it is due to piracy. Small studios who are struggling to survive need all the income they can get, and when their games are beat to the market by software pirates they have pretty much forfeited their game to the mass audience.

Console games are much more secure, which is why more and more studios are going in that direction, thus the number of PC games dwindles and as a result fewer folks are interested in the PC games which do exist. Only major games, especially online games like WoW, are having big success nowadays. So small independent groups have to resort to less freeware and more shareware games just to make a living. It would be great if MMF games could be emulated for use on console systems, but I think better anti-piracy measures would help secure a better future for MMF developers.

[Jeff]

This has gone well out of the technical support topic.