Xbox Live Server Platform

[Apples]

1Up reported at the recent XNA gamefest that Microsoft was now supporting something called the Xbox Live Server Platform. The whole purpose of said platform is to allow game publishers a way to host and distribute content without the headaches and delays of the Live Marketplace certification. It is basically a self-certification process designed to shorten the track of files to download distribution.

In view of download-heavy games on the horizon, like Rock Band, UT3, etc. you have to wonder about the timing of said announcement. Seems like exactly the type of thing Rock Band would take advantage of.

[StrikerD]

should be pretty sweet. Will save costs too, I'm sure that it'll save money, that certification can't be free.

[ThePaska]

That does sound like it would easily be used to help aid Rock Band. Especially since they will have to deal with weekly downloads, this way it can all be handled quickly, and everything can make it out on time, which is nice.

[Electric_Zen]

They went into more depth on this in last Friday's 1UP podcast. Yes, this platform could be immensely helpful to games like Rock Band. Unfortunately, Microsoft right now is being huge penises about allowing people to use XBox Live Server platform, and requiring third parties to beg and justify why they should be allowed to use it.

Epic has not yet been able to secure an agreement with Microsoft to use XBox Live Server Platform to support UT3, scheduled for release next year, and Epic has a much tighter relationship with Microsoft than Harmonix.

So far, Microsoft has been targeting the platform for use with subscription-based MMO's. They are going to be dragged kicking and screaming into using it for regular games, because they hate giving up total control over the server infrastructure.

So, maybe for Rock Band 2.

[IErrantVentureI]

Why do corporations have to be like that?

[TheTogfather]

Why do corporations have to be like that?

1. $

2. $

and finally...

3. $



Hopefully they can secure this though, sounds like it would be great...I was really wondering how the whole DLC thing would work using the standard XBL Marketplace delivery...ugh...not very user friendly. I would shudder to think what sifting through 'thousands' of songs would be like some day using that thing...I have a hard enough time differentiating Gears of War maps from map themes...

[Spraynwipe]

To clarify, this is talking about the Xbox Live Silver Program, not the Server Program. The Server Program is used by a lot of shipped games already for extended functionality, whereas the Silver Program was announced recently to allow developers to control the flow of content into their titles.

[Brock_Landers]

Epic has not yet been able to secure an agreement with Microsoft to use XBox Live Server Platform to support UT3, scheduled for release next year, and Epic has a much tighter relationship with Microsoft than Harmonix.

Epic also want people to be able to DL user-created mods for UT3.. so that may be part of the reason why it's not smooth sailing for them. EA may have some rub on this this matter