
Having recently hit the tubes to critical and consumer praise, it seems that the side-scrolling ninja platformer N+ isn't even all the game that it was originally intended to be. In an article over at MTV's Multiplayer blog, N+'s developers go in depth on the game's history concerning the plans for inclusion of an open download/upload space for level sharing (similar to Halo 3's system, which makes one wonder why that was a-okay). In fact, that very feature was implemented in the version of the game that was released onto PartnerNet for testing. However, in the game's last final months of development Microsoft shut the feature down, demanding that it be stripped back to the condition it's in today (with the ability to share user-generated content only available from the folks on your friends list.) With games being handicapped or delayed due to Microsoft's draconian ideas about sharing things, what is the future for the content of XBLM?
The interview mentions that there have been other developers (Turn 10, etc) who have had trouble regarding user-generated content, but is there any indication at all that things will get better for those 360 gamers who have creative streaks? Sadly no, as the only beacon of hope in the interview is the parting shot, in which we find out that the N+ devs were informed that "Microsoft does have a team actively working on a toolset that would allow games - down the line, anyway - to incorporate more user generated content." What does that mean exactly? Nothing. It's a marketing promise. It's too bad really, with PSN embracing user-generated content, Microsoft is losing what could potentially be a huge bullet (and selling) point.
[Via MTV Multiplayer]










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-01-2008 @ 8:46AM
Brucie B said...
Good job MS!!! Thank God I got a PS3 too!
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3-01-2008 @ 8:47AM
LesbianHam said...
They're too afraid someone's gonna come up with something to hack the 360 with, like a downloadable level or something, but modified to have code injected into the game when loaded.
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3-01-2008 @ 9:15AM
OBM said...
I actually thought there was something wrong with my download after I made a level and didn't see an upload or share button. I thought that would have been the hole point of the level editor. MS suck sometimes!
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3-01-2008 @ 9:35AM
JakubK666 said...
What the fuck am I paying 50 buck a year for? The worst thing is that I really don't have much choice.MS seems to lock any forum threads that bashes lack of Xbox Live content. I remember them locking the Dedicated Server thread just as it was about to get really hot.
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3-01-2008 @ 10:14AM
JakubK666 said...
Wait...what the hell happened to "Reply" buttons!?
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3-01-2008 @ 10:36AM
adam said...
I pay fifty bucks a year becuase i know xbox live is secure.I use my credit card to buy points i dont need people hacking my shit buy installing trojans in level edited maps.Just wait till the ps3 virus's start popping up you will wish you download user generated shit.Remember ps3 and 360 arent really pc's capable of running virus scanners etc.You get a virus in a console your screwed there goes your hdd and possibly your system.
Thats why ms chose not to include a web browser etc becuase they know from experiennce what zit faced nerds with no lives and a bit of programming knowledge are capable of.
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3-01-2008 @ 11:16AM
JakubK666 said...
Actually that's a lie. 99% of time you get viruses because you are dumb. I've spent a year without using an anti-virus because I was too lazy to install one.I didn't download any porn, WoW Keygens or Money-making programs. And if I did have to do some "shady stuff", I used trusted website. And guess what: When I finally installed Avast, I had two little spyware bugs.
If you got a virus, chances are that you're just plain dumb(hence the WoW Keygen). I doubt that eg. Popular UT3 fansite would have viruses in their maps(or at least nobody would notice)
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3-01-2008 @ 11:35AM
thatguy said...
The only reason MS are against user created content at this time is money plain and simple. They forced Epic to charge for the Hidden Fronts map pack when Epic were quite happy to release it for free.
Microsoft profit from micro transactions and when other people are creating maps (mods) for games where anyone can just look up a list and dl a user mod where is the incentive to by from them, marketplace is there to sell you stuff be it gamer pics, maps, video content, etc - it's all profit to them why would they undercut themselves with free user content.
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3-01-2008 @ 11:45AM
JakubK666 said...
Sometime I really regret not getting a PS3. I'm 14 so unfortunately, money WAS an issue :(
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3-01-2008 @ 12:07PM
Kamal said...
This does not make any sense especially in light of what MS showed at GDC regarding XNA games.
Plus they wont get Unreal Tournament unless they allow user generated mods, which would be a big loss for MS if they did not.
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3-01-2008 @ 12:49PM
Darkharmony said...
I'll tell you one thing. The level editor is one of the best things about N+. I was really sceptical about the game as a whole prior to downloading it. But after trying it I thought it wasn't bad. But the thing that I really enjoy is the level editor. When I saw their was no share feature I was greatly disappointed. Figures that it was MS that ripped the feature out. You can share everything in halo 3 why can't we share our tiny file size maps in N+.
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3-01-2008 @ 1:12PM
nick said...
I know there are issues with user generated content, but Microsoft is going to have to face them at some point. Perhaps a family rating system on content... or whatever.
Anyway, it's strange that Microsoft lead the charge with their online service, but when it comes to sharing online, they're following.
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3-01-2008 @ 1:25PM
Tony said...
I think Epic is kind of special case since, you know, MS helped fund Gears of War with a significant amount of money. In some ways I can understand them stepping in and saying it needs to be charged for... not that I love that decision or anything.
This sharing stuff I simply just don't understand. It's the single biggest thing that makes me regret getting the system. Even the freaking DS allows people to share puzzles and stuff people make over WFC.
The ESRB already states that online functions cannot be rated by them. What could really happen in N+ though? Some idiot can make a level shaped like a penis, while 50 times as many people make ones that are actually normal? That's worth tossing it away for? Just institute a report button and it's done with.
I mean, seriously, literally anything can be uploaded to most sharing/social Web sites on the Internet, but I can't recall the last time we've heard some majorly horrible thing happening on them. YouTube isn't full of porn. There are ways around this stuff and there are ways to set up a well balanced place for creativity. MS has to realize this.
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3-01-2008 @ 2:32PM
ccc said...
You can still play your created levels with friends online so they can see all the effort, sweat and tears that was put into it. But past that I've noticed noone ever wants to play them because you will tend to make them near impossiable to complete.
I would actually like to see the makers of N+ hold an xbox live arcade contest for level design. That would inspire me to make more.
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3-01-2008 @ 2:37PM
Gordon said...
I really think this boils down to eliminating the possibility of a player creating a level that contains racial epithets, inflamatory language, or delivers private information to a large section of the xbox live populace. In N+, I could easy cause havok by creating a level with blocks spelling out a phrase insulting some religious faith or race. I think Microsoft is just covering their asses. If I could avoid having to respond to reports that my online service is fraught with racists (which, if anyone has ever played cod4, knows it is) than I would. Its just not feasible to police every game on XBL. To be profitable, XBL needs to be somewhat autonomous, and having to hire a goon squad to make snap decisions on what is obscene is just asking for trouble and profit-loss.
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3-01-2008 @ 2:54PM
CB said...
MS needs to open up. Yes there will be some inappropriate content or whatever, but that's a chance to take to make open games like this better.
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3-01-2008 @ 2:56PM
SadisticHam said...
Nothing to do with viruses, they just give you a map editor to use on a computer, giving you all the tools and do it that way.
If theres no coding involved it's safe, this isn't hard to do. COD4 is requesting user made maps to be submitted for them to put on Live, just do it like that it's simple.
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3-01-2008 @ 3:09PM
Mr.ESC said...
I think they are afraid that some douchebag (you know who you are) would use that feature to release a Penis level and then some parent would use that as an excuse to sue MS.
Okay it sucks that we don't get to upload our levels like in Megaman Powered up! but why the hell the co-op mode doesn't works?
I mean I can still create my own levels and share them with people who feel like playing co-op but it sucks even more that the game doesn't save my progress.
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3-01-2008 @ 3:25PM
Steve said...
I said it back when they first floated the idea, that microtransactions were going to be the death of Mods and user generated content just as consoles are reaching a level where these things become possible.
MS won't be the only one guilty of it soon enough as well. Once Sony sees the kind of money to be made milking users for every dime, you'll see the same thing on PSN. They'll give you the crack for free now, but just wait until you're hooked. Call me spoiled by my 20+ year free ride on the PC platform but this is just shitty.
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3-01-2008 @ 8:38PM
Itchy_Tasty said...
I'm glad i bought a Ps3 over christmas in case developers start to leave arcade and go for PSN. They really need to loosen up some of their restrictions before that happens.
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