Anybody know what will happen to me next?

Well I finally registered my LLC and submitted my application to the Xbox Live Arcade Developer Program. They sent me an e-mail back saying they were going to prepare a NDA for me, but they haven't responded yet. How long should I wait? Keep in mind it took them about 3 weeks to respond to my original e-mail in the first place. After I sign it, does anybody know how much dev kits cost directly from MS? Are they cheaper than Sony's or even Nintendo's? If they are a lot more expensive would it be a better idea to by a black market dev kit for around $900 then spend $5,000? Or would MS know by the IP?

 

Knowing MS, they haven't changed their policies from the original xbox, so it'll probably be a different price depending on the type of kit you want.. Test kits would probably be around $5000, and Dev kits would probably be around $10K.. If they follow the same model as they did with the original xboxes (devs/debugs).

 

If you are a real developer, then sign the NDA, buy the official kit and GET OFFICIAL SUPPORT.

If you just want to fuck around, either go the XNA route and develop on a retail kit with an XNA subscription or buy a second-hand dev kit and try to learn on the fly.

But if you seriously want to develop and ship a game, then you shouldn't be wasting your time with second-hand kit and leaked crap. That's fine for hobbyists. Pretty damn stupid for a professional dev house.

-hl718

 

thanks. i didn't really want to fuck around with the XNA subscription stuff mainly because there isn't to much support for professional game engines out there (besides Torque, but thats still... Torque) because it is written in C# instead of C++. i wanted the ability to develop a Xbox Live Arcade game and actually have it be in the Xbox Live section instead of the "Indie" section. As I am considered a "startup" company, what support do you think MS has to offer financially? It's not like I have $15,000 just lying around.... I wonder if you have to buy the dev kits up-front to actually get into the development section of the Xbox Support website, or if you can buy it later. I looked at applying for Indie-Fund but they don't have applications out yet :crying:
Now all I have to do is sit and wait for them to actually e-mail me the NDA...

As for the leaked crap, my plan would have been to use the official SDK's downloaded from the MS site and not the leaked software (just by the Dev-Kit's second hand). I guess I won't go that route though.

 

So would I be better getting a test kit if I am short on budget? Can they still debug code? Can the Test Kit's run the full developed game, or do I have to buy a reviewer's kit? This is confusing, it says I am only allowed 2 Xbox XDK's in my possession....

 

I could not have said it better myself

 

What he said.

Publishing a game on *any* platform requires meeting some pretty strict TCRs.

TCRs that just about any homebrew would fail miserably.

If you have faith in your idea and business plan, then the best thing to do is see it to fruition the RIGHT way.

Get the official kit. Get the official support. And do it all right the first time.

If you try to sumbit an app that's been programmed with leaked tools and freeware bits, it's going to get bounced back at you with a rejection so fast your head is going to spin.

If you want some advice from a professional developer, drop subbie a line. I don't remember if he's working on Xbox stuff directly, but he has worked on many released titles and can give you a general overview of what to expect.

Also google for "submission TCR" and take a look at what comes up.

-hl718

 

It should only cost you about 1K for the test, gamer is right about the development kit though. The tests can't debug or emulate, but it can still run executables. It depends on your needs. If possible, try to rent a dev from them when you're in, as it would be cheaper.

Tests would probably do better for your level designers, rather than your programmers. But as soon as you get on the phone with them, you can get accurate answers to any of your inquiries. The responses do take a while, they are very busy in other things and can't make the email their priority in the workplace amidst regular meetings and such.

 

sorry to ask, but who's "subbie"? do you mean the guy who i am working with?
or somebody else?

 

Just be careful under your NDA on who you talk to and what you do, the 10k is for basically XDK replacement as well as a large database for developers (XDS) backed by support. Honestly I recommend you start off making homebrew games with a JTAG or Second hand dev before you jump into any commitments just to see if thats what you want to do. These deals are really for small game companies whom have facilities and all that jaz not so much single developer's but it isn't unheard of. Just explore your options before leaping. You can sample the SDK tools off the net and use those tools to run on a homebrew enabled box so you can get the feel for the job with little cost. Once you feel you are ready then go ahead but leaping without looking is always a bad idea.

 

I'll still probably sign it once it arrives in my inbox, but I'm going to have to think about a little once I look at the actual prices.
And believe me, if I was under a NDA right now there would be no way I would be talking about this. As for single developers, there may be just one other with me. We don't own a "studio." Because we are buying the development kits with our cash, do we have to keep in a "secure development location"? I know that you do with Nintendo, I don't really see why though as there is nothing preventing developers with doing piracy, homebrew, etc. in their studios.

 

I can't say for sure but if thats the case it's to keep others from getting access to it. Look at the dev scene now there are tons of us not under NDA and recieved kits from third party sources. They just don't want it public access also studios are usually regulated more than someones house and with the ranks in command I doubt a boss would want people to bullshit on a kit.

 

Well I just got an e-mail from the Xbox Registered Content Creator Program ( xboxrdp@microsoft.com). They said my NDA should be prepared for me to sign by early next week! Thanks for all of the comments

 

Congrats!

 

congrats and good luck

 

I guess this is goodbye?

 

Note that just because you got an NDA out of them doesn't mean you'll actually get a kit. It takes a lot more than signing an NDA to get through the next steps and actually get a kit. Be prepared to have concepts, budgets and a publisher lined up if you want to get much further. Even then, there are about 50 more hoops. They just don't hand these out, even if you have the cash in hand.