Sometimes someone hits a key note that begins a revolution. It would seem that Team Meat's concerns about Xbox Live and Microsoft's policies towards supporting developers has hit a chord; this time with 2DBoy, author of the equally notable (to Super Meat Boy) Xbox Arcade hit: 'World of Goo.'
The complaints will read familiar: lack of communication, poor promotional support and overbearing restrictions on release. Ron Carmel, the voice of 2D Boy, cites that PSN, Steam and others are proving to be greener pastures these days...and again, it all begs us to wonder: What the hell is going on at Microsoft?
While no person will ever accuse Microsoft of abandoning the drive for the almighty dollar, at least some critics would have been silenced by us intelligent folk who recognized a strong business strategy when we saw one. However, that was then and this is now, so to speak. Obviously Microsoft will always try to maximize profits, but alienating the developer community and failing to promote games doesn't seem like a winning strategy. In fact, it seems like utter madness.
A year or so ago, Microsoft had digital distribution gaming in the bag. Indy Games came on the scene and 'Summer of Arcade' became a gamer's delight of well-priced downloadable hits to tide over the urge until the big releases of the fall. Nowadays, it seems as though the releases have become more formulaic and uninspired, prices have driven upwards where an average XBLA title is now 1200-1600 points and most 'news releases' seem to be a re-announcement of someone from three months earlier that no one paid attention to on the first occasion.
Why, Microsoft? Why?
Where is everyone...anyone...who actually cared about Xbox as a gaming platform....is anyone left?
Do you really want me to give up and side with Sony utterly and completely?
Finally...don't you like money any more?
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