"Projects are never truly completed. They are abandoned." -- George Lucas
Like with most games under constant development, a key question always tugs at the mind. How much longer will they work on this game?
Naturally, the answer is always another question: how long will it be profitable for the publishers?
DLCs are all the rage: it seems like for most major releases, you can expect 2-4 DLC packs to be released, especially for the RPG-type games.
Minecraft fills a very odd niche for being on XBLA. I've always loved games like (now I'm really gonna date myself) The Adventure Construction Set or the Bard's Tale Construction Set. I love creating worlds. Minecraft feeds that desire in a non-traditional way (you can't really CREATE the world, but you sure can sculpt it the way you want it to be). But as one game reviewer said of the constuction sets, they are the kind of fun that closely borders on work.
And while that appeals to me, and I assume most Minecraftsmen, I don't think that applies to most of the Xbox crowd. To the fast and fickle FPS-mavens and new trend jocks, Minecraft is an interesting anomaly, but nothing that they are going to be interested in re-visiting for a few new features.
That is more of a computer gamer phenomenon, to stick with a title and watch its evolution. And while MC:XBLA is a pretty solid port from PC to Console (which is usually a recipe for disaster), I think the Xbox crowd will lose interest fast and us diehards opening our wallets for expansions will be enough.
I see the typical shelf life: 3-4 patches/content expansions and then they're gonna abandon it.
If you're asking if it will be a game that is continually played with a consistent influx of new players, then I would say wait until 1.8. Not sure if it was intentional or not, but I'm pretty confident starting at 1.6 gives new people the "taste" to want to play it while 1.8 gives them something to come back to.
This same type of conversation has been happening in regards to PC MineCraft for years - it hasn't gone anywhere.
My guess is nobody will be playing MC in 5 years. There will be much better and more interesting games like it out there that people will gravitate to, some of them are in the works already (yes, the "clones" will take over).
On the other hand, there's games like Age Of Empires 3 that's been around for 11-12 years and still has a following and people still play it simply because it's that good.
I agree with some of your position. (Excellent well thought out Topic BTW) I do agree that in time, it will fade away for the next "big game release". All the instant gratification kids will move on to something else...... Then again, true fans will be loyal too. At some point all games get stale and we move on. I think once the XBLA version is on par with the PC version the fan base will diminish. Just my guess. That being said, There's nothing like loading an old game to see it has new features. Minecraft seems to be an Anomaly of sorts just because every new generation still likes playing with Lego's
Quite true. It will always be recorded in the annals of Xbox Live as a hit. But I'm just concerned it wont have enough fuel to have constant development, like over a year.
I suppose that's unrealistic to expect of ANY Xbox game, and that maybe I really should play the computer version instead for that kind of long term commitment.
A) Minecraft is #2 on Major Nelson's top Xbox Live Activity list just released this week. Making it #2 since its release last month, beating Halo Reach, Black Ops, Mass Effect 3 and other popular games. And this list... usually is dominated by retail games only. The only other XBLA game even on this list is Trials at #20. So the fact that an XBLA title is #2 and is maintaining #2... above many FPSs is sending MS a clear message that this game is popular and needs support to maintain its popularity AND there is still money to be made from it.
2) DLC. 4J has just tweeted about the first DLC pack (skins) being released on or near the release of the 1.7.3 update. DLC is VERY profitable on the Xbox. And who wouldn't like to update their world with new skins, new textures, etc for a few dollars more? I know I'd like to if they are cool enough to warrant the price tag. If the install base of XBLA MC is as huge as it is, DLC will line the pockets of 4J, Mojang and MS and encourage constant and future updates for the game.
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
I suppose that's unrealistic to expect of ANY Xbox game, and that maybe I really should play the computer version instead for that kind of long term commitment.
Consider the format, too - we have no idea how long the 360 itself will "live." There was previously rumor before about new gen consoles arriving shortly, but now all that talk is gone. I really don't want to have a 360 for another 2 years......
When we do get a new Xbox, will there be an updated MineCraft for the new system or the old XBLA MineCraft? Simply can't predict any of that.
In the mean time, the PC version will continue to work on whatever computer you buy with normal updates and the ability to sample snapshots or even roll back to previous versions. If you're looking for long-term play-ability, consoles simply are not the right place to look.
What your saying is that video games die. Sir everything eventually dies not 1 thing will last forever.
Call of duty gonna die and so are you.
So go play some cod thats gonna be the same for more years to come
Surprising how no one seems to bring up how it fares against its indie clone counter parts on xbl. In MC's current version I'd say these clones are sadly ahead. Especially considering the price point.
Fads come and go. Sims,civilization cod,residents, ect. Minecraft has more then stamped its mark on the gaming landscape.
I'd be more worried about gimmicks like kinect, game disks, and the physical rather then digital.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Seatbelts are not as confining as Wheelchairs. Buckle up.
Call of duty gonna die and so are you.
So go play some cod thats gonna be the same for more years to come
LOL I despise FPSes. Starting with Doom. Nothing but running through a big stupid maze bangity bang bang bang at everything that moves. I am endlessly chagrined that the gaming industry hasnt grown out of this stupid genre yet.
When we do get a new Xbox, will there be an updated MineCraft for the new system or the old XBLA MineCraft? Simply can't predict any of that.
I honestly can't see M$ archiving the entire XBLA library... Sure they may make another update that phases out pre-gensystem supported games, but not digital content. (RIP Halo 2)
Its longevity will, after a hefty amount of time, rely on how serious 4J is about its development. That's not entirely true either, though. The real hammer falls to microsoft. Part of MC's PC success has been its mod community. Now, that isn't to say that the piles of mods available are even worth mention. But a select few have been pretty big game changers. An important step for Microsoft to capitalize THIS market is going to be whether or not they can adjust their DLC model, and whether 4J can find a good way to allow for MC to work different game types into the mix.
If it were ME, I'd immediately collaborate with a few of the big mod devs and work out a way to work their types into alternate game modes available in DLC. Take Hack Slash Mine, easily a alternate game mode and an excellent DLC opportunity. Rather than retool the initial game to allow changes to source code, they could add game changing mods as game types. IF a nice chunk of money were involved they could even contract some of those developers to help port those into the XBOX language. Would be a win for everyone and take far less effort on 4J's part to ensure future game sales and DLC sales.
But, just updating its vanilla will go far in keeping players.
My guess is nobody will be playing MC in 5 years. There will be much better and more interesting games like it out there that people will gravitate to, some of them are in the works already (yes, the "clones" will take over).
On the other hand, there's games like Age Of Empires 3 that's been around for 11-12 years and still has a following and people still play it simply because it's that good.
Age of Empires 3 hasn't been around for 11-12 years...
I wonder that a lot actually (and not just on this forum). Sometimes it feels like people go out of their way to look for something negative to dwell on.
My personal opinion is that Minecraft has already made it. Sold over a million copies in a week and set a new record. At $20 a pop that is a tidy profit for all involved.
As someone else has said, all games eventually fade away. No one can expect to play the same game forever. I put in over 120 hours when Skyrim first came out. Love it and totally enjoyed my time with the game. I haven't played it in months though. Does that mean the game is a failure? Hardly.
I'm not sure why people are so focused on the length of time something is. As though the longer a game is, (or the longer it's around), the better it is. I effing LOVED Portal 2. In my mind it was a perfect 10 game. I got around 20ish hours of play from it and my experience with the game is done. Just because I've moved on doesn't mean that has changed. I loved Perfect Dark on the N64. That game isn't supported anymore and I've long stopped playing it. Doesn't mean my postive experience with the game has changed.
I guess what I mean is what does it matter? Like what can be accomplished by predicting the end of Minecraft support less than a month after it's release?
"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere" - Glenn Turner
Like with most games under constant development, a key question always tugs at the mind. How much longer will they work on this game?
Naturally, the answer is always another question: how long will it be profitable for the publishers?
DLCs are all the rage: it seems like for most major releases, you can expect 2-4 DLC packs to be released, especially for the RPG-type games.
Minecraft fills a very odd niche for being on XBLA. I've always loved games like (now I'm really gonna date myself) The Adventure Construction Set or the Bard's Tale Construction Set. I love creating worlds. Minecraft feeds that desire in a non-traditional way (you can't really CREATE the world, but you sure can sculpt it the way you want it to be). But as one game reviewer said of the constuction sets, they are the kind of fun that closely borders on work.
And while that appeals to me, and I assume most Minecraftsmen, I don't think that applies to most of the Xbox crowd. To the fast and fickle FPS-mavens and new trend jocks, Minecraft is an interesting anomaly, but nothing that they are going to be interested in re-visiting for a few new features.
That is more of a computer gamer phenomenon, to stick with a title and watch its evolution. And while MC:XBLA is a pretty solid port from PC to Console (which is usually a recipe for disaster), I think the Xbox crowd will lose interest fast and us diehards opening our wallets for expansions will be enough.
I see the typical shelf life: 3-4 patches/content expansions and then they're gonna abandon it.
It already "made it." Go look at the sales.
If you're asking if it will be a game that is continually played with a consistent influx of new players, then I would say wait until 1.8. Not sure if it was intentional or not, but I'm pretty confident starting at 1.6 gives new people the "taste" to want to play it while 1.8 gives them something to come back to.
This same type of conversation has been happening in regards to PC MineCraft for years - it hasn't gone anywhere.
My guess is nobody will be playing MC in 5 years. There will be much better and more interesting games like it out there that people will gravitate to, some of them are in the works already (yes, the "clones" will take over).
On the other hand, there's games like Age Of Empires 3 that's been around for 11-12 years and still has a following and people still play it simply because it's that good.
Quite true. It will always be recorded in the annals of Xbox Live as a hit. But I'm just concerned it wont have enough fuel to have constant development, like over a year.
I suppose that's unrealistic to expect of ANY Xbox game, and that maybe I really should play the computer version instead for that kind of long term commitment.
A) Minecraft is #2 on Major Nelson's top Xbox Live Activity list just released this week. Making it #2 since its release last month, beating Halo Reach, Black Ops, Mass Effect 3 and other popular games. And this list... usually is dominated by retail games only. The only other XBLA game even on this list is Trials at #20. So the fact that an XBLA title is #2 and is maintaining #2... above many FPSs is sending MS a clear message that this game is popular and needs support to maintain its popularity AND there is still money to be made from it.
2) DLC. 4J has just tweeted about the first DLC pack (skins) being released on or near the release of the 1.7.3 update. DLC is VERY profitable on the Xbox. And who wouldn't like to update their world with new skins, new textures, etc for a few dollars more? I know I'd like to if they are cool enough to warrant the price tag. If the install base of XBLA MC is as huge as it is, DLC will line the pockets of 4J, Mojang and MS and encourage constant and future updates for the game.
Consider the format, too - we have no idea how long the 360 itself will "live." There was previously rumor before about new gen consoles arriving shortly, but now all that talk is gone. I really don't want to have a 360 for another 2 years......
When we do get a new Xbox, will there be an updated MineCraft for the new system or the old XBLA MineCraft? Simply can't predict any of that.
In the mean time, the PC version will continue to work on whatever computer you buy with normal updates and the ability to sample snapshots or even roll back to previous versions. If you're looking for long-term play-ability, consoles simply are not the right place to look.
Call of duty gonna die and so are you.
So go play some cod thats gonna be the same for more years to come
Surprising how no one seems to bring up how it fares against its indie clone counter parts on xbl. In MC's current version I'd say these clones are sadly ahead. Especially considering the price point.
Fads come and go. Sims,civilization cod,residents, ect. Minecraft has more then stamped its mark on the gaming landscape.
I'd be more worried about gimmicks like kinect, game disks, and the physical rather then digital.
LOL I despise FPSes. Starting with Doom. Nothing but running through a big stupid maze bangity bang bang bang at everything that moves. I am endlessly chagrined that the gaming industry hasnt grown out of this stupid genre yet.
If it's a good RPG it can make a good FPS. Just because one genre as another in it doesn't mean it's bad or good =]
I honestly can't see M$ archiving the entire XBLA library... Sure they may make another update that phases out pre-gensystem supported games, but not digital content. (RIP Halo 2)
If it dies it will be your fault... SO CLICK IT!
If it were ME, I'd immediately collaborate with a few of the big mod devs and work out a way to work their types into alternate game modes available in DLC. Take Hack Slash Mine, easily a alternate game mode and an excellent DLC opportunity. Rather than retool the initial game to allow changes to source code, they could add game changing mods as game types. IF a nice chunk of money were involved they could even contract some of those developers to help port those into the XBOX language. Would be a win for everyone and take far less effort on 4J's part to ensure future game sales and DLC sales.
But, just updating its vanilla will go far in keeping players.
Age of Empires 3 hasn't been around for 11-12 years...
I wonder that a lot actually (and not just on this forum). Sometimes it feels like people go out of their way to look for something negative to dwell on.
My personal opinion is that Minecraft has already made it. Sold over a million copies in a week and set a new record. At $20 a pop that is a tidy profit for all involved.
As someone else has said, all games eventually fade away. No one can expect to play the same game forever. I put in over 120 hours when Skyrim first came out. Love it and totally enjoyed my time with the game. I haven't played it in months though. Does that mean the game is a failure? Hardly.
I'm not sure why people are so focused on the length of time something is. As though the longer a game is, (or the longer it's around), the better it is. I effing LOVED Portal 2. In my mind it was a perfect 10 game. I got around 20ish hours of play from it and my experience with the game is done. Just because I've moved on doesn't mean that has changed. I loved Perfect Dark on the N64. That game isn't supported anymore and I've long stopped playing it. Doesn't mean my postive experience with the game has changed.
I guess what I mean is what does it matter? Like what can be accomplished by predicting the end of Minecraft support less than a month after it's release?
"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere" - Glenn Turner