GDC: XNA Announced
03-24-04 | 10:09 AM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
GDC: XNA Announced
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content...e=dev&aid=3175
This may be all the talk about seeing Xbox2's software? We'll just have to wait and see. To me, this looks like a pumped up version of Direct X. The only thing I see coming from this is that more PC games will be ported to Xbox/Xbox2 and vice versa. I really don't see how that helps improve console sales. Am I reading this wrong?
XNA unifies game development across Xbox, Windows and Windows Mobile
At its GDC conference later today, Microsoft is set to take the wraps off a new development platform called XNA which will be rolled out across all future game platforms, including Xbox consoles and Windows PCs.
The initiative is aimed at providing a common environment for game development on all of the platforms which Microsoft is involved in, ranging from the Xbox (and Xbox 2) through the Windows operating system to Windows Mobile devices.
As with most such initiatives, XNA's biggest claimed benefit is that it will free up developers to work on unique features rather than constantly reinventing the wheel by writing the boilerplate code that holds games together on a basic level.
The launch of the platform will see a number of interesting technology moves from Microsoft, with the appearance of the Xbox Live development toolkit on the Windows platform being perhaps the most important of the announcements.
Developers working on Windows games will now be able to use the billing, security, login, friends and matchmaking tools which are integral to the Xbox Live service - effectively extending Live functionality onto Windows games, although it's not clear whether PC gamers will be expected to pay Live-style subscription fees for these services.
The company also plans to develop a common controller reference design which will be rolled out for both Windows and the Xbox, providing a basic standard across both platforms as well as unifying the input APIs and button standards on both systems.
On a more technical level, a number of Xbox development tools such as the PIX analysis tool and the XACT audio authoring system will be made available for PC development purposes for the first time, while the High-Level Shader Language (HLSL) which was recently introduced on the Windows platform will now be ported to Xbox.
The move to unify the development environment between Xbox and Windows is likely to be welcomed by developers working on cross-platform titles, and will have even greater repercussions as Xbox 2 development kits - which are also expected to use the XNA framework - are made more widely available.
"Silicon advancements and new features like high-definition and pervasive broadband will send game development costs skyrocketing," Microsoft's chief Xbox officer Robbie Bach is expected to tell the audience at GDC later today. "The video game industry must band together to find a solution that ensures vitality and sustainability for years to come, while responding to consumer desires for bigger, better games."
At its GDC conference later today, Microsoft is set to take the wraps off a new development platform called XNA which will be rolled out across all future game platforms, including Xbox consoles and Windows PCs.
The initiative is aimed at providing a common environment for game development on all of the platforms which Microsoft is involved in, ranging from the Xbox (and Xbox 2) through the Windows operating system to Windows Mobile devices.
As with most such initiatives, XNA's biggest claimed benefit is that it will free up developers to work on unique features rather than constantly reinventing the wheel by writing the boilerplate code that holds games together on a basic level.
The launch of the platform will see a number of interesting technology moves from Microsoft, with the appearance of the Xbox Live development toolkit on the Windows platform being perhaps the most important of the announcements.
Developers working on Windows games will now be able to use the billing, security, login, friends and matchmaking tools which are integral to the Xbox Live service - effectively extending Live functionality onto Windows games, although it's not clear whether PC gamers will be expected to pay Live-style subscription fees for these services.
The company also plans to develop a common controller reference design which will be rolled out for both Windows and the Xbox, providing a basic standard across both platforms as well as unifying the input APIs and button standards on both systems.
On a more technical level, a number of Xbox development tools such as the PIX analysis tool and the XACT audio authoring system will be made available for PC development purposes for the first time, while the High-Level Shader Language (HLSL) which was recently introduced on the Windows platform will now be ported to Xbox.
The move to unify the development environment between Xbox and Windows is likely to be welcomed by developers working on cross-platform titles, and will have even greater repercussions as Xbox 2 development kits - which are also expected to use the XNA framework - are made more widely available.
"Silicon advancements and new features like high-definition and pervasive broadband will send game development costs skyrocketing," Microsoft's chief Xbox officer Robbie Bach is expected to tell the audience at GDC later today. "The video game industry must band together to find a solution that ensures vitality and sustainability for years to come, while responding to consumer desires for bigger, better games."
03-24-04 | 11:16 AM
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Well, I think the key thing outside of what you say is that they want to give developers the tools to put more time toward gameplay and bring down the production costs that are skyrocketing at the moment. Foundationally they want better games coming out of 3rd party developers for less money (and hopefully taking up less time).
The biggest plus would be seen on the PC side obviously because developers could pump out more top tier games if they use the XNA tools and not spend years bringing out 1 game and then you hear nothing for a while after that. Maybe 3DRealms will use it for Duke Nukem Fornever.
I also think it may be a peek into how powerful they are making the new Xbox.
You're right about the ports though, it's all in Microsoft wanting to connect everything in the home. The Homestation idea is still alive and well in Redmond.
The biggest plus would be seen on the PC side obviously because developers could pump out more top tier games if they use the XNA tools and not spend years bringing out 1 game and then you hear nothing for a while after that. Maybe 3DRealms will use it for Duke Nukem Fornever.
I also think it may be a peek into how powerful they are making the new Xbox.
You're right about the ports though, it's all in Microsoft wanting to connect everything in the home. The Homestation idea is still alive and well in Redmond.
03-24-04 | 12:55 PM
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From: NYC...no longer! Collegeville, PA
IGN has a great interview that goes into tons of detail about XNA:
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/501/501373p1.html
This is such a powerful move on Microsoft's part. Leveraging their near-monopoly on the PC market to home console gaming. Using PC and Xbox controllers and peripherals interchangeably? Smart move. Integrating XBL into the PC? That's just another way of getting many more developers on board with the service. Could be the trojan horse to get into EA's castle perhaps?
Jeremy
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/501/501373p1.html
This is such a powerful move on Microsoft's part. Leveraging their near-monopoly on the PC market to home console gaming. Using PC and Xbox controllers and peripherals interchangeably? Smart move. Integrating XBL into the PC? That's just another way of getting many more developers on board with the service. Could be the trojan horse to get into EA's castle perhaps?
Jeremy
03-24-04 | 01:02 PM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
I was also thinking, this may be a way to make Xbox games compatible with Xbox2. Well, it would be those games made on the XNA platform, so nothing you own now or in the foreseeable future. But if they can construct XNA to perform on both ATI and nVidia graphics cards and on both x86 and PowerPC platforms (which it should) then I see no reason why it couldn't be - as long as MS provides a hard drive in Xbox2.
03-24-04 | 05:43 PM
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From: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition
http://www.microsoft.com/xna/faq.aspx
Someone is scared! 
Q: When is the next generation Xbox shipping?
A: It's too early to announce future-generation Xbox products. That said, Microsoft XNA propels us ahead of Sony in the next-generation games race because the future of gaming is in software, not hardware. At GDC you are seeing some of the early possibilities of what the future will bring. Everything that comes to Windows and Xbox in the years to come is only going to get better and better in our never-ending quest to meet customer expectations and bridge the gap with developer realities
Q: What's the difference between Microsoft's XNA and Sony's Cell?
A: In the next generation, software-not hardware-will drive the games industry forward. Microsoft XNA software brings together chip and OEM partners to ultimately deliver thousands of integrated digital entertainment devices that work together and give consumers choice. Sony is talking about a fixed world of hardware that requires everyone to buy everything Sony. Sony's Cell is a hardware solution. This is a software revolution.
A: It's too early to announce future-generation Xbox products. That said, Microsoft XNA propels us ahead of Sony in the next-generation games race because the future of gaming is in software, not hardware. At GDC you are seeing some of the early possibilities of what the future will bring. Everything that comes to Windows and Xbox in the years to come is only going to get better and better in our never-ending quest to meet customer expectations and bridge the gap with developer realities
Q: What's the difference between Microsoft's XNA and Sony's Cell?
A: In the next generation, software-not hardware-will drive the games industry forward. Microsoft XNA software brings together chip and OEM partners to ultimately deliver thousands of integrated digital entertainment devices that work together and give consumers choice. Sony is talking about a fixed world of hardware that requires everyone to buy everything Sony. Sony's Cell is a hardware solution. This is a software revolution.
03-24-04 | 07:06 PM
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From: Space Junk Galaxy
...because the future of gaming is in software, not hardware...
In the next generation, software-not hardware-will drive the games industry forward...
In the next generation, software-not hardware-will drive the games industry forward...
03-24-04 | 07:15 PM
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Sounds like a whole lot of hype sort of like before the PS2 came out. MS is promising people the world where devlopers are the artists and XNA is the unified canvas that brings everythig together. Sounds a bit too much like software utopia (and hogwash coming from a software company like Microsoft).
Also I read into this that it'll be easier to port games to and from PC to XBOX. That being said why would I buy an XBOX if I already have a PC? I'm not a big fan of ports for the most part since the console and PC gaming setups are so different.
Finally I liked the little dig at Sony saying they "require everyone to buy everything Sony". Ahhhh the irony of that statement coming from Microsoft is mindblowing.....
All that being said, if it does make games easier to develop, they, hey, good for the devlopers.
Also I read into this that it'll be easier to port games to and from PC to XBOX. That being said why would I buy an XBOX if I already have a PC? I'm not a big fan of ports for the most part since the console and PC gaming setups are so different.
Finally I liked the little dig at Sony saying they "require everyone to buy everything Sony". Ahhhh the irony of that statement coming from Microsoft is mindblowing.....
All that being said, if it does make games easier to develop, they, hey, good for the devlopers.
03-25-04 | 02:28 PM
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Kikizo has some of the tech movies online for your viewing pleasure.
http://games.kikizo.com/news/200403/048.asp
-Naan
http://games.kikizo.com/news/200403/048.asp
-Naan
03-26-04 | 12:09 PM
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It sounds to me like they want this XNA to permeate every aspect of the electronics industry.
Q: What's the difference between Microsoft's XNA and Sony's Cell?
A: In the next generation, software-not hardware-will drive the games industry forward. Microsoft XNA software brings together chip and OEM partners to ultimately deliver thousands of integrated digital entertainment devices that work together and give consumers choice. Sony is talking about a fixed world of hardware that requires everyone to buy everything Sony. Sony's Cell is a hardware solution. This is a software revolution.
To me that pretty much means they want to establish another Windows type of monopoly on the electronics idustry. If they encorporate this XNA into every electronic/game console/handheld device, the profits could be in the TRILLIONS world wide.
They can say all they want that they are doing this "for the good of the industry". Senor Gates has an angle to make alot of money on this one.
Q: What's the difference between Microsoft's XNA and Sony's Cell?
A: In the next generation, software-not hardware-will drive the games industry forward. Microsoft XNA software brings together chip and OEM partners to ultimately deliver thousands of integrated digital entertainment devices that work together and give consumers choice. Sony is talking about a fixed world of hardware that requires everyone to buy everything Sony. Sony's Cell is a hardware solution. This is a software revolution.
They can say all they want that they are doing this "for the good of the industry". Senor Gates has an angle to make alot of money on this one.
03-26-04 | 03:57 PM
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This looks like good news for PC gamers.
03-27-04 | 08:28 AM
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Yeah, and if it works developers will make the PC/Xbox2 the platform of choice, and then port to the other consoles, instead of the other way around.
No more crappy ports for Xbox owners, I hope!
Jeremy
No more crappy ports for Xbox owners, I hope!
Jeremy
03-29-04 | 02:19 AM
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Yeah, it really does sound like all gamers will benefit from this. Honestly, though, I'm not sure that I trust Microsoft with this. Ganted, I really don't know who I would trust...but Microsoft would certainly not be my first choice. Neither would the makers of HL2.
03-29-04 | 01:16 PM
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It makes sense, almost every PC game is ported to the X-Box. If they develop the games from the ground up with port friendly tools it will save them a lot of time a money, its a win-win situation. As much as they have tried to say that the X-Box is a home console and not a PC-in-a-box, the latter is exactly what they are pushing and what the system will become, a PC.
03-29-04 | 03:01 PM
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Well it's really a trojan horse. It's not to have more games ported to the Xbox, but to get more developers on board with a standardized development platform. It's to attract more developers to use XNA as their platform of choice, and then if they chose to they can port to other platforms like the PS2/3. MS is saying XNA can reduce development costs, and I can't think of any developer who wouldn't be interested in doing that. Plus, if you develop for the PC you can develop for the Xbox, and vice versa, so that's two platforms for the price of one. In addition...
...I don't think anyone's recognized that this could also be MS's stab at the mobile gaming community. As PalmPCs get more powerful and integrate mobile 3D hardware acceleration, this could turn into a future PSP killer. Just think - XNA could connect PCs, Xbox, and mobile devices just like how Sony is talking how the PSP and the PS2/3 will interact. And MS wouldn't have to worry about manufacturing mobile devices. Very clever...
Jeremy
...I don't think anyone's recognized that this could also be MS's stab at the mobile gaming community. As PalmPCs get more powerful and integrate mobile 3D hardware acceleration, this could turn into a future PSP killer. Just think - XNA could connect PCs, Xbox, and mobile devices just like how Sony is talking how the PSP and the PS2/3 will interact. And MS wouldn't have to worry about manufacturing mobile devices. Very clever...
Jeremy
