Microsoft Says PS3 Linux Not 'Competitive' To XNA

nz17 writes "Gamasutra has a preview of its upcoming interview with Dave Mitchell, Director of Marketing for Microsoft's Game Developer Group. In the interview Mitchell dismisses Linux on the PS3 as a game creators' solution and has said, 'What we [at XBox] are focused on doing is providing great tools at a free or low price point that are going to enable consumers to be absolutely successful at creating games for both the Windows and the Xbox 360 platforms.'"

Comments

Re:He may be right

[UglyTool]

No matter how much people may hate Microsoft, this is very possibly a good tool for indie game developers who want to create a console experience.

Only if those indie game developers want their games to look the same as everyone else's. I'm not sure how much you know about XNA, but i have looked into it a bit. What it looks like to me is just a template for 2D, mostly side-scrolling games. Yes, yes, I know that some people prefer this type of gaming, but i don't really believe we'll be seeing too many innovative games developed with XNA.

There will be responses to my post saying how MS is fostering "innovation" by releasing XNA, but I think the opposite. From what I understand, people will be forced to use the art provided, meaning that we'll just be seeing the exact same games, with levels moved around, or looking the very least bit different.

I highly, highly doubt we'll be seeing another CONTRA coming out of XNA, and i don't think it's gonna do much good for any gaming innovations whatsoever.

Re:He may be right

[DrXym]

I suppose it depends on want you intend to do with Linux when you get it. Yes you can write games (+ play an enormous number already written), but you could also use Linux for MythTV, VLC, web browsing, email, or any other use imaginable. Where the PS3 Linux sucks is the video driver is a frame buffer, however I believe that if you dedicated a handful of SPUs on the backside of Mesa that the performance would be pretty good.

Besides XNA has drawbacks even for writing games. a) It uses .NET, thereby hobbling its performance, b) you have to PAY to publish your games c) You have to PAY to see and play them d) You don't get paid for either. To me it looks more like vanity publishing than a legitimate means of encouraging games development.

Right about what?

[antek9]

Frankly, the whole argument sounds like a strawman to me. I don't recall Linux on PS3 being referenced to or advertised as a gaming platform anywhere. I think it's more about offering convenience: why put another PC in your living room when you can have internet access and office applications (maybe not full-blown, considering lack of memory on the PS3, but definitely usable for a quick letter of complaint) all on your PS3? Especially considering that the PS3 seems to be a lot less noisy than the 360, that might actually work out well.

Another Microsoft spokesperson that doesn't 'get' Linux, what else is new? You might read it the other way around as well: facing fading support by major publishers, MS wants to get 'everyone' on the 360 bandwagon now, before it's too late. I can smell desperation there.

And yes, it's a trap.

Lions, tigers, oh my.

[toy4two]

PS3 is DOA. I waited 2 years for that POS. No 1080i scaler, no rumble in the gamepad, no modchip, too expensive, now this. Xbox 360 has already won this round. Lets hope PS4 isn't some attempt for SONY to introduce yet anonther proprietary technology.

Re:Say what you want ...

[mackyrae]

Yeah, because releasing VB.Net so it'd break all your VB6 programs was a great strategy to make developers like them. Well, it's not like VB was a great idea to begin with.