PS2

Just a shot in the dark; is Blitz at all capable of creating PS2-compatible games? If not, what is?

No.


C++ with a PS2 dev kit.

Check out www.virtools.com for middleware which costs a lot and develops for XBOX, PS2, PSP and PC amonst others.

You still need to get a license from the console manufaturer too though, and normally that costs a lot too.

Not to digress this thread too far from the topic, but XBOX 360 is curently the only console with the fully supported game dev environment from the console developers, and it is FREE.

For users like us, just pay for a developers account, download the Free XNA Framework working within the FREE Visual Studio Express, and a Windows PC we can ALL develop titles and move them across to the XBOX 360.

Oh you'll have to learn C# too, but hey that's gonna give you a heck of a lot more control than our beloved B3d does.

IPete2.

Some people are happy with Shark 3D. They also use it for gamedev education here.

-> http://www.shark3d.com/?select=shark3d/index

..I cant see any licensing options for Shark3D..Taumel, do you know some specific details about that maybe??

No, you have to contact them like it's written on their site.

No it isn't. First of all it isn't supported, second of all, it isn't free.

So much for being free, eh?

Well, I thought Nintendo was gonna do something like this for the Wii, but who knows when that's gonna be, tho? Did Nintendo decide at the last minute not to go through with it?

On top of that, I've packed up my PS2, and getting rid of it, because the X360 and Wii are proving themselves better than that, for some strange reason. Of course, with an RRoD on my X360, guess I'm forced to build a nice gaming rig PC after all, so there.

> No it isn't. First of all it isn't supported, second of all, it isn't free.

It is supported, and it is free. Although like Ipete wrote and you must have forgotten to quote "For users like us, just pay for a developers account"

Which means it is not exactly free to deploy and test, but the tools to do the development are available without a monetary cost from the web. No ability exists to charge anyone for the games developed with this package, at least not at present.

Hmm, as mentioned, if Nintendo's doing this, I'm wondering how much they would charge for you to build a game for the Wii, if they were doing the XNA idea?

@dynaman
As far as i know the licences to both publishing for Xbox360 and the Wii aren't fully known until now so this is speculation. What seems to be fixed is:

o Xbox360: Tools are free and you can develop on a standard Xbox360, gives you also the possibility to develop for win commercially.
o Wii: Tools aren't free and you need a developer kit.

By the way are the Pickford Brothers working on or planning some games for the Wii?

FlameDuck

XNA is developed by Microsoft chaps and is fully supported by Microsoft themselves. You can develop with the FREE to download XNA Visual Stuido Express. The dev kit IS FREE. There is a starterkit for XBOX 360 - so therefore developing for XBOX 360 is FREE.

Now, distribution to the XBOX360 may not be free, but is possible via a very reasonably priced creators club fee.


IPete2.

What you're exactly paying for (creators club subscription), is getting access to the XNA runtime for the Xbox360, at least with pre v2 licence.

Thanks for clearing that up Taumel.

IPete2.

When I installed XNA yesterday I took note of the license which forbids anything done with it for the 360 being used for Commercial purposes. I can't remember the exact wording, but basically it's all free for Windows - you can develop, distribute, sell - whatever. The 360 licence is more restrictive. A quote from the official FAQ:

"Q: Can I use the XNA Game Studio Express or XNA Framework to build a commercial Xbox 360 game?
A: XNA Game Studio Express lets you create Windows and now Xbox 360 console games much more easily. These games are limited to non-commercial scenarios for 360 titles created with XNA Game Studio Express. However, XNA Game Studio Express may be used to create commercial games which target Windows. We plan to release XNA Game Studio Professional next year which will allow developers to create commercial games for the Xbox 360 in addition to Windows."

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/aa937793.aspx

Yep, if you're interested in commercial releases for Xbox360, there are two options, a) build your prototype and go to a publisher with it (traditional way) or b) wait for the already announced v2 of xna game studio express as it's likely that they will address this in the new licence too.

Some info can be fount here http://creators.xna.com or in the blog http://blogs.msdn.com/xna/archive/2007/08/13/announcing-xna-game-studio-2-0.aspx

Define "supported". I don't see any support options. It doesn't even work with the proper version of Visual Studio. And let's face it, Visual Studio Express is only free if you don't value your time (or your sanity), because you can't use 3rd party plug-ins (like resharper) with it.

Just because you say it, doesn't make it true - read the EULA again, or alternatively get a lawyer to explain it to you.

Flamey baby...

I find myself asking can I be bothered to argue the point/case. My last words on the subject as I am busy:

(a) The support network is available

http://creators.xna.com/ ( a microsoft website )

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-gb/directx/aa937787.aspx

In particular this link:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-gb/directx/bb512920.aspx


(b) the very latest release (due for release as Taumel says very soon) and is compatible with Visual Studio the paid for version.

(c) On the 'developing is free' issue - I was being pedantic in true FlameDuck style ... I didnt say selling or releasing or even moving it to XBOX360 without a license . You can develop something for the 360 on a Windows PC and never move it to an XBOX 360. The XBOX 360 starter kit is right there for you to play with - on Windows - for FREE, as Dynaman mentions above.

Yeah, if you want to port your work to the X360, you have to drop that $100/yr. to do so. Don't think that Microsoft will open their console up for nothing.

You'll have to drop a hell of lot more than $100 if you want anyone other than your mom, dad and the vicar to play it. A modest five figure fee would be more like it, unless you've got something so amazing that Microsoft with front you the ESRB rating and so on. And I wouldn't hold your breath even then because XBLA is so inundated with submissions that even large indie studios with games already *on* XBLA can't get a response.

IPete2, ignore FlameDuck. He had similar rants in another XNA thread a couple of months ago:

http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/posts.php?topic=70152

He even used almost the exact same quote - lol!

This thread:
Old thread:

@Gabriel
I would say wait for the v2 licence and then we'll see. One of the reasons why they did not open it till today are key/security related issues which they first have to work out.