Xbox game update policies 'totally unacceptable for free-to-play'

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Microsoft's quality control tests on game updates are "totally unacceptable for meaningful free-to-play", the chief executive of Wargaming has said.

Victor Kislyi explained to Polygon that frequent updates are a crucial part of any free-to-play business.

"The good thing is with online games, sometimes if you screw up, you can do frequent updates," Kislyi said.

"But one of the biggest challenges with Microsoft was the frequency of updates because the QA process and certification process take an extremely long time. Totally unacceptable for a meaningful free-to-play. We are working with them to do quicker updates."

Microsoft conventionally tests games and updates thoroughly in order to uphold a level of quality across its Xbox platform. When developers deliver game updates to Microsoft, they must wait as the Xbox quality assurance team tests the content for errors, glitches or unwanted content.

On top of this, developers would usually need to pay as much as $40,000 for the testing and submissions process. However, in June Microsoft scrapped the policy and now allows developers to submit XBLA updates for free.

However, according to Kislyi, the friction of the game update process remains an issue. He said he was unsure whether Microsoft will enact platform-wide policy reform in order to remedy the issue.

"We will see, there is a lot of work on the technically side and on the administrative side which should resolve in the acceptable quality of the product, including updates of the product including speed and rates. So we will see," he said.

Platforms such as iOS and Valve's Steam allow developers to issue updates frequently - in some cases in a matter of days, on some occasions sooner. This has allowed game studios to use the latest player data as a guide for what to add to and remove from the game.

It is believed that around three quarters of iPhone game app business is generated from free-to-play.

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/420048/xbox-game-update-policies-totally-unacceptable-for-free-to-play/

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"Xbox game update policies 'totally unacceptable for free-to-play'" :: Login/Create an Account :: 42 comments

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RuinsPosted:

DLT
RATF im confused? so Kislyi is moaning about xbox updates taking too long to be processed? or what?


From what I can understand it's saying their update process isn't good enough for games which are free to play.

I thought they where changing the process of releasing patches so it's a lot more simple, shouldn't be as big of a deal when they do change it.


oh right yes i agree the update process for free games is poor. Microsoft need to sort it..

roekzorsPosted:

DyeVibe Xbox is get really ridiculous and im getting sick of it.


Did you even read and comprehend the post? Or, are you just ranting about the Xbox One.

Index_AddictPosted:

So it seems like it will be unacceptable since they are free to play there wont be as much updates or any at all because of the price to test and launch them. Thankfully they are letting the XBLA release free to play games. Hopefully there will be some great free to play such as the ones on pc or steam. I think they should do something like what the ps3 has PlayStation home. Make something similar to that.

DyeVibePosted:

Xbox is get really ridiculous and im getting sick of it.

StonerzardPosted:

Microsoft need to get it together, so do Sony on some levels. Not being funny but PC is actually free to play online with most games, when I buy a game, I want to play it with my friends, so I spend my money on broadband. But on top of this, I have to pay an extra amount each month to play with my friends. The Xbox Live membership I thought was to help game developers out with their updating services, because if you look at a game such as Minecraft where the developers often give the players updates to have more fun on, the Xbox Live should cover those costs, on PC the updates are free. (Granted, you have to run your own servers but that isn't hard to do.) On Xbox however, you have to pay? I'm not surprised that so many different games companies stop supporting so many Xbox 360 games, but this should also encourage them to make the game 100% before they release it, just like Rockstar have with GTA V. Are you listening EA and Activision? You should take some pointers, I understand there will be certain bugs and exploits but try to at least fix the major ones first, even if you do have to delay the game... You think you're gaining money, but you're losing customers for future games you may make and customers make you the money. Rant, over.

DLTPosted:

RATF im confused? so Kislyi is moaning about xbox updates taking too long to be processed? or what?


From what I can understand it's saying their update process isn't good enough for games which are free to play.

I thought they where changing the process of releasing patches so it's a lot more simple, shouldn't be as big of a deal when they do change it.

RuinsPosted:

im confused? so Kislyi is moaning about xbox updates taking too long to be processed? or what?

HappyModderPosted:

Im confused. can someone explain this to me? PM preferably. Plus rep aswell

HDITeRRoRiZeIPosted:

They committed themselves to the Xbox 360 which i thought was wrong, since the new console is just around the corner. I think they have to remember that the console is 8/9 years old. Microsoft aren`t going to go easy on them if the new console is so close.
To be honest I could of seen this one coming.

IlcamorristaPosted:

iiExaMplezZz
George_Zimmermen Microsoft is getting so lame


Its always been like this, its just been brought out into the public eye now.


That's not true all compains have there high and low points, they made good enjoyable consoles.


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