I spent 11 months creating the XNA Community Game Snake360. It has 300 levels that can be played in single-player or co-op modes, ranging from really easy to really, really challenging. It also has survival mode, two battle modes for up to 4 players, Internet Ranking, special modes for kids... easily 10+ hours of gameplay. The graphics aren't that great and I'll admit that, but the soundtrack is excellent and the gameplay is top-notch. Anyone who enjoys arcade-style games should love it. The multiplayer is great at parties, to boot.
Snake360 costs 400 points. The same as this... fireplace.
I am running contests RIGHT NOW with $450 in MS Points and LIVE Gold subscriptions as prizes, including a "race" contest to clear 90% of the single-player game. The contests have been open for two weeks now and nobody has completed the 90% race yet. I have done this in 5-6 hours, so I know it's possible.
I have submitted news about the contest to several major gaming sites and blogs--including this one--SEVERAL TIMES. None of them will run the story or even contact me to ask about it. Last I checked, gamers like contests and prizes...and yet nobody on the editorial board of those sites feels this is newsworthy.
Now, on the front page of this very blog, viewed by millions of people, there is a story about a fireplace "game." I feel like promoting my contest is impossible, and yet... this.
(If any of you, for some reason, feel like learning more about Snake360 or the contests, you can visit www.snake360.com.)
@yyr: mate, i can't think of anything constructive to say other than reading your post really made me sympathise with your position. next time i buy some points you can count on a purchase from me. keep up the hard work.
@yyr: I bought your snake game. :^) I'm the one who was whining about your voice and somewhat touchy D-pad snake control over at the Xbox Forums. :^) That said, as great it is that you are running such a contest (which really should get some publicity), I can't see me playing through all of the challenges in time to have a shot at winning. Obviously, that doesn't seem to be the case from your post, but with most time sensitive contests I just succumb to the kids who I believe have all the time in the world to devote to such pursuits. I'm sure one day down the line I'll complete all of the challenges, but that will be done at my enjoyment and leisure.
Likewise, I do think you should realize that Snake 360 is a niche game, and, I suspect to many, it cannot compare to similarly priced "big box" XBLA games such as T.M.N.T. and such. I can't help but believe that if someone posted about Snake 360 here, you'd have people complaining how stupid people must think they are to pay for a game that exists in numerous freeware versions over the Internet. Likewise, I believe Wii Snake is still free for the Wii, and people could gripe about that as well. I understand you're upset that a fireplace program is getting more attention than your game, yet it remains a pretty smart decision by the creator in time for the winter holidays. Would you say the same if, say, Blow were getting better press than your game? What about In the Pit? Just be proud that you've made a game that people have enjoyed enough to purchase. :^)
If you get the demo, you may accidentally buy the full version WITH ONE PRESS OF THE "A" BUTTON. I truly hate this obviously shameless tactic to get people to buy full versions. It happens in some arcade games as well, but at least they usually take two button presses.
Here's how it works with the fireplace simulator. It says press "A" to buy full version, then you have to press "A" again to confirm the download. But if you instead just wait 30 seconds for the reminder to pop up automatically, it conveniently highlights the "confirm download" option which will spend your points if you (or some little tot) presses "A."
@stonefry: In all honesty, it does follow good UI design by organizing default actions to match intent. Unfortunately, I hate it when people do things like that. I was filling out an order one day when I got to the confirmation page, the subscribe to news letter button was unchecked and so when I finished entering my other information, I noticed that the form automatically checked it... that's a bait and switch. The kicker was this was a Microsoft site. Between you and me, I'm thinking someone is really trying to trick people at Redmond. You can't be too careful these days with anything.
I'm not saying I could program something like this myself, because I couldn't. But I don't know anyone that would pay real money for this. What is it for? Who sits around thinking, "You know, I'd really like to LOOK at a fireplace, but I don't want any of that warm comforting HEAT to muck things up. Where is the product catering to my very specific needs? WHY DOES NOONE HEAR MY PLEAS?!!"
@therage33: The "on screen fireplace" has become incredibly popular with those who live in places that aren't allowed to have fireplaces. Namely apartment's, mobile homes, or if the christmas "spot" (where the tree and stuff goes) isn't in the same room as the fireplace.
@goldwings: Luckily, house builders came up with these things called "windows" (though I think that they stole the idea from Microsoft.
Once you open "windows" your room cools down again. It doesn't work on apple houses though. But it's ok cos they are over-priced and their owners deserve their fate.
Oh yeah, because this is gonna give you hours of entertainment. Way more entertainment than any DLC, gamerpics, themes or arcade games could ever give you. What a frikin' waste.
@shadowslayer978: I'm pretty sure you can make your own themes for the 360. At least I assume it can. I never actually tried it with my 360, but my PS3 can.
12/22/08
12/22/08
I spent 11 months creating the XNA Community Game Snake360. It has 300 levels that can be played in single-player or co-op modes, ranging from really easy to really, really challenging. It also has survival mode, two battle modes for up to 4 players, Internet Ranking, special modes for kids... easily 10+ hours of gameplay. The graphics aren't that great and I'll admit that, but the soundtrack is excellent and the gameplay is top-notch. Anyone who enjoys arcade-style games should love it. The multiplayer is great at parties, to boot.
Snake360 costs 400 points. The same as this... fireplace.
I am running contests RIGHT NOW with $450 in MS Points and LIVE Gold subscriptions as prizes, including a "race" contest to clear 90% of the single-player game. The contests have been open for two weeks now and nobody has completed the 90% race yet. I have done this in 5-6 hours, so I know it's possible.
I have submitted news about the contest to several major gaming sites and blogs--including this one--SEVERAL TIMES. None of them will run the story or even contact me to ask about it. Last I checked, gamers like contests and prizes...and yet nobody on the editorial board of those sites feels this is newsworthy.
Now, on the front page of this very blog, viewed by millions of people, there is a story about a fireplace "game." I feel like promoting my contest is impossible, and yet... this.
(If any of you, for some reason, feel like learning more about Snake360 or the contests, you can visit www.snake360.com.)
12/22/08
12/22/08
Likewise, I do think you should realize that Snake 360 is a niche game, and, I suspect to many, it cannot compare to similarly priced "big box" XBLA games such as T.M.N.T. and such. I can't help but believe that if someone posted about Snake 360 here, you'd have people complaining how stupid people must think they are to pay for a game that exists in numerous freeware versions over the Internet. Likewise, I believe Wii Snake is still free for the Wii, and people could gripe about that as well. I understand you're upset that a fireplace program is getting more attention than your game, yet it remains a pretty smart decision by the creator in time for the winter holidays. Would you say the same if, say, Blow were getting better press than your game? What about In the Pit? Just be proud that you've made a game that people have enjoyed enough to purchase. :^)
12/22/08
12/22/08
or better yet!
*turns on his real fire place*
Neither costs 400ms points.
12/22/08
12/22/08
If you get the demo, you may accidentally buy the full version WITH ONE PRESS OF THE "A" BUTTON. I truly hate this obviously shameless tactic to get people to buy full versions. It happens in some arcade games as well, but at least they usually take two button presses.
Here's how it works with the fireplace simulator. It says press "A" to buy full version, then you have to press "A" again to confirm the download. But if you instead just wait 30 seconds for the reminder to pop up automatically, it conveniently highlights the "confirm download" option which will spend your points if you (or some little tot) presses "A."
SHAMELESS I SAY!
12/22/08
12/22/08
sooo, for 400 points this thing will red-ring your xbox?
12/22/08
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12/22/08
Be nice MS it's the holidays or maybe they'll pull a last minute gift on us (maybe?).
"but certain Xbox 360 consoles go the extra mile by adding heat to the equation"
That be more for the PS3. I put that thing on for an hour and my whole room can get burning hot. It sucks during the summer.
12/22/08
Once you open "windows" your room cools down again. It doesn't work on apple houses though. But it's ok cos they are over-priced and their owners deserve their fate.
12/22/08
Just downloaded it for free... It pops up with a message saying to buy it after about 30 seconds... you can just B out and carry on watching it.
Excellent! A must buy!
12/22/08
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12/22/08
Good old MS taking the Micro out of Micro-Transactions.
12/22/08
12/22/08
Good old XNA developers. Taking the "Micro" out of Micro-Transactions."
Better?