All this shows is 2 of the top guys at blizzard would like to see it happen. It's great to see and after watching the blizzard 20 year video i have lots of respect for these 2, but I can't help but think things are too far gone at this point.
The only way i could see a marketplace actually happening is if they somehow integrate the Unity engine into the marketplace or something similar. Bring tangible outside developers into the fold without forcing the galaxy editor on them (sorta like steam supports valve and other devs).
The galaxy editor (barring SIGNIFICANT additions, and i mean YEARS worth of usability and functionality additions), against all the well wishes of the fanboys in this forum, can't compete as a global gaming engine for delivering for-pay quality content. So in years time, we MIGHT see the start of true tangible marketplace game production, so add many more months onto that until great games are hitting the marketplace with the galaxy editor.
Said it before i'll say it again, it's a damned tragedy what happened to this community.
A market place will serve no purpose other than to turn the map list into the infestation of worthless shit that is the iPhone app store.
Ehhhhh, i wouldn't say that. Bear in mind communities surrounding products vary wildly. Apple stores cater to people who like to buy anything shiny so quality of the product reflects this. Though there are certainly people who would buy anything blizzard as evident by any blizzard related forum you go to, they have had the highest quality standard of any game company in history, barring the recent release of the beta blizzard custom maps of course, HAR HAR.
The problem with the app store is that it's way too easy for developers to make money. There's no competition for shelf space. If you sell 100 copies of your app, you break even. There's no downside to releasing crap. You can crank out as much shit as you want scrounging for sales. If you see a $1.00 app with 1000 1-star reviews, despite the fact that the app clearly sucks, it still yielded (at least) 1000 sales, and therefore was very much worth it to the developer.
I anticipate the same would be true for a SC2 map store. Even more so because the average map developer is a child.
I believe it is fair to make assumptions about a service based on experiences with previous, similar services, as well as based on what I know of the community that will be using the service.
I'm pointing out a worst-case scenario, of which I worry could come true. If they can side-step these problems, then that is fantastic.
This is good news, however I'm sure that we won't be seeing anything concrete regarding the marketplace for some time. The marketplace will hopefully bring about some new features which will help with map visibility.
I would LOVE to make money off of my work, especially since mapping is so enjoyable. Dedicated mappers will receive a bonus a bonus for what they love.
Problem: Every single little map will cost a dollar unless blizzard puts a quality control in effect where your maps must be approved. Think about it. I hate to say it, but a huge portion of battle net maps are crap already. Blizzard needs to make any map that charges money be decent. Not necessarily awesome, since then only professional mapmakers would be able to do it. But at least 'okay' maps. There needs to be at least a little quality control, but not too much.
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Video interview and article here: http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2011/03/17/starcraft-2-marketplace-still-coming-says-blizzard/
Good, good...
All this shows is 2 of the top guys at blizzard would like to see it happen. It's great to see and after watching the blizzard 20 year video i have lots of respect for these 2, but I can't help but think things are too far gone at this point.
The only way i could see a marketplace actually happening is if they somehow integrate the Unity engine into the marketplace or something similar. Bring tangible outside developers into the fold without forcing the galaxy editor on them (sorta like steam supports valve and other devs).
The galaxy editor (barring SIGNIFICANT additions, and i mean YEARS worth of usability and functionality additions), against all the well wishes of the fanboys in this forum, can't compete as a global gaming engine for delivering for-pay quality content. So in years time, we MIGHT see the start of true tangible marketplace game production, so add many more months onto that until great games are hitting the marketplace with the galaxy editor.
Said it before i'll say it again, it's a damned tragedy what happened to this community.
<Insert pointless picture here> ?
no picture is pointless :)
This is terrible news.
A market place will serve no purpose other than to turn the map list into the infestation of worthless shit that is the iPhone app store.
Ehhhhh, i wouldn't say that. Bear in mind communities surrounding products vary wildly. Apple stores cater to people who like to buy anything shiny so quality of the product reflects this. Though there are certainly people who would buy anything blizzard as evident by any blizzard related forum you go to, they have had the highest quality standard of any game company in history, barring the recent release of the beta blizzard custom maps of course, HAR HAR.
Terrible terrible news?
It'll actually be a good thing tbh, tho.
The problem with the app store is that it's way too easy for developers to make money. There's no competition for shelf space. If you sell 100 copies of your app, you break even. There's no downside to releasing crap. You can crank out as much shit as you want scrounging for sales. If you see a $1.00 app with 1000 1-star reviews, despite the fact that the app clearly sucks, it still yielded (at least) 1000 sales, and therefore was very much worth it to the developer.
I anticipate the same would be true for a SC2 map store. Even more so because the average map developer is a child.
@Vexal: Go
You dont know how they will go about implementing the market place. Its rather pointless making presumptuous comparisons of any kind.
@EternalWraith:
I believe it is fair to make assumptions about a service based on experiences with previous, similar services, as well as based on what I know of the community that will be using the service.
I'm pointing out a worst-case scenario, of which I worry could come true. If they can side-step these problems, then that is fantastic.
Mike Morhaime looks really tired in that interview :(
wtf i can't quote like you guys did. W/e. Good good is my response.
Yeah, I guess that would be the one main downside.
@QuantumMenace: Go
We'll also never have pirate maps because there's no support for water-based pathing.
This is good news, however I'm sure that we won't be seeing anything concrete regarding the marketplace for some time. The marketplace will hopefully bring about some new features which will help with map visibility.
What makes you say that? Do you mean in the literal or figurative sense?
My opinion:
I would LOVE to make money off of my work, especially since mapping is so enjoyable. Dedicated mappers will receive a bonus a bonus for what they love.
Problem: Every single little map will cost a dollar unless blizzard puts a quality control in effect where your maps must be approved. Think about it. I hate to say it, but a huge portion of battle net maps are crap already. Blizzard needs to make any map that charges money be decent. Not necessarily awesome, since then only professional mapmakers would be able to do it. But at least 'okay' maps. There needs to be at least a little quality control, but not too much.
@Khalanil1: Go
Every popular map developer in WC3 that I was close with was a teenager.
Some examples:
Zoator was 15. Duke-Wintermaul was 13. CordialSpam was 16. Mech_1000 was 18. Enfo was a little kid. TheZizz was a teenager until he got older.