A thought on XBLA and its file size cap

Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 7:35AM by QJ Staff Listed in: Xbox 360 Tags: Microsoft, Naked Sky, Unreal Engine
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RoboBlitzGiven the 50 MB limit file size for games on XBLA, we could only imagine traditional developers shouting at Microsoft, "WTF! That is so small!" While the allotted size is indeed quite minimal, the scenario at hand is not really something we'd call WTF. After all, a good number of small scale developers have proven that there's actually a work-around to this little obstacle.

RoboBlitz, for example, is one of the more anticipated titles to come out from XBLA. It actually went live last week and fans can get it for 1200 MS points. As expected, the game came at par with some X360 launch titles, and even exceeding Xbox ones. Online site What The Geek gives its accolades for the game:

Naked Sky was able to make a game that visually stacks up against high end Xbox games, fits snugly within that 50MB size limit. A game of this visual quality that utilizes the Unreal Engine 3 (You know, the one that powers Gears of War) would have taken at least a gig or two of disc space just a few short years ago.


Quite true, huh? Actually, developer Naked Sky used a programming software from Allegorithmic. This program utilizes a technique called procedural texture, that intends to create a realistic representation of natural elements. And so in the end, does size matter? Of course, it does. But is the word size always equal to massive? Not necessarily. Their conclusion reads:

Instead of larger optical discs for retail games, devs could utilize these methods to pack 25 gigs worth of game into 9 gigs worth of space. My prediction for the next console cycle (PS4, Xbox 720) is that optical discs will go the way of the dinosaur. Larger, less expensive hard drives and smaller games will take their place.


Well, to be quite frank, what more can we say? Those guys actually have a point, don't you think? This belief, as you might not be aware of, is also being held true by some key people across the industry.

Via WhatTheGeek

 
 
 

Comments [refresh]

by Jammes Browwn - 2006-12-14 03:12
» please get it right.

it's UNREAL ENGINE 3, there is no UNREAL 3 ENGINE.

although if there was an Unreal 3 the UNREAL ENGINE 3 would be it's engine no doubt.

by Jammes Browwn - 2006-12-14 03:24
» to the ppl at whatageek

this is to the original writer of this article (whatageek)

by mr. poo poo pants - 2006-12-14 03:25
» what about all the space in my ps3 drive

what about my blue ray dic drive in my ps3? it will make games better because you can put more on it ...that is why i wasted ..i ..um ... i got myself a ps3 bigger dive is better for games ...rigth that is what sony is telling me right .. programing means nothing for games.

by hm - 2006-12-14 04:21
» hm

so just a quick question to ppl

how in the hell will Konami releas Castlevania: SotN on XBLA?

becous its coming next year and 50megs fro that game sounds a lil bit too small :/

by .. - 2006-12-14 05:32
» ..

It will be like 30 mb...

by and - 2006-12-14 06:40
» and

where is you're source on this? (just asking)

becous just the audio of the game is more then 30mb and thats in 33-hz mp3's

also add the cinematics



hope they wont strip the game of something...

by R kelly - 2006-12-14 06:40
» File size

I think a file size limit is good but i think it should have been around 200 meg or so....although with the way the xbox360 can handle textures and physics very little actually data is needed to create beautiful environments. the problem ps3 owners will face is games that are 50gig that could have been put on a 4gig...that adds up to long load times. sounds like ps2 all over again.

by Shatterdome - 2006-12-14 11:38
» Oh it doesn't matter....

PS3 users can load that 50 gig game on their HDD !! by default, fitting one game on their system....





Seriously though, this is what MS has been trying to say all along, procedural synthesis can create a game on par with quake 3 that is 156 kilobytes (roughly 10% of a megabyte)....this is why they went with DVD9's.....MS from the start thought about how to make an elegant and very efficient VIDEO GAME machine.....and not some clumsy beast of a who knows what its good for....other then a BD player....

by daz - 2006-12-14 21:03
» hmmm

you know, basic psychology tells us that when someone speaks out to dumb down or go against a certain console, its mainly due to being threatened by it. Seriously. Anyone who studied psychology to any degree would be able to tell you that. So, for the fans of ps3, 360 and Wii, simply dont talk about the opposition. It only shows a genuine threat/jealousy from yourself

by Xbox is the best - 2006-12-15 09:58
» Blu-ray

blu-ray needed for movies not games. LOL

by Xbox is the best - 2006-12-15 09:59
» blu-ray

blu-ray needed for movies not games. LOL

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