July 22, 2008 11:29 AM PDT

Details emerge on user-generated games on Xbox Live

Microsoft offered up a few more details on Tuesday about its upcoming online video game marketplace for aspiring game developers.

Originally announced in February, Microsoft will allow user-generated games to be sold on its Xbox Live service this fall. On Tuesday, the company said it will let the developers keep up to 70 percent of the revenue generated by their games.

The scenario is similar to Apple's App Store, which sells applications for the iPhone created by developers that pay a fee to put their creations for sale in the online store.

Game developers will have to pay $99 a year to be part of the XNA Creator's Club, which will get them shelf space in the Xbox Live Marketplace. Any game created must past muster with their peers, however. Microsoft says there will be a peer-review system in place to establish some measure of quality. The games will be sold in the Community Games section for Microsoft points, which equate to $2.50, $5, or $10.

Microsoft says when the feature debuts this fall, it should double the number of games currently for sale on Xbox Live.

Recent posts from News - Microsoft
Microsoft adding to its Labs collection
Microsoft tries to reclaim Windows' image
Memo: Windows chief on new ads
Microsoft begins big ad push
Microsoft Research gives photo help, for a price
Add a Comment (Log in or register) 2 comments
by Philstera July 22, 2008 7:37 PM PDT
Way to go MS
Reply to this comment
by Renegade Knight July 23, 2008 7:45 AM PDT
I'd rather just install them via USB or direct download and save myself 30% off the price.
Reply to this comment
Powered by Jive Software
advertisement

Latest tech news headlines

About News - Microsoft

Stay up-to-date on news centered in Redmond, Wash., from acquisitions to product updates to leadership developments.

Add this feed to your online news reader

News - Microsoft topics

Featured blogs

advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right
  • News - Business Tech

    Chrome's JavaScript challenge to Silverlight

    The advent of Google's Chrome browser, software pros say, should spur a big speedup for JavaScript, which would raise its standing against Microsoft's Silverlight technology.

  • Gallery

    Photos: Top 10 reviews of the week

    Here are CNET Reviews' 10 favorite items from the past week, including the TiVo HD XL, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50, and the Dish Network's newest digital TV converter box.

  • News - Apple

    Apple watchers spot 'iPod Nano' pix, iTunes hints

    The rumor mill has long been predicting a longer, leaner new version of the iPod Nano, and now it's conjuring up some pictures.

  • Coop's Corner

    Chris Shipley 1, Internet lynch mob 0

    Demo's impresario goes public with a tart and smartly written riposte to the shoot-from-the-lip crowd.

  • Video

    Katie Couric reflects on first Webcast

    The political conventions are over and so are CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric's first series of Webcasts. CNET's Kara Tsuboi sat down with Couric on the final night of the Republican National Convention to discuss what she liked about Webcasting, some of her most memorable guests, and whether TV news will still be around by the next round of conventions.

  • News - Digital Media

    Google-focused satellite enters orbit

    The search titan has exclusive rights among online mapping sites to images from the new GeoEye-1 satellite, which launched Saturday.

  • Video

    YouTube plays party politics

    During the presidential campaigning four years ago, YouTube didn't even exist. Now it's a tool candidates must master to get their message across. CNET's Kara Tsuboi stops by the YouTube upload booths at the Democratic and Republican conventions to find out why Google's video site has such a big presence in Denver and St. Paul, Minn.

  • News - Gaming and Culture

    Are Demo and TechCrunch50 fragmenting their audiences?

    With both events scheduled to start Monday, many press, as well as venture capitalists and others are having to choose which one to attend.

  • News - Cutting Edge

    Execs predict next Google-like tech

    On eve of company's 10-year anniversary, researchers and business pundits speculate about what technologies might someday have as much impact as Google.

  • Gallery

    Images: The art of 'Spore' prototypes

    Will Wright and his Maxis team worked on dozens of prototypes to test the elements of their soon-to-be-released evolution game. Here's a sampling.

  • Crossfade

    The Standard, 'A Different Skin': Free MP3 of the Day

    Eschewing the danceable beats favored by many of its post-punk brethren, while opting instead for more ominous and insistent rhythms, is what makes the Standard visceral and engaging. Download a free MP3 of "A Different Skin" courtesy of CNET Download Mus

  • Green Tech

    Duke Energy to invest in mini solar power plants

    Can hundreds of rooftop solar panels collectively operate like a central power plant? Duke Energy launches $100 million distributed solar program to find out.