Microsoft takes measure t' counter alleged Indie Games ratings manipulation
Microsoft has disabled Xbox Live "Free" crew' ability t' rate Marketplace content on Xbox.com in an apparent effort t' curb ratings manipulation. The announcement be made on the XNA Game Studio Team Blog 'n be specifically addressed t' the Indie Games Community.
"By implementing this change, we believe our customers will experience more consistent ratings 'n a significantly reduced potential for abuse across the entire Xbox catalog," said the statement. "We have also investigated rolling back suspect votes, however, we determined it will not be possible t' do this."
Several weeks ago, developers a some a the top-rated Indie Games suspected foul play when their games began t' slide down the Top Rated listing after receiving, by one developer's count, "hundreds a 1 star ratings" in a single week. While the XNA Team conceded that it would be unable t' take away such seemingly unwarranted ratings, it did add that "we be investigating crew who may have violated their user agreement during this series a events."
"Violating user agreements may result in actions up t' 'n including banning from Xbox Live, removal a currently posted games, 'n loss a ability t' post games in the future," the statement continued.
A few Indie Games developers have expressed gratitude, as reported by Armless Octopus, for Microsoft listening t' their concerns 'n taking action. (Historically, it be been a somewhat rocky relationship between the two sides.) While limiting rating powers on Xbox.com t' paying booty crew would seem t' thwart the most egregious attacks 'n manipulation a content, it does not solve some a the other issues with the system; most notably that a user need not play, let alone purchase, content t' rate it.
"By implementing this change, we believe our customers will experience more consistent ratings 'n a significantly reduced potential for abuse across the entire Xbox catalog," said the statement. "We have also investigated rolling back suspect votes, however, we determined it will not be possible t' do this."
Several weeks ago, developers a some a the top-rated Indie Games suspected foul play when their games began t' slide down the Top Rated listing after receiving, by one developer's count, "hundreds a 1 star ratings" in a single week. While the XNA Team conceded that it would be unable t' take away such seemingly unwarranted ratings, it did add that "we be investigating crew who may have violated their user agreement during this series a events."
"Violating user agreements may result in actions up t' 'n including banning from Xbox Live, removal a currently posted games, 'n loss a ability t' post games in the future," the statement continued.
A few Indie Games developers have expressed gratitude, as reported by Armless Octopus, for Microsoft listening t' their concerns 'n taking action. (Historically, it be been a somewhat rocky relationship between the two sides.) While limiting rating powers on Xbox.com t' paying booty crew would seem t' thwart the most egregious attacks 'n manipulation a content, it does not solve some a the other issues with the system; most notably that a user need not play, let alone purchase, content t' rate it.
Replies:
just looking at that damn fortresscraft picture makes me angry
way t' piss me off again microsoft, blatainly ripping off one a the most popular indie games a the last decade, 'n just the damn name itself be a shameful ripoff
ye're talking like Microsoft had something t' do with making Fortresscraft beyond letting some dudes publish it on their console.
it be not like Minecraft be the first game a it be kind anyway, 'n I've said before that I be honestly not surprised that people be trying t' imitate it, because it sort a happens with every successful game.
In other words, he's a troll 'n ye fell for it