Anyone still playing Skullgirls on Xbox 360? Have you been clinging onto a hope that a massive content update will eventually arrive?
Turns out your loyalty may pay-0ff.
An in-depth interview conducted by XBLAfans reveals the trials and tribulations of Lab Zero, the Skullgirls development team, throughout the game’s lifespan.
While a Skullgirls patch came out on PSN back in November, offering a wealth of content, the struggles to bring the same patch to Xbox 360 have caused no end of issues.
The main problem is that Xbox patch sizes have a limit of 4mb … no, we’re not kidding. It’s fair to say that, in this day and age, that’s a little short-sighted. Especially considering the ‘Slightly Different’ content pack for Skullgirls weighs in at…wait for it…590mb.
You can see where there might be a problem.
Undeterred, however, the team are still working to try and make it a possible fit on 360. Not only are they reducing the size of the pack, but they’re also trying to negotiate terms with Microsoft. Lab Zero CEO, Peter Bartholow remains optimistic, and believes the patch will surface ‘sooner rather than later’
However, Lab Zero’s main focus is to get a PC version of Skullgirls out into the wild, hoping that it will not only increase the install-base, but that the new audience will generate more interest in the game, and create the possibility for more DLC in the future.
The team have already worked on some DLC characters in the past, but had to shelve the plans due to cost and time constraints.
“We all really want to make DLC characters, but it’s expensive and time-consuming. The first mysterious character was about one third complete when we were laid off. But between the attach rate for DLC and the loss of momentum caused by the drama, recouping the development costs or profiting seem difficult.”
Amazingly, in the middle of all of this, a Skullgirls sequel has actually been greenlit and its development is subject to the outcome of a $15 million lawsuit.
Who said game development was easy?
We recomend reading the full interview as its a fascinating take on one developer’s struggles in an ever-changing industry
(Source: XBLAfans)