You may all be aware that Microsoft has an Indie self-publishing platform on the horizon, called ID@Box. That platform has a number of developers concerned, because Microsoft’s terms and conditions regarding publishing games using that platform have a parity clause; a request that ID@Xbox developers launch the Xbox One version of their games at the same time as other platforms. Sony has responded with their own parody parity clause.
Firing shots on Twitter, Sony’s Adam Boyes revealed the hurdles indie developers would face releasing their multiplatform games on Sony’s platforms.
Some developers have said that Microsoft is steadfast regarding parity, while others have said the Redmond giant is a little more flexible than the rulebook suggests.
"Sony still has the better deal, since they don’t have launch parity requirements," said Vlambeer’s Rami Ismail, speaking to Edge on the clause. “I also think Sony has won a lot of loyalty by having been approachable for the past few years, while Microsoft sort of needs to fight back an image of being terrible to work with."
“Yes, launch parity is still a thing,” says Happion Laboratories’ Jamie Fristrom. “In my talks with Microsoft they’ve shown no sign of backing down on that.”
The general consensus amongst developers though is that Microsoft’s indie initiative is headed in the right direction – even if some clarity about the cloudy platform parity is sorely needed. It’s definitely a much smoother and easier process getting indie games on to Microsoft’s platform than we saw with the Xbox 360’s Xbox Live Arcade.
“The process and paperwork, so far, has been a lot smoother and quicker than back in 2008 when I made Schizoid for XBLA,” continued Fristrom. “The new Xbox Live and how we work with it is more complicated than the old Live, and it’s a young program, so it feels like we’re blazing trails a bit. There’ve been a lot of e-mails back and forth as we were getting our devkits working, a process which Microsoft eventually wants to have be more automated. The good news is our DirectX 11 / Xaudio 2 code worked with almost no modifications, so we were able to make a ton of progress just on our PCs while we were solving devkit and online issues.”
Either way, it’s plain to see that indie gaming has become increasingly important for both consoles, echoing its increasing importance and traction with gamers as a whole.
Last Updated: March 13, 2014
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 08:40
The best thing about indie gaming? Affordability
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 13, 2014 at 08:47
and it’s quality games as well
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 08:48
Very close second in my book. Almost there, just not quite.
JustAnotherGamer
March 13, 2014 at 09:02
Hear Hear
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 08:42
Sony jabbing MS.
http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/a3Y8P9r_460sa.gif
Admiral Chief of comments
March 13, 2014 at 08:48
That gif is awesome!
VampyreSquirrel
March 13, 2014 at 08:55
Why they cut it off before that skinny runt got his jaw smashed through the back of his head?
Rock789
March 13, 2014 at 09:12
What you talking about? He clearly won the match with that punch! :p
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:13
Clearly he is leading on points
Admiral Chief of comments
March 13, 2014 at 09:16
I wonder what happened in the rest of the fight?
VampyreSquirrel
March 13, 2014 at 09:17
He’d also be winning if it was Strictly Come Dancing
Sageville
March 13, 2014 at 09:46
Style-Points FTW!
Spathi
March 13, 2014 at 09:04
Can’t stop watching!!
Admiral Chief of comments
March 13, 2014 at 09:09
Huehuehue same here!
Rikus
March 13, 2014 at 09:30
Laughing my ass off!
JustAnotherGamer
March 13, 2014 at 09:42
That swagger is bosslike.
Sageville
March 13, 2014 at 09:45
Win!
MakeItLegal
March 13, 2014 at 11:57
Ha ha ha ha
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 13, 2014 at 08:43
Idiotbox. lol. Gets me every time.
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 08:55
LOL
Admiral Chief of comments
March 13, 2014 at 08:48
RAID 5?
RinceIsIngwer
March 13, 2014 at 08:49
Oh MS, you are doing SO well…
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:00
They are doing very well. They have Titanfall
RinceIsIngwer
March 13, 2014 at 09:00
BWAHAHAHHAHAHA! 😉
JustAnotherGamer
March 13, 2014 at 09:02
They only have Titanfail.
Rock789
March 13, 2014 at 09:12
Yes… And, when it launched in America yesterday, XBox LIVE promply crashed… Much lulz!
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:14
MP only FTW
JustAnotherGamer
March 13, 2014 at 09:44
I heard, it crashed across whole regions leaving american idiotbox gamers without live for the whole day. And that’s on launch day. So much for the Cloud being indestructible.
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:49
They can always do this
Jimmy_Jangle
March 14, 2014 at 15:54
More successful launch than the 360 – I’d say that they’re doing quite well.
RinceIsIngwer
March 14, 2014 at 15:57
Their marketing has been terrible and their sales are half that of the PS4. When the Xbox 360 came out they murdered the PS3.
Jimmy_Jangle
March 14, 2014 at 15:58
Erm, wasn’t that because the PS3 wasn’t even out then….?
RinceIsIngwer
March 14, 2014 at 16:00
Yip, I meant in the years that followed. Only towards the very ‘end’ did the PS3 catch up their numbers. Many people believe the 360 ‘won’ the last generation, and that is with a minus 1 billion put a side for the RROD 🙂
VampyreSquirrel
March 13, 2014 at 08:58
When are we getting our next free 5 yr old Xbox game? like 2 days or something… right?
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:03
Which do you plan on playing first? Civilization or Dungeon Defenders
Admiral Chief of comments
March 13, 2014 at 09:09
Both (insert your both gif here)
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:12
You spoiled it 🙁
http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aVOV7jO_460sa.gif
VampyreSquirrel
March 13, 2014 at 09:11
probably Dungeon Defenders… after (read if) I finally finish Sleeping Dogs 😛
Rock789
March 13, 2014 at 09:19
You playing Sleeping Dogs? Nice! Such an awesome game!
VampyreSquirrel
March 13, 2014 at 09:46
Yep, it’s freaking awesome, enjoying it
JustAnotherGamer
March 13, 2014 at 09:03
The best games from 2007. Don’t break the bank Microsoft
Admiral Chief of comments
March 13, 2014 at 09:02
That guy looks like Gordon Freeman….
HALF LIFE 3 CONFIRMED!!!
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:10
He’s holding a starbucks glass.
Our star is called the Sun.
Everyday we have a sunrise
Aurora is the Roman name for the Goddess of the Dawn or Sunrise.
Aurora Borealis is a natural light display caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere
They were on their way to the Borealis at the end of Episode 2
HALF LIFE 3 confirmed
Admiral Chief of comments
March 13, 2014 at 09:16
*nods in complete agreement*
Hammersteyn
March 13, 2014 at 09:18
I might be reaching a bit though.
Rikus
March 13, 2014 at 09:29
Looks legit to me
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 13, 2014 at 09:21
Any one else see “idiot box” when reading ID@Box?
I’m sorry. Can’t get over all the naming. Microsoft really messed up with their naming conventions.
XBone
IdiotBox.
Really MS? Hhahahahha
JustAnotherGamer
March 13, 2014 at 09:43
Now that you mention it… BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH! IDIOTBOX!!!
VampyreSquirrel
March 13, 2014 at 09:49
Hey boot up the Xbone so we can hit some cool games on IdiotBox! LOL
Rock789
March 13, 2014 at 10:05
That is seriously funny! Bwahahahahahahahahaha 🙂
Yeah, their naming conventions truly leave a lot to be desired.
FoxOneZA
March 13, 2014 at 10:24
Pffffftttt… It’s IDIAT XBOX to you Sir 😛
Anders
March 13, 2014 at 11:40
He didn’t mention Microsoft he just stated their own poicies just like E3.