You might have noticed that I have a thing for indie games. Not all of them, because ya know, some of them are crap. But, the really interesting, alternative games often come from the indie environment where the focus is on gameplay rather than copying successful titles to get more profits (not gonna name any names).
Which is why, in a move on continued idiocy, Microsoft has proven to me again that I am correct in my loyalty to the PlayStation. The new Xbox One will not allow indie developers to self-publish on Xbox Live Arcade. They must get a deal with either Microsoft Game Studios or a third-party partner. In an interview with shacknews, Matt Booty, general manager of Redmond Game Studios and Platforms said
“I would also expect that for this new generation, that we’re going to continue to explore new business models and new ways of surfacing content. But Microsoft Studios is a publisher that works with a wide range of partners, as do a lot of other people, to bring digital content to the box.”
I suppose I shouldn’t worry. After all, the Xbox One isn’t a gaming console, it’s an entertainment system – why should I expect a range of variety of games to be easily accessible? That’s fine, I’ll stick with the PS4 – Sony is aggressively pursuing indie content, and promoting those games where they can.
Last Updated: May 24, 2013
Tasty peas mixed with porridge
May 24, 2013 at 12:04
So games like the Journey are dead.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 24, 2013 at 12:12
No, they just have to jump through hoops to get published which means they will flock to easier platforms
Tasty peas mixed with porridge
May 24, 2013 at 12:15
That $44million that they gave to the NFL could have helped the poor old indies now that production costs are going to be crazy.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 24, 2013 at 12:17
Doubt production costs will increase. They’ll simply use other platforms (playstation, pc, WiiU etc) who are all indie dev friendly
Admiral Chief Commander
May 24, 2013 at 12:36
Oh for flocks sakes!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 24, 2013 at 12:52
I see what you did there 🙂
Rince an repeat
May 24, 2013 at 12:08
Header, BOTH, winners!
Umar 'No Shana' Bastra
May 24, 2013 at 12:11
Indies can’t self publish on ONE ……. what’s that I hear? the sound of MS hammering another nail in the coffin
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 24, 2013 at 12:19
Well look at the demographic they are going for… Sports fans and the like. Sports titles, racing titles, ESPN (or whatever they are pushing). They clearly feel they don’t want any other type of content on their devices unless it’s from a big, rich dev such as EA or Activision.
Umar 'No Shana' Bastra
May 24, 2013 at 12:23
True true ….. are we missing something though?…..do they have a reason for all these decisions man I would love to know
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 24, 2013 at 12:41
Honestly? I think they want to push it as an “all american” brand product. That way it will be so cemented in America that they will never have to worry about failing
Jonah Cash
May 24, 2013 at 12:11
Wow, and the hits just keep coming!! Is MS not on the internet? Or are they trying to piss everyone off?!?!?!?
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 24, 2013 at 12:12
bad move MS. Very bad move
Brady miaau
May 24, 2013 at 12:14
So a bit like the Apple store then?
Or am I missing something.
Admiral Chief Commander
May 24, 2013 at 12:17
None of this concerns me any more.
*Waits for the PS3 winner announcement and the impending BEER overload*
mancera
May 24, 2013 at 12:27
Can’t wait to see who wins… gives me a reason to stalk someone, and do some BnE if it isn’t me
Admiral Chief Commander
May 24, 2013 at 12:34
LOL, have you seen Dane Cook’s BnE skit?
Do yourself a favour, go watch, and report back
mancera
May 24, 2013 at 12:54
HAHA! Epic! Not the right way to do a BnE though… didn’t he ever play Thief?
Admiral Chief Commander
May 24, 2013 at 12:54
Glad you enjoyed it!
mancera
May 24, 2013 at 12:29
Wait… Gavin told us Zoe was on her way to her Hometown… and here she is posting… something fishy going on here…
Xelus
May 24, 2013 at 12:32
And the award for “Worst Game entertainment Decision” for 2013, goes to….. Microsoft!
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
May 24, 2013 at 12:42
Not self publishing has it’s pros like stopping crap and buggy games from being released on the XBL Market Place and that can also prevent the Minecraft Patch fiasco. Oh look Minecraft on Xbox 360 has gone full retail. Also, MS will not differentiate between Indie and normal games anymore for the XBL. All games will have equal status on the new XBL Marketplace.
Aussious
May 24, 2013 at 14:57
Oh and that is going to do a wonders for the little guys who now have to compete for dashboard space against Activision and EA published juggernauts!! And what is that anyway the current Live Arcade and Indie stores are perfect… Why fix it if it ain’t broken?
Gerhard Davids
May 27, 2013 at 09:43
This was one of the tipping points for me. I really thought they had learned from the 360 but they obviously are missing the point of a console and are focusing on being a media center more than anything. Scrap the One I’ll take the 4.