80°

How Microsoft Is Courting Indie Developers

GI:In this video interview, the director of independent developers at Xbox explains the new ID@Xbox program and why he hopes it will attract gamers and developers to the Xbox One.

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gameinformer.com
XboxFun3880d ago

Xbox One is doing everything right in trying to get the best games on it's system.

This is just one of those steps. Can't wait to see what these developers can turn out with a Xbox One that can be a dev kit and the inclusion of Kinect.

Xbox One, Day one!

Mario183880d ago (Edited 3880d ago )

Just fyi, Xbox One is not the one getting games onto it. People are.

P0werVR3880d ago (Edited 3880d ago )

True, he was obviously commenting about Microsoft.

Either way, Microsoft truly did introduce indie development and publishing to console yet they don't get as much credit for that.

If anything their plan for indie development was always there and proof in how they made the dev kits as uniform to the actual console. Which is a benefit people don't seem to consider.

3-4-53879d ago

They did open the doors kind of, but they opened the doors to a building nobody wanted to work in/out of because it cost them so much.

Godoftheweek3880d ago

I am curious, can you be more specific as to what you mean by "Xbox One is doing everything right in trying to get the best games on it's system" please?

I tend to stay away from absolutes, because they leave you no wiggle room on what you are saying. From my understanding many Indie devs are not happy with MS and their policies. It is one of the main reasons as to why the PS4 seems to have so many more indie devs on board with them. The other reason is of course Sony showing by their actions that they love indies.

As for Kinect, I just do not see anything of substance being made for it, sure there will be some fun and silly things for it, but not much more IMO.

XboxFun3880d ago

Only Sith deal in absolutes..

Those policies has since been changed.

- Self publishing
- Xbox One can double as a Dev Kit
- Kinect support
- Self pricing
- Free updates and patches (I think)

As I have said they are doing everything right. I'm sure a google search on the subject could provide a lot more info and or detail than what I just provided which was right off the top of my head.

MS showed by their actions too, way before Sony jumped on the "trendy" Indie train. 360 had their indie channel for indies ran by the indie community. Their XNA tools were cheap and given to anyone who bought the license and had the credentials. The indie channel to this day is still supported and has hundreds of games voted by it's community. Of course this flies right under the radar of most.

And for Kinect, the first yes, nothing for it was too noteworthy. But this next one is more powerful backed by a more powerful system. The possibilities for greatness are now there. It's now up to MS and other devs to deliver some unique experiences for it.

DigitalRaptor3880d ago (Edited 3880d ago )

"before Sony jumped on the "trendy" Indie train"

How cute. Sony were picking up and/or nurturing indie studios, establishing the creativity of great minds long before Microsoft got into the business of games. Sega before them, and Nintendo before them. So on and so forth. What you are getting confused with is that Xbox 360's XNA program popularised indies as a marketplace option on consoles. That was a fantastic thing.

PSN on PS3 had indies from day one. Look back in time and you'll see that it's less about who's more responsible and more about the developers themselves, their games, their ideas and creativity.

It's wonderful that MS are recognising the validity and importance of indie developers just now, but I can't understand how they could have gone from such open XNA policy back to square one in the first place. I guess it comes from building a console around restrictions.

Bigpappy3880d ago (Edited 3880d ago )

@Godoftheweek. Those indie guy done gone and did a 180 on yah. Love Xbox again. Still love Sony too though, so don't get disheartened. We all get equal amounts of diamonds and junkware.

Godoftheweek3880d ago

@Bigpappy.

"Still love Sony too though, so don't get disheartened."

Thank you for bringing me back from my feeling of no other way out then to commit seppuku. :-P

Greetings BTW, me and you used to have some interesting back and forth comments years ago on this site. In the words of MJ "I'm back."

ziggurcat3880d ago

@ xboxfun:

"before Sony jumped on the "trendy" Indie train. 360 had their indie channel for indies ran by the indie community."

no, sony has always been a huge supporter of indie devs. and i don't even know if you've ever looked at the indie marketplace, but it's almost entirely garbage shovelware.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3880d ago
gaelic_laoch3880d ago

"Xbox One is doing everything right in trying to get the best games on it's system."

I will be waiting to see if M$ are walking the walk after talking the talk before doubling down on the cash! Talk is cheap after all be it SONY or M$

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3879d ago
iamnsuperman3880d ago (Edited 3880d ago )

Like this
http://img.flamingeeks.com/...

I like how Indies are getting a focus. My net worry is these companies do not over populate the indie space (like what ios and android have done)

pbelmont3880d ago (Edited 3880d ago )

I wonder if Microsoft is allowing indie developers to develop X1 apps as well as games. With every X1 being a dev kit that means every developer will have open access to Kinect and I think there is a lot of potential there for some interesting apps as well.

ziggurcat3880d ago

oh, the hypocrisy...

now watch as the xbox fanboys praise indie devs after they've been ****ting on them (and sony, for having the best support for indie devs) since gamescom.

testerg353880d ago

Don't you guys do the same?

ziggurcat3880d ago

i don't recall anyone getting a PS4 who has dumped on indie devs, so no...

also, about 6 months ago xbox fanboys were beating their chests about how xbox had more indie support. when it turned out to not be true, and when indie devs started showing that they preferred PS4 over xbone, that's when xbox fanboys started to insult indie devs.

Bundi3880d ago

Indie/free to play focus not the same as having an indie program but not dedicating a whole show to just indies.

Indiestation fans are so touchy about this, I can't for the life of me figure out why.

ziggurcat3880d ago

that's funny because that's not the focus. the focus of the PS4 is games, as it always has been (and not TV or sports).

and it's also about providing a deeper, richer variety of games. so have fun while i'm enjoying the variety that the PS4 will be giving me while you're stuck with dudebro shooters.

Bundi3880d ago

But that IS the focus, at least it was for the past two game conventions.

People claim MS blew their load at E3 but evidence is pointing towards Sony having spent their load hack in February and only managing to announce the order at E3 and hiding behind indies and multiplas for the rest of the show and at Gamescon.

Dudebro shooters huh? Planetside, Killzone SF, Warthunder...tell me, which console is launching with these games?

No variety on One huh? Did they put guns in Forza 5? Is Below a dudebro shooter now?
Killer Instict?
Ryse Son of Rome is about world war 3 in space with guns right?
Let's not forget LocoCycle, most dudebro shooter of all.
Can't wait to shoot me down some Crimson Dragons at launch!!

You enjoy your PC ports and $5 games, I'll be playing all my dudebro shooters at launch.

CrimsonStar3880d ago

You do know that the xbox360 pretty much started and supported the indie movement for consoles ? So... yea ... this is awkward .

strickers3880d ago

I'm guessing cash and hookers. Am I right?
I thought Xbox fans didn't want Indie. After E3 and Gamescom, there was moaning at Sony for all those arty, small games.

Bundi3880d ago

I'd rather indies be a side dish and not the main course when purchasing a next-gen console worth hundreds of dollars.

What ms is doing with indies now is not the same as parading them like they are all they have at an important games convention. Sony on the other hand used indies to divert from the fact they don't have a lot of AAA games near ready for PS4.

kenshiro1003880d ago

Stop spreading lies and misinformation Bundi. Sony also has new exclusive IPs as well as Indie games. Really pathetic that you're trying to downplay what Sony's announced so far.

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120°

ID@Xbox Sending "Tons More" Xbox Series X Devkits to Devs This Summer;"Full Steam Ahead on Next-Gen"

Today, during the Guerrilla Collective show, ID@Xbox director Chris Charla provided some insight about Microsoft's plans for indie developers and next-gen.

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twinfinite.net
timotim1404d ago

This is critical in getting as many games as possible despite what some say about indie devs. The more the merrier.

1404d ago Replies(2)
370°

Microsoft Explains How Games for Xbox Game Pass Are Selected; Over 90% Users Are Trying New Genres

During a panel at PDXCon 2019, Microsoft senior director of ID Productions Chris Charla talked about Xbox Game Pass and how games are selected for it.

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twinfinite.net
Orionsangel1642d ago

Great service but crappy store.

nowitzki20041642d ago

I don't have any problems with the store at all. What problems are you experiencing?

Orionsangel1642d ago

@nowitzki2004 Download errors and images not appearing.

DJStotty1642d ago

@Orions

Could be your connection/router as opposed to XBL.

Orionsangel1641d ago

@DJStotty Nope. I'm on Xfinity with 356.3Mbps

nowitzki20041641d ago (Edited 1641d ago )

@Orionsangel Maybe something to do with your connection? not meaning speed, but something in your settings. Just recently I started having trouble loading Netflix on my PS4 and Xbox One and my speed is good. But it has something to do with my Wi-fi router settings. Still havent figured it out, but it only affects Netflix so far for me, nothing else.

DJStotty1638d ago

@orions

Just because you have a fast DL/UL speed, does not mean you will not have gateway errors with a bad router/connection.

Re-read and try again

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1638d ago
gangsta_red1643d ago (Edited 1643d ago )

"Just yesterday Paraxox Interactive announced Crusader Kings III, mentioning that it’ll be on Xbox Game Pass for PC on day one when it releases in 2020"

Nice, not bad for a service that doesn't support the developer.

I just dl and tried Dead Cells and it's seriously some of the best fun I've had with a game.

Obscure_Observer1643d ago

"Just yesterday Paraxox Interactive announced Crusader Kings III, mentioning that it’ll be on Xbox Game Pass for PC on day one when it releases in 2020"

Microsoft making their AAA games avaliable day one on gamepass is probably incentive enough to some third party developers do the same!

So much to discover! My kids are playing Decenders and having a blast! :)

Anomander1642d ago

Check out Lonely Mountains: Downhill when it hits GamePass on Oct. 23rd. Fun Mountain biking game. No tricks to perform, just downhill racing and jumps to land. Trails to explore. Tons of fun

rob-GP1642d ago

that and money - lots of money. Let's not forget they paid over 19m dollars for DMC 5 and MH and they weren't day-one

1642d ago
aconnellan1642d ago

“ Nice, not bad for a service that doesn't support the developer”

So the games get put on there for free without permission, and Microsoft don’t pay the developers to do it?

DaDrunkenJester1642d ago (Edited 1642d ago )

I think that comment was him being sarcastic and poking fun at the people saying the GamePass model isnt sustainable and why would 3rd party devs bother.

Wasabi1642d ago

@Aconnellan

"So the games get put on there for free without permission, and Microsoft don’t pay the developers to do it?"

Gangsta was using sarcasm to echo and disprove the sentiment that some users have expressed previously.

derektweed11641d ago

I've been playing crusader kings II a lot recently, I'm really looking forward to 3 being on Game Pass

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1641d ago
lelo2play1642d ago

Tried this service on the PC... unfortunately the dam app was always giving error when starting to download a game.

Never had problems with other PC game launchers (Steam, Epic, Uplay, etc).

Fishy Fingers1642d ago

Thats wierd. Check your OS version is up to date.

lelo2play1642d ago

My OS is up to date (1903 version) and with original Windows key. Even deactivated my firewall... problem is the Windows Xbox app...

monkey6021642d ago (Edited 1642d ago )

I had the same problem. It's an issue with the Microsoft store in general. There's a roundabout way of fixing it involving going into the command files and clearing all the update data out. A pain in the ass and I've had to do it a couple of times but it works

nowitzki20041642d ago

PC is left out on Gamepass anyways, there is so much on Gamepass that isnt available for PC. But those games have PC versions..

timotim1642d ago

Their are games on Gamepass for PC that are not available for the service on console too. I have Ultimate which gets me all of it.

King_Noctis1642d ago

I had the same problem as well. The damn store is a pain in the rear to get working sometimes.

rainslacker1642d ago

Think that's an issue with the store itself. On my home computer, I've tried to get two apps from it on different occassions, and both times it gave me an error. Can't remember the fix, but it's fairly easy to do as I recall. Has something to do with how Win10 authenticates stuff. Still....it shouldn't be something that people have to do, and enough people need to do it that it's a well documented problem and easy to find fix.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1642d ago
Italiano12345671642d ago

Thats obvious. Isnt that what a rental service is. I used to rent movies all the time i never would of bought or seen. Duh

gamer78041642d ago

eh not really the same as a rental service for several reasons. You get the games for a long enough period of time to beat them, not just a couple of days to squeeze it in and not really enjoy rushing through. Additionally, you then can buy the game at a discount should you choose to. Furthermore, its different because you get access to a vast selection of games all at once, and those are the same games your friends can play, which results in an instant catalog of games that you can play together regardless if everyone wants to spend enough to buy at retail.

P_Bomb1642d ago (Edited 1642d ago )

It is a rental. I’m under no pretense that I own anything I Spotify, Netflix, Gamefly, EA Access, PS Now, PS+ or GamePass. I’m fine with that.

Blockbuster actually had similar GamePass rental packages back in the day albeit much more expensive. $30 or something and you could lease anything and everything for that month. Rentals haven’t always been limited to a weekend, and you absolutely could buy said rental at a discount. Think of it as a brick and mortar Gamefly. A world before online, heh. BC = Before Computers lol! Growing up in the NES era, I wouldn’t say I was rushed, but I absolutely could beat games in a weekend.

The scenario I see playing out, is more publishers following Hollywood and launching their own services ala EA and Ubisoft. The libraries will eventually become more splintered. Some will fail like anything does (Shomi), but I could see Squeenix, Capcom, Activision channels making a go of it, with the occasional Sega or WB. Competition will hopefully keep the prices down. My Netflix on the other hand did go up twice in two years https://www.narcity.com/new...

As it stands for games, $5 - $10 a month is still cheaper than a month of DCUO. If anything I see MMO guys having to re-evaluate their own subscription pricing.

gamer78041642d ago

@P_Bomb. I didn't say it wasn't a rental, I just said it wasn't the same as traditional rentals, for reasons I stated as it having an advantage over traditional rental services.

xTonyMontana1642d ago

The old ones like Blockbusters maybe but new ones via post you can keep them for as long as you want.

rob-GP1642d ago

You're thinking of rental services from many years ago. Look at Boomerang - the biggest UK rental service. They send you out multiple games, you keep as long as you want, then you post them back and get more. If you like the game you have, you can buy it off them for a discounted price and they post you the box and everything inside as if it was new.

So technically, it's working exactly like the rental services, only you don't have to wait to receive your next games.

gamer78041642d ago

@rob-GP I don't live in the UK, but boomerang looks just like blockbuster, you can keep a max of 2 games at a time, at a max at 4 a month, thats a far cry from 50-100 games playing and switching out as much as you want. and that costs like 12 euro, the same as gamespass and no waiting on games being available or shipping time.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1642d ago
gamer78041642d ago

really enjoyed hellblade and Blair witch stories. I never tried hell blade when it was on ps4 mainly due to not being sold on it, but trying it for free + my gold subscription well worth it, amazing game. Blair witch was also a pleasant surprise with a pretty good story.

Show all comments (67)
110°

Microsoft talks Project Scarlett ID@Xbox plans

ID@Xbox senior director Chris Charla discusses Project Scarlett, along with more general topics such as the impact of subscription services and consolidation on independent developers, and thoughts on the wider game curation debate.

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eurogamer.net