Getting out of the way of independent developers could be Xbox One's biggest innovation

Last week, months after botching the reveal of its new console, Microsoft accidentally announced what could be the Xbox One's most important feature.

[iamnsuperman]

Well not really as we have no idea how this system will be implemented other than:

1. Every Xbox One can be used in some way to make games

2. It isn't ready at launch

Too many important things that need answering (costs to get on the scheme, publishing rights/fees, the system in general, launch date.....) before we can claim it to be the "Xbox One's biggest innovation"

[HammadTheBeast]

I can guarantee that there is some catch. If the Xbox One was a perfect dev kit, there would be major security concerns (as seen when PS3 had OtherOs/Linux support), and they'd lose out a lot of money on selling dev kits to major publishers like EA, Acitivsion, Ubisoft.

Then there's also the fact that MS hasn't told us if they're still taking a cut out of the sales of the game on other platforms, or forcing some form of exclusivity, as they did this gen.

Good news though, but I'd wait for more info.

[Chaostar]

"...allowing any game player to become a game maker"

This is being repeated around as if everyone who buys the console can go home and instantly start making games. Surely Polygon (and others) aren't that stupid to think MS will just grant dev access to every Tom, Dock and Harry who wants it.

The fact is we don't know the ins and outs of this and what restrictions MS will place on it.

[Godmars290]

"Surely Polygon (and others) aren't that stupid"

The $100k they took from MS to make a documentary about MS would beg to differ.

Edit:
Well, at least they weren't cheap :p

[HammadTheBeast]

Actually $700 k for the documentary alone.

[slimeybrainboy]

True. Also you have to consider the utter amount of junk that is on platforms like iOS and Google Play, they have to find a good way to manage that a Limbo doesnt get lost in a see of awful games.

[SlavisH2]

You can say that about any company. We just found out about ps4 ram. Nintendo has policies we don't know about that effect 3rd party relations. We don't know the ends and out but progress is progess but you seem to have 0 interest in x1 either way imo

[golding89]

No one can deny this is a smart move and hopefully it pays off for microsoft. We will see.

[Grimhammer00]

how exactly is it innovating......that implies sony last 5yrs didnt exist.

[n4rc]

I'm fairly sure most people know you don't code games on a console.. You do right?

Simply put. This will allow the console to run unfinished code for testing.. That's it.. Its not a tool for making games, just a platform to run the code as you go

If you don't know how to start creating a game.. This isn't going to help you.. Its only useful to a very select few

[HammadTheBeast]

Thank you for clarifying it well. Still, it would be a good feature to have for small time devs.

I don't know where people got the idea that having a dev kit is the only thing you need to make a game.

[n4rc]

I don't make games.. Wouldn't even know where to begin.. Although I do understand the kind of work involved..

And yeah.. From what I understand, dev kits generally cost a ton of money and are out of reach of potential devs. This will allow small devs to port and test their mobile game for example. All they need are the tools they already have, and a Xbox one.

Its awesome.. But won't effect 99% of users.. Unless we see game mods really take off.. Provided security can be maintained, I'd love to see that

[buynit]

How is the ps4 handling it? I know Sony was getting praises for being so indie friendly..

From what I read anyone can make a game? Like I can buy the console bring it home and have what I need to make a game? That's great if it works how I think it does. Cause you know how sometimes after getting that new gen console you get tired of playing the game but you want to do other interactive things with it just cause its new! this is that great thing to do after the game..

Great move if it works how I think it does, ms is starting to convince me... This is a good way of saying ms is sorry here you go..

[HowarthsNJ]

Sony stated it requires a PS4 Dev kit.

I seriously doubt MS would give full access without a full dev kit either.

Hackers are all excited for the commercial unit access I'm sure.

[Roper316]

" Xbox One's biggest innovation "

LOL @ calling it innovation. They were just following everyone else's lead when it comes to indies.

[buynit]

You didnt read..

[The EDGE]

What Sony has been doing for a while is called innovation when done by MS lol

[MasterCornholio]

Im pretty sure it will be limited otherwise developers wouldn't even bother with official dev kits.

EDIT: If it didnt have any limitations any hacker can just buy the system and run homebrew on it (AKA illegal copies) extremely easily.