5 Reason Why Console Gamers Are Missing The Indie Renaissance

MMGN.COM writes: When we talk about the highest grossing indie titles of the past five years, most (if not all) of those titles appear on iOS, Android or PC. While consoles have opened their doors to indie developers via Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network and WiiWare, why do most indie developers choose to steer clear of console releases? Because it doesn't make sense for them to even attempt a console release. Here's five very valid reasons why console gamers are missing out on the indie renaissance.

[ATi_Elite]

Cause Sony/MS are not so friendly to Indie Devs on a small and tight Budget looking to make a buck like the PC and Steam.

Games like Dear Esther and Amnesia The Dark Descent are totally friggin awesome but no way could the Indie Devs afford to go the Sony/MS route and still turn a huge profit plus their game and vision would of been screwed up with some stapled on multiplayer mode that ever dam game seems to have now a days.

[vortis]

Totally agreed.

There's still the XBLIG route but aren't there restrictions on how big your game can be? And there's also an annual fee for having your game on there, too, right?

[Soldierone]

I believe so, plus there is a "licensing fee" along with "bandwith fee's" and I'm sure there are even more than that.

It's rather sad state of affairs, and if you ask me what one thing I want improved next generation it would be better access for indie developers. Perhaps if you make less than a certain amount of money these fee's are toned down?

[hellerphant]

I believe there are fees associated, but the indie channel isn't available in all countries either. We don't have access to it here in Australia.

[coryok]

the barrier to entry for consoles is high because of what happened in 1983-1985, a time when any developer could self publish their game. the gaming market in NA went from a 3.2 billion dollar market to a 100 million dollar market in one year mostly because of a flood of bad games, which ended up with almost all NA game development companies going out of business.

its also how nintendo became popular, they introduced a console where every game had to be approved and published by nintendo, assuring only quality games were released, bringing consumer confidence back up and pretty much reviving the industry

sony later came and decided that nintendo's system was too rigid/restricting and allowed for a more flexible approach, sony's model is the dominant model which every major console holder (nintendo, sony & microsoft) uses today, which lead to a rapid expansion of the gaming market.

microsoft is the only console holder that didnt revolutionize the gaming industry when they entered it and still ended up succeeding. anyways, that ends todays lesson, which went off topic, but the point is, things are done the way they are for a reason

[hellerphant]

I definitely agree with you there - the video-game crash was caused by the fact there was no way to police whether games were actually up to standard. I feel that times are different now - everyone has access to share a rating and opinion about a game, and most of the app stores and online platforms will allow you to give a rating or recommendation of some kind.

I don't think that Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft need to give up 100% of their control, but I fo think they need to open things up, make it more affordable and enticing for indie developers, so console gamers can enjoy some of these fantastic indie titles that are killing it on PC and mobile devices.

[Saladfax]

Free access to all manner of information and the ability for widespread distribution sort of negates that problem nowadays.

There absolutely have to be a significantly larger number of games, some never seeing the light of day, some going into a trash heap on Newgrounds or Armor Games or app markets.

Nowadays, with independent publishing in whatever medium, it's generally pretty easy for the good stuff to get spotted and praised while the crap sits where it belongs.

[vortis]

I don't think it's true that Microsoft "didn't revolutionize" gaming when they entered the console scene.

Remember Xbox Live and DLC? It was because of Xbox Live that we now have the PSN or SEN. You don't think that revolutionized console gaming?

[coryok]

@vortis microsoft online model isnt the industry standard like sonys and nintendos were when they released. if anything valves online model is the industry standard and psn is closer to that, microsoft is seems to be the only company thats not following the industry standard for online gaming, but new doesnt mean good, its just new. if a paid online platform becomes the norm then microsoft will have changed the industry, as of now, no one has followed microsoft's online strategy

[NYC_Gamer]

Its the console brands fault they would charge indie studios out the ass with fees

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

***"Nintendo came out last year and slapped indie developers in the face, stating that the company does not support "garage" developers."***

I lol'd when I read that. xD

[isarai]

Funny, i'm a console gamer and i'm not missing out, because i also have a gaming PC. you should change that title to "Console Only Gamers"