Xbox One Indie Developers Don't Want Publishers

[Damnlag]

So in an interview I read with the creators of Oddworld and DayZ on IGN, its very clear that the problems with Indie developers and Microsoft's Xbox One is the fact that Microsoft requires a Publisher to publish video games unlike the PlayStation 4. So what's the big deal, that's what many gamer's have been saying in comments everywhere.

The big deal is, developers such as Lorne Lanning and Dean Hall don't want Publishers.

"Why do we need a publisher when we self-finance our games, we build our own IP, we manage our own IP and we've turned nearly two million units online as indie publishers sold – not free downloads? Why? What's wrong with us?

Who's in touch with their audience? And who seems out of touch with their audience? All we know is we've tried to get our games on their platform and we can't do it – and I even helped them release the box."

So to compare this to something that many may be familiar with, its kind of like if YouTube required all gamer's to be partnered with a network such as Machinima to release commentary videos of gameplay on YouTube, but instead its developers and Microsoft.

"Yeah, we talked to both of them," he revealed. "But, as I'm sure you're aware, Sony lets you self-publish and they don't make you pay for updates. Microsoft requires you to have a publisher. They have no digital distribution strategy and they require you to pay $10,000, or whatever it is, for updates.

"We like [Sony]. I like what I saw on the PS4. I like what I saw on the Xbox in a lot of cases as well. I'm not s***ting on them. I'm kind of hopeful that Microsoft has just forgot to talk about its indie support. Maybe I'm being a bit naive."

I completely understand where these devs are coming from though. They don't want someone in the middle managing what they're already doing. If it came down to it, these devs would start a publishing company off of the developer and do it, but then it comes to the updates and prices that Microsoft has been rumored to charge over the years for games on the Xbox LIVE Arcade market.

 

[Daylight]

I'm hoping they will have more info at Microsoft Build later this month, which is Microsoft's Developer conference. Neither the Wii U or PS4 charge for updates an patches, I believe, and it's a policy that I believe MS needs to change. It starts on June 26th, I'll be watching for that. I think Paul Thurrot will be live on TWiT during that time if you want to tune in.

 

[FordGTGuy]

Definitely wait to see some news out of Build as it's only days away and confirmed to have some juicy new Xbox information.

 

[BlackSolaris]

Well, it does makes sense, no?
If they are indie, the best way to publish a game would also be the indie way, because if they go with a famous publisher, the money doesn't all go to them.

 

[FordGTGuy]

Well, it does makes sense, no?
If they are indie, the best way to publish a game would also be the indie way, because if they go with a famous publisher, the money doesn't all go to them.

I think they should definitely allow self-publishing and hopefully we find more out at Build.