Way to go, Microsoft
Microsoft’s Matt Booty affirmed earlier today that digital publishing policies on Xbox One would be no different than they were on Xbox 360. Any hope that Microsoft would right the ship that has inconvenienced a good number of former XBLA devs went down the drain after we learned that indies still won’t be able to self-publish their wares. Never mind that just about every other viable platform gives them flexible options, because Microsoft is having none of it.
You don’t have to take my word for it! Those devs and others have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment in Microsoft’s stubbornness. Maybe if enough of them speak out, Microsoft will reconsider its plans, but I somehow doubt it.
Below are just a few choice tweets. I’m sure there are more if you search around, but this should serve as a tasty appetizer.
Brian Provinciano, creator of Retro City Rampage:
“No self-publishing” doesn’t just hinder developers. A lot of publishers must go to BIGGER publishers to be able to publish on Xbox.
Mike Bithell, creator of Thomas Was Alone:
not that I’ll ever sell well enough to make a blip on MS’s radar, but somewhere, the next Minecraft is being made, for another platform.
George Broussard, co-creator of Duke Nukem:
Microsoft you *must* prioritize a low friction indie self publishing path. Otherwise you hand Sony games, devs and $.
Robert Boyd, co-creator of Breath of Death VII, Cthulhu Saves the World, and Penny Arcade’s On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3:
Microsoft just handed the indie dev community to Sony, Nintendo, and Steam on a silver platter.
David Frampton, creator of The Blockheads:
There doesn’t appear to be anything actually new here regarding Microsoft’s attitude towards indies. The news is that nothing has changed.
David Frampton again:
But the fact that Microsoft’s attitude towards indies hasn’t changed is definitely affecting this indie’s attitude towards Microsoft.
microsoft doesn’t care about indie developer.
Markus Persson, creator of Minecraft:
Also, I tried to get excited about the xbox one, but failed.
Tommy Refenes, co-creator of Super Meat Boy:
So as someone who doesn’t play Forza or any EA Sports game and already has a computer hooked to my TV, what does Xbox One offer me?
Zach Gage, creator of SpellTower and co-creator of Ridiculous Fishing:
@BenKuchera that was the only thing i was hoping for 🙁 things are not looking great for the XO
Tim Schafer, founder of Double Fine Productions:
“@Polygon: Indie developers cannot self-publish on Xbox One http://sbn.to/YZERGv” Booo! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! BoooOOOoooOooooo! Boo!
Terry Cavanagh, creator of VVVVVV and Super Hexagon:
But honestly, after their reveal yesterday, does anyone really WANT to make games for it?
And to top it off, here is Dan Adelman, head of business development at Nintendo and manager of the eShop:
One might think I’d be glad Xbox won’t allow indies to self-publish. It’s actually a big negative, as indies need more exposure.
#growthepie
