Lanning: Self-Publishing on Xbox One Still Not A Breeze

Lorne Lanning still believes that despite the recent improvements, self-publishing on Xbox One is not on par with Steam or PlayStation.

[pedrof93]

Remember when Microsoft promised " every X1 is a dev kit" to break the Sony momentum ?

Well.

[Nitrowolf2]

It's this issue that really ticks me off though

"The parity clause is a problem for indies. It’s something you might want to play with triple-A guys, but if you say, “If you’re not simultaneous on our system, you can’t release,” well, okay? You’re more concerned about your competition with Sony than you are about delivering great games at good prices to your customers. Not a great model."

What BS. Even though I own a PS4, all these indie titles it's receiving should honestly get a chance to be on other platforms (for the sake of them growing even more). Why limit developers if they want to put their games on your console?

IDK how things will change with Phil Spencer, though I expect for the better because from what i hear from small studio is that it's pretty messy at MS when it comes to indie/non-AAA Publishers/studios, and not in a sense of money or sales or anything, just overall understanding and communication.

[Alexious]

Agreed, it seems like a stupid move on Microsoft's part.

Granted, it's certainly not the first one they made for Xbox One...

[Aurenar]

This is one of the reasons why I recommend to my friends to play and support Ps4 rather than X1.

[Blaze929]

I don't get why people have an issue with that. You want to self-publish and have Microsoft promote and sponsor your game but you in return don't want to at least launch the game on all systems at the same time?

Why is this not fair on Microsoft's behalf? You release an indie title on PS4 for lets say, 6 months before Xbox One - do you really think the 6 months of people only being able to play that game on PS4 would be worth it to Microsoft at that point in time?

On a side note:

"self-publishing on Xbox One is not on par with Steam or PlayStation."

I mean...didn't they just start it? How many articles are we going to keep getting about Xbox-ID not being "as good" as PlayStation? Seems to me Microsoft is really getting trying to get to that point.

"You’re more concerned about your competition with Sony than you are about delivering great games at good prices to your customers."

Well again - it may sound harsh and cold but DUH. I honestly don't get why gamers mix feelings and entitlement with cooperate businesses. All they care about IS competition - and if you let the competition get something first why would they want the sloppy seconds at their expense?

[truefan1]

As an XB1 gamer, I support the parity clause 100%. Without this parity clause what is to stop the devs from making XB1 gamers second fiddle. MSFT is making a stand for its gamers saying we should get the same experience as ps4 gamers, especially if they are getting free development kits, free licenses, and advertising. I don't care about all the indie devs using the Internet to cry to the Internet gaming community. What happened to work ethic, you don't like the parity clause, don't publish on XB1 it is that simple. MSFT is saying we are not forcing you to publish on XB1, but we want to make sure XB1 is on the same playing field. This is a business it does not benefit me as an XB1 gamer or MSFT to have ps4 fans enjoying a game months or years before XB1 fans. Keep the parity clause MSFT, don't cave. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

[MasterCornholio]

@truefan

"As an XB1 gamer, I support the parity clause 100%"

Your not a gamer then.

:I

[Kryptix]

@Blaze929

You're still playing Microsoft Defense Force against simple logic?

"You want to self-publish and have Microsoft promote and sponsor your game but you in return don't want to at least launch the game on all systems at the same time?"

Not every indie developer has the money to release their game on every console at the same time. So what do they do? They release their game on the more popular console. They then use the profits to port it to another platform, that's how it works. You generate more money on the console with more people. It's riskier going the Xbox One route especially when it's being outsold almost 2:1 so what are they really losing by skipping the Xbox One?

'I mean...didn't they just start it? How many articles are we going to keep getting about Xbox-ID not being "as good" as PlayStation? Seems to me Microsoft is really getting trying to get to that point."

True, but you would expect knowledge from the past to transfer to these new consoles. Seems like Sony nailed it on their first try from learning from last gen...why didn't Microsoft? They used to be on top on console indies, now it seems like they took a step back or are stagnated. Also, isn't competition supposed to bring out the best of both sides?

"I honestly don't get why gamers mix feelings and entitlement with cooperate businesses. All they care about IS competition - and if you let the competition get something first why would they want the sloppy seconds at their expense?"

You don't get it. The parity clause causes gamers to miss out on great indies. So it's not about the gamer and about corporate business? Sorry, but I'm a gamer & I support a big flow of games. That's why I appreciate Sony's approach better. You seem to be into corporate business & missing out, I guess. Your loss.

[kayoss]

@truefans
I understand that microsoft is looking out for themself and their "Gamers". But its already difficult enough for an indie developers to financially create their games and release it on multiple platform. Indie developers can not afford to work on multiple platforms simultaneously. They usually pick one platform. Release it for that platform, earn money, and port that game to another platform. This is how indie works. Microsoft parity clause is making things more difficult for them. Let say an Indie developer have a very good relationship with Sony. But they want to create a game for all platform. With this clause, they are running the risk of turning their relationship with Sony sour. Regardless of what you say, every developer have a favority platform. As of right now Sony is leading that.

[abzdine]

Lanning please stop talking and release that remake before it's too late.

[Conzul]

@truefan

Except that M$ doesn't DESERVE the same quality titles as Playstation fans get because they weren't willing to invest in the necessary hardware.

It's kinda like the "No-Kid-Left-Behind" initiative in my country. Everyone else gets dragged down to the lowest level and we enjoy a stupid, mediocre education system.

[Bigpappy]

Yep. You guys just believe that you are going to get better quality games than Xbox, even of the games themselves suck.

M$ is just making sure we don't get halfass ports. If the Xbox isn't capable of running these games (like you all are suggesting) or they can't deliver in a reasonably close release window, then just skip the Xbox version altogether.

I see nothing wrong with that position at all.

[MegaRay]

So, MS lied? I AM SHOCKED!

OT: well... MS and the xbox almost killed oddworld so, I say they dont deserve it

[jackanderson1985]

The generation is not even 5 months old. They've said it's coming. They never said it'd be available immediately. Not sure why they're being called out on something that wasn't promised for the launch window but said that it'll happen during it's lifetime.

[Alexious]

Actually, recently they have said that there are no plans to change it.

[Orange Juice]

"The parity clause is a problem for indies. It’s something you might want to play with triple-A guys, but if you say, “If you’re not simultaneous on our system, you can’t release,” well, okay? You’re more concerned about your competition with Sony than you are about delivering great games at good prices to your customers."

jeez. I hope ms can change their ways because the parity clause that they have always enforced is becoming more and more transparent. Its not winning them any fans, and more importantly, not helping them beat playstation at the moment.

[Alexious]

When something is so clearly against both devs and users, a company should stop and think about why.

[skydragoonity]

Just another day at M$ office...

[IanVanCheese]

As a resident x-bot, I couldn't agree more. The parity clause really needs to go. Get rid of it and you'll still see parity on 95% of games releasing anyway, whilst still keeping the small studios who can't dev for multiple platforms at the same time happy.

Sort it out Microsoft. I believe in Phil Spencer.

[Illusive_Man]

Sure get rid of the clause, but also throw out free development kits, advertising, and promotion.

[Convas]

Exactly.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

[kayoss]

Well... if you want developers praises and trust. You give them the entire cake and tell them that there's more where that came from.

Why you think Sony and the PS4 is a favorite for developers. Sony actively got feedback for how the PS4 should be built. They built the PS4 around developers feedback. They actively seek out opinions from indie developers and try to make self publishing on their platform as painless as possible. You win the trust of developers by listening to them. Same as you win the trust of the consumers/gamers by listening to them.

Microsoft is a multibillion dollar company with deep pockets and they fail to win gamers and developers trust.

[WeAreLegion]

Sony has cake for the indie devs and they seem to be letting them eat it, as well.

[Convas]

Doesn't change the fact that Sony isn't handing out free Unity licenses or absorbing the cost of dev kits gentlemen.

[kayoss]

@Convas
You pay a small price but you gain the trust of a few developers. Once word of mouth gets around, developers will start to flock over to Sony platform. Short term you lose money but long term gain is more important.

Microsoft is a very deep pocket company. You telling me that they cant afford to absorb some of that? Is it not more important to gain the trust of the customer first?

[Convas]

Look, I don't necessarily LIKE the Release Date Clause.

BUT.

Microsoft is providing a bit more for the indies they accept into ID@Xbox than Sony is providing for their Indies.

Whilst what they're asking of indies can be a lot of work for them to release on all Xbox + other planned platforms too, they have sweetened the pot.

Now, ideally, they could have a sweet pot AND they could disappear the parity clause, which would make lives for indies better.

But it's not like they haven't made things a little easier for the devs that DO agree to the parity clause.

[kayoss]

@convas
I agree with you that ID@xbox is making it easier for indie studios to self publish on their platform. My question to you and microsoft is. If you're going this far to help Indie developers why not take it one step further by removing that parity clause? If Microsoft has a strong stance on improving situations for Indie Developers why not do it the right way?
Microsoft have an oppurtunity to steer the ship in the right direction when it comes to indie, why not take it? The oppurtunity is presented to them. Its no longer a secret that this parity clause is causing Indie developer to jump ship or rethink their position on Microsoft. Currently there are 1000 self publish developers on PS4 and 400 on Microsoft. The number will just lean to one side as time goes on if this clause still exist.

[WeAreLegion]

"The parity clause is a problem for indies. It’s something you might want to play with triple-A guys, but if you say, “If you’re not simultaneous on our system, you can’t release,” well, okay? You’re more concerned about your competition with Sony than you are about delivering great games at good prices to your customers."

This guy doesn't pull punches. I love it.

[DigitalRaptor]

People are not intimidated but Microsoft's BS this time around. I love that people are telling things as they are.

MS has neither the early start or the mindshare to pull off bending third-parties to their will like they did last gen. They may have managed that third-party exclusivity early this gen because of early confidence, particularly from publishers like EA, but no-one could have predicted what we all witnessed a few months ago.