300°

Xbox is doing even more for Independent Gaming

Today marks the launch of the ID@Xbox YouTube channel! With this channel, we are going to present the very best in Independent games coming to Xbox One and Windows PC, and maybe even some fun original programming along the way. ID@Xbox has been around since 2013. The very first ID@Xbox game, Strike Suit Zero, shipped on April 4, 2014, and since then we’ve helped Independent developers, both big and small, launch nearly 1,500 games on Xbox.

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news.xbox.com
lxeasy1718d ago

Glad to see Xbox create a youtube channel dedicated to Indie Games. Great way to give these games a spotlight, especially since so many games come out every week it seems.

darthv721718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

I really miss the indie games section on XBL as there were some good, fun games to be found for cheap. When they folded them into the rest of the marketplace content, it became tricky to find. It's nice they are giving them their own channel on YT.

Ricegum1718d ago

So when Sony support indies you guys call it Indiestation. Now Xbox support indies it's amazing?

You guys crack me up.

AngelicIceDiamond1718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

Indie devs are the biggest shill's and ppl don't realize it. Back in 2012 when MS shined a huge spotlight on indies they were all praising MS and looking down on PS for not cooperating with them. this gen they ran to Sony because of limitations and hurdles with ID@ Xbox. Indie devs just run to MS or Sony whenever they see fit they're like the children of the industry. They have no real allegiance though that's what they want us to think and get their fans on whetever platform to say indies are the best. Indies to me are sneaky and manipulative and bash whatever platform is not giving them what they want, and flip flop accordingly.

1718d ago
darthv721718d ago

you do realize that Xbox has been supporting indies since the 360... right?

Sony had PS Minis, but werent on the same level as XB Indies (or even wiiware) but they had to have something. so then Sony really started promoting indies for PS4, which made sense seeing as they had to have something for people to play when it launched.

Unspoken1718d ago

Darth, don't bring those kind of facts around here...torches and pitch forks everywhere.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1718d ago
Platformgamer1718d ago

xbox is doing everything awesomely according to themselfes

lxeasy1718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

Please tell me how supporting Indie games is a bad thing?? How creating a youtube channel to highlight indie games is a bad thing??

kayoss1718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

Maybe they should focus on providing their fans with great exclusives. I have more fun playing pin the tail on the donkey than any of the MS exclusives.
I swear, MS is like a child that get distracted so easily. One minute they claim, "we will focus on making great games for the fan." the next minute, "oh we are working on game pass", "we are also working on making more controllers.", "we are in the business of making youtube videos now too.", "We made a more powerful console so you can play old games on it. But dont worry you get to play new games on next gen console, just not this one.".

Platformgamer1718d ago

supporting showelvare games that are valuable less than a dollar just to say "hey, we love indies :3" is just sad.
look at the indie category of the microsoft store, is like seeing the awful steam library.

Obscure_Observer1718d ago

@lxeasy

Don´t waste your time arguing with haters. They will not give Xbox credit for anything. Specially regarding initiatives such as this that helps the industry grow by revealing new ideas, talents and innovation.

This is GREAT news for gamers, developers and the whole game industry as a whole.

Great job Xbox Team!

Automatic791718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

Lxeasy

We have to stop addressing trolls and discuss all positive Xbox news with gamers. The person you are addressing will downplay all good Xbox news and will elevate negative news on their platform of choice.

It's very one sided but it's the reality of how silly they are. Pay no attention to them. Focus on the guys who want to see gaming grow, love the studios and support their games.

sizeofyou1718d ago

Supporting indie isn't a bad thing whatsoever.
But I recall it was when Sony did it in the early years of PS4 for some reason.

Some great titles on all platforms throughout this generation.

1718d ago
sprinterboy1718d ago

Or just carry on going to xbox or playstation youtube channals and watch the indie games which get uploaded everyday ?

1718d ago
bluebenjamin1718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

When Ps4 launched with Octo dad it was phenomenal remember it only make sense to them if sony does it Trophies are Achievments party chat custom soundtracks Xbox made Playstation better than it would have been if it wasn’t around. Could you imagine the fanboyism of Playstation vs Nintendo how boring of a battle would that be 🤷🏿‍♂️

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 1718d ago
lxeasy1718d ago

@platformgamer Oh you mean the Indie Game library store that brought us a critically acclaimed games like Ori and the Blind Forest, Cuphead, Black Desert, Super Meat Boy, Outer Wilds, Super Hot, just to name a few... Haters gonna hate.

FGHFGHFGH1718d ago

black desert has been out for years before it came to xbox.

1718d ago
King_Noctis1718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

So helping the indies is not good now? I really wonder about the thought process of some people.

lxeasy1718d ago

yeah if sony was doing this they would all be praising sony for this. but since its xbox they hating

1718d ago
rainslacker1718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

If it makes you feel better, I actually think this is a good thing. And I'm supposedly a Sony fan boy.:)

Making a YT channel to help promote indie games shouldn't take away from the development of their in house games. Marketing team would be handling the YT channel.

1718d ago
King_Noctis1718d ago

@solid

Who called the PS “indiestation”? Go back to all my comments. That is such a stupid and immature word to use.

trooper_1718d ago

@Noctis

I suggest doing some actual research because even I remember the PS3 being called the indiestation.

1717d ago
+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1717d ago
Dragonscale1718d ago

Yup, just the usual virtue signalling from ms.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1717d ago
S2Killinit1718d ago

This from the company notorious for favoring large publishers like EA and Activision over smaller developers.

Obscure_Observer1718d ago

@S2Killinit

Like Sony paying big money to publishers like EA, Activision, Rockstar, Warner etc for exclusive DLCs?

1718d ago
lxeasy1718d ago

@obscure there is always a double standard with sony and Xbox. When Xbox does it there is a backlash, when sony does it, its good news.

sinspirit1718d ago

Sony never abandoned or ignored indie's and small titles.

S2Killinit1718d ago

@Obscure
And who started that strategy? Was it not MS? Exclusive DLCs? Timed exclusives? How about requiring a big publisher? Was that not MS? How about the xbox first clause? Was that not MS? I can go on.

The Wood1717d ago

Tekiz

Ouch. . . . No spin can justify that. . .

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1717d ago
lxeasy1718d ago

sony does it a lot more and you never have a problem with that.

ps360s1718d ago (Edited 1718d ago )

They have to to get their Xbox only owners thinking they do care about the games!

Oh and to buy their next console

1718d ago
NeoGamer2321718d ago

I am not sure what you mean about "notorious" Is Sony not in deep with Activision and EA as well?

Star Wars Battlefront games, Destiny (when Activision had it), Call of Duty, etc.

Seems like Sony are just as bad.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1717d ago
Show all comments (82)
90°

Microsoft's Absurd Antics Have Me Scared For Dishonored And Arkane Lyon's Future

With Arkane Austin no more and Lyon living for who knows how long, the superb Dishonored is in serious danger; Microsoft cannot be trusted.

Relientk775h ago

I love the Dishonored series so much and really want Dishonored 3. Microsoft better not screw this up.

JEECE2h ago

I mean, I think the fans will probably kill Arkane Lyon by cooking up reasons to hate whatever they do next without playing it. I've never seen a game so artificially disliked as Deathloop.

thesoftware7302h ago

Lol, why don't we just say, we are worried about all studios owned by MS now. They will keep closing studios until they have none left ...🙄

190°

Rumored PlayStation May 2024 showcase could happen this week per industry insider

A renowned industry insider has suggested the rumored PlayStation May 2024 showcase featuring Silent Hill 2 could happen this week.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
Petebloodyonion4h ago

Bogus!
Why would Sony do that and how would this benefit them?
1) It would piss off their media partners (IGN, Gamespot, Edge, etc.) since they would have to allocate resources fast to cover the event.
2) Risk of not having great coverage or proper coverage from the various source
3) It could give the impression that they are not confident in their own stuff.
4) They would miss the chance to hype the event losing viewers and losing free marketing time.

Again I'm calling it bogus unless it's a small showcase before the big one or because they want to announce that Hellbalde 2 is also coming on PS5.

SlothLordPootus3h ago

As far as I can remember, they typically give a week heads up for these sorts of things.

Lightning773h ago

I was about to say Sony always gives a week in advance for their show.

VersusDMC2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

Last year it was a weeks notice.

https://blog.playstation.co...

May 17th announcement for may 24th show.

VersusDMC2h ago

Nintendo always tweets that a direct is happening tomorrow but no one cares.

Sony gives a week or days of notice and we get anti sony type fake outrage like this.

But good luck trying trying to get some Sony hate going...

Petebloodyonion2h ago

You just mention it!
Sony gives a week in advance NOT just a couple of days.
So I fail to see what Sony's hate movement I'm trying to start when it's a basic business strategy to not piss off your partners (ask Sega).
And I doubt it's hate to ask how it would benefit Sony in doing so.

thesoftware7301h ago(Edited 1h ago)

@Versus
Huh? What?

Bro you really should relax, if what you read was some kinda negative against Sony.... seriously, is that what you got from the comments?

Bro, he was debunking the rumor, and gave perfectly good reasons why it would be unlikely, and your Nintendo Direct comparison is different, as this is supposed to be a BIG Sony showcase, not a surprise 20 min direct, and Sony 's pattern has been one week.

Slow down warmonger.

VersusDMC1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

@thesoftware730

"1) It would piss off their media partners (IGN, Gamespot, Edge, etc.) since they would have to allocate resources fast to cover the event."

That is implying Sony is preventing them from doing their job properly therefore negatively affecting their business...but i guess that's a reach in your mind?

And it's not like they need that many resources to cover the stream. They just need 3 people to react to the stream live and make some easy articles made up mostly of summaries of Sony provided press releases. They would have enough time to "prepare" if it was announced with one days notice.

Petebloodyonion2h ago

Before I get tons of replies for Sony given a week in advance, my initial comments are related to the notion that the Show could happen this week as the title mentions.
Now to be fair the complete article mentions that Jeff said the Show could happen later in May giving time for Sony to give the normal 7-day notice.

Again not trying to start a negative thing here just thinking that it's bogus that Sony will have a show this week

notachance1h ago

Yeah as much as I’d like to hear what sony’s 1st parties have cooked, it’s not their style to shadow drop a showcase.

Still waiting for ghost of tsushima 2, I’m ready whenever man..

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1h ago
2h ago
Hofstaderman1h ago

Going in with no expectations but likely will see something that resonates with me.

450°

Square Is Shifting Strategy To Aggressively Pursue Multiplat Releases,Focus On Quality Over Quantity

Square Enix is shifting its strategy to aggressively pursue multiplatform releases and focus on quality over quantity.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
CantThinkOfAUsername19h ago

Yup, it's official. FFXVI and FFVII Rebirth didn't sell as much as they expected.

gold_drake18h ago

read the report, where exactly does it say what u just said ? lol

TheEroica4h ago

Denial isn't just a river in Egypt for some gamers.... 🤣

Barlos17h ago

It's your interpretation. That doesn't make it 'official'.

CantThinkOfAUsername9h ago

- 1% increase in net sales compared to a year with Forspoken and Octopath Traveller II, which didn't sell more than 3 millions combined (and I'm being generous).

- A 38.3% decrease in operating income despite the release of 'High-Definition' titles namely FFXVI, FF Pixels Remaster, Dragon Quest Monsters, and FFVII Rebirth.

- Aggressive multiplatform strategy one year after saying that exclusivity with PlayStation was mutually desired.

Sure, it's all in my head.

Sonic188113h ago(Edited 13h ago)

Probably for PC and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Square Enix games doesn't sell to well on Xbox

Extermin8or3_13h ago

Nothing sells well on Xbox that's precisely Microsoft's problem

The3faces12h ago

Apparently they don't sell well on PlayStation either.

Lightning7711h ago

Square named Drops Xbox as part of their multiplatform approach in their quarterly reports.

Like it matters MS will probably find away to close them down to.

FinalFantasyFanatic2h ago

I can see them going for PS5/Switch/PC for the most part, it'll mostly likely be the Switch 2 by the time their next game enters development, which is probably a good thing since the Switch is struggling with 3rd party games. If they're hurting for money/sales, I don't see them bothering with Xbox, that's just wasted time/money for them.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2h ago
DarXyde13h ago

I mean, maybe? They'll want as much as possible and I figure they could have been hoping for greater impact on PlayStation, but that's good reason to reflect and realize the resources and development cycle of these games aren't very sustainable. The solution is to make more affordable games with shorter dev cycles, then once in a while bring out the big guns.

I think Final Fantasy VII Re make and Rebirth would do really well if it was multiplatform. Specifically, if Nintendo gets their hardware up to snuff, and the rumors are promising. I don't really have much faith in its performance on Xbox, but Nintendo gamers really commit to buying their games. At one point, Breath of the Wild for Switch outsold the Switch itself.

Granted, Zelda always solos everything except GTA, but Nintendo folk are avid Final Fantasy fans. I think it would do exceptionally. Nintendo just needs to make porting easy and inexpensive and they'll get more games.

FinalFantasyFanatic2h ago

I don't think the exclusivity hurts them as badly as they think, I think it's a range of factors, like the quality of the games, high sales expectations, ESG/DEI, censorship, development costs/time... I also suspect that Square-Enix is extremely inefficient with their resources, they struggled/avoided towns in the FF13 trilogy, and FF14 was mostly wilderness with little to do apart from derp about in the wild (they also avoid towns and making a lot of characters there too). But FF14 also went through development hell, I think Square-Enix just needs to overall how they do everything, because the way they manage that studio just isn't working.

Christopher11h ago

The two most profitable games for them didn't sell as much as expected. Yes. Make it make sense.

MrCrimson8h ago

I interpret it as - they want to be multiplatform, as they will sell more copies.

EternalTitan7h ago

16 isnt even a JRPG let alone a final fantasy game.
So glad that it bombed.

itsmebryan4h ago

Square finally realized what Sony figured out recently, their installed base is not enough. We are going to see a lot less exclusives from everyone moving forward.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 2h ago
CrashMania19h ago(Edited 19h ago)

Hopefully the next Nintendo system isn't a potato and it can contribute to FF sales in future as well, in addition to PC releases. If this ensures the long term health for SE and franchises than like FF and KH then I'm all for it.

NotoriousWhiz18h ago

Adding Nintendo and PC customers is the best way to increase sales and long term success. Not going to get that from Xbox.

shinoff218313h ago

Hopefully square brings all the lose switch exclusives over to.

Hofstaderman18h ago

Will there be a XBOX for Square to release games on? Or a MS Games service?

thesoftware73016h ago

Hof,

You must not have heard they are launching new hardware and have already committed to a Next-Gen Xbox.

But, for some reason, I think you already knew that and wanted to spin a silly narrative; besides, why wouldn't they release games on the SX/SS? You do know these consoles will still be here, right?

Hofstaderman15h ago(Edited 15h ago)

Optics. They have a STATED plan to do so. Thats not commitment. The shareholders and board are calling the shots now. Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already. Investment in hardware, R and D and marketing is how much again? That cost with the history of their hardware performance....at most maybe a handheld. What I am certain of XBOX is finished, the writing has been on the wall before the studio closures. Its MS Games and they are not hardware. They are software because MS is a software company. Expect them to be folded in the Surface team.

DarXyde13h ago

*hardware

I believe they committed to hardware.

I hate to nitpick, but that's kind of the company they are. You have to.

12h ago
Michiel19897h ago

@hofstaderman the board and shareholders have always called the shots or had a huge impact on decisions.

Xbox finished lmao, the writing has been on the wall? mate they just spend 70 BILLION dollars, and you see the writing is on the wall that they're done. 0 idea what you're talking about. They grafiti'd on the wall and you still can't see it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 7h ago
Aloymetal14h ago

No to both, not worth the effort, money and time on an already dying brand.

12h ago
thesoftware73014h ago

"They have a STATED plan to do so. That's not commitment."

Huh? What are you talking about? They announced they would be unveiling new Hardware this holiday season; how else are they supposed to commit to it?

" Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already"

What a silly statement, you think this deal was approved so they could make 80 billion in less than a year? This is a long-term commitment, a future-proofing of profit.

"What I am certain of XBOX is finished,"

No, you are not certain of this lol; as you stated, if they make even a Handheld in the form of a Steam-Deck that can dock to a TV/monitor, wouldn't that be just changing the form factor but still XBOX?

Closing these studios has really got you guys delusional; that is what happens in companies, in a changing market: you acquire, and you trim; like it or not, that is the way things are done. Lets look.

Where is the new Psygnosis with a new wipeout?
What happened to Japan Studio? Pixl Opus? London Studio?
Where is Zipper Interactive?

I can list more, but you see, closing devs doesn't mean your company is finished, especially when you have like 30+ dev teams.

Extermin8or3_12h ago

They won't be unveiling the hardware this holiday season it will be like the series x and s they got a tease at the game awards 2018. But no details until year of their release in 2020 lol

Relientk7718h ago

Please tell me the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is still coming. I feel like I've been waiting forever for that game.

gold_drake13h ago

i think the juggernauts kingdom hearts (disney provides the money for that one) final fantasy and dragon quest are fine, the rest not as much

Michiel19897h ago

I'm kinda worried about the future of DQ though, Toriyama and the composer both passed away. Huge blow to the franchise.

FinalFantasyFanatic2h ago

@Michiel1989,
Akira Toriyama had an understudy though, he emulates his style, so maybe he'll do the art for Dragon Quest games, I would love to see Nobue Uematsu do music for the series though, that could be fun if they could convince him.

FinalFantasyFanatic2h ago

I'll be so p*ssed if that doesn't go ahead, also, where's DQ12 at? They've been silent on that for so long, and it was announced years ago.

@gold_Drake,
I'm pretty sure they can siphon some profit from A Realm Reborn to keep FF and Dragon Quest going too. I think the company would have gone bankrupt if it wasn't for that cash cow.

Charal17h ago(Edited 17h ago)

Another sign that dedicated consoles market is in trouble, while PC seems more and more attractive to big publishers.

Having a good gaming PC and a PS5 myself, given current trend form both Sony and MS I am less and less playing on PS5, waiting for exclusives to release on PC, so I understand the logic behind the new strategy.

anast17h ago

Post those numbers. Then your comment might make sense.

thesoftware73016h ago(Edited 16h ago)

Ants,

I get that we don't know exactly without numbers, but come on, man, we can clearly see what's happening.

The console market has not grown much, the highest-selling console in history is still the PS2. You can play the " prove it" game all you want, but Sony's more aggressive PC push, SE completely rebooting their company/business, after being mainly exclusive to one console and showing a sizeable profit loss is telling.

PC is a high seller, and your doubtful PS5 dominant stance does not change the clear writing on the wall, straight from Sony's mouth, that they need to be, and will be more aggressive in the very lucrative PC market.

So, in other words, PC market is indeed looking more and more attractive to Pubs.

anast15h ago

@730

Numbers?

I'm willing to bet the farm that ¨PC gamers are not the dominate number compared to console, but I don't know because I don't have numbers. However, the price point of entry can allow us to infer what I had just stated.

anast11h ago

I don't click on links on forums. Tell me why that .com source is legit.

Tacoboto8h ago

What an ironic thing to say on a link-agreggate site like N4G. Explains your comment history perfectly.

Michiel19897h ago

asks for numbers. receives numbers and then continues to say I don't wanna click a website (because it might shatter my illusion)

anast5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

@All the people with that good 'ol folk wisdom

It's ironic how I clearly asked for the site and people still can't even answer this simple question.

Tell me how many people click on random links on forums?

Tell me the site and I will look. I don't mind being wrong and I'm barely intelligent enough to change my mind with something substantial.

All the numbers I have seen is that PC doesn't even come close console gaming in revenue, and nothing touches mobile gaming. More people touching something doesn't mean anything. It just means more people own PC for work and touch Steam every now and again, those numbers mean even less.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
Babadook74h ago

From what I can ascertain PC is a smaller market than PS. There are occasionally times when PC looks to be stronger but overall it's still behind.

FinalFantasyFanatic2h ago

PC also has a lot more competition, especially when people can easily buy and play older games from 20 or so years ago on it.

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