Xbox One indie policies aren’t equivalent to PS4

Yesterday Microsoft confirmed that the Xbox One would be a more open console than the Xbox 360.  The company revealed in a prepared statement that they would allowing game developers to self-publish on the Xbox One, and it’s no doubt great news.  Though these policy changes might not be all they are cracked up to be.  A couple of developers have already come forward to decry the new policies, at least a little.

I have no interest in buying an Xbox One, let alone developing for it

Retro City Rampage developer Brian Provinciano has released a game on the Xbox Live Arcade, and other platforms.  Probably best known for Retro City Rampage, Provinciano isn’t all that convinced that these policies are as good as they’re being made out to be.

Provinciano says that he’s happy to see the shift, and thinks it’s mainly in part to so many developers speaking out against the systems in place on the Xbox 360.  “Make no mistake, this is a great thing,” said Provinciano.  “It’s again not the equivalent to what other platforms offer.  On PS4 for example, developers can tap right into the system; use every bit of RAM and all of its power.  Indies have access to everything that AAA studios do, from platform support to development and release.  The indication on Xbox One is that it’s essentially XBLIG 2.0 Instead of XNA.”

Provinciano isn’t a fan of the Xbox 360 or Xbox One.  After already publicy explaining his troubles with developing for the Xbox in the past, Provinciano says he has no interest in buying an Xbox One, let alone develop for it.  “Working with Microsoft was the unhappiest point in my career.”