Microsoft has been opening up to indie game developers, looking to expand its Xbox One game library with a number of unique offerings while keeping Sony from getting an advantage with indies.
As part of the support for its recently introduced ID@Xbox self-publishing program for the system, Microsoft has announced that it has partnered with engine firm Unity to provide an Xbox One add-on at no cost to all developers within the program. This will kick off starting next year.
“We talked internally at ID@Xbox about ways we could help developers for Xbox One. Many developers we talk to are using Unity today to get up and running quickly, and to be able to harness the power of hardware and realize their creative visions without spending tons of time on technology development. We thought about paying for some developers’ Unity licenses but the more we talked about it, the more we felt paying for some developers’ licenses and not others just didn’t feel right,” said ID@Xbox director Chris Charla.
“…we want to make sure the dev who’s working away in Omaha, or Coventry, or Chiba will have the same shot to realize their vision on Xbox One as one of my developer friends we hang out with in Seattle or at a trade show like GDC or Gamescom,” he continued. “Because at the end of the day, we want gamers to pick the hits. That’s what Xbox One is all about: One games store, the best discovery tools on console, and a powerful, equal playing field for all games, from developers big and small.”
The program will support all of Xbox One’s features, including Kinect, SmartGlass, and the impulse triggers on its new controller.
Source: GamesIndustry International
