Microsoft’s Phil Harrison has explained that there will be no Indie games on Xbox One until next year.
“I don’t think we’re going to see things at launch,” he told GamesIndustry.Biz. Â “I don’t think it’s realistic to see a developer get the programme and build a game and get it into the market on November 22. It’s reasonable to expect in early 2014 we’ll start seeing the first games come through.”
The PlayStation 4 will launch with a number of titles developed by small independent studios including Divekick and Resogun, although what defines an Indie studio seems rather unclear these days.
“Is it Capy with two people, or is it Crytek with 200 people?” asked Harrison, “I think it’s both and it’s everybody in between. There’s been too much focus on the financial structure as to whether they qualify for being an indie. For me, it means they are independent of their own design decisions, they’re independent in thought, they’re independent in motivation and creative direction.”
Source: GI.Biz
cam_manutd
Certainly not a warm launch for XB1 buyers and devs. Why wait to put your game on the XB1 when the PS4/Vita/PS3 will let you do so much easier? Baffles me.
bunimomike
I still have a soft spot for Phil Harrison when he used to be on stage at E3 for Sony. However, him saying “I don’t think it’s realistic to…” is far more a statement about how Microsoft are scrabbling to catch-up with the attention indie development has garnered in the press over the last 6-9 months.
Although, it’s interesting to see his definition of “indie” and I couldn’t agree with him more. When you retain that degree of control yourself – without bending to the will of a publisher (and the likes) – it gives me great confidence in the industry and where it’s going. Sure, there’ll be the titles that are sadly in the swing and a miss category but so many others will do well.
Youles
I love the Indiana Jones picture. It pretty much sums up my feelings of the 4th film too.
jimmy-google
Isn’t he calling Crytek an indie and saying there are no indie games at launch? What about Ryse?
JR.
I’ve only ever played a handful of indie games – mostly the popular ones like Journey and The Unfinished Swan – so this wouldn’t be a huge issue for me. However, its just one more thing the X1 wont do at launch and it’s already a long list.
KeRaSh
The prospect of all the indie games coming to the PS4 is what really calms my fear of a post launch game drought. PS+ + indie games could be an epic combination.
Starman
Don’t think people will be too disappointed that they can’t play games that look like they were made for the megadrive on their new £430 system.
Yahavage
Someone hasn’t played Journey ^^ if that’s what you think indie games are about, my sympathies to you.
Starman
You misunderstand me. Indies are great but when you’ve just shelled out on your shiny new console don’t you want to see games that your previous console couldn’t manage?
bunimomike
Nope. That’s just technical prowess. I want to see incredible games regardless of tech-spec. Sure, we’ll see bigger and better worlds built but until the devs have the foresight to use that hardware in a more insightful way, I’ll stick with my current sentiment. :-)
Starman
You’ve confused me. Sounds like you’re sort of agreeing. Or something.
Eldave0
@Starman – Yup, have to agree with this. Indie games are excellent and are some of the most innovative titles we have seen this past gen but what’s the point of coughing up half a grand on a new console to play games that your current PS3/360/PC can run? It would be like buying a Ferrari, taking it for that first drive and sticking to 30mph.
Don’t get me wrong, I will buy plenty of these little games next year once the “new console smell” has settled a bit, but for now I want large AAA titles and flashy visuals, lol :)
Eldave0
I’m also a bit confused as I’m fairly sure Peggle 2 and Below are available on launch day. Aren’t those indie titles?
hazelam
funny, i thought that “nobody has been more committed to supporting indie development than Microsoft.” yet there won’t be any on the x1 this year.
weird that. o_O
Andrewww
There will soon be only one thing left for them to announce: There actually won’t be an XBox in the box at launch, just a voucher, as it’ll follow sometime in 2014… ;o)