Want indie games? Don't be jerks.

[ozadin]

When I first read the title, I was expecting Sony to trash their users because of all the negativity with indie games and them, but I'm guessing this is a little threat to Xbox/Microsoft considering how they treated indie games such as Super Meat Boy. I'm seriously wondering how Xbox will turn out since they've recently changed their indie game policy, and yet there are many indie games showing up on XB Live.

Sony claims that it's "discovered the secret" behind getting indies to work with them: "don't be jerks".

Discussing how it plans to get indie developers on board for PS4 in the latest issue of EDGE, SCEA account support manager Nick Suttner explained that the platform holder had been "fairly indie-friendly for a while now on paper, allowing self-publishing on PSN for more than five years.

Via Videogamer

 

[4justice]

Well it's great they've changed their policies. And they'll even get some indie support as a result. But many of them still won't go to them on account of past dealings with them. Indies have been vocal to them for YEARS and they didn't care until Sony allowed indies to do whatever they wanted.

 

[Mudgee]

Xbox has lost the love.

 

[Nymph]

Thus, the good battle between M & S wages on some more. Let us be honest here, who was not expecting a "change, then copy" attitude between the two? Their desperation to out-compete one another is palpable. They are both losing their senses of originality with this false numbers game, and while there are many aspects unique to the two consoles, there is a point where they must step back and tell themselves that enough is enough. They will only lose support both from potential developers and the fanbase keeping up with the news if they keep this up.

By the way they made it sound, it seems they are doing their best to be less stringent with indie developers, but then again you cannot blame a company for wanting to adhere to a certain standard of quality for the games released on their platform.

 

[Gamer_Fries]

Man that really makes some sense, if you want someone to put a game on your console don't act like a jerk towards them. I guess Microsoft knew that then thought "Hey, who cares indie guys can deal with it after what happened to XBLA."
While it was dumb of Microsoft to even think of not allowing indie games to self publish I can see how bad it gets considering a lot of the stuff on 360 was just 3D softcore porn published my Silver Dollar Games.

 

[DrRipley]

I've read somewhere that Xbox does treat its developers a little less than favorable, and if that's true, which I think that this article is an indication of, then Sony has it right again in this case. It seems like they are adopting the code of "don't be jerks" in all their decisions, including how they treat their fans. It sounds so simple, but it's amazing how many big companies can continue to succeed ignoring this simple mantra, and hopefully the ones who will be left at the end are the ones who treat their business partners and customers with respect.

 

[Medza]

I think that the console market needs to be more competitive, at the moment Sony and Microsoft hold iron grips over their consoles and whatever they say goes. But the PC is a free market, you can essentially do whatever you want with your games and you are bound to find some people that will enjoy your product. Self publishing is becoming increasingly popular, just look at games like Minecraft or FTL , they create games that they want without anyone telling them ' don't be jerks'. Sony is just playing pick and choose here.

 

[Mudgee]

Whatever makes money, currently sony and microsoft have the control, but that control is gradually fading away. Thats why they are both opening up to indie gamers, so much money is made through games via phones and ipads, they need to open up.

 

[Clark Wayne]

I can certainly see that being the case. Even though Microsoft have now did another policy reversal and have now allowed indie developers the ability to self publish, I feel it is a little too late and many indie developers already have a bad taste in their mouth. Many indie developers have really spoke highly about Sony and their policies. Hopefully though, Microsoft can manage to mend some burnt bridges.