14 DAY TRIAL // The team at Microsoft in charge of the Xbox One and its indie development program says that it will only evaluate the much-discussed parity clause for the launch date on a case-by-case basis, which probably means that only a small number of titles might be able to avoid it.
The ID@Xbox platform is designed by the company to attract smaller studios and create a long-term constant stream of digital release for the next-gen console, which can fill those moments when big titles are not being launched.
The parity clause means that teams need to launch titles on the Xbox One on the same day they appear on any other platform, which imposes an extra burden for small studios that might only have the resources and manpower to deal with one gaming device at a time.
A representative from Microsoft tells Edge that, “Our goal is not to limit developers who are interested in Xbox One. In instances where games have signed a timed exclusive with another platform, we'll work with them on a case by case basis.”
The company says that all those who are interested in the ID@Xbox initiative should contact their managers and see if they can earn a reevaluation based on their own situation.
At the moment the program is set to deliver titles from developers like Double Fine, Hidden Path, Crytek and more.
The first games to actually be launched will be Nutjitsu from NinjaBee and Worms Battlegrounds from Team 17, both of which are also set to arrive on the rival PlayStation 4.
We know that Vlambeer at the moment is getting ready to deliver its upcoming Nuclear Throne on the Sony next-gen console, with a one-month exclusivity deal, after which the experience will also be offered on the Xbox One.
Microsoft has pledged to offer more support for indie titles in the coming years, as its new hardware matures.
After the console was first announced, the company impressed a lot of fans when it announced that each and every device included a full set of game development tools and could be used at such, meaning that each user could become a game creator if he wanted.
After the Xbox One was launched, Microsoft seemed to forget about the idea.
Some gamers found a development area on the device, but the company said that its use was not supported and could cause the console to crash.