14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has already announced that it will make the entire Xbox One home console a development platform when it is launched later in the year and it seems that the company will also introduce self-publishing for selected titles on its 360-based Xbox Live Arcade later in August.
The information comes from the development team at FarSight Studios who is saying that Microsoft’s change of policy is allowing it to deliver its Pinball Arcade on the home console.
They are quoted by Gamasutra as saying that, “we have some very good news to share- Microsoft has just announced that indie developers (like FarSight) can now self-publish on Xbox Live Arcade instead of being required to find publishers for their games.”
The team is not saying exactly when Microsoft has made the decision or why it has been withheld from the public.
A representative from the company has reacted by saying, “We have not announced any changes to our publishing policy for Xbox 360. We look forward to sharing more about self-publishing on Xbox One at Gamescom.”
The statement probably means that Microsoft is set for a big reveal during the event that will be held in Cologne and is not interested in delivering more details in advance.
Self-publishing on the Xbox Live Arcade service means that more indie teams will be able to deliver their games on the 360 and might increase its long-term prospects.
Indie-created Minecraft has been a hit on the Microsoft device since it launched and many players are reporting that they are buying consoles to play the game.
The Xbox One will be a development platform in itself although it is not yet clear exactly how much freedom players will have to create any sort of game experience they are interested in and then publish it.
The next-gen console will arrive in November.