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Microsoft Exec Softens Stance on Xbox One Parity Clause

Microsoft appears to have introduced a more diplomatic stance to its Xbox One indie parity clause, according to statements from one of the company's executives.

Chris Charla, who manages the Xbox indie games business, told GameSpot that there are some caveats and exceptions to its parity directive, which insists that indie games released on PlayStation 4 or Wii U must ship on Xbox One at the same time.

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gamespot.com
AngelicIceDiamond4096d ago

To be clear the clause is still there but there more flexible with it giving indies less requirements.

At least the policy is more lenient finally.

tinynuggins4096d ago

I think it's been pretty lenient the past few years no? If a game is really good, MS makes an exception. It's a filter basically.

4095d ago Replies(3)
gangsta_red4096d ago

""If it's a case where a game is coming out significantly later on Xbox One than another console, in that case we just ask them to add something to the game that makes it fresh for Xbox players," Charla said."

So basically they are asking from indie devs what Sony was in their own policies when a game came from a rival console.

Seems fair.

I don't get this soften stance part, as the quote even says they always wanted the devs to come talk to them and it's obvious that the parity clause has been waived more than a few times.

AngelicIceDiamond4096d ago

Imo devs should want them to come to them, not the other way around.

gangsta_red4096d ago

I would think it would be hard for a group at MS to approach every and all devs that may be interested in putting their game on Xbox One.

In the long run though this may not even be an issue anymore when Win 10 development rolls out and anything developed using a PC with Win 10 (and DX 12) will automatically be ported to Xbox One too (or in a day or two).

We always see a lot of indie games making their debut on PC and a console. This could be the last days of talking about parity unless of course that dev has an exclusive deal with another company.

rainslacker4095d ago

Was that an actual Sony clause to release on their system after a rival system release?

Anyhow, while I think it's a good step forward, I have to laugh at the "make it fresh for Xbox players" part. If someone played a game on the PS4, which means they likely brought it and own a PS4, why would they want to buy it on the next system it comes out for. Goes both ways too, which means if it is a Sony policy, it seems rather backwards. If they didn't own a PS4, and haven't played the game, it'll already be fresh for Xbox players.:) ah...logic and corporate policies rarely meet eye to eye.

4095d ago
nicksetzer14095d ago

@cayosh that seems like a valid deal. If they accept a lump sum for priority release (and not due to limitations) from sony then MS should think twice about allowing them to come to XB1. Especially when most will have contracts with Sony that don't allow such.

Then again, maybe MS should let Sony take the bill for dev costs and then have those devs release a port to their console at no cost to them.

4095d ago Replies(2)
MasterCornholio4095d ago (Edited 4095d ago )

" parity clause has been waived more than a few times."

If they are going to waive it for almost every single indie title then it shouldnt be there in the first place. All it does us add unnecessary frustration to the approval process.

They should have adopted Sonys stance in the first place since that's a good way to compensate Xbox fans for the delay instead of not allowing them to play the game which is a punishment in in my opinion.

_-EDMIX-_4095d ago

Agreed. Many don 't understand that those indies don't have funding to just make games on many systems at once, to punish a team and make them create MORE content just because doesn't make sense.

its not really helping them now that PS4 is getting game, after game.

They are only changing those polices because they are losing to the PS4 and badly in terms of games.

Why o why4095d ago

Definitely reactionary but that benefits their customers. We may have harsh words to say about ms and they every 180 cynically but they've shown flexibility and when you're behind you can't act wrong and strong.

Why o why4095d ago

and view every 180 cynically****

halfblackcanadian4095d ago

@_-EDMIX-_

You're putting words into his mouth. Concessions for small teams and added content for long release disparity aren't coupled together.

Small teams can release later because they are small teams and don't have the resources to do otherwise. This is not lost on Charla and is taken into consideration when the application arrives to his inbox.

Capable teams, who have resources to do cross-platform at launch, that otherwise choose not to put the game out on both consoles (because they are, at the end of the day, very similar - especially for resource-light stuff) will be asked to provide extra content if they request to put the game on Xbox One later.

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IGiveHugs2NakedWomen4096d ago

Why don't they just end it? The Launch Parity Clause is not beneficial to gamers or developers in any way so why keep such a policy in place?

ArchangelMike4095d ago

To ensure that there is competition I suppose. But you're right it seems archaic, especially seeing as Microsoft are the one plahong cath-up this gen.

Whitey2k4095d ago

Still a stupid rule I dont understand y devs still wanna go though xbox so to me if
it comes out on ps4 then the game gotta have extra aka levels maybe characters etc etc for the xbox which is like a big F U to ps4 owners

mhunterjr4095d ago

As far as I can see, the policy hasn't changed.

1) They prefer games to release at the same time on all platforms.
2) If a dev is financially unable to do that, speak w/ MS, and get a waiver...
3) if there's a significant delay, add some content to the xb1 version to make the wait worthwhile.

Show all comments (33)
120°

ID@Xbox Sending "Tons More" Xbox Series X Devkits to Devs This Summer;"Full Steam Ahead on Next-Gen"

Today, during the Guerrilla Collective show, ID@Xbox director Chris Charla provided some insight about Microsoft's plans for indie developers and next-gen.

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twinfinite.net
timotim2167d ago

This is critical in getting as many games as possible despite what some say about indie devs. The more the merrier.

2167d ago Replies(2)
370°

Microsoft Explains How Games for Xbox Game Pass Are Selected; Over 90% Users Are Trying New Genres

During a panel at PDXCon 2019, Microsoft senior director of ID Productions Chris Charla talked about Xbox Game Pass and how games are selected for it.

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twinfinite.net
Orionsangel2405d ago

Great service but crappy store.

nowitzki20042405d ago

I don't have any problems with the store at all. What problems are you experiencing?

Orionsangel2405d ago

@nowitzki2004 Download errors and images not appearing.

DJStotty2405d ago

@Orions

Could be your connection/router as opposed to XBL.

Orionsangel2404d ago

@DJStotty Nope. I'm on Xfinity with 356.3Mbps

nowitzki20042404d ago (Edited 2404d ago )

@Orionsangel Maybe something to do with your connection? not meaning speed, but something in your settings. Just recently I started having trouble loading Netflix on my PS4 and Xbox One and my speed is good. But it has something to do with my Wi-fi router settings. Still havent figured it out, but it only affects Netflix so far for me, nothing else.

DJStotty2401d ago

@orions

Just because you have a fast DL/UL speed, does not mean you will not have gateway errors with a bad router/connection.

Re-read and try again

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2401d ago
gangsta_red2405d ago (Edited 2405d ago )

"Just yesterday Paraxox Interactive announced Crusader Kings III, mentioning that it’ll be on Xbox Game Pass for PC on day one when it releases in 2020"

Nice, not bad for a service that doesn't support the developer.

I just dl and tried Dead Cells and it's seriously some of the best fun I've had with a game.

Obscure_Observer2405d ago

"Just yesterday Paraxox Interactive announced Crusader Kings III, mentioning that it’ll be on Xbox Game Pass for PC on day one when it releases in 2020"

Microsoft making their AAA games avaliable day one on gamepass is probably incentive enough to some third party developers do the same!

So much to discover! My kids are playing Decenders and having a blast! :)

Anomander2405d ago

Check out Lonely Mountains: Downhill when it hits GamePass on Oct. 23rd. Fun Mountain biking game. No tricks to perform, just downhill racing and jumps to land. Trails to explore. Tons of fun

rob-GP2405d ago

that and money - lots of money. Let's not forget they paid over 19m dollars for DMC 5 and MH and they weren't day-one

2405d ago
aconnellan2405d ago

“ Nice, not bad for a service that doesn't support the developer”

So the games get put on there for free without permission, and Microsoft don’t pay the developers to do it?

DaDrunkenJester2405d ago (Edited 2405d ago )

I think that comment was him being sarcastic and poking fun at the people saying the GamePass model isnt sustainable and why would 3rd party devs bother.

Wasabi2405d ago

@Aconnellan

"So the games get put on there for free without permission, and Microsoft don’t pay the developers to do it?"

Gangsta was using sarcasm to echo and disprove the sentiment that some users have expressed previously.

derektweed12404d ago

I've been playing crusader kings II a lot recently, I'm really looking forward to 3 being on Game Pass

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2404d ago
lelo2play2405d ago

Tried this service on the PC... unfortunately the dam app was always giving error when starting to download a game.

Never had problems with other PC game launchers (Steam, Epic, Uplay, etc).

Fishy Fingers2405d ago

Thats wierd. Check your OS version is up to date.

lelo2play2405d ago

My OS is up to date (1903 version) and with original Windows key. Even deactivated my firewall... problem is the Windows Xbox app...

monkey6022405d ago (Edited 2405d ago )

I had the same problem. It's an issue with the Microsoft store in general. There's a roundabout way of fixing it involving going into the command files and clearing all the update data out. A pain in the ass and I've had to do it a couple of times but it works

nowitzki20042405d ago

PC is left out on Gamepass anyways, there is so much on Gamepass that isnt available for PC. But those games have PC versions..

timotim2405d ago

Their are games on Gamepass for PC that are not available for the service on console too. I have Ultimate which gets me all of it.

King_Noctis2405d ago

I had the same problem as well. The damn store is a pain in the rear to get working sometimes.

rainslacker2405d ago

Think that's an issue with the store itself. On my home computer, I've tried to get two apps from it on different occassions, and both times it gave me an error. Can't remember the fix, but it's fairly easy to do as I recall. Has something to do with how Win10 authenticates stuff. Still....it shouldn't be something that people have to do, and enough people need to do it that it's a well documented problem and easy to find fix.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2405d ago
Italiano12345672405d ago

Thats obvious. Isnt that what a rental service is. I used to rent movies all the time i never would of bought or seen. Duh

gamer78042405d ago

eh not really the same as a rental service for several reasons. You get the games for a long enough period of time to beat them, not just a couple of days to squeeze it in and not really enjoy rushing through. Additionally, you then can buy the game at a discount should you choose to. Furthermore, its different because you get access to a vast selection of games all at once, and those are the same games your friends can play, which results in an instant catalog of games that you can play together regardless if everyone wants to spend enough to buy at retail.

P_Bomb2405d ago (Edited 2405d ago )

It is a rental. I’m under no pretense that I own anything I Spotify, Netflix, Gamefly, EA Access, PS Now, PS+ or GamePass. I’m fine with that.

Blockbuster actually had similar GamePass rental packages back in the day albeit much more expensive. $30 or something and you could lease anything and everything for that month. Rentals haven’t always been limited to a weekend, and you absolutely could buy said rental at a discount. Think of it as a brick and mortar Gamefly. A world before online, heh. BC = Before Computers lol! Growing up in the NES era, I wouldn’t say I was rushed, but I absolutely could beat games in a weekend.

The scenario I see playing out, is more publishers following Hollywood and launching their own services ala EA and Ubisoft. The libraries will eventually become more splintered. Some will fail like anything does (Shomi), but I could see Squeenix, Capcom, Activision channels making a go of it, with the occasional Sega or WB. Competition will hopefully keep the prices down. My Netflix on the other hand did go up twice in two years https://www.narcity.com/new...

As it stands for games, $5 - $10 a month is still cheaper than a month of DCUO. If anything I see MMO guys having to re-evaluate their own subscription pricing.

gamer78042405d ago

@P_Bomb. I didn't say it wasn't a rental, I just said it wasn't the same as traditional rentals, for reasons I stated as it having an advantage over traditional rental services.

xTonyMontana2405d ago

The old ones like Blockbusters maybe but new ones via post you can keep them for as long as you want.

rob-GP2405d ago

You're thinking of rental services from many years ago. Look at Boomerang - the biggest UK rental service. They send you out multiple games, you keep as long as you want, then you post them back and get more. If you like the game you have, you can buy it off them for a discounted price and they post you the box and everything inside as if it was new.

So technically, it's working exactly like the rental services, only you don't have to wait to receive your next games.

gamer78042405d ago

@rob-GP I don't live in the UK, but boomerang looks just like blockbuster, you can keep a max of 2 games at a time, at a max at 4 a month, thats a far cry from 50-100 games playing and switching out as much as you want. and that costs like 12 euro, the same as gamespass and no waiting on games being available or shipping time.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2405d ago
gamer78042405d ago

really enjoyed hellblade and Blair witch stories. I never tried hell blade when it was on ps4 mainly due to not being sold on it, but trying it for free + my gold subscription well worth it, amazing game. Blair witch was also a pleasant surprise with a pretty good story.

Show all comments (67)
110°

Microsoft talks Project Scarlett ID@Xbox plans

ID@Xbox senior director Chris Charla discusses Project Scarlett, along with more general topics such as the impact of subscription services and consolidation on independent developers, and thoughts on the wider game curation debate.

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eurogamer.net