Microsoft has eliminated the rule that indie developers must release their games at the same time on the Xbox One as the PlayStation 4 and Wii U. This was part of Microsoft's indie parity clause.

While that rule has been dropped, Microsoft expects indie developers to add something to their game if it is released on the Xbox One a long time after it is released on other platforms.

"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," ID@Xbox boss Chris Charla told GameSpot.

http://www.vgchartz.com/article/253295/microsoft-indie-developers-can-release-games-on-ps4-wii-u-first/

In a move that makes all the sense in the world, MS has finally given up trying to boss indie studios around. It was expected, and only a matter of time, as XBox had neither the sales numbers nor the goodwill required to make such demands.

XBox users should applaud this turnaround, as they now are able to have access to many quality indies titles previously barred from the console.

About time, was an absolutely ridiculous policy. I'd like to know what their definition of "a long time" is though for making developers add extra content, that's stupid as well though not nearly as bad.

Yeah! Suck it, Microsoft! /s

Seriously though, only good can come from this.

Awesome news

Nice move. Now that second rule also needs to go.

good news!

...well expect for the list wars.   loads of those defacto ps4 exclusives will probably now eventually make their way to xbox.   but really this is just good news!

It was such an obvious fail in teh first place, surprised it took this long to backtrack.

As the article said, it was only a matter of time. Myself and many others said that months ago. Once they lost the position of power that would have made this rule meaningful, it became one "exception" after another, which kind of renders the point superfluous.

This should have been done along time ago.

Terrible Terrible news, where is the backbone MSFT.