Phil Spencer says indie launch parity clause is to ensure Xbox One owners don't feel second best

[pokoko]

Wright said:

Nem said:
Seriously, Sony needs to make clauses of their own. I dont know why they let themselves be bullied. I think its pretty clear where indies will prefer to have their game on. At that point Microsoft might see the light.

Sony has some clauses, though. The most well-known is the one that makes developer put extra content into a Playstation version of a game if such game has already released on other consoles.

That was a direct response to the big budget games that Microsoft bought exclusivity to at the start of last gen.  It was also pretty effective and I see nothing wrong with it.  PS3 gamers had to wait a year, after all, due to no fault of their own.  Besides that, it was also a cheap way for developers to generate some renewed interest in their title, much the same way as GotY editions.

As for the parity clause, I think it's pretty much a joke at this point.  It's just there to bully small developers but, at the same time, most will probably be able to get around it.