It’s no secret that most indie game developers find Microsoft’s Xbox Live policy incredibly wanting, especially in light of the recent Xbox One reveal which did little to improve the current situation (and in many ways, made it worse).

In light of this, we recently got in touch with Fuel Overdose executive producer Skander Djerbi of I-Friqiya Studios to ask why his game (Fuel Overdose) only came out on PlayStation 3 and PC, but not on the Xbox 360.

Djerbi responded that, “Xbox doesn’t allow indies to self-publish their games on Xbox Live Arcade. That’s their policy and unfortunately there’s nothing we can do about that. They recently announced that it would be the same on Xbox One. If you ask my opinion, I would say that Microsoft’s policy towards indies is absurd.

“If you want to go on XBLA, you have 2 options: find yourself a retail publisher or get published by Microsoft. It’s like digital download meets middle age: you can’t work freely and if you want to hook on the same street as anybody else you have to find yourself a pimp.

“On the other hand it’s their console, their territory, they do whatever they want, but I keep think that it’s absurd and that they should stop talking about indie games. Saying that they are promoting the indie scene while there is absolutely no indie game on XBLA…simply because when your project is published by a first-party or a third-party you are not indie anymore.

“And please don’t ask me about Xbox Live indies, or I’ll start getting mad.”

A candid response, for sure. What are your thoughts?

I'm noticing that more and more developers, aside from the fans, are unhappy about the new policy. I think if this continues, chances are Microsoft will not go through with it in the end! But maybe that's wishful thinking!

Read more at http://gamingbolt.com/fuel-overdose-dev-microsofts-indie-game-policy-is-like-having-to-find-yourself-a-pimp-to-hook-on-the-street#hyUkDCjasVpK6GMC.99

Very few indies seem happy with Microsoft right now. Weird considering they courted them heavily during 360. Looks like Sony and Nintendo might be the big winners. Nintendo has gotten decent praise for Wii U and 3DS eshops and relaxing some of their harsh rules against indies. Nintendo could sure use all the indie support they can get considering the lack of major third party support (mainly EA and a few other western developers). Anyways, strange to see Microsoft adopt more harsh rules against indies when Nintendo and Sony are being more open to them.

Could you self publish for Live on 360 or did you have to go through Microsoft?

They can't self publish for Live, that's what's bothering them. It's weird, i mean Microsoft was very good to them in the 360 era, why the sudden change!? This is what succes does to companies me thinks.

Oh its just the good old fashioned, third console arrogance. THey all had, it, but it does seem to get worst over time. Sony, you'll get a 2nd job for a 600 dollar machine, that has features that no one really cared for. Ninty, CDs, f**k that we'll stick with more expensive cartridges and you will roll over, whats that? Most 3rd party support left? Hell even Sega. We will release our system and not tell anyone about it, no one needs to know.

They can't self publish on 360 either. What is this "sudden change" you're referring to?

Also, lol @ the idea from this guy that an indie game is no longer indie if you get a publisher.

“If you want to go on XBLA, you have 2 options: find yourself a retail publisher or get published by Microsoft."

I think it's here that we see that Microsoft has decided to pledge their allegiance to publishers above developers. There is simply no reason why a digital-only release should be required to have a publisher. It's absurd and only serves to make the process longer, harder, and more expensive.

Perhaps that wouldn't be so bad, but the second option, to be published by Microsoft, comes with a list of unreasonable demands. That's the reason why Machinarium is not on Xbox. The developers went to Microsoft first, but they didn't want to split profits with a publisher and Microsoft declined to publish them, supposedly because Machinarium wouldn't be an exclusive. The whole thing is ridiculous. The game ended up on the PS3 simply from Microsoft's actions.

Its on Vita too, and cheaper. 

Poor little indie whores, having to helplessly watch that ruthless Ballmer pimp snorting all their hard-earned money!!! :'''-(

Microsoft said in their conference that they are good to indies. I wonder how true is that statement.

You can have the top developers but it's not great if indies won't support you because of your policies against them. Oh well