VG247

Microsoft is posed to announce a new policy which will allow independent developers to self-publish, according to a new report.

The changes will allow developers to set release dates, pricing, and the certification process is said to be similar to iTunes, according to Game Informer.

Certification will last around 14-days.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard on the matter, and according to Lionhead Studios’ creative director Gary Carr, Microsoft’s “passionate” about indies, and corporate VP Phil Harrison will be unveiling the firm’s strategy “very soon”.

GI’s source also said that standard Xbox One units at retail will allow users to covert it to a debug console to play pre-release code.

This will be implemented via Microsoft authorizing specific consoles to play said pre-release codes and for large-scale beta testing.

We’ll send a mail.

http://www.vg247.com/2013/07/24/microsoft-to-announce-new-indie-policy-which-will-self-publishing-report/

Yay for fixing issues pre launch. Hopefully

I really hope its true! Apple had it right. Psvita is now doing it. Its the right model for our day 'n age.

Would make sense to match or best the competition, rather then falling behind it.

Slowly but surely Microsoft seem to be addressing most major complaints of their Xbox One vision. Thank you competition.

Good news!!!!!!!!!! (If true)

That would be great. It's funny how this coming gen it seems Microsoft will be playing catch-up to Sony.

I love how people all think they are following the competition when it's more likely issues they've been pondering and toying with for months already.... there is a reason they haven't released the final plan for XB1 it's because nothing was definite yet and they are still in talks with their major partners.... the DRM fiasco wouldn't have happened nobody would be assuming they are making changes to catch up but just to have a more polished product more in line with their future plan for MS as a whole...

anyway I hope it won't become like google play store or apple store with a shit load of useless crap.... they need to have an efficient filtering system and some barrier to entry in the form of standard policy or something.... cause while it's great to enable small dev with great ideas to publish I don't want to see a gazillion of clones of the same poor puzzle games....

I thought they already said this at the Build conference, no?

They are asking them to develop Windows 8, Win Phone 8 and Xbox One all at the same time. Which is why they are asking developers not just to publish on X1, but all 3 platforms.

They are trying to unite the platforms. It's actually a rather cool idea if it can work. Heck, they made Windows 8 run on ARM, so I bet they can make it easy for developers.

Thread and title updated.