Sony discusses free marketing, optional feedback for PS4 indie devs
Simple PS4 self-publishing processes outlined
Anyone can develop and self-publish a game on PS4, but Sony will only offer promotional support to the best games.
That's according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's senior account manager Agostino Simonetta, who recently outlined the process behind self-publishing a title on the new console.
Simonetta told Develop attendees, via Gamasutra, that indie devs will be in full control of their games on PS4, from release date to marketing.
Sony will work with developers to 'discuss' methods of promotion for their games but, Simonetta noted, developers cannot automatically expectSony to promote their games on the PlayStation Store or via other social media channels. "It depends on the objective quality of your title," said Simonetta, adding that Sony will reserve its promo efforts for the titles that deserve it most.
According to Simonetta, the submission process should only take a week before a project will be ready to ship, at which point you can choose a release date and commence marketing.
Interestingly, Simonetta said that during the submission process developers are able to 'opt-in' for feedback from Sony's testers. Feedback is not mandatory, nor is there a requirement to act upon it if a developer requests it. But the prospect of receiving game design advice from a major platform holder will appear particularly attractive to inexperienced devs.
Sony has made an aggressive push to appeal to indie developers for PS4 game production, touting the console's intuitive development environment and the openness of its revised digital publishing model.
