- Micro has announced that the program that allowed people to make and sell their games through Xbox Live is shutting down

- Xbox Live Indie Games closes in September 2017

- announced by Micro through email sent to developers on the platform

- the email reads:

“Thank you so much for your partnership and interest in creating and releasing Independent Games onto the Xbox 360 platform.

Making sure independent developers have a great way to get their content onto Microsoft platforms, and providing an easy way for new developers to get started was the core goal of the XNA Creators Club, the XNA Game Studio framework and Xbox Live Indie Games

Today, we are announcing that we are beginning to sunset the XNA Creators Club and Xbox Live Indie Games program on Xbox 360.

Of course, enabling creators remains a core goal of Microsoft. As we move forward, we are excited to showcase the new Windows 10 Universal Windows Platform that enables independent developers to self-publish and release on multiple platforms such as PC, tablets, Xbox One and mobile devices. Third-party tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and GameMaker provide a great way for new developers to get started, and all are supported on Microsoft devices with Windows 10… 

… With these programs in place and offering a great way forward for development on Windows 10 and Xbox One, we are retiring Xbox Live Indie Games on Xbox 360 on the following schedule (the dates below are estimates and may change slightly):

September 9th, 2015: Users will no longer be able to purchase an annual membership subscription. Any creators who would like to continue active development after September 9th can contact xblig@microsoft.com for free tokens to enable development until September 9th, 2016.

• After September 9th, 2016: Creators will no longer be able to publish their titles to marketplace.
• Around September, 2017: The Xbox Live Indie Games marketplace will be closed.
• Around November, 2017: We will make a final payout to all partners regardless of whether or not they meet the $150 minimum threshold.

We will have support in place for any questions that may arise until 12/31/2017. After that, the XNA Creators website will be taken down.

If there are any questions or concerns about the XBLIG program end, please contact xblig@microsoft.com.

We want to thank our XBLIG Partners by offering a free token to redeem for a membership to the Windows 10 Developer program. Please email xblig@microsoft.com with your full name and XBLIG account ID and we’ll send you a token.

Thank you,

XBLIG Support Team”

- XBLIG also kickstarted the careers of some pretty well-known developers. Zeboyd Games originally released Cthulhu Saves the World on it, as was the original version of the recently released Shutshimi by Neon Deity Games. Dean Dodrill of Dust: An Elyssian Tail fame was also active in helping other developers on the platform.

http://www.destructoid.com/xbox-live-indie-games-is-shutting-down-310144.phtml

Sad day?

Thats the future of digital only

I can't picture anybody in 2017 still holding on to their 360. Let alone devs releasing games anymore. 2015/2016 is the time to move on to next gen.

The only question that remains, do you lose the data once it's shut down? Because indie games for some reason had DRM; you had to be online in order to play them.

I never bought a single game there, never even visited it more than once or twice.
But at least those developers had the decency to charge only a few dollars for them. Next gen indies look about the same, but somehow the price has jumped to $10-15.

Good, mostly crappy games and with no Achievements. No point in playing since no Achievements in the first place. Plus, so many good games can be had for $5 now. Who has the time to even give these games a try? I mean, maybe if you had a PS4 or Xbone, which lack a vast games catalog, maybe it would make sense.

My pecking order:
Game with easy Achievements > Great game with Achievements > Crappy game with Achievements > Crappy indie game with Achievements > Great game with no Achievements > Good indie game > Crappy indie game (straight in trashcan)

Yesss lol Its why I didn't think Lococycle was that bad. Easy cheevos.

and ??? They have 2 years to purchase or DL whatever they want.... My digital copy have lasted longer, been readily available longer and have been played longer than any hard copy....

I have had copies of command and conquer, mech assault, age of wonders and more on CD Roms heck even floppy disks (try to find a floppy drive now a days even a CD drive if we are talking portable device) And haven't touched them in ages until they became available digital on steam or otherwise....

digital copies have hands down the longest lifespan on all levels (compatibility, availability, solidity)