Xbox One self-publishing "not the equivalent to what other platforms offer"

One notable indie dev has urged caution to those welcoming Microsoft’s decision to allow self-publishing on Xbox One.

"I’m very happy to see this. After all of the developers have spoken out, they’re finally listening,” Retro City Rampage creator Brian Provinciano told Engagdet.

However, this is yet another example of them changing policy, but it sounding better than it is when the whole story is revealed. Make no mistake; while this is a great thing, it’s again not the equivalent to what other platforms offer.

On PS4, for example, developers can tap right into the system; use every bit of RAM and all of its power. Indies have access to everything that the triple-A studios do, from platform support to development and release. The indication on Xbox One is that it’s essentially XBLIG 2.0. Instead of XNA, it’s Windows 8. Windows 8, which is already struggling to gain developer interest, will gain a boost from developers wishing to target the console. However, it won’t be as full-fledged as published games on the system.

After my experience working with them to release on Xbox 360, I have no interest in even buying an Xbox One, let alone developing for it. The policy changes are great, but they don’t undo the experience I had. I’m not ready to forget what I went through. Working with Microsoft was the unhappiest point of my career. Policies are one thing, but developer relations are another.

It’s important to me that consumers don’t see things as black and white. There are still strings attached to this policy change."