Indie devs must seek a publisher to release games on Xbox One

Microsoft will not allow independent developers to self-publish on Xbox One.

ShackNews reports that devs must partner either with Microsoft Game Studios or a third party publisher if they hope to release their games on the platform.

Microsoft is now the only console platform holder to prohibit self-publishing on its machines, with both Sony and even now Nintendo trying to court the creative independent developer community.

Indeed, Sony’s whole approach to PS4 has been one designed to place the developer – be they a triple-A international powerhouse or a lone startup, at the heart of the user’s experience.

The lack of indie gaming on Xbox One will certainly limit to scope of the machine’s digital catalogue, although Microsoft will most likely argue that its rules will raise the quality bar for consumers.