Unity CEO: Microsoft "Values" Indie Games

[StewShearerOld]

Unity CEO: Microsoft "Values" Indie Games

Unity Technologies CEO David Helgason believes Microsoft intends to support indie developers.

It might be safe to say that Microsoft doesn't have the best relationship with independent developers. While the Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live Marketplace have helped several indie games find success, recent years have seen Microsoft <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104933-Xbox-Dashboard-Changes-Angers-Indie-Devs>make decisions that have, on several occasions, angered developers. This has led to more than a few voices criticizing the company for its sometimes <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escapist-news-now/7364-Xbox-One-Wont-Let-Indies-Self-Publish>obstructive stance towards indies, with some going so far as to brand Microsoft as being <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125269-Indie-Developer-Evil-Is-Undeserved-Compliment-For-Microsoft>"institutionally incompetent". According to David Helgason, CEO of Unity Technologies, however, that's not the case.

Microsoft's recent deal to bring Helgason's <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125477-Unity-Engine-To-Support-Xbox-One-and-Windows-8>Unity Engine,a popular tool among indie developers, to Xbox One has him convinced that the company intends to support smaller developers. "It's hard to comment specifically on Microsoft's strategy, but, we believe this collaboration is a clear indication on how much they value the community and the potential it can bring to the platform," he said. "We will continue to push hard to ensure that the Unity development platform serves to level the playing field and give indie devs all they need to be competitive and succeed in this space."

There are likely those who would disagree with Helgason's sentiments. While it is certainly important to have the tools to make games for a new platform, it's arguably more important to have what you need to help said games succeed. Decisions like the one to dissolve its <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124246-Microsoft-Dropping-Xbox-Live-Arcade-and-Indie-Games-Channels>Indie Games channel on the Xbox One could conceivably make it more difficult for independent developers to turn a profit on Xbox based projects. It begs the questions of why, if they won't make money selling on your platform, you think they'd even try.

Source: Edge Online


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[ironfist86]

What was that? Huh?

"...is a clear indication on how much they value the community and the potential it can bring ..."

I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of the Summer Steam Sale stampeding over the horizon to save us all.

 

[Andy Shandy]

As far as I'm aware there's only one main thing really stopping indies from going with the Xbox now and that's the lack of self-publishing.

When they sort that out, you would assume indies will be more willing to hop on.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I think the key word here is "value." Support can be much easier to come by when you see the potential for cash in your pocket. I hope that the end result is actual support and promoion and not just there when it's convenient and when a buck can be made.

 

[CriticalMiss]

It doesn't matter how many cool toys you have available for Indie developers if you won't let them in the playroom without parental supervision. As long as they are forcing Indie devs to get publishers they are showing how little they 'value' them.

 

[Weaver]

Unity is a great engine, but it gets more and more expensive every year.
If you want to buy it (instead of their monthly subscription fee) it costs $1500 right now. That automatically precludes a lot of interested hobbyists who aren't trying to get their feet wet with game development and real engines.

It has a free version, but it's very limiting in that you can't install outside published unity extensions (among a myriad of other limitations).

 

[Griffolion]

Revoking a ridiculous charge for patches doesn't put you on Francis of Assisi levels of compassion for independent developers, MS.

Also, it's kind of easy for a company getting into bed with MS to say "oh yeah, these guys are great". Great for your bottom line, no doubt.

 

[jehk]

Charges for patches are the least of our problems. Microsoft used to do a lot for Indie developers. XNA + C# was amazing in so many ways. Now much of it is deprecated. DirectX and XNA and even C# (better to go with a 3rd party implementation; see MonoDevelop) for portability.

The controversy behind Xbone misses so many of the real problems with Microsoft.

 

[Zeckt]

Oh, okay microsoft. I'll simply forgive you for all your bullshit and faulty hardware and shoving add's down my throat and gouging indies for years simply because you tell me to. I'll simply "accept" a broken experience after being given much better alternatives. Okay!

This is probably the biggest crock of crap microsoft came up with. After treating indie developers like nothing at a purely corporate level they think they can just get away with it! Why would I buy a Xbone to have it break down in 3.5 years and lose access to ALL my games like your POS 360!?!

Enjoy your big 360 digital sale while you can, microsoft fans! you won't have them for long once your machine dies and they are LOCKED on your 360, a soon to be defunct pos!

 

[el_kabong]

Is it just me, or is the use of quotations in the title give the impression that a euphemism is being used? Consider the following example:

I make it a habit to head to the poorer districts in town and "help" the homeless.

 

[vxicepickxv]

if they won't make money selling on your platform, you think they'd even try.

Have you seen the Apple Store and Android Markets? They're full of trash that won't make a profit.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

Oh, okay microsoft. I'll simply forgive you for all your bullshit and faulty hardware and shoving add's down my throat and gouging indies for years simply because you tell me to. I'll simply "accept" a broken experience after being given much better alternatives. Okay!

This is probably the biggest crock of crap microsoft came up with. After treating indie developers like nothing at a purely corporate level they think they can just get away with it! Why would I buy a Xbone to have it break down in 3.5 years and lose access to ALL my games like your POS 360!?!

Enjoy your big 360 digital sale while you can, microsoft fans! you won't have them for long once your machine dies and they are LOCKED on your 360, a soon to be defunct pos!

Uh... I think you need a chill pill. You would lose access to all your digital games no matter what system you have, 360, PS3 or PC if that system were to break down. And where is your source that the 360 is going to be defunct soon?

This article is about Microsoft and indies. Why are you trashing the 360 and its whole fanbase? I think you need to stop with the trash talk.

 

[Jamous]

What was that? Huh?

"...is a clear indication on how much they value the community and the potential it can bring ..."

I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of the Summer Steam Sale stampeding over the horizon to save us all.

Ehehehehehehe. Can hardly argue with that. I'm wondering whether they'll do some more event style stuff like they did last year.
On topic; just because they're including Unity doesn't mean it's actually going to be that supportive of Indie Games. It just means that it's possible to play them on the next console - something which REALLY isn't a show of support as opposed to simply not discarding them entirely.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well no MS supporting one engine is a clear indication they are supporting that engine, but their first intention is exclusivity and beyond that general apathy, neither of which are good for indies.

 

[Glaice]

I find this guy's statement to seem more like sucking up to MS to make them seem more to paint MS in a better light. It's not gonna work that well based on all the crap that's been going on with the XBone lately..

 

[Strazdas]

if they won't make money selling on your platform, you think they'd even try.

Have you seen the Apple Store and Android Markets? They're full of trash that won't make a profit.

it will make a profit, because that trask took a whole lot of 50 dollars budget to make and even 1 person using it would already make them profit from the ads.

 

[Sarge034]

So a CEO who is now in bed with MS says MS is cool? Imagine that. -.-

All this means is that MS now has this engine incorporated into its' system so that it will have an easier time "helpfully publishing" them.