Ted Price backs prior reports of policy changes for next-gen developers

Microsoft has introduced revised policies for Xbox One that impose fewer restrictions on developers creating software for the platform.


Ted Price, head of Resistance developer Insomniac Games, has told Game Informer that the new policies will allow developers the freedom to update more regularly than was possible on Xbox 360.

"On this generation, it's difficult to have a connection to players where we are getting information including likes and dislikes or actions and then respond quickly," Price said. "The hardware and the publishing policies prevent that kind of response when it comes to consoles."

"We are seeing a lot of the barriers, mechanical and in terms of policy between developers and players, are coming down," he went on. "This gives us a chance to make more regular changes and updates to the game based on what players are telling us and what we are observing them do. We'll have an opportunity to create a much more living world."

This backs prior unconfirmed reports that Microsoft had lifted its policy of charging developers a sizeable sum for releasing game patches across Xbox Live.

Until now Microsoft has charged games studios a fee to enrol their games in a certification process that tests for bugs and approves code for release. It is claimed that many developers are offered one title update free of charge, but subsequent re-certification (in the event of a patch or bug fix) comes with a charge of tens of thousands of dollars.

Double Fine studio manager Tim Schafer has previously claimed the cost to patch Xbox Live games is $40,000 - a prohibitive sum for smaller indie outfits.

The removal of such charges and other related restrictions is most significant to small indie developers who lack the resources to test games as thoroughly as the larger publishers.

Posted: Jul 04, 2013 5:56 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/417793/microsoft-removes-dev-update-restrictions-on-xbox-one-claims-insomniac-boss/