Microsoft is looking to rapidly bulk up their game collection by allowing developers to openly bring their games to Xbox and Windows 10 PCs. This initiative, announced at the Game Developers Conference today, is called the Xbox Live Creators Program. It aims to give developers the freedom to create their games using existing tools and publish them without having to go through any pre-checks. Most importantly, the platform is completely open to everyone.
Under this initiative, the Redmond giant is pushing indie and independent developers to publish Universal Window Platform games to the Xbox marketplace and Windows Store. If anyone owns a retail Xbox One console, which doubles as a developer kit, they can right away begin developing Xbox Live-enabled games integrated with features — Live sign-in, presence, social, broadcasting, leaderboard, and stats.
There will, however, be some restrictions as games will have to be built using Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform — which makes it capable of running on Windows 10 devices as well. And while developers need to bake in Xbox Live into the games, the full power of the same isn’t accessible to them. Xbox Live Creators won’t be able to access achievements and Gamerscore or multiplayer matching, among other features.
In addition, the program won’t be free and will require those interested to pay a one-time fee ranging between $20 to $100. Further, it will be providing games developed by these creators a new, distinct section in the Store. And while it is focused on providing them with an exclusive platform, it may potentially be detrimental to the visibility of their games. Talking about the same in an official blog post, Chris Charla, director of Microsoft’s independent developer program says,
This means their title can see exposure to every Xbox One owner across the Xbox One family of devices, including Project Scorpio this holiday, as well as hundreds of millions of Windows 10 PCs, and millions of folks using the Xbox app on mobile platforms
However, opening up the platform to everyone does have its perks and will enable several developers to gain limelight on Xbox, as well as Windows 10 PCs. Xbox Live Creators program will co-exist alongside Microsoft’s indie developer-focused initiative ID@Xbox. This is a positive change for both Redmond and the developer as they don’t have to jump through several hoops. Earlier, the developer was required to be a part of an established media or game company to apply for the indie game development program.
The Xbox Live Creators Program is currently in preview and available to only a handful of developers. Microsoft plans to widely open the platform for store publishing to all developers very soon.
