More positive news coming out of Xbox today - with the games division of Microsoft announcing its ID@Xbox program has now generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue for indie developers since launching in 2013.
Xbox in that time frame has attracted all sorts of developers to the program - from single start-up studios to veteran indies. To date, there are more than 4,600 developers from 94 countries worldwide linked to the program. This includes more than 1,000 creators who signed up over the past two years.
"The results have exceeded our wildest dreams. Since the program’s inception, independent developers have earned more than $2.5 billion in royalties and total revenue generated by ID@Xbox partners on Xbox almost doubled over the last three years. These are staggering numbers, and it speaks to the power of independent developers."
Game Pass was also credited in the same PR for helping encourage Xbox players to discover new genres and games like Tunic. Microsoft also recently launched ID@Azure, which you can learn more about on its official website.
[source news.xbox.com, via windowscentral.com]
Comments 7
To be honest, I never bought 'indie' games as I wouldn't buy 'Digital only' games and would rather spend the 'same' money on buying a AAA game that's on sale. The only indie games I owned were as a result of GwG/PS+ freebies...
However, with Game Pass, I have been able to play the games that interest me. As long as there is 'something' about it that intrigues me, I'll give it a go regardless of the size or status of the developers.
From my perspective, ALL games are competing for my 'time' - some for my money too. I'm going to spend my time playing the 'game' that interests me the most and not waste my time trying things that don't interest me, that don't play well or grab my attention.
As indies are alongside all the other games, new and old, as long as they have 'something' that intrigues me, if it grabs my attention 'more' than another, I'll try it and if I like what I try, I'll play it to completion.
Game Pass has given me the opportunity to try a LOT more indies I would never of played because I'd never of bought them....
Wonder what platforms they’re creating the biggest revenue on though…
We keep hearing how much more Xbox has made in revenue. But is this comparing to pre GP on xbox one when revenue was abysmal and in the xbox documentary they were talking about shutting down xbox?
@bleachedsmiles one would have to assume Xbox abs switch based off the huge uproar last year where indie developers spoke out very negatively about PlayStations current policies and stance towards indies. https://www.ign.com/articles/why-indie-publishers-fed-up-playstation?amp=1
Love indie games and Xbox has always been pretty supportive where indies are concerned. Both the XBLA and XBLIG marketplaces were excellent back in the day. I bought hundreds of games from them. Great to see their support has been successful over the years.
As an indie dev I would love to be hyped about this news but can’t when there are Triple A games like Hitman released under ID@Xbox that likely take the large majority of that sum.
@Tharsman Hitman was put on GP but was it part of the ID@Xbox funding program? I thought IO developed and published it themselves.
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