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By Chris Kavan - 05/22/13 at 02:24 PM CT
Nelson pointed out a long list of things that Microsoft bungled when they revealed the Xbox One. And, unsurprisingly, he's not the only one to think that reveal was an unmitigated disaster. And I hate to kick someone while they're down, but this is Microsoft, so I don't feel that bad actually.
Besides having the Kinect 2 watch you while you sleep and not being able to share games with your friends (without a fee) - I don't have to tell you Microsoft is shooting themselves in the foot with gamers. But what about shooting themselves in the foot with developers? Specifically the indie kind - you know, the kind being talked about as being in a new golden age. While it's sometimes hard to find quality amidst the quantity - it is there. Every gamer should do themselves a favor and watch Indie Game: The Movie to see just what goes on behind the scenes to make an indie game. So what does indie gaming have to do with the Xbox One? Only that Microsoft has taken the step to stop indie developers from self-publishing games. That's right - if you want an indie game on Xbox One - it can't technically be "indie" anymore.
To me, it's a slap in the face of anyone who has a dream - yes, that dream can sometimes be terrible, but why take that ability away? The PS4, Wii U and especially Steam have given a voice to all the little engines that could - and self-publishing has given us amazing games: Braid, Limbo, Fez - these are but a few examples of games that wouldn't be on the Xbox One unless some deal had been hashed out. That's not to say Microsoft won't be able to find a middle ground - but the damage has been done. I consider it yet another nail in the coffin and a particularly nasty jagged, rusty one at that. I don't know what the people in charge are thinking, but ideas like this aren't going to win them any more fans.
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