Fuel Overdose Dev: Microsoft’s Indie Game Policy is like “Having to Find Yourself a Pimp to Hook on the Street”

Executive producer Skander Djerbi rips apart Microsoft's claims of "promoting the indie scene".

Posted By | On 09th, Jun. 2013

Xbox-Live-Indie-Games
It’s no secret that most indie game developers find Microsoft’s Xbox Live policy incredibly wanting, especially in light of the recent Xbox One reveal which did little to improve the current situation (and in many ways, made it worse).

In light of this, we recently got in touch with Fuel Overdose executive producer Skander Djerbi of I-Friqiya Studios to ask why his game (Fuel Overdose) only came out on PlayStation 3 and PC, but not on the Xbox 360.

Djerbi responded that, “Xbox doesn’t allow indies to self-publish their games on Xbox Live Arcade. That’s their policy and unfortunately there’s nothing we can do about that. They recently announced that it would be the same on Xbox One. If you ask my opinion, I would say that Microsoft’s policy towards indies is absurd.

“If you want to go on XBLA, you have 2 options: find yourself a retail publisher or get published by Microsoft. It’s like digital download meets middle age: you can’t work freely and if you want to hook on the same street as anybody else you have to find yourself a pimp.

“On the other hand it’s their console, their territory, they do whatever they want, but I keep think that it’s absurd and that they should stop talking about indie games. Saying that they are promoting the indie scene while there is absolutely no indie game on XBLA…simply because when your project is published by a first-party or a third-party you are not indie anymore.

“And please don’t ask me about Xbox Live indies, or I’ll start getting mad.”

A candid response, for sure. What are your thoughts?


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Trailer Showcases Gorgeous Remade Intro

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Trailer Showcases Gorgeous Remade Intro

Available worldwide on May 23rd for the Nintendo Switch, the remake sports a revamped intro with new graphics ...

Helldivers 2’s Newest Major Order Wants Players to Eliminate All Automatons

Helldivers 2’s Newest Major Order Wants Players to Eliminate All Automatons

Super Earth continues to be unreasonably aggressive in its mission to spread democracy.

A New Marvel Game Will be Announced Tomorrow

A New Marvel Game Will be Announced Tomorrow

As per leaks, the game, titled Marvel Rivals, is a 6v6 hero shooter developed by NetEase, due out in 2025.

V Rising – Legacy of Castlevania Collaboration Announced, Launches May 8th

V Rising – Legacy of Castlevania Collaboration Announced, Launches May 8th

Players can battle Simon Belmont and wield Vampire Killer in the upcoming update, with paid cosmetic DLC also ...

It Takes Two Crosses 16 Million Units Sold

It Takes Two Crosses 16 Million Units Sold

The co-op platformer has been played by over 30 million players since its release in 2021, developer Hazelight...

Sony Reveals Community Game Help, New Feature Coming to PS5 Later This Year

Sony Reveals Community Game Help, New Feature Coming to PS5 Later This Year

With an update later this year, Game Help will be expanded to also incorporate user-generated content.