One of the most powerfully game-changing – pun not intended – forces in the gaming industry has been the rise of independent gaming companies. With technology becoming more accessible, and companies beginning to warm to the idea that they aren’t the only ones with good ideas, indie game developers have left a mark on the gaming industry that, at this point, cannot be ignored
Independent developers the world over rejoiced when Sony announced that their upcoming PlayStation 4 would allow games to be self published onto the PlayStation network, allowing indie developers to finally sink their teeth full on into the console world.
Microsoft on the other hand, at first issued a statement that the Xbox One would be closed to self-publishing, and that indie gamers would not be allowed to put their work on the Xbox Live Network. Now, recognizing the bad publicity this has brought them, Microsoft has reversed this policy.
Sony, however, remains one step ahead of Microsoft. They have been “loaning” out PS4 development kits (which reportedly cost in the neighborhood of $2,500) to relatively established indie developers. It seems that Sony is not only embracing the indie game wave, they’re riding it, while Microsoft is reactively, almost begrudgingly, dipping one toe in the surf.
What indie developers are you excited to see come to the console realm?
Source: Destructoid
