Microsoft has launched the Xbox Live Creators Program, a new initiative that should let budding game creators develop and publish on the Xbox One without needing the support of a publisher’s infrastructure. It’s a good way to get your feet wet in the console development scene, and also potentially sell to Xbox One’s 30 million strong audience.
That said, there are very definite caveats in place here- the games will be sold separately in the Creators Collection section of the Xbox Store, and Creators Collection games will not be able to access Xbox Live functionality, such as achievements, scores, and multiplayer. The intent here is, however, to allow developers a way to get simplified certification and publication processes than they would otherwise get.
So, if you’re a budding game developer, and you want to move into console development? Maybe look at this. Microsoft indicates that there is a possibility for a creator to graduate from Creators Program to ID@Xbox, so you aren’t stuck here forever either.
The program will be launching with nine games. Please find the list below, and make sure to check out the video of Major Nelson explaining what the Creator’s Program is as well.
- Animal Rivals of Blue Sunset Games
- Block Dropper of Tresiris Games
- Crystal Brawl of Studio Mercato
- Derelict Fleet of Bionic Pony
- ERMO of Nonostante
- GalactiMAX! of ONLYUSEmeFEET
- Kubic of Envision Ltd
- Space Cat! of GershGamesLLC
- Stereo Air from The Stonebot Studio
