Microsoft’s controversial parity clause – which became most apparent in its ID@Xbox indie development policy when it required developers to release their games on the same day for Xbox One as other platforms – is apparently no more.
Speaking to EDGE (via GamesRadar), Xbox division boss Phil Spencer was asked if the parity clause is dead. He replied that, “I think so. There’s this idea that’s been named ‘parity clause,’ but there is no clause…If there’s a developer who’s building a game and they just can’t get the game done for both platforms – cool. We’ll take a staggered release. We’ve done it before, and we’ll work with them on that.
“If another platform does a deal with you as a developer to build an exclusive version of your game for them, and you can’t ship on my platform for a year, when the game comes out in a year let’s just work together to make it special in some way
“People complained about that, but you did a deal with somebody else and you got paid for it and I’m happy – we do those same deals, so I’m not knocking you. It’s going to be better for you, actually, because people don’t want last year’s game, they want something special and new.”
Thoughts on this change? Let us know what you think in the comments.