I’d hate to see what ‘untimely’ looks like

Even if Microsoft took its sweet time to announce theID@Xboxself-publishing program for independent developers, I was just happy to see it happen. To see the importance of these games validated. A curious quote from the person heading up the initiative, Chris Charla, caught my eye. Speaking toMCV, he said that “The origins of this goes all the way back to Xbox One’s architecture. We’ve been planning this for a long time.

“you’re able to see where this started with 360’s indie titles,” Charla continued. “We haven’t even released a system yet, so I’d say it’s not a late announcement, it’s quite a timely one.” Which, if true, makes the company’s communication strategy for Xbox One all the more confusing.

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At any rate, it’s the games themselves that matter most — and we likely won’t get those at launch, according to corporate VP Phil Spencer. “It’s reasonable to expect in early 2014 we’ll start seeing the first [independent] games come through,” he toldGames Industry International.

Xbox: ‘Indie games can sell systems’[MCV]

John and Molly sitting on the park bench

Close up shot of Marissa Marcel starring in Ambrosio

Kukrushka sitting in a meadow

Lightkeeper pointing his firearm overlapped against the lighthouse background

Overseer looking over the balcony in opening cutscene of Funeralopolis

Edited image of Super Imposter looking through window in No I’m not a Human demo cutscene with thin man and FEMA inside the house

Indie game collage of Blue Prince, KARMA, and The Midnight Walk

Close up shot of Jackie in the Box

Silhouette of a man getting shot as Mick Carter stands behind cover