Published on Dec 5, 2013

Microsoft has been trying to bolster their reputation regarding Indie developers with the ID@Xbox program, which aims to help indie developers to get their games onto the Xbox One. 

Unfortunately for Microsoft, prominent indie studio Vlambeer, who are signed on to ID@Xbox, has criticised the terms of the Xbox One's indie publishing program.

The clause that has drawn Vlambeer ire is one that states that games must be released on Xbox One at the same time as on other platforms - something that is very difficult for indie developers with small teams. 

"Microsoft was doing reach-out to certain developers back in the early days of ID@XBOX, and we discussed potentially bringing Nuclear Throne to Xbox One with them," Ismail said in an interview with Joystiq.

"There had been mentions beforehand that there was a launch parity clause in the contract, with the exception of games that were already signed to another platform during the announcement of their self-publishing program," Ismail said.  

"Thus, before we signed with Microsoft, we e-mailed Sony that we quickly wanted to sign Nuclear Throne with them with a month of exclusivity."

"We'd rather Microsoft allow us not only the freedom to self-publish, but also to publish in whatever order we prefer. We'll keep pushing for Microsoft to drop the clause, and we'd recommend any other developer to do the same," Ismail continued. 

However, Ismail also had some praise for Microsoft and their changing attitude to indies. 

"To be honest, we're in the ID@XBOX program mostly because we think [ID@Xbox director] Chris Charla is a person that genuinely cares about games and because we feel that with our visibility, it might be a good idea to go through the gauntlet and report back on whether it's a risky or unpleasant experience," Ismail explained. 

"So far, there's nothing but good news when it comes to the program - Microsoft seems to have taken the cue from Sony and joined the platforms that allow for self-publishing," Ismail said.