Indie developers flocking to PC due to console red tape
September 20th, 2011
A growing number of indie game developers are shifting resources from Xbox Live Arcade and other console platforms to PC, specifically Steam, reports Gamasutra.
The reason: Downloadable console stores have low visibility (despite their disc-based audience), payout less, and include a lot more contractual red tape. "it's earned just about the same amount of money as our first game -- even though we spent so much more time creating it," says one developer of his recent Xbox Live Arcade sequel. Conversely, "In just five days, our Steam revenue had already surpassed our annual revenue on Xbox," he notes.
Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid, says this: "I can live a comfortable life and just put my game on Steam without that much of a hassle, or I can have the XBLA business people dick me around and give me asshole contracts that I need to spend three months negotiating."
Admittedly, the PC has always been home to the most creative and bold indie games. But the recent trend certainly indicates PC gamers can expect even more great indie experiences, since developers have already started following the money to Steam and the like.
What do you think of the news?
Read more: PC gaming headlines





Comments
Hoping for TESO Beta!
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"He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future.
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Do you have stats for this?
Each console has its place. I play my FPS and MMOs on PC, RPGs and Racing on console. Other games all depend on the title itself. I have a few FPS titles I play on XBL such as Call of Duty (though I don't play often), yet with Deus Ex, I got the PC version.
Saying one system is superior to another is foolish. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and the biggest variable is software.
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Nearly every homeowner has a pc, steam announced they have over 35 million users with about 5 million concurrent online users and this is just steam alone.
I would love to know some of the weaknesses to pc other than "It's not portable, its too big, its really expensive to get a pc that plays games" ( which is BS )
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This is just a personal opinion.
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Stats? I don't think I need stats for this. Recall that I said PC users VS console users. I am pretty sure globally, there are more people using a computer VS people using a console system. This point is similar to Torm3nT's post.
I am merely stating that the PC has way more going for it compared to the console systems. Sure each one has its strengths and weaknesses but compared to strengths outweighing weaknesses, the PC has way more going for it than a console. I do admit that a PC is not strictly for gaming while a console mostly is. I do recognize this disadvantage. However, since a console is for gaming, I will compare it with PC gaming. A console has good graphics but it's limited in that you pay for graphics that you can't upgrade and you will eventually have to get a new system. With a PC, you can get great graphics and still have the ability to upgrade without getting a new one. Of course this implies you have money and technical caliber. I'm not saying consoles are not good. They're good stuff and they offer a different type of gaming experience. To bring this back to what this news post is about, consoles aren't developer-friendly. PCs are. This allows for a different type of innovation, which is what the gaming industry needs. And this is why PCs are better than consoles in that regard.
New forums... Soon™
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XerxesTron
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also noticed the pic of Cthulhu Saves the World!
amazing indie game and CHEAP!!
Alienware M11x R1 SU7300 @1.6Ghz Gt 335 @stock clocks 2Gb DDR3 250 Gb HDD @7200 RPM
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I can see myself buying at least 55 indie games a year vs 7 for traditional games.
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GOD is a Superstition.
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Invite me to friends! ;)
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The only reason console systems exist is because someone can buy them for 300-400$ and play the newest game out. That's just not usually possible for a PC. That is the ONLY reason there is such a thing as a console system.
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I'm the same. I don't really buy or watch trailers for Indie games but some I do hear about and end up getting addicted too lol.
Enjoying my new life in California :)
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It's not surprising that developers would flee XBLA for something that's less of a hassle and far more profitable. This one case is just pathetic.
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