Microsofts Parity Clause. What a bunch of tools.

A developer has revealed that it must delay its multiplatform game on PlayStation 4, Vita and Wii U, or face being unable to release it on Xbox One due to Microsoft's "parity clause".

According to Eurogamer, Australian developer Witch Beam is encountering issues trying to get its twin stick shooter Assault Android Cactus on Microsoft's console.

The ID@Xbox programme requires games on the console to have "day one parity", meaning developers can only release their titles on Xbox One if they haven't already been released on other consoles.

Talking to Eurogamer, co-creator Sanatana Mishra said, "The simple answer is that our plans wouldn't meet the launch day parity requirement of the ID@Xbox program.

"We started development on our other console versions long before self-publishing was an option for Xbox One, and the only way we could meet that requirement would be to delay the other versions of Assault Android Cactus."

While a reprieve could have been found if Witch Beam had exclusivity deals in place before the ID@Xbox programme was announced, as Microsoft will work with studios on a case by case basis to consider waiving its rules in those instances, unfortunately this doesn't help the Assault Android Cactus team. Mishra explained they "didn't have an exclusivity agreement in place with another console platform before the ID@Xbox program was announced, which could have allowed us to get a waiver."

The full list of devs making use of the new programme was announced last week. While Microsoft has suggested the indie dev send through an application to get the game released anyway, Mishra concluded saying, "Overall I think think the ID program is very developer friendly and light years ahead of what Microsoft were doing even six months ago.

"But it's also coming in late with a clause that punishes those who have been developing on other platforms that were readily available for the past year, and that's something they need to fix before it's a viable option."

Source: http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/12/09/studio-must-delay-multiplatform-game-to-get-xbox-one-release

Bu bu but muh free Unity

Typical MS behaviour, no one should be shocked.

If it was me I'd just release it on every other system possible. Try and teach them a lesson.

I don't see the big deal lol. Sucks but release parity makes sense for the platforms. Quit bitchn

Just one of the many reasons why you never want MS to enter an industry that you love.
There's no place for them in gaming. Cut your losses MS and bail.

You want the free goodies, you play by their rules. Pretty simple, actually.

So destiny isn't coming to Xbox then? Because it's coming out first on ps4.

Being a dick does make things easier.

Smart business play by ms. Is this much different than third party exclusives ? I think not

Same here. Its business. And MS already stated that on a case by case basis they will waive the clause. Its no big deal to me as at some point I expect this game will be on Xbox One.

Ohhh nooo a business protecting its self... you kids need to learn what the real would is like and stop crying over the "harsh" realities of BUSINESS.

This is a very smart move by MS.

Couldn't care less

Yeah I bet it took them a lot of thinking to come to this brilliant idea. Man. You should be employed.
I wonder why Sony and Nintendo are not doing the exact same thing. It must be their lack of sheer American brilliance.

Could backfire massively for MS considering most indie developers we're developing for PS4 primarily before MS reversed it's policies. Basically they're acting like they're the big boy in the playground and If you want to play here you play by their rules. Would,'t be surprised if a few developers just bypass MS altogether.

@NFJSupreme:

Of course there is exceptions since Microsoft is in no position to push Activision around.

Ya I hate when Top 100 companies enter an industry i love for the sake of competition and better products...

You know these Devs have the choice of not releasing it on xbox right?

MS has pushed hard to be indie friendly, but bafons like you will never be satisfied.

Its because these guys haven't signed a contract with Sony yet. If they had then it doesn't matter but because they haven't MS want the game released at least as the same time as other platforms. Sounds like a wise business decision to me.

Unfortunate when a small friendly indie dev gets hit with stuff like this but it's a pretty straightforward deal isn't it? "We publish your game, just make sure we get it first". Doesn't seem as "evil" as people are making out.

Not that I'm buying this game or even care about its release, but I wonder how many games the X1 wouldn't be getting that other platforms would if all the devs just gave Microsoft the finger and left them in the dust due to this clause?

Right this is extremely indie friendly. They sound very pleased. Top 100 companies are wonderful competitors because the way to the top in capitalism is to mean well and to care for the industry and consumer.

So are Sony dbags for securing destiny as a timed exclusive? I don't get you guys sometimes. The console business is very competitive so all companies in it do things like this.

No idea what this means to be honest. Not allow indie development? Are we forgetting indie games on consoles became a thing on xbox live arcade, years ago. Way before Sony deciding to come out and declare their love for indies too as the copy-cat that they are.

The consumer backlash was because of some harsh policies, it was not because MS was supposedly not allowing indie development.

Accepting things as they are instead of making things better = Pathetic. Bend over for the "real world" as much as you like, brah.

Bu-Bu-Bu teh competitionz is good for teh gamorz.

That's what some of ya'll were saying, right? Steambox can't steamroll this XBox bullshit out of gaming fast enough.

@Murderstyle75:

I am sure Sony has a similar clause...

Microsoft should be ashamed. Here is Sony with no restrictions to how they release their games n Microsoft is just so fucking selfish... Who makes this up? You have to release your game on our platform at least the same time as other releases but timed exclusive deals are okay tho.... Like really

Yes, it clearly is good.

You do know that Microsoft are the ones that brought indie games to consoles? Xbox Live Arcade and Xbox Live Indie Games were two innovations of the Xbox 360 that Sony flat out copied. Which is terrific, it enhances gaming for everyone.

Stop the cancerous hateful fanboy bullshit, if you never had Xbox then PS4 wouldn't be getting awesome indie and PC titles.

@TheTruthIsREAL said:

So fucking selfish they give away dev kits for nothing and expect the games to be released on the same date as other versions.

Who makes this up.. like really

There have been Indies in PS consoles before the xbox brand even existed,what in hell do you think Net Yaroze was.?

Basically a black PS1 consoles that double as dev kit and was aimed at Indies.

This is how sad some of you are and how some actually think that MS started everything in consoles,much like the believe that halo make FPS popular on consoles..

MS must be doing something right at number 35....http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2013/full_list/index.html?iid=F500_sp_full

You don't get that high with bad customer service and care for the industry.... Your personal opinion and feelings for MS reflects a very small %....

Also here is a link showing Indie devs are warming up to MS despite your claims

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/4/5151428/xbox-one-vs-ps4-next-gen-indie-games

Make things better??? It is not like MS has made these devs sign a no compete. They receive free dev kits and support and in turn MS only ask that they release multi plats at the same time.....

Who cares?

Yeah AT&T is an exemplary company. If a company is that 'successful' (i.e. makes that much money off of the backs of people) it is exactly because they are abusing their position, confusing the consumers and using loopholes and children in 3rd world countries and every other dirty trick in the book. That is how you save money and beat your competition. By not caring about anything other than making a profit and standing for nothing, being completely unreliable as a business partner. Cutting corners, betraying people and lying through your teeth is a way cheaper solution to problems than doing things right, so the companies ending up on top are just the companies that are best at doing things wrong. If you want to compete honestly, you're not going to make that list. If you value anything like the law or ethics or even your mission statement than you're not going to do well. Your competition uses slave labour you better do the same thing or you're going to be out of business.

The link about indie devs is hilarious. We got this statistic of more people signing up after we forced their hand, they are really loving us! ::fake smile and thumbs up::

What a joke. There goes indie support for XB1.

It'll come out on both systems at the same time. lol!!

Nintendo does crap like this, and publishers tell them to shove it and leave. Microsoft does this, and it gets praised as clever?