ID@Xbox: Microsoft relents on exclusivity clause for Xbox One

Microsoft has said it is willing to make exceptions to its platform exclusivity requirement on Xbox One.

Microsoft required exclusivity, timed exclusivity, or at least release day parity for games released on Xbox 360, but for Xbox One it is willing to work with developers whose games are already timed exclusive on other platforms.

"We do not require exclusivity agreements. However, we do ask for day one parity with other console game platforms. In instances where games have signed a timed exclusive with another platform, we’ll work with them on a case-by-case basis,” a Microsoft representative told SavyGamer.

Microsoft released a list of indie developers that have signed up for its ID@Xbox program, and evidence of this change in policy is already evident. Iron Galaxy is working on Divekick for Xbox One, having already released it on PC, PS3 and PS Vita.

Vlambeer’s Rami Ismail also confirmed to Joystiq that Microsoft no longer mandated any form of exclusivity, adding that the fact that Microsoft was willing to bend the rules if a game was already a timed exclusive elsewhere prompted Vlambeer to sign a one-month timed exclusivity with Sony.

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 said.

Here’s a list of some of the developers that have signed up for ID@Xbox already:

• Inis
• Comcept
• Vlambeer
• Double Eleven
• Slightly Mad Studios
• Born Ready
• Crytek
• Happion Labs
• Definition 6
• Team 17
• Panic Button
• Double Fine
• Drinkbox
• Team Colorblind
• Signal Studios
• Zen Studios
• Bongfish
• Half-Brick
• Ninja Bee
• Zeboyd Games
• Nicalis
• The Men Who Wear Many Hats
• Iron Galaxy
• Jackbox Games
• High Voltage Software
• Capy
• Behaviour
• Hidden Path
• Gaijin Games
• The Odd Gentlemen
• Way Forward
• Other Ocean

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