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[Nirolak]

Seems this is still causing Microsoft some issues with indie developers.

Gang Beasts dev: Parity clause means we can't commit to Xbox One release
By James Batchelor

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz at EGX Rezzed, the studio's co-founder James Brown says he and his two brothers hope to bring cartoony physics-based brawler Gang Beasts to as many platforms as possible. The game is currently in Early Access on Steam and Oculus Rift, with a PS4 build in the works. But efforts to take Gang Beasts out of the alpha program by the end of Q2 2017 - combined with Microsoft's parity clause - is preventing the team from working on a Xbox version.

"We have Xbox One dev kits, and we'd love to do Xbox One but because of the parity exemption stuff, it doesn't feel like we can prioritise it," Brown told us. "It's absolutely the opposite of what [Microsoft] want, but how can we commit resource until we have approval to release on that platform? It's backwards, it doesn't make sense."

"We're talking to [Xbox], and if it's low-friction, we'd definitely love to get it out this year," said Brown. "But if we're forced to do the open Windows version [as well] just to be able to release, then that's more work. And there are restrictions on that platform that are currently concerning, in terms of development.

"It might be that we can give exclusive content, but we don't like the idea of exclusive content unless it's locked to that platform - so if we were to add Sackboy, Nathan Drake or something [into the PS4 version]. Making something exclusive for the sake of it just feels an unnecessary step, even though it would be for a limited time."

Brown stresses that the team is aiming for "every platform that makes sense", so while a PS4 build has been submitted to Sony, consumers shouldn't expect to see an Xbox 360 or PS3 version. However, he is keen to bring Gang Beasts to Nintendo Switch.

While he believes it would be more practical to develop and optimise for Xbox One before Nintendo's new console, the studio is having the initial conversations with Nintendo to see if they can gain access to hardware and dev kits. In fact, Brown even bought a Switch himself to see if the controllers might support Gang Beasts' frantic gameplay.

"We get asked for the Switch and we are talking about it but there are certain things behind the scenes that we need to do - like optimising the characters - in order to hit that platform," he said.

Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...ause-means-we-cant-commit-to-xbox-one-release

 

[sir_bumble_bee]

This is still a thing? Wtf Microsoft...

 

[Savantcore]

Jesus Christ the parity clause still exists!?

 

[DNAbro]

A Switch release would be ace. Also I'm always shocked to hear that this game is till in early access.

 

[Dark Cloud]

I thought MS stopped this? Wtf I can't believe this company keeps going with this.

 

[Bitch Pudding]

Literally can't believe that this is still a thing.

 

[BitStyle]

The parity clause is a relic of the past that just needs to go away at this point.

 

[Primethius]

How is this still a thing?

 

[Kyne]

this game on switch would be amazing.

do it.

 

[Cess007]

Didn't Spencer said that the parity clause was gone?

 

[Poker Face]

Disappointed with Microsoft, but it would be AMAZING on the switch tbh

 

[Gator86]

Because when one competitor is outselling you more than two to one and another competitor just released a new platform with tons of hype and a stellar 1st party behind it, you definitely want to be doing as much as possible to make it hard for people to release games on your system. MS is just dumb as hell most of the time.

First class means getting no games instead of late games.

 

[TheGreenArrow]

This game used to be great. The post match scoreboard thing is really annoying.

 

[LAA]

MS sure seem to want to cling to this policy, even though multiple developers have listed this as the reason they haven't or won't release their game on Xbox.

Their loss...again, common thing for them this gen.

 

[Grim Patron]

IS this why Tumbleseed launched on Switch and PS4 as consoles but not Xbox?

 

[bananafactory]

This would be amazing on Switch

 

[hydrophilic attack]

Didn't Spencer said that the parity clause was gone?

the same guy who said he was investing in first party

 

[AcademicSaucer]

Multiplayer gang beasts on the go would be great.

 

[DriftingSpirit]

Didn't Spencer said that the parity clause was gone?

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-ones-launch-parity-clause-is-pretty-much-over/1100-6429261/

 

[SocksAndShoes]

It is absolutely insane that the parity clause still exists.

 

[Dynomutt]

I thought this was over...

 

[LukasTaves]

Didn't Spencer said that the parity clause was gone?

No, he said the clause never prevented anyone from releasing on xbone, and it's just there to encite developers to see why can't they release on xbone right away, because sometimes it's easier than what the developer thought it would be.

 

[Unknown?]

the same guy who said he was investing in first party

Lol ya. The clause is gone but only if it's popular enough.

 

[Off-Kilter]

Fuck off Microsoft

 

[AuthenticM]

They should totally add Sackboy to that game.

 

[sixteen-bit]

How is this still a thing?

It boggles the mind.

 

[Kouriozan]

Can't believe in this day there still is a parity clause.

 

[cakely]

I had no idea that the parity clause was still a thing.

 

[TheSpoiler]

Did they try talking to MS?

 

[Lorpe]

So... What is a parity clause? Seriously i'm lost here.

 

[IronRaven]

I feel like Microsoft is really only hurting themselves with this.

 

[hawk2025]

Reading into the quote, it seems to have morphed into forcing development of W10 app store versions?

 

[Carl]

But Phil says there isn't one, why would he lie

 

[Menitta]

I'd buy Gang Beasts on Switch. That's a great game for that system.

 

[The Horror the horror]

So... What is a parity clause? Seriously i'm lost here.

Basically a policy that says indie games should release on the XBox simultaneously with competing platforms....otherwise, don't bother to port it as is.

 

[LelouchZero]

Wow, I didn't know this was still a thing.

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-ones-launch-parity-clause-is-pretty-much-over/1100-6429261/

Did they go back on it or something?

 

[jj984jj]

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-ones-launch-parity-clause-is-pretty-much-over/1100-6429261/

there is no clause

So he denied it exists? Doesn't sound like something that went away, he's just using PR speak to say that's not what they call this.

 

[hawk2025]

Did they try talking to MS?

Read:

"We're talking to [Xbox], and if it's low-friction, we'd definitely love to get it out this year," said Brown. "But if we're forced to do the open Windows version [as well] just to be able to release, then that's more work. And there are restrictions on that platform that are currently concerning, in terms of development.

"It might be that we can give exclusive content, but we don't like the idea of exclusive content unless it's locked to that platform - so if we were to add Sackboy, Nathan Drake or something [into the PS4 version]. Making something exclusive for the sake of it just feels an unnecessary step, even though it would be for a limited time."

 

[Rocketz]

Ugh I hoping this would eventually come to XB1 but with this I'm not hopeful anymore.

MS get this figured out. Games I really want to play are missing out on the platform. This has happened multiple times.

 

[Interfectum]

Sounds like the Xbox clause is forcing them to make a Windows 10 version as well, which they don't currently have resources for.

 

[Deft Beck]

I thought they weren't doing that anymore.

And what about the claim from last week that Nintendo also wants developers to make special Switch exclusive content?

 

[Neuromancer]

WTF?! I thought chubigans and others have said it was no longer an issue.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

If Microsoft are still doing this shit then fuck their platform and bring it to the Switch instead. I thought they'd closed the door on this stupid bullshit?

So... What is a parity clause? Seriously i'm lost here.

Basically a condition that if an indie game does not come to Xbone at the same time as other platforms, it needs to have additional content when it comes to Xbone.

EDIT - looks like I might be wrong. I didn't realise MS might deny release altogether (obviously unless the game is a massive success a la Rocket League).

 

[Charles Brandon]

Sounds like a particularly brutal porn site

 

[wwm0nkey]

This would be amazing on Switch

 

[David___]

So... What is a parity clause? Seriously i'm lost here.

If they arent releasing on the Xbone at the same time as the other console versions, they cant release on the Xbone at all*

Spoiler

*unless of course youre making bank, in that case we want our 30% so come on over

 

[Dark Cloud]

So he denied it exists? Doesn't sound like something that went away, he's just using PR speak to say that's not what they call this.

Good guy Phil lied?

 

[Jameson]

This story doesn't sound real, tons of indie games release late on X1 without issue.

Maybe theres a parity clause "lite verson" that goes under another name with different rules.

 

[BitStyle]

So he denied it exists? Doesn't sound like something that went away, he's just using PR speak to say that's not what they call this.

Yep, that's what he did. Just PR to dance around the subject

 

[GinoFelino]

Awesome indie games on Switch