Celebrating Nine Years of ID@Xbox

The first time we began the [email protected]Programm (almost 9 years ago!), we really didn’t know much. We knew that independent developers were driving the pace of video game innovation faster than we’d ever seen, and we knew the work they were doing was incredibly progressive and important. Also, our Xbox users loved the diversity and artistry of these developers. Therefore, to make sure that Xbox gamers get the best games, we did everything possible to support them.

So, we did a lot of listening – directly learning from developers what they wanted, and what they needed. They were never shy about telling us what worked, and what didn’t. Cross-play between consoles was one example of an innovation that came from. [email protected] partners. Based on their suggestions and feedback, we made many improvements to our back-end publishing system and the app framework. Although these changes might seem insignificant, they are crucial as we want to make it easy for independent developers to send their games across Xbox One and PC.

Our wildest expectations were exceeded by these results. Since the program’s inception, independent developers have earned more than $2.5 billion in royalties and total revenue generated by [email protected]Over the past three years, Xbox partners have almost doubled in number.These numbers are incredible and speak to the strength of independent developers. 

We’ve also paid developers and publishers across Xbox hundreds of millions of dollars in Game Pass license fees. You can find some amazing games on Xbox and other platforms today! that would never have existed without the support of Game Pass members, and that’s really been an incredible phenomenon. It has made it possible for millions of Xbox users to enjoy some of the most innovative independent games.

As we know, talent is universal. It is vital to help developers from all walks of life, including single-person studios and veteran games companies. We’re proud that more than 4,600 developers from 94 countries worldwide are looking to deliver experiences to players via Xbox, including more than 1,000 creators who signed up to the [email protected]Over the last two year, program.

We still have much to do, even with more than 3,000 Xbox games by independent developers. One area we talk to developers and players about a lot is “discoverability.” Teams across Microsoft work every day to help solve discovery challenges so players can find games they love, and in turn, ensure developers find the audience for their games. Whether it’s helping announce games like WrestleQuest Or Escape AcademyMillions of people in one /[email protected] Showcase with /twitchgaming, providing opportunities for creators to highlight their games on Xbox channels or including their titles in themed sales and promotion, we’re always looking for ways to connect creators with new audiences.

Game Pass, another option that encourages Xbox gamers to try new games and types of music, is also available. The average Xbox member is able to play 30% more types of games and 40% more games after joining. However, most of these games are not part of Game Pass.

Beyond that, we’re investing a lot in marketing and merchandising programs all the time to ensure that Xbox players anywhere discover the more than 3,000 independent titles available on Xbox.

This GDC, Microsoft also introduced a new program that was born out of feedback from developers – [email protected] It’s led by Nick Ferguson, Director of [email protected]Original author: [email protected] team member back in 2013, when we were just a virtual team with an idea), and it’s for developers on any platform, from iOS and Android to Switch, PlayStation, and PC (and Xbox, of course!) who want to use Microsoft’s cloud gaming services in their games. If you’re a developer, please check it out at http://www.azure.com/id

Nine years ago, we made a promise to independent developers that we’d work as hard as we could on their behalf, because we knew Xbox players would be stoked to support their work. We don’t by any means consider that promise fulfilled, because we see our work as an ongoing commitment from Xbox to independent developers. However, through [email protected]The launch of [email protected], our work with Game Pass and beyond to help developers bring their games to Xbox, and with the community response to the amazing games we’re seeing come to the platform, we feel we’re making progress in the right direction.