> Anyone making software for the Xbox has to pay Microsoft. Why is this different?
Historically, writing software for the Xbox meant getting dev kits not sold to the public as well as access to private documentation. And there was a level of support from Microsoft game studios could expect. The deals between studios and Microsoft could also include co-marketing or exclusivity. Plus to get an Xbox tittle out you needed a distributor (remember brick and mortar stores) so it really was B2B. Today I wouldn’t be surprised to see Microsoft just going with the Store model and taking a very small cut from indies. But distribution is nowhere as hard and expensive as it was back in 2001.
I really don’t think it’s the same as Apple that advertise it’s developer program to individuals. Apple’s developer program almost seems like a consumer product (term and conditions are pretty much the same for every individual dev out there, it’s a flat fee).
Historically, writing software for the Xbox meant getting dev kits not sold to the public as well as access to private documentation. And there was a level of support from Microsoft game studios could expect. The deals between studios and Microsoft could also include co-marketing or exclusivity. Plus to get an Xbox tittle out you needed a distributor (remember brick and mortar stores) so it really was B2B. Today I wouldn’t be surprised to see Microsoft just going with the Store model and taking a very small cut from indies. But distribution is nowhere as hard and expensive as it was back in 2001.
I really don’t think it’s the same as Apple that advertise it’s developer program to individuals. Apple’s developer program almost seems like a consumer product (term and conditions are pretty much the same for every individual dev out there, it’s a flat fee).