Since mid-November, we've been getting the consumers' opinions on the next-gen consoles, but small time indie developers haven't quite had their say yet. Back before either console's release, the Xbox One caught a fair amount of flack for a medieval policy on indie games, which attracted so much attention and backlash that Microsoft was convinced to change its standing. But according to Gone Home developer Steve Gaynor, getting a game to be available on the platform is still a difficult undertaking, which is why Gaynor is backing Sony's PlayStation 4.
The problem lies in the fact that if a developer creates a game and wants to put it on Xbox, Microsoft only wants it provided it's a timed exclusive. Definitely dIscouraging when you're trying to bring a game to the masses, and one platform is completely eliminated as an option.
Speaking with NowGamer, Gaynor described the difficulty he had in developing for the console as a result of this policy:
"If you're talking to Sony and Microsoft, and Microsoft is like, 'well you can't be on Xbox if you're on PlayStation first', but it's easier to be on PS4 because they have better terms, then you'll be like, 'okay lets just be on PlayStation.'
Still, thanks to the glory of technology, there's now several paths indie developers can take to get their game out there -- they're not restricted to staying on roads most traveled.
However, Gaynor also suggested that releasing on multiple platforms at once will work for some and, in any case, developers have plenty of choice when deciding how to distribute their game.
"The great thing is that in this day and age, there's no one path that you have to take," Gaynor continued, "which I think is a good thing for everybody."
"There are tons of different options and if you can wrangle it where the thing that makes sense for you is to launch simultaneously on PS4, Xbox One, Wii U and PS Vita - that sounds kind of crazy to me, but some people do it."
Under the hood, the PlayStation 4 boasts Supercharged PC architecture, X86 CPU, Enhanced PC GPU, and 8GB Unified Memory according to the official specs.
It supports the same PlayStation Plus service as the Vita and PlayStation 3. However, a Plus subscription is required for online multiplayer games, but not for additional media services like Netflix. Sony has also updated the Dual Shock controllers with a touch screen and improved shoulder triggers, and bundles the console with a headset.
Available titles for the system include Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, Resogun, and more. You can check out a complete list of launch titles' prices and install sizes here. It currently retails for $399.
In the opposite corner, Microsoft's Xbox One claims an 8-core x86 processor and Microsoft hopes it will take the place of the family room cable box by letting you watch Blu-ray movies and TV through the console, in a "seamless transition" that lets players switch from playing games to watching shows and/or movies. It will come fully loaded with 8GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive.
The console's exclusives include Dead Rising 3, Killer Instinct, Ryse: Son of Rome, and more. You can check out a list of the install sizes for all of the launch games here. The Xbox One retails for $499.
