The Xbox One unveil was light on games, that much everyone can agree, but it at least closed things out with Call of Duty Ghosts. When it comes to triple A releases from a major publisher, it honestly doesn't get much bigger than that.
But what about the opposite end of the spectrum? One of the core pillars of the Xbox 360's success, along with Xbox Live, was Microsoft embracing the indie scenes in the early stages. A decision that paid off handsomely, though developments point a different picture when it comes to their attitudes to said category of developers.
Indie games and their makers were not represented at all, with the exception of the opening sizzle reel, with the primary stand out being the appearance of the co-founder & president of CAPY (Critter Crunch, Sword & Sworcery, Super Time Force), Nathan Vella, who immediately preceded Steven Spielberg's appearance.
Joystiq decided to ask various prominent indie game makers what they thought of the unveil, and their responses are not exactly surprisingly, yet telling nonetheless.
Rami Ismail of Vlambeer (Ridiculous Fishing, LUFTRAUSERS) simply found the whole thing "weird", but also "interesting that Microsoft is taking the Xbox away from gaming as its core business". Ismail also points out that Microsoft must have an indie strategy, which will hopefully be revealed at E3, plus the new controller's d-pad looks nice.
Brian Provinciano of Vblank Entertainment (Retro City Rampage), also notes how Microsoft is leaving gamers behind, but found it more troubling than interesting. Though he also understands why; there's just more money to be had in general entreatment than just games, hence the focus on television and other forms of streaming content.
Provinciano summed it best with: "They're preaching TV services to gamers and gamer press, the exact group of people who will be least receptive to it. Microsoft's direction isn't in line with E3, it's in line with CES."
Though the last word was given to Phil Fish (Fez), who lives up to his reputation of being bombastic and succinct:
OH MY GOD WHO GIVES A FUCK
— PHIL FISH (@PHIL_FISH) May 21, 2013
Other developers were interviewed as well and Joystiq's write up is a must read.
