UPDATE: Microsoft's Larry 'Major Nelson' Hryb has confirmed that Microsoft has dropped fees for game patches on Twitter.
FYI for those asking: Microsoft eliminated fees for Title Updates on Xbox 360 Arcade games in April 2013
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) June 27, 2013
ORIGINAL STORY: Even after Microsoft's U-turn on many of its major Xbox One policies some of the company's practices remain contentious; including charging tens of thousands of dollars for game patch fees. However, according to Eurogamer's sources Microsoft has not charged fees in several months.
Microsoft traditionally has provided developers with a single free patch after which they've charged and if the Xbox maker believes developers are abusing the new system they retain the option to place a fee. For example, if Microsoft deems a developer to be making an excessive number of re-submissions as a result of an update failing certification the developer may incur a penalty.
The change in patch fees applies to both retail and XBLA titles. Originally, the fee was intended to ensure developers made their games run as smoothly as possible before submission. In some cases however, the policy has had the opposite effect with games being released and left un-patched because developers refused to pay the fees.
Indie title Fez is one such example with creator Phil Fish slamming Microsoft and refusing to issue a fix for the game on XBLA. DoubleFine's Tim Schafer has also commented on Microsoft's fees saying "we can't afford that!"
Microsoft's new policy, while unconfirmed, brings the Xbox 360 more in-line with Steam as well as PlayStation. Sony's Adam Boyes revealed earlier this year that the company has not charged game patch fees for several years.
Another issue developers have with Microsoft's console is the inability to self-publish. It's unclear if Microsoft intend to retract that policy as well. It's also unclear if the decision to drop fees will also apply to Xbox One.
So far, Microsoft has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
