If an independent developer wants to self-publish its game on the PlayStation 4, Sony will make that happen. That fact alone has helped the company garner the good will of hundreds of interested developers, as well as direct a few questionable looks Microsoft’s way. How exactly this whole process works is still a bit unclear, though, so Agostino Simonetta, senior account manager at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, has decided to explain the deal in a bit more detail via Gamasutra.
If a developer is sent an official PlayStation 4 development kit, that studio is now a publisher. Game creators will have control over every little aspect of their titles, including the release date. It’s a lot to handle, but Sony will provide some support on marketing and exposure based on the quality of the project being worked on. If the game that’s being made is unique and turning out to be something really special, expect the PlayStation Blog and official PlayStation Twitter account to let the world know about it. Nothing is guaranteed in this department, as “it depends on the objective quality of your title."
It’s an unorthodox process compared to what we’ve seen from other companies in the past, and really, that’s what has so many developers excited. Sony’s feedback won’t even be required before a game is submitted, so really, the level of trust displayed here is unheard of on consoles. Whether or not that leads to more quality, or the release of some real stinkers, is yet to be seen.
