Xbox Head Phil Spencer Reexplains ID@Xbox Parity Clause, ‘Rethinking’ Their Approach

Team Xbox head Phil Spencer has spoken candidly on the parity clause that comes with the ID@Xbox program.

Under the provisions of the program, any indie that releases under ID@Xbox has to release on Xbox One at the same time or before competing platforms. Case in point, this month’s Games with Gold ID@Xbox game, Chariot by Frima Games, released on PSN on the same week, and will be coming to PC and Wii U in the future.

Phil argued two points. He wanted Xbox One owners to feel like first-class citizens by getting that content at the same time as other platforms. He also wanted indies to be treated like AAA games, which already release at the same time on PlayStation and Xbox.

Phil also explained that he does not strongarm indie studios to enforce this parity. He does go out of his way to talk to indies about what challenges they face in making multiplats. The way Phil approaches it is he simply wants to watch out for Xbox One owners.

At the end, Phil does state that he is paying attention to the feedback they have received, and he does say he wants to rethink their approach.

Do you think the ID@Xbox parity clause is fair or unfair? What change should Microsoft make to balance the needs of indie devs, and the Xbox One owners they are looking out for? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Image is from Chariot.