Update: Looks like Fuller might have been mistaken. According to a statement sent to Polygon by a Microsoft spokesperson, "The comments today were inaccurate. We remain committed to ensuring the best possible solutions for developers and hobbyists to create games for Xbox One. We will share more details at a later date."
Original story: Microsoft's previously announced plans to allow any retail Xbox One console to be turned into a game development kit have now been cancelled, according to statements made today by Martain Fuller of the company's Xbox Advanced Technology Group.
Nearly a year ago, Microsoft made this statement as part of its introduction to the ID@Xbox independent game program:
Longer term, our plan is to enable any Xbox One console to be used as a development kit for self-publishing purposes. This means that any hobbyist with a great game idea can make it come to life on Xbox One.
However, at the Develop conference in the UK today, Fuller stated during an audience Q&A those plans had changed. He is quoted as saying, "We were in the early stages of Xbox One looking at the idea of a retail kit that could be turned into a development kit, and vice versa, In the end, although that was a very admirable goal, it hasn't happened unfortunately."
When asked by an audience member if that program would eventually become available, Fuller stated, "As far as I'm aware there are no plans. I'm not aware of the reason why we didn't manage to do that."
While this plan may have been cancelled, small game developers can still apply for the ID@Xbox program, and if accepted they will be given two Xbox One hardware development kits for free to help develop their game for the console.
What do you think about this apparent about face in Microsoft's plans to open up Xbox One game development to just about anyone?
Source: Digital Spy
