PSN Approval Process Hurting Independent Developers

Speaking to CVG about upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title Darwinia+, Introversion head Mark Morris claimed that PlayStation Network’s approval process puts small independent teams in a “weaker negotiating position” than rival platforms. Apparently Microsoft approve projects early after initial agreement providing teams deliver on promises at completion, whereas Sony hold clearance for launch till later in a title’s development cycle. “[It's] a problem because it means you have to invest a lot of time and effort and then … they could turn around and say ‘we don’t want it’.”

Financially, Morris claims “I would prefer a world where we could put our content out on 360 and PSN, because I think that being able to do that is really going to enable small developers to take risks.” Setting an achievable, personal sales goal, Morris added “as long as we do as well as Space Giraffe we’ll be OK”. Even though this “breaking even” asks reasonably little of the game purchasing public, one can’t help project a future where thoughtful game design would receive more than a handful of sales, something that could be helped immensely by co-operation cross-board by giants like Sony.

It’s a shame that innovative, independent teams feel cornered by the very process of development. In this age of digital distribution, it seems important for all major platform holders to take at least calculated risks. Darwinia+ and Introversion’s success relies on its eventual sales, something that is obviously eased by a increase in outlet services or potential digital “stockists”. Perhaps with a dual release across XBLA and PSN, Darwinia+ could have trumped Minter’s psychedelia and shot straight for Frogger gold.