Xbox One will have an indie creator program, says Mattrick

Microsoft may not be changing its publishing policies for independent developers on the Xbox One, but it isn't looking to shut them out entirely, either. According to a Kotaku article today based on an interview last week, Microsoft's head of interactive entertainment Don Mattrick has promised support for smaller developers.

"We're going to have an independent creator program," Mattrick said, adding, "That is something we think--I think--is important. That's how I started in the industry. There's no way we're going to build a box that doesn't support that."

Mattrick noted Microsoft has already been working with independent developers on the Xbox 360. He specifically pointed to the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft, and how Microsoft allowed it to have an expedited update schedule ordinarily not allowed by the console-maker's policies.

Mattrick declined to provide details on exactly what sort of assistance indie developers would be offered on Xbox One.