Xbox Has Paid out $5 Billion to Independent Developers
– 1 min read
Microsoft/Xbox supports independent developers through a number of initiatives, the most prominent of which is ID@Xbox. Since its launch in 2013, more than $5 billion has been paid out to independent developers.
At the Game Developers Conference 2025, Microsoft gave a recap of its ID@Xbox programme - the Xbox initiative that focuses on games from independent developers. In the past year alone, ID@Xbox has seen the launch of more than 1,000 games, including Balatro, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and Phasmophobia. Since the launch of ID@Xbox in 2013, more than $5 billion has been paid to independent developers around the world. "We're also proud to offer developers the ability to use our platform to maximise the opportunity to reach an audience across multiple screens," said Guy Richards, Director ID@Xbox. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Descenders Next, FBC: Firebreak and Hollow Knight: Silksong are mentioned as a preview of the upcoming ID@Xbox line-up.
Eleven Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) games will be presented to the press and creators at GDC, including Winter Burrow from Pinecreek in Denmark, Detective Dotson from Masala Games in India, and Promise Mascot Academy from Kaizen Works in the UK. Speaking of XPA. As announced last week, more than 1,000 titles now support Xbox Play Anywhere. "When players purchase an XPA game, they can play on Xbox and Windows 10/11 PCs at no additional cost, bringing their saves, progress and achievements across devices.This means players can access their favourite games in more places which has led to these titles getting 20% more play time," said Richards.
Then there is the Developer Acceleration Programme, which has supported more than 200 teams. Guy Richards: "We help developers by hosting information sessions with studios, providing port and prototype funding, and helping to reduce costs of bringing games to Xbox and building new ideas."
Never miss anything from the German, Swiss and Austrian games industry again: subscribe for free to our Daily newsletter and get all news straight to your inbox.
Written by
