ID@Xbox Fund Supports Indie Developers, Teases Hollow Knight: Silksong Release

Celebrating Indie Developers at GDC

With the Game Developers Conference (GDC) kicking off in SAN Francisco, our team is buzzing with excitement as we gather to celebrate the incredible work of independent developers. These creators inspire us daily with their ambition, creativity, and passion for gaming. Just take a look at the past year—over 1,000 games have launched through the ID@XBOX program! Titles like Balatro, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and Phasmophobia have brought fresh experiences to console and PC communities alike.

Since ID@Xbox was launched back in 2013, it’s impressive to note that more than $5 billion has been paid to independent developers from around the globe. That’s no small feat! We’re also thrilled to offer developers a platform that maximizes their reach across multiple screens, ensuring their games can find an audience wherever players are.

The Power of Xbox Play Anywhere

As we mentioned last week, the landscape of gaming is evolving, and over 1,000 titles now support Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA). What does this mean for gamers? Well, when you purchase an XPA game, you can dive into it on both Xbox and Windows 10/11 PCs without any extra cost. Your saves, progress, and achievements travel with you, meaning you can enjoy your favorite games on the go. This flexibility has led to a remarkable 20% increase in playtime for these titles!

Imagine this: you could be playing Another Crab’s Treasure on your console, then seamlessly switch to your laptop during your commute. Xbox is making this possible with a variety of devices—from gaming PCs and Laptops to handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally X or Legion Go, and even mobile phones and Tablets. With the Cloud, every one of these devices can become a portal to your next favorite ID@Xbox title.

Empowering Developers Through the Developer Acceleration Program

But it’s not just about where you can play; it’s also about what you can play. Enter the Developer Acceleration Program (DAP), which is dedicated to ensuring that we have content that resonates with everyone. This program supports over 200 teams and creators from various countries, fostering innovation and creativity in the gaming space.

We’re here to help developers thrive by organizing information sessions, offering funding for ports and prototypes, and reducing the costs associated with bringing games to Xbox. Recent successes from the DAP include the award-winning Botany Manor and the newly launched Mullet Madjack, both available now on Xbox Game Pass.

The Future of Gaming on Xbox

At ID@Xbox, our mission has always been to empower developers to achieve more. Over the years, we’ve evolved our program to ensure that ID@Xbox games reach players on more screens and in innovative ways, thanks to initiatives like Game Pass and Stream Your Own Game. We’re committed to helping independent teams leverage Xbox Play Anywhere to connect with more players, allowing for a seamless gaming experience across console, PC, and cloud.

Looking ahead, the future is bright with a lineup that includes exciting titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Descenders Next, and FBC: Firebreak. And let’s not forget the much-anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong—though we’re still waiting for Team Cherry to drop some new info on that one!

Connecting with Global Developers

This week, we’re thrilled to host developers from 10 different countries at our annual hands-on preview event for press and creators. We’ll be showcasing 11 Xbox Play Anywhere titles and six Xbox Game Pass games, including Winter Burrow from Pinecreek in Denmark, Detective Dotson from Masala Games in India, and Promise Mascot Academy from Kaizen Works in the UK.

Our excitement is palpable as we collaborate with so many talented developers worldwide to bring you unique and innovative gaming experiences. Whether you buy, stream, or discover your next favorite game through Xbox Game Pass, there’s never been a better time to join the Xbox community. Let’s celebrate the creativity of indie developers together!

Background Information

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About ASUS:

ASUS, founded in 1989 by Ted Hsu, M.T. Liao, Wayne Hsieh, and T.H. Tung, has become a multinational tech giant known for its diverse hardware products. Spanning laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, and more, ASUS has gained recognition for its innovation and commitment to high-performance computing solutions. The company has a significant presence in gaming technology, producing popular products that cater to enthusiasts and professionals alike. With a focus on delivering and reliable technology, ASUS maintains its position as a important player in the industry.

  

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About Cherry:

Cherry AG is a German manufacturer of input devices, including keyboards, mice, and trackballs. The company was founded by Walter Lorain Cherry in 1953 in the basement of a restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois, USA. In 1979, the company's headquarters were moved to Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, West Germany. Cherry is known for its high-quality mechanical keyboard switches, which are used by many popular keyboard manufacturers, including Corsair, Razer, and Logitech. Cherry switches are known for their durability, consistency, and tactile feedback. In 2019, Cherry acquired Xtrfy, a Swedish manufacturer of gaming mice and keyboards. Xtrfy was founded in 2013 and is known for its lightweight and ergonomic mice. The acquisition of Xtrfy allowed Cherry to expand its product portfolio and enter the growing gaming market.

  

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Technology Explained

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SAN: A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a high-speed and specialized network architecture designed to facilitate the connection of storage devices, such as disk arrays and tape libraries, to servers. Unlike traditional network-attached storage (NAS), which is file-based, SAN operates at the block level, enabling direct access to storage resources. SANs are known for their performance, scalability, and flexibility, making them ideal for data-intensive applications, large enterprises, and environments requiring high availability. SANs typically employ Fibre Channel or iSCSI protocols to establish dedicated and fast communication paths between servers and storage devices. With features like centralized management, efficient data replication, and snapshot capabilities, SANs offer advanced data storage, protection, and management options. Overall, SAN technology has revolutionized data storage and management, enabling organizations to efficiently handle complex storage requirements and ensure reliable data access.

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