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Except in order for that game to be in a GameStop, Walmart, or KMart, the developer of the game has to sign a publisher agreement with Microsoft. This agreement
by nodamage 6y ago
Except in order for that game to be in a GameStop, Walmart, or KMart, the developer of the game has to sign a publisher agreement with Microsoft. This agreement gives Microsoft a royalty for every copy sold, plus approval rights over the final game, marketing, and packaging materials.
So, no, a developer cannot distribute a game for Xbox without Microsoft's approval.
This is also largely irrelevant to the question of whether the market of "games for Xbox" is a separate market from "games for Nintendo" or whether they're actually both competitors in the "video game" market.
- withinboredom 6y agoYes, I’m not arguing approval for building on a platform. But that’s totally separate from selling it. Apple has commingled this, IMO. I should be able to buy an app at competitive prices wherever. If Apple gets a royalty from that, that’s fine too.
- nardi 6y agoSo you think Nintendo, Xbox, Playstation, etc. should also have to allow third-party stores on their devices? EDIT: Or do you think you should be able to buy iOS apps in brick-and-mortar stores?