Microsoft has confirmed that it will not let independent developers self-publish on their next-generation Xbox One.

Any developer seeking to publish a game on Xbox One must seek a publishing deal either with Microsoft itself or a third-party publisher. There will be no change with how Xbox One does business with indies and the same rules that apply to Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade currently will apply with Xbox One.

Shacknews asked Xbox Live’s Matt Booty, GM of Redmond Game Studios and Platforms, if indies could self-publish on Xbox One. Matt replied with a simple: “As of right now, yes. We intend to continue to court developers in the ways that we have.”

He added that Microsoft will however look at new ways and models of surfacing content and bringing it to Xbox: “I would also expect that for this new generation, that we’re going to continue to explore new business models and new ways of surfacing content. But Microsoft Studios is a publisher that works with a wide range of partners, as do a lot of other people, to bring digital content to the box.”

Nintendo and its eShop and Valve and Steam all allow for self-publishing. So does Sony with the PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita and PSN. Sony in fact is one of the biggest movers on the indie scene, with several major indie announcements lately.

As ever, thanks to Eurogamer.

Confused about the game locking and pre-owned fee talk that emerged in the wake of last night’s Xbox One reveal? Us too.

Thankfully, Microsoft’s Phil Harrison spoke to Eurogamer where he attempted to clarify a few pointers about how game locking works, what it is and how and why the fee will apply. For Harrison, what Microsoft will do with Xbox One and game locking is quite simply “no different to how discs operate today.”

“So, think about how you use a disc that you own of an Xbox 360 game. If I buy the disc from a store, I use that disc in my machine, I can give that disc to my son and he can play it on his 360 in his room.”

“We both can’t play at the same time, but the disc is the key to playing. I can go round to your house and give you that disc and you can play on that game as well. What we’re doing with the digital permissions that we have for Xbox One is no different to that.

“If I am playing on that disc, which is installed to the hard drive on my Xbox One, everybody in my household who has permission to use my Xbox One can use that piece of content. I can give that piece of content to my son and he can play it on the same system.”

In relation to the business of pre-owned fee paying, Harrison added:

“I can come to your house and I can put the disc into your machine and I can sign in as me and we can play the game. At the end of the play session, when I take my disc home – or even if I leave it with you – if you want to continue to play that game [on your own profile] then you have to pay for it.”

“The bits are already on your hard drive, so it’s just a question of going to our [online] store and buying the game, and then it’s instantly available to play. The bits that are on the disc, I can give to anybody else, but if we both want to play it at the same time, we both have to own it. That’s no different to how discs operate today.”

Still confused? So are we, not least because we’re pretty sure that’s NOT how discs operate today. We understand what he is saying, but it still dosen’t make any sense. We’re really confused. We’re going to reach out to Microsoft on this one ourselves.

Watch this space.

Crytek’s “Ryse” is no longer exclusive to Xbox 360 and has instead jumped ship to the Xbox One.

Crytek has updated their official website to confirm Xbox One exclusivity. The site also provides a brief overview of the game and explains that the game is controller based with Kinect enhancements.

“Fight as a soldier. Lead as a general. Rise as a legend.”

The site also includes a countdown timer, presumably indicating an E3 re-reveal. Ryse was originally announced back at E3 2011. By all accounts, little or nothing has been heard of the game since, although a format change to an next-gen Xbox was always suspected.

Eidos has confirmed Thief will hit the Xbox One.

The news isn’t a surprise really with the title already confirmed for a PC, PS4 and “next-gen” release next year. But with the news comes a brand new in-game screen, and we’re told, the screen offers “a glimpse of the next generation.”:

Expect more at E3 next month.

According to Microsoft, the Xbox One will require an internet connection “once every day.”

Microsoft’s vice president Phil Harrison has confirmed to Kotaku that the Xbox One will require an internet connection “once every day”. Speaking after the reveal, the site asked questions about the exact requirement in an attempt to delve directly into the core of what will be needed vs what will be expected.

According to Harrison, even if you’re playing a single player game, the system will expect (and that’s the keyword here) to connect to the internet at least “once every day.”

The firm previously stressed the system wouldn’t go into the “always-on” arena. Maybe E3 will reveal all?

Microsoft has released an official Q&A about their introduction into next-gen which confirms the Xbox One requires Kinect 2.0 to function.

All new Xbox One console packages will ship with the latest Kinect technology, but according to the official press release, having it isn’t enough. The Q&A confirms that you’ll need Kinect connected and ready in order for the machine to actually function:

“The all new Kinect is now an essential and integrated part of the platform. By having it as a consistent part of every Xbox One, game and entertainment creators can build experiences that assume the availability of voice, gesture and natural sensing, leading to unrivaled ease of use, premium experiences and interactivity for you.”

If you missed that official high-res screens of the machine, Kinect and the new contoller, click this link.

EA has published a single screenshot from a Need for Speed title, suggesting the publisher is about to reveal a next-gen itteration for the franchise.

The screen appeared on an official Need for Speed facebook page, and shows a police cruiser with the caption “Have no rules, show no mercy.” A recent linkedin entry for Criterion Games seemed to confirm that there’s a racer in development alright, but without official wording, we can only assume E3 2013 reveal all.

Criterion’s latest racer for the publisher, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, was one of the highest rated of the franchise.

Turn 10 Studios has released the first official screens for Forza 5.

Announced yesterday, along with the Xbox One, Turn 10′s introduction into the next-gen space is a gorgeous one to say the least. Have a goo and tell us what you think.

One of the highlights of Microsoft’s Xbox One reveal was the announcement of a new exclusive IP from Alan Wake developers Remedy Games.

Not much was actually mentioned about the game, apart form the following official PR pitch:

Master time to survive the present… and save the future. From the creators of Alan Wake and Max Payne comes Quantum Break, a revolutionary entertainment experience that blurs the line between gameplay and television. With Quantum Break, the world will see a new generation of immersive entertainment, only possible on Xbox One.

Get the first trailer below. Expect to see more at E3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_64IZNgxPKs

Turn 10 are developing a new Forza title for Microsoft’s Xbox One.

Forza 5 was the very first game to be announced for the new console. The game will be a launch title with more details to be revealed at E3 next month.

Catch the debut trailer below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r46D1lRpO1k

EA and DICE will release Battlefield 4 on Microsoft’s Xbox One console. It is also a PS4 game.

The announcement was made moments after Microsoft announced their new console tonight over on the official Battlefield 4 Facebook page.

The game will release October 29th on PS3, PC and Xbox 360. We’re still not exactly sure if this date applies to next-gen consoles. More to follow.

Now that Microsoft’s Xbox One is officially a “thing“, publishers and studios who have already announced their next-gen wares on PlayStation 4 and PC are starting to confirm that they too will release on Microsoft’s new console.

Ubisoft were first out of the gate, confirming that Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag will be made available on the new console. Eidos have confirmed that their high anticipated Thief reboot will be a launch title on the new console.

And finally Bungie will release Destiny on Xbox One, along with PS4, PS3 and 360.

More game announcements as we get them.

Infinity Ward has revealed Call of Duty: Ghosts at this evening’s next-gen Xbox One announcement. The very first trailer for the game can be seen below.

In keeping with tradition, all DLC will be timed exclusively to Xbox.

Ghosts is due this November. Check out the debut trailer and a behind the scenes look at the game’s development below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxnx3W-HA18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B00xKmtyfaY

The first high-res shots of Xbox One have been released.

The screens show off the console, and the new controller from different angles. To keep track of the latest next-gen Xbox announcements, hit this link.

Microsoft has confirmed the Xbox One will support a “pre-owned fee”, as well as confirming the console will not support 360 titles.

Speaking with Wired, Microsoft confirmed that all titles must be installed onto the HDD in order to play them:

“On the new Xbox, all game discs are installed to the HDD to play.”

Individual games, it seems, will be tied to individual accounts meaning your titles can only be played elsewhere if the second user chokes up a fee. Paying the fee means both users now own the game, and the disc isn’t needed going forward.

But that’s not all, word has come out of the reveal which also confirms the system won’t support 360 titles. According to Marc Whitten, via The Verge, the system cannot support the older-gen titles due to a “different core architecture.” How does this transfer into the realm of Xbox Live arcade titles?

Expect more news and details in the lead-up to E3.