Microsoft has announced the launch of Xbox Indie Selects, a program designed to promote indie games.
Rekindling memories of the Xbox 360’s famous Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Indie Selects features a monthly, curated collection of six indie games in the Xbox Store, dashboard, and on Xbox social channels.
Here’s how it works: every last week of the month, six games will be chosen by the ID@Xbox team and designated that month’s ID@Xbox Indie Selects. The collection will be located in the Xbox Indies section of the Xbox Store and dash, alongside Microsoft’s additional indie collections, which will be updated weekly on Wednesdays.
The selected games don’t strictly have to be games from the ID@Xbox program, Microsoft said. It’ll also feature games “that look and feel ‘indie’.” Microsoft added that it will not include indie games already in Game Pass, “even if they’re fantastic”, because Game Pass games are already featured in the Game Pass hub.
Microsoft said it launched the program because it wants more people to discover, buy, and play indie games. “We know there are a lot of games out there right now, and it can be difficult for unique titles to find an audience in crowded marketplaces,” Glenn Gregory, ID@Xbox Marketing Manager, said in a post on Xbox Wire. “With a dedicated, permanent, curated collection in the Xbox Store, we’ll be able to bring more attention to games that we feel are particularly special – everything from current favorites, to older gems, to games from new creators from around the world.”
Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) was a prominent part of the Xbox 360’s download offering, and focused on smaller and cheaper games. XBLA featured some of the best games of the generation, including Might & Magic Clash of Heroes, Trials HD, Fez, Bastion, and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
