Minutes ago, Microsoft showcased ID@Xbox at Gamescom, a system by Microsoft that allows independent video game developers to publish their games on Xbox One.

They announced today that 100s of independent games are in development for Xbox One from studios all around the world.

Some of these independent games include (but are not limited to):

• The Escapists
• Goat Simulator
• Gunscape
• Massive Chalice
• Inside
• Knight Squad
• Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
• No Time to Explain
• Plague Inc: Evolved
• Rivals of Aether
• Smite
• SlashDash
• Space Engineers
• Spectra
• Pneuma: Breath of Life
• Threes!
• Speedrunners
• Super Hot

Among these, some were highlighted with additional previews and information. Space Engineers was described to viewers that you are “building cool stuff in space then blowing them up”. The short video showed two different “teams”: one blue and one red. The two teams were creating and building various spacecrafts, concluding when one of each color collide into each other.

Following this, Super Hot was showcased, where the tag was “time only moves when you want it to”. The preview showcased exactly that (very reminiscent of the Matrix).

The Escapists is a 16-bit styled game where you are in a prison and are trying to escape. There are various items that you obtain, and by the dramatic music was being played, will be a visually simple, but an exciting game.

Not all games were new though. Microsoft announced a “MOBA with a controller” – Smite from Hi-Rez Studios. There you play as a god (Thor, Hercules, Poseidon, etc.) against players, bosses, and many more.

The final preview was a bit more ominous, playing creepy music and watching from above a darkly lit cave. In the end, the small unknown character finds a glowing item, but in the shadows is a giant, almost octopus-like, “scary” monster is lurking behind. Below by Capy can offer a very daunting and interesting gaming experience.

My Opinion:
I’m becoming a growing fan of indie games and the opportunities they allow emerging developers. With all these games coming out, it is sure to offer Xbox One players more opportunities to play unique and whimsical games that they might not otherwise play. And Smite without a mouse and keyboard? Chances are that the controls are good!

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Follow Harry Loizides, an Associate Writer, through his life of video games, obstacle races, and other adventures with Instagram, Twitter, and IGN.