Actually, the Xbox Live Arcade for the 360 already have a bunch of indie games that you can demo, and purchase, all automated through the console. You can buy indie games like Geometry Wars, Mutant Storm, Zuma, Outpost Kaloki, etc... These are all games that were shareware games before being on Xbox Live (some are even Flash games). The average cost of purchasing the games are about $5.
The idea is that indie developers can develop shareware games, but Microsoft will sell them for you exclusivly on Xbox Live, taking a big cut of the money for themselves, of course. So Microsoft definatly has a financial incentive for letting indie game makers develop games for the console. Supposedly Xbox Live Arcade is expected to be one of the most profitable parts of the new Xbox (because the investment is so low for Microsoft - the indie game developers are taking all the risk and putting up all the money for the game, and Microsoft doesn't need to advertise them and there is no manufacturing cost).
I know people here like to bash Microsoft, but what they are doing with the Xbox Live Arcade is actually pretty cool.
Just an important note though: You probably won't be able to develope a full on AAA title. All the Xbox Live Arcade games tend to be puzzle games, or sim games (like Outpost Kaloki). The games they select for Xbox Live Arcade are not supposed to be direct competitors to the games you buy in stores... they are supposed to be smaller, more "shareware" style games.
The idea is that indie developers can develop shareware games, but Microsoft will sell them for you exclusivly on Xbox Live, taking a big cut of the money for themselves, of course. So Microsoft definatly has a financial incentive for letting indie game makers develop games for the console. Supposedly Xbox Live Arcade is expected to be one of the most profitable parts of the new Xbox (because the investment is so low for Microsoft - the indie game developers are taking all the risk and putting up all the money for the game, and Microsoft doesn't need to advertise them and there is no manufacturing cost).
I know people here like to bash Microsoft, but what they are doing with the Xbox Live Arcade is actually pretty cool.
Just an important note though: You probably won't be able to develope a full on AAA title. All the Xbox Live Arcade games tend to be puzzle games, or sim games (like Outpost Kaloki). The games they select for Xbox Live Arcade are not supposed to be direct competitors to the games you buy in stores... they are supposed to be smaller, more "shareware" style games.