Microsoft drops $40,000 Xbox 360 Game Patch Fee – Report

Microsoft has reportedly dropped the massive fee it charges for re-certification of Xbox 360 games following title updates, according to Eurogamer’s “multiple development sources”. The silent change to policy happened earlier this year,which immensely helps indie developers who were often can’t afford the heft fee, reported to be $40,000.

The new process for Xbox 360 game certification involves Microsoft charging an initial fee to certify the game, followed by free re-certification for all future title updates. Previously Microsoft granted just one free title update per game, with all other patches including the fee; a process designed to encourage developers to polish their games to the best of their ability before submitting them for review.

At this stage it’s unclear if the same policy of free game title update certification also pertains the Xbox One, but it’s looking more than likely to be the case.