Microsoft Thinks XNA’s Innovation is at PSN’s Level

PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade are always looked at in completely different games. While there is crossover between the two and many similarities, PSN is generally regarded as the more original platform. With games like flOw and the PixelJunk series, you’ve got a number of games that would have never been given the green light by Microsoft for Xbox Live Arcade.

XNA is Microsoft’s shot at challenging PSN as far as innovation and independent developers go. In fact, Microsoft’s Chris Satchell believes XNA is already at PSN’s level of innovative concepts and giving anyone the opportunity to publish a game.

“It’s sort of funny,” Satchell told 1UP. “I mean, it’s great that Sony has some sort of independent developers, but there’s just this handful of titles. You can go sit on the beta and see like 60 different games in a few weeks or 200 games last year for Dream, Build, Play with all sorts of innovative concepts. I think we’re kind of already there in terms of breaking it down and giving people the opportunity.

“And now you’ve got a pipeline where you don’t have to go through any sort of permission stage other than your peers in the community. I think there’s a big difference between getting a few innovative games and taking 300,000 developers that are out using our software and allowing them to get onto the system and sell their great creations. And very rapidly we will see a huge amount of creativity pouring onto Xbox 360 and Xbox Live.”

He might be might that we’ll be able to see the same level of creativity, but with the technical restrictions that are placed on XNA games, will they ever be able to achieve the same things as a PixelJunk or Everyday Shooter?