Reproduced from:  BBCNewbeat

Sony has suggested its focus on independent developers will give customers a choice of cheaper games on the PlayStation 4.

Sony says they are committed to independent game developers.

However, Sony's primary rival Microsoft has announced a new programming platform designed to attract independent developers.

Microsoft recently said they planned to make it easier for smaller companies to publish titles for their new console, XBox One.

These actions comes on the criticism of the past that both companies focused only on big budget games.

"These changes open up avenues for a whole new stream of talent that allows brand new games and exciting new experiences to come to our platforms, " said Fergal Gara Managing director, PlayStation UK and Ireland.

Both companies have been giving more details about their consoles at the GamesCom conference in Germany.

"We've listened to game developers," said Gara. "We've tried to create a platform that serves their needs. So being quick, easy and economical to develop for is hugely important."

After being criticised for its attitude to independent developers, Microsoft too is making it easier for gamers to build and publish Xbox One games.

They announced a new indie development model at GamesCom.

UK Marketing director of Xbox, Harvey Eagle, said: "The way it will work is that you become a registered developer, you submit a game information form and you ship your game, it's that simple."

"We've got a long history of working with indie developers over the years on [XBox] 360 and titles like Minecraft have been a huge smash which comes from that community."

Sony announced the PS4 would go on sale on 29 November. There is no release date yet for the Xbox One but it's due to go on sale before Christmas.

They also revealed that they had taken more than one million pre-orders for the new PlayStation.

The PS4 is priced at $399, about $50 cheaper than the XBox One at $450.  Games for the consoles are priced at around $60.

Fergal Gara claims Sony's commitment to independent developers will help make gaming more affordable.

"We will have the enormous blockbusters," he said. "Great examples will be Kill Zone: Shadow Fall or Watch Dogs for example on release.

"But there are also free-to-play models such as the Little Big Planet hub that we announced and the indie titles fill a great gap in between for me.

"So it's not just about £40, 50, 60 or nothing - it's about free-to-play, right up to those blockbuster experiences."

By: Conner James - MSTv

The US has issued international players of the online MOBA game, League of Legends athlete visas, effectively recognizing the video game as a professional sport.  The visas will allow gamers to play in tournament matches, recognized as legitimate athletes.

Players have been issued with P-1 visas, intended for "individual athletes".

Developer Riot Games has been campaigning for players to be recognised as sporting professionals.

The move has been described as "groundbreaking" for eSports, a growing community of professional gamers.

Team manager Michael O'Dell said the Canadian player's application took "several months".

"Now Alberto can stay in the USA and practise and fly in and out of the country without worrying that he would be refused entry," he said.

Riot Games put the team in touch with an immigration lawyer who took up the case.

"The lawyers had to go back and forth with US Immigration for several months to get everything in place, especially understanding that this is a sport," said Mr O'Dell.

In recent years eSports has grown rapidly and top players can win millions of pounds in prize money.

League of Legends has more than 40 million players worldwide.

The biggest tournaments are attended by tens of thousands of fans and receive coverage on dedicated TV channels.

Winners of the League of Legends Season 3 World Championship starting in September will take $1 million (£662,000) in prize money.

The US embassy in the UK states that individual athletes with P-1 visas "may be admitted for five years and a team for a period of six months".