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The video game market today is a complicated assortment of distribution and development models. Once the path was simple: physical copies managed into retailers by big name development studios. Now, with the advent of “demand entertainment” the models serve a consumer constantly on the side of immediate want. Independent developers take these new distribution channels seriously as a way to cut physical and marketing costs while focusing on innovation.

The complexity of these new streams has been managed well by publishers through XBOX LIVE, the Wii Virtual Console, and PlayStation Network (PSN). Sony’s Worldwide Studios Organization president, Shuhei Yoshida, in particular, understands how important this trend needs to grow.

Read more how indie games are becoming a bigger deal after the break.

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Sony’s efforts have begun to pay off considerably with 2012’s publishing cutting-edge indie titles such as Journey, Papo & Yo, and Dyad. Yoshida explains, “I don’t think we’re promoting the need to create artistic games per se. But what we really are working hard is to help create the ecosystem for smaller developers to be able to bring their content to the market and be rewarded financially as well.”

He goes on to state Sony does this, “because it’s really important for the industry to always give a chance to these up-and-coming, perhaps more free from conventions, type of developers, to try out something and really get things published and get feedback from consumers.”

This gives immense hope for indie devs to make their mark while having big-name publisher support. As the market continues to fluctuate to the demands of the consumer, it will be curious to see the dynamic set by spry young indie devs and their AAA developer competition. In this modern world where demand is priority, developers of all varieties compete over the consumer dollar for the best entertainment value at the fastest distribution.

Game on!

[Gamasutra]