The ID@Xbox parity clause that requires indie games to launch on Xbox One at the same time as on other platforms (unless they already have an exclusivity deal and, we imagine, a bunch of other legal red tape) is meant to make each Xbox One owner feel like a "first-class citizen," according to Phil Spencer, head of Xbox.

"I look at all the people who buy an Xbox, and they invest their time and their money in Xbox One, and, as millions of people obviously own Xbox Ones, I want them to feel like they're first-class, because they are," Spencer said earlier this week on The Inner Circle, an Xbox-oriented podcast.

"I don't want somebody to come in and just think, 'I'm going to go do a special game on one platform and then I'll get to Xbox whenever I get to it,' because I don't think that's right," Spencer continued. "But I also get that, hey, for some guys, they just can't afford the time to get both done, so we've just entered into conversations with people as they're launching, and I feel pretty good about the plan."

Microsoft said earlier this year it would address the launch parity issue "on a case-by-case basis," to include worthy games that have signed a timed exclusive deal with another platform.

Spencer told the podcast he has many friends who run independent studios and he understands "they just can't get both games done at the same time, all three games, all four games, depending on how many platforms they're supporting. So I always just say, 'Let's have a conversation.'"

While the sentiment was meant for a positive take, those on NeoGAF weren't quite so impressed, voicing their opinions on the subject. When the thread was brought to his attention via Twitter, Spencer responded, "I see the feedback on my stance on the clause, I want to rethink how we approach this, responses are heard."