Microsoft making at least four new IPs
- Thread starter GarthVaderUK
- Start date
No one knows what general direction MS are going to put their first party games in. Their latest push in 2010-2011 turned out to be a failure and they have since abandoned it, focusing mostly on some sequels and a bunch of XBLA releases in 2012, their current announced line-up being a wasteland. What they are cooking can be amazing, but it might as well be a bunch of mediocre and derivative titles. Just because they've hired more people to increase their output shouldn't lead to excessive reaction from gaming enthusiasts, at least at this point in time.
Again, just because they have a lot of studios doesn't mean their output is interesting.
This is a silly argument you're about to make since you're going to try and argue subjectivity.
My response was to the poster implying Sony is closing down studios and ending partnerships as if to imply output will decrease. If anything, it is going in the opposite direction.
I was responding to the guy who said MS were incompetent , when the recent evidence of how many studios they're opening says otherwise.
MS will have just as many exclusives as Sony next gen, that are no doubt better supported and better funded. Not to mention the 300m war chest they have to spend.
Can Crusher
Banned
I think people should wait to see or read about these new I.Ps before declaring them "uninteresting".
The fact alone that a new IP is being made, be it by Sony or MS or Nintendo is always cool. At least until when we find out what they're about.
The fact alone that a new IP is being made, be it by Sony or MS or Nintendo is always cool. At least until when we find out what they're about.
I know you were, but you weren't making a good point, hence why I clarified. They may have shut down a couple studios, integrated others, and ended some partnerships, but there has been a lot of expansion internally and new partnerships have been formed.
Also, in regards to the bold, I would highly doubt that. Though there won't be a shortage of exclusives on the next Xbox, I'm sure.
Exactly. It's that potential. Nothing to possibly be disappointed about until we've seen it, and a good chance to be surprised in a positive way.
So, closing studios everywhere, losing devs such as TGC, not marketing any of thier games, these aren't incompentent? MS closed studios a few years ago yet and are called incompetent, Sony do it and it isn't? The hypocrisy from people like you or Connor is why I can tell a next gen launch is near.
Who's saying Sony isn't incompetent? Which they are by the way, on many levels.
Basically the previous page of this thread was idiots coming in and derailing the conservation yet again.
dragonelite
Member
What hypocrisy? I didn't call MS incompetent. Maybe it's best you don't make assumptions of what I think, especially since I have post already stating my thoughts in direct response to you. When you have to try and poorly discredit another company as if to make a point, you're not doing a very good job.
Also, TGC wants to remain independant. You can't force a developer to join you if they like their freedom. Case in point, Insomniac. Plus, I don't think anyone has defended Sony marketing since there's a thread every few weeks about them sending games to die. You're just rambling somewhat now.
The poster I responded to called MS incompetent because of thier approach to exclusives, I responded by making him aware of Sonys actions towards thier devs and exclusives . Maybe read the entire conservation before you call my point poor?
This is getting a little silly, but sure, let me entertain you:
I don't see the poster reference Sony even once. He's hesitant with MS because he feels the gaming side are incompetent and doesn't think they'll live up to their own standard from earlier in the 360s life. That's what he said.
Your glorious rebuttal somehow brings Sony into the equation and uses the point of MS opening studios and creating partnerships and Sony shutting studios and ending partnerships to try and draw a comparison between the two. A stupid point since even with Sony closing a few studios, they've also expanded their development teams to the point that they're even bigger than they were one or two years ago.
Either you just emotionally inserted Sony into the conversation when it had nothing to do with what was at hand, or you're really bad at communicating your point, or you didn't read that exchange yourself before randomly inserting yourself into it. You weren't even representing that guys point accurately because if someone was to read only your post, they'd think that poster brought up Sony as an initial comparison, which he didn't. He was talking purely of Microsoft and how he feels about their gaming division.
Contrary to what you may think, opinions about these companies and their efforts aren't always linked when someone may express a point. The fact you are the one who brought up Sony out of nowhere and then proceed to make this post:
Is even more delicious with that exchange in place. Especially since you call us both hypocrites. Him, who didn't even mention Sony and might not even care what they're doing, and me, who only had positive things to say about Microsofts future outlook in terms of games.
I think the "console war" thing is weighing a little more on your mind than it is on mine or that other posters. Anyhow, that's my last post on the matter since I don't want to derail this thread into something it's not. And yes, I still stand by saying your point was crap.
Well it seems I'm getting tired of all the anti MS crap on this site. Frustration of him bringing the same tired arguments into a thread that shows MS are listening is what drive me to use the Sony comparison, which i find frustrating as he no doubt finds MS approach. Now thats been settled hopefully the conversation will go back to the matter at hand.
Looks like they are building up quite a crew for this studio. If Turn 10 and 343i are anything to go by Black Tusk should have plenty of top notch talent working there, but with none of the pressure of having to take over an established IP. Can't wait to see the game they are working on.
Don't know if this was mentioned but Black Tusk is working on 4 ips.
http://www.shacknews.com/article/77683/black-tusk-studios-working-on-four-microsoft-ips
http://www.shacknews.com/article/77683/black-tusk-studios-working-on-four-microsoft-ips
So how big is Black Tusk.. Or how big are they planning to be?
REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
I don't think there's a clear distinction between those two categories, you'll probably see plenty of Kinect usage in core games going forward, especially now that it's likely to be a part of the standard package. However, there are some studio whose focus seems to be on interactive entertainment content rather than games, although studios like London Lift might dabble in both.
What if there is a card game inside the AAA game? Open world games usually includes mini games.
I think there are three clear categories: core user, casual core user and casual user.
Plus with the very nature of development there is the opportunity cost both on time and cost - by adding Kinect it will take away from development of other features in any game and it is just yet another thing to polish.
London Lift most likely will be W8, Phone and XBLA studio-thing which isn't a bad thing per se.
REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
What I meant was that there are no clear distinctions between the kinds of games specific studios will be producing. Rare, for instance, is probably going to be making both casual and core games. Furthermore, just because a game utilizes Kinect (even exclusively), it doesn't mean it's a casual game.
But even the distinction between core and casual games can be fuzzy. For instance, BigPark releases Kinect Joy Ride - the verdict: it's casual shovelware. BigPark releases practically the same game on XBLA with different controls - the verdict: it's a great game lacking in content.
Sure, that goes for everything. I would be the happiest person in the world if companies stopped spending resources on online multiplayer modes, since I have very little interest in them, but hey, apparently many people love them.
The difference being may of the attempts to 'appease' me the core user is though 'on-rail' style games. I'm hoping after MS killed Gears: Exile that they have learned Kinect(motion part) does not work. Heck how many people have a 2m by 2m square to play Kinect, cause I sure as hell don't. The width of my room is probably around 1.25m wall to wall
REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
While there's nothing wrong with on-rail games - some of my favorite games of all time are on-rail shooters - that's not where possibilities for Kinect's application in core games end. Core games, as I understand the phrase, are games with deep, nuanced gameplay that rewards skill and learning, regardless of the input method. It's somewhat hard to get there with the first Kinect's tech, but I see no reason why games with improved motion sensing capabilities that Kinect 2 will apparently bring couldn't satisfy that condition. Then there's the possibility of hybrid games and completely new gameplay types built around voice recognition and advances in AI. Frankly, that excites me immeasurably more than the prospect of yet another generation filled with prettier rehashes of well known formulas.
As for required play space, I'm sure we'll see some improvements in that area (the latest rumors indeed address that issue), but even then, not all Kinect games would necessarily require a lot of room. Kinect is not just about full body tracking.
Seeing as this thread has become my personal dumping ground, I'll make one more post on some snoops I found and let this thread finally die.
#1:
Interesting seeing BigPark listed there, all of the other clients have had games released already featuring his art except BigPark and Capcom Vancouver.
Unrelated:
The above named artist posted this on his blog:
#2:
Seems Microsoft really likes these guys. The only concept art released so far has been for the Good Science project. Work on 343's Halo 4 is done, I pressume. I know next to nothing about LEAP though and Black Tusk is listed too.
#3:
Did I say MS really likes these guys? Well they hired one of them outright. My guess he is either working for Black Tusk or BigPark. Check out his CGHUB account.
#4:
"Pitches for new games and franchises" seems to imply by the date that they are still actively searching and creating new IP's. His linkedin implies that he wasn't rehired, but he worked remote and could now just do it through freelance. His CGHUB account.
-Odd out
#1:
Interesting seeing BigPark listed there, all of the other clients have had games released already featuring his art except BigPark and Capcom Vancouver.
Unrelated:
The above named artist posted this on his blog:
Looks something that Capcom (They are listed on the linkedin) would greenlight or it might be BigPark (I doubt it though, looks more up Capcom's alley).Creature Exploration
Posted on February 13, 2013 by luke
These are some oldish creature concepts for a unannounced game.
#2:
Seems Microsoft really likes these guys. The only concept art released so far has been for the Good Science project. Work on 343's Halo 4 is done, I pressume. I know next to nothing about LEAP though and Black Tusk is listed too.
#3:
Did I say MS really likes these guys? Well they hired one of them outright. My guess he is either working for Black Tusk or BigPark. Check out his CGHUB account.
#4:
"Pitches for new games and franchises" seems to imply by the date that they are still actively searching and creating new IP's. His linkedin implies that he wasn't rehired, but he worked remote and could now just do it through freelance. His CGHUB account.
-Odd out
Z
ZombieFred
Unconfirmed Member
Man, Microsoft must have a lot of interesting stuff cooking. The only thing I hope they do with all these internal studios is do something like Sony/Naughty Dog has done with the ICE/Technology team and share interesting tech enhancements for their internal studios and so fourth. That would be the best development infrastructure to have.
Karak
Member
Hmmm. Something is really odd about Black Tusk.
They are huge. Not one IP huge either. But more like 2 IP and 1 future IP huge if you take into account the amount of people they pulled in and "appear" to have in artist subcontracts. Odd.
Corrine Yu said in a couple interviews that their directive is that all devs share everything. I know that the lighting changes she made got the buzz internally enough that she has had her own speaking engagements and meetings with other groups. So i would assume that is all in place.
They are huge. Not one IP huge either. But more like 2 IP and 1 future IP huge if you take into account the amount of people they pulled in and "appear" to have in artist subcontracts. Odd.
Corrine Yu said in a couple interviews that their directive is that all devs share everything. I know that the lighting changes she made got the buzz internally enough that she has had her own speaking engagements and meetings with other groups. So i would assume that is all in place.
tweet from ruffian (crackdown 2):
https://twitter.com/RuffianGames
"lets see if anyone notices..."
its their first tweet in over 3 months. could be nothing, but maybe its a sign of things to come.
https://twitter.com/RuffianGames
"lets see if anyone notices..."
its their first tweet in over 3 months. could be nothing, but maybe its a sign of things to come.
lol, that is pretty funny, ima start following them now
Posted this in the other thread:
Omggggg
Opus Angelorum
Member
Posted this in the other thread:
Yes!
Posted this in the other thread:
Necrohype!
Steverulez
Member
"What do you want to see in Crackdown next" I assume.
Zen_Arcade
Banned
So was Crackdown 2 really that bad or just over reaction? I loved the first game and heard middling things about 2. Is Crackdown 3 something to be excited for?
They made it boring. The jumping around was still fun but the endless waves of mutants bored me to tears. They also had 1 mission type...find mutant next/generator thing, blow it up and move on.
Despite being open world, it felt way too directed but also meaningless at the same time.
I hope they go back to being SuperCops and doing Cop stuff. Actually, they should just do what APB tried to do and have player run Cops Vs Robbers battles for the MP side.
FonkyByNature
Member
It feels good to read this thread and see that Microsoft may bring some kick ass "in house" games.
I honestly love MS strategy of entertainement, i just want them to not forget about the gamers who like games like Banjo, Crackdown, Dark Souls... I wish MS comes at E3 with some nostalgia games... Mechassault, Rallisport Challenge, Blinx... would be great to see comeback !
I honestly love MS strategy of entertainement, i just want them to not forget about the gamers who like games like Banjo, Crackdown, Dark Souls... I wish MS comes at E3 with some nostalgia games... Mechassault, Rallisport Challenge, Blinx... would be great to see comeback !
GarthVaderUK
Banned
Disappointing, but not terrible no. IIRC they weren't given long to work on Crackdown 2 though (about a year), so I'd be interested to see what they could create with more time.
TGC moved on because Chen wants to "reach a larger audience". He's always been quite positive about his work with Sony. What he was basically saying was "I think my games are a better fit and will make me more money on iOS and Android", which is completely true.
Sony also closed redundant studios. Liverpool made some good games but they're located all of 15 miles from the core of SCEE's development at Evolution. What sane company runs two offices within a very reasonable commute of one another? This is backed up by the multiple rumors of many former Liverpool employees moving over the Evolution, and Evolution now being a 2-3 team studio.
Others that were closed like, BigBig and Zipper, didn't turn out quality product, after getting multiple bites at the apple.
The independent studios that have struggled post-Sony were either getting one of their last real shots in the industry (Nhilistic), failed to deliver a noteworthy product (Superbot), or were already cutting staff as soon as the game was out the door (Sanzaru). Those are all management issues within those companies, nothing Sony can do to fix that.
The key differences between MS and Sony over this past generation, from a first party standpoint, is the following.
Sony:
Naughty Dog grew from one team to two, established a strong IP in Uncharted and has a second IP in the pipeline with The Last of Us.
Sucker Punch established a new IP in InFamous, proving that they can make a million seller in the contemporary console market.
Evolution grew from one team to two or three teams and established a new IP in Motorstorm.
Guerrilla Games grew from one team to three teams and made large strides in the Killzone IP from it's initial PS2 release.
Sony Santa Monica further expanded the sales impact of the God of War franchise, growing large enough as a studio to be the major partner of any small 2nd and 3rd parties Sony partnered with, now easily big enough to be a two team studio, if not maybe even three.
Sony San Diego cemented MLB: The Show as the best baseball title in the industry.
Media Molecule didn't exist at the start of the generation and has now grown large enough to work on two projects at once, established a new IP in LittleBigPlanet, and is working on another with Tearaway.
Meanwhile MS has:
shuttered all but four non-Kinect first party studios (343, Turn 10, Lionhead, and Rare) while having two of those (Lionhead and Rare) make Kinect games. Lionhead has had key people leave, including Molyneaux. Rare has basically none of the major pre-purchase staff around.
The list of first party studios they lost:
Bungie
FASA (including Weismann signing a deal to take the Shadowrun and Mech Warrior IPs with him)
Digital Anvil
Aces
Ensemble
They're now opening a bunch of new studios, but with unknown pedigree.
So the "proven" studio breakdown for MS right now is pretty light. While Sony has identified their best teams, grew them, and trimmed the fat MS went at their first party non-Kinect studios with an axe early in this generation and are now trying to build it back up heading into a new one.
This is the complaint people have. MS hasn't done anything interesting to core gamers on the first party front in three years outside of keeping up the Halo and Forza IPs. Meanwhile Sony has been expanding their first party studios and pushing new content at a high rate of production. As a result Sony has a clear pedigree advantage going into this new generation, and that pedigree is within cohesive teams that have a strong library of first party IPs to reach into if a new IP isn't desired. MS is shopping for talent and hoping that what they pick up will fit well together in a condensed period of time. That's one hell of a gamble.