The Initiative xbox game: "I don't think the internet is going to react very well to it."

I don't know about you guys but episodic or not, anything that is similar black mirror sounds really interesting but I'm pretty much in agreement that this just sounds like a baseless rumor.
 
I am fine with it. Jumping the gun right and complain right now without knowing all the details does not make sense.
As far as I can see we can easily get semi independent games that enrich the whole universe of the game.
 
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Drewpee said:
Did you stop reading so you can go back to playing episode 1 of the FF7 remake?
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Never bought it, might pick it up sometime, is it worth getting?
I stopped reading because he is no insider and I would take this info with a massive grain of salt.
Edit: Maybe my original post was confusing, I only bolded the guys name to highlight that I stopped reading when I read his name, he isn't an insider, there's nothing wrong with episodic games if they are good.
 
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This is very confusing, the people in that studio are clearly talented, why waste it on rubbish like this.

Is this really what is needed on xbox?
 
I mean how bad would the literal idea of something have to be to make people "give up" on Xbox? Like, just the mere idea of it. I dunno man that sounds stupid
 
Mr Moose said:
Never bought it, might pick it up sometime, is it worth getting?
I stopped reading because he is no insider and I would take this info with a massive grain of salt.
Edit: Maybe my original post was confusing, I only bolded the guys name to highlight that I stopped reading when I read his name, he isn't an insider, there's nothing wrong with episodic games if they are good.
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Gotcha, ignore my response in that case. It was my attempt at calling out hypocrisy but now I just look like a jackass 😄
 
Self High Five said:
Gamers hate getting nickled and dimed (or the loud minority does I guess), so the hate will be deserved depending on their plans.

Breaking up a a regular full priced title into 'episodic content' where the end user gets charged more in the long run while trying to sell it as a deal by saying "don't worry, just pay $120 a year for gamepass" deserves hate.

Ironically it won't come from the same people who raged out about $10 increase to full price games.
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It's not really 1:1 though is it. 10-20 dollars a month is easy to spare. Why are people not taking into account the timeline of how this works? Are we just going to ignore that one is monthly and one is all at once? Even if it ends up being more total over the course of a year and I don't let the subscription lapse at all - how is that comparable? Half of the financial system is based off this exact premise that it's easier to pay a smaller amount monthly. Like, what am I missing here where this isn't mentioned.
 
Using FF7R as a example of episodic content isnt the best way to go about your argument seeing as the game isnt all out there and the first part was full of bloat
 
This studio was started just 2 years ago. I clearly remember Spencer commenting sometime ago (in an interview or at some event) on whatever this game ends up being, but going to be announced soon, so it's safe to assume that it will get announced within E3 2021.

Have some patience, people.
 
diffusionx said:
Anyone who thinks MS bought all these studios so they can have their Naughty Dog, their Sucker Punch, their Insomniac, etc. just isn't paying attention to anything.

And besides what's the point of supporting MS in the hopes they become more like Sony when you can just... support Sony?
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I don't speak for every Xbox user but I hope they don't try to copy the Sony model, we don't need more of that.
 
La tua coscienza said:
Today, we have a couple of new details about The Initiative's project, which could release in an episodic format according to Xbox insiders hosting the Xbox Era podcast (1:45:50). They compare the game to Netflix's TV series Black Mirror and its format.

"All those episodes of Black Mirror are linked to each other, they take place within the same universe. When I talked about The Initiative's game, I'm not saying it's exactly like Black Mirror, but it has that Black Mirror-like aspect to it."

"I know the word episodic has been thrown around," insider Shpeshal Ed said about the game.

However, they also made it clear that The Initiative's games will not be similar to Sony's blockbuster third-person action adventures such as The Last of Us Part II or God of War. Shpeshal Ed says in the podcast that he thinks the game will not be accepted well.

"I don't think the internet is going to react very well to it. This is gonna be bad, a level of bad where people give up on Xbox Game Studios. Fanboys are gonna get really upset," he said in the podcast.

Ed reiterated that this is just his opinion and prediction so keep that in mind before you get disappointed. Also, these are just rumours and speculation, nothing official. It's possible that The Initiative's game turns out to be something completely different. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

www.altchar.com

The Initiative's AAA game could release in episodic format; stories set in the same universe

One of the biggest yet to be announced Xbox first-party games comes from The Initiative, who are working on a game that could release in episodic format, according to Xbox insiders.
www.altchar.com www.altchar.com
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........god no.

That shit sounds like a mess. I was hoping that this team would be like their Naughty Dog team making mature content, deep narrative etc. I hope this isn't true.
 
So the touted AAAA studio WHICH poached all the top talent in Santa Monica is already relegated to a episodic indie type game....

So all this talk of ND talent going to the Initiative and they are going to be pushing the same tier of games like all the indie studios MS bought.
 
Well for them to keep users tied on their gamepass episodic games and gaas is the only option.
This really sucks man, these guys want to destroy gaming.
Hope people in general and especially xbox fans stop them else we are bound for monopolistic horseshit of gaming.
 
I mean.....I want a reason to buy an xbox....I really do, but MS has not given me any reason to own one yet. They havent made an Initiative (pun intended) for me to go out and get one. I hope that changes, and fucking fast because this is bad for gaming.
 
Let's be honest.... The only people upset and disappointed at this rumour are those that were never going to buy an xbox in the first place.

I'll wait and see what they come out with. MS studio games have been hit and miss for me. Some have been great. Some not so much. Well at least when I had a 360. I slipped the XB one.
 
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So this Ed is a "source is my ass" type of insider? Still if this ends up being true then this is a big fail on MS's part. They should be giving people reasons to buy an Xbox instead of you know, shrugging and walking off.
 
thelastword said:
So the touted AAAA studio WHICH poached all the top talent in Santa Monica is already relegated to a episodic indie type game....

So all this talk of ND talent going to the Initiative and they are going to be pushing the same tier of games like all the indie studios MS bought.
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And you found a reason to add your own wishlist on top of a already questionable rumor.
 
Magenta Mage said:
I don't think MS has done any favors by describing The Initiative as a "AAAA" studio. Pretty much inflates hype to the point that nothing they deliver will satisfy.
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They kinda didn't though.

A job listing asked for people with AAAA experience.

They then hired a bunch of ex Sony devs. It's really Sony studios that they called AAAA lol

And who knows who even wrote the listing. At this point it's stuck though because IGN says it every time they mention Initiative.
 
Drewpee said:
Gamers hate changes so he might be right
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I don't think they hate change as much as they've voiced they don't like episodic games. Look at the issues with Hitman. I think what they tried to do made a lot of sense. Episodic for those who wanted it every other month and couldn't wait, a final game like normal for those who don't favor that concept and a well rounded game for all when its finished as feedback has allowed each level of the game to be finetuned by the time those who wanted to wait for it, got it as a final boxed game.

I felt logically, that makes sense....the community simply didn't feel the same way. Never mind you don't fucking play AAA titles that haven't released most times, it didn't stop the gaming community from making it seem as if they were being hurt by SOMEONE ELSE playing a game episodic......

The game FINAL will release just as it always has, but that didn't stop gamers from making it sound as if it was DOOM and END DAYS etc. They exaggerated this to such a stupid fucking degree, Square ended up getting rid of the IP, IO etc. Its not to say many have not tried my friend, simply that episodic just has a hard, hard time in the gaming community even when it makes sense. It doesn't mean everyone will accept it even when its not fucking hurting them.

Example.

Cyberpunk 2077 coming Dec 10th (lord willing)

Lets say for the last 2 years it came out in parts, part 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.

Those that wanted to wait still get a game on the 10th, but trust me....it would get massive backlash. comments like "the game is downgraded now" or "oh great now its episodic and in parts, no thanks" or "i don't want any of that episodic tale tell shit" etc.


The fact that the best developer to even do this episodic format is out of business is telling, I mean.....the ones that did it THE BEST are no longer in business.

https://www.windowscentral.com/tell...8: Telltale,Minecraft: Story Mode for Netflix.

Drewpee said:
I love single player games so not knocking what Sony does at all, but why do the same thing?
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Because it works. Period. What Sony does well in terms of giving their teams lots of freedom, allowing them to move on after a series is done to make something new shouldn't be a SONY concept, that should be a concept many adopt in the industry. Let a series go and allow the team to move on. MS imho needs to have a few of their teams make that a common thing so the community trust that if the didn't like what this team put out with their first 3 games, they might like their new series or something. The method Sony has works and makes sense. I see zero reason for them not to do it simply cause Sony does it.

Sony also moves massive units compared to them because of that too.
 
diffusionx said:
Anyone who thinks MS bought all these studios so they can have their Naughty Dog, their Sucker Punch, their Insomniac, etc. just isn't paying attention to anything.

And besides what's the point of supporting MS in the hopes they become more like Sony when you can just... support Sony?
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They should aspire to be better than Sony, be a better competition for our purchase and if anything, Sony should never relax and aspire to improve too regardless of how lauded they currently are. That's what makes gaming better isn't it? Trying to be the best and make great games for people to enjoy?
 
Men_in_Boxes said:
I would doubt that.

They started hiring in 2018. Once a game developer is hired, they begin working on game development. Production may have ramped up in 2019, but developers don't wait around for "real work on the game" to start at some arbitrary time in the second half of 2019.

The episodic nature of the game could suggest an earlier release date too.
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That's what they said about Half Life
 
thelastword said:
So the touted AAAA studio WHICH poached all the top talent in Santa Monica is already relegated to a episodic indie type game....

So all this talk of ND talent going to the Initiative and they are going to be pushing the same tier of games like all the indie studios MS bought.
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and as always you will believe anything negative about Microsoft you read on the internet and think its fact
 
Insider Ed...

tenor.gif
 
I don't outright believe this story; but it's not like it's.. hard to believe.

MS has been touting how hands off they are with studios but there's a chance:

- It's BS and they asked Initiative to hurry up and release something and so they went episodic as it is faster to market
- The creatives involved actually WANT to do something episodic

But.. of course.. chances are it's just total bullshit lol
 
EDMIX said:
https://www.windowscentral.com/telltale-games-possibly-shutting-down-retains-25-employees#:~:text=Updated September 21, 2018: Telltale,Minecraft: Story Mode for Netflix.



Because it works. Period. What Sony does well in terms of giving their teams lots of freedom, allowing them to move on after a series is done to make something new shouldn't be a SONY concept, that should be a concept many adopt in the industry. Let a series go and allow the team to move on. MS imho needs to have a few of their teams make that a common thing so the community trust that if the didn't like what this team put out with their first 3 games, they might like their new series or something. The method Sony has works and makes sense. I see zero reason for them not to do it simply cause Sony does it.

Sony also moves massive units compared to them because of that too.
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I agree with everything in your post (example of the best company to do it going out of business is damming and true) but the last point. I am referring to the style of game that Sony tends to produce, not the method that gets them there.

Single player games like TLOU did nothing for me and I bought a PS4 just to play the game. I'm not knocking Sony because their games are world class, just not my style. I wouldn't be happy with Xbox delivering the same type of games.

I dont know enough about Sony's internal management style to make an informed opinion but I can absolutely see Phil as the type of manager that backs off and let's his employees work. I almost wonder if he is too lenient and that is a big reason we have issues like Halo Infinite looking a mess or Rare releasing a trailer for a game when they have no idea what that game is supposed to be yet. Complete guess on my part based on the personality type I assume that Phil has.
 
Apparently if something goes wrong with one game and studio you give up on the other twenty something studios and all of their games. Yah okay
 
Drewpee said:
I agree with everything in your post (example of the best company to do it going out of business is damming and true) but the last point. I am referring to the style of game that Sony tends to produce, not the method that gets them there.

Single player games like TLOU did nothing for me and I bought a PS4 just to play the game. I'm not knocking Sony because their games are world class, just not my style. I wouldn't be happy with Xbox delivering the same type of games.

I dont know enough about Sony's internal management style to make an informed opinion but I can absolutely see Phil as the type of manager that backs off and let's his employees work. I almost wonder if he is too lenient and that is a big reason we have issues like Halo Infinite looking a mess or Rare releasing a trailer for a game when they have no idea what that game is supposed to be yet. Complete guess on my part based on the personality type I assume that Phil has.
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I don't think they have a style, many of those teams did games like that before. As in Naughty Dog doing The Last Of Us just like they did Uncharted or Jak and Daxter etc. I don't think that is a Sony thing btw, that just happens to be the thing their teams doing really well, but I don't think that was something Sony mandated or something, many of those teams have done single player titles since they were first made. So I'm not saying they need to have the same "style", simply that they need the same format.

ie new IP, 3 entries in and then make another new IP as a series etc.

What that game is in terms of style or anything like that is irrelevant as thats not the point I'm making.

Even in support that, yea they need some IP that are in that direction of a mature theme narrative. I see no reason for them not to btw with The Last Of Us moving something crazing like 20 million plus units. A market exist for it.
 
So because MS won't follow the Sony template the game will be bad? I think Xbox fans can deal with this just fine, it'll be Sony fanboys and the usual media who will whine about this.
 
Forsythia said:
So because MS won't follow the Sony template the game will be bad?
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Not really, because episodic has a very negative view in the gaming community. I say this as a person that had no issue with The Walking Dead games or Hitman etc. Nonetheless, the community simply doesn't favor this concept, I'm ok with FFVII remake going this route as that is a lofty remake, yet that is one of the biggest things the community complains about "oh its in parts" or "dlc the game" etc.

Nothing to do with not following Sony, more to do with episodic in general.

At the end of the day, the format that Sony has made with making new series with a sprinkle of established series has worked for them really well, but shit its worked for Ubisoft and many more really well too.

I see nothing wrong with them making a new IP, doing a few entries and having that team then make another series when they are out of ideas, vs Halo 8 or something. You can call it the Sony template or Ubisoft template etc, but I don't believe either publisher is the only one allowed to have a strong trust by the community to make new series and move on.

Should never be locked into being a "Sony thing" as its just silly. I'd rather they do that set up vs this whole episodic thing even if I support that concept, I also know the community generally has a very negative view on it.

Why follow something we know failed many times already? Yet ignore the solid format of the market leader? When did making new series like clock work and letting older ones rest once in a while become a Sony concept? That should be a fucking industry wide support idea. For god sakes, we have a thread complaining about yearly releases, yet folks are arguing against this idea of using a format that is largely in favor of new series?

https://www.independent.ie/business...episodic-and-people-arent-happy-34279646.html

www.gamesindustry.biz

New Hitman game switches to episodic model

The next game in IO Interactive's Hitman franchise will be episodic, a different structure to the one the Danish studio…
www.gamesindustry.biz www.gamesindustry.biz
 
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Self High Five said:
Gamers hate getting nickled and dimed (or the loud minority does I guess), so the hate will be deserved depending on their plans.

Breaking up a a regular full priced title into 'episodic content' where the end user gets charged more in the long run while trying to sell it as a deal by saying "don't worry, just pay $120 a year for gamepass" deserves hate.

Ironically it won't come from the same people who raged out about $10 increase to full price games.
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Telltale did it and I just waited for the GOTY version to go on sale. I can be a patient gamer. I think episodic content doesn't really work business wise.
 
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