Xbox Rumors and Speculation
- Thread starter Andy
- Start date
I called it in 2018. InXile was the sleeper studio and my pick to break out next gen. Fargo has incredible credibility and contacts within the industry. He's in a prime location to poach some of the best minds. This is the first time he's had money behind him. Combine that with the fact devs really like Booty's sales pitch and I expect InXiles next game to rival all the rest of the next gen RPGs.
Probably just VGA related. I really can't stand the guy (GK)...I mean I'll give him some credit for giving games some public recognition (other awards are more industry based and most folks don't know what AIAS is...)....but man sure seems like he shills for Sony on the reg.
Also if you look at the pic, the chat comment showing says "this is an incredible show" likely referring to the coming VGAs....just sayin'.
I like how they implicitly state "Mass Effect Trilogy" as nobody wants to be associated with the dumpter file known as Andromeda (don't know if he worked on it or not but I'm sure he'd do his level best to bury that
). Good get though as Mass Effect Trilogy was great with Mass Effect 2 being the highlight of the series IMO.
Last edited:
I like how they implicitly state "Mass Effect Trilogy" as nobody wants to be associated with the dumpter file known as Andromeda (don't know if he worked on it or not but I'm sure he'd do his level best to bury that
No, 3 was the best by a mile, except for a regrettable decision to write an ending for a Deus Ex game rather than this trilogy. Hell, I think 1 had more memorable moments too; three had the Tali arc and Mordin arc that were perfect, and one had the Wrex standoff (although one easily overcome with too little investment in persuasion skills) and the Kaiden/Ashley choice (oh, and the rachni queen). Most memorable thing I can come up with in two is the Assassin's story and it was solid too, but it's not at the level of the other two. Which of course is fine, since they're probably my favorite storylines of that gen other than BioShock Infinite.
Keep repeating it. Devs are buying the Microsoft sales pitch. They've landed exponentially more established creative names since 2018 than they had in their entire history previously. They aren't just buying studios. They're poaching creatives from the studios they can't buy.
Don't forget Mass Effect 2's Lair Of The Shadow Broker, though DLC it was one of the most satisfying and memorable story arcs of the trilogy IMO. ME3 Citadel DLC was really nice too.
In other news, I wish techland would give us a slither of dying light 2 news, something must be going on there.
These are old and at least 1 thing is blatantly wrong. Tomas Mauler has wanted to go multiplatform to gain more exposure. Moon has already signed a publishing deal to make a AAA ARPG. He has really ambitious goals and isn't interested in selling. I realize all Indies say they want to stay independent but Mauler seems to be very steadfast in his commitment to stay that way.
The other 4 are good logical guesses. Its been assumed Microsoft was trying to establish a presence in Poland which is where Bloober and Techland are at. Problem with Techland is management though. Not sure Microsoft is willing to take on a large studio with some leadership disarray.
Sega has been rumored awhile but I think its just a Game Pass partnership.
Asobo is a no brainer except Microsoft has them locked into a 10 year contract for Flight Sim while the Asobo team has already signed on with Focus Home for a Plague Tale sequel. In other words, it'll be years before Microsoft would get anything new from Asobo if they signed together now.
Keep an eye on IOI. They're finishing up Hitman and would be ready for a new IP. I believe that's what Microsoft was waiting on. They're a good fit. Surprised they didn't get mentioned among these educated guesses.
I dunno. There seems to be a stark difference between what what people say on forums concerning acquisitions and the inner working within the industry itself.
Seems to me (aside from a select few verified insiders) 99% of what thr gaming community thinks is wrong on alot of this stuff. Look at the Bethesda acqisition. No one saw that coming and that was the biggest gaming news in recent memory. Literally shook the entire gaming community as a whole. And that deal was in the making for two years!
IOI seems to be overlooked alot in acquisition talks. I believe that they're a very good studio and could bolster MS portfolio of developers.
For sure. At the end of the day, we're playing videogame algebra and our final answer is often filling in the rumor trusted most for Y. My comments were mostly educated guesses however Mahler himself has interreacted in a few places and explained pretty convincedly why his studio isn't for sale. (He interacts with gamers in some places). That's why I threw out the rest of the rumors as educated guesses with it.
Every purchase made thus far has made sense from a business perspective based on what Satya, Phil and Booty have said. Some of those rumors would then fit. Some don't. For example I like Techland but Microsoft has been very consistent in only buying studios with steady leadership that they can remain hands off with since 2018. Out of 17 studios added, none have leadership questions. Techland may be for sale in part because they're having leadership and project management problems. I believe they will sell or go public eventually but Microsoft will pass if they don't make an exception on their rules.
IOI fits in perfect with a lot of the studios Microsoft bought in 2018/2019. They're a studio with good creative talent, good leadership but can't sell their AAA games in the current market. "I heard" (and keep in mind "I heard" doesn't mean it's true) that the reason they weren't acquired previously is that IOI wanted to finish their Hitman trilogy. They don't own the IP. Only the right to make games from it. Microsoft's current "rules" for game investment is to invest in IPs they will own going forward. This rule is one reason Moon is going multiplat next time since Mahler is adamant and keeping the rights to his team's next game. I mention this because after Hitman 3, IOI is ready for a new IP. It's perfect timing for them to get back with Microsoft and complete the deal. I want Microsoft to pick them up because I fear if they don't, IOI will need to restructure to find a different business strategy to keep the lights on.
i feel ms may buy a studio that isnt too t-rated, maybe theyll get the studio that made that super luckys tale.... oh or that one indie game that looks like zelda, i know itll be released on gamepass and have marketing rights, may even be console exclusive
Microsoft Sets Sights on Sony’s Home Turf in Console Clash
In the battle of the next-generation gaming machines, two key players are moving in different directions.
www.bloomberg.com
This game has come on leaps and bounds since first shown back in May. Gives me hope for Halo Infinite.
For me and Edge BC :
www.gamespot.com
Interesting quote about Lost Odyssey:
1. Didn't know Phil worked on Lost Odyssey.
2. Its kinda funny he refers to the game as the 1st Lost Odyssey. Maybe reading too much into that.
3. He dodge the hell out of the question.
Phil Spencer On Xbox And Japan, Halo's Future, Playing Elden Ring, And More
Ahead of the launch of the Xbox Series X and S, we talked to the head of Xbox about the future of gaming and the platform holder's place within it.
www.gamespot.com
Interesting quote about Lost Odyssey:
1. Didn't know Phil worked on Lost Odyssey.
2. Its kinda funny he refers to the game as the 1st Lost Odyssey. Maybe reading too much into that.
3. He dodge the hell out of the question.
It sounds like something's going on with LO, how he says the first and jumped to Mizoguchi and Tetris. It might be nothing, but I like that people keep asking for it directly in interviews. I love that Fable is coming back, but I would flip the fk out if LO became a franchise.For me and Edge BC :
Phil Spencer On Xbox And Japan, Halo's Future, Playing Elden Ring, And More
Ahead of the launch of the Xbox Series X and S, we talked to the head of Xbox about the future of gaming and the platform holder's place within it.
Interesting quote about Lost Odyssey:
1. Didn't know Phil worked on Lost Odyssey.
2. Its kinda funny he refers to the game as the 1st Lost Odyssey. Maybe reading too much into that.
3. He dodge the hell out of the question.