Microsoft Studios |OT2| The Best Is Yet To Come

Toumari said:

MAU is a biased stat when you are comparing a multiplayer game against a single player one. Obviously a year down the line FH4 will have more MAU than Spider-Man.

Going by sales Spider-Man will obviously sell more than FH4 in the long run.

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I'm sorry, my wording was bad. I essentially meant "unique users played the game", not monthly.

FH4 is essentially the first well-known and well-received IP directly launching on Game Pass. Will be interesting to see the numbers. I think some people will be surprised.

So the story is 1000% true

Sony FP has the best pipeline and support system in the business to create big story-based games. Some people don't realize all of the support a publisher can give a developer, and that's true of every major publisher for every major game.

Marvel approached Sony, wanting them to do one of their characters right with a big first-party story game. They wanted to work with one of the developers Sony FP works with frequently, and even mentioned us by name to Sony as a developer who they felt particularly fit.

Sony approached us, we were interested (obv!), and they told us Marvel wanted us to pick which hero we most wanted to play with. We picked Spider-Man (obv!).


All real, all how it happened, no ties to any other deal or circumstance.

jstevenson said:

So the story is 1000% true

Sony FP has the best pipeline and support system in the business to create big story-based games. Some people don't realize all of the support a publisher can give a developer, and that's true of every major publisher for every major game.

Marvel approached Sony, wanting them to do one of their characters right with a big first-party story game. They wanted to work with one of the developers Sony FP works with frequently, and even mentioned us by name to Sony as a developer who they felt particularly fit.

Sony approached us, we were interested (obv!), and they told us Marvel wanted us to pick which hero we most wanted to play with. We picked Spider-Man (obv!).


All real, all how it happened, no ties to any other deal or circumstance.

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I know it's not really the place to discuss this but..

Any particular reason why you picked Spiderman over another? And did sunset overdrive influence your decision at all since there's some obvious similarities between the two or is that just a coincidence ?

jstevenson said:

So the story is 1000% true

Sony FP has the best pipeline and support system in the business to create big story-based games. Some people don't realize all of the support a publisher can give a developer, and that's true of every major publisher for every major game.

Marvel approached Sony, wanting them to do one of their characters right with a big first-party story game. They wanted to work with one of the developers Sony FP works with frequently, and even mentioned us by name to Sony as a developer who they felt particularly fit.

Sony approached us, we were interested (obv!), and they told us Marvel wanted us to pick which hero we most wanted to play with. We picked Spider-Man (obv!).


All real, all how it happened, no ties to any other deal or circumstance.

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Just out of curiosity, what would be the second pick?

jstevenson said:

So the story is 1000% true

Sony FP has the best pipeline and support system in the business to create big story-based games. Some people don't realize all of the support a publisher can give a developer, and that's true of every major publisher for every major game.

Marvel approached Sony, wanting them to do one of their characters right with a big first-party story game. They wanted to work with one of the developers Sony FP works with frequently, and even mentioned us by name to Sony as a developer who they felt particularly fit.

Sony approached us, we were interested (obv!), and they told us Marvel wanted us to pick which hero we most wanted to play with. We picked Spider-Man (obv!).

All real, all how it happened, no ties to any other deal or circumstance.

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Lukas Taves said:

I know that's the official story. I'm saying it sounds as BS as you can get.

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Is it still 'BS' now Lukas Taves?

dist said:

Just out of curiosity, what would be the second pick?

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Iron Man would be cool i think, just flying around. Or Thor and his hammer (looking at GOW).

Ayra Sutoraifu said:

Iron Man would be cool i think, just flying around. Or Thor and his hammer (looking at GOW).

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I would love Blade or a new Punisher.

I'm still surprised Microsoft hasn't bought Skybox Labs as a support studio. Support studios are incredibly important as well.

Camonna Tong said:

I'm still surprised Microsoft hasn't bought Skybox Labs as a support studio. Support studios are incredibly important as well.

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As long as they have contracts I don't think that's needed. As soon as these run out they need to re-evaluate the situation of course.

Peek-a-boo! said:

Is it still 'BS' now Lukas Taves?

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lmao

jstevenson said:

So the story is 1000% true

Sony FP has the best pipeline and support system in the business to create big story-based games. Some people don't realize all of the support a publisher can give a developer, and that's true of every major publisher for every major game.

Marvel approached Sony, wanting them to do one of their characters right with a big first-party story game. They wanted to work with one of the developers Sony FP works with frequently, and even mentioned us by name to Sony as a developer who they felt particularly fit.

Sony approached us, we were interested (obv!), and they told us Marvel wanted us to pick which hero we most wanted to play with. We picked Spider-Man (obv!).


All real, all how it happened, no ties to any other deal or circumstance.

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Thx.

And btw to some people in this thread:

Klobrille said:

As long as they have contracts I don't think that's needed. As soon as these run out they need to re-evaluate the situation of course.

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It would still give them the ability to make them into a bigger and better support studio. As a first party, they would be a lot more beneficial as they can tap into the rest of Microsoft's resources where they can be better help. Undead didn't have access to everything they needed until they became a part of Microsoft.

For all we know, Microsoft AI is only available to the first party studios, and Skybox having access to those resources would further their quality of Halo Infinite and its AI (I don't necessarily mean the Creatures and NPC AI). That's just an example, but the point is they can provide a lot more support as a first party than independent.

Peek-a-boo! said:

Is it still 'BS' now Lukas Taves?

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I mean if those who didn't believe the CEO of Insomniac Games, what makes you think they'll believe anyone else?

So can we finally put the Spider-Man talk to rest in here now? Can we get a mod warning or something to keep it on topic lol

Anyways:

Not particularly excited over the idea of Ruffian or Playful.

Certain Affinry would be good

Camonna Tong said:

It would still give them the ability to make them into a bigger and better support studio. As a first party, they would be a lot more beneficial as they can tap into the rest of Microsoft's resources where they can be better help. Undead didn't have access to everything they needed until they became a part of Microsoft.

For all we know, Microsoft AI is only available to the first party studios, and Skybox having access to those resources would further their quality of Halo Infinite and its AI (I don't necessarily mean the Creatures and NPC AI). That's just an example, but the point is they can provide a lot more support as a first party than independent.

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A more central support studio sounds interesting. I don't know if it would work in the long run as the staff obviously will get more ambitious over time and at some point maybe wants to work on their own game, but I like the idea.

At least we know that Matt Booty is really trying to build a network for the studios, so they can share their expertise and resources with each other. Just like Turn10 and Playground seem to be greatly working together.

It will take time, but I strongly believe Microsoft Studios will be a different organization with incredible results at some point. It's just a matter of time at this point until all the gear wheels Microsoft is currently touching will start to work.

They have the studios now. They have the resources. They have the support by other Microsoft divisions. And they even have the creative freedom needed.

Klobrille said:

Halo Wars 2 has a MC of 79%. In which universe is this considered "bad"?

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In the IGN and hobbyconsolas universe that's pretty aweful ;)

I've enjoyed many games with a 70-something metascore tbh. Sometimes these games have some rough edges, but often they just are for a specific audience.

Opinion piece by GamInformer about Xbox this gen.

Xbox Is Doing A Great Job Listening To Its Fans This Generation

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https://www.gameinformer.com/opinio...eat-job-listening-to-its-fans-this-generation

Worth reading!

Colbert said:

Opinion piece by GamInformer about Xbox this gen.



https://www.gameinformer.com/opinio...eat-job-listening-to-its-fans-this-generation

Worth reading!

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Nah, the Xbox One is a bit shit, isn't it. ;)

I think I'm going to start reporting posts that talk about Spider-Man. This is an MS first party thread. Stop.

Klobrille said:

I think two of these are in a "likely" stage.

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I'd guess Ruffian and Playful then? Depends on how much Ruffian does to help save Crackdown 3, I suppose.

jem said:

What's with the unnecessary antagonism?

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Yeah I have no idea, it's getting a bit much.

Falcon511 said:

I think I'm going to start reporting posts that talk about Spider-Man. This is an MS first party thread. Stop.

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Ditto, sent one already.

I havent been talking about Spiderman, but its easy to see why people are. And yes, they are talking about Microsoft, because people are trying to figure out whether or not Microsoft can buy Insomniac.

If you dont like the discussion of it, or dont care for it like me, just dont discuss it. There is people who is interested in talking about it.


The truth is, I believe that speculation on studios being bought out will be a main point of discussion for a long time, or at least until Microsoft buys more studios. For me I think they should look at Larian Studios (Divinity Original Sin). It would bolster their PC lineup, and give them one of the best RPG franchises of all time.

With that said, how about We Happy Few everybody? This is a game that i have been keeping my eye out for since first reveal. Oddly its the game im most excited for this year, so hoping its good. It was a huge surprise seeing microsoft buying them, but I think a studio like that, with a bigger budget can really do something.

Anybody excited?

JayWood2010 said:

I havent been talking about Spiderman, but its easy to see why people are. And yes, they are talking about Microsoft, because people are trying to figure out whether or not Microsoft can buy Insomniac.

If you dont like the discussion of it, or dont care for it like me, just dont discuss it. There is people who is interested in talking about it.


The truth is, I believe that speculation on studios being bought out will be a main point of discussion for a long time, or at least until Microsoft buys more studios. For me I think they should look at Larian Studios (Divinity Original Sin). It would bolster their PC lineup, and give them one of the best RPG franchises of all time.

With that said, how about We Happy Few everybody? This is a game that i have been keeping my eye out for since first reveal. Oddly its the game im most excited for this year, so hoping its good. It was a huge surprise seeing microsoft buying them, but I think a studio like that, with a bigger budget can really do something.

Anybody excited?

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They're certainly capable of creating unique artstyles.

I respect any talk about things that could influence Microsoft Studios, but yeah... Spider-man will be a PS exclusive game developed by Insomniac, if it doesn't influence or have an effect on Microsoft Studios as a whole, let's keep it out of here shall we ;)

The sales could influence MS in making more superhero games or licensed games, but with Crackdown being their "superhero" game, i'd expect them to focus on that as a franchise instead of asking Marvel/DC for a license. Believe it or not, Crackdown as a fun superhero game still got a lot of potential and all of us CD fans know it won't be anywhere near the critical success that other games are because of the foundation that it has. Let's hope for Sumo to make the "perfect Crackdown game" like we've been promised for and hopefully the series doesn't end at 3 ;)

Klobrille said:

Playful
Certain Affinity
Ruffian Games

And Microsoft Studios would be complete imo.

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Playful is the one that needs to hire some big platformer talent, but they could establish themselves as the "Everyone/family" type of developer. I'd love to see them make a party game of some sorts if they got a nice pitch for it. CA and Ruffian are two devs i'd love to see have a place in the MS Studios list. Ruffian could grow and become an in-house Crackdown developer or perhaps take their expertise to another IP and CA could do pretty much a diversified amount of stuff. Them remaking some games would be cool, but seeing a brand new franchise from them would definitely be a highlight in that studio's history.

A New Beginning said:

They're certainly capable of creating unique artstyles.

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It remains to be seen if the story is good or not, but the premise of We Happy Few is very good as well. Its actually supposed to be heavily inspired by "Brave New World", by Aldous Huxley.

JayWood2010 said:

It remains to be seen if the story is good or not, but the premise of We Happy Few is very good as well. Its actually supposed to be heavily inspired by "Brave New World", by Aldous Huxley.

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Yeah, brainwashing and totalitarianism seems to be the theme of the game. What it lacks in story may be recompensated by strong imagery.

Klobrille said:

I think two of these are in a "likely" stage.

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Gotta be honest here, I'm not particularly excited about that idea. What MS needs is studios that can "get shit done" and on time too, sure a delay is no big deal but Crackdown 3?........ yeah.

Of course this doesn't mean that their future games will end up in messy development hells as well, or however you want to call it. But MS needs stable studios. Playground? Definitely one of them for example.

Just realized that multiple studios are on Crackdown. I have to admit I forgot what part Ruffian is working on.

A New Beginning said:

Yeah, brainwashing and totalitarianism seems to be the theme of the game. What it lacks in story may be recompensated by strong imagery.

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I have a feeling it will have a very interesting story. We will see.

MosquitoSmasher said:

Gotta be honest here, I'm not particularly excited about that idea. What MS needs is studios that can "get shit done" and on time too, sure a delay is no big deal but Crackdown 3?........ yeah.

Of course this doesn't mean that their future games will end up in messy development hells as well, or however you want to call it. But MS needs stable studios. Playground? Definitely one of them for example.

Just realized that multiple studios are on Crackdown. I have to admit I forgot what part Ruffian is working on.

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Ruffian isn't responsible for the constant shifts in development. They are now there to finish the job on the multiplayer part.

Klobrille said:

Ruffian isn't responsible for the constant shifts in development. They are now there to finish the job on the multiplayer part.

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Yeah i edited my message. I had forgotten who made what in C3. My bad on that. Ruffian made the SP then?

I would like MS to gives us a KI update

Make it happen.

MosquitoSmasher said:

Yeah i edited my message. I had forgotten who made what in C3. My bad on that. Ruffian made the SP then?

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No. Ruffian only finishes the multiplayer (and probably keeps supporting it in the future). Reagent Games started the multiplayer work. Sumo was always just campaign / general gameplay systems.

Ruffian isn't too big. About 40 employees. Would be a great get imo. With Crackdown 3 they now would've an existing framework in Unreal Engine. They could work on future iterations of the franchise in a more focused way and results would come in faster. Definitely a studio with a lot of potential but clearly they get hold back by their limited resources.

Klobrille said:

No. Ruffian only finishes the multiplayer (and probably keeps supporting it in the future). Reagent Games started the multiplayer work. Sumo was always just campaign / general gameplay systems.

Ruffian isn't too big. About 40 employees. Would be a great get imo. With Crackdown 3 they now would've an existing framework in Unreal Engine. They could work on future iterations of the franchise in a more focused way and results would come in faster. Definitely a studio with a lot of potential but clearly they get hold back by their limited resources.

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Yeah I can see that happening. I'd love for Crackdown to become something that sticks after 3, or perhaps something brand new. So there are actual signs that Ruffian could happen?

rokkerkory said:

I hope they pick another 2-3 small to med studios... esp Moon!

Small to med studios are more innovative.

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Moon is definitely not going to be acquired. At least not right now. We're getting a second Ori and they are already working on a second IP that I assume they will publish themselves.

Rather Sumo than a few smaller developers

They have some great talent there

Still think Certain Affinity would make a great PD. Hoberman, if he's still there, makes some great maps.

SuikerBrood said:

Do you guys think Super Lucky's Tale was succesful enough to warrant a new game from Playful?

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I hope so. My daughter loves watching me play this game. Maybe they can get another game under their belt and then do a real Banjo game! Please...

fantomena said:

Thx.

And btw to some people in this thread:

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You should have told people in another thread imo. Or petition to have the thread changed to MS Studios and Spider Man.

SuikerBrood said:

Do you guys think Super Lucky's Tale was succesful enough to warrant a new game from Playful?

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It was at least successful enough to warrant two DLC packs, so I don't think a full on sequel is out of the question. I'd definitely welcome it, as the game was great comfort food for me. Nowhere near as good as a Mario Odyssey, but it was just a nice and chill experience.

Klobrille said:

Playful
Certain Affinity
Ruffian Games

And Microsoft Studios would be complete imo.

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only Certain Affinity will make the MSS complete...

Wow, I had no idea Microsoft worked with so many developers during the Original Xbox era, and the 360 era. I went back to see if there's any studios with talent Microsoft might approach and there's quite a few that either went bankrupt, got bought out (the Mech Assault devs did), or nothing has been heard from them in awhile. Heck, they worked with FromSoftware several times on the Original Xbox and 360.

They worked with tons of developers from all sorts of countries. Ninty-Nine Nights for example, was co-developed between the Japanese company Q Entertainment and the Korean Company Phantagram.

Here's a list if anyone wants a look.

Edit: Now that I think about it, if there's anything I'd really wish for that I doubt would happen, it would be for Microsoft to buy Akella and make the Age of Pirates series into a higher budget franchise. Easily one of my favorite sandbox games, and pirates games.

There are many studios MS could acquire but they got a checklist they're working with, some sort of criteria. First and foremost they are looking for studios brimming with talent and designers who they can work with and secondly they want talents they can put in charge of new studios and I believe at this point MS is willing to pay big money and negotiate a long as the studio/ talent in question fits their criteria. It's all a business and the conditions MS is offering are right then the studio will jump. If they could get NT on board(a dev many associated with PS than Xbx) then anything is possible.

SuikerBrood said:

Do you guys think Super Lucky's Tale was succesful enough to warrant a new game from Playful?

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I think it's clear that Playful has skills. They developed a platformer that played well on a limited budget. It was generic as hell though. I think they need better artists. The fundamental game played well which is why I believe their talents would be better placed on an existing IP.

Poodlestrike said:

I go away for a day and y'all turn to depravity smh



I... really don't think MS is in the market for a sandbox pirate game right this moment.

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That's one reason I don't think it'll happen. Sea of Thieves and Age of Pirates are completely different to me though. Even if they're both Pirate Sandbox games. Age of Pirates has the base of the perfect pirate game many want if you ask me. At least the ones that wanted a Pirate (as in non-AC) version of Black Flag. Not what we're getting with Skull and Bones.

I am a few pages back on reading this thread right now after vacation, but maybe putting something together here in my mind.

Klobrille said:

Projects get rebooted all the time or can be in prototype/pitch phase for years. It's just that the public rarely knows about these. So yes, I agree with Morgoth Bauglir - I'm 100% confident a new PD exists in some shape or form (and yes, as stated already, it may take years until we get an announcement - I can't really know the actual status).

If you ask me personally, a smaller team is currently creating a Perfect Dark prototype / pitch in Unreal Engine 4. I don't know the status. I don't know the studios. I don't know why I found a The Coalition reference (probably because of the engine?). It simply remains to be seen. Just like the other things I found I am committed that this is a thing, too.

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We know that a PD was being worked on. The Initiative wasn't formed or potentially thought about at the time of that news. We know that The Coalition was working with whoever was starting it. Here is where I go off into a world of thought. What if Microsoft approached Ninja Theory to build PD for them and that lead to the purchase of the studio? The time line works for the release of Hellblade. It came out in August of 2017. That would put it at 1 year of dev at this point. Thought? Speculation?

I think ninja theory will make something on their own this first time under this acquisition. the first time the whole team will be able to work together again is something exciting for them.

Mr BOOTY is all about taking care of his employees right? i hope, i hope, he allows these teams to spread their wings, at least for now so they can get their feet running and become a well oiled machine.

I think Ninja Theory will be the Third Person ACtion/adventure/mystery/thinker/mature studio from MS moving forward. i dont want them to build old IPs and try to re-create it with their vision. Nah, id rather have them build on what i seen in HellBlade and for them to continue on that path. it was refreshing playing that game and i know they can do a lot more!

I have a question for the XBOX faithful

Firstly, if Scarlett launches in 2019/20 what's likely to launch with it as an XBOX exclusively? As I understand it, The five acquired studios are not fully formed and/or are in pre-production of new exclusives. Given that games of a certain quality take time what first party studio will step up to the plate during the next gen launch window. The earliest acquisition (second Playground studio in the UK) were staffing up in January for the Fable reboot.
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-01-17-sources-microsoft-plots-fable-return

So I'm left wondering what goodies XBOX will use to entice us.

OG_Thrills said:

So I'm left wondering what goodies XBOX will use to entice us.

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They'll have a bunch of stuff that isn't signposted right now from key partners, one offs. I criticize a lot of MS' strategy in terms of providing unique content over the full generation, but getting bespoke launch titles out there is not one of their issues. I'd say they are the best at this actually. Sony always seem slow and Nintendo are a lottery.