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Microsoft needs a Plan B, they need to start thinking about a Halo replacement.
- Thread starter TheGhost
- Start date
It's really not given Xbox has expanded their market and access to their games. Halo Infinite will release on sale digitally on PC (Windows store and Steam) and digitally and retail on Xbox and people can access it through buying it, or subscribing to Game pass on PC and/or console. Halo Infinite is likely to have it's highest player engagement ever for a Halo game. It's why your "concern" seems so misplaced and laughable by stating they need a "Plan B" and "Halo Replacement".
From the initial success, I haven't expected this kind of drop. I think majority didn't, because if you look at that highlight thread on ERA, it was full of people suggesting that Halo is back and it is big/relevant again.
To be fair if you go into the mindset of we need to replace Halo you are always gonna fail.
Alot of stuff just happens. I mean look at Fortnite. Laughing stock until they introduced a F2P spin off in BR.
And the game became more then that. Nobody was expecting that or planned that within Epic. It just happens and stars align.
Alot of stuff just happens. I mean look at Fortnite. Laughing stock until they introduced a F2P spin off in BR.
And the game became more then that. Nobody was expecting that or planned that within Epic. It just happens and stars align.
To me there's nobody doing it better than Microsoft
Halo as a top tier online FPS
Forza as pretty much the definitive Online racer
Killer Instinct as a top tier online fighting game
Gears as the best 3rd person online shooter
Minecraft as one the biggest online games on the planet
Sea of thieves as a crazy unique online shared world game
Halo as a top tier online FPS
Forza as pretty much the definitive Online racer
Killer Instinct as a top tier online fighting game
Gears as the best 3rd person online shooter
Minecraft as one the biggest online games on the planet
Sea of thieves as a crazy unique online shared world game
Almost can't believe people actually have this opinion, I dread to think what things would look like now if Sony were left to their own devices, or MS for that matter. Xbox has brought incredible changes since it entered the industry, they completely revolutionised online gaming. We need both companies, the competition forces each of them to change for the better. Imagine if Sony wasnt around at the start of this gen and MS were able to go forward with their original Xbox One plans? They forced MS to change direction and we have benefited from it, with Xbox raising the bar with services like Game Pass and pushing new ideas like cross play and play anywhere, which in turn is forcing Sony to improve their services. Gaming would be worse without either company.
For sure. The competition aspect makes it worthwhile to have them both around. I suppose it hinges on what a consumer wants out of a console: Do you want more Japanese games, do you want to play on the same console your friends are playing on, do you chase after the higher specs on a machine, or do you want to play select first party IP's such as Halo or Gears of War.
Xbox gives you options. You don't need a console to enjoy their games or services.
They have a lot of IP, and now have to appeal to both PC and Console players. Diversity is key.
If I have one criticism, it's that they should let their big hitters differentiate like Sony did with Sucker Punch and GG. They don't necessarily have to change IP, a second project could do them wonders creatively.
That being said, Infinite isn't out yet, I have a good feeling about that game.
If I have one criticism, it's that they should let their big hitters differentiate like Sony did with Sucker Punch and GG. They don't necessarily have to change IP, a second project could do them wonders creatively.
That being said, Infinite isn't out yet, I have a good feeling about that game.
Originally they were described as an AAAA developer, but I think they said in recent interviews they were gonna stay small, so I wouldn't expect them to release anything near the scale of a Halo game anytime soon.
4's campaign was fine? I never saw anyone complain about it. It was a great send off for Cortana (before Guardians fucked it up).
It's not just hardcore fans though.
Millions of people still buy and play Halo.
Halo 5 didn't hit the same heights as Halo 3 in terms of player counts/retention but it was still extremely successful.
this isn't enough though when halo is your big flagship title.
nintendo release like 4 titles a year that outsell halo and sony like 1-2.
And still PlayStation and Xbox have more revenue than Nintendo. Guess that's not working out great for 'm.
but nintendo and sony make profits with their gaming business.
They need a major, exclusive western RPG. This is where they failed this gen and what prevented me from buying the system.
Gears and Halo are still fan favorites...for a smaller group of fans that are still very loyal. I'd rather Gears and Halo show up once every gen or so (6 years maybe?), without too many changes to the gameplay as it is now. They would be strong value propositions still, and play differently enough from other games on the market to be worth a look.
And then let studios make new IPs the rest of the time.
Every gen they had one gigantic game, Halo for xbox, Gears for 360, Minecraft (it did knock open the Nintendo doors, and recently PS4). Will be interested in seeing what they try this time (hopefully they've learned it's not TV tie-ins...)
And then let studios make new IPs the rest of the time.
Every gen they had one gigantic game, Halo for xbox, Gears for 360, Minecraft (it did knock open the Nintendo doors, and recently PS4). Will be interested in seeing what they try this time (hopefully they've learned it's not TV tie-ins...)
Microsoft needs a top notch exclusive FPS that is better than what the competition has......
They have one, it's called Halo!
They have one, it's called Halo!
They don't really have a big one, and they should rightly be criticised for that.
Yes, they do. Maybe MS does so too.
That wasn't my point to be honest. Microsoft has a fairly sizable gaming division without having the first party attachment rate that Nintendo does. Sony doesn't fare that much better than MS at this point to be honest. I'd say the attachment rate of Forza Horizon is probably better than the rate of God of War, if you compare the size of the userbase.
Not really, they don't need a replacement but a companion. Halo is still massive as a gaming brand.
They also have Minecraft. But with all these new studios I'm sure we're going to get a new IP that can stand shoulder to shoulder with Halo.
They also have Minecraft. But with all these new studios I'm sure we're going to get a new IP that can stand shoulder to shoulder with Halo.
It was mentioned in other threads, but is also here:
Xbox Game Studios 'The Initiative' talks 'staying small, staying agile'
Microsoft is setting expectations for its The Initiative studio, "staying small and staying agile" for its early days.
www.windowscentral.com
So I think we should expect smaller scale projects (AA) from them from the sounds of things. I expect the majority of Microsoft's games to be AA level, with their AAA games being mainly made by their Gears, Halo and Forza studios (343i, The Coalition, Turn 10 and Playground).
I think this was the first post to mention The Initiative. Xbox has been a aware that they need another big hit for some time and have been working hard to produce one. The problem is that it can take 5 years from decision point to beginning to see results.
The fact it even got that many players from such an old game shows it's still big/relevant though.
Uhm how about 15 studios + now? Hows that not a plan B... they haven't been able to bank on halo for last 2 games anyways.
Why would Microsoft try to replace one of their Tentpole franchises?
Halo has action figures, building sets, films, and who knows what other merchandise. Successful companies add to their portfolios when they have successes like the Halo brand, they don't get rid of them.
Halo has action figures, building sets, films, and who knows what other merchandise. Successful companies add to their portfolios when they have successes like the Halo brand, they don't get rid of them.
This would be like saying, "Nintendo needs a plan B, they need to start thinking about a Mario replacement.", Halo to MS is what Mario is to Nintendo. What they need to do, and are starting to do now, is supplement their big IPs with new IPs to keep things fresh and varied.
I only started to see positive reactions to Halo 4 after Halo 5 came out, both campaigns suck. Halo 4 was very linear in its level design and the whole Master Chief is a chosen one thing was awful. 5's story is atrocious not much else needs to be said there.
hmmm.. well we know almost nothing about Infinite and what the package will contain. What sustain they will do and etc.
The population of gamers is actually growing and it appears to me MS is already looking on how to engage those users. hint: xcloud, gamepass + xbox access.
I'm in the boat of "wait and see" to gauge they need a plan B where this universe is really big and diverse. grass isnt always greener on the other side. in this example a plan b vs Halo.
Nah, they just need to reinvigorate the franchise.
If i was MS I would give Halo a rest for about 5 years, while 343i makes something else they're passionate about. Then completely reboot the entire Halo franchise, throwing out all the EU lore and narrative baggage that came with Bungie's series---not entirely.
Start with a new Halo, hundreds of years in the future. Fresh clean slate. New cast, new story, a new threat. Build a new legend.
If i was MS I would give Halo a rest for about 5 years, while 343i makes something else they're passionate about. Then completely reboot the entire Halo franchise, throwing out all the EU lore and narrative baggage that came with Bungie's series---not entirely.
Start with a new Halo, hundreds of years in the future. Fresh clean slate. New cast, new story, a new threat. Build a new legend.
The perceived gap in the Xbox portfolio, at least in the "West", is cinematic 3rd person games.
I think The Initiative, Playground and Ninja Theory have this covered. 3 studios working on this type of game is enough.
Japanese games will initially be covered by Global Publishing.
They pretty have everything non VR related covered now.
I think The Initiative, Playground and Ninja Theory have this covered. 3 studios working on this type of game is enough.
Japanese games will initially be covered by Global Publishing.
They pretty have everything non VR related covered now.
Trying to develop a game with the purpose of being the flagship title is kind of dumb. You can't engineer what is going to suddenly take off and Halo was very lucky to be a lightning in a bottle and have fantastic multiplayer innovations.
No one knows what the big game of the next decade will be.
Focus on making a good game. Make a great Halo game. If it's good, people will come.
No one knows what the big game of the next decade will be.
Focus on making a good game. Make a great Halo game. If it's good, people will come.
I like their current strategy:
1) buy a shit load of quality studios
2) give them the creative freedom to build whatever the fuck they want
3) launch them into gamepass
You don't need to replace Halo with anything.
Halo can continue to co-exist with what will hopefully be a bunch of other great games. Heck maybe through this process they'll even find another flagship title or two to go along with Halo.
1) buy a shit load of quality studios
2) give them the creative freedom to build whatever the fuck they want
3) launch them into gamepass
You don't need to replace Halo with anything.
Halo can continue to co-exist with what will hopefully be a bunch of other great games. Heck maybe through this process they'll even find another flagship title or two to go along with Halo.
They don't need to replace Halo at all, it's a great franchise in my opinion. What they need is more big hitters which is hopefully going to be something we see over the next few years.
You really shouldn't compare attachment rates of an online-focused racer to a Single Player narrative-driven game.
