Microsoft Studios (& Partners) Current and Future Landscape

Chettlar · Jun 5, 2018

NightLife said:
You and I had very different experiences with FH1 if thats you main complaint of the newer ones. FH1 was the worst one easily imo

What's so bad about it? I felt the world design was much more focused. 2 seemed to just throw it out. And it recycled way, way more. Seriously. The exact same races. Over, and over, and over. No thought. Nothing. Just the same races. And then they have you do every single one TWO MORE TIMES if you want to complete all races.

NightLife said:
sorry that was just too good to

Absolutely none of my complaints about 2 seem to have been addressed. I've asked about various things in threads and on Twitter and none of the answers fill me with confidence. It just seems to be the same ol same ol.

Also the girl in FH1 was actually a somewhat decent actress. Felt natural. The people in the FH3 demo? Eesh. Felt like robots narrating a museum exhibit for an elementary school class. Exactly how FH2 felt.

I'm still interested in playing it, but I'm not excited.

Deleted member 43077 · Jun 5, 2018

Chettlar said:
I felt the world design was much more focused.

It was soooo damn boring compared to the other two. 3 just as an example has beaches, cities, jungles, desert, small towns H1 on the other hand is road with trees...thats really kinda it.

Voices in all of em are serviceable. Just an fyi in 3 you have "real" people talk to you but you also have a GPS that talks to you so maybe you confused them but the "real" people dont sound like robots.

Deleted member 43077 · Jun 5, 2018

II JumPeR I said:
Would love that.

Really happy of this news if true :)

that would be GG pack it up, E3 has peaked.

jem · Jun 5, 2018

Another crazy theory:

Show is coming to a close and Phil comes on to say the usual spiel. Then at the end we get...

"One more thing, every single title shown on stage today will be launching day one on gamepass! That means this holiday you can play Assassins Creed: Odyssey, Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 4 and more than 100 other games all for $10 a month"

*mic drop*

Deleted member 43077 · Jun 5, 2018

jem said:
Another crazy theory:

Show is coming to a close and Phil comes on to say the usual spiel. Then at the end we get...

"One more thing, every single title shown on stage today will be launching day one on gamepass! That means this holiday you can play Assassins Creed: Odyssey, Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 4 and others all for $10 a month"

*mic drop*

Id be pissed because id have to go shopping for new pants. thanks M$!!

MosquitoSmasher · Jun 5, 2018

NightLife said:
*Forza Horizon 4 trailers and shit end*

Phil: We would like to announce that our partnership with PG has continued to evolve and we are pleased to announce that they will be joining Rare, 343 blah blah in our group of 1st party studios.

and here is a sneak peak on what they will be bringing to you in the future!

*CG trailer for Fable 4/Reboot*

*we all die happy*

Fable part would go against their new way of announcing things though. But for this I would say they can make an exception, because so far FH has always delivered AND on time, plus it being a first party studio.

I don't know how things like these work, but if someone from MS gets a seat on the board of directors ,something like that doesn't just happen, right?

Deleted member 43077 · Jun 5, 2018

MosquitoSmasher said:
something like that doesn't just happen, right?

something like what? them announce a new game?

They have been working on Fable for a little while now. Ori was announced last year and more than likely wont come out till 2019 so what will an extra year on top of a wait like that do :P

Edit: Hey maybe an early gameplay trailer is at next years E3 along with Crackdown 3's new release date Kappa

Theorry · Jun 5, 2018

NightLife said:
something like what? them announce a new game?

They have been working on Fable for a little while now. Ori was announced last year and more than likely wont come out till 2019 so what will an extra year on top of a wait like that do :P

No somebody from MS suddenly on the board of directors he means.

MosquitoSmasher · Jun 5, 2018

NightLife said:
something like what? them announce a new game?

They have been working on Fable for a little while now. Ori was announced last year and more than likely wont come out till 2019 so what will an extra year on top of a wait like that do :P

Edit: Hey maybe an early gameplay trailer is at next years E3 along with Crackdown 3's new release date Kappa

Theorry said:
No somebody from MS suddenly on the board of directors he means.

Yup! Exactly that.

Deleted member 43077 · Jun 5, 2018

Theorry said:
No somebody from MS suddenly on the board of directors he means.

ah in that case its probably they own a large enough part of the company or you know...just own the damn thing.

Raide · Jun 5, 2018

Fable using PG tech would be goddamn stunning. Their openworld tech is a joy to behold, especially when Horizon 4 appears. I hope the rumor is true but it's still a rumor.

Theorry · Jun 5, 2018

Raide said:
Fable using PG tech would be goddamn stunning. Their openworld tech is a joy to behold, especially when Horizon 4 appears. I hope the rumor is true but it's still a rumor.

PG tech?

Deleted member 43077 · Jun 5, 2018

Raide said:
Fable using PG tech would be goddamn stunning. Their openworld tech is a joy to behold, especially when Horizon 4 appears. I hope the rumor is true but it's still a rumor.

it would be interesting to see what tech it uses but I expect it to use UE4 like what feels like every other MS title that isnt called Forza or Halo.

Raide · Jun 5, 2018

Theorry said:
PG tech?

Playground. Not sure what their engine is called.

matimeo · Jun 5, 2018

PG used T10 tech known as the Forza engine for Horizon.

Theorry · Jun 5, 2018

Raide said:
Playground. Not sure what their engine is called.

Oh yeah. They just use ForzaTech from T10 and all Forza games. I doubt that will be used for a Fable game tho. As its focused on racing games.
Probaby UE4 is the choice.

Deleted member 26104 · Jun 5, 2018

Shane Casselman said:
PlayStation 1 & 2 are the best selling consoles of all time... how is that not successful. PS3 and Xbox 360 had around the same amount of units sold as well and that was with PS3 coming out a year later...so I'm not sure how that can be considered a failure either.

I didn't say anything about any of those consoles being a failure?

The PS3 sold 80 million but wiped out all of the profits that Sony ever made from the ps1 and PS2 combined.

Kolbe1894 · Jun 5, 2018

Forza Horizon 3's dynamic weather in new Fable will be nice.

Raide · Jun 5, 2018

Theorry said:
Oh yeah. They just use ForzaTech from T10 and all Forza games. I doubt that will be used for a Fable game tho. As its focused on racing games.
Probaby UE4 is the choice.

UE4 makes sense yes. Was just thinking all the advanced tech PG and T10 keep adding to their engine would work well for a game like Fable. Weather, texture detail, environmental stuff etc. Maybe I am thinking too much haha.

MosquitoSmasher · Jun 5, 2018

In general I'm just so happy Fable gets another chance. They have their own damn fantasy RPG ,what a waste if you don't do something with it or the initial plan for legends. Man was I disappointed when they revealed the new Fable from Lionhead was F2P.

I wouldn't mind it at all if they completely redo what Fable is. I don't necessarily need the expressions or the things like farts and burps. I'd love if they look at Witcher 3 in terms of story of atmosphere but maybe they can keep the somewhat carricature style of the characters.

Lukas Taves · Jun 5, 2018

jem said:
Another crazy theory:

Show is coming to a close and Phil comes on to say the usual spiel. Then at the end we get...

"One more thing, every single title shown on stage today will be launching day one on gamepass! That means this holiday you can play Assassins Creed: Odyssey, Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 4 and more than 100 other games all for $10 a month"

*mic drop*

They are better off saying: From this point on everything you see is day one on gamepass. So they can hammer the message on each reveal.

Console Exclusive Launch Gamepass

Jimmy1984 · Jun 5, 2018

No leakes about MS's games for E3?

jem · Jun 5, 2018

Lukas Taves said:
They are better off saying: From this point on everything you see is day one on gamepass. So they can hammer the message on each reveal.

Console Exclusive Launch Gamepass

Maybe, that doesn't have quite the same wow factor effect though imo.

Theorry · Jun 5, 2018

Wouldnt be surprised to see a segment of first party on the show. Just a quick talk about what is planned. If PG is true they have that next to the Santa Monica thing to have something to say and maybe more.
I think its a good place and shows confidence in the future. They need to get away abit from the narrative of first party problems and this a good way to do it and reach a large audience right away.

Deleted member 4761 · Jun 5, 2018

Jimmy1984 said:
No leakes about MS's games for E3?

No games, no leaks...
:P

SuikerBrood · Jun 5, 2018

If it's equity, Playground wouldn't be part of Microsoft Studios. If it's a full ownership deal, Microsoft Studios have added 3(4) studios in the last couple of months.
- Avatars Studios Redmond
- Xbox Santa Monica
- Playground Forza Horizon
- Playground Fable

BradGrenz · Jun 5, 2018

TehPotentialz said:
I didn't say anything about any of those consoles being a failure?

The PS3 sold 80 million but wiped out all of the profits that Sony ever made from the ps1 and PS2 combined.

The fact that Sony was willing to risk so much on the PS3 only supports my point that PlayStation was considered of central importance to the company all along.

MosquitoSmasher · Jun 5, 2018

I kinda wonder if this news is true if we can eventually except a new IP from PG or if they will keep making Fable from there on. I imagine it will depend a lot on the success of Fable 4. It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing if MS gives them some creative freedom.

Klobrille · Jun 5, 2018

SuikerBrood said:
If it's equity, Playground wouldn't be part of Microsoft Studios. If it's a full ownership deal, Microsoft Studios have added 3(4) studios in the last couple of months.
- Avatars Studios Redmond
- Xbox Santa Monica
- Playground Forza Horizon
- Playground Fable

https://www.resetera.com/posts/6231600/

Theorry · Jun 5, 2018

Klobrille said:
https://www.resetera.com/posts/6231600/

Knew it.

Klobrille said:
Only one is right.

1. Crackdown 3 has a Battle Royale mode. It currently supports 50 players.
2. Microsoft signed a letter of intent two weeks ago about the acquisition of Playground Games Ltd.
3. Electric Square is working on Forza: Madness. It's a mash-up of known Xbox characters.

Theorry said:
#1 Seems to be abit of "everyone wants and everything should be BR" hype atm. Same with Halo BR.
#3 I think isnt true. MS really doesnt need more racing games.
#2 Is very realistic. Even PG said before no. But has been a while and Klobrille said some news that will change the OP of this thread

Norwegian_Imposter · Jun 5, 2018

jem said:
Another crazy theory:

Show is coming to a close and Phil comes on to say the usual spiel. Then at the end we get...

"One more thing, every single title shown on stage today will be launching day one on gamepass! That means this holiday you can play Assassins Creed: Odyssey, Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 4 and more than 100 other games all for $10 a month"

*mic drop*

to be fair if that happened I would go out and buy an xbox one x for that (unless they released on pc with gamepass too )

MosquitoSmasher · Jun 5, 2018

Theorry said:
Knew it.

Goddamn, and recently when I asked him about it he said never to trust anything posted on April Fools, haha. Good one man! :)

Kilgore · Jun 5, 2018

It was obvious that PG adquisition was the right of the 3. We know now that ES was making Miami Streets, and everybody knows that is Rare who's making a pirate Battle Royale mode for Sea of Thieves.

/jk

Deleted member 19924 · Jun 5, 2018

As excited as I am for PG's Fable, I really want to see what comes of Darrell's studio in Santa Monica.

christocolus · Jun 5, 2018

Flux said:
As excited as I am for PG's Fable, I really want to see what comes of Darrell's studio in Santa Monica.

Yeah same here. This acquisition and the announcements of the Santa Monica studio may be what Matt and Darrell were teasing in their tweets. I think there will be even more studios.

Dyashen · Jun 5, 2018

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

MosquitoSmasher · Jun 5, 2018

Flux said:
As excited as I am for PG's Fable, I really want to see what comes of Darrell's studio in Santa Monica.

Oh that's his? I wasn't even aware of that. Do we know more, like who are the employees ,are they from other former studios etc? We do know that the second PG studio has tons of talent.

Gundam · Jun 5, 2018

Kolbe1894 said:
Forza Horizon 3's dynamic weather in new Fable will be nice.

Combined with that sweet, sweet, Sea of Thieves water.

Ge0force · Jun 5, 2018

Klobrille said:
Only one is right.

1. Crackdown 3 has a Battle Royale mode. It currently supports 50 players.
2. Microsoft signed a letter of intent two weeks ago about the acquisition of Playground Games Ltd.
3. Electric Square is working on Forza: Madness. It's a mash-up of known Xbox characters.

Since this one is solved, can we have another E3-leak riddle? :)

MosquitoSmasher · Jun 5, 2018

So he actually knew all that time ,wow, haha. Well it's great to have someone in the know about Xbox things and still doesn't leak E3,which I appreciate very much.

Vinc · Jun 5, 2018

I hope we do hear about that MS Santa Monica studio at E3.

pswii60 · Jun 5, 2018

Vinc said:
I hope we do hear about that MS Santa Monica studio at E3.

I doubt there's much to say, they'll still be going through the nightmare of recruitment and trying to build up a sizeable team. It'll be years before we see anything from that studio.

Theorry · Jun 5, 2018

Still pretty funny how yesterday we talked about how much PG would cost etc if they got them. And now this happens.
Who started that discussion? Maybe something is going on there haha. :D

Noble · Jun 5, 2018

Klobrille

Did you know about this the whole time?

Theorry · Jun 5, 2018

All that from a API. :D

peepers · Jun 5, 2018

What a perfect road to E3 also.

Miami Street tho

Morgoth Bauglir · Jun 5, 2018

When a leak turns a gloom and doom perspective in a fucking unstoppable fh4 and fable 4 hype train

RellikSK · Jun 5, 2018

I'm really hoping Miami Street is a test of some sort for Electric Square and that it leads to either a PGR reboot or a ForzaKart spin-off in the future.

Rodneybouch · Jun 5, 2018

SuikerBrood said:
If it's equity, Playground wouldn't be part of Microsoft Studios. If it's a full ownership deal, Microsoft Studios have added 3(4) studios in the last couple of months.
- Avatars Studios Redmond
- Xbox Santa Monica
- Playground Forza Horizon
- Playground Fable

You can also add

- At least one canadian studio
- At least one usa studio

A time exclusive for DMC 5

Gavin Raeburn is the head of PG and owner of PG holding limited
Ralph Michael Futton is creative director
They are both on the executive board with Nicholas Charles Wheelwright and Trevor Roy William.
And now you have Keith Ranger Dolliver who is on the board of Playground games limited.
Playground games limited is own by Gavin Raeburn.

Remedy is a possibility both a hard one

jem · Jun 5, 2018

Rodneybouch said:
You can also add

- At least one canadian studio
- At least one usa studio

A time exclusive for DMC 5

Carl Carver is the head of PG
Ralp Futton is creative director
They are both on the executive

Remedy is a possibility both a hard one

Whut

Remedy is based in Finland.

Microsoft Studios (& Partners) Current and Future Landscape

Should we move to a new OT?

Yes

No

Wait until a couple weeks before E3

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