Joystiq

Halo 4 awakens Master Chief on November 6

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:01:00 EST

Microsoft and 343 Industries announced this morning that Halo 4 will launch worldwide on Tuesday, November 6. The news comes one day after teasy tweets from Microsoft's Major Nelson indicated some form of collaboration between Microsoft and everyone's favorite freakishly tall late night host, Conan O'Brien, which sparked rumors of a potential launch date reveal.

Microsoft studios corporate VP Phil Spencer offered lofty goals alongside the launch date announce. "With Halo 4 leading the charge, we're confident 2012 will be the most successful year in Xbox history," Spencer said. He also pointed out that Halo 4 is just the beginning of Microsoft's renewed relationship with the Chief. "We are beginning a new saga with Halo 4 and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of Halo games and experiences." Just no more cat helmets, Phil. That's all we ask.

Additionally, Halo 4 will appear in some form on tonight's episode of "Conan," which Microsoft described as nothing more than a "special segment."

Update: Red vs Blue created the charming short above to announce Halo 4's release date. Enjoy!

Continue reading Halo 4 awakens Master Chief on November 6

Halo 4 awakens Master Chief on November 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spencer: Halo without Master Chief just isn't as 'centered' on what players want

Mike Schramm — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:10:00 EST

We're not 100 percent sure what Microsoft Game Studios head Phil Spencer is trying to say in this quote from E3, but as far as we can tell, he's just happy that Halo 4 is returning the player to Master Chief's head. He says he wants to make sure that the new game "lives up to what I think gamers fell in love with," and for him, that means being the Chief again.

Spencer says Halo Reach "made more sense to you if you were a Halo fan. If you were new to Xbox 360, 360 is where you started playing on Xbox, you understood what Halo 3 was. ODST and Reach, maybe you weren't as centered." So, newcomers want -- and expect -- to play as the Chief, whereas fans of the franchise were fine with something new.

At any rate, Spencer's just trying to make it clear that Master Chief is coming back, in both the anniversary remake of Combat Evolved, and Halo 4 next year. Why couldn't you just say that, Phil?

Spencer: Halo without Master Chief just isn't as 'centered' on what players want originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spencer: Microsoft once considered Crytek for 1st party development

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:45:00 EST

According to Microsoft's Phil Spencer, the company was once in talks with Crytek to turn the German developer into a first-party studio. Speaking to the UK Official Xbox Magazine, Spencer noted that Microsoft first started talking to Crytek around eight years ago and "started talking about what it'd mean for them to become first party."

At the time, Crytek was dead set on creating the motherboard-melting sci-fi shooter, Crysis. Unfortunately, the title would have clashed with Microsoft's then full slate of "militaristic future shooters" (which one, we wonder), so the deal never came to be.

Fast forward a few years and Crytek is developing Ryse -- an Xbox exclusive -- with Spencer saying that Crytek has "fallen in love with the Kinect" and that the project is "a perfect marriage" between the two companies. So remember, kids, true love does exist!

Spencer: Microsoft once considered Crytek for 1st party development originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Halo Anniversary has Kinect integration,' says Microsoft Studios' chief

Christopher Grant — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST

When Microsoft registered KinectHalo.com, we all imagined an intense cardio jumping routine punctuated by occasional cries of "Energy sword ON!" While we hope that prototype still exists somewhere in Redmond, it seems like Kinect functionality in Halo won't be as intrusive as we imagined. Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer told GameSpot, "As a first party we believe that Kinect will be important to all genres of games [...] even games like Halo Anniversary has [sic] Kinect integration."

Of course, this is the same Halo Anniversary that we first broke news of way back in February, and previewed at E3 this month. Notably, Kinect functionality was never mentioned (or showed) leaving us to speculate on what kind of integration the update has. With games like Forza Motorsport 4, Ghost Recon Future Soldier, and Mass Effect 3 going for a "Better with Kinect" strategy, that's as likely a scenario as any. And it's also the kind of non-intrusive, level-headed implementation we were worried they'd settle for.

[Update 2:15pm - Halo Waypoint forum admin 'bs angel' had this to say about Halo Anniversary's Kinect integration: "Just to let everybody know, the Kinect features we're exploring with Halo: Anniversary are optional and won't affect your core gameplay experience. Our mission, from day one, has been to deliver a faithful recreation of the original game, and we remain dedicated to seeing that through to completion." Sounds like "Better with Kinect," right? Called it!]

[Image credit: 'LaughPong']

'Halo Anniversary has Kinect integration,' says Microsoft Studios' chief originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft Studios hasn't signed next Alan Wake project, would 'love to work with Remedy again'

Christopher Grant — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST

Oskari Häkkinen, head of franchise development for Finnish developer Remedy Entertainment, told Joystiq last month that, in fact, a new Alan Wake project was under development. Admittedly, we were getting a little ahead of ourselves when we arrived at E3 this year in full Alan Wake cosplay so the absence of the latest A. Wake project - rumored to be an XBLA title called Alan Wake's Night Springs - hit us pretty hard.

So we tracked down Microsoft Studios chief Phil Spencer to grill him about Remedy's reveal and the dearth of Alan Wake games in Microsoft's E3 lineup. "I read that," Spencer said, laughing about the news. "I don't know that they've signed it with anybody." While Spencer told us that Wake "didn't sell as well as we would have liked," he was clear that it wouldn't affect their working relationship. "I'd love to work with Remedy again," he told us. "We have ongoing conversations with them."

So if Microsoft isn't privy to what Remedy's working on, who is? "I think the stuff they're doing now they wanted to incubate, Mattias and the team," Spencer said. "They wanted to incubate internally. Like I said, I don't think they've signed it with anybody." Well, as long as that's the case, we'll have our Joystiq Publishing representatives get in touch with Remedy and work something out. Our backrub-heavy royalty system is an industry first.

Microsoft Studios hasn't signed next Alan Wake project, would 'love to work with Remedy again' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft Game Studios not that interested in HD remakes

Mike Schramm — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EST

After the success of the God of War Collection, Sony is going all in on the HD remakes, with re-tuned versions of the Sly Cooper, Ico, Medal of Honor and Oddworld games all coming out on the PS3. But fans of the original Halo, Blinx: The Time Sweeper and Voodoo Vince probably won't get to see their favorites in high definition -- Microsoft's Phil Spencer says the company isn't all that interested in remaking older games with HD graphics. "We obviously have a lot of new things going on," he said in an interview with IGN, "so the thought of re-doing a bunch of things is probably difficult to just weave into the overall portfolio."

Of course, he doesn't rule it out, saying that if releasing an HD collection could "provide real value to the customer, there could be possibilities for that." But it's too bad that he doesn't think any of the early Microsoft Game Studios titles deserve an HD remake right away. Not even Quantum Redshift, guys? Of course seeing that game running in full HD and hearing the Junkie XL soundtrack would be valuable!

Microsoft Game Studios not that interested in HD remakes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Phil Spencer confident in Kinect: It's 'fundamentally different' from PlayStation Move

David Hinkle — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST

Just a few weeks before Kinect's retail launch, Microsoft hosted an event in San Francisco to celebrate the much-anticipated new hardware. There we spoke with Microsoft Game Studios VP Phil Spencer not only about the hands-free camera peripheral, but also the company's success with the "Xbox 360 S" console refresh, Ubisoft's strong Kinect launch lineup and, of course, the PlayStation Move.

Continue reading Phil Spencer confident in Kinect: It's 'fundamentally different' from PlayStation Move

Phil Spencer confident in Kinect: It's 'fundamentally different' from PlayStation Move originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Phil Spencer: Kinect pre-order numbers are 'good,' Microsoft will 'work hard to fill out the demand'

David Hinkle — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:40:00 EST

During an interview with Joystiq at a Kinect pre-launch event in San Francisco, Microsoft Games Studios veep Phil Spencer told us that early retail indication for Kinect is showing strong interest in the new platform. "Pre-order numbers are good," he said. "The retail channel seems to be excited for what we're doing. We feel good about our supply that we can build. I imagine we're going to have to work hard to fill out the demand that's out there, is kind of our sense, but we're willing to work hard so that's fine."

It's good to hear Microsoft is willing to put the work in, since Ubisoft's VP of sales and marketing, Tony Key, thinks the device will be "sold out" at launch. You can look forward to our full interview with Spencer on Monday, which discusses everything from the upcoming Kinect launch to Xbox 360 S dominance in North America over the past four months, and even the PlayStation Move.

Phil Spencer: Kinect pre-order numbers are 'good,' Microsoft will 'work hard to fill out the demand' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft's Phil Spencer not ready to embrace 3D tech yet

Justin McElroy — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

If you're hoping for Microsoft's first-party efforts to follow Sony in championing 3D gaming, it sounds like you could be in for a long wait. As Microsoft Games Studio VP Phil Spencer recently told CNN, "we're trying to do things that millions of people can go enjoy today and for better or for worse, people just don't really have TVs in their house right now that are going to do 3D in a way that's going to work."

Spencer was, of course, taking a not-so-subtle jab at Sony's big first-party push for glasses-based 3D technology, but it's also a good indicator that Microsoft isn't in a rush to enter the space as it stands today. In fact, Spencer says even though he hasn't seen it in person, he likes Nintendo's 3DS because it doesn't require glasses.

"As a corporate mandate, I don't need to sell you a new TV," Spencer added. "That's not part of my business model. Other companies maybe have that part of their business model. I don't." (Spencer almost continued, "Do you get it yet? I'm talking about Sony. See, they sell TVs and we don't. Do you understand now?")

While Microsoft Game Studios waits for the technology to be more widely adopted, third-party Xbox 360 developers are already delivering titles in 3D. EA highlighted next year's Crysis 2 as a marquee title with 3D support, and it doesn't get much bigger than Call of Duty: Black Ops, which has already demonstrated its implementation of a 3D graphics mode.

Microsoft's Phil Spencer not ready to embrace 3D tech yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fable franchise expected to incorporate Milo's technology

Christopher Grant — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:35:00 EST

It seems like just a couple months ago that Peter Molyneux was on stage at the prestiguous TED conference sharing "Project Milo" with the attendees, and now rumors suggest the virtual boy-shaped tamagotchi has been put down and carved up. We spoke with Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer in Tokyo last week and asked him about the commercial prospects of the always commercially vague Milo project.

"If I had to bet, which I guess I do, I think you will see the innovation that that team put forward come to market, absolutely," Spencer told Joystiq. "Will it be under the idea and framework of 'Milo,' I'm not as convinced of that."

Continue reading Fable franchise expected to incorporate Milo's technology

Fable franchise expected to incorporate Milo's technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft: One Halo game every three years 'probably not frequent enough'

David Hinkle — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

"I will say I think one Halo game every three years -- which was kind of our old cadence -- is probably not frequent enough," Microsoft VP Phil Spencer told IGN. For Spencer, it's a matter of keeping players "engaged" and "not going dark for two years" at a time, akin to what Activision has done for Call of Duty.

"I used to look at annual releases of non-sports games as people just trying to milk me," Spencer said. "I figured nobody had enough time to do a good job, and all of the negatives that we would associate with those kinds of scenarios. Kudos to Activision because they've done a good job building a good game, continuing to release each year and I think the fans feel like it's a good thing that they do that." He added that, "watching them and seeing what they do -- we take inspiration from a lot of places -- but obviously they're a big success."

For Microsoft, the hurdle is now going to be a change in developer -- Bungie's leaving some big shoes to fill.

Microsoft: One Halo game every three years 'probably not frequent enough' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Limbo was top Summer of Arcade title 'by a long stretch,' part of 'changing' XBLA market

Christopher Grant — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Five of the top six spots on Xbox Live Arcade aren't just Japanese; they are all ports of classic titles. When we asked Microsoft Games Studios VP Phil Spencer about the observation, he said he could challenge the assumption that ports and existing IPs dominate sales on the platform. His ammunition was Limbo, the superb platformer that kicked off this year's Summer of Arcade.

"Our number one Summer of Arcade game is Limbo," Spencer said, "by a long stretch." Other games in the five-week lineup included updates of classic titles like Hydro Thunder and existing - and highly visible - IPs like Castlevania and Lara Croft. "I think there was a time when Live Arcade was about IP that people knew," Spencer acknowledged, while conceding that those games are "always going to be important."

"It's changing though," he said. "I really think coming out of Braid, Shadow Complex, Limbo [...] that it's changing a little bit. We see that in the market, that it's becoming less about iconic IP that people know and it's becoming more diverse." And that's a good thing for everyone involved, including Spencer. "I love Limbo. I think Limbo's probably my game of the year right now." Us too.

Limbo was top Summer of Arcade title 'by a long stretch,' part of 'changing' XBLA market originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Project Draco 'inspired by' Panzer Dragoon, not a Panzer Dragoon game

Christopher Grant — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Despite looking like Panzer Dragoon, being developed by Panzer Dragoon creator Yukio Futatsugi, having a codename referencing dragons with the same initials as Panzer Dragoon and, most suspiciously, having a codename at all, Microsoft Game Studios VP Phil Spencer told Joystiq he "woudn't call [Project Draco] a Panzer Dragoon game."

"It's a Kinect game for one thing, which is going to have its own take on it," Spencer said, referring to the concept of riding a dragon. Spencer added that "there are some differences between -- as a Panzer Dragoon fan -- the stuff we've seen in the Panzer Dragoon series and [Project Draco]," but he didn't elaborate on those differences. During the Microsoft keynote where the game was announced, Futatsugi explained, "What I wanted to do most is to fly." So perhaps Draco is more flying and less on-rails shooting?

So if it's not a Panzer Dragoon game, then what's up with the whole dragons-you-can-ride thing? "Futasugi-san does have a passion for dragons and the interactions between humans and dragons," Spencer said. "I think you could say 'inspired by' and obviously Futatsugi-san's heritage with that franchise is an important part of his history." But Spencer still "wouldn't characterize [Project Draco] as a Panzer Dragoon game."

"I think there's some great things about the mechanic in Panzer Dragoon that can work really well, but we're not in any way trying to diminish the value of that franchise or steal from it." So we're guessing they're not going to call it "Tank Leviathoon."

Project Draco 'inspired by' Panzer Dragoon, not a Panzer Dragoon game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft TGS 2010 liveblog

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST

We're queuing up outside Convention Hall B at Makuhari Messe convention center for Microsoft's TGS 2010 keynote, titled "Xbox 360 Vision and Strategy 2010." If you can't tell from the title, it's all about the Xbox Vision camera which is coming back in a big way. Watch out, Kinect!

Oh, and here's an interesting note: We spotted Metal Gear Solid: Rising producer Shigenobu Matsuyama entering the room. You know what that means, right? Kinect support for Rising totally confirmed. Zan-Datsu!

Continue reading Microsoft TGS 2010 liveblog

Microsoft TGS 2010 liveblog originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TGS 2010 liveblog calendar: Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft

Christopher Grant — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:50:00 EST

We've got three Tokyo Game Show liveblogs coming in the next 24 hours, so we thought we'd list the URLs here so you can bookmark and come back.

Electronic Arts is the first to go, and we know it's going to be showing off the long-awaited Shinji Mikami, Suda 51 EA Partners horror project. But that's not it! There are supposedly "several all new game reveals and announcements," but we're not sure if that includes the Zelda-esque Tsumuji. It can't be a reveal if you've already announced the game, no?

Electronic Arts TGS 2010 liveblog
Wednesday, 5pm - Tokyo
Wednesday, 4am ET - New York
Wednesday, 1am PT - Los Angeles

Capcom is next and @CapcomEuro is guessing that we'll see "4 new games announced" and some new Marvel vs. Capcom 3 characters and we're guessing that its guesses are better than our guesses. We may be hearing about a new, Western-developed Devil May Cry, with Enslaved developer Ninja Theory behind the helm.

Capcom TGS 2010 keynote
Wednesday, 8pm - Tokyo
Wednesday, 7am ET - New York
Wednesday, 4am PT - Los Angeles

Lastly, Microsoft is bringing a little bit of the west with its Tokyo Game Show keynote titled "Xbox 360's Vision and 2010's Strategy." We don't want to be jerks, but we're going to spoil it for you: Kinect. That's it. That's the whole keynote.

Microsoft TGS 2010 keynote
Thursday, 10:30am - Tokyo
Wednesday, 9:30pm ET - New York
Wednesday, 6:30pm PT - Los Angeles

TGS 2010 liveblog calendar: Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft executives delivering keynote at TGS 2010

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

CESA, the group responsible for planning the annual Tokyo Game Show, has announced the parties responsible for delivering one of the event's two main keynotes on its opening day, September 16. Microsoft entertainment exec Takashi Sensui and Microsoft Game Studio vice president Phil Spencer will take the stage as TGS 2010 kicks off, delivering a speech titled "Xbox 360's Vision and 2010's Strategy." We can only hope this means we'll get to see Spencer break out into a full-blown Kinect rave.

Sony's Kaz Hirai delivered a similar presentation during last year's festivities, one which was chock-full of news about PlayStation Move and the PSP Go. Hopefully, Microsoft's speech will be equally rife with hot scoops.

Microsoft executives delivering keynote at TGS 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spencer: Project Natal launch 'fraught with risk' for Microsoft

JC Fletcher — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:15:00 EST

Speaking to Eurogamer, Microsoft Game Studios head Phil Spencer responded to criticism that Microsoft takes fewer risks than Sony in first-party development by referencing Project Natal -- "if there isn't risk in Natal then I don't know what's keeping me up at night."

"We're trying to build a set of new games, new experiences that will have the same quality metrics of our past games," he said, "but really entice both existing 360 customers and new people. It's a huge challenge, a huge investment and it's fraught with risk."

Much as he did in our interview, Spencer equated Natal integration with Live integration, suggesting that it will eventually be ubiquitous. "At the beginning of Live it was all about sports, racing and shooting games," Spencer said. "Now if you found a game that didn't have some kind of Live functionality it would seem like it wasn't a complete game. I think Natal is likely to get there as well." That is somewhat at odds with Aaron Greenberg's statement that Natal games would be almost entirely "completely unique, brand-new experiences."

And, as a bonus, he also found time to make one wacky statement about Peter Molyneux. "Haha! Working with Peter is amazing, he's a very creative, inspirational person. Sometimes it's like riding a bull with no saddle, and sometimes it's like reading a great novel, but it's a fun experience." Look for Peter Molyneux's Literodeo among the Project Natal launch lineup.

Spencer: Project Natal launch 'fraught with risk' for Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Interview: Microsoft Game Studios' Phil Spencer

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST

If given the choice of becoming a (presumably) anthropomorphic vegetable, Phil Spencer would opt for an eggplant. Sure, we spoke to the confident head of Microsoft Game Studios about other things -- Halo, Project Natal, Fable, Crackdown, the Xbox 360's successor, blah blah blah -- but with that profound scoop out of the way, there's barely any reason to read this interview.

Mind you, the part where Spencer suggests that alternate forms of input (whether in addition to or in substitute of traditional controllers) might become a common expectation is pretty interesting. You should definitely read that.

Joystiq: We just came out of the Tokyo Game Show panel discussion for Project Natal ...

Phil Spencer: The creators panel.

Yes, the creators panel. Hideo Kojima was there; they brainstormed about all these games. How much focus is Microsoft Game Studios placing on Natal development internally in comparison to other projects?

It's a big focus for us in first party. As a first party, I think it's our duty, it's our responsibility to look at the new technologies that we bring to our platform. We did this with Live. We did at launch of 360. When we look at Project Natal as an opportunity for first party to truly innovate on our platform, creating new experiences, new intellectual property, we're very focused. A large percentage of the studio right now is thinking about Natal as part of what they're doing.

Continue reading Interview: Microsoft Game Studios' Phil Spencer

Interview: Microsoft Game Studios' Phil Spencer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TGS 2009: The Recap Post

Xav de Matos — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST

Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized!

Click on a platform below to scan the highlights:

(On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)

Continue reading TGS 2009: The Recap Post

TGS 2009: The Recap Post originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TGS 2009: Microsoft's Phil Spencer easily envisions Fable, Natal crossover

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:30:00 EST

Microsoft Game Studios' corporate vice president, Phil Spencer, doesn't seem like the easily startled type. In fact, on the list of things that wouldn't catch him off guard, the incorporation of Project Natal into a high-profile, Xbox 360-exclusive franchise probably doesn't sit very high. Perhaps a few spots below lots of people buying a new Halo game.

During a Tokyo Game Show interview (look for the full transcript soon), Spencer told Joystiq that the innovation fostered inside Lionhead Studios made it a good match for Microsoft's forthcoming motion control system. "You know, Lionhead's been a real innovation studio for us," he said. "We have the release of Fable 2 episodic this week, where they're taking Fable 2 and breaking it up into chunks, allowing people to buy the content at their pace. Fable 2, I thought, was a great release, with the orbs they added with Live, adding new functionality to the franchise. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Natal found its way into future iterations of Fable."

Whether or not motion functionality will show up in 2010's Fable 3 is a matter of speculation, though your role as king in that game would certainly lend itself to some interesting ... regal maneuvers. Waving your hand to permanently dispense with an annoying peasant? That's our kind of role playing.

TGS 2009: Microsoft's Phil Spencer easily envisions Fable, Natal crossover originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Project Natal: How Dimitri met Milo

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:20:00 EST

In a March 2008 interview with GamersGlobal, renowned designer Peter Molyneux divulged few details on "Dimitri," an "experimental thing" which he claimed was given life by a mysterious discovery. "And then it moved from that experiment to a moment in time that happened six months ago when a discovery was made, and this discovery has been so exciting that it has lead to Lionhead focusing on it and sculpting a game around that," he said at the time. "I think that discovery is so significant ... This discovery has lead us to start a game and that game will be on the front cover of Nature magazines and Science magazines."

According to Microsoft Game Studios head Phil Spencer, the discovery was actually "the right platform for an ambitious software idea" -- namely Project Natal, Microsoft's forthcoming motion control system for the Xbox 360. "Peter [Molyneux] and I saw the first [Natal] prototype about 2 years ago," Spencer recently told Develop. "He focused on what people want to do in this environment, and that's where a project of Lionhead's, called Dimitri, become Milo - the team's previous idea took on a whole new lease of life with Natal."

Now that we've become acquainted with "Dimitri" in his new, boyish form, we can lay the old codeword to rest and attempt to discern the reality within Molyneux's enthusiastic words. Though we're undecided on Milo's future as a Popular Mechanics cover model, we're fairly confident he'll wind up on Game Informer sooner or later. Shall we file this under Molyknew or Molyno?

Project Natal: How Dimitri met Milo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft explains why Ruffian is the right choice for Crackdown 2

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

Before Microsoft revealed that Ruffian Games would be developing the upcoming Crackdown sequel, the original game's developer, Realtime Worlds, expressed some skepticism towards the idea. "I very much doubt that Microsoft would harm an otherwise fruitful existing development relationship by gambling on funding Crackdown 2 with a startup on RTW's doorstep, for obvious reasons," RTW's Colin MacDonald said last year. Things weren't so cut and dry for self-accused Crackdown fanboy (and Microsoft exec) Phil Spencer, who recently told Develop, "When Billy Thomson, the lead designer of the game [Crackdown 1], left Realtime Worlds, there was an opportunity."

Apparently, it would seem Mr. Spencer believes Realtime Worlds is simply too busy developing APB to give a Crackdown sequel the attention it deserves. "I wanted to make sure that anything we work on is correctly nurtured ... we had to find the right team who really understood what game it is - and that was Billy [Thompson] and the team at Ruffian." Crackdown 2 will be the first game developed by Ruffian Games since the studio's inception late last year.

Microsoft explains why Ruffian is the right choice for Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spencer: Project Natal will 'feel like a new generation has arrived'

JC Fletcher — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST

Another Microsoft rep is comparing the 2010 launch of the Project Natal peripheral to a new console release. Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Game Studios, told MCV that Natal will be like a new launch for the Xbox 360.

"When Natal comes out it will feel like a new generation has arrived," he said, echoing comments made by Shane Kim. "I see it as like the launch of the Xbox 360 back in 2005 - there will be a launch portfolio of games to support it." Will there also be a massive shortage into the next year?

Spencer denied the rumors of an actual new hardware launch once again, saying that Microsoft intends to make sure the original 360 is a "huge return on investment" for Microsoft, developers, and owners. And if enough Microsoft staffers tell us there won't be a new console next year, we might even start to believe it.

Spencer: Project Natal will 'feel like a new generation has arrived' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MGS4's Payton joins a different kind of 'MGS'

Majed Athab — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

That particular "MGS" we refer to would just so happen to be Microsoft Game Studios. The rumors regarding Payton's shift from Metal Gear games at Kojima Productions to work on a new Halo title are true -- well, half true.

Speaking to Edge Online, Microsoft bigwig Phil Spencer sets the story straight noting that Payton, along with other industry heavy-hitters, have been initiated into the Microsoft fold. Meanwhile, the other half of the rumor regarding Payton directing a new Halo game is still yet to be proven. A rep had said that the team is currently working only "on upcoming and existing Halo games." So, what does this all mean for you PS3 Fanboy readers? What do you care? Well, if you've grown to like Ryan Payton for his stint on the Hideoblog podcasts and all the work he's done for MGS4, then you'll have to say your good-byes -- he's batting for the other team now and it looks like they're going to be keeping him quite busy. We still wish Ryan the best of luck.

MGS4's Payton joins a different kind of 'MGS' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spencer says Lionhead safe from closure, hints Rare is too

Xav de Matos — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: News, Fable 2, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts

With the recent closure of Ensemble Studios eyes were on other teams Microsoft has under their wing. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Game Studios, said the publisher has no plans to close Lionhead Studios -- developers of the upcoming RPG, Fable 2.

Spencer noted that the studio is an important element to Microsoft's European development presence. Spencer also hinted that fellow European developer, Rare, is secure from closure. "[Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts] will be their fifth game in the first three years of the Xbox 360 - that's crazy. Two launch games? What studio on the planet signs up for two launch games? That's just crazy."

But what of the losses Microsoft have suffered in the wake of closing FASA Studio -- developers of Shadowrun -- and the breaking off of Bungie?

"Our customers care about exclusive content," Spencer said. "I'm not sure they care what business card the people who are building those games have. Is anybody going to look at Gears of War and say it's not a pillar franchise for us on 360? No, because it is. But we don't own Epic, and Mark Rein and those guys are their own people. That's good."

Spencer says Lionhead safe from closure, hints Rare is too originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MS: 'More than two or three teams' working on Halo

Dustin Burg — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3, Halo Wars

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, head of Microsoft Game Studios Phil Spencer talked about where the Halo franchise is headed (among other topics) and confirmed that multiple development teams are indeed working on numerous Halo projects.

"There's more than one team building Halo games right now. There are more than two or three teams building Halo things right now" says Spencer, adding "some of them we will own, some of them we won't." Hmm, interesting stuff. Currently, we're aware of two Halo titles, Halo Wars and the Peter Jackson projected dubbed Halo: Chronicles. So, if there's more than three teams working on games, how many Halo titles does that equate to and when do we get to hear about them? Whore that Halo franchise MGS, whore it out good!

MS: 'More than two or three teams' working on Halo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft exec. sends breakup letter to Ensemble

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

GI.biz got a hold of the letter sent out by Phil Spencer, big cheese of Microsoft Games Studios, to the staff about the closure of Ensemble Studios. He explains that the closure isn't Ensemble's fault, it's Microsoft's; the company just needs to grow, and is "accountable for making tradeoffs and the right level of investments that will drive profit and future growth."

Of course, like any good break-up, Spencer still wants to be friends with the newly dejected. He says that Microsoft will try to pick up any employees not moving on to the new company being started by Ensemble's leadership team. Spencer emphasizes in the letter that Microsoft is still heavily invested in making video games, but is looking to put the money where it can get "the most ROI" (return on investment) -- and yet, Rare survives? We'll take that to mean Microsoft wasn't getting the bang for its buck from RTS-developer Ensemble.

Microsoft exec. sends breakup letter to Ensemble originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft's Phil Spencer on Bungie's missing E3 announcement

Christopher Grant — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:26:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, E3

We had a chance to speak with newly appointed general manager of Microsoft Game Studios Phil Spencer earlier this afternoon but there's good news and bad news. The bad news: We spoke with him just a couple hours before Bungie announced that the very same Microsoft Game Studios "changed" plans to announce the game this week. The good news: We just so happened to ask Spencer about the lack of a Bungie announcement in Microsoft's press conference (as expected) and the publishing relationship with Bungie.

Spencer: "Our relationship with Bungie was always about a triple-A creative studio building content for our platform, and our working relationship brought about Halo 1, Halo 2, Halo 3 - which I think are great games. If that's the core of the relationship, creative people building content for our platforms, I don't think the relationship has changed. We have a relationship with a very talented studio who wants to create games for Xbox.

Continue reading Microsoft's Phil Spencer on Bungie's missing E3 announcement

Microsoft's Phil Spencer on Bungie's missing E3 announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Shane Kim promoted, Phil Spencer takes on Microsoft Game Studios leadership

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Alright, now that the shock of Jeff Bell's departure has worked its way out of our system, we can report that other positions in Microsoft's leadership are a' changin'. Specifically, Shane Kim has been promoted from his role as the head of Microsoft Game Studios to corporate vice president of Strategy and Business Development. Under this newly created role, Kim will "explore new growth opportunities with partners across all parts of the global Interactive Entertainment Business." Kim will concentrate on "future external relationships and partnerships" and develop "growth strategies for the entire business." While we're not sure exactly what all that means, it sounds like Kim will be dealing with third parties, possibly trying to secure exclusives (or at least making sure exclusive games on other consoles don't remain exclusive).

Taking Kim's place at the head of Microsoft Game Studios will be Phil Spencer, previously the general manager of Microsoft Game Studios Europe. Spencer will be returning to Redmond from the U.K. and will "oversee the creation of new, unannounced franchises that aim to attract new audiences" as well as well-known franchises like Halo and Gears of War.

Shane Kim promoted, Phil Spencer takes on Microsoft Game Studios leadership originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kim promoted out of Microsoft Game Studios, Spencer takes reins

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

Changes are afoot within Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, with Microsoft Games Studios lead, Shane Kim, being promoted to the newly created role of "corporate vice president of Strategy and Business Development." According to Microsoft's press release, such a grand title is furnished on someone who will "explore new growth opportunities" and look after "future external relationships and partnerships." We imagine Mr. Kim's new role will also provide some sort of assistant trained to tell him as soon as a new Resident Evil game is announced.

Taking over Kim's role will be Phil Spencer, former general manager of Microsoft Games Studios Europe. Spencer will foster new franchises that "aim to attract new audiences" and keep an eye on all that "Gears of War" and "Fable" stuff the kids are so into these days.

Both fellows will report directly to senior vice president of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business, Don Mattrick. Also announced in the same press release: Jeff "Jeff Bell" Bell is bailin'.

Kim promoted out of Microsoft Game Studios, Spencer takes reins originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments