-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Looking Back At Microsoft's 13 Years of First Party
- Thread starter QaaQer
- Start date
Facism
Member
I think you are missing a word.
Bungie basically was MS first party. Once they went the whole show just seemed to turn to shit and they closed out last gen on the worst Fable, Halo and Gears (Technically third party at the time I guess) games by a mile.
Their first party situation is a shambles.
Thanks, Yoda.
Their first party situation is a shambles.
Thanks, Yoda.
Gonna be lazy and copy my post from the other thread about this:
GTA V was rumored to have budget of 200 million if they made 2 GTA selling games for 400 million ( i dont think they could but thats another topic ) it would have made them more money than some stupid ad deal.
Companies spend insane amounts of money on marketing. The thing they don't usually do, is discuss the amount publicly.
If only game making were so easy that everyone making 200 million dollar games got back all their money and more. World would be a nice rainbow filled place with lollipops everywhere.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
NFL is a strong brand in the US. microsoft spending money to be associated with it isnt as wrong as some of yall think. This aint so much about console war stuff as people wanna think.
I don't think I've ever seen a thread started with a large quote from a completely different user from a completely different thread with no original content of their own. Congrats?
Anyway, I miss the early days of Xbox. There were a ton of new IPs as they tried to establish themselves in the industry, but those were largely abandoned for the "sure things" like Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Fable, rinse and repeat. Their new strategy of "buying and denying" others of third-party, previously multi-console games isn't exactly endearing them to me either.
Anyway, I miss the early days of Xbox. There were a ton of new IPs as they tried to establish themselves in the industry, but those were largely abandoned for the "sure things" like Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Fable, rinse and repeat. Their new strategy of "buying and denying" others of third-party, previously multi-console games isn't exactly endearing them to me either.
A.D. Skinner
Member
I feel like the 2nd half of Xbox 360 life and the start of Xbox One was all done wrong (the latter was clear to everyone). I think in a year or two Microsoft will ha d a much better looking first party lineup as they're probably very early in their "repairs" at the moment and wouldn't be worth showing anything.
TwiztidElf
Member
No mention of PGR and Bizarre being sent to deathrow at Activision?
Coin Return
Loose Slot
Everyone is so bitter toward MS these past couple days. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of tears every time I come here.
Impeccable
Member
Honestly, the only thing the Tomb Raider announcement did to me personally was prove that Phil Spencer isn't as great or revolutionary for the brand as a lot of people, including me, thought after a good start to his reign.
REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
Not every company is obliged to do things in the exact same way. It seems to have worked for Microsoft so far, and it certainly works for me as an Xbox gamer.
Same. New dog, old tricks.
Gee, if only there was a comprehensive list of reasons to feel aggrieved towards Microsoft in the OP or something. Something that might give you a window into why people are becoming totally fed up with their business strategy in the console space. If only.
Winterfang
Banned
I just see a big variety of cool games. Halo, Forza, I'm one of the few people that likes fable, crackdown was also cool, killer instic looks great. Seems like the guy went out of his way to paint a bad picture. Doesn't say anything about the quality of the titles itself.
Also both Microsoft and Sony mishandled some of their first party, last gen had a lot of lay off and studios shutting down.
Also both Microsoft and Sony mishandled some of their first party, last gen had a lot of lay off and studios shutting down.
Goro Majima
Kitty Genovese Member
This is a depressing thread. Microsoft used to make/fund awesome games. There were quite a few stinkers but there are some franchises I miss.
The difference is that after Sony shuttered their studios they still had a lot left and started building new ones. MS haven't. When they shuttered their studios all they were left with is their workhouse studios that just churn out sequels (T10, 343, Lionhead) and Rare, the poor Kinect mule.
Triggerhappytel
Member
That list is a bit oversimplified and unfair in some regards (i.e. Press Play's Max game was supposed to be very good, besides LocoCycle Twisted Pixel have a very decent catalogue) but yeah, it's alarming how they've been in the industry for 13 years and are yet to really lay solid foundations for their first party output. Buying exclusives like Titanfall and Tomb Raider only accentuates that perception; that money should be invested in their own studios and brands, not paid to keep games out of their competitors' hands.
Sony started to really invest in their own line-up of studios during the PS2 era, and that's now really paying dividends for them. They've been through a tough time in the last couple of years with Kaz really cutting away the fat, but I think the plan is what they've ended up with is a more streamlined and effective line-up. MS needs to spend a couple of years remodelling their teams in a similar way and then maybe by the time the next gen rolls around they'll be fighting fit and able to slug it out with Nintendo and Sony's first-party output effectively.
Sony started to really invest in their own line-up of studios during the PS2 era, and that's now really paying dividends for them. They've been through a tough time in the last couple of years with Kaz really cutting away the fat, but I think the plan is what they've ended up with is a more streamlined and effective line-up. MS needs to spend a couple of years remodelling their teams in a similar way and then maybe by the time the next gen rolls around they'll be fighting fit and able to slug it out with Nintendo and Sony's first-party output effectively.
It's so weird. I look back at Microsoft's catalogue of exclusives and I barely see anything that interests me. Both Nintendo and Sony have had a ton. When MS DO have a big exclusive, it's usually bought from a third party and eventually ends up everywhere else. I wish they would spend that money in their internal studios instead of something that would've happened anyway (like Tomb Raider).
Perhaps if you actually read into it a bit more it's not really just about TR. It's about the business practices of a company that cannot get its first party stable in order and has to resort to these type of agreements with other companies.
They have onboarded many studios over the past few years.
The OP covers that. They've made a big deal about Black Tusk, I didn't realize it was just a rebranding of an existing studio.
Amentallica
Unconfirmed Member
Sony's first party is greater and more reinforced. You get the feeling they care about their studios. Much like the current sales figures between the two consoles, Microsoft's first party studios are no competition.
*hyperbole*
Opus Angelorum
Member
Amen.
Let's not forget Microsoft entered a market that was very difficult to get a foot hold in.
Unknown One
Member
2016 is a long ass wait and what a disrespectful post.
I know about the small studios for making social and mobile games, but what major studios have they opened? The last one I can think of was 343i, which was set up to churn out Halo games (yawn).
Stare-Bear
Banned
They should've spent the tomb raider money on a new ip.
And just look at how they abandoned the Kinect. They didn't even try to make it look cool.
And just look at how they abandoned the Kinect. They didn't even try to make it look cool.
I think that was more through circumstance of having a competitionless first couple of years with the 360. Took ages for the PS3 to wind up to developer parity.
They have a foot hold now. They sold over 40 million consoles in the US alone last gen. This is the third generation they've been involved in. There simply is no excuse for it anymore.
The NFL stuff is damning, just imagine if they had spent that money on new IP. They could have come up with some really great interesting games.
MMaRsu
Banned
Yeah its not like MS deserves it or something...lol
Pie and Beans
Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
As I said in the other thread, you can also add in those foolish enough on the japanese side of the industry to indulge the Microsoft 'tease then delete' routine.
Sega brought plenty of exclusives early on to Xbox, but once Microsoft hit it big with Halo they realised they didnt need them as much and essentially pushed them away. Lure Shenmue 2 to your platform exclusively (in NA!) then observe the end. Chromehounds and Condemned also rounded out the 360's early days, but then as usual, no deals to be made.
Mistwalker made two great RPG games for 360 when Microsoft wanted to try tackling Japan, but once it seemed like a lost cause, they of course cut and run and left the Gooch to the wolves rather than try and build on anything. I remember being mad hyped for Cry-On. Oh well, disconnect all ties and flush repeatedly!
Then things get even stickier when the Kinect money was thrown out to anyone with cupped hands. The particularly telling example of recent times is SWERY and D4. Like other devs, went all in on Kinect, only now that focus is gone-zo, they probably wont trot this game out much at all. Maybe at TGS?
Yukio Futatsugi in particular seems like some sort of ragdoll when it comes to MS Japan. Phantom Dust never even made it as far as Europe and that was about as far as his tenure went with MS directly other than overseeing. He's quoted on Wiki with:
The long list of casualties may now of course include Kamiya with Scalebound. Think MS is planning on supporting Platinum and giving real marketing exposure? History thinks otherwise!
MS sure does offer money, but its never in line with commitment and longterm plans. Its always a pick-me up quick boost out of a situation, and who cares what bodies hit the floor once they cut those lifelines. Sure gaming business isn't a charity, but goddam if Microsoft's list of victims isn't more than a little displeasing.
Sega brought plenty of exclusives early on to Xbox, but once Microsoft hit it big with Halo they realised they didnt need them as much and essentially pushed them away. Lure Shenmue 2 to your platform exclusively (in NA!) then observe the end. Chromehounds and Condemned also rounded out the 360's early days, but then as usual, no deals to be made.
Mistwalker made two great RPG games for 360 when Microsoft wanted to try tackling Japan, but once it seemed like a lost cause, they of course cut and run and left the Gooch to the wolves rather than try and build on anything. I remember being mad hyped for Cry-On. Oh well, disconnect all ties and flush repeatedly!
Then things get even stickier when the Kinect money was thrown out to anyone with cupped hands. The particularly telling example of recent times is SWERY and D4. Like other devs, went all in on Kinect, only now that focus is gone-zo, they probably wont trot this game out much at all. Maybe at TGS?
Yukio Futatsugi in particular seems like some sort of ragdoll when it comes to MS Japan. Phantom Dust never even made it as far as Europe and that was about as far as his tenure went with MS directly other than overseeing. He's quoted on Wiki with:
before then adding himself to the Kinect dogpile and the bizarre delay Crimson Dragon 'enjoyed'. Now I'm not even sure if he's attached to this Phantom Dust re-do or if its just been handed to a western dev to create.
The long list of casualties may now of course include Kamiya with Scalebound. Think MS is planning on supporting Platinum and giving real marketing exposure? History thinks otherwise!
MS sure does offer money, but its never in line with commitment and longterm plans. Its always a pick-me up quick boost out of a situation, and who cares what bodies hit the floor once they cut those lifelines. Sure gaming business isn't a charity, but goddam if Microsoft's list of victims isn't more than a little displeasing.
j0hnny_385
Member
Great OP.
I really wish MS had some sort of Sony WWDS-equivalent setup.
Talented, well-funded 1st party studios with freedom to do what they want.
If anyone, Phil Spencer can do it now that he's the boss, but will he, that's another question. :|
I really wish MS had some sort of Sony WWDS-equivalent setup.
Talented, well-funded 1st party studios with freedom to do what they want.
If anyone, Phil Spencer can do it now that he's the boss, but will he, that's another question. :|
BibiMaghoo
Member
To be fair to them, they put money into new IP's. Historically they do at start of new gen. It's 4 years down the line they don't, and gamers are as much to blame for that as MS. People want sequels, so they get them.
When did Vancouver get created?
Regardless, they also acquired PressPlay, Twisted Pixel, and Good Science(I believe). Created Lift London, LXP, and Team Dakota.
Kresnik258
Member
I feel like Microsoft just got complacent last generation when they were stomping Sony through reasons that weren't first-party (i.e. better quality third party releases; better online; better price). They seemed to have a pretty good start to the generation.
Sony started off on the same footing (buying out Psygnosis for more than they were worth), but did slowly build up a roster over time and now has a fantastic network of studios. MS just seem to be taking longer to get there and were heading in the right direction before taking a few steps backwards last gen.
Sony started off on the same footing (buying out Psygnosis for more than they were worth), but did slowly build up a roster over time and now has a fantastic network of studios. MS just seem to be taking longer to get there and were heading in the right direction before taking a few steps backwards last gen.
So because you don't like what 343i are doing it's bad for everyone? What would you have preferred them to do when bungie left just stop making halo?
Canis lupus
Member
All the MS studios
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Studios#Software_development_studios
Really weak, the only ones at present creating traditional packaged games are 343, Turn 10 and Black Tusk.