Is Xbox seeking to put extra give attention to AA video games?
Final yr, Microsoft accomplished its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which introduced numerous present franchises beneath the Xbox umbrella. Microsoft is seemingly searching for methods to raised make the most of these franchises, and apparently a brand new studio has been created inside Blizzard to give attention to new titles related to StarCraft, Warcraft, Overwatch, and different franchises. Nonetheless, these is not going to be main AAA video games. Based on a report from Home windows Central, this new studio will as a substitute give attention to smaller, inexpensive AA video games.
At the moment, we do not know what platforms the brand new studio can be creating video games for, however Home windows Central speculates that the group may find yourself engaged on cell video games. The brand new studio is seemingly made up of a number of builders that have been beforehand working for King, the Blizzard owned studio behind video games like Sweet Crush. Nonetheless, the outlet goes on to say that Microsoft is more and more seeking to adapt a “Nintendo-like” mannequin of collaboration between smaller groups, given the growing prices and danger related to AAA improvement.
No matter whether or not this particular studio is engaged on video games for console, Home windows Central notes that Xbox is seeking to give smaller video games an elevated focus. Within the Swap period, Nintendo has saved a gradual stream of first-party exclusives, with remasters and AA video games filling the gaps between AAA titles like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Tremendous Mario Bros. Surprise. Following the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Xbox definitely owns sufficient IP that it may discover success with the same mannequin, and Xbox boss Phil Spencer has regularly shared his need to dig into Activision Blizzard’s treasure chest of IPs.
The present console technology has been a troublesome one for the Xbox model. Xbox Collection X|S has struggled to compete with PlayStation and Nintendo, and an absence of unique video games has been an enormous a part of the issue. Whereas there are numerous thrilling video games within the pipeline, there’s just too lengthy a wait between exclusives. Embracing AA video games couldn’t solely clear up that drawback, nevertheless it may additionally lead to fewer franchises feeling deserted. If the AA push extends to all Xbox owned franchises, it may imply that we see new Banjo-Kazooie and Conker’s Dangerous Fur Day video games whereas we wait on introduced AAA titles like Good Darkish, O.D., and Blade. It is a good thought, nevertheless it stays to be seen how issues will play out over time.
Do you wish to see extra AA video games from Xbox? What franchises are you desperate to see return? Share your ideas with me straight on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!
