Big Xbox 360 project Cancelled, Head MSG guy "on his way out"

[Zenien]

On the latest 1UP Podcast, during the news section, Shane mentioned that while they can't officially call in news (because of legal reasons one would assume) this 'rumor' (which is '97.99 certain') is that a big Microsoft game that was due out for 08, that we haven't seen much of in a while, that Microsoft was hoping would help broaden their demographics, has been cancelled. Now the guy who's on his way out could bve either Shane Kim (Bungie leaving, losing Bizarre, etc?) or Major Neilson? But as far as the game goes here's my list of candidates...

Marvel MMO
Alan Wake
Banjo 3
Too Human
Weta/Peter Jackson/Halo Project

It's something we've already seen. Personally I think that it's probably the Marvel MMO. I just can't see a game with such disperate powers working very well, aside from that, Rare is bound to be on thin ice at this point... It's possible that Too Human was cancelled (or at least not published by Microsoft?) but I doubt it. Out of all the projects, I think it stands the biggest chance of being the Weta project, or the Marvel MMO. What do you guys think?

 

[GFreeman]

The only things that would really broaden their demographics would be Banjo and the Peter Jackson thing. I wouldn't be surprised if Jackson flaked out once the movie deal fell apart.

 

[WhatsHisFace]

Here's the transcript.

Shane: I won't go into exacting detail because these rumors haven't been confirmed but they're definitely swirling around. They're probably gonna break next week. So a preview of what you may be seeing next week. A big Microsoft first-party title that has been in the works for a very long time that people are very excited for, sounds like it's being canceled. And a Microsoft executive who's pretty high up, who's been a voice for the company, sounds like he's on the way out.

Simon: How solid are these rumors?

Shane: I would give these rumors like a 97-percent chance.

Doesn't say anything about broadening demographics. Shane is also notoriously pro-Sony around the 1UP office.

However, if the rumor is true...

Marvel MMO - Likely. Cryptic's game has been shown a grand total of zero times. Even to the press.
Alan Wake - Highly doubtful. Remedy has a great track record and Microsoft was the one pursuing Remedy for the game, not the other way around.
Banjo 3 - Highly doubtful. Microsoft didn't cancel Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Kameo or Viva Pinata. Why would they start with a sequel to a blockbuster series?
Too Human - Unlikely. Sure, lawsuits and development hang-ups have given this game a very troubled development, but it was pegged as a 2008 game and being ended so close to completion seems like a worthless move.
Weta/Peter Jackson/Halo Project - Ridiculous. Cancelling a Halo project would be like burning money. It's completely possible that Peter Jackson's backing out, but the project would surely continue without him even if that were the case.

 

[Zenien]

I could have sworn he said that, besides he's also a huge Too Human fan, and when someone brought up Ratchet he said "It's no Super Mario Galaxy".

Wait you listen to the Podcast? Color me suprised.

EDIT: So... what's your guess then...

 

[WhatsHisFace]

I could have sworn he said that, besides he's also a huge Too Human fan, and when someone brought up Ratchet he said "It's no Super Mario Galaxy".

Wait you listen to the Podcast? Color me suprised.

EDIT: So... what's your guess then...

My guess, if it had to be anything announced, is the MMO project. Microsoft shies away from MMOs like they're poisonous. From the Mythic projects on the PC, to the True Fantasy Live Online game for the Xbox, they've all failed to release.

Microsoft has shown so little lately though, that it's entirely possible that this game hasn't even been announced.

In any event, as long as a game's being cancelled, you can expect it's "soul" to show up in some other game published by a lousy company Simon and Schuster Interactive. Microsoft dumped several projects on publishers like them after having their IP assets stripped.

 

[Spider-Vader]

It better not be that f***in' Indiana Jones game again. Yeah, I know it's mult-platform but anyway...
There's no way it's the Halo thing. I hope it's not the Marvel thing.

 

[WhatsHisFace]

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if J. Allard's leaving over the whole Zune thing. Nobody wants to work on that project. Trying to beat the iPod is insane.

 

[Mr. Smash'n Bash]

I can beat the iPod.

 

[Mr. Smash'n Bash]

With a hammer.

 

[블라스]

Everyone Has Aids!!!!
Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids Aids !

 

[GFreeman]

This topic had at least another page of life left in it

 

[Joker]

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if J. Allard's leaving over the whole Zune thing. Nobody wants to work on that project. Trying to beat the iPod is insane.

They were never really trying to beat the iPod though...there strategy on it is sort of mirroring there console strategy...first generation, get there name out there, 2nd generation will be to build a base, and then 3rd generation will be to build up...so seeing as they're only on phase 1, it's way too early to tell anything...

 

[Mr. Smash'n Bash]

This topic had at least another page of life left in it

Your face has at least another page of life left in it.

 

[WhatsHisFace]

This topic had at least another page of life left in it

It's only going to be realized if YOU post. WE will keep this thread alive.

 

[Lando81]

im gonna go with Alan Wake. i havent seen anything new on that for like, almost 2 years.

 

[cookiva]

im gonna go with Alan Wake. i havent seen anything new on that for like, almost 2 years.

Well, based upon that logic, what about the Marvel MMO. When was the last time we saw anything outside of that crappy character trailer??? Oh yeah, never. What about the Peter Jackson Halo project???

 

[The Last Meatbag]

OMg nooooo@!!@!#!@!!!@


Too Human must survive, Banjo Must Survive, Marvel More Pigs must survive....

I don't really give a **** about Alan Wake though

He can die

 

[WhatsHisFace]

OMg nooooo@!!@!#!@!!!@


Too Human must survive, Banjo Must Survive, Marvel More Pigs must survive....

I don't really give a **** about Alan Wake though

He can die

Pffft. Alan Wakw > Marvel More Pig.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

sounds alot like too human or banjo. those are the only two cases.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

I´m going with the MMO, which, as cool as it sounds, i don´t really care for MMOs, so, i´m good

I don´t think is Too Human, too many interviews and trailers are coming out for the last couple of months.
I don´t think is Banjo, not because it´s Rare, but because MS really needs a big platform game.
I don´t think is Alan Wake for the reasons WHF stated, only if Remedy is going with Max Payne 3 (which they eventually will make).

I´m sure is not the Peter Jackson, because from Gamespot, on Nov 9, Bungie talked with Develop magazine and said that, at this moment two Halo games are in the making, Ensemble´s and Jackson´s.
So......

 

[OobeDoobBenubi]

Maybe they axed the Peter Jackson Project because "Bungie" is working on more then one Halo title ?

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

More news:

On Gameguru, they say that it can´t be Alan Wake or Too Human, because both are being developed by third party (Remedy and Silicon Knights ), which means that could only pull the plug on the publishing deals and not the development process.
Besides, this rumor has been officially denied at the Remedy forums.

They say that the best chances are Banjo3 and Jackson´s Halo.
Jackson´s, because there is already a Halo in the making (Halo Wars), so there is no real need for a second for the time being.
Besides, the recent news about the Halo movie being suspended till indefinite time and Bungie’s split, may be an indication that this game might not see the light of day at all.
They also state that:

If anyone’s careful enough to notice Microsoft’s primary strategy has been to alternate between blockbuster games, Gears of War (2006), Halo 3 (2007), Gears of War 2 (TBA 2008), next game in Halo universe or starring Master Chief (TBA 2009).With GTA IV already in line for next year this solves the problem of Metal Gear eclipsing its console as the top seller in the season, and Halo Wars is definitely hitting the box next year, so 2 Halo games is not necessary.

But, like i said above, Bungie talked about Jackson´s project as still having a green light.
Besides, if Jackson is such a huge fan of Halo and wants to get into the video games business, is not very likely theat they would cancel it on the first try.
Their best bet is Banjo, because with Killzone 2, they need a killer FPS for 08 (MS policy of making “competitive games”; Splinter cell vs. Metal Gear, Forza vs. Gran Turismo, and the reason they say that Too Human is still on track to go against God of War 3), Perfect Dark 2 might be the answer (we all have heard rumours by now).
But, at the same time, Gears 2 might be going against Killzone 2, so....
Besides, they say that the the platforming genre does not seem to be at its best at the moment in terms of sales. The latest iteration of the “Ratchet and Clank” series was a great game but was not the system seller Sony’s looking for rather the community went wild when they heard about Resistance’s sequel being in development.
Besides, the official banjothreeie website is no more, it directs to Rare´s.

Link: http://www.gameguru.in/features/2007/11/rumour-101-peter-jacksons-halo-or-banjo-kazooie-3-canceled/

I still hope it´s the MMO, but it doesn´t look like it, it as to be a first party, and Turbine isn´t it

 

[WhatsHisFace]

The industry refers to "First Party Games" as games that are published by console manufacturers. No one uses "Second Party" anymore. Anything published by Microsoft is considered "First Party" so it's not necessarily from a studio they own.

 

[XtromaniaK]

If they cancel Banjo, I will have to kill someone. I've been waiting the majority of my life for that sequel.

 

[Mr. Smash'n Bash]

No you haven't you poser.