Xbox Game Studios Could Use Board Games To Revisit Dormant Franchises (ign.com) 5
Microsoft could use board games to revisit dormant franchises owned by Xbox Game Studios, with Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game potentially being the first of many. From a report: Zoo Tycoon was developed by Elite: Dangerous studio Frontier Developments and published by Microsoft Studios (the previous name for Xbox Game Studios), on November 22, 2013 for Xbox One and Xbox 360. Speaking to Xbox Wire, Xbox Game Studios executive producer Robert Jerauld said this board game adaptation is a "prime illustration" of how Microsoft could expand its franchises that don't have video games in active development. "It's crucial to recognize that even if certain franchises aren't currently undergoing active development, they can still be actively appreciated by their fans," Jerauld said.
"Zoo Tycoon serves as a prime illustration of this. It presents a valuable chance for Microsoft to extend gratitude to the dedicated and ardent Zoo Tycoon fans who have worked tirelessly to sustain the game's enchantment. We acknowledge your dedication and deeply appreciate you." While Jerauld didn't say if he had any other dormant franchises in mind, Xbox certainly has a wealth to choose from. These could include Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Project Gotham Racing, MechAssault and plenty more. There are some bigger names that haven't seen a release in a long time, of course, but many of these currently have sequels in development at Xbox.
"Zoo Tycoon serves as a prime illustration of this. It presents a valuable chance for Microsoft to extend gratitude to the dedicated and ardent Zoo Tycoon fans who have worked tirelessly to sustain the game's enchantment. We acknowledge your dedication and deeply appreciate you." While Jerauld didn't say if he had any other dormant franchises in mind, Xbox certainly has a wealth to choose from. These could include Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Project Gotham Racing, MechAssault and plenty more. There are some bigger names that haven't seen a release in a long time, of course, but many of these currently have sequels in development at Xbox.
Nice idea but tricky ... (Score:3)
... to implement.
The boardgame and TTRPG industry has been extremely optimized by crowdfunding, with passionate gamedesigners and authors working very closely together to determine what players want and what finished games (!!) actually get produced and with what extras and in which quality.
It's very unlikely that any big company can compete with this new level of indie publishing. The quality has reached unseen levels in enthusiast boardgames and similar products such as TTRPGs and dungeon crawlers.
Re: (Score:2)
... to implement.
The boardgame and TTRPG industry has been extremely optimized by crowdfunding, with passionate gamedesigners and authors working very closely together to determine what players want and what finished games (!!) actually get produced and with what extras and in which quality.
It's very unlikely that any big company can compete with this new level of indie publishing. The quality has reached unseen levels in enthusiast boardgames and similar products such as TTRPGs and dungeon crawlers.
OTOH, you've got people who pay regularly for the latest Call of Snorfare 20xx edition or anything Gears of Halo. However I doubt they'll get that into board gaming but it's another way to wring a few more bucks out of a tired old franchise that should have been shot out of mercy years ago.
As for indie developers, they're quire prolific in PC gaming but still haven't really harmed any of the big boys. Those who like city builders will know that EA strangled the life out of Sim City with pantyhose of gree
Re: (Score:3)
"It's sad to see how many franchises have died at Microsoft"
EA and Konami: "Pfff. Amateurs."