Halo, Fable, Jade, Forza and Gotham sequels confirmed XB2...

[Fats]

Xbox Xenon, Microsoft's next-generation console, will feature sequels to its biggest name game franchises according to Shane Kim, head of Microsoft Game Studios in his latest interview with the official US Xbox site.

Okay this might rank alongside ursines using the foliage as a lavatory as a case of stating the bleedin' obvious, but it's the first time MGS has confirmed or even practically acknowledged the appearance of key titles on its next-generation console.

Kim stated: "Without giving away all the surprises we have in store, gamers that love franchises like Halo, Fable, and Project Gotham Racing can safely assume we will continue to invest in them as we move into the next generation." Earlier in the interview Kim also confirmed the appearance of sequels to Jade Empire and Forza Motorsport, which is particularly interesting since both games have yet to release on Xbox one.

We've already speculated randomly on the possibility of Halo 3 as an Xbox 2 launch title and it wouldn't surprise us to find that a number of key franchises like Fable and PGR would also form part of Xbox 2's launch line-up.
A strong launch stable will be a key component in persuading gamers to part with the folding stuff for any new platform.

When asked about Microsoft's goals for heading into the next generation, Kim said that they'd employ a dual approach: to retain hardcore gamers, while reaching out to a new mass audience. "Our strategy has a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, we will continue to focus on creating exclusive titles for the core gamer audience, showcasing the unique advantages of the next-generation Xbox and Xbox Live ... The second part of our strategy will be to lead the broadening of the Xbox audience."


www.computerandvideogames.com

[Domination]

Content, content, content. That's what this industry revolves around. Them aiming at hardcore gamers first is a great thing, but I'm still not too convinced with the image they plan to give their next console. If I remember correctly, hardcore gamers were more attracted to their slogan before they were in the actual content. I hate beating a dead horse, but I hope Mirosoft has a plan to draw and keep those "hardcore" gamers loyal becides all the talking.

[Tenchi]

Content, content, content. That's what this industry revolves around. Them aiming at hardcore gamers first is a great thing, but I'm still not too convinced with the image they plan to give their next console. If I remember correctly, hardcore gamers were more attracted to their slogan before they were in the actual content. I hate beating a dead horse, but I hope Mirosoft has a plan to draw and keep those "hardcore" gamers loyal becides all the talking.
What you say Domination is very true, hardcore gamers would start a fight over their systen of choice's logo, they are the ones that got Microsoft to the position and level they are at now. I really can't say Microsoft hasn't done everything in its power to retain them, because truth be told, they have. Microsoft sponsors wrestling events from TNA and WWE, all to target that 35% of the gaming market. In the years to come, Microsoft must have these gamers at their mercy if they hope to win, if this isn't so, there is no chance for the once big, mean and green machine to put a dent in Sony's cell microprocessor and Nintendo's "supercontroller."

Should the games listed above entice these, as I would call them, lumberjacks of gaming, the Xbox 2 will be a force to be reckoned with. At the end of the day, there is no other viable way for Microsoft to suceed than by completely stripping its competitors of the "prime" gamer. Games like Halo and its long-awaited sequel brought the Xbox to tis audience, and they "ate it all up." Now, here posting in a forum, we await the clash of titans in an all-out battle to win your €49.99.

[Mitri]

if all the games listed above were release titles that would be a heck of a launch. man would i be broke! :lol:

they are doing alot better with this than i originally thought that they would. because once you think about it this is all about timing. the casual gamer isn't going to know about the insides of the ps3 or the "supercontroller" of the revolution. some won't even know until the day gamestop or their local store starts taking reservations.

what i'm trying to sum up is that the hardcore xboxer(for example: me) is going to buy this no matter what. with even half of those titles mentioned above the hardcorer's are going to be singing praises and by hearing this it will draw in the casual gamer. the casual gamer is going to buy one because its something new just like they did with the DS.

[axia777]

All those games at launch? This year? If launch is this year that is. I really doubt that one. Maybe in a year or two. The line up sounds good, but again, most of those games are going to be on PC as well most likely, so why do I care about XB2? I don't really. If they are exclusive and not on PC then they would have more luck with guys like me getting the system. That is why I own a PS2. Most of the greatest games on the system are totally exclusive to PS2. Microsoft needs to get that in their head. Even Halo is better on PC. That is LAME. :P

[Tenchi]

All those games at launch? This year? If launch is this year that is. I really doubt that one. Maybe in a year or two. The line up sounds good, but again, most of those games are going to be on PC as well most likely, so why do I care about XB2? I don't really. If they are exclusive and not on PC then they would have more luck with guys like me getting the system. That is why I own a PS2. Most of the greatest games on the system are totally exclusive to PS2. Microsoft needs to get that in their head. Even Halo is better on PC. That is LAME. :P
You need to understand another thing, Microsoft makes money from PC games, heck, they control 99.9% of the PC gaming market, every game is compatible with Windows, which sadly cannot be said by every operating system manufacturer out there. And also, keep in mind that Microsoft owns over 75% of Bungie stock, meaning most of the money made on the PC goes to Microsoft whilst still having the greatest first-person shooter developer at their whim.

This is why Microsoft will be such a force in the next generation, because they took notes and did all their homework -- now it is time to become valedictorian, and Microsoft wants to give that speech whilst the drop-outs weep in discontent. And if Microsoft takes this audience -- the lumberjacks -- they shall rule supreme.

There are a plethora of measures Sony and Nintendo can take to prevent this from taking place, many which involve RAW POWER! Sony has the edge when it comes to technological dominance -- an edge that will only continue to sharpen. Nintendo, on the other hand, needs to inovate, because inovation is what keeps fans happy, and it is also Nintendo's specialty to a degree. I expect all of these companies to shock the world with their next generation machine, and just as I say this, someone may be engineering a CELL processor for Sony's PlayStation 2 or doing whatever Nintendo will do to their "system of the future."

One thing is fore sure; We are the ones that shall reap the rewards this time around.

Edit - How do you make a sequel for Fable?

[The_One]

@Tenchi: Have you heard about what the developers wanted to do with Fable in the VERY beginning? Well, I have. And believe me, the final product does NOT meet their expectations, at ALL. They wanted to make a game so complex that cutting down a tree will effect the future, same as trampling over flowers. They couldn't do that with the hardware limitations of the Xbox, so they want to try again on Xbox 2, will they succeed? That's anyone's guess. So I guess that's how they make a sequel ;).

[Tenchi]

@Tenchi: Have you heard about what the developers wanted to do with Fable in the VERY beginning? Well, I have. And believe me, the final product does NOT meet their expectations, at ALL. They wanted to make a game so complex that cutting down a tree will effect the future, same as trampling over flowers. They couldn't do that with the hardware limitations of the Xbox, so they want to try again on Xbox 2, will they succeed? That's anyone's guess. So I guess that's how they make a sequel ;).
That would be impossible... It is technologically impossible to have all that going on in one game despite however many microprocessors the next Xbox does end up having under the hood.

[axia777]

All those games at launch? This year? If launch is this year that is. I really doubt that one. Maybe in a year or two. The line up sounds good, but again, most of those games are going to be on PC as well most likely, so why do I care about XB2? I don't really. If they are exclusive and not on PC then they would have more luck with guys like me getting the system. That is why I own a PS2. Most of the greatest games on the system are totally exclusive to PS2. Microsoft needs to get that in their head. Even Halo is better on PC. That is LAME. :P
You need to understand another thing, Microsoft makes money from PC games, heck, they control 99.9% of the PC gaming market, every game is compatible with Windows, which sadly cannot be said by every operating system manufacturer out there. And also, keep in mind that Microsoft owns over 75% of Bungie stock, meaning most of the money made on the PC goes to Microsoft whilst still having the greatest first-person shooter developer at their whim.

This is why Microsoft will be such a force in the next generation, because they took notes and did all their homework -- now it is time to become valedictorian, and Microsoft wants to give that speech whilst the drop-outs weep in discontent. And if Microsoft takes this audience -- the lumberjacks -- they shall rule supreme.

There are a plethora of measures Sony and Nintendo can take to prevent this from taking place, many which involve RAW POWER! Sony has the edge when it comes to technological dominance -- an edge that will only continue to sharpen. Nintendo, on the other hand, needs to inovate, because inovation is what keeps fans happy, and it is also Nintendo's specialty to a degree. I expect all of these companies to shock the world with their next generation machine, and just as I say this, someone may be engineering a CELL processor for Sony's PlayStation 2 or doing whatever Nintendo will do to their "system of the future."

One thing is fore sure; We are the ones that shall reap the rewards this time around.

Edit - How do you make a sequel for Fable?

I understand all that perfectly. But my main point is that I will never by an X-Box or an X-Box 2 if I can by the best games for them on a PC. While Microsoft does in fact profit in some small way from the sale of PC games like KOTOR, it is nothing compared to the profit they net from the sale of say KOTOR on X-Box. The only thing that Microsoft profits from me buying a PC is the sale of the Windows liscence, which I don't even really pay for. The PC company that sold me the machine does. Not to mention the fact that the developers do not pay Microsoft to develope games on PC's. But they do pay alot to develope games on X-Box. Which in the end is more profit for Microsoft.Not to mention the sale of the console which makes it possible for me to get more games for X-Box/X-Box 2. This in turn brings more and better profits for Microsoft.

I still believe that by playing both sides of the fence with their best games Microsoft screws themesevles in the long run. I will never by their system because I can play the games elsewhere. I would not by a PS2 if I could play the best games on my PC. I love the games, so I buy a PS2. Like GameCube. Metroid and Zelda will never be on any other system. So the fans get Nintendo systems to play the games.

But yes, I agree, it is a good time to be a gamer. It is just bad business for Microsoft.

[Z]

It is only natural to have sequels to your biggest franchises, whether on current or new systems. We don’t need an announcement to tell us Halo will be on X2, as we don't need anannouncement to tell us GT will appear on PS3 :wink: