In a recent appearance on IGN’s “Podcast Unlocked,” Xbox head Phil Spencer stated that Microsoft and Xbox is putting an emphasis on committing to original intellectual properties for the Xbox One.
For a majority of Microsoft’s last-generation console, the Xbox 360, most first-party titles consisted of follow-ups to already established IP’s such as the Forza, Gear of War, and Halo franchises.
However, as previously mentioned in a recent podcast by Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox emphasized that the company is committed to consistently bringing new intellectual properties for the Xbox One to the proverbial gaming table – such as next week’s highly anticipated new IP, Sunset Overdrive.
Take a look at what Spencer had to say about Sunset Overdrive and why it is important to the progression of the Xbox One platform after the break.
Sunset Overdrive is Exactly What the Xbox One Needs
In the aforementioned “Podcast Unlocked,” Phil Spencer stated the following in regards to Sunset Overdrive and Xbox’s commitment to fresh, new intellectual properties:
“I think new stories, new characters give us a new canvas to try new things.
Sunset Overdrive is a great example of that. It’s a game that isn’t like anything else in our portfolio. And I think that’s great. I want to continue to invest in things that push the boundaries. I don’t need another military space marine game. I probably don’t need another racing game.
People push me on Project Gotham Racing or something. But in terms of trying things that are new and have a unique reason to be in our portfolio, it’s gotta be a commitment from us as a first party, absolutely.”
Author’s Take:
Gamers don’t necessarily want or need another generic, cookie-cutter third-person shooter ala Gears of War or a short, bombastic FPS in the vein of Call of Duty.
If the Xbox One truly aims to be a “next-generation” (…ahem, current-gen) gaming console, developers need to think outside the established confines of what makes really makes a successful video game. As Spencer said, they need to push the creative boundaries.
Gaming is inherently about experiences, and one of the best things a company can do to bolster the success of their console (in this case, the Xbox One) is to focus on delivering games/experiences containing fresh, new, well-executed ideas and mechanics for gamers to enjoy…
…something that Sunset Overdrive seems to have in spades.
For those unfamiliar with Sunset Overdrive, it is an Xbox One-exclusive, open world, third-person shooter developed by Insomniac Games and published by Microsoft Studios.
The game is set in the fictional Sunset City in the year 2027. Players will play as a fully customizable FizzCo employee who fights the OD’d with a large arsenal of creative weaponry. The aforementioned “OD’d” are humans transformed into monsters after consuming an energy drink.
The title puts an emphasis on swift, parkour-esque traversal, with the utilization of wall-running and zip-lining necessary for navigation of Sunset City.
Sunset Overdrive releases exclusively for the Xbox One on October 28th.
What are your thoughts on Phil Spencer’s statements regarding Xbox’s commitment to new, original IPs? Do you feel that the Xbox One needs more games like Sunset Overdrive? Why or why not?
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