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[Bergoglio]

Today, we have a couple of new details about The Initiative's project, which could release in an episodic format according to Xbox insiders hosting the Xbox Era podcast (1:45:50). They compare the game to Netflix's TV series Black Mirror and its format.

"All those episodes of Black Mirror are linked to each other, they take place within the same universe. When I talked about The Initiative's game, I'm not saying it's exactly like Black Mirror, but it has that Black Mirror-like aspect to it."

"I know the word episodic has been thrown around," insider Shpeshal Ed said about the game.

However, they also made it clear that The Initiative's games will not be similar to Sony's blockbuster third-person action adventures such as The Last of Us Part II or God of War. Shpeshal Ed says in the podcast that he thinks the game will not be accepted well.

"I don't think the internet is going to react very well to it. This is gonna be bad, a level of bad where people give up on Xbox Game Studios. Fanboys are gonna get really upset," he said in the podcast.

Ed reiterated that this is just his opinion and prediction so keep that in mind before you get disappointed. Also, these are just rumours and speculation, nothing official. It's possible that The Initiative's game turns out to be something completely different. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

The Initiative's AAA game could release in episodic format; stories set in the same universe

One of the biggest yet to be announced Xbox first-party games comes from The Initiative, who are working on a game that could release in episodic format, according to Xbox insiders.

www.altchar.com

 

[wvnative]

Microsoft just doesn't get it do they?

I'm willing to try it, but my expectations are low.

 

[Leyasu]

That guy is about as much an insider as I am.

 

[dottme]

I’m going to wait to see more before I make an opinion. But please Microsoft, you have a lot of studio now, you should be able to release something great.

 

[Andodalf]

Spoiler: SOURCE!

Dude Trust Me

 

[GrayFoxPL]

Furry game.

 

[ethomaz]

Episodes seems like what you want in Gamepass.
I see no issue with MS focusing in what they think is good for them.

 

[Hendrick's]

They don't need The Initiative to chase Sony 1st party. MS has plenty of other studios that could do that if they wanted. Have no idea what they are working on, but I'll keep an open mind.

 

[Bladed Thesis]

Classic MS.

"Let's hire all the best talent from other studios and make an episodic game like Alone in the Dark."

How tone deaf that would. Speculation is really all this is but it would be completely tonedeaf and of course the internet reaction would be bad. You don't build the next big studio for your brand and have them push out an episodic game.

 

[Magenta Mage]

I don't think MS has done any favors by describing The Initiative as a "AAAA" studio. Pretty much inflates hype to the point that nothing they deliver will satisfy.

 

[KyoZz]

 

[Alx]

Episodic format could be interesting when coupled with gamepass. A game like Quantum Break could definitely have worked with that model (probably was meant to follow it at one time).

 

[v_iHuGi]

This is gonna be good.

 

[oldergamer]

Why would episodic be bad? I don't get the reasoning behind him thinking the internet will react poorly. Perhaps because the characters will be different in each episode?

 

[iJudged]

i am insider too, trust me, game will resemble something i don't like and other people won't like it, too, therefore fuck MS...amidoingitryte?

 

[onesvenus]

That sounds bad?

If Xbox games studios are not up to the task of producing good content this generation will be hard for them. It seems Sony is really pushing hard this time.

 

[Kholinar]

The episodic aspect is a non-factor. FFVIIR is an episodic game yet it's been received rather well. The only requirement this game needs to meet is that it is good.

 

[RoboFu]

My uncle works for MS and he says its goingto be awesome!!

 

[THEAP99]

After all this AAAA talk, if it's anything less than an Insomiac Game, xbox can kick rocks.

Episodic games, I predicted would happen for gamepass. It ONLY MAKES SENSE. TO drive engagement by milking releases and such. If you're a fan of that since you're getting games day and date, cool. But I think this will effect gaming negatively in the long run

 

[Bernkastel]

Tell me one thing Shpeshal Nick predicted and got it right. Last time I know they predicted Microsoft will buy Bungie and was shot down by a Bungie exec.

 

[oldergamer]

Just him saying this puts a negative in people's minds before they see it. we don't know anything about it and he tells us we're not going to like it?

The only way i won't like it is if its a bad game or has horrible art. unless its a genre i don't like... first person shooter?

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

I couldn't care less about payment models.

If the game is good enough for the price they charge, I'll be there.

 

[oagboghi2]

After all this AAAA talk, if it's anything less than an Insomiac Game, xbox can kick rocks.

Episodic games, I predicted would happen for gamepass. It ONLY MAKES SENSE. TO drive engagement by milking releases and such. If you're a fan of that since you're getting games day and date, cool. But I think this will effect gaming negatively in the long run

what an amazing innovation

 

[N0S]

 

[jshackles]

I actually enjoy episodic games. The Walking Dead, Life is Strange, hell even Resident Evil Revelations 2 was episodic.

Being episodic doesn't make a game bad.

 

[Dabaus]

Sony is losing a new director a day it seems And MS first party continues to be a mess.

 

[FALCON_KICK]

I would still reserve my judgement until I see the first gameplay trailer and official details instead of the words of an insider.

Episodic content fits the gamepass model though.

IMO Microsoft is trying to deflate/fix the hype surrounding the upcoming game from a AAAA studio and it is working if intended.

Why not make another thread or instead rename the thread title about the episodic model, dark mirror aspects of The Initiative upcoming IP?

Sea of Thieves is switching to seasonal updates and a battle pass

The new reward system, with an optional 'Plunder Pass,' will go live in January.

www.pcgamer.com

Sea of Thieves is switching to seasonal updates and a battle pass to fit the gamepass model.

 

[quest]

I just laugh people bitch Microsoft can't produce a AAA in 2 years when naught dog gets forever. They do episodes to cut development time people bitch lol.

 

[cireza]

Whatever Microsoft do, you always have people building up concern before it is even unveiled.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

This is gonna be good.

Grow up for fuck sake

 

[Romulus]

Is this 2014? The majority already gave up on Microsoft studios. They can't even do Halo right anymore. The only thing they have left is gamepass and a well priced console.

 

[Tesseract]

 

[THEAP99]

Whatever Microsoft do, you always have people building up concern before it is even unveiled.

Also have people overhyping it up being it's unveiled

 

[quest]

Also have people overhyping it up being it's unveiled

What are you talking about outside some AAAA comment there is zero talk of their game here and by Microsoft except in passing. They are hyping only in your mind.

 

[kiphalfton]

How long have they been "working" on this game? Seems like it's in development hell.

 

[AmuroChan]

It's ok. Not everything has to follow the same cookie cutter mold. I like when devs experiment. Plus an episodic release isn't a bad fit for the GP model.

 

[THEAP99]

What are you talking about outside some AAAA comment there is zero talk of their game here and by Microsoft except in passing. They are hyping only in your mind.

The AAAA comment from Microsoft is literally hyping it up. Plus, all the comments from snarky xbox fans saying "haha the initiative stole Sony talent" or "haha AAAA game Sony has nothing to compete against it." You can even see xbox fanboys hyping up CONCEPT ART created by artists at the initiatives. The microsoft side of the coin are guilty on all accounts until proven innocent with the initiative's game

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Reverse psychology.

 

[Drewpee]

Today, we have a couple of new details about The Initiative's project, which could release in an episodic format according to Xbox insiders hosting the Xbox Era podcast (1:45:50). They compare the game to Netflix's TV series Black Mirror and its format.

"All those episodes of Black Mirror are linked to each other, they take place within the same universe. When I talked about The Initiative's game, I'm not saying it's exactly like Black Mirror, but it has that Black Mirror-like aspect to it."

"I know the word episodic has been thrown around," insider Shpeshal Ed said about the game.

However, they also made it clear that The Initiative's games will not be similar to Sony's blockbuster third-person action adventures such as The Last of Us Part II or God of War. Shpeshal Ed says in the podcast that he thinks the game will not be accepted well.

"I don't think the internet is going to react very well to it. This is gonna be bad, a level of bad where people give up on Xbox Game Studios. Fanboys are gonna get really upset," he said in the podcast.

Ed reiterated that this is just his opinion and prediction so keep that in mind before you get disappointed. Also, these are just rumours and speculation, nothing official. It's possible that The Initiative's game turns out to be something completely different. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

The Initiative's AAA game could release in episodic format; stories set in the same universe

One of the biggest yet to be announced Xbox first-party games comes from The Initiative, who are working on a game that could release in episodic format, according to Xbox insiders.

www.altchar.com

Gamers hate changes so he might be right, but I love Black Mirror and that sounds like an awesome concept for a video game (especially a game that is made for Gamepass) if done right.

I'd much rather they try something that could potentially live up to the impossible AAAA studio tag than to copy Sony's formula and make a high budget single player game. I love single player games so not knocking what Sony does at all, but why do the same thing?

Xbox has plenty of multiplayer games already so there is no need to fill there. Let's encourage creativity and not tear it down before we even know what the project is about. Innovation is what we are looking for from this type of huge studio.

 

[INC]

Take that bugnax

 

[Hendrick's]

...insider Shpeshal Ed said about the game.

 

[Lunarorbit]

I don't think black mirror episodes are all based in the same universe. There's an episode with killer robots in England and then another with the pm having sex with a pig.

I thought it was like twilight zone; the overarching themes are the same but take place in different realities.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

How long have they been "working" on this game? Seems like it's in development hell.

2018

 

[imsosleepy]

They probably think its a good idea to release something episodic because gamepass. Have to keep the interest in gamepass over a longer period of time

 

[GymWolf]

I don't usually love episodic games but the guy seems a bit too pessimistic...

 

[onnextflix5]

Has this guy seen the game? Lets just wait and see. Ms should really buying studios like remedy tho.

 

[Kimahri]

Why would I give up on Xbox Game Studios just because they might have ome studio that might produce shit?

That line alone makes me call bullshit on this.

What ever the initiative is making isn't gonna make me want Fable, Avowed and TES6 any less.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

They probably think its a good idea to release something episodic because gamepass. Have to keep the interest in gamepass over a longer period of time

Great content does that

 

[kuncol02]

2018

That's when they started building that studio from scratch. Any real work on game started way later. Probably somewhere in second half of 2019.

 

[Stilton Disco]

Maybe it'll be good, and an episodic approach could work, as long as it doesn't feel cheap, rushed, or lacking a satisfying ending to each episode. If it feels cheap, or like a full game that's unfinished and chopped up arbitrarily, it would suck though.

Really though, no one should be going in expecting anything MS puts out to be good. They've had a generation and a half of 1st party games being almost all middling at best, downright awful at worst, and they need to prove they can actually manage their IP's and studios properly now, not just keep promising gold and delivering turds.

Xbox squandered all the trust and expectations of quality years ago, and they have to earn that back the hard way. Only time will tell if they're up to it.