Blizzard in talks with Microsoft about the next Xbox

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/blizzard-in-talks-with-microsoft-for-next-xbox

Blizzard's Rob Pardo has confirmed that his company has had talks with Microsoft about the successor to the Xbox 360.

Speaking at the Luminaries Lunch today during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Pardo would only state that Blizzard is actively in discussions with Microsoft, seemingly confirming the development process of new console hardware is under way.

However, other developers at the lunch have not spoken to either Microsoft or Sony about future plans, which has raised concerns that content isn't a priority for format holders as they plan the next-generation of home machines.

"How many designers in the games industry do you think they are rounding up to [talk to], because this is going to make or break them this time around," said Acclaim's David Perry.

"I'm not aware that they are putting a big amount of effort into finding out how to make the games. The people who are actually physically going to make the games are all going to get a surprise," he added.

Warren Spector, boss of Disney's Junction Point Studios and responsible for classic titles such as Deus Ex, said that he believes format holders are too concerned with the wider entertainment market to focus on games.

"I get the impression they're focusing on owning the living room," he said. "One device that lets you watch movies, television and play games and music and all that stuff.

"They're so focused on that that I'm not even sure they're thinking about the games that are going to come out. Which is kind of crazy." he added.

Pardo said that so far there's been a good reason why Blizzard titles such as World of Warcraft haven't appeared on home consoles – the hardware hasn't been specifically designed around some genres.

"There are are so many games like we make at Blizzard that we don't take to consoles because they don't support the input device and you end up with crappy ports. That's why RTS games never do well on consoles," he said.

"If I was them, I'd be sitting around trying to figure out what's a cool input device that supports all types of new kinds of games."

 

I guess that Blizzard people were invited to talk to those people. Why would Blizzard actively seek contact with console developers, while they say that their games are incompatible with the curren setup consoles use? They probably got invited because they make a lot of money, or because they are now merged with activision, which makes plenty console games. No big deal.

 

talk of next-gen already? sheesh.

 

i would love to see d3 or sc2 on a console but they do need to find an good way of controling your units and buildings for a console. maybe just use a usb port that plugs in a small keyboard/hotkey system that has a second plug attached to the keyboard for a mouse. it might cost you an extra $50+ for the whole package but at least your not spending 1000+ on a new desktop computer and then buying the game for 60-80$ after tax depending where you live. It will be interesting to see if they could figure something out.

 

I'm affraid that's never going to happen. You just can't expect microsoft and sony to completely change live and psn to make it work battle.net. Especially since they are going to put advertisements on battle.net and even going to make you pay for some tournaments. Microsoft and Sony will never allow Blizzard to make money on their networks, and big B probably will refuse to share. Money money money. By the way, you already can hook up a keyboard and even a mouse to your consoles.

 

This is about the next Xbox and the things you mentioned are exactly what Blizzard is talking to Microsoft about changing. If Microsoft listens to what Rob Pardo is trying to tell them then the next Xbox could receive ports for Diablo 3, World Of WarCraft, StarCraft 2, and future games. Regardless, this is demonstrating that Blizzard has inerest in consoles if they can meet their needs.

Also, Diablo recieved a port to the PSX and Diablo had Battle.net. Of course, Blizzard games as we know it could never be on consoles but that doesn't mean they can't change it to make it work.

 

Next gen console discussion?

I smell Ghost.

 

XBOX 720 ha lame

 

lol i trol u

But guys.

Blizzard hasn't touched consoles in a while.

Next gen.

Hrm. What was that one Starcraft game they were going to put on a console, and didn't officially cancel?

 

Damnit Rojo beat me to it.

 

Will people PLEASE stop sayin xbox 720. Microsoft pr people are saying to anyone who has working brains that they do not want to have numbers in consoles anymore, but nobody seems to notice. They must feel so useless now... Anyways, we all get the hint rojo. But if you type in the ghost url or follow an old link, it says something about sc:ghost being put on hold for an undetermined period. A bit strange though, what other secret projects could they have... The Lost Vikings 2? XD

 

Second MMO game.

THEN GHOST!

 

Not news, but nice find. Also, Tychus... firstly, please don't copy paste entire articles. Secondly, also don't copy paste the same post between four different sites.

 

1) Why?

2) How did / Why do you know?

 

You don't think I look at Blizzforums or SC.org?

And you can't just copy/paste an article or that site will get all over me about it.

 

Already done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_Vikings
(I read the info there and it sounds rather legit to me)

 

*Wants to play that game.*
I didn't knew of this. I doubt that you can still get it somewhere legally now, though. I really liked the puzzles in the first part. -Candy Land!- The wiki said that part one had a remake, but not part two.

 

I was going to suggest SC:Ghost as well, but Rojo beat us to it. Has anyone else also heard about Blizzard's attempts at registering Ghost as an esport in China?

http://my.curse.com/blogs/blizzard-...raft-ghost-as-an-e-sports-brand-in-china.aspx

It may be nothing but rampant speculation, but it is intriguing. Blizzard may simply be registering a game title that they **may or may not** be developping; companies often register titles in order to protect their products (or in this case IP).

However, there's no denying that a SC:Ghost exclusive to the next-gen Xbox would have the potential to move an important number of consoles. I'm not sure whether Blizzard would agree to such terms though (exclusive), as they generally aim to make their games as widely available as possible...

 

Honestly I want to see Diablo in a oblivion type style game. Starcraft Ghost was a cool idea but the RTS to Shooter concept is over and done with. Starcraft and Warcraft are great and all but when it comes to a console game the only game I see surviving the console wars is diablo mainly because its current form is already capable of being put into a console style of play. Starcraft :Ghost was an awesome idea but I don't think its what people want anymore. That and its not going to survive the next Bungie shooter. The new FPS in the halo universe would cream any shooter blizzard put out.

 

Halo's been going downhill since Halo 2.

Fanboys are just clinging on too much.