'Today, it was revealed Microsoft are secretly developing an array of new Xbox products blending the best elements of TV and movies with traditional video games into a new genre. Although details are sketchy, leaked information suggests these new products will be daring, innovative, and take the Xbox portfolio in a new direction never seen before in home entertainment.
'According to inside sources, some of these landmark "interactive movie-games" have been in development for some time. Suggested working titles include the action-adventure styled Not Charted, the futuristic spy-conspiracies of Solid Metal Wargear, the crime thriller Light Rain, and the zombie apocalypse hell of The Last of Them.
'When questioned, Microsoft spokesmen refused to comment, but smugly suggested off-the-record that soon Xbox would have titles unlike anything found on any other gaming platform.'
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Flippancy aside, I think this is a good thing, assuming Microsoft are looking at titles targeting the same markets as the best in the movie and television industries, which are both leaps and bounds ahead in terms of maturity and depth when at their best (take a look at HBO, for example -- gaming has nothing like this, and is the lesser for it). Of course, this also means I hope Microsoft aren't looking at a shitty Kinect title designed to create a 'movie game' which will come out little better that Dragon's Lair HD or similar. That would suck.
Heavy Rain steered a little too close to the not-game wind, but just managed to avoid it. Arguably. But it was a mature (if not always well-written) title. I hope Microsoft takes note of that. If they do, and they create mature games targeting the adult market (not teenage or kid market, which is their current primary focus), I'll be queuing up to buy whatever they offer.
So, I am quietly hopeful Microsoft may be finally catching up with my gaming preferences: mature games designed with adults in mind, but I'm sceptical enough not to be holding my breath.
