Spencer Reveals His Xbox One Killer App, Kinect Still in Future Plans

Xbox boss also touches on what's next for Rare.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

His plans for domination huh(Intrigued).

[christocolus]

I love the fact that he sees sunset overdrive as the next killer ap. I'm really hyped up for that game ani hope rare surprises us this gen with some really cool titles just like they did with kameo and viva pinata last gen. Also this part got me curious.

“Ryse: Son of Rome did not generate fantastic review scores user response was generally positive and the game sold well.”

If the game sold well and got positive user response does it mean we will get a sequel? Pls I hope so. I loved this game and all my friends who got it feel same way. Ryse deserves a more polished and fleshed out sequel. I actually feel the game may already be in development.

[Gazondaily]

He said he hoped it would be classified as a classic...not a killer-app. I don't think Sunset Overdrive is a killer app by any means.

Also, whilst Kameo and Viva Pinata were decent, we need A LOT more from Rare. Those latter games didn't even come close to the majesty of the titles such as Goldeneye, Banjo Kazooie and Conker.

As for Ryse. Lets hope there is a game behind the next one, if it is indeed in development.

[VealParmHero]

I think MS finally realizes that kinect is good for those who like to broadcast etc, and for some dancing/music titles...finally employing Rare to do what us gamers always hoped they would. So I am deff excited to see where that leads.

I agree about Ryse...the reviews weren't great (and understandably so), but the gameplay was deff there. If they made a sequel with a more in-depth combat system and mixed in a little more platforming, there could truly be something special at hand.

[iiorestesii]

It better be a killer app.

[randomass171]

I think all of that means that Ryse is still on the table for Microsoft, so we may see a followup or perhaps just little references here or there a la Conker in Project Spark.

[timemuffin]

Does anyone really expect Rare to make anything worthwhile in any way? No one who wrote a single line of code in any Rare game you cared about is still with the company. It's just a logo. Get over Rare. Can't wait for that new Conker. lol
Sunset Overdrive does look awesome though.

[GameNameFame]

MS has zero ownership of the IP.

I mean Insomniac owns full ownership. Remember last gen? Lol. So many "exclusives" just getting ported to PS3.

Dead Rising is coming to PC. Lol.

[christocolus]

@gamenamefame

Ms doesn't own the ip and so? What's it to you? Its still on xbox one exclusively but you seem upset about this game&dr3 being xbox exclusive. Are you a troll? One of the very loud and annoying ones? You just added nothing to this discussion&what you stated isn't true.not many MS exclusives ended up on ps3&so you know,thats the reason MS is owning all their ips this time around.so next time do us all a favor and post your bitter comments somewhere else. Thanks.

[Morgue]

As much as I can't stand MS I ended up buying an X1 today because there are a couple indie games releasing for it that I want too play. I also had over 80,000 reward points through Game Stop so I picked up Ryse for free. I don't really have high hopes game play wise just based on what I've read but hey. I beat that Conan game that was released back in 2008 twice and the mechanics in that game were horrendous.

[Double Toasted]

I was just thinking to myself for the past 2 weeks that Sunset is having that "killer app vibe for me. There isn't anything much out there like it and if it is, Sunset is looking to eclipse it.

[bennissimo]

Dude, all I want from Ryse 2 is competitive MP with loads of unlockable weapons, armor and abilities.

[redwin]

Wow, all the right moves! I like the idea of leaving Rare alone to do what they want.

[Bigpappy]

@Morgue: wow, I got goose bumps when you mentioned that Conan. I freaking enjoyed that game. I played it constantly until I beat it. Never got tired of upgrading moves and loved the double swords. It almost like that game and Ryse were made by the same people. They actually suffered the same bad press. In this case though Royse still sold well.

I really didn't think anyone else had enjoyed that game as much as I did. I is the permit example of why I can't buy game based on review scores. Hack and Slash is repetitive and rain is wet, lol.

[UltraNova]

I cant believe I'm saying this but if MS and Rare found a way (Nintendo is in the way I believe)to remaster and release the original Banjo & Kazooie on xbox one with some useful kinect support I would definitely buy one!

Common MS let Rare go wild and reap the benefits!

PS: I wonder how many of the original staff that made Rare the company it was are still employed there...

[gman_moose]

I can see this game being a cult classic at best. It just won't appeal to very many. It will probably sell 750k or so as the Xbox hardcore will buy it because of exclusivity, but won't hit mainstream appeal.

[truefan1]

Yea Sunset Overdrive definitely looks like one of the must have games this fall, can't wait to play it. It seems they have a nice story and I'm really looking forward to the 8 player coop.

In terms of Rare I think he is just throwing the media off guard. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if Rare announced a title at Gamescom, they are a European studio.

Lastly, for people still trying to downplay Titanfall, you do realize it easily passed 2 million physical copies and is the number 1 selling XB1 game. Not to mention it is still ranked in the top 10, months after release. Titanfall did its job.

[soandsoz]

"Lastly, for people still trying to downplay Titanfall, you do realize it easily passed 2 million physical copies and is the number 1 selling XB1 game. Not to mention it is still ranked in the top 10, months after release. Titanfall did its job."

Care to source that info *easily 2 million discs sold*
I call BS. It's sold well. Just not quite that well.
If it really did it's job as you claim, why couldn't Microsoft prevent TF2 from being multiplat?

[HacSawJimThugin]

I couldn't agree more. I still play daily and will continue to do so for a long time.

@soandsoz
Just be thankful that we along with the PC crowd supported it enough to warrant a sequel. A lot of ppl who didn't get a chance to play this on their preferred platform will now be able to do so when the sequel hits, but until then Stand By For TitanFall!!!

[DougLord]

Titanfall sold 2.9mm units. 1.9mm were on Xbox 1.

[soandsoz]

"Titanfall sold 2.9mm units. 1.9mm were on Xbox 1. "

Can you please provide a source?

Even what I'm about to link to isn't proof. Though, it's more than what you have provided I'm afraid. I'm all eyes if you can back up your claims

http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

Lifetime sales as of the conclusion of May 2014

"Titanfall [XB1] 969k [360] 559k Note: Does not include bundled sales "

[IAM]

@ truefan1 it was a poor investment. 2mil for a time exclusive. It was suppose to sell XB1. Microsoft bank on it. Once it fail to do so they drop the Kinect.Rumor has it, its going multiplatform. People boast about Titanfall only being possible on XB1 yet frame rate drops as low as 30fps & the resolution is not even 900p Gamers are saying it dries up fast and Sony fans no longer want it. It did about as good as Killzone - only Microsoft expected a Gears performance. It hype & dissapointed people. If that was its job, it accomplish it.

[DougLord]

http://www.vgchartz.com/gam...

[VforVideogames]

In Phil we thrust .

[S2Killinit]

sunset overdrive? really? killer app...

[darthv72]

well you do kill allot of bad guys in it....

[JohnJ]

Tru dat!

[randomass171]

And it has zombies. People tend to like zombies. Or shooting them at least.

[Gazondaily]

Where did he say it was a killer app? The question was

"but what will be the first all-time first party Xbox One classic?"

Sunset Overdrive can be regarded as a classic. Not a killer app though; that's a different thing entirely. Maybe Quantum Break can be that?

[randomass171]

It can prove itself to be a killer app, but that's neither here nor there.

[harrisk954]

Sunset Overdrive was one of the only games coming to Xbox that I really liked at the Microsoft E3 press conference. Looks like a lot of fun. Love the energy about it. Wish it was coming to PS4 (I know it is not)... However, is it a "killer app" or "system seller"? I personally don't think so, but it remains to be seen. The last "killer app" for XB1 was Titanfall, which (although it did move a fair number of XB1s) did not manage to dethrone PS4 as the best selling console in the U.S. Sunset Overdrive will not be the game to really push sales of XB1s. Halo does move consoles. Even CoD games move more MS consoles than Sony consoles. But, Sunset Overdrive? I really hope that Insomniac has amazing success, but probably not. They will likely sell a lot of the standalone games (I predict 500,000), but I can't see it moving console sales in any meaningful way. If you do own an XB1 already, though, it seems like a no-brainer that this is a worthwhile purchase and addition to your game library.

[ghostface9]

500k lol this game is gonna be 1.5 million minimum

[air1]

So a killer app is defined by dethroning Sony?

[harrisk954]

1.5 million?? You are crazy. Titanfall on XB1 has not done over a million. I will check back with you after some numbers are released. How long do you give it to reach your 1.5 million number?? Give me a time frame on that.

EDIT: There are less than 3 million XB1s in the U.S. and under 5 million worldwide (That is sold to retailers at last count, not to consumers)... That said, do you honestly believe that 20 to 25 percent of XB1 owners worldwide (or up to third of XB1 owners if the 3 million figure sold to consumers is to believed) will buy this game?? Seriously?

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

It's Insomniac game; the own the IP. It can be on Sony if they wanted.

As Ted Price giveth, Ted Price taketh away.

[Godz Kastro]

Totally, the game looks insane and a lot of fun which most games are lacking now a days...

[ape007]

100%

[BlackTar187]

What games are lacking it?

[bowie7070]

FUSE.

[PSVita]

Fuse looked fun at first and then I think EA tried to throw a unneeded serious tone on the game

[Thump1967]

We have the right man in charge, if he would have been there at the beginning we would have been better off But its improving daily

[0P-Tigrex]

No disrespect..but i thought Titanfall was the killler app?? What happened?

[Bonkerz]

Are you really asking that? Titanfall launched months ago, Titanfall is excellent but we gotta look towards the future, and Sunset Overdrive looks beyond fantastic.

[0P-Tigrex]

You seem to be forgetting the amount of hype that was backing up TitanFall for being the killer app for next generation gaming on the Xbox One that would push the console ahead of the PS4... but then conveniently excuse it as not being "the killer app" why? "because we gotta look towards the future" and "that launched months ago" A killer app stays with a console for it's lifecycle but look how quickly people brushed it aside.

I'm not saying Sunset Overdrive looks bad visually or graphically...simply i don't see it being the "killer app" that defines or shapes the Xbox One like Halo:CE or Gears of War have done in the past. I wish the best of luck for the game tho.

[shadyiswin]

@OP sorta how infamous and the show were supposed to killer apps. Infamous dropped off the charts literally 2 weeks later. The show one week later. Titanfall has been in the 10 for nearly 4 months now battles with games that have a 80 million install base. Sunset overdrive judging by my customers who are asking to preorder it (which we don't do at my store) is indeed a kill app. Will hold me over till Halo. Imagine if sunset was for ps4 this site would consider it the second coming of Jesus himself. The best part is infamous was suppose to be the nail in the coffin but sunset will destroy infamous in sales and reply value in its same open world genre.

[warczar]

@shadyiswin

"Imagine if sunset was for ps4 this site would consider it the second coming of Jesus himself."

No, we'd consider it the next coming of Ratchet and Clank, which is what it is.

[Gazondaily]

"No disrespect..but i thought Titanfall was the killler app?? What happened?"

Well judging by how many people were quick to point out that it was a multiplatform title of sorts, I don't think it could get that accolade.

Also, I don't think it ended up being a killer-app on its own merits anyway.

[DevilishSix]

You confused me when you said that because Titanfall was "multiplatform title of sorts" it couldn't recieve the accolade of killer app?

Might I remind you that both Halo Combat Evolved and the first Gears received PC ports and thus are multiplatform, yet they are still considered killer apps by most gamers.

I think the real reason Titanfall is not the killer app everyone was hoping is that its fun but shallow. No single player to get invested in characters or the game universe and care about what happens, so then all you are left with is 5 min sessions of meaningless gameplay.

[tgunzz]

@septic, How is it going today? First, Titan fall is that level. If that game was coming to ps4 right now, the amount of exclusive ps4 users that would be all over it (including you) would be crazy, just like Destiny. Also, titan fall was the first killer app out the gate, and the way things look, there will be plenty more on both sides, do you agree with that?

[BlackTar187]

People don't talk abotu TitanFall so i fail to see it as a killer app.

It's a fun game not great but no one talked about it after release seriously the game is a back burner to everyone now.

[Snowblind15]

Coming from a guy who calls xbox "garbage", I have no idea why you're in this article in the first place...

[iiorestesii]

@tgunz No. Titanfall is not a killer app. Destiny Alpha was a killer app. @Septic way to work your way through that entire arguement with as few sentances as possible.
I do think SO will be a killer app, too.

[GodGinrai]

yeah, its a shame titanfall didnt turn out to be the system seller they hoped..But I still friggin love that game!Still the FPS I enjoy the most at the moment.

[shadyiswin]

The titanfall bundle sold through very very fast. The fact that original set was an actual customized box,we only got 4. 2 weeks later we got these xboxs that were basically the standard edition with a titanfall type paper overlay on it. Which basically they had an outside company (vendor) go to stores and tape it over the standard xboxs,open them neatly and slide in the tf codes (they also did this with forza) we went through about 40 in a week,then never got it again. On another positive note,the $399 Xbox one is selling well. Every time I walk buy the case is empty again(only can fit 2 at a time).

[Ps4marksthespotnotX]

It's all well saying the game looks fun which I agree it should be graphics aren't everything, but right now the consoles have to show there metal in terms of power and aim high, sunset looks like it could be done on a ps2 and it's one of there biggest games for the year, LAME.

[JBSleek]

What's up with gamers now? Gameplay has taken a backseat now...

[HyperBear]

It certainly seems that way now-a-days doesn't it? If a game is not running at native 1080p, 60 frames/second, with 4x MSAA/TSAA enabled within a massive open-world and 1 Million character polygon counts...then it sucks I guess.

I miss the old days of N64/PS1 or even Xbox/PS2, when people would just buy (Or dare I say it, RENT) games because games were fun to play. No one cared about resolution, framerates, anti-aliasing and all the "tweaks/options" that PC gamers can do. Console gaming is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, no matter what type/genre of game it is, what resolution and frames it runs at, etc.

[BlackTar187]

I guess you could say with your logic it's been in the backseat for about 8 yrs now then.

According to your logic PS fans have it in the back seat now right? So with this thought process xbox fans had it in the back seat all last gen correct?

[gamer1138]

Just because it's brightly coloured and not doused in grey like everything we've seen for the last 8 years on 360/ps3 you think it could be done on PS2? You're a moron.

The game is pushing massive particle effects, nearly a hundred enemies on screen, open world just to name a few features. I'm not sure it's a killer app, but it all depends how it's marketed and if it resonates with people. Personally, I think the humour is bang on and the gameplay just looks FUN!

[LAWSON72]

I must of saw different footage because the game looks flat out gorgeous

[Aussiebeachbabe]

@ps4 marks not x- Look it's a troll. Have you played a game on ps2 lately. Xb1 graphics even look alot better than ps3. So give it a break.

[Max-Zorin]

Possibly the dumbest comment of 2014.

[Alsybub]

Yeah, because stylised graphics = PS2 game.

Moron.

Oh and:-

'it's one of there biggest games for the year'

There = a location. e.g. 'Go over there'
Their = posession e.g. 'Their hair is on fire'
They're = contraction of 'they' and 'are'.

To correct your statement:

'it's one of their biggest games for the year'

Thought I'd help you out with that. It's not difficult.

[Illusive_Man]

Sunset Overdrive is a killer app. It's going to be such an awesome game. I cannot wait.

[LAWSON72]

I hope it is, and it is a shame all these people act like it is has no potential to be such a thing. Sure the hype is not there but some games go unnoticed until launch and then the games sells once word is out there. The game definitely has a good theme to be marketed successfully.

I feel like games like Evolve and this are marketed correctly they have potential to sell well, but who knows consumers love CoD, AC, BF, and even Dragon Age way more than a new IP. If you ask me Sony was smart to delay a new IP, because new IPs are bound to get beat by the established franchises

[Gezmoyassine]

Most launch titles end up being successful because there aren't many titles to choose from.And you need software for your new hardware so it's normal that Ryse: Son of Rome was successful.Not saying that the game was bad,it actually looked good to me (i'm not a very picky gamer,i'm easy to please)

[gamer1138]

Totally agree with you. Out of all the x1/ps4 launch window games (infamous & titan fall included) I personally think Dead Rising 3 was the best. It just had so much replayability, pushed graphics capability in the number of enemies on screen(in 1 minute I had cut through over 200 hundred enemies facing down another 200) and used new hardware features like kinect in interesting ways.

Launch games are always given leeway. It's the second wave of games that really need to push the system. Gears 1 was 2nd wave on 360, same with Oblivion. Hopefully sunset can live up to that. Same with the Order 1886, though need to see way more gameplay with that one before I get excited.

[ger2396]

Im sure Microsoft will market the hell out of it. That's one of the few things I wish Sony would emulate.

[LAWSON72]

It will need it because a shiny new CoD and AC for next gen are going to be hard to pass up for your average buyer

[ghostface9]

ya there busy marketing destiny the game thats multiplat but i guess thats what you have to do when you have no big exclusives coming

[MRMagoo123]

I dont think sony needs to market anything at the moment, its not them miles behind in sales.

@ghostface9

PS4 factually have more games coming than the xbone so try not to look like a fool in future.

[kewlkat007]

I have enjoyed many games on the XBone so far can I get Plex Phil....

[mrpsychoticstalker]

Two words: MASTER CHIEF!

That's the killer.

[nunley33]

The next Halo game won't have Master Chief in it i believe,but yeah Halo is their big game.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

The part about Kinect is just damage control. They just want to remove their remaining stock before they forget about the device forever.

...with that said I recently re-installed my Kinect because I missed using voice commands in Dead Rising 3.

[jnemesh]

OMFG! Sunset Overhype will save the Xbox! Sure...

[Predaking77]

Well, if Titanfall could not help the x1 that much then guess what will happen with Sunset Overdrive.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

Killer app for XBox? That's a job for a Spartan.

[nunley33]

Rare hasn't done much except kinect throwaway titles, i do hope MS lets them make a real game like a new Conker or Banjo game.

[opooqo]

Bloodborne will sell more than titanfall and sunset overdrive combined.

[DougLord]

While Bloodborne might get me to buy a PS4, don't be crazy. Dark Souls and Demon Souls sold 1.7 to 1.8 mm units each on PS3. Dark Souls 2 crashed to under 1mm. Titan fall alone sold 1.9mm units on Xbox one. It sold another 1 mm on PC and 360, but ignore those since we are talking X bone vs PS4.

[starrman1985]

Please be Viva Pinata, damn Sour Macaraccoons!

[monkey602]

Im going to continue to sulk over Ted Price abandoning me and hope someday we see sunset overdrive on the PS4

[DevilishSix]

I don't think Sunset Overdrive will be a killer app. Who here thought Ratchet and Clank was a killer app, I didn't, it was good franchise but not killer app. I consider killer apps games like Halo, Gears, Uncharted, TLOU, Metal Gear. Whereas games like, Infamous, Killzone, Crackdown,and even Titanfall are a step below those other top tiers and thus in my mind not killer app. Sunset Overdrive might be great, even excellent but kller app, doubtful very doubtful.