Is Xbox Buying B Studios Reason To Be Excited For Their Future Outlook?

Xbox has been buying many studios the past six months, but most are either unproven, or have gone through troubles lately, is that really a good thing?

[PhoenixUp]

“For almost this entire console generation, the Xbox One has been suffering against the competition for first-party exclusive games, their announcement/launch woes aside”

It’s beyond absurd how Microsoft diminished Xbox 360’s first party support in its latter lifecycle to focus on its successor, only for the Xbox One’s first party support to be underwhelming and that consumers have to once again wait for the successor once again to get better first party support.

“Also, when you take into account Microsoft’s history with shutting down or liquidating studios, I’m almost worried for these developers. Bungie and Twisted Pixel left MS, Lionhead was shut down, along with 10 other studios such as Ensemble Studios and more. 10 former second party studios have parted ways, such as Mistwalker, Q Entertainment, and Epic. And lastly, an additional 13 second party studios have closed shop for one reason or another.”

Microsoft’s past history with all these other developers does elicit some worry. Even the developers under Microsoft currently aside from Turn 10 can’t be counted on to consistently deliver high quality content that’s GotY worthy. We can only hope that Microsoft cultivates better relations and quality moving forward with these acquisitions.

[NarutoFox]

I didn't realize it was that many.

[Obscure_Observer]

Lol. Concerned Troll. Thing is that those kids don´t realize is that Xbox is under new management.

Phil Spencer is not only helping Microsoft Studios and Xbox gamers with those studios acquisitions. He´s helping Playstation gamers as well.

With all those acquisitions by Microsoft and even more to come (rumors), i doubtSony will have the balls to shutdown any of their first party studios. The backlash would be tremendous.

All gamers wins!

[yomfweeee]

@Obscure

Nee management? Spencer was GM of Microsoft Studios starting in 2008. Promoted to VP in 2009.

He was one of the main people in charge of them destroying their studios. He was in charge of their failed big IPs this gen.

He has no positive track record for games.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

Let's be fair about this, as Sony has shut down their own share of studios also, such as:

1. Incognito Entertainment (closed 2009)
2. Guerrilla Cambridge (closed 2017)
3. Evolution Studios (closed 2016)
3. Zipper Interactive (closed 2012)
5. Studio Liverpool (closed 2012)
6. Bigbig Studios (closed 2012)
7. 989 Studios (closed 2005)
8. Contrail (closed 2000)

9. Sony Online Entertainment (Decided to leave Sony in 2015)

2nd party studios are not owned by Microsoft or Sony, but Sony has lost their share of those studios also, with the two most recent being 'The Bartlet Jones Supernatural Detective Agency' and 'Eat Sleep Play'.

Also, Epic Games was never a pure 2nd party studio to Microsoft, as they were also developing games for PS2 & PS3, such as Unreal Tournament(PS2), Unreal Tournament 3(PS3) and Bulletstorm(PS3). Insomniac can't really be described as a pure 2nd party studio to Sony, since they have also developed some games for Xbox 360 and Xbox One, such as: Fuse(Xbox 360), Sunset Overdrive(Xbox One) & Song of the Deep(Xbox One). They have also developed a number of other games for iOS, Android, Oculus Rift and Windows PC.

[NarutoFox]

@@obscure_observer

Hmmm I don't think my comment is trolling. But whatever you say bro 🤔

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

@Sophisticated

Thats not being fair at all as Sony had WAY more studios

[nommers]

@Sophisticated_Chap

A lot of those closed studios had their shot for many years and the creative freedom to develop. They succeeded for a bit too relatively speaking. And even now some of those games are going to continue on like the medieval remake. With MS however, they tend to defunct developers long before they give them a decent chance. Rare is the prime example of an already established studio that MS has squandered throughout the years so work wasn’t even needed to prep them up. But lo an behold..

[gangsta_red]

@nommers
"A lot of those closed studios had their shot for many years and the creative freedom to develop."

Couldn't that also be applied to the studios MS closed? Many of them also had a chance to shine and produced nothing.

You can't make an excuse to get Sony off the hook and then turn around and give MS slack.

[Obscure_Observer]

@yomfweeee

"Nee management? Spencer was GM of Microsoft Studios starting in 2008. Promoted to VP in 2009."

You don´t even know what your talking about other than the usual nonsentical BS! Why i´m not surprised?

He was named Head of Xbox on March 31, 2014
https://www.digitaltrends.c...

He got prometed to VP on September 19, 2017
https://www.businessinsider...

Now, bring proof that supports your previous BS comments or GTFO!

@NarutoFox

"Hmmm I don't think my comment is trolling. But whatever you say bro"

I wasn´t referring to your comment. My comments was directed to the article´s author. I use @ to address to a specific person/user. Sorry for any misunderstanding that i may have caused. ;)

[FanboySpotter]

Saying phil has a bad track record is fanboy talk the s being the cheapest 4k blu ray ever and the x being a thing(even the acquisition suggestions and convincing) is all phil. Who doesn't know microsoft is taking its gaming division seriously now BECAUSE of phil? Lol it was phil that convinced the CEO of microsoft about many things gaming related which is why the CEO stated that they are investing AGGRESSIVELY into first party/content. When i see all these fanboys say phil is only making xbox worse is mind blowing.

[yomfweeee]

@Obscure

What are you talking about? You're confusing Microsoft Studios and "Xbox". What I said was true. He was managing/running "Microsoft Studios" since 2008. This part of their company is responsible for development and publishing of games.

So, I will say it again. He has been a major part of their games for 10 years now. He isn't "new management" at all.

2008 - Spencer became GM of "Microsoft Studios".
2009 - Spencer became Corporate VP of "Microsoft Studios"
2014 - Spencer in charge of Xbox, Live, Groove Movusic, Movies & TV and Microsoft Studios
2017 - Spencer becomes Executive VP of Gaming

[NewMonday]

B studios in size/budget only, Ninja and Obsidian have some of the best talent in the industry in specific fields

[Eldyraen]

Sony has shuttered about the same, it’s just that the ones they have left are the strongest survivors and have been around for a long time too. So they’ve had that growth period which makes them so strong every time now.

Most of MS’s existing studios aren’t even in 2 digit lifespans yet (343 and coalition for example—next year 343 turns 10 though), until you add in the acquisitions anyways. Turn 10 is their oldest still existing studio before that and they do great work but very specific kind of work too.

I think some of sony’s studios having been around longer and also more varied past experience (as a company, not just as individuals in the studio) has simply helped them grow all the more. Think 3/4 of Sony’s big studios were best known for mascot titles until last gen. Then they branched out and are changing again now (jak, Uncharted, tlou—sly, infamous, Ghost, etc? I might have mixed some of those up though). Same for some other third party studios (Insomniac: R&C, Resistance, SSO, Spider/Man). Could say the same for Guerrilla when it comes to evolution leaving an old project behind: Killzone to HZD.

So as much as a love Halo and Gears, I wouldn’t mind a small break once a trilogy gets ended just to give them a breathe of fresh air for a moment or two.

Halo still has a place they can go imo—back to basics. Halo 2 Flood continuation, a ”New covenant” type of thing too which could get them back where most want that franchise anyways (make it M rated too—Flood are meant to be fear inducing to the point you are willing to destroy all life in the galaxy for crying out loud).

Gears after 6 or whatever? Who knows, so once the Kait and Locust/Savage story plays out next gen (Gears 6 in 2021-2022?) maybe look into the pool developers there must have ideas for too. I mean, I love Gears (more than Halo) but I don’t need constant mutations or anything like Locust->Lambent->Swarm are. And I really don’t care about a human vs human thing from them either (one possible idea from before E day pre 4). Extend Gears 6 multiplayer in other ways than just making

[nommers]

@gangsta_red

Not really. There’s too many instances with people just up and leaving, so many of the developers didn’t think so. MS has shown that they like to force practices on studios as well like with Scalebound. Phantom dust didn’t see the light of day either. Mismanagement overflow.

Not saying Sony hasnt ever mismanaged studios, but considering how behind MS was throughout this gen, you’d think they would have learned a little.

[conanlifts]

They have a lot to prove. The problem this gen was also that they paid hundreds of millions to external developers, while shutting down studios like lionhead. Their focus should always have been to develop their own games and not pay others to do it. Some of the new studios are very good, but they also have commitments, like obsidian, which means the benefits to xbox will take a while.

As usual with Microsoft only time will tell, which based on their history should be treated cautiously. As it stands I still do not think 7 studios is enough of a dent. It would be good to see them expand their current studios so that they could allow collaborative projects to be worked on with small divisions from their new studios.

[DaDrunkenJester]

Well they are expanding their current studios. 343i is growing and is being allotted extra time for the next Halo to build and entirely new engine. The Coalition is also able to expand the Gears Universe with making bigger changes to Gears 5 and doing Gears Tactics and Gears Pop!. Turn 10 is also breaking their 2 year dev time for Forza allowing to go back to the drawing board to insure the better quality. Rare is given continued support for all of their new IP's and still giving tons of support with Sea of Thieves even after the poor reception. Playground games (obviously just got acquired) are creating an entirely new sister studio to work on another game besides Forza Horizon. They also created The Initiative, a brand new studio with some of the industries top talent.

So I think they are making the right moves, and in Ninja Theories and Obsidians acquisition videos they did mention having the benefits of being under the MS umbrella to ensure they can receive help from other studios for certain things they may not have the strongest grasp of.

I agree though it would be nice to see 343i branch outside of halo or at least do a cool spin off like Reach or ODST. But all and all they are definitely making good moves and the wait might not be as long as you think. We already got confirmation that NInja Theories next game will be announced next year and I'd assume Playground games sister studio will be ready to reveal their game since it's supposedly been in development for a couple years now. As for InXile, Obsidian, Compulsion, The Initiative, and Undead Labs? It might be a bit longer for them considering most just released games or is still working on other commitments.

[DeadManMMX]

Bungie didn't want to make Halo anymore so they let them go. Twisted Pixel made Lococycle as their launch game. Good riddance. Lionhead had been on a downturn and I guess they just didn't think they were worth keeping. Ensemble was genuinely foolish movie. Epic didn't want to make Gears or work on only one platform. Mistwalker made JRPG's and Xbox has had a bad run with those so far. Now please go through the studios that Sony has closed in just the last few years and the reasoning.

[TekoIie]

Difficult to say what happened to Bungle though. Brilliant developers but they have created nothing of value since going 3rd party.

[DEEHULK88]

Epic made games for other platforms while making Gears for Xbox. Epic is a third party company. They owned the license until Microsoft bought it from them before making Gears 4. Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey sold about a million each.

[darthv72]

The Bungie thing is rather interesting. Yes they didn't want to make Halo anymore for a big company like MS so what do they do.... They go and make Destiny (built with many Halo influences) for a big company like Activision.

Talk about jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

[derek]

Sony is not the one with something to prove. Sure they have closed studios, but their exclusive out put this gen has been phenomenal. Microsoft has yet to show that they have a long term commitment to financing games for their platform up to par with their competitors.

[gamer7804]

New leadership can make a big difference, this isn't the same.Microsoft, some new people in these studios and some with new positions within microsoft but a different vision, ill withhold judgement for a while and let the studios work speak for themselves. I'm cautiously optimistic, but time will tell.

[xfiles2099]

These Studios are there for Gamepass Content nothing more

[bluefox755]

Yeah, some people are excited about these acquisitions, personally, I'm concerned for the devs.

[Mystogan]

Studios close all the time. I can make a pretty long list of Sony studios that shut down too. But to remain on topic, Xbox was not a priority for them back then. So the bar for being shutdown was pretty low. If they made one mistake, it's over.

But look at Crackdown 3. They had to rebuild all the cloud technology when Epic bought cloudgine, pushing development back for more than a year, If it was any other time back then it would have been cancelled immediately. But Crackdown 3 is a shining example of how Xbox is not the same at all.

[darthv72]

Unlike previous unproven studios, at least these ones should have the financial resources to prove themselves.

[Why o why]

Many A studios started off as B and C studios. Give them time BUT the management of the studios and subsequent projects is key in becoming or maintaining an A status. MS has a questionable history in growing studios. Sony have had mishaps too but have had way more successes also.

[Obscure_Observer]

Naughty Dog used to be a E list studio! Look at them now! ;)

[TheColbertinator]

@Obscure

Now its a C studio. Your point blows.

[remixx116]

Lol oh Colbert, never change

[Razzer]

Lionhead used to be an A list studio! Look at them now!

[Poopmist]

Going through financial troubles doesn't mean they haven't made good games lately. InXile, Obsidian, and Ninja Theory are great.

[The 10th Rider]

Playground, Obsidian, and Ninja Theory are all some fantastic acquisitions.

[spicelicka]

Obsidian has been making smaller titles, but with Outer Worlds we now know that they can make AAA games in the future, and good ones!

343, Coalition, Rare, Turn 10, Playground, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, and Initiative are all AAA capable studios. I think Compulsion games is also AAA capable, not sure about their track record though.

[Eldyraen]

PS owners might know Compulsion from a little game given to PS4 owners near launch: Contrast. The shadow based puzzle game.

Pretty cool game but quirky. We Happy Few was a huge directional shift from that so I’m curious what they’ll do next since MS is giving them a big chance really. I like the worlds they create as they’re just different and have a unique storytelling approach compared to your traditional title too.

[The 10th Rider]

@Eldyraen,

Huh, I remember Contrast but I didn't know it was made by Compulsion. Looked kinda interesting, though I never played through it.

[lelo2play]

Every studio starts as a B (or C) studio... in time, if talented and with budget, they could become AAA studios.

[lindquist]

Some of the studioes are really good. Playground Games for example. Yes - lets be excited! Maybe they will fund some studios so that they might make even better games :)

[generic-user-name]

Playground have been making Xbox exclusives for years already though right? Not a big difference there. Though they are a great studio.

[2pacalypsenow]

Well Microsoft’s track record when it comes to buying established studios is not very good.

Rare anyone?

[King_Noctis]

Or Mojang?

Oh wait.

[rainslacker]

Mahjong. You mean the studio which hasn't made anything new, and MS is just making money off the work that came prior. About all MS has done with the franchise is make it so you can share content between releases, with the catch that you have to have a XBL account. That adds to their MAU's, which is their real big thing right now, because that inflates their stocks based off potential, as opposed to actual sales.

MS is all about services and user numbers. It means more to them than anything else....including making quality games. They'd make trite all day long if it gives them users.

[King_Noctis]

^

You think Mojang can get Minecraft as many updates and as frequently as it can without MS’s help? You think Mojang can port Minecraft to almost every devices out there without MS? And Mojang does have a new game coming, although it is set in the same Minecraft universe.

And while we are on topic, the OP used Rare as an example that MS has “ruined” a game studio. And I’m just saying, have they ruined Mojang?

[2pacalypsenow]

Mojang? That’s the studio you pick? The studio that has made 1 game? And wasn’t even part of MS when it made the game?

OK.

[rainslacker]

Mahjong was worth a couple billions. I'm pretty sure they could have done whatever they wanted to do. Mahjong had already ported the game to quite a few platforms long before MS brought it. Mahjong was already doing updates on multiple platforms before MS brought them.

They haven't ruined mahjong, but Mahjong made itself long before they were worth billions. Long before they released on consoles. Long before they ever had an actual launch for the game.

All MS has done for Minecraft is make it so PS players can't get the player content updates across the board, because they locked those behind their XBL accounts, because MS forced that accessibility which isn't allowed under Sony's policies for any publisher.

Maybe you were unaware of Mahjongs history, but they were far from troubled or incompetent.

[darthv72]

@rain... it's funny reading your comment like that. i know what you meant but figured spell check was kicking in. Mahjong... Mojang... lol

[rainslacker]

LOL. I never noticed that. I tend to just highlight and correct on the PC, and the phone will auto correct it. It's a word with no 2nd choice, so I never paid much attention. Guess I'll have to add it to my dictionary to prevent future embarrassment.

That said....And to change the subject....I wouldn't mind some more Mahjong games in the west. They used to be quite popular on the PC-Engine. One of the earlier types of games which had content which would be censored now by Sony, as many of them were forms of "Strip Mahjong". Gotta love being a teenage boy going through puberty I guess. The ones you get in the west now seem to be just straight up tile games....and that's no fun after all the digital almost nude anime girls one grows accustomed to. Shame I was corrupted so young.

[TekoIie]

I don't know if MS did anything wring to Rare though. I think in the end Rares audience just didn't jump across for the most part. Rare had their fair share of screw ups before they were bought.

[DEEHULK88]

If Rare wasn't on a downturn, they would've still been with Nintendo.

[darthv72]

Probably not. Why else do you think N let them go so easily? They had something like 49% of the company and then MS offered to buy and N agreed. So it's not like Nintendo were really in a tough spot to choose. The batch of games Rare made werent doing all that great. Conker, Jet Force Gemini even the gcube games like starfox adventures were all met with less than normal sales.

some of those games now are pretty costly but at the time they didnt do so good in terms of units sold, so it made MS's offer easy for Nintendo to accept. Goldeneye was their claim to fame in that gen and if MS had not bought them then its likely they could have been closed years ago. +

check out this vid for more info: https://youtu.be/HuZXgAWt9z...

[DEEHULK88]

Dumb biased article

[lollord]

It's TRUE though, they are indie studios. I doubt they will get much from them before microsoft closes them in s few years.

[xHeavYx]

Dumb biased comment

[Spurg]

Whats a B studio???

If you consider obsidian, playground games, Inxile and Ninja theory a B studio, then I want more B studios.
There are some twisted words in this article that makes Ms look like the ultimate bad guy.

[MrSec84]

I don't know much about InXile, but yeah Playground Games, Obsidian and Ninja Theory are certainly A quality studios, not sure about the new team or teams at Playground Games, though their Forza team has been highly capable from day one.

The B tier studios that have just joined Microsoft Studios would be Compulsion and Undead Labs, those can become more, but they'd need further incubation and resources to improve.

[Spurg]

FYI...That was a rhetorical question

[lollord]

Yea seriously they all suck except maybe obsidian and ninja theory. I put money on half bring closed by 2025 at the latest.

[King_Noctis]

So you are saying Playground Games and inXile suck and they will be all shut down by 2025?

[lollord]

Its obvious what will happen.

[King_Noctis]

Lol...ok. Whatever floats your boat.

[Razzer]

None of the studios suck. There is a huge gap between being "b list" and sucking.

[Knightofelemia]

I am surprised Microsoft never snagged TellTales

[KratosKonundrum]

This article is on point.

From a PlayStation owner these studios don't inspire confidence, at least compared to the powerhouses like Naughty Dog, SSM, and the Marvel/Insomniac partnership.

What Phil is doing feels like misplaced hype and I feel a little bit like the remaining xbox userbase is being hoodwinked.

It's really up to gamers, like those found on N4G and similar ones found in other communities to continue holding Microsoft accountable. Just because they have first party games next gen doesn't mean they get a pass next gen. I'm satisfied that the majority of YouTubers and influencers are also pro Sony and continue to hold Xbox's feet to the fire when they try to generate false hype in order to stay competitive for no good reason.

It's going to be tough for Xbox next gen and I expect them to continue losing marketshare as gamers continue to see them in an unfavorable light.

It's a losing proposition for them.

[The 10th Rider]

Playground currently develops the highest rated racing franchise out there. Obsidian hasn't made a game below a 80/100 since Alpha Protocol. Ninja Theory won a bunch of rewards for Hellblade not too long ago.

The others I'm uncertain about, but those three certainly inspire confidence.

[lollord]

Microsoft will kill them all though.

[KratosKonundrum]

None of the games Obsidian, NT, or Playground have matched the production value and hype that Sony exclusives have produced.

From Forza Horizon to Hellblade to even Outerworlds, none of these titles match the tech behind God of War, Horizon ZD, or Uncharted 4.

Xbox isn't trying or can't match Sony's quality and I doubt they ever will as Sony seems to be doing something organizationally that anyone in the digital since can't compete with.

Coupled with the fact that no top influencer even uses an Xbox anymore, there's no way Xbox is going to be competitive next gen. I know I may hurt some feelings when I say this, I don't see the brand survive beyond next gen. The media despises the brand too and for good reason.

[Saranya]

@lollord Why do you think Microsoft will kill them? Can you answer me?

[The 10th Rider]

@KratosKonundrum,

So games are only good if they match Sony exclusives? That's a hot take right there.

Plus both Forza and Forza Horizon were received better than Gran Turismo Sport and Driveclub, so you're clearly being selective with the games you look at and making a blanket statement.

[DEEHULK88]

You have no idea what they are making, so no one cares if you lack confidence.

[KratosKonundrum]

@The 10th Rider

Yes, that's what I'm saying.

Gran Turismo has been out longer than Forza Horizon 4 and FM7 and there are more articles and opinion pieces written about Gran Turismo than Forza Horizon 4 and FM7. You don't think Forza Horizon 4 isn't adding cars to their roster too? Yet you don't hear a peep or anyone giving a hoot, yet Gran Turismo gets articles written everytime they add cars to their roster. Just check out Reddit and Resetera or here and you'll find more pieces written about Gran Turismo than Forza. The media, gamers, and pundits no longer care about Xbox, its brand, or its games. Like I said, Xbox is a losing proposition for Microsoft. It's best they cut their losses. The mindshare for Xbox is practically non-existent.

[porkChop]

Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Playground, and inXile are not B teams in any way. The Initiative, MS's newly built studio, has been pulling some of the best devs from around the world. They are absolutely not a B team.

Compulsion? Sure. Undead Labs? Sure. But all the rest MS aquired this year are great teams. While some of these teams have financially struggled recently, that doesn't take away from their talent or the quality of their work.

[Razzer]

"Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Playground, and inXile are not B teams in any way."

Playground and Ninja Theory, no. Those are prime devs. Obsidian and Inxile are absolutely B team, as they are. Doesn't mean they will not progress with MS funding. The Initiative.….I have high hopes for what Darrell Gallagher does for that team.

[DEEHULK88]

It's crazy that on the internet, a person that has no idea what they are talking about can write these types of articles. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦

[EmperorDalek]

They're doing exactly what people wanted by creating and acquiring tons of studios and manpower, and we still get people complaining that it won't make a difference? No one really thinks that. It's just the Sony cultists making up nonsense as they usually do.

[AK91]

If they don't force them to make GaaS games then yes, if the opposite then no.

[TheVigilanteCode]

The only "B Studios" among the recent Microsoft hunt, were Compulsion Games and Undead Labs.

Playground Games, Ninja Theory, Obsidian, inExile and Microsoft's own venture, The Initiative, are all AAA studios with 4 of them having a proven track record and the new studio with people from highly rated AAA background all over the industry.

Don't think the author is a fanboy, but is clueless about video games in general.

[TheColbertinator]

Obsidian and Playground are excellent acquisitions. The rest we shall see.

[bluefox755]

Fans don't have very high expectations at this point, apparently.

[2ndhandcorn]

The Forza games so huge i rarely have time or interest in anything else.

[Vetgamer]

Never forgive sony for zipper interactive MAG was my goto online shooter. Both have cut there fair share of studios but Microsoft cut way to deep relying on 3rd party games to move systems.

[Ratchet75]

I m all for B studios to thrive and being given the opportunity to make great games if Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo give them the support they need.
After all today's AAA studios are yesterday's B studios.
But make no mistakes, this is business and just like any other, u either succeed or u fail.
And considering how the cost of making a game + marketing budget have skyrocketed these last few years don't be surprised if u see even more projects being cancelled or studios being shut down in the future.

[Ausbo]

Obsidian, ninja theory, playground and the initiative are not “B” studios. You could argue that for compulsion and undead.

InExile isn’t a B studio either. They make really great niche games.

Just because something isn’t AAA, doesn’t mean it’s a B game or studio

[MrPickles2018]

despair

[Kumakai]

considering all of those studios have made some pretty incredible games, i'd say so. now they have the backing of a financial giant.

[Imortus_san]

This article is just a raging fanboy.
Xbox 360 support far exceeded PS3 and Wii.

[kevnb]

I dont know, Microsoft hasn't made this sort of investment in gaming software before.

[Einhander1971]

Microsoft never had hardly any 1st party support in the 360 generation. The 360 had a shit load of 3rd party support, this is why no one noticed until the wheels fell off this gen and realised Xbox has hardly anything exclusive to offer. Now Microsoft are running around like headless chickens trying to drum up deals.

[FanboysKiller]

B Studios are dying either way.

[Pantz]

They are now AAA studios.

[nibblo]

The title is a bit clickbatey but the article itself is rather fair and considered however the fanboys in the comments are off the charts. If you don't own an xbox god knows why you would care so much as to type anything and if you do own one then a cautiously optimistic wait and see approach is the only sane response. Personally I am looking forward to what these studios can do based purely on what they have done before and I do think xbox today is different to xbox in the 360 era, new management and new ideas but I'm tempering my excitement until I actually see some games.