370°

Perfect Dark Was Set in 2020, But Where Is The Franchise These Days?

Rare acts like they have shelved the game for the indefinite future.

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Community1573d ago
Sciurus_vulgaris1574d ago

Outside of some rumours, and both Kevin Lobb and Phil Spencer stating they are interested in the franchise, Perfect Dark is “dead”.

_SilverHawk_1573d ago (Edited 1573d ago )

We all know and have seen that Microsoft doesnt like to nurture franchises to make them bigger and better as time goes on. They like to milk and throw away franchises. Look at how big halo was as well as gears but those games are just a fraction of what they used to be. I remember halo being the biggest franchise in gaming but now its mediocre.Perfect dark was a big franchise in the past but Microsoft didnt care much to make it bigger. They just figured they'd put minimal effort towards a sequel that was marred with issues and not even a better game than what was released when Nintendo owned the franchise.

Sciurus_vulgaris1573d ago

Nintendo never owned the Perfect Dark franchise. Also, Nintendo was too supportive of Perfect Dark, as they refused to bundle the with an Ram Expansion Pack. Plus, Nintendo wasn’t pleased with the 3 million + units Perfect Dark sold on the N64.

Perfect Dark Zero reviewed well and was popular on Xbox Live for about year after it was release. However did wasn’t as well received as the original perfect dark. Nor, did it reach MS’s sales expectations. I think the Perfect Dark Zero would have done better had it released before Halo 2.

1573d ago
King_Noctis1573d ago

“ We all know and have seen that Microsoft doesnt like to nurture franchises to make them bigger and better as time goes on“

Halo, Forza, and Gears say Hi.

UltraNova1573d ago

I'd like to think MS is passed that "milking" stage now that they have enough studios and the drive to make more games (seemingly). That said, I don't expect them to drop the 3 franchises that kept them afloat all these years as long as they try new things with them in order to make them feel fresh. Sony has shown they can do it. Nintendo does the same for decades now so making sequels is not a bad thing as long as they innovating.

Rachel_Alucard1572d ago

@king noctis

You just listed every game they've nurtured in 15 years. Back in 2010 all I heard was Fable, Halo, Gears, and Forza. Now Fable is dead and we are one less franchise thanks to their incompetence. What happened to Lost Odyessy, Crimson Skies, Conker, Blue Dragon, Brute Force, Amped, Mechassault, and Kung Fu chaos? Oh wait those games only undersold thanks to low install base. Better never touch them again or anything like that. Let's just rehash our big heavily marketed sellers for a decade and a half.

King_Noctis1572d ago (Edited 1572d ago )

“ You just listed every game they've nurtured in 15 years.”

This is my response to Silverhawk when he said MS doesn’t “ like to nurture franchises”.

“ Now Fable is dead and we are one less franchise thanks to their incompetence”

If you believe the rumor, it was strongly suggested that Playground Game second team is working on a new Fable for Xbox SX.

“ What happened to Lost Odyessy, Crimson Skies, Conker, Blue Dragon, Brute Force, Amped, Mechassault, and Kung Fu chaos?”

Same thing could be said to games like Earthbound, F-Zero, Golden Sun, Twisted Metal, Motorstorm, MAG, and many other. No company can maintain and keep releasing old IPs. Let not be a hypocrite and point the finger to only MS.

Rachel_Alucard1571d ago (Edited 1571d ago )

@king noctis

You act as if MS had some prior old IPs they stopped making. Halo is going to be 20 years old next year, Gears will be 15, Forza is 15 years old this year. Halo was a launch title for their first console and all the games I listed came at least 1 or 2 years after launch and they only ever had one entry with no further backing by MS. Their 3 biggest IPs are the old IPs they never changed out. It doesn't matter what either Nintendo or Sony does with old IPs because they at least invest in NEW IPs' beyond the one off entry. All this junk coming out from their new studios will just be one off entries when they fail to be system selling material. I don't see Sony rehashing the same games from 15 years ago from a tired old IP as their big system sellers. Perfect Dark has all the potential to be that IP given they put all their money on Zero for their launch title. But that failed and all they did was remake the first one and stick it on XBLA. They have all the money needed to market, they just don't have the talent they need in this industry. Their 2 flagship titles aren't even made by the original studios anymore.

King_Noctis1571d ago (Edited 1571d ago )

“ Halo is going to be 20 years old next year, Gears will be 15, Forza is 15 years old this year.”

Do you know how old is Mario? Zelda? Pokemon?

“ It doesn't matter what either Nintendo or Sony does with old IPs because they at least invest in NEW IPs' beyond the one off entry. ”

So games like Ori, State of Decay, Sea of Thieves, Cuphead, Bleeding Edge, Everwild, and Grounded aren’t new IP that MS have invested in? And do you know that they had just resurrected some old IPs like Battletoad, Flight Simulator, and Age of Empire?

“ I don't see Sony rehashing the same games from 15 years ago from a tired old IP as their big system sellers”

You might have forgotten games like Gran Tourismo, Uncharted, God of War, and the yearly release that is MLB The Show. I’m not saying MS is perfect (far from it), but to point your finger only at them Is simply hypocritical.

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Double_O_Revan1573d ago

I have always found Microsoft's purchase of and complete disregard for Rare a weird mystery. They bought this legendary company so many years ago, but just tossed it aside and never took advantage of it or it's IPs properly.

MadLad1573d ago

The fact we were never given a proper follow up to Banjo Kazooie blows my mind to this day.

DaDrunkenJester1573d ago

The reason Nintendo let Rare's shares go is because their games didnt sell that well. Then during the bidding war between MS and Activision a lot of the main people who created Rare left. Then they tried Banjo Nuts and Bolts, they tried Perfect Dark Zero... both not doing well. So it makes sense why they would move away from these and start new IP's.

Rare Replay was their acknowledgement of their past and I think that's where it needs to lay because Rare now is not Rare then.

1573d ago
BLizardXD1573d ago (Edited 1573d ago )

@ taco
agreed. they were preoccupied it seems supporting their fresh IP with more content. (sea of thieves)
which received reception from gamers wanting more content. if anything next gen will be up for grabs for familiar old titles. also sporting some next gen enhancements.

SCW19821573d ago (Edited 1573d ago )

Banjo Tooie you should try it.

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1573d ago Replies(3)
-Foxtrot1573d ago

Yeah it's funny, they had plans for Banjo-Threeie, Conkers Other Bad Fur Day (with storyboards and concept art), Perfect Dark and Kameo sequels yet Phil Spencer, being in charge of First Party Studios, shut the ideas down.

Even now you'd think they'd have two teams, one working on new IPs and the other looking at older ones.

DaDrunkenJester1573d ago (Edited 1573d ago )

Likely because they weren't big sellers. Banjo Kazooie sold 3.6mil... Banjo Tooie only sold 1.5mil. That is a big drop off in sales.

And Conker was a major flop sales wise. MS tried to get some interest back in it with the Xbox Live Arcade release and such but it likely didnt do well either.

https://www.google.com/amp/...

And Kameo I dont even think hit 500 thousand.

Concertoine1573d ago (Edited 1573d ago )

Those games werent shut down when Phil Spencer was at the helm. Either way, the company isnt the same and most of the old talent was gone by the time the 360 came out.

I think the company had already peaked in the N64 years and was on the downturn with games like Tooie and DK64, Conker (which are all great creative effort but poorly designed games) and Star Fox adventures. The talent was moving on before Nintendo even sold.

I think the company has always shined when they were allowed to make what THEY want. Not made to make PD, Banjo, or Kinect games. Sea of Thieves, Kameo and Viva piñata are easily their best games since MS bought them, and its because you could see the passion in them. SoT was rushed to the shelves by MS, but has developed into a really unique and fleshed out game. Their new game looks good for the same reason, it doesnt look like MS said: “hey make this”

Vits1573d ago

It was actually rather balanced in the first couple of years. With new IPs (Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Kameo: Elements of Power, Viva Piñata) and old franchises (Conker: Live & Reloaded, Perfect Dark Zero and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts) making a appearance.

The issue was that none of those titles really took off. Their only million seller was the original Viva Piñata and while the others got good reviews on release the public perception of them kind of shift over time. For example: Perfect Dark Zero had a average of 8 out of 10 when it first came out, but after a couple of years it was regarded as a disappointment.

Rare would only have a overwhelm successful title with the Kinect Sport series. That sold more than all their previous titles combined.

gangsta_red1573d ago

Rare has gone on record saying they do not want to work on old franchises.

https://www.google.com/amp/...

I do agree that MS should take advantage of a lot of their older IPs, especially Perfect Dark.

It's a no brainer to bring that back.

But people around here talk about letting the devs have freedom to create new IPs and then when MS does that with Rare they complain that MS isn't forcing them to turn out the same old, same old recycled games.

DaDrunkenJester1573d ago

Damned if they do, damed if they don't. Some people will never be happy with anything MS does.

EazyC1573d ago

They really screwed up this gen not using their IP roster properly. Just Halo, Gears and Forzas... Same old same old

gangsta_red1573d ago

Rare has made all new IPs since they've been with MS...and yet you're complaining about MS and the same old same old

Hilarious

1572d ago Replies(1)
BlackRaven85_11572d ago

I guess you assume Starfox Adventures was a hit before Microsoft bought them, right? That Microsoft tainted the company after the purchase. Oh, do you such weird memories. The Rare everyone knew from the SNES days died way before Microsoft got them. Facts.

Double_O_Revan1572d ago

"The Rare everyone knew from the SNES days died way before Microsoft got them."

Are we forgetting that Rare was still completely killing it during the N64? Goldeneye, Diddy Kong Racing, Donkey Kong 64, Banjo Kazooie and Tooie, Jet Force Gemini and Perfect Dark.

One game didn't taint the company. And people have a dislike for Adventures because it wasn't a real Star Fox game. And that's because that's not the game it started out being. It was an ambitious new IP for the N64 that Nintendo not only had them change for the GameCube, but also change the characters and story to utilize Star Fox.

Poopmist1572d ago

The people who made Perfect Dark left Rare to make Timesplitters

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BlackIceJoe1573d ago

I'd love to see a new Perfect Dark. I do wonder if changing the formula up, would be a benefit for it or not and what I mean by that is changing it from a first person shooter, to a third person shooter.

You got hints of a TPS in the Xbox 360 version and I can't help but wonder what a whole game would look like.

I also think bringing in elements like how Deus Ex is an immersive SIM would be perfect for the universe of Perfect Dark.

MadLad1573d ago

We need more immersive sims in general. It's basically only Arkane focusing on them. At least in the AAA space.

BoredDemon1573d ago

it was not "perfect" after all

1573d ago
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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

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Hereandthere1d 5h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 2h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN17h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo18h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies14h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 4h ago (Edited 1d 4h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 2h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic12h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9012h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 4h ago (Edited 1d 4h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 4h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 4h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 1h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 3h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 2h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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80°

I’m Glad Atlus & SE Changed Dates To Avoid Competing With Shadow Of The Erdtree

Saad from eXputer: "I'm glad I don't have to choose between Square Enix, Atlus, and FromSoftware due to bad release windows and Shadow of the Erdtree."

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H91d 22h ago

More intelligent than guerilla games

raWfodog1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

Atlus is releasing their game one week before Erdtree, SE is releasing theirs one week after.

HZD released four days before Zelda, HFW released one week before Elden Ring.

It seems to me like they are still releasing their games too close to Erdtree.

VincentVanBro5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

What a word vomit, rambling, turd of an article that simply states the obvious. Classic exputer.

130°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

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Community1d 8h ago
jznrpg1d 6h ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos1d 5h ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion1d 4h ago (Edited 1d 4h ago )

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola1d ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

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