With its bolstered portfolio of studios, the predominant-party plan forward for Xbox restful appears to be like to be like promising. This day, on the opposite hand, we’re having a have a study the previous and stamp output of Microsoft’s well-known video game franchises, monitoring how long it’s been between accepted releases in the glorious Xbox series.
(This listing measures the time between accepted, mainline releases finest — if a by-product or remake used to be launched extra currently it be well-known with an asterisk [developer Moon Studios]. Time elapsed figures are in accordance with U.S. open dates and are recorded as of August 2020. The listing doesn’t include series from newly obtained studios — Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity, inXile’s Desert, and plenty others.— since Microsoft had no phase in the management of those franchises so a ways.)
Xbox’s Well-known Franchise Output
0-7 Years (Xbox One, PC)
Battletoads – <1 month
Most up-to-date: Battletoads (August 2020)
This month’s Battletoads is the predominant launched by Microsoft because it obtained the IP in its 2002 acquisition of Rare. Earlier than this month, the franchise had lain dormant for over 25 years, with the outdated open, Battletoads Arcade (aka Immense Battletoads), coming in 1994.
Microsoft Flight Simulator – <1 month
Most up-to-date: Microsoft Flight Simulator (August 2020)
The origins of Microsoft’s longest-running franchise date attend forty years in the past, when the new Flight Simulator used to be launched on the Apple II home computer. Microsoft obtained the franchise quickly after and went on to open several iterations of the sim all the plan thru the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early ‘00s.
2020’s Flight Simulator is out this month for PC, with a console open expected to practice. It’ll be the predominant accepted entry in the series since Flight Simulator X in 2006.
Ori – 5 months
Most up-to-date: Ori and the Will of the Wisps (March 2020)
With out reference to being Microsoft’s youngest franchise at five years outmoded, Ori (alongside Forza Horizon) has been Xbox’s most renowned IP this technology; the console variations of Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps take an 88 and 90 on Metacritic, respectively.
In a Reddit AMA, Ori lead clothier Chris McEntee talked about the predominant two video games “fast the legend that [developer Moon Studios] wanted to sigh,” though they “left the door cracked birth a little bit for a doable continuation.”
Moon Studios’ subsequent project is an action-RPG that will seemingly be printed by Inner most Division, though it’s moreover engaged on an Xbox Sequence X version of Will of the Wisps with toughen for 120fps.
Gears of Battle – 11 months*
Most up-to-date: Gears 5 (September 2019)
*For the explanation that open of Gears 5, Microsoft has launched the graceful technique spinoff Gears Ways.
Enthusiastic on its importance to the Xbox portfolio — Gears is seemingly Microsoft’s most recognizable franchise subsequent to Halo, and the firm sold the IP outright in 2014 — future entries are a given. On the opposite hand, in spite of comes subsequent will seemingly be made without Rod Fergusson, the old head of Microsoft’s Gears-centered studio The Coalition; Fergusson joined Blizzard earlier this year to oversee Diablo.
Crackdown – 1 year, 6 months
Most up-to-date: Crackdown 3 (February 2019)
Microsoft launched Crackdown 3 in early 2019 after years of vexed trend. The means ahead for the cult-popular franchise is seemingly in jeopardy after the series’ most recent used to be launched to little fanfare and miserable serious reception (it holds a 60 on Metacritic; our review scored it a 5).
Forza – 1 year, 10 months*
Most up-to-date: Forza Horizon 4 (October 2018)
*Forza Avenue, a free-to-play mobile spinoff, used to be launched extra currently.
A rebooted Forza Motorsport is in trend for Xbox Sequence X. An in-engine trailer used to be shown at Microsoft’s July showcase, though the racer is restful in “early trend” at Flip 10 Studios with out a open window in predicament. The web web site of Playground’s Forza Horizon series, which has been gaining sales and serious acclaim with every contemporary entry, is unknown, nonetheless it surely appears to be like highly seemingly to continue.
Forza Motorsport Xbox Sequence X Screenshots
Say of Decay – 2 years, 3 months
Most up-to-date: Say of Decay 2 (May maybe presumably 2018)
Undead Labs’ work on Say of Decay 2 didn’t end with its open in 2018; in 2020 the studio launched Say of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition, a broad overhaul that added a bunch of most recent bid, graphical improvements, extra music, computer virus fixes, and quality-of-lifestyles updates.
The franchise will continue with Say of Decay 3, which used to be currently equipped for Xbox Sequence X.
Halo – 4 years, 10 months*
Most up-to-date: Halo 5: Guardians (October 2015)
*Halo Wars 2, the franchise’s second RTS spinoff, used to be launched in 2017.
Microsoft’s flagship franchise has been synonymous with the Xbox mark since Fight Developed launched alongside the new console in 2001. The series’ subsequent mainline entry, Halo Infinite, used to be at the birth planned to open alongside Xbox Sequence X this vacation, on the opposite hand, it has now been delayed to 2021.
Killer Instinct – 6 years, 9 months
Most up-to-date: Killer Instinct (November 2013)
Microsoft obtained the classic combating franchise with its spend of Rare in 2002. It’d open its first (and so a ways finest) Killer Instinct as an Xbox One open game in 2013. Extra opponents will seemingly be added for years after, culminating in 2016’s Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition.
Developer Iron Galaxy, which took over for Double Helix following its acquisition by Amazon, is now not any longer engaged on a brand contemporary Killer Instinct, in step with the studio’s Adam Coronary heart.
Zoo Multi-millionaire – 6 years, 9 months*
Most up-to-date: Zoo Multi-millionaire (November 2013)
*An enhanced version of 2013’s Zoo Multi-millionaire used to be launched in 2017 as Zoo Multi-millionaire: Final Animal Sequence. The contemporary version added better graphics and contemporary animals, including kangaroos and koalas.
Every Xbox One First-Party Evaluation
7-15 Years (Xbox 360, PC)
Legend – 9 years, 10 months*
Most up-to-date: Legend 3 (October 2010)
*The franchise’s most recent is Legend Fortune, a free-to-play card-basically based totally spinoff launched 2018 (and shut down earlier this year).
Regarded as one of Microsoft’s most cherished franchises all the plan thru the Xbox 360 technology, Legend went (practically) totally skipped over throughout the Xbox One’s lifecycle. (The multiplayer-finest Legend Legends made it to closed beta sooner than being cancelled in 2016.)
Legend will return on Xbox Sequence X, on the opposite hand, as Microsoft currently equipped a series reboot is in trend by a second crew within Forza Horizon studio Playground Video games. Normal Legend developer Lionhead Studios used to be shuttered quickly after the cancellation of Legends.
Blue Dragon – 10 years, 3 months*
Most up-to-date: Blue Dragon: Awoke Shadow (May maybe presumably 2010)
*The most most recent Blue Dragon video games were launched exclusively for Nintendo DS; it’s been 13 years since a Blue Dragon used to be launched on Xbox.
Alongside Misplaced Odyssey, Blue Dragon used to be one of two early Xbox 360 JRPGs from Final Memoir creator Hironobu Sakaguchi developed to support Xbox compete in Japan.
With out reference to keeping the Blue Dragon trademark, Microsoft has finest printed one Blue Dragon game (the 2007 accepted) on Xbox. A sequel used to be planned nonetheless never got here to be. In 2016, Xbox head Phil Spencer tweeted Blue Dragon 2 is now not any longer in the works, nonetheless “never enlighten never.”
Minecraft – 11 years, 3 months*
Most up-to-date: Minecraft (May maybe presumably 2009)
*The latest spinoff, Minecraft: Dungeons, used to be launched earlier this year.
Microsoft obtained Minecraft with its $2.5-billion USD spend of Mojang in 2014. The franchise has since change into ubiquitous, spawning spinoffs in every medium of media and setting up itself because the face of video video games for a total technology.
The game itself continues to receive well-known updates 11 years later and has equipped a staggering 200 million copies, in step with Microsoft. Ensuing from it lives on as its comprise platform, an correct Minecraft 2 appears to be like no longer going.
Banjo-Kazooie – 11 years, 9 months*
Most up-to-date: Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (November 2008)
*All three mainline Banjo video games were re-launched in 2015 as phase of Rare Replay. Banjo and Kazooie moreover looked as a Rupture Final DLC fighter in 2019.
Microsoft has finest build out one contemporary Banjo game because it obtained the IP along with Rare in 2002, and there is been no discover on a brand contemporary entry since 2008’s Nuts & Bolts.
A non secular successor, Yooka-Laylee, used to be launched in 2017 by Playtonic, a studio founded by a community of old Rare devs.
Banjo-Kazooie Immense Rupture Bros. Final Unencumber Trailer Screenshots
Viva Piñata – 11 years, 11 months*
Most up-to-date: Viva Piñata: Concern in Paradise (September 2008)
*A DS-habitual, Viva Piñata, Pocket Paradise, used to be launched per week after Concern in Paradise; every Viva Piñata and Concern in Paradise were re-launched in 2015 as phase of Rare Replay.
To the apprehension of a restful-passionate fanbase, Microsoft hasn’t revisited Viva Piñata in over a decade. With developer Rare sustaining Sea of Thieves and engaged on Everwild for Xbox Sequence X, it appears to be like no longer going it’ll return to its whimsical simulation series anytime soon.
Microsoft closing commented on the franchise’s future in 2018, when Spencer fast Large Bomb a brand contemporary entry is now not any longer in the works.
Misplaced Odyssey – 12 years, 6 months
Most up-to-date: Misplaced Odyssey (February 2008)
Whereas no longer exactly a franchise — finest the one entry used to be launched in 2008 — Misplaced Odyssey remains phase of the dialog surrounding the Xbox portfolio, in particular in regard to its lack of Eastern video games. The cult classic JRPG is believed about one of many genre’s finest on Xbox 360, nonetheless birth air of a trademark renewal in 2018, there’s been no discover on a doable return to the franchise.
Challenge Gotham Racing – 12 years, 10 months
Most up-to-date: PGR 4 (October 2007)
PGR developer Odd Creations used to be purchased by Activision quickly sooner than the open of PGR 4 in slack 2007. The studio would fade on to invent a spiritual successor, Blur, in 2010, sooner than shuttering quickly after its open.
Microsoft, in the period in-between, launched finest one PGR game after Bizzare’s departure: PGR: Ferrari Edition, a racer habitual to Microsoft’s Zune HD.
Fuzion Frenzy – 13 years, 7 months
Most up-to-date: Fuzion Frenzy 2 (January 2007)
The cherished party game got here to the new Xbox as a open title in 2001 and used to be among the many well-known video games from that technology to be made backwards effectively matched on Xbox One. A less memorable sequel used to be launched for Xbox 360 in 2007, and the franchise has been sluggish since.
Top seemingly Sad – 14 years, 9 months*
Most up-to-date: Top seemingly Sad Zero (November 2005)
*A remake of the new Top seemingly Sad used to be launched on XBLA in 2010; every Top seemingly Sad and Top seemingly Sad Zero are included in 2015’s Rare Replay.
Despite the truth that it’s been over a dozen years for the explanation that closing Top seemingly Sad, curiosity in the franchise has been renewed by most recent rumors and speculation surrounding Microsoft’s “AAAA” studio The Initiative. The developer is rumored to be engaged on a Top seemingly Sad reboot, though without any official recordsdata, the series’ doable return remains highly speculative.
Age of Empires – 14 years, 10 months*
Most up-to-date: Age of Empires 3 (October 2005)
*A remake of Age of Empires 2 used to be launched in November 2019.
The subsequent Age of Empires is at this time in trend at Relic; a remastered version of Age of Empires 3 is moreover in the works at Tantalus Media. Each projects are being overseen by Microsoft’s newly established Age of Empires studio, World’s Edge.
15+ Years (Xbox, PC)
Conker – 15 years, 2 months*
Most up-to-date: Conker: Are residing & Reloaded (June 2005)
*Conker’s Substantial Reunion, a brand contemporary Conker legend housed within Challenge Spark, used to be launched in 2015; Conker’s Infamous Fur Day used to be included in 2015’s Rare Replay.
Conker’s ill-fated comeback in Challenge Spark used to be planned as a 10-episode legend, nonetheless finest one episode used to be ever launched, as Microsoft ceased all DLC trend for Challenge Spark five months after episode one debuted.
Phantom Mud – 15 years, 5 months*
Most up-to-date: Phantom Mud (March 2005)
*A remake of Phantom Mud used to be launched for Xbox One and PC in 2017.
Phantom Mud used to be at the birth launched as a Japan habitual in 2004, sooner than it used to be brought stateside by Majesco six months later. Microsoft had gigantic plans for a reboot early in the Xbox One technology, nonetheless those plans were in a roundabout plan scrapped in prefer of a visually upgraded re-open of the new.
MechAssault – 15 years, 8 months*
Most up-to-date: MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf (December 2004)
*A DS-habitual spinoff, Phantom Battle, used to be launched in 2006; MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, which exists within the same BattleTech universe, used to be most currently launched in 2019.
We would one day know about a brand contemporary MechAssault, if Phil Spencer’s desire for a brand contemporary entry is to reach attend honest. Speaking to IGN earlier this year on Podcast Unlocked, Spencer used to be asked which dormant IP from the Xbox portfolio he’d for my piece snatch to look brought attend. “Mech,” he answered without hesitation. “Mech from a rights standpoint’s a bit bit messy … nonetheless after I reflect about MechAssault … it be factual without a doubt deep, without a doubt rich tales and characters to head play in, and I reflect it would possibly maybe in all probability perchance be without a doubt chilly sooner or later if we would construct one thing with Mech.”
MechAssault used to be build on take after the 2004 sequel did now not sell effectively sufficient, in step with producer Mitch Gitelman.
Blinx – 15 years, 9 months
Most up-to-date open: Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Plight (November 2004)
Microsoft’s anthropomorphic time-touring cat used to be closing seen in 2004’s Blinx sequel, Masters of Time and Plight. The mascot character used to be designed by Sonic the Hedgehog creator Naoto Ohshima to bolster the Xbox’s standing in Japan, nonetheless it surely failed to construct a dent in a genre dominated by icons such as Mario and Rupture Bandicoot.
Microsoft formally abandoned the Blinx trademark in 2015, in step with VideoGamer.
Voodoo Vince – 16 years, 9 months*
Most up-to-date: Voodoo Vince (November 2003)
*A remastered version of Voodoo Vince used to be launched for Xbox One and PC in 2017.
Voodoo Vince would possibly maybe perchance no longer have reached the heights of the generation’s other platformers, nonetheless it surely did find a champion in a single of gaming’s most influential executives: Xbox boss Phil Spencer has known as Voodoo Vince his all-time popular game, because it used to be the predominant game he played thru with his two daughters.
Voodoo Vince: Remastered Displays 10/5
Crimson Skies – 16 years, 10 months
Most up-to-date: Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge (October 2003)
As of 2017, Microsoft wasn’t engaged on a brand contemporary Crimson Skies, in step with Spencer, though he acknowledged the surroundings is “very chilly” and Microsoft would possibly maybe perchance “positively construct extra with it.”
That very same year, series creator Jordan Weisman, who moreover created the aforementioned MechAssault, fast PCGamesN he’s “been in discussion with [Microsoft] for a without a doubt long time” to work on Crimson Skies in some skill. On the opposite hand, nothing has materialized in the three years since.
Midtown Madness – 17 years, 2 months*
Most up-to-date: Midtown Madness 3 (June 2003)
*A Motocross spinoff launched for XBLA in 2013
Following two PC habitual releases, Microsoft brought Midtown Madness to console in 2003 with the series’ third entry. With the exception of a motocross spinoff in 2013, the franchise has long gone skipped over for the upper phase of two decades. Microsoft hasn’t commented on the series’ future, nonetheless it surely’s laborious to think the firm will open a first-party racing game birth air of its Forza franchise.
What construct you hold Microsoft’s first-party output? What series on this listing greatly surprised you most? Allow us to perceive in the feedback, and be obvious to vote in the poll below!
You are going to be ready to moreover test out our diagnosis of Nintendo’s first-party output. Dwell tuned in the upcoming weeks as we spherical out this series of functions with an exploration of Sony’s first-party franchises.
Jordan is a freelance creator for IGN.
