Halo, Fable and More Set for Xenon

Microsoft Game Studios head Shane Kim shares his views on Xenon, Microsoft's approach to developers and, oh yes, confirms some of the new console's biggest sequels too.

As great as shiny new hardware is, without good games it's worthless, which is why a person such as Shane Kim, head of Microsoft Games Studios, is such an influential and busy man. Over the past year, Kim - who replaced Ed Fries - has overseen the release of the biggest games on Xbox, including Halo 2 and Fable, and he has also killed games that weren't up to scratch. But the arrival of Xenon, the Xbox successor, later this year means new challenges for Kim and MGS and, most importantly, new games.

There's no doubt that Halo 2 left fans salivating for
another go round in Master Chief's clunky green boots

Microsoft has done a good job of introducing exclusive franchises over the past four years, and fans will be pleased to hear that all of them will be continued on Xenon. Sequels to Halo, Fable, and Project Gotham Racing are in the works for Xenon, Kim confirmed in a recent interview with the official Xbox site. And while it's much too early for specifics, next month's E3 in Los Angeles should have the details - and likely visuals too - everyone's waiting for.

It won't just be franchises that get a push on Xenon, though. Just as MGS' various studios created a wealth of new games for Xbox, Microsoft is focused on helping its development studios craft new and wonderful worlds for Xenon. It's clear that the company realises the importance of an original concept, unfettered by association with a previous game or other entertainment franchise.

"There's a collective vision at MGS about what we need to do to be creating truly original material," said Kim, "and yes, it will be central to how we move into the next generation."

Also important going ahead is for Microsoft to make games that appeal to more people. While the hardcore fans will always be taken care of, Kim stressed that bringing in new blood is part of the company's plan to steal attention away from Sony and its upcoming PlayStation 2 successor.

"We've done a great job in this generation with the core gamer audience," said Kim, "and now we need to extend that success and the appeal of the next-generation Xbox to more of the mass market."

With the official unveiling of Xenon now only weeks away, expectations are rising and enthusiasm is building. Xbox has won over a lot of people in the past four years. Time - and gamers - will decide how well Xenon adds to this solid foundation.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games