Hope Amid Xbox Layoffs – WGB

The previous few days haven’t been good for the Xbox model as Microsoft went on one other rampage, jettisoning 1000’s extra staff. Xbox was hit arduous, leading to at least one studio closing, a number of extra on the verge of shutting and numerous cancelled games. However out of the darkness comes a glimmer of one thing hopeful: Banjo-Kazooie.

The Banjo Kazooie IP has been dormant for a lot of, a few years at this level. Creator Gregg Mayels has been clear that he isn’t concerned with doing something with it, and Xbox doesn’t appear to have been , both.

Talking on the most recent episode of the VGC podcast, Andy Robinson stated as a lot: “The speak for ages was that, you realize, there’s all the time outdoors pursuits in Banjo however they’re not . I imply, Gregg (Mayels) is somebody who doesn’t look again, notoriously, he stated this on the document, that he likes to do new stuff. The perspective from the studio management, “no no no, we’re gonna do the brand new factor.””

Nevertheless, in line with Robinson, attitudes have modified considerably at Xbox: “I heard extra lately the pitches are being listened to.”

Robinson goes on to say that Toys For Bob appears particularly eager on doing one thing with Banjo-Kazooie. Toys for Bob split away from Microsoft last year, but has also publically confirmed that it is working on a game in conjunction with Microsoft and Xbox. There have been rumours that Toys for Bob could also be engaged on a Spyro the Dragon sport, and at one level it appeared just like the company itself was teasing exactly that.

“Humorous sufficient, I heard Moon Studios as effectively was one other one who’s actually ,” continued Robinson. Moon Studio is finest know for its two Ori video games.

Robinson additionally stated that there’s all the time speak of a film or cartoon based mostly on Banjo Kazooie as effectively.

I might like to see Banjo Kazooie come again, however given what we’ve seen of Microsoft currently it will likely be introduced tomorrow, disappear for a few years, reappear trying sturdy after which get cancelled 5 years from now, six months earlier than it was apparently as a result of launch.

With that stated, Xbox going multiplatform presents a reasonably good time to deliver Banjo-Kazooie again because it might do very effectively on Nintendo’s {hardware}.