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Report: Microsoft negotiating with Showtime for Halo series
Microsoft is "deep in negotiations" to bring its live-action, Steven Spielberg-produced Halo series to Showtime, according to Variety. The report states that Microsoft and Showtime are "close to a deal" with showrunners on an agreement that is said to involve episodes appearing on Showtime before they air on the Xbox platform. The Halo series is among content plans for Xbox Entertainment Studios, an initiative that president Nancy Tellem says is focused on making "premium television experiences." If you'd prefer that they work with a different Microsoft license, know that the Gears of War, Fable and Forza series are being considered for future projects. [Image: Joystiq]
Joystiq Weekly: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Child Of Light, Xbox Originals and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. We'll be able to get a social-oriented sci-fi fix in Destiny later this year, complete with flashy superpowers and an arsenal of weaponry that further convinces us of how awesome the future will be. And with Mass Effect undoubtedly coming along and the whole Star Wars thing, it feels like a pretty great time to be a sci-fi fan. Whether you want to watch a saga play out or guide its progression, you'll probably have some great choices consuming your life in the near future. Of course, it's possible that the collective sci-fi genre bores you, which is why we brought you this fresh edition of the Joystiq Weekly. Yes, there's a slew of Destiny-flavored video content, but there's also a glimpse of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, reviews for Child of Light and Mario Golf: World Tour, and an exploration of Microsoft's original content plans for Xbox. You can read up on these stories and more after the break!
Gears of War, Fable and Forza fair game for TV shows
Having announced its first lineup of Xbox Originals, a brand of exclusive television shows made for Xbox platforms, Microsoft is highlighting Gears of War, Fable and Forza Motorsport as potential sources slash victims of adaptation in the future. Speaking to press in San Francisco last week, Vice President of Xbox Entertainment Studios Jordan Levin named a few games that "most immediately come to mind" for a stint in television. Unlike the popular Halo series of first-person shooters, which is already confirmed for a television show and an upcoming feature, these projects are at a stage of "exploratory conversation" and may ultimately go nowhere. Games being explored so far include historical strategy game Age of Empires, zombie survival sim State of Decay, Forza Motorsport, the vibrant Fable series and bulky-men-vs-monsters shooter, Gears of War. If those exploratory conversations last long enough, there's a chance someone will see the potential in combining these intellectual properties into a filmed super-property. Who wouldn't watch a show about zombies overrunning the stone age, or a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta covered in chainsaws and driven by a man in a chicken suit? [Image: Microsoft]
Xbox Originals TV to fill the gaps between game launches
Xbox has a place for original television, wedged somewhere between major game releases. Of course, we can't get away with just calling it television - Xbox Entertainment Studios is making "premium television experiences," said president Nancy Tellem, who joined Microsoft in 2012 after heading up CBS. It's the kind of "network that probably none of you watch," she told a group of journalists in San Francisco earlier this month. We must have had the scent of cable cutting about us. We also heard from Jordan Levin, the studio vice president and former CEO of WB Network, where he shepherded shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gilmore Girls." Levin sounded cautious about the first-year slate of Xbox Originals, which will bring a considered mix of original documentaries, reality shows and episodic fiction to Xbox 360 and Xbox One starting in 2014. "We're both not delusional about how tough it's going to be, and how long it's going to take," he said, framing Xbox Originals within the domain of premium cable. "We aspire not to talk down to this audience." Both are certainly sold on the numbers available to them through Xbox: 85 million consoles, 48 million Xbox Live subscribers, hours and hours and hours of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Instant Video consumed, and "all the assets of Microsoft at out disposal," Tellem said. These numbers and the "gamer" audience tied to them are the most concrete directive I could discern from this early Xbox Originals showcase. The consumer-facing end of it – the cost, the quality, the distribution – is in progress or just plain wishy-washy. And what's a "premium television experience" anyway?
Microsoft partners with UK studio to produce sci-fi drama 'Humans'
Microsoft is pushing forward on its original television programming initiative by partnering with UK broadcaster Channel 4 and production company Kudos to create a drama series called Humans. The sci-fi drama is an English-language adaptation of Sveriges Television and Matador Film's series Real Humans, and depicts a modern family that lives with a highly-developed robotic servant known as a "Synth." The show will air on the Xbox platform in North America and Channel 4 in the UK in 2015. What's more, Bloomberg recently interviewed Microsoft's President of Entertainment and Digital Media Nancy Tellem about the company's media ambitions on Xbox Live. Tellem said Microsoft's approach to television, which spans multiple genres like sports, animation and feature-length projects, will be "under the banner of Xbox Originals." Tellem also touched on the properties that Microsoft owns, such as Fable, Age of Empires, Gears of War and Forza, noting that "these are the things that frankly if we weren't attached to Microsoft everyone would yearn to have." Tellem is the head of Xbox Entertainment Studios, which set its sights on "interactive TV" in February 2013. One of the company's projects is a live-action show based on the Halo series that has ties to Steven Spielberg, which Tellem assured is still in development. As far as the expansion of the Halo brand is concerned, while no movie based on the property is in sight, a "digital feature" for Halo is expected to launch this year. Additionally, former AMC programming director Ari Mark joined Xbox Entertainment in January to create unscripted video content. [Image: Xbox Entertainment Studios]
Upcoming Xbox Live sales to feature half-price Pac-Man DX, discounted Clancy content
If next week's blitz of Tom Clancy-brand discounts on Xbox Live doesn't eat up your remaining Microsoft Pellets, you'd be wise to invest some in Pac-Man CE DX the following week, when it's on sale for $5. The only thrill greater than being chased by a ghost train is turning around and eating it!
Halo 2 still kinda alive, thanks to some fans
When the sun set on the Xbox Live service for original Xbox games on April 15, some Halo 2 players decided they just didn't want to let go. So they've been in-game and have left their consoles running past the designated April 15 shutdown, staying in Halo 2 for almost two weeks now. They're going to flip when they see their electric bills! This thread over on the Bungie forums lists the numerous individuals still online in Halo 2, the last few people able to play the game online ever. Determined not to abandon it until they're forcibly removed by Bungie or Microsoft (or their consoles blow up, which is a very real possibility), you can clearly see each individual's commitment via their profile page on Xbox.com: Agent Windex APACHE N4SIR sherlok 1 Rob2D Lord Odysseus11 xxMAKDADYxx H2o Shoagie DirtyCajun HiredN00bs You gotta give it to these guys for their perseverance. Sometimes, you just can't accept something coming to an end. That's why we've never gotten around to watching the series finale of Who's The Boss?. [Via CNET]
PSA: Fable, other Xbox Originals are 'Deal of the Week'
This week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week finds a few Xbox Originals at a 33 percent discount (sounds so much more substantial that way). As previously noted, the promotion includes the original Fable for 800 ($10), along with Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas at the same $5 discount. Before you impulse buy, make sure you aren't interested in next week's Deal of the Week, which finds all of Fallout 3's DLC (Operation: Anchorage, The Pitt, Broken Steel, Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta) at 400 ($5) apiece. Broken Steel is a must-have for the level cap increase, but all the packs help deepen the already epic game.
PSA: Original Xbox games' DLC already offline
Plans to disconnect Xbox Live services for original Xbox games have apparently already begun, as DLC servers for Xbox titles have been quietly taken offline. According to numerous forum threads and our own tests of an assortment of Xbox titles, attempts to download original Xbox game content are now fruitless. Each title tested yielded the message: "Could not download content list. Please try again later." (The image above was taken from our test of Halo 2.) Last Friday, Microsoft announced online support for original Xbox titles would be discontinued on April 15, but made no mention of disconnecting DLC servers earlier than that. Some forum users claim that the DLC servers for Xbox titles were taken offline as soon as the announcement was made last week. So, if you've continued to put off your infiltration of the Kola Cell in the original Splinter Cell, you'd better have already downloaded the mission. [Thanks, Bren]
Xbox Live service for Xbox 1 games to be discontinued on Apr. 15
[Image: Bungie] Microsoft is pulling the plug on the Xbox Live services that still cater to the original Xbox. As of April 15th, all Xbox 1 games -- including those playable on Xbox 360 or via the Xbox Originals service -- will be severed from the online realm. "I want to start by saying this isn't a decision we made lightly," Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten said at the start of a letter to Xbox Live members, "but after careful consideration, it is clear that this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community." Whitten added that in continuing to "evolve the service," Microsoft requires changes that are "incompatible" with the previous console's games. "We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities." According to Major Nelson's most recent list of top Xbox 1 Live titles, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Counter-Strike players will be hardest hit. Well, sure, Halo 2 is still the most widely played game, but at least those guys will have some consolation when they leave the house and discover that two three more Halo games have come out since 2004. By the way, if you have anything terribly important to say to your clan mates, we suggest you say it now.
'Games on Demand' section arrives on Xbox.com
It appears the "Games on Demand" section has replaced "Xbox Originals" on Xbox.com marketplace. We're not exactly sure if this is a rebranding of Xbox Originals, but the title of the section would imply that all downloadable games -- which will include Xbox 360 titles in August -- will reside in this section. However, if you click on the "Xbox 360 Games" on the left navigation bar, there's a clearly marked "Full Game" download section, which is currently empty. Also, Xbox Live Arcade titles have a separate section as well.Perhaps the downloadable Xbox 360 games will reside in two locations on Xbox.com? We've contacted Microsoft for clarification and we'll update as soon as we hear back.Update: We're aware the Xbox Originals program has come to an end, we're just caught off guard by the lack of an official statement accompanying the change on Xbox.com (especially with no change on the 360 itself).[Thanks, Nathan]
Max Payne, Fall of Max Payne available now on Xbox Originals
With Max Payne 3 announced, Take-Two's marketing machine better get moving -- we've noirly forgotten the whole seedy epic of insane mobsters and one glorious femme fatale. Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne are both available now on Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200 ($15) apiece -- we're sure, this time. Admittedly, the Xbox price is a bit steep and both games (arguably) play better on PC, so it might be better to wait until Steam has one of its weekend sales to pick up the titles for something like $5 (currently the games are $15 as a bundle on Valve's digital distribution service). But, if Xbox is your only option, feel free to pick up Max, dearest of all our friends. [Thanks, Disco Ball] [Add Max Payne to download queue] [Add Max Payne 2 to download queue]
Max Payne, sequel appear, disappear as Xbox Originals
Like the world's most somber noir ninjas, Max Payne and Max Payne 2 briefly appeared as Xbox Originals before disappearing and leaving no evidence. ... No evidence, that is, except the screen grab we managed to snap before the games' untimely departure from this (now non-working) link. With a sequel in the works and an ESRB reveal, Max's appearance makes perfect sense, we're just assuming someone jumped the gun with the announcement. We've got a call in to Microsoft, we'll let you know what we hear.
'Max Payne' & sequel get Xbox 360 listings from ESRB
Before Max Payne turned into a homeless-looking Vin Diesel (pictured center, if you didn't guess) he was a "take no prisoner, nothing to lose" New York detective out for revenge. Now he looks like he takes no showers, amirite?Max Payne was a classic when it hit the PC and, although a lot was left to be desired when it was thrown onto consoles, the Max Payne series shined on the original Xbox among third-person shooters. Searching the original titles on the ESRB website revealed both titles had been rated for the Xbox 360 platform, a process that ordinarily occurs when a game is set to be released as an Xbox Original. File this under: "Taken with a grain of salt," but it's possible Max's previous adventures will be added to the Xbox 360's digital list ... just in time for his latest pill-popping journey this winter.ESRB -- Max PayneESRB -- Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Xbox Originals Fable for $10
Because the world needs to know (and by "world" we mean the Joystiq reader base), this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week is none other than Xbox Original title Fable. Starting today, Monday, March 16, and lasting through late Sunday, March 22, Fable can be purchased from the XBLM for 800 ($10), which represents a 33% discount from its normal 1200 pricing. As with all Deal of the Week offers, this Fable discount is only available to Xbox Live gold subscribers. Live silver accounts are forever shunned for choosing a life of evil and moral corruption. Be gone silver members ... BE GONE FROM THESE LANDS! [Via Major Nelson]
Fable, Alien Hominid HD get slashed for March Deals of the Week
Before Peter Molyneux and Co. captured our GOTY hearts with Fable II, Lionhead introduced the world to Albion in Fable -- on the original Xbox. Next week -- billed as the figurative pot of gold for St. Paddy's Day -- the Xbox Originals release of Fable will be discounted to 800 ($10) on March 16, down one third the standard (Read: Overpriced) tag of 1200. March 23's Deal of the Week isn't nearly exciting, discounting the Iowa Mission Pack for Battlestations Midway by 20%. Finally, to put an Irish kiss on the end of the month, the Deal of the Week beginning March 30 will be the XBLA title Alien Hominid HD, discounted by 50% to 400 ($5). Those are some quality price drops... Irish I had some more MS Points.
Grabbed by the Ghoulies scares gamers, becomes Xbox Original
Looks like our garlic necklace failed us (wait, that's vampires), because Rare's Grabbed by the Ghoulies just hobbled its way to the Xbox Live Marketplace as another iffy Xbox Original. This not so great tale of ghouls is available for 1200 Microsoft points ($15), 3GB of hard drive space and a pound of flesh (pound of flesh optional).Per Rare's own helpful and admittedly humorous sales pitch, "if you like Halo, pretend that the main character is Master Chief and the hilarious DJ Mummy is a terrifying Covenant alien." Actually, with that tip in mind, we're leaning towards a Ghoulies purchase. Proof that an extremely inventive imagination can make any game feel like an epic blockbuster.[Via Rare]
BlowOut now an Xbox Original, yay?
Sure to cause a reverberation of yawns on a grand scale that has never been seen before, we're pleased it's our obligation to announce that BlowOut has officially become an Xbox Original and can be purchased from the Xbox Live Marketplace. For 1200 Microsoft points and approximately 385MBs, no less. So ... anyone up for a game of BlowOut? Anyone? No really ... anyone?
Your guess as good as ours: BlowOut coming to Xbox Originals
Word comes by way of Gamerscore Blog that BlowOut will join the ranks of Xbox Originals, as of January 19th, for 1200 ($15). Reaction to the news was swift and sure in the site's comments section, with gems like: "F*ck off with the sh*t we've never heard of. Get some half decent games on there already." "When the f*ck did this come out. How about KOTOR either of them, or any other of the top selling title from the original Xbox. What is Microsoft paying you people for." "Ugh, I wish I could remember the right command. > kill proc PR_Bot." Uh-huh, that just about sums it up. Seriously, how many people actually remember this game, or would pay $15 for it? If there was ever any question about the Xbox Originals system being misguided over the last few updates, we fear the answer is quite clear now.
Blowout headed to Xbox Originals (wait, what?)
If you happened to catch a recent Twitter update from Major Nelson, you may have already discovered that BlowOut is the next title headed to Xbox Originals. Supposing this is the first you've heard of it -- Gamerscore Blog just made it official -- we imagine your reaction is much the same as ours was. That is to say a reaction of complete puzzlement. It's not that we think BlowOut is a poor choice for Xbox Originals (an accusation we could level at many previous choices). No, it's that we have no idea what BlowOut is. We canvassed our coworkers and no one remembers BlowOut. At all.Thankfully, it appears the game's official website is still active and we think it tells you everything you need to know. It's a side scroller. You shoot things. A lot. Oh, and the tagline is priceless. It concerns the game's main character, a space marine nicknamed Dutch. Ahem: "Mess with Dutch, don't live much!!!" (Note the triple exclamation points. Very important.) BlowOut will hit Marketplace on January 19th for 1200 Microsoft Points.
