Blizzard's Rob Pardo has confirmed that his company has had talks with Microsoft about the successor to the Xbox 360.
Speaking at the Luminaries Lunch today during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Pardo would only state that Blizzard is actively in discussions with Microsoft, seemingly confirming the development process of new console hardware is under way.
However, other developers at the lunch have not spoken to either Microsoft or Sony about future plans, which has raised concerns that content isn't a priority for format holders as they plan the next-generation of home machines.
"How many designers in the games industry do you think they are rounding up to [talk to], because this is going to make or break them this time around," said Acclaim's David Perry.
"I'm not aware that they are putting a big amount of effort into finding out how to make the games. The people who are actually physically going to make the games are all going to get a surprise," he added.
Warren Spector, boss of Disney's Junction Point Studios and responsible for classic titles such as Deus Ex, said that he believes format holders are too concerned with the wider entertainment market to focus on games.
"I get the impression they're focusing on owning the living room," he said. "One device that lets you watch movies, television and play games and music and all that stuff.
"They're so focused on that that I'm not even sure they're thinking about the games that are going to come out. Which is kind of crazy." he added.
Pardo said that so far there's been a good reason why Blizzard titles such as World of Warcraft haven't appeared on home consoles ? the hardware hasn't been specifically designed around some genres.
"There are are so many games like we make at Blizzard that we don't take to consoles because they don't support the input device and you end up with crappy ports. That's why RTS games never do well on consoles," he said.
"If I was them, I'd be sitting around trying to figure out what's a cool input device that supports all types of new kinds of games."
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Could this mean Blizzard games will be coming to the next Xbox? Could Diablo 3 be a launch Xbox game?
I really think that the next iteration of consoles should come STANDARD (thats right) with a damn keyboard and mouse. Take the step towards PC gaming. I think the article is right - you're going to see this shift towards a console that is going to be like a computer, gaming system and entertainment center all in one. Heck - you might see Windows 7 on the next Xbox. They might as well sell a damn computer to people - thats what its shaping up to be.
They might as well sell a damn computer to people - thats what its shaping up to be.
Yeah but then they wouldn't be able to sell people both a computer and a computer which they just happen to call a console. If People are stupid enough to buy both so why not make more money right?
I don't really have any good reason why, but I'd like to see PC games stay on the PC and not be ported to consoles. Soon there wont be any PC exclusive games and that sucks. If Blizzard does form some kind of agreement with Microsoft for the next Xbox I hope they develop a new game designed for that system, not just a port of a PC game like Diablo 3. Here's hoping...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You must find the courage to step through this gate...
Blizzard's Rob Pardo has confirmed that his company has had talks with Microsoft about the successor to the Xbox 360.
Speaking at the Luminaries Lunch today during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Pardo would only state that Blizzard is actively in discussions with Microsoft, seemingly confirming the development process of new console hardware is under way.
However, other developers at the lunch have not spoken to either Microsoft or Sony about future plans, which has raised concerns that content isn't a priority for format holders as they plan the next-generation of home machines.
"How many designers in the games industry do you think they are rounding up to [talk to], because this is going to make or break them this time around," said Acclaim's David Perry.
"I'm not aware that they are putting a big amount of effort into finding out how to make the games. The people who are actually physically going to make the games are all going to get a surprise," he added.
Warren Spector, boss of Disney's Junction Point Studios and responsible for classic titles such as Deus Ex, said that he believes format holders are too concerned with the wider entertainment market to focus on games.
"I get the impression they're focusing on owning the living room," he said. "One device that lets you watch movies, television and play games and music and all that stuff.
"They're so focused on that that I'm not even sure they're thinking about the games that are going to come out. Which is kind of crazy." he added.
Pardo said that so far there's been a good reason why Blizzard titles such as World of Warcraft haven't appeared on home consoles ? the hardware hasn't been specifically designed around some genres.
"There are are so many games like we make at Blizzard that we don't take to consoles because they don't support the input device and you end up with crappy ports. That's why RTS games never do well on consoles," he said.
"If I was them, I'd be sitting around trying to figure out what's a cool input device that supports all types of new kinds of games."
---
Could this mean Blizzard games will be coming to the next Xbox? Could Diablo 3 be a launch Xbox game?
Yeah but then they wouldn't be able to sell people both a computer and a computer which they just happen to call a console. If People are stupid enough to buy both so why not make more money right?