Peter Molyneux has revealed he was aware of the original plans for Microsoft’s Next Xbox, though he isn’t aware if the company has stuck to them.
In an interview with IGN, the founder of Lionhead and 22cans revealed his hopes that Microsoft will focus on creating “the ultimate gaming console” and not be sidetracked into making an all-round entertainment device.
“Well, it’s a weird one for me because of course I was there and I knew what the original plans were, and that’s a year old now,” he shared. “It’ll be fascinating to see how much they’ve stuck to those original plans and how much they’ve deviated.
For me, it’s very simple with the Xbox; I just want the ultimate gaming console.
“I think, for me, it’s very simple with the Xbox; I just want the ultimate gaming console. Okay, there’s a lot of things they could shove in that box which are kind of about the living room, Netflix and about Facebook, Twittering and stuff like that. Well, I don’t want any of that. I just want the ultimate gamer’s device.
“If they focus on that I’ll be a happy bunny. If they get distracted, and overly distracted, by trying to play catch-up with some of the Glass and touch technology that’s out there, not because it makes sense for games but because that’s something they feel they have to do, then I’m going to be miffed.”
He also revealed that, while impressed by Sony’s conference, he isn’t overly worried about Microsoft’s ability to rise to the challenge of delivering an equally impressive event on May 21.
“Sony were very impressive, but Microsoft are brilliant, just brilliant at doing their stage shows,” he explained. “In terms of showing off the new hardware I’m sure they’re going to do a fabulous job.
“The big question left in my mind and lots of people’s minds, I think, is are they going to be saying this is the ultimate gaming console or this is something everyone should have in their living room? Because those two messages…trying to mix those two messages may just end up confusing people. But if anyone can get that message clearly across, they can.”
Are they going to say this is the ultimate gaming console, or something everyone should have in their living room?
One of the titles rumoured to be appearing on Microsoft’s next console is an MMO based on the Fable franchise, especially given the recent choice of Molyneux’s successor at Lionhead. Seeing as he helped create the IP, what does Molyneux think about the idea? Well, as it turns out, it isn’t exactly a new one.
“When we were brainstorming what to do next in Fable, there was always a, 'Maybe we should go and do the MMO route?',” he shared. “There were theories about how you would level up and class up and what the classes would be and so on, but we never got out of the brainstorming segment of that.
“I can see that that would work. The thing about Fable is that it was such a rich world. It was, well, what the name says it is. It’s all about Fable and Albion and this idea of legends and humour. RPGs are great for MMO transitions. I can see that that concept works, and works quite well. I think the charm of Fable was in the feeling of the world and definitely the humour. If they keep that in an MMO, then there’s no reason why it shouldn’t do reasonably well, I don’t think.”
Molyneux’s departed Fable-developers Lionhead last March, just over a year ago. Since then he’s founded 22cans and revealed two projects; the already-released Curiosity and the upcoming Godus. To discover how the lessons learned from the former have influenced the creation of the latter, as well as just how many layers remain in his mysterious cube experiment, check out the first part of this interview.
Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Junior Editor and keen Cube explorer. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.
Source : ign[dot]com
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