However, the Minecraft Super Duper Graphics Pack never actually materialized, with Mojang later claiming it wasn't workable. Microsoft commissioned an entire musical to advertise the Minecraft Super Duper Graphics Pack, which was supposed to add some PC-like graphical flair to the Xbox console version of the game. Microsoft and Mojang have also had some pretty prolific disconnects in communication. Mojang essentially operates independently as well, with Microsoft providing support on marketing delivery and things like that. Mojang is another example of what Microsoft calls a "limited integration" property. The imminent 2023 Xbox Games Showcase has ditched the "Xbox & Bethesda Showcase" branding from last year, potentially signaling increased levels of integration. Xbox fans will be hoping to learn what upcoming Xbox games are on the horizon. On paper, it makes sense to divide responsibilities for managing content delivery when Xbox has grown so large and unwieldy, but I'm not sure Xbox has correctly anticipated or gauged how failures at ZeniMax would instead be attributed to Microsoft, rather than ZeniMax as a quasi-separate entity. Other teams need to be responsible for their own stuff, but I think there's a fair question to be made with regard to oversight and intra-property support, and cohesion. ZeniMax is a huge company in its own right, comprised of 2,300 employees. There are only so many physical human hours in the day. Spencer oversees the entire business as a whole and speaking completely realistically, it shouldn't fall on him to get into the minutiae of every single game launching under the brand. Booty's role is to handle franchises that are internal at Xbox, including Age of Empires, Flight Simulator, Forza, and so on. ZeniMax has a completely separate process for developing and shipping games, and it wasn't within Matt Booty's remit to be handling Redfall as well as the several other Xbox Game Studios that are currently under his purview. ZeniMax is still operating as a separate entity, for better or worse. ![]() People have been asking why Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer didn't delay Redfall, or why Xbox Game Studios lead Matt Booty didn't ensure a basic level of quality. To call what happened with Redfall "teething problems" is probably an understatement (and also a hilarious pun, 'cuz you know, vampires n' that.) But, like it or not, it's absolutely true that Redfall flew under Xbox's radar. but should it have been?Īcquisitions are difficult, mergers are harder, and despite what pundits online say, Xbox and ZeniMax are still integrating. Increasingly, though, I think Microsoft and ZeniMax both need to realize that they are now linked, and the actions of one reflects on the other. Microsoft has been eager to maintain a level of independence at the studios it has acquired, to help maintain those studio's cultures and expectations. Microsoft purchased ZeniMax a couple of years ago, earning itself franchises like Fallout, DOOM, and The Elder Scrolls in the process. However, I have been told by multiple sources that Xbox was entirely hands-off with the project, and that the game doesn't fall under Xbox Game Studios' director Matt Booty's responsibilities - because rightly or wrongly, right now, Arkane is not an Xbox Game Studio by internal definition. ![]() Redfall doesn't even vaguely approach the quality bar expected of Arkane, and indeed, Xbox itself. However, I can't help but feel that's incredibly far from the truth. Studio Director Harvey Smith is responsible for titles like Deus Ex and Dishonored, and previously described Redfall as having "immersive sim" elements, akin to their previous games. It's not just the fact that it's buggy, it's just a hollow game compared to titles Arkane has previously been known for. I'm still gathering evidence on exactly why or how Redfall was allowed to release in this state. After playing Redfall, I immediately had to go and install 2017's Prey to check that I wasn't going crazy, and demonstrably, Redfall feels like it was made by a completely different studio - an utterly inferior studio. ![]() To say Redfall is a step down in quality for Arkane Austin is an understatement. I noted in my Redfall review that the best compliment I could perhaps give the game is that I don't hate it, which isn't exactly a shining endorsement. There's been some speculation and finger-pointing over the release state of Redfall. Redfall's 63/100 Metacritic average once again has Xbox's exclusives output in the spotlight.
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