Mon, May 02, 2011 | 15:51 BST
MS Vancouver developing AAA “core” shooter for Kinect
Microsoft has opened a new first party studio in Vancouver, Canada, which is apparently working on a “core AAA shooter experience using Kinect.”
Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver has just launched its official website. The site describes the studio as being tasked with making games for “core” gamers:
”MGS Vancouver is building a world-class development team in Vancouver, BC, Canada, dedicated to making games for “core” gamers. Our mission is to push the limits of proven and unexplored game development and show the world what’s possible on Microsoft’s game consoles. And yes, we’re also an awesome place to work!”
A NeoGaf member has apparently discovered what the studio’s working on, as referenced on the personal website of developer Shawn Woods.
Shawn’s resume mentions that he’s currently employed with the studio, which was initially tasked with creating social microtransaction games, but has since moved on to develop a core AAA shooter experience using Kinect.
Says his CV:
“CAREER HISTORY
Microsoft Game Studios (Zipline Studios)
Feb 2010 to Present
Vancouver, Canada
Art Director/Senior Artist (Characters)
Original team member in a new studio with a start-up mentality, hired a team of artists to create social microtransaction games. Over the course of the year, our studio strategy has changed and now focuses on developing a core AAA shooter experience using Kinect. Member of the MGS Creative Councel to promote job training to artists across all Microsoft Game Studios.”
The studio must have been around since February 2010 since his resumes mentions that he’s working with them since then.
You can also apply for a job with the studio over here.
MGS Vancouver is based on a different site to BigPark Studios, another Vancouver developer acquired by Microsoft in 2009.
Expect Microsoft to make an announcement at E3 this year.
11 comments
#1
Razor
02/05/11, 3:57 pm
Open since Feb 2010?
Kept that quiet.
#2
Erthazus
02/05/11, 4:00 pm
Shooter for kinect?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhqg1uJz1Cc there is one already. Pew Pew Pew.
#3
rrw
02/05/11, 4:52 pm
so in the future we only use sound to play game
oh wait
http://vimeo.com/21860731
#4
_LarZen_
02/05/11, 5:27 pm
Here we go again….
#5
Moonwalker1982
02/05/11, 5:31 pm
Cool news, finally a core game for Kinect. Hope it turns out well.
#6
Crab of Thunder
02/05/11, 5:56 pm
Yeah, we’ll see. I expect they’ll have to make compromises somewhere.
#7
Moonwalker1982
02/05/11, 7:00 pm
I doubt you will be really walking around using kinect,looking aruond and shooting. That sounds too good really.
#8
Nozz
02/05/11, 7:07 pm
Surely this will be on rails or similar?
I’m interested to see what comes of this.
#9
Ge0force
02/05/11, 7:30 pm
Microsoft is redefining “core game” to anything that’s not a fitness or party game.
Imo Kinect is not able to go further than on-rails shooters with heavy auto-aim or even auto-fire as in Child of Eden and Gunstringer. Just mark the target, the AI finishes the job. Core gaming of the next generation, yay!
#10
Erthazus
02/05/11, 7:34 pm
Every console game that is not fitness or party is always for some (idiots) Gamers HARD CORE or CORE or “SOMETHINGSUPERCOOLTHATWILLMAKEMECOOLERTHENTHECASUALPLAYERTHATPLAYFITNESSGAMES”
Kinect is very limited. Without a peripheral or controller you can’t do much. you are just going to do what is in the video in my first post.
but i do see kinect working with the controller. In my opinion it can enchance the experience.
#11
Bloodyghost
02/05/11, 7:42 pm
I can see this working.
I have thought up of several different games, FPS Adventure Shooters, that could immerse a player farther into the experience with the addition of a Kinect.
Its damn hard to make it a polished AAA game since this is me thinking up some concepts but its possible.
I can see this game being the “Controller AND Kinect” game. I have a Kinect downstairs and only my kids use it but I would be interested in this device come Steel Batallion and others.
SELL it MS, and I will come. If you add Kinect and it doesnt help the experience or make it better then its not good. From Software seems to be using those 100 some buttons for Steel Battalion on Xbox all on the Kinect and Controller which is possible.
Remember guys that MS says you can use the controller and Kinect as one so the Kinect wont have the FPS problem Wii and Move have.