More partners/Ex-Square Enix staff join Mistwalker

[X2]

www.xbox365.com

Discreet to Support Next Generation of Xbox
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Discreet, the media and entertainment division of Autodesk has announced that its 3ds max software is aligned as a leading 3D animation solution to support the next generation Xbox platform. The Discreet division of Autodesk has been a close partner with Microsoft since the introduction of the OX (Original Xbox), with the most 3ds max-created game titles for Xbox on the market above any other digital content creation (DCC) tool.

The new Xbox platform will feature high-definition graphics that will fundamentally change the way games are created -- and will advance the game and entertainment experience for consumers. Autodesk 3ds max software provides the most advanced 3D pipeline solution available for Xbox game developers, to help them effectively create and ship new game titles.

"Since Microsoft premiered the Xbox console game platform in 2001, the Discreet division of Autodesk has been an integral game pipeline development partner with Microsoft," said Tracey Frankcom, Program Manager, Xbox Tools and Middleware. "As we look forward to the next generation Xbox platform, great tools will be what enable the game developer to unleash the full potential of the hardware to deliver the most creative and compelling content. Discreet and Autodesk continue to offer some of the best DCC tools for game developers worldwide -- that not only streamlines workflow, but ultimately helps them deliver exciting, high-quality Xbox game titles as we move forward into the era of High-Definition gaming," added Frankcom.

Many of the most popular recent Xbox titles were developed using 3ds max software including Halo 2 (Bungie Software), Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (LucasArts), and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (Ubisoft) among many others.

"Committed to remain the premiere 3D pipeline of choice for Microsoft Xbox game developers, Autodesk 3ds max software development will continue to provide direct support for the next generation Xbox platform," said Marc Petit, vice president product development and operations, Discreet. "Game developers are under constant pressure to stay ahead of the curve to meet consumer and market demands, and with 3ds max software support for the Xbox console gaming platform, we are making those demands much easier to meet."

The xbox must be something awesome. I don't think it so much of the power, but the balance of power.

Ex-Square Enix staff join Mistwalker

Former Final Fantasy developers team up with Hironobu Sakaguchi on Xbox Next RPG titles.

According to the latest issue of Famitsu magazine, two former developers at Square Enix are working under Hironobu Sakagichi's label Mistwalker, and they are participating in the creation of two role-playing games for Microsoft's next-generation console, commonly referred to as the Xbox Next.

Daisuke Fukugawa, who worked on PlayStation titles Final Fantasy Tactics and Legend of Mana, is in charge as project director for Mistwalker's Xbox Next RPG development. Fukagawa’s job is to organize what's happening in development alongside Sakaguchi, although it isn't clear if he's working on one or both of the RPG titles. Sakaguchi also has one of Square's very first 3D modelers working for his studio. Hiroshi Arai, a graphic designer who's worked on 3D games since Final Fantasy VII and had supervised the 3D modeling in Final Fantasy IX, is handling the modeling for one or both of the Xbox Next RPGs as well.

Sakaguchi comments in the interview that the developments on the two RPGs are going very smoothly, although its pre-production stages have taken some time. The games are being co-created by Mistwalker and Microsoft Gaming Studios. Mistwalker makes the game's contents such as its script and music, while Microsoft Gaming Studios works on the technical aspects, such as the actual coding. Over one hundred employees will be involved in the development of the two games.

Sakaguchi revealed that the two RPGs for the Xbox next are the only games that he is currently making for next-generation consoles, which hints that he doesn’t have anything going for the PlayStation 3 right now. Sakaguchi commented that he decided to make games for the Xbox Next because of his relations to staffs at Xbox Japan, and not because of the machine’s specs. Xbox Japan chief Yoshihiro Maruyama and Microsoft Game Studios Japan R & D chief Hiroshi Kawai were both former employees of Square. Sakaguchi also added that he has no interests in getting involved in the next-generation console war.

How many more?

[The_One]

Hehehe... There's one thing you seemed to have missed, X2. And that's the golden bullet. Okay okay, I'm just fooling with you. However, you really did miss something. The reason why so many devs are jumping on the XBox 2 bandwagon is because it's being released FIRST. Trust me, a few months before PS3 releases, go search for PS3 news, I bet LOADS of devs are going to pledge their allegance to the PS3 too... Really, it's not the console that matters, it's the timing, and in this case, XBox 2 definately have the better timing. But timing can change... Hehehe, you just watch .

[Grayhawkz]

being the first to release could be a good thing but its like any race if you dont pace your self and keep a good steady run then you will not survive so well see what sony has planned and see if microsoft can keep up

[Chaotic_King]

It's not the hardware they are attracted to (They've already said that) It's because of Maruyama and Kawai that they chose Microsoft.

[heerokenshin]

Well it seems that any of you who like to brag about your Gamer Scores will have to keep it to your Xbox Live account. Sony will not support this feature this go round.

Sony claims that they left out Gamer Scores because "It's very difficult to draw analogies [between] your success on SOCOM and your success on Madden. Madden players care about peoples' success on Madden."

With this theory in mind, Madden has made more of an emphasis on game specific leaderboards to let gamers brag about their skills. However, with how open Sony has been with the developers on letting them make their own online features, it may be possible for games to have "Acheivements" similar to 360 titles.

One such game with acheivements is Resistance: Fall of Man. In a video walkthrough a week back, the medal system was shown. In this system, players will earn medals for various feats that will be visible to anyone playing on R:FoM.

Come back for more updates soon!

Good job. This one is LIVE. And that's "achievements", by the way. Switch the "i" and "e". Great write up, though. Keep up the good work.

[Rebon]

Good stuff guys!