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Tag Archives: microsoft

Fun Things, Gaming History, Microsoft, PC Gaming

BioWare Co-Founder Reflects on Jade Empire’s Missed Opportunity

Posted on by Owen

Jade Empire, BioWare’s 2005 action RPG set in a world inspired by Chinese mythology, remains a cherished title among retro gaming enthusiasts. Known for its martial arts combat and deep storytelling, it earned praise from critics but struggled commercially, selling under a million copies in its first year. Recently, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk has suggested that its modest success may stem from an ill-timed release, influenced by what he now calls “absolute moronic advice” from Microsoft.

Credit: Steam Community

Speaking on the My Perfect Console podcast, Zeschuk explained that Microsoft encouraged BioWare to launch Jade Empire on the original Xbox in April 2005, just seven months before the Xbox 360 arrived in November. He believes that waiting to release it as an Xbox 360 launch title could have elevated it to the status of BioWare’s later hits, Dragon Age and Mass Effect. “We could have had another franchise,” he remarked, frustrated that the studio followed Xbox’s guidance rather than delaying to refine the game for the new console.

The timing was indeed challenging. By early 2005, the original Xbox, launched in 2001, was nearing the end of its life cycle, and gamers were turning their attention to the next generation. The Xbox 360’s debut lineup, featuring titles like Perfect Dark Zero, lacked a standout RPG—a gap Jade Empire might have filled. Historically, BioWare had built a reputation with classics like Baldur’s Gate and Knights of the Old Republic, making Jade Empire’s unique setting a bold shift that deserved a bigger stage.

Yet, a delay wasn’t without risks. Adapting the game for the Xbox 360 would have demanded extra time and resources, possibly clashing with BioWare’s development of Mass Effect, released in 2007. Still, Zeschuk’s hindsight raises a compelling question for retro gaming fans: could better timing have sparked a Jade Empire series? Today, it endures as a cult classic, its potential tantalisingly unrealised.

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Microsoft

Microsoft Explores AI to Bring Classic Xbox Games Back to Life

Posted on by Owen

Microsoft is looking toward artificial intelligence as a potential tool for reviving classic Xbox titles. The company has hinted at the possibility of using AI-driven technology to enhance, remaster, or even fully restore beloved games from its extensive back catalogue using its Muse technology.

Credit: Microsoft

During a recent discussion, Microsoft executive Phil Spence suggested that AI could assist in modernizing older games by upscaling graphics, improving frame rates, and even restoring missing content. AI-driven restoration techniques have already been used in the gaming industry to remaster textures and voice work, so Microsoft’s move to explore this technology isn’t entirely unexpected.

The potential applications of AI in gaming preservation are vast. From updating older titles with modern features like improved physics and lighting to assisting in porting classic games to newer platforms, AI could play a key role in keeping gaming history accessible to future generations. This initiative aligns with Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to backward compatibility, which has already seen hundreds of legacy Xbox titles made available on newer consoles.

Although Microsoft has yet to confirm specific games that might benefit from AI enhancements, fans have begun speculating on which classics could receive the revival treatment. Titles like Fable, MechAssault, and Crimson Skies remain fan favourites that many would love to see enhanced for modern hardware.

If Microsoft follows through with AI-assisted restoration, it could set a new precedent for the preservation of video game history. With an increasing focus on maintaining and celebrating gaming’s past, AI technology might be the next step toward keeping classic experiences alive for both long-time fans and new audiences.

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Fun Things, Nintendo

Berkshire Hathaway Considered Buying Nintendo (and Activision)

Posted on by Owen

In a recent episode of the Grit Podcast, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that Berkshire Hathaway, led by vice chairman Charlie Munger, once contemplated acquiring Nintendo. Kotick recounted a conversation where Munger suggested purchasing both Activision and Nintendo, noting that Nintendo was valued at $13 billion with $7 billion in cash at the time. Munger humorously remarked that if the investment turned sour after his passing, it could be attributed to “the folly of an 82-year-old.”

This revelation adds to the list of companies that have considered acquiring Nintendo. Notably, Microsoft once approached Nintendo with a buyout offer, which was reportedly met with laughter.

While these discussions never materialized into actual deals, they highlight the gaming industry’s allure to major conglomerates. Nintendo’s enduring success and unique position in the market continue to make it a subject of interest for potential acquisitions.

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