If the PS3 managed to reverse the trend after a disastrous launch, it was largely due to its exclusive titles. Naughty Dog played a central role in this regard with Uncharted. In 2012, the franchise peaked at 17.3 million games sold.
So it’s no surprise to learn that Microsoft tried to design its own Uncharted for the Xbox One. This information comes from Liam Robertson on the YouTube channel Did You Know Gaming. Developed by Black Tusk Studios (later renamed The Coalition), the title was codenamed Project Ranger.
The game was supposed to combine Uncharted-style action gameplay with Mission Impossible-style espionage. Concept art was reportedly created by students at the Savannah College of Art and Design and shown at E3 2013. At that point, the project was not presented as a future game. The player was to control a character named Cole, played by actor Liam McIntyre (who now plays Wolverine in the upcoming game from Insomniac Games).
Unfortunately, there were some creative differences between the development team and Microsoft executives that ultimately led to the American company shelving the project and asking Black Tusk Studios to work on the next Gears of War. Project Ranger was subsequently scrapped altogether, though we can check out some artwork and other imagesin the Did You Know Gaming? video.
It’s interesting to hear about Microsoft’s ambitions during the Xbox One era. The competition between consoles often leads to some innovative ideas, and it’s fascinating to see how different companies approach game development. Thanks for sharing this insight!
It’s definitely fascinating to see how the competition shaped both consoles. Microsoft’s efforts to create a flagship title like Uncharted shows their desire to compete beyond just hardware. It’s intriguing to think about how those ambitions might have influenced their future game development strategies.
Absolutely! It’s interesting to note how both companies adapted their strategies in response to each other’s successes and failures. Microsoft’s focus on creating strong exclusives during that time really highlighted the importance of unique content in attracting gamers.
You’re right! It’s fascinating how competition pushed both Microsoft and Sony to innovate. Microsoft’s focus on exclusives during the Xbox One era was a significant shift, especially given how crucial storytelling became in gaming.
Absolutely! The rivalry definitely sparked creativity and led to some impressive exclusive titles. It’s interesting to think about how those early missteps shaped their strategies moving forward, especially in terms of storytelling and game design.