In 2013, Microsoft briefly showed off a teaser for a spy game codenamed Project Ranger, which was in development by Blue Tusk Studios–the studio that later rebranded itself as The Collective. Project Ranger was abandoned over a decade ago, but a new report has shed some light on what was meant to be Xbox’s answer to Uncharted.
Liam Robertson’s Did You Know Gaming channel has posted an in-depth look back at Project Ranger, which Microsoft and Black Tusk initially had high hopes for. Although the 30-second teaser took place in Shanghai, the report describes it as “Uncharted with spies,” and a third-person action shooter that would have featured missions set in cities all over the world.
The project was said to be influenced by the Mission: Impossible movies, with a touch of James Bond through the gadgets that the player’s character could use against his enemies. There was reportedly consideration towards giving the game some Kinect functionality, including the ability to use voice chat to get tips from the main character’s handler. However, those controls would have also been available without using Kinect.
This is an interesting look back at Project Ranger! It’s always fascinating to hear about canceled projects and what could have been. Xbox’s ambition to challenge major titles like Uncharted shows their commitment to innovation in gaming.
I agree, it’s intriguing to see what could have been! Project Ranger had the potential to bring a fresh perspective to the action-adventure genre, especially with its unique spy elements. It’s a reminder of how many innovative ideas can sometimes never make it to the final stage.
Absolutely, it really makes you wonder how it could have influenced the action-adventure genre. The concept of blending espionage with engaging storytelling could have offered a fresh perspective that fans were craving. Plus, with the advancements in technology since then, it might have set a new standard for immersive gameplay.
It’s interesting to think about how Project Ranger might have introduced new mechanics or storytelling elements to the genre. Given its ambition to rival Uncharted, it could have pushed other developers to innovate even further in their games.