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  Microsoft cancels entire XSN Sports range for 2004
Time: 09:02 EST/14:02 GMT | News Source: E-Mail | Posted By: Byron Hinson

Xbox software line-up takes a hit as MS ditches XSN titles. The Xbox product line-up received a major setback today, with Microsoft announcing its decision to cancel the entire range of XSN Sports titles for the console this year, citing quality issues with the games in the line-up. The company now plans to focus on reviving the XSN range in 2005, effectively missing out a full year's worth of annual updates, with the only XSN game still on the schedules for this year being the externally developed RalliSport Challenge 2.

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#1 By 3653 (209.149.57.116) at Tuesday, March 30, 2004 11:01:37 PM
Interesting move on MSFT's part. I assume that those with NFL Fever 2003 (for example) will still get roster updates. So, the only thing different will be the regular incremental feature upgrades for the year. IF they are telling the truth that this is necessary to up the quality to beat EA, then this could be a very shrewd move. Too bad we'll have to wait a couple of years (actually, I guess its only a single year, seeing as how the games are due in the next few months) to see if the bet was worth it.

In the meantime, the XSN network is up and running as usual.

This post was edited by mooresa56 on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 23:03.

#2 By 37 (67.38.160.172) at Wednesday, March 31, 2004 03:46:48 PM
All this says is that they are skipping the 2004 year line up (2005 titles) and starting again in 2005 (with 2006 titles). Taking a year off to work on quality and look at who should develop the XSN titles.

#3 By 37 (67.38.160.172) at Wednesday, March 31, 2004 03:59:30 PM
Reposting (accidentally deleted comment thinking I was replying...I have too much power on this site damn it :-)

#3 By Halcyon-X12 (524 Posts) at 3/30/2004 10:22:39 PM [Delete | Nullify]
That's a shame, this could've been MS's strongest market. This was MS's big advantage over EA and SEGA's sports games, and over its other console competitors (strong integrated online lineup). Although, in general, sports games don't sell as well as other titles (They barely achieve high ranking sales, and gamers get tired of updating their version every year).

At one point, MS was buying all kinds of sports properties such as 3DO's High Heat MLB, and at one point MS was rumored to be considering buying Midway. (They must have a lot of 2nd parties right now.) Now MS is cancelling major investments in the X-Box?

How is this supposed to inspire confidence in X-Box or Live? At least if MS could dominate in one area it could move from there...

This post was edited by Halcyon-X12 on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 22:30.



 

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