Head of Xbox Phil Spencer was a guest on the Dropped Frames podcast yesterday, and was asked specifically about what Microsoft's plans are for the Killer Instinct IP, which has remained somewhat dormant for the past few years.
In response, Spencer highlighted that the team "loves the franchise and the community response," and there's a desire to do something with Killer Instinct in the future, but it needs to be the right team and opportunity.
“It’s not out of our minds that - it might be out of our minds - but it’s in our hearts and in our minds that we want to continue to do something with Killer Instinct."
“It’s about finding the right team and the right opportunity, but it is not due to any kind of lack of desire on our part that we’re not doing more with KI because we love the franchise and the community response.”
We've been hearing rumours along these lines throughout the year, and developer Iron Galaxy, who worked on Seasons 2 and 3 of Killer Instinct for Xbox One, stated back in May that it would "consider" the opportunity if presented.
For now, there's no sign of any concrete plans for Killer Instinct moving forward, but it's reassuring to know that the head of Xbox is very keen to "do something" with it in the future. Let's hope an idea eventually comes to fruition!
What do you want to see from Killer Instinct down the line? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 21
Xbox has Killer Instinct 3, that has been expanded and updated. It looks and plays great and it's included in Game Pass. What about Banjo-Kazooie? Viva Piñata? Conker?
I think the Xbox One version didn't catch on that much as it was released before Game Pass and during that weird time where fighting games started doing the F2P portion of a game with the hope people liked it and paid full price.
I think if they did a properly supported Killer Instinct game now with Game Pass so popular, it would stand a much better chance.
Idk why he's not on the offense for a studio to make banjo and conkers. Xbox needs platformers.
Revive Banjo-Kazooie and make it the Ratchet and Clank of the Xbox. Revive Killer Instinct add a story mode to it and make it a real competitor to Mortal Kombat.
Should be MS’ answer to Smash Bros. They started it by putting RAAM, Rash and the Arbiter in there why not expand to other IP?
@elpardo1984 that is a great comment. Add other xbox characters in it. Like have Master Chief fight Marcus Fenix or have General Raam fight the Didact. Would be epic.
A very good and underrated fighting game. I think launching it with a VERY limited roster so early was the reason for less people getting into it.
Would rather a top end AAA platform game in the 3D Mario type mould or a Mario Kart type franchise.
I guess sometimes companies like Microsoft and Sony think to try a sort of copy Mario platform or karting is near impossible and it doesn’t have the legacy or nostalgia to take off after decades of history. So why try to compete in that arena just leave that to Nintendo it’s what they excel at.
@Chaudy
Good idea there especially B&K.
Xbox really lacks in that direction.
Nintendo have Mario platform.
Sony have Ratchet and Clank, a bit different.
Xbox, not a top AAA in that department.
I disagree asking for a new platform game, I am not against it, but Psychonauts 2 is almost done and is coming to fill that hole. A new Killer Instinct seems more accurate since it is the only fighting game exclusive on Xbox
Not that I don't want a new platformer or anything. However, this is a fighter and the ONLY fighter Xbox has. Why not make sure this one is done?! Killer Instinct was by far one of the best fighters last gen. Easily. Should definitely get a reputable dev to put some tlc in this lovable and respected franchise.
@Royalblues Oh the Powers Rangers Team is a good choice.
My top choice is of course NetherRealms.
Good!!! I was so happy to see KI return on XB1 such an under appreciated fighter.
Gotta have a good story mode like mk does now.
@BlueOcean @Dezzy70 @Chaudy
I'm sure that Xbox Game Studios is well aware that there is a lot of demand for the returnal of both Banjo-Kazooie and Conker.
Phil Spencer himself has already said that he wanted more family games, rated E, on Xbox.
I believe the case for Banjo and Conker is pretty much the same as Killer Instinct: no internal studio is available to work on it at the moment. Or even wants to. But when they find "the right team and the right opportunity", they will make it. Like they did with KI itself and Battletoads.
@Magabro I hope so, Banjo and Kazooie are my favourite video game characters as anyone can see 😁.
@Magabro
Rather than waiting to find the right team if you want to make a serious stake in that sort of game on the AAA front against Mario or Ratchet & Clank you pick the right studio and plan the development in.
It all seems a bit to wishy washy and obviously not taken as a serious investment in that platform game AAA development.
And if that’s the case that is fair enough and what I think is true.
It’s like Fable is being taken AAA studio seriously, Planned in with Playground Games. Probably their best studio.
Rare should move Everwild aside and work in Banjo-Kazooie now. Microsoft should acquire Playtonic. Banjo should be part of the Xbox brand.
@BlueOcean
I have championed for Playtonic before with Banjo.
Even if Microsoft just paid them to do it like Sony did Sumo Digital with Sack boy last year, it seemed to work well.
I do think Xbox needs more relationships like this with developers that can make very very good games or total remakes.
@Dezzy70 Psychonauts 2 will likely be great but that's a different kind. The only thing that Xbox is lacking is platformers. Even Lucky Swiftail is on PS and Switch now. Xbox don't have these games since Xbox 360. No Banjo-Kazooie and no Conker. Viva Piñata would also bring some variety, fun and humour. Killer Instinct and Battletoads happened so there's hope. Phil Spencer has already said that he wants more games like these on Xbox so come on.
@BlueOcean
Maybe one day, but I hope it goes to very good studio and treated as a AAA, only then will we get the game we wish for completely.
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