Most exciting screenshot evarrrr Do you remember when Microsoft said it was going to be producing loads of TV shows, with the help of people like Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott and that? That was pretty exiting wasn't it? Whatever happened to that?
What happened was this: last summer, Microsoft closed down its Xbox Entertainment Studios, effectively slamming a foot in the face of its original programming ambitions.
It looked like original Xbox Live TV shows were deader than a duck with its lungs in a vice... Until this week, when Microsoft announced a new show starring popular comedian Will Arnett.
But wait! Grasp your hems afore ye get too excited! There are no signs that this is going to usher in a new era of exciting Xbox-only programming: it's a far cry from the original intentions for Xbox-only TV shows, and seems to consist of Arnett sitting on a sofa with his mates, talking about the Xbox games they're playing (trailer at the bottom of this article).
Displaying the sort of unbridled creative thinking that led to the creation of the wheel, the painting of the Sistine Chapel, and Pop Tarts, the show will be called "Game Chat". Well done there.
But what of Microsoft's other TV projects?
What happened was this: last summer, Microsoft closed down its Xbox Entertainment Studios, effectively slamming a foot in the face of its original programming ambitions.
It looked like original Xbox Live TV shows were deader than a duck with its lungs in a vice... Until this week, when Microsoft announced a new show starring popular comedian Will Arnett.
But wait! Grasp your hems afore ye get too excited! There are no signs that this is going to usher in a new era of exciting Xbox-only programming: it's a far cry from the original intentions for Xbox-only TV shows, and seems to consist of Arnett sitting on a sofa with his mates, talking about the Xbox games they're playing (trailer at the bottom of this article).
Displaying the sort of unbridled creative thinking that led to the creation of the wheel, the painting of the Sistine Chapel, and Pop Tarts, the show will be called "Game Chat". Well done there.
But what of Microsoft's other TV projects?
Even the poster is boring DEAD THINGS
Among the apparent casualties of Microsoft's imploding enthusiasm-blimp were Blake's 7 - a remake of the much-loved, but not-actually-much-cop BBC sci-fi series - and Signal to Noise, a six-part documentary series about the games industry,
Though never officially announced, we know for a fact that Microsoft was working with a British production company to develop a fantasy comedy series based upon one of its properties - like a sort of cross between Blackadder and Game of Thrones - because TV's Mr Biffo was approached to work on it. We can't really say more than that because... non-disclosure agreements. Suffice to say, it all went off the boil once Xbox Entertainment Studios closed, and to the best of our knowledge the project choked on its own sternum.
Humans, a co-production with Channel 4, from a couple of the writers of Spooks, is still going ahead, albeit without Microsoft's input. An adaptation of a Swedish sci-fi about robotic humanoids in a parallel present, it's due to air on Channel 4 in the UK and AMC in the US later this year.
With hindsight, maybe it's not such a bad thing that Microsoft is getting out of TV production. The much-touted Halo: Nightfall - the only production thus far to survive the closure of Xbox Entertainment Studios - was generic and dull, despite Ridley Scott's alleged involvement. Then again, y'know... hardly a massive surprise. Prometheus, anyone?
Steven Spielberg was, apparently, also working on a Halo TV series, which was scheduled for launch later this year alongside Halo 5: Guardians, but there's scant information as to whether that's still going ahead. We'd bet this: it isn't.
Among the apparent casualties of Microsoft's imploding enthusiasm-blimp were Blake's 7 - a remake of the much-loved, but not-actually-much-cop BBC sci-fi series - and Signal to Noise, a six-part documentary series about the games industry,
Though never officially announced, we know for a fact that Microsoft was working with a British production company to develop a fantasy comedy series based upon one of its properties - like a sort of cross between Blackadder and Game of Thrones - because TV's Mr Biffo was approached to work on it. We can't really say more than that because... non-disclosure agreements. Suffice to say, it all went off the boil once Xbox Entertainment Studios closed, and to the best of our knowledge the project choked on its own sternum.
Humans, a co-production with Channel 4, from a couple of the writers of Spooks, is still going ahead, albeit without Microsoft's input. An adaptation of a Swedish sci-fi about robotic humanoids in a parallel present, it's due to air on Channel 4 in the UK and AMC in the US later this year.
With hindsight, maybe it's not such a bad thing that Microsoft is getting out of TV production. The much-touted Halo: Nightfall - the only production thus far to survive the closure of Xbox Entertainment Studios - was generic and dull, despite Ridley Scott's alleged involvement. Then again, y'know... hardly a massive surprise. Prometheus, anyone?
Steven Spielberg was, apparently, also working on a Halo TV series, which was scheduled for launch later this year alongside Halo 5: Guardians, but there's scant information as to whether that's still going ahead. We'd bet this: it isn't.
Powers: strike a pose WHAT OF SONY, DEAR?
Of course, Sony also has its eye on original PlayStation programming, but has been somewhat more cautious when it comes to announcements. Thus far, the only imminent production is Powers - a super-hero detective show, based upon the comic series by Brian Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming.
The company is also, apparently, working on a Ratchet & Clank movie, for some reason.
Of course, Sony has an advantage that Microsoft doesn't - it already has a long history of producing films and TV shows - but is clearly waiting to see how Powers goes down before vomiting up any further production news.
OOH - SHAME!
It's a bit of a shame, really, that Xbox should have so publicly soiled itself. We're firm believers that linear TV programming has had its day, and Xbox Entertainment Studios genuinely seemed to be developing some interesting stuff.
We dare say that Microsoft still has its eye on original programming - the Will Arnett thing would certainly imply that - but it's unlikely to risk embarrassing itself a second time, by going all out with the enthusiasm, and then realising its ambition stretched further than its foreskin. Or something.
Of course, Sony also has its eye on original PlayStation programming, but has been somewhat more cautious when it comes to announcements. Thus far, the only imminent production is Powers - a super-hero detective show, based upon the comic series by Brian Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming.
The company is also, apparently, working on a Ratchet & Clank movie, for some reason.
Of course, Sony has an advantage that Microsoft doesn't - it already has a long history of producing films and TV shows - but is clearly waiting to see how Powers goes down before vomiting up any further production news.
OOH - SHAME!
It's a bit of a shame, really, that Xbox should have so publicly soiled itself. We're firm believers that linear TV programming has had its day, and Xbox Entertainment Studios genuinely seemed to be developing some interesting stuff.
We dare say that Microsoft still has its eye on original programming - the Will Arnett thing would certainly imply that - but it's unlikely to risk embarrassing itself a second time, by going all out with the enthusiasm, and then realising its ambition stretched further than its foreskin. Or something.
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