Now that the onslaught of
Spring Showcase information has mostly subsided (we've still got some hands-on impressions on the way), we have some time to reflect. There were many games on display at the Spring Showcase, which makes the absence of two of Microsoft's premiere titles stand out. The games about which we speak are
Alan Wake and
Halo Wars. While
Alan Wake is perhaps less anticipated (thanks to its seemingly eternal development schedule and its status as a new IP), it's pretty strange that a high profile title like
Halo Wars was absent. According to our friends at Joystiq, who spoke to Microsoft on the matter, the Spring Showcase wasn't considered the proper venue for the two games.
It's kind of hard to believe that an event designed around letting journalists try their collective hand at all the latest games isn't the right venue for these games (or any game, really). We suppose it's fair to say that
Alan Wake -- a survival horror game -- might require more intimacy to appreciate, but
Halo Wars? Perhaps Microsoft thought journos wouldn't be able to grasp the controls in the 30-45 minutes of playtime they were allowed.
Whatever the reason behind the decision to leave out two of Microsoft Games Studios' biggest titles from the Spring Showcase, we hope we'll see something soon. And we
really hope that their absence doesn't
portend any delays.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-14-2008 @ 6:13PM
Megias said...
watt noo halo awars :0
Reply
5-14-2008 @ 9:15PM
Sean said...
I bet that including Halo Wars and Alan Wake would have been too much and might overshadow the two Rare titles and come across as too hard core. There is a LOT of interest in this title and I bet they want both to make a BIG splash for this new IP. I suspect they have big plans for Alan Wake at E3 where it can be reintroduced in style.
That said I give Alan Wake a 50/50 chance to make it this year.
Halo Wars... I bet they are still making big changes to the way it plays to get it just right for an RTS console game. Ensemble has been way more open about this title so I think it has a real chance to make it this holiday.
GOD my wallet aches...
Reply
5-14-2008 @ 9:53PM
john paul said...
They need to show SOMETHING for e3 right?
its only a couple months away...
they have a media blowout of those two games and a couple new IP's for 2009-2010, that would make a showcase
Reply
5-14-2008 @ 10:59PM
rambo said...
they seem to have plenty of games for 360 for 2008... they are probably holding these games off until 2009.
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5-15-2008 @ 5:34AM
Chase said...
Alan Wake is this generation's Duke Nukem Forever.
Reply
5-15-2008 @ 5:59AM
Boff said...
Alan Wake? What a misnomer.
Alan fucking Sleep more like.
Reply
5-15-2008 @ 8:46AM
eight said...
Maybe we'll see our friend Alan at E3?? Ugh, probably not. I was looking forward to this game, what, two years ago when there was that teaser trailer. Now, it seems, Alan Wake is the new Too Human, since that actually has a release date.
Reply
5-15-2008 @ 9:28AM
Neuromancer said...
Alan Wake, man that game was announced 3 years ago this month. It better be pretty freaking good.
Reply