With numerous game studios under its wing, Microsoft boasts one of the largest, if not the largest, catalogs of gaming franchises in the industry. Despite this vast collection, certain titles hold a special place among fans. In a recent interview with IGN Japan, Xbox head Phil Spencer discussed some of the most highly requested revivals of these franchises, alongside other pertinent topics.
Spencer highlighted that among Microsoft`s extensive library, the most significant player interest lies in the Japanese RPGs Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, as well as the Western titles Crimson Skies and MechAssault.
Both Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey are RPGs initially developed by Mistwalker, the studio founded by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, formerly of Square Enix. Blue Dragon, Mistwalker`s debut project, featured character designs by Akira Toriyama (known for Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest). Lost Odyssey, on the other hand, had character designs by Takehiko Inoue (famed for Slam Dunk and Vagabond). While Inoue is less recognized in the West compared to Toriyama, both designers are prominent figures in Japan, making both series particularly significant for Japanese fans.
Regarding Crimson Skies and MechAssault, both titles emerged during the early days of the original Xbox, a period when Microsoft collaborated with FASA, the publisher behind BattleTech, Shadowrun, and other franchises. Crimson Skies was an action-flight game set in an alternate 1930s America, where aerial travel and combat were central. MechAssault, an action-shooter featuring mechs from the BattleTech universe, was notably one of the pioneering games to offer Xbox Live functionality.
The potential for these games` revival varies. The Japanese RPGs appear more feasible, as Mistwalker remains an active studio and holds the rights to both franchises. Concerning the Western titles, Windows Central reported that Microsoft included Crimson Skies in its backwards-compatibility program some years ago, but MechAssault was not added. Therefore, while both games seem to be entangled in rights issues (Topps now owns the rights to FASA`s properties), a revival of Crimson Skies appears more probable.
Beyond discussing these highly desired franchises, Spencer also touched upon the decision to set Forza Horizon 6 in Japan, a location that has been the most requested throughout the series` 13-year history. He attributed this choice to the nation`s “fantastic” topography. Furthermore, he briefly mentioned Xbox`s partnerships with Japanese studios on titles like Ninja Gaiden 4 and Beast of Reincarnation, stating that he would allow those teams to speak about their projects independently.