When Microsoft first announced the Xbox One, it focused rather heavily on its plans for living room dominance. It wanted to get in on that original TV programming, muscling in on Netflix and Hulu’s territory. At the time, that went down like a rusty-nail sandwich as gamers wanted to hear about nothing but games. Microsoft is now talking up its original programming again.
Zoe’s already told you about Signal To Noise, the six-part documentary on videogames – the first of which covers that ET excavation dig, but there’s a lot more coming to Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners.
You’ll be getting a live-action Halo TV series, produced by Steven Spielberg no less – and a mystery Ridley Scott something later on. Yes, details are light. Further down the line you can expect shows like Deadlands- based on the table-top pen and paper RPG; a new stop-motion show by the creators of Robot Chicken; a detective thriller based on the Gun Machine novels, and a new, as yet untitled Sarah Silverman comedy perhaps focused on Darryn’s odd fetish for her. Maybe.
Not explicitly mentioned, but rumoured are live action series based on Microsoft game properties like Fable, Gears of War and even Forza.
“We are developing premium, original content for the Xbox community which is an audience we are incredibly respectful of,” said Nancy Tellem, President of Xbox Entertainment Studios. “We believe Xbox Originals should embrace the way our fans think about traditional TV.”
Microsoft is going large on original TV programming, some of which actually seems pretty cool. It’s mostly all focused squarely at the typical Xbox market, and with people using their consoles more and more for watching stuff instead of just gaming it makes a heck of a lot of sense.
Of course, the cynical, games-focused bastard in me can;t help but wonder what games we’d be getting if they used all of this money for games instead of TV.
Here’s a look at that ET landfill dig.
Last Updated: April 29, 2014
Kromas
April 29, 2014 at 12:08
Live action Forza series. Wouldn’t that just be called Grand Prix? 😛
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
April 29, 2014 at 12:16
Bwhahahahahaha
CypherGate
April 29, 2014 at 14:14
lol true… unless they pull an Initial D styled series. Then it wouldnt be too bad.
Labey-Kun
April 29, 2014 at 12:23
Won’t happen because my PC already took over the TV lol.
Hammersteyn
April 29, 2014 at 12:28
But will it still play games?
Martin du preez
April 29, 2014 at 12:32
LEAVE IT ALONE
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
April 29, 2014 at 12:33
Haven’t even hit play and I’m already laughing
Martin du preez
April 29, 2014 at 12:33
Dude hold on to your fucking sides!
Unavengedavo
April 29, 2014 at 12:39
But shouldn’t he be wearing more mascara? Think he should ask JJ for tips O_o
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
April 29, 2014 at 12:45
Dude nailed it. Hahaha. Oh my sides hurt hahahahahahahaa
Martin du preez
April 29, 2014 at 12:45
“Over priced piece of shit” LOL
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
April 29, 2014 at 12:46
“watches you while you sleep”
That was me done hey
Hammersteyn
April 29, 2014 at 12:37
Thumbnail pick gave it away. Clicked the link regardless 🙂
TiMsTeR1033
April 29, 2014 at 13:03
This will make you feel better
Martin du preez
April 29, 2014 at 12:31
Xbox One™ – It only does everything. (Except games)
Pieter Kruger
April 29, 2014 at 12:55
“Of course, the cynical, games-focused bastard in me can;t help but wonder what games we’d be getting if they used all of this money for games instead of TV”?
$1 Billion for games alone not enough? LOL! As per Jordan Levin: “It’s also probably worth saying that none of the activity we’re pursuing is coming at the expense any of the investment that’s been made in the platform overall or gaming overall. There isn’t shifting of resources away from gaming to this. I mean, the nice thing about playing in a device like this, again, that’s nonlinear is there’s no finite space restrictions”
Pieter Kruger
April 29, 2014 at 12:56
WOW! Awesome line up!! Can’t wait!
TiMsTeR1033
April 29, 2014 at 13:02
what line up?
Pieter Kruger
April 29, 2014 at 13:05
http://lineup.bonnaroo.com/ Crazy busy line up! Will crap myself if I manage to Skype with DIE ANTWOORD backstage!!????
Dutch Matrix
April 29, 2014 at 13:26
Xbox one fan that goes ga-ga over Die Antwoord… Dude! Stop digging your social grave already! 🙂
Pieter Kruger
April 29, 2014 at 13:12
http://www.totalxbox.com/75629/12-xbox-original-tv-shows-unveiled-including-a-halo-film-from-ridley-scott/
Xbox TV line up. Anything from the creators of Robot Chicken will be awesome!!
Pieter Kruger
April 29, 2014 at 13:02
“Bonnaroo Music Fetival 2014” featuring DIE ANTWOORD, and it’s interactive nogals!! ????????????
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 29, 2014 at 13:11
That’s a great idea. Embrace the way we think about traditional TV, which means it doesn’t require an Xbox.
Pieter Kruger
April 29, 2014 at 13:16
Go watch “Isidingo”! LOL! ????
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 29, 2014 at 13:23
Is that your code word for porn? Otherwise you don’t need to put it in inverted commas.
Dutch Matrix
April 29, 2014 at 13:37
Too much animal reference in Isidingo for me to feel comfortable using it as a code word for porn. Maybe Isidongo?
KingsOfTheSecond WoldDimension
April 29, 2014 at 13:35
When I think Microsoft I think constant upgrades due to poorly written software, I see constant compatibility problems and hanging, I see constant buying up other companies as you cant write decent software in-house. I see hardware intensive bloat-ware programs instead of stealthy speedy software. Your day is coming Microsoft. Stealing the DOS operating system to build your company takes a cheat and a thief.
FoxOneZA
April 29, 2014 at 13:53
Elsewhere at Sony HQ, Kaz has a brilliant idea for a new reality show, it’s called “You Got Fired!”