Microsoft may bring several iconic Xbox franchises back to life. The reason for new rumors was a statement by the new Xbox Chief Strategy Officer, Matthew Ball, who, in a comment to Bloomberg, spoke about the company's plans to revive "legendary" game series and restore the Xbox console business.
The main topic of discussion among players was Ball's words about the return of Microsoft's "dormant" intellectual property. Fans are already actively building theories about the possible revival of series such as Banjo-Kazooie, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Crimson Skies, MechAssault, Viva Piñata, Kameo: Elements of Power, and Shadowrun. Many of these franchises have not received new games for more than a decade.
Ball himself is considered one of the most influential analysts in the gaming industry. He is known for his annual State of Video Gaming report and his work at his own consulting firm, Epyllion. In recent years, Ball has repeatedly stated that the gaming industry is developing unevenly: record revenues coexist with declining investments, reduced profitability, and the market's dependence on a small number of highly successful franchises. This is likely why he suggests that Microsoft more actively use Xbox's rich heritage and bring back forgotten series.