Farewell, Inside Xbox

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/insid ... -lives-on/

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/insid ... in-europe/

https://twitter.com/#!/mrpointyhead/sta ... 4767284225

So, to be clear and succinct: Inside Xbox is no more, as are our jobs. Your support during the last four years has meant the world to us.

I grew to like them. I think dan or pointy will do well in the future.
Bad that they lost their jobs.
Xbox does need a show to keep on to of all the content.

[MoBiUGeArSkIn]

Sucks for them, sure, but I always thought this show was kinda... Not... Good.

They got to go to all those events all over the world, but their content was always lacking. Perhaps not their fault, you could blame the method of delivery, budget and time restrictions... but the content, man. The content was not there. Ever.

Plus, their comedy interludes were really poor. No genuinely decent content and awkward presentation... Not exactly a recipe for success.

[Noir]

Sucks for them, sure, but I always thought this show was kinda... Not... Good.

They got to go to all those events all over the world, but their content was always lacking. Perhaps not their fault, you could blame the method of delivery, budget and time restrictions... but the content, man. The content was not there. Ever.

Plus, their comedy interludes were really poor. No genuinely decent content and awkward presentation... Not exactly a recipe for success.

I agree. I feel far more sorry for people who work for Clinton Cards rather than these two.

I only actually know of MrPointyHead because of Twitter. Never seen Inside Xbox myself

Yeh, I could never stand the show, but its still a bummer. Makes sense that MS want to move away from creating the content now, especially considering there partners such as IGN.

I'm not ashamed to admit I kinda enjoyed The Nexus and S.U.A.M. Sad to see them go. I much preferred what they did to anything GameSpot, OXM or IGN puts on the dash.

[ApocalypseCow]

I think it's a bad move, just leads to more paid-for spots and lousy yank stuff. Do not want.

Never watched it.

We pay them £40 a year and they can't afford to keep these 2 going ?

[Reaper Uk]

Never really enjoyed the show but i met Dan at a moto gp event a while back and he is a really funny guy but it just never really transfered well when it came to the shows.

So will we ever get that IGN app over here then if IX has been canned?

[Born2beSlicker]

The IGN one is coming sometime this summer.

[MoBiUGeArSkIn]

To be honest, the industry moves so fast now that having presenters, shows etc. seems redundant. The social networks can compile information quicker than any team of people with a camera, and sites like Gametrailers get trailers to you in seconds.

If they're going to carry on with this stuff, they need to concentrate of specials. Like what GTTV had with Max Payne 3 last week.

[ApocalypseCow]

For anyone that gives a shit, the IX people formed a new company and are kickstarting (well, indiegogo-ing) a new project. they have a manifesto which I like the sound of.
You can read more and contribute here
http://www.indiegogo.com/projectpossum?a=691696

PROJECT POSSUM MANIFESTO

1. Gaming should be celebrated

Be respectful, but remember that gaming = playing = having fun before you get too serious.
Gaming isn’t daft, but a lot of what happens in games is - maintain that distinction.
Be cynical if you want, but focus that cynicism on cynical people and cynical decisions.

2. Jar-gone

Overuse of jargon is intimidating and tedious.
There are inescapable terms, but remember that visuals can do a lot of the talking for you (e.g. If you show footage of Battlefield 3, you don’t then need to describe it as an ‘FPS’ - even someone who doesn’t game will get the gist)
Don’t patronise or frustrate the main audience by halting everything to explain terminology - refer people to a jargon busting site/app that can be referred to throughout the show.
Focus on why you enjoyed/disliked something from an emotional rather than mechanical standpoint.

3. The show never ends

Whatever time of day it is, there’s always something for the viewer to do. Think:
Talking to the host or guests (Twitter, Facebook, video chat)
Contributing user-generated content (art, music, animation, photos, video, funny glitches, in-game creations (Minecraft structures, Trials Evo levels, Skyrim mods...), incredible gaming moments)
Getting involved in conversations and debates.
Taking part in (asynchronous) challenges.
Attending events.
Organising online gaming sessions.
Competitions that are more than multiple choice phone-ins.
Extended sections of the show exclusive to online.
Gaming is about getting involved, so encourage the audience to PLAY.
Invite viewers to try new game experiences, take them away from their comfort zone.
Employ two-screen TV (dedicated app, social media)

4. Get fantastic people to discuss the fantastical

Developers can create incredible worlds, but it doesn't mean that they're all interesting people.
Tap into the wealth of eloquent, erudite and entertaining writers, critics, musicians, actors, comedians and presenters who will talk passionately and animatedly about gaming.
Get people to talk together, not in isolation.

5. Experiences are meant to be shared

Invite guests/viewers to play the same things to fuel conversation and add to the sense of community.
Encourage the audience to be more analytical about what they play, how they play and why they play.
Whether viewer, developer or celeb, gaming fans are all gaming fans - it’s a great leveller.

6. Admire the past, but don't rose-tint it

Celebrate progress - gaming thrives on it.
Retro has its place (and that place is context and education)
No more 8-bit homages.

7. Revere artistry and musicianship

It's often what we cherish most about a game.
Incorporate both aspects in a relatable way - stay out of Pseud’s Corner.
Focus on the aesthetic, not the technology - polygons, textures, bump-mapping, etc. all out.

8. The home of gaming isn’t just the living room or bedroom

Don’t underestimate (or malign) the power and reach of mobile, browser and handheld.
Reflect the new no-borders nature of gaming with emphasis on on-location shoots.

9. Don’t do what’s already being done repeatedly elsewhere

Be topical, but don’t deliver news, p/reviews or anything else that you’d find in a mag or on a site.
Use announcements, news and events to provoke discussions on subjects of wider significance (e.g. Call of Duty Black Ops II = What does it mean to be ‘Triple-A’?)

10. Homage, not parody

If you’re going to riff on a game, think The Simpsons (when it was good), not MAD magazine.