Microsoft could use board games to revisit dormant franchises owned by Xbox Game Studios, with Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game potentially being the first of many.
Zoo Tycoon was developed by Elite: Dangerous studio Frontier Developments and published by Microsoft Studios (the previous name for Xbox Game Studios), on November 22, 2013 for Xbox One and Xbox 360.
Speaking to Xbox Wire, Xbox Game Studios executive producer Robert Jerauld said this board game adaptation is a "prime illustration" of how Microsoft could expand its franchises that don't have video games in active development.
"It’s crucial to recognize that even if certain franchises aren’t currently undergoing active development, they can still be actively appreciated by their fans," Jerauld said.
"Zoo Tycoon serves as a prime illustration of this. It presents a valuable chance for Microsoft to extend gratitude to the dedicated and ardent Zoo Tycoon fans who have worked tirelessly to sustain the game’s enchantment. We acknowledge your dedication and deeply appreciate you."
While Jerauld didn't say if he had any other dormant franchises in mind, Xbox certainly has a wealth to choose from. These could include Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Project Gotham Racing, MechAssault and plenty more. There are some bigger names that haven't seen a release in a long time, of course, but many of these currently have sequels in development at Xbox.
Fable is one example as, after not having a full release since 2010's Fable 3, Microsoft is finally working on a new entry in the beloved fantasy role-playing game franchise. While we've known about the reboot for years, Xbox released a proper reveal trailer at its June 2023 showcase.
Perfect Dark is in a similar boat. Its last game also launched in 2010 and had otherwise disappeared until 2020 when Xbox announced another reboot. Little has been said about it since, however, and the Xbox Series X and S instalment of Perfect Dark is still years away.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.