Microsoft Cancels 2004 XSN Range

Officials from Microsoft have announced that they are canceling the entire range of XSN sports titles for the Xbox this year. The only XSN title that will now be released this year is RalliSport Challenge 2, which is being developed externally by DICE. According to Kevin Browne, XSN Sports Studio Manager, the opinion was reached that the quality of games was not up to standards and that attention would now be focused on the 2005 range instead. "We actually did think we had good games last year, but the market and the direct feedback that we have shows us that we fall short in a couple of areas to our competition," admits Browne. "We think it's the best thing we can do, to take this year off, and to close that quality gap that we have in respect to the EA Sports and ESPN sports titles." Browne also revealed that the studio would be ending its relationship with Illinois-based developer High Voltage Software, preferring to take on a developer “closer to home” instead. Source: IGN