Why Was Project Milo Cancelled?
Project Milo, which was developed for the Xbox 360 years ago but never released, has come to the fore again with the statements of Peter Molyneux. Speaking at the Nordic Game conference, Molyneux explained for the first time how the game was born, developed and why it was eventually cancelled.
Kinect Was Not Enough for Project Milo
Molyneux stated that the idea for Project Milo came about when Microsoft engineer Alex Kipman introduced him to the Kinect device. However, the first version of the device was quite expensive and had a wide viewing angle. According to Molyneux, this technology gave birth to the idea of “sitting down and interacting” with the game. The character of Milo was also a product of this idea. Molyneux said that he aimed to create an experiential game where the player takes on a role that inspires a child, inspired by his young son.
However, over time, Kinect’s hardware was significantly reduced. In order to reduce costs, the device’s viewing angle was restricted, which directly affected Milo’s basic interaction systems. Initially a $5,000 technology, Kinect became a device that could only perceive what was directly in front of it when it was simplified for the end user. This change conflicted with the game’s basic gameplay mechanics.
However, Microsoft’s decision to position Kinect as a “party device” rather than a gaming tool also marked the beginning of the end for Project Milo. This strategy, focused on dance and sports games, left no room for the deep experience Molyneux wanted to convey. With this decision, Milo was shelved on the grounds that it did not fit into Microsoft’s product portfolio.
Peter Molyneux emphasized that despite the game being unfinished, it still remained a “magical experience” for him. Instead of alien invasions or heroic themes, Project Milo aimed to offer the player the experience of forming an emotional bond with a digital character. This different approach brought an interpretation of technology and the perception of gaming that was ahead of its time.
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