Microsoft has announced that it is canceling development of its Project Spark platform, a social gaming platform that was to launch in 2014 as a competitor to Facebook games and game streaming services like Twitch.
Microsoft has decided to cancel its internal team Dakota project. Dakota was a game engine that Microsoft developed and used internally to create some of its first-party games. The project was canceled in 2013, and in 2015 Microsoft re-purposed parts of it to create a new game creation tool, Unity.
We heard a few weeks ago that Microsoft had canceled the upcoming Team Dakota project, which was supposed to be a new game engine for the Xbox One. Team Dakota was a small startup studio made by ex-Naughty Dog developers, who only made their first game three years ago. It was one of the first Microsoft approved games to be developed for the Xbox One, so it’s a little strange that they’re shutting down.
Project Spark has been placed on hold by Microsoft, which has discreetly put the game creation tools away.
Microsoft’s free-to-play “game-maker video game,” Project Spark, has been canceled, the company said today.
Project Spark, Microsoft’s effort at community-created entertainment such as Super Mario Maker for the PC and Xbox, has come to a close.
On Xbox and PC, the tools will no longer be accessible for download. On August 12, online services will be phased down, therefore anybody who hasn’t saved their work locally should do so immediately.
Additionally, any gamers who bought Project Spark between October 5 and today will get a refund from Microsoft. Those who are qualified will have credits added to their Microsoft accounts automatically.
Thomas Gratz, Team Dakota’s community manager, stated, “This was an incredibly tough choice for our team one we do not take lightly.” “Many of our team members went to other projects inside Microsoft Studios as Project Spark transitioned away from active development last fall.”
This implies that no Microsoft employees have been laid off as a result of Project Spark, according to Gratz.
Gratz adds, “Despite the news, we want to recognize the achievements of our team and community of creators and gamers.” “Our team has delivered 46 content packs, hundreds of assets, and 16 upgrades since launch,” he says.
The cancellation of Project Spark follows Microsoft’s decision to shut down Lionhead Studios, the creator of Fable Legends.
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