Microsoft, at one point, attempted to create its own version of Uncharted for the Xbox, a new report claims.
While Microsoft has many iconic franchises like Halo and Gears of War, the 2000s were dominated by one PlayStation series: Naughty Dog’s Uncharted. The action-adventure titles were massive hits with fans and critics, making it one of Sony’s biggest IPs. Surprisingly, it seemed like Xbox stuck to its guns, literally, with Halo and Gears in the 2010s. However, a new report from a reliable YouTuber and researcher shows that the company had, indeed, tried to make Uncharted for Xbox. Even more so, it was rather far along with an impressive team behind it prior to its cancellation.
The Coalition Almost Made Microsoft’s Uncharted For Xbox One
The report in question comes from video game researcher Liam Robertson from Did You Know Gaming? on YouTube. In the video, seen above, he talked to former members of Microsoft. They stated that, during Xbox One’s development, the company wanted its own Uncharted. Furthermore, the game, nicknamed Project Ranger, was being developed by Black Tusk Studios, now known as The Coalition (the studio behind Gears 5). The studio was originally making a Halo game for the Kinect before being approached to make a Uncharted-inspired game. Project Ranger was set to be a mix of Naughty Dog’s iconic action gameplay with the espionage elements of Mission Impossible.
During development, unpaid students from Savannah College of Art and Design created concepts for the title, including Kinect utilization and unique gadgets. The team hoped the new IP would be the next big series for Xbox. Furthermore, footage was shown at an Xbox E3 showcase in 2013, but it wasn’t confirmed as a game yet. Funnily enough, the game’s protagonist, Cole, was played by Liam McIntyre, who now voices Wolverine in Insomniac’s Marvel’s Wolverine game. Unfortunately, creative differences between higher-ups and the team occurred and the project stalled. Later, Black Tusk Studios was asked to do the next Gears of War with Rod Fergusson and agreed. This led to Project Ranger being abandoned and later cancelled. The video showcases numerous concept art pieces and footage from the title, so we have an idea of what it would’ve looked like.
What do you think about Project Ranger? Would you’ve liked to see Microsoft’s version of Uncharted? Let us know in the comments below, in the forums, and on the official Insider Gaming Discord!
For more on Microsoft, check out our articles on the recent Game Pass price hike and Xbox’s response to removing DLC discounts. Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
No surprise they’re horrible at making games that’s why. OG Xbox era is the time they produced the most games during 360 they relied on third party and shooters just Gears and Halo.