Xbox新掌门：虚拟现实技术很快就会普及

    微软如何吸引更多独立游戏开发者登陆Xbox平台？

    我们推出了ID@Xbox项目，帮助大小开发商自行在Xbox One上发布游戏。这个项目迄今为止的反响令我们十分满意：目前已有数以千计的开发者表示有意加入这个项目，我们已经向超过250名开发者发放了开发工具箱。上个月在游戏开发者大会（GDC）上，我们展示了25个通过ID@Xbox项目脱颖而出、未来将登陆Xbox One的游戏小样，其中包括我个人特别感兴趣的几款游戏，比如FRU和＃IDARB。

    我们的目标是，向独立游戏制作者提供他们需要的工具和支持，帮助他们度过漫长而且往往成本高昂的游戏开发过程。我们提供的帮助十分广泛，其中包括免费使用Unity工具，以及向每位开发者免费提供两套开发工具箱。长远来看，我们还计划使所有零售的Xbox One都能成为开发工具箱，使游戏登陆这个平台变得更为简单。克里斯•查拉及其团队与ID@Xbox项目中的所有开发者都合作得很好，不断与后者进行沟通，确保开发人员获得鼎力支持，充分了解Xbox One平台，开发出有趣而创新的游戏。

    你认为独立游戏如今在游戏行业中扮演着何种角色？

    我喜欢各种类型的游戏，不论它是独立游戏、大型游戏还是新游戏，好游戏就是好游戏，我们希望我们平台上汇聚的好游戏越多越好。独立开发商是其中的关键所在，他们的作品从小众游戏到可与大型第一方游戏媲美的AAA游戏无所不包。独立游戏制作者处境独特，他们能真正尝试并自行设定优先级和时间线。某种程度上，他们令业内同仁保持警醒，同时继续发挥创造性思维。ID@Xbox项目面向的就是针对独立开发商，我十分期待早日看到他们的作品。

    眼下免费游戏称霸个人电脑和手游业务，你认为在这个领域，除了《坦克世界》外还有哪些机遇？

    低门槛的免费游戏正迅速成为向玩家提供新鲜内容的新鲜方式，它们设计独特的游戏体验可能并不适合传统模式。我们很高兴在Xbox Live上继续支持这类游戏，除《坦克世界》外，还有Crytek公司推出的《战争前线》（Warface）以及今年晚些时候将推出的《星火计划》。

    为Xbox游戏创造引人入胜的第二屏体验存在哪些挑战？

    对我来说，问题在于如何使第二屏体验真正为游戏增色，而不是让玩家分神。《丧尸围城3》是个很好的例子，Capcom公司将SmartGlass设备变成游戏角色的手机，使其完美的融入游戏中的虚拟城市Los Perdidos。这并不是硬性要求，但它是个有用的工具。其他游戏更多的将SmartGlass用于菜单导航，效果也不错。一切都取决于特定游戏的需要。我希望Capcom等团队对利用SmartGlass的思考也能给其他开发人员带来启发，从而进一步扩展这项功能。

    话虽如此，我们知道，大多数游戏开发商主要还是会专注于主屏体验，这是理所应当的事情。但是，随着我们继续支持并扩展SmartGlass的功能，随着启用SmartGlass的设备变得越加强大和富有活力，我希望游戏开发人员继续使用这项功能，实现新突破，丰富整个游戏的体验。

    随着Facebook收购Oculus Rift，索尼推出虚拟现实头戴设备梦神项目（Project Morpheus），你认为虚拟现实未来将对游戏行业产生什么样的影响？

    虚拟现实是一个非常有意思的领域，尤其是对游戏而言。近20年来，虚拟现实技术似乎一直处于呼之欲出的状态。但我认为，现在我们很快就会看到这项技术得到游戏玩家和开发人员的认可。正如我在游戏开发者大会上所言，微软研究团队探索虚拟现实技术已经很长时间了。虽然我们没有相关产品要正式发布，但虚拟现实显然是人们感兴趣的领域，可谓是潜力巨大。

    随着Xbox Live持续发展，史蒂芬•斯皮尔伯格的《光环》系列视频以及《光环》游戏等跨平台项目将为微软带来哪些机遇？

    微软正在开始谱写新的篇章，我们的战略是创造一系列设备和服务，使世界各地的人们能从事他们最重视的活动，而娱乐向来是人们所重视的一环。我们正在努力把绝佳的程序——比如《光环》世界——与微软生态系统中Xbox的强大技术和丰富社区结合起来。无论用户是在使用Xbox、个人电脑、平板电脑还是手机，我们都希望他们能获得身临其境的个性化愉悦体验。(财富中文网)

    译者：项航

    What is Microsoft doing to attract more independent developers to the Xbox platform?

    We launched ID@Xbox to help developers of all sizes self-publish games on Xbox One, and we've been thrilled at the response to date, as we've received interest from thousands of developers to join the program, shipping dev kits to more than 250 creators. Just last month at GDC, we shared a sample of 25 games coming to Xbox One via ID@Xbox, including several I'm particularly excited about like FRU and #IDARB.

    Our goal is to provide independent game creators with the tools and support they need to navigate the long and often expensive development process. This includes everything from free access to Unity tools to giving each developer two free dev kits. Long term, we also have plans to enable any retail Xbox One to become a dev kit, making it even easier for games to come to the platform. Chris Charla and his team have done an amazing job working with each developer in the program, providing constant communication to ensure developers have what they need to be successful, know the ins and outs of the Xbox One platform, and can build fun, innovative games.

    What role do you see indie games playing in the games business today?

    I love all kinds of games -- independent games, blockbuster franchises, new IP -- a good game is a good game, and we want as many as possible on our platforms. Independent developers are a vital part of that equation, and their games can range from niche fan bases to AAA titles on par with blockbuster first-party games. Independent creators are in a unique situation where they're able to really experiment and map to their own priorities and timelines. In a way, they challenge the rest of the industry to stay on their toes and continue to think outside of the box in creative and compelling ways. As a program, ID@Xbox was designed with these developers in mind, and I personally can't wait to see what's to come.

    With free-to-play dominating the PC and mobile games business, what opportunities do you see in this space beyond World of Tanks?

    With low barriers to entry, free-to-play games are quickly becoming an exciting new way to deliver fresh content to players, as well as uniquely designed gameplay experiences that might not otherwise fit into traditional models. We're excited to continue to support these types of games on Xbox Live, like World of Tanks, as well as Warface from Crytek and Project Spark coming later this year.

    What are the challenges of creating compelling second-screen experiences for Xbox games?

    For me the question is always, how do you create something on a second screen that's truly a companion experience that enhances the game without it being a distraction? Dead Rising 3 was a great example, where Capcom turned your SmartGlass device into your character's phone, so it meshed seamlessly into the world of Los Perdidos. It wasn't a requirement, but it was a helpful tool. Other games use SmartGlass less for gameplay and more for menu navigation, and that works well too. It all just depends on what's right for that particular game, and my hope is that as other developers see the kind of thinking teams like Capcom have put into their use of SmartGlass, we'll continue to see that functionality expand.

    That said, we know that most developers will focus first and foremost on the on-screen experience, as they should. But as we continue to support and build on the functionality of SmartGlass, and as SmartGlass-enabled devices get more and more powerful and dynamic, my hope is that we see developers continue to embrace the functionality to break new ground and enrich gameplay experiences overall.

    With Facebook acquiring Oculus Rift and Sony entering VR with Project Morpheus, what impact do you feel virtual reality will have on gaming moving forward?

    Virtual reality is a really interesting area, especially for games, and while it seems like it's been "just over the horizon" for the last 20 years or so, I think we could finally start seeing it prove out soon for both gamers and developers. As I talked about at GDC, our Microsoft research team has been playing with virtual reality for quite a while, and while we don't have anything to officially announce, it's clearly an area people are excited about. The potential is definitely there.

    As Xbox Live continues to grow, what opportunities do cross-platform projects like Steven Spielberg's Halo video series and the Halo game universe open up for Microsoft?

    We are starting a new chapter at Microsoft, with the strategy to create a family of devices and services that empower people around the globe for the activities they value most, and entertainment always ranks high on that list. We're looking for ways to marry amazing programming -- such as the Halo universe -- with the powerful technology and rich social community we have with Xbox within the larger Microsoft ecosystem. Whether you are using your Xbox, PC, tablet, or phone, we want you to have access to an immersive, personalized, and entertaining experience.