In documents revealed by VG Leaks, Tequila Works had originally pitched Rime (now a PS4 exclusive) to Microsoft under the name Echoes of Siren. At the time, the estimated cost for the game was $3 million for an exclusive XBLA version, with development expected to take another 24 months.
Although it seems to have changed quite a bit since the original pitch, Echoes of Siren was described as “Gauntlet meets Minecraft meets Jason and the Argonauts.” During the day, you’d hunt and craft, stock up on items, and find a shelter, while during the night you’d fight enemies.
Clearly, Microsoft passed on Echoes of Siren/Rime, and when asked on Twitter why they did, Microsoft’s Phil Spencer said:
“Part of job is living with mistakes. Passed on Guitar Hero… I can list many misses regretfully. I try to focus on what we did ship.”
“We’ll miss some, nature of the beast, its why I don’t hate when games ship elsewhere. Cool to see team’s idea turn into great game.”
A user over on NeoGaf pointed out a Spanish interview with Tequila Works CEO Raul Rubio from November, where he said of Rime and Xbox, “Then the Xbox One plans were announced and everything changed. The people at Microsoft say that the game doesn’t fit in the strategy of the new console, that they are looking for “connected experiences” and the social factor. Rime didn’t fit because it was a single-player game, a very traditional game experience.”
Rime for PS4 is in development right now, with a release date happening in either 2014 or 2015.
[Via]
