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							Microsoft and Lionhead will announce a revision of 2005 Lionhead's The 
Movies for Natal and the avatars, with Xbox Live compatibility. 
 
 
- Staging Xbox 360 avatars instead of the original models from 2005 
Lionhead's The Movies, 
- Ability to start shooting via the vocal command "Action !", thanks 
to the Project Natal, 
- Management of the studio is mainly handled via a solid controller, 
- Shooting and post-production processes are mainly handled via the 
Project Natal, 
- The clothes purchased by users through Xbox Live Market Place for 
their avatar can be freely used as costumes (Halo, Dead Space T-shirt, 
etc..) into the game with no dispute on the copyrights, 
- The cars purchased or customized, bound to the user's Xbox Live 
racing game Joy Ride account, can be used, 
- Access to movie upload is only granted to Xbox Live Gold subscribers 
(hence the need to promote a solo game with studio management), 
- Movies can be shared beyond the Xbox Live Gold section (ex: Zune HD, 
Xbox Live Silver subscribers, Live Anywhere, etc.), 
- Downloadable Content primarily focuses on new props to decorate the 
sets, new sets/FX, after user's votes, 
- Real trademarks from various companies can appear on billboards 
during the game, 
- The cast for each movie can be done among the avatars of Xbox Live 
user's friends, 
- Setting an event like the Xbox Live Oscar / Golden Globes ceremony 
with a meeting of subscribers and awards, inspired by 1 versus 100. 
 
 
 
The benefits for Microsoft to bring the Movies on Xbox Live are : 
 
- To provide Downloadable Content on a regular basis with no negative 
impact on the image of the product (as it's only decoration that does 
not interfere with the meaning of the movie), 
- To drag people, via the popular phenomenon of User Generated 
Content, into the Xbox Live Gold section, 
- To ensure non-stop advertisement of strong Xbox licenses (one can 
imagine that many Halo or Gears of War movies created by users will 
pop up and be shared through many networks), 
- To demonstrate the simplified use via Natal, 
- To capitalize on the success of avatars, 
- To get contracts with various companies (the in game billboard concept), 
- To strengthen the commitment of the user to his gamertag thus to the 
Xbox (or Live Anywhere) brand. 
 
 
However the difficulties for the studio Lionhead are currently as follows : 
 
- Most of the ressources (production & post-production) are focused on 
Milo & Kate and Fable III until mid-2010, 
- Need to re-work on scales as the avatars are slightly deformed characters, 
- Collaboration with the studio Rare (avatars, of course, but Lionhead 
really needs to simplify the studio management part and make it 
playable via a joystick ; the experience of Viva Pinata could serve 
them well), 
- Possible need for an artistic overhaul, 
- Adapt command to the Project Natal, 
- Hard drive required for the user, 
- Unexpected marketing decisions from Microsoft. 
 
The commercial failure of 2005 Lionhead's The Movies can be attributed 
to the fact that it was necessary to first be interested in the video 
game and then in this particular game named The Movies, then visit the 
Lionhead site, to simply be aware of the possibilities the tool 
Creation offered (very high entry cost for a brand new user ; success 
based on an ex post community). 
 
Now that a Lionhead's The Movies project can arise as part of the 
means of expression of an already established community like the Xbox 
Live (or Live Anywhere) community, should guarantee it a profound 
success until long-term (very low entry cost for a brand new user ; 
success based on an ex anté community).
													 
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