Xbox creates European publishing team

Microsoft has announced the creation of a European publishing team, which will be led by Lionhead Studio’s boss John Needham.

"What we’re trying to do with this team – it’s a first party publishing group – is across Europe find triple-A quality games that we can publish," Needham told GamesInudstry International.

Crytek’s Warface will be the new team’s first release.

The team will initially focus on the free-to-play shooter, which Needham said ticked all of Microsoft’s boxes and is a good example of the type of game that resonates with European audiences.

Needham added the team wants to "find games that incorporate innovative business models like free-to-play and freemium and other models that are floating around out there".

"We’ll be finding games that are mostly online focused and games as a service and that’s why I’m leading the group, because I have a lot of experience in that,” he said.

As well as leading the new team, Needham will continue his role as Lionhead Studios boss.

The new ID@Xbox scheme and self-publishing for indie developers could also be a big focus for the team.