Microsoft axes Project Spark game creation tool

Last year I was kinda puzzled by Microsoft's Project Spark, a freemium game creation tool for Windows 8.x and newer and the Xbox One. It seemed like a weird thing for Microsoft to devote resources to so I'm not really surprised by the news that the software giant is abandoning the project. The good news is that the program remains available, and that all content will be made available free-of-charge. Anyone who purchased in-game tokens on or after July 28 or still have in-game tokens will receive a refund in the form of Microsoft Store Credits.

It would appear that uptake has been slow, however, and Microsoft is responding by making Project Spark entirely free. 'Microsoft will pivot from producing DLC and active feature development to encouraging more user generated content and opening the Project Spark experience,' Microsoft's Rahul Sandil explained in a statement which reads worryingly like an official proclamation that Microsoft is to cease development on the platform altogether. 'Today’s released content packs are our last planned DLC. With a total of 46 released packs and 2,000+ assets, we feel like we’ve gotten to a good place with our content offers for creators.'

Sandil's announcement also warns that further episodic releases for Conker's Big Reunion, launched as a single-player adventure alongside the Conker-themed Project Spark content pack in April this year, have been cancelled. 'This also means that we will no longer create episodic adventures, including future Conker’s Big Reunion episodic content,' Sandil admitted. 'We’ll leave it up to you to continue his story in whatever ways you want, and we can’t wait to see what you create!'