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Studio Deaths


deanb
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TLoU was fantastic, but the tone was so different from Uncharted that I'm nervous about their ability to maintain the Uncharted feel without her.

Yeah, Druckmann and the other TLoU guy were heavily involved in Uncharted 2, the best of the series by far. So I'm not too worried about it falling under their control.

 

Really? Uncharted dialogue is mostly about humor, TLoU had some pretty funny parts, most of them(if not all) Ellie's dialogue. The dlc kind of cements that they can write lighthearted dialogue. I think theyre alright.

Like I said, I'm not worried. But this comparison doesn't really work. Light-hearted dialogue and humor in something like TLoU versus Uncharted really isn't the same thing. I don't actually remember anything particularly funny in TLoU. Most of it was more like small "hehe thank god they're not dead" moments whereas Uncharted is more consistently funny and can actually make me laugh out loud at times.

 

 

Personally, I'm just really curious as to what could've caused this to happen. I mean, if she was actually forced out by those guys, what's the deal with that? Were they that unhappy with the direction she was taking with U4? Are they simply massive assholes?

 

It's hard to imagine that having a single successful title under their belt would give these guys enough clout to push out someone that's been at the company for a decade.

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http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jack-tretton-to-step-down-as-president-and-ceo-of-sony-computer-entertainment-america-248876781.html

 

Jack Tretton no longer CEO of SCEA. Which now I think on it, I don't remember him being as prevalent around PS4 launchey stuff. Mainly Andrew House for that (head of SCEI). Maybe it's been in the works for a while, PS4 does represent quite a shift within Sony's gaming side, what with the change to SEN, Kaz Hirai's ascension. Be interesting to see where Tretton goes.

Edited by Deanb
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  • 3 weeks later...

Jesus, what the fuck is going on at Naughty Dog?

 

I think I'll go ahead and cautiously lower my expectations for Uncharted 4.

 

 

It always makes me nervous when you have high-level positions like game director leaving a project midway through.

 

For sure. Reminds me of all the departures from Irrational in the year leading up to Infinite's launch. Not that the game was bad but a few things clearly went wrong during its development.

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  • 3 weeks later...

http://www.bungie.net/en/News/News?aid=11484

https://twitter.com/MartyTheElder/status/456303189998841856

 

Well, Bungie won't die from this, hell it might not even hurt, but... part of the experience in the Halo games and I'm sure Destiny by extension is the music. O'Donnell, go be awesome somewhere else. Help immortalize a new IP or something.

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I think it says a lot about how surprising this is that even I, someone who neither plays nor really cares about Halo, was aware of how great that series' music was. I mean, that main theme is just amazing. It has a similar effect on me as the MGS theme or the Uncharted theme. And I never even played a damn Halo game.

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According to an anonymous Bungie employee on Reddit (so you know, cover this in salt): Marty O wanted a raise, the board thought he was already paid too much, and the tension just got to the point where the board felt that their differences were insurmountable.

 

But yeah, he makes great music, and I'm sure Destiny will lose something with his leaving.

 

*Edit* - From here:

 

 

 

"For more than a decade, Marty O’Donnell filled our worlds with unforgettable sounds and soundtracks, and left an indelible mark on our fans. Today, as friends, we say goodbye. We know that wherever his journey takes him, he will always have a bright and hopeful future.  
 
We wish him luck in all his future endeavors."
 
That is all Bungie has officially commented on the matter but according to a reddit user claiming to be a Bungie employee he or she says that the reason for the termination of Marty's position at Bungie was a dispute over pay.
 
"Okay. So I can't give out too much detail here, but I will let you know what I know. Marty was a contracted employee, he didn't just get a fee for each game he produced. Marty had received a significant raise in the last few years, but was now asking for another. This created tension between him and the board (some of whom already felt he was overpaid). A verbal argument ensued recently between Marty and a member of the board. Shortly there after he was let go. So there was certainly 'cause' but one that a lot of us felt could be worked through. But money talks. The board feels they can get someone for cheaper, and without the drama, that will have a better ROI." 
 
I highly doubt this person is genuine, the thread this anonymous source created on reddit has been deleted for failing to privately identify his or herself to the moderators after claiming he or she would do so. I wouldn't advise anyone to believe this and be wary of any other statements that may arise .
Edited by TheMightyEthan
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  • 10 months later...
  • 1 year later...

Microsoft is closing press play, makers of max: the curse of brotherhood and have stopped production of fable legends and are discussing the closure of lionhead studios. Can't imagine it will escape the axe, at least in its current form. I'd be counting my days if Microsoft ever bought a studio I worked for it always just seems a matter of time.

 

Xbox.com

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If I worked at Rare I'd be updating my resume right about now.

They still have that Sea of Thieves game. That looked kind of alright. Not really my thing but it didn't look awful like Fable Legends. If development goes smoothly and the game is a success, it could probably keep them alive.

 

If they run into development issues, though...

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I just think it's weird that Fable Legends was cancelled so close to release.  Like, they're basically saying they don't think it would make enough money to even justify the cost of finishing it, when it's already in a semi-public beta.

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  • 2 weeks later...

From what I understand Lionhead is axed, and the it's just that in the UK they have to have a certain period of discussions with employees before they can close it completely.

 

Indeed. There's a 30 day "consultation" period where the company is obliged to try to find roles in other areas of the business etc. for those affected, but they're never going to start a consultation unless 100% sure they're closing the studio. It's not like you'd get 15 days in and say "oh yeah, actually we do need all this stuff."

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  • 1 year later...

So Bioware Montreal of ME:A have been downgraded to a "support studio".

http://www.pcgamer.com/report-mass-effect-on-hiatus-bioware-montreal-transitioning-to-a-support-studio/

And S-E are looking to offload IO Interactive of Hitman.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-05-11-square-enix-trying-to-find-a-buyer-for-io-future-of-hitman-in-doubt

Hopefully the success of the recent Hitman will help them secure a buyer.

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