oh man, I had not heard that rumour, but now I'M SO HAPPY
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Retro Studios Hires Uncharted 3, Darksiders Artists. Crunch Time "This Year"
- Thread starter Ignis Fatuus
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oh man, I had not heard that rumour, but now I'M SO HAPPY
Shadowlink
Member
I posted in the wrong thread, but there was a list of rumors around TGS time. A few of them were correct, and on that list was a Yoshi's Island game developed by Good Feel.
Baby Yoshi
Banned
Their helped with wii play motion early last year and some months ago released this japan only game :
Hero of Legend
Member
Finished gathering the credits of the newcomers, and WOW, they have folks from the Sony trinity (Naughty Dog, Insomniac, and Sucker Punch), as well as Bethesda!
AceBandage
Banned
Eggplant Wizard
Member
Looking at all of this news makes me think that they're working on something HUGE. Something bigger than just an iterative sequel. Maybe we could see a brand new overhaul to an old series, akin to Metroid Prime and KI Uprising. Or maybe I'm just too overwhelmed by hype to speculate rationally. I can't wait to see what they're working on at E3. 
EmCeeGramr
Member
it's gonna turn out to be mario football
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
Well, Retro's football game *was* their last cancelled project I believe.
It was Raven Blade that was cancelled last actually.
DICKS AHOY
Banned
Sure am looking forward to my gritty, realistic Clu Clu Land reboot.
Ideally at this point if it's not DKC2R or a Star Fox reboot I'd prefer they were working on a new IP (or even resurrecting Raven Blade, if they were still bitter about having to cancel that one). F-Zero could just as easily be given to SEGA and Yoshi's Island to Feel-Good. After that you start running out of franchises that aren't already on steady ground
Ideally at this point if it's not DKC2R or a Star Fox reboot I'd prefer they were working on a new IP (or even resurrecting Raven Blade, if they were still bitter about having to cancel that one). F-Zero could just as easily be given to SEGA and Yoshi's Island to Feel-Good. After that you start running out of franchises that aren't already on steady ground
besides Metroid which I don't think we're going to be seeing for awhile
Baby Yoshi
Banned
Retro Studios Current Staff (year joined-first game at retro)
Executive Producer
Michael Kelbaugh (9-MP2)
Senior Development Director
Bryan Walker(9-MP2)
Production Manager
Ryan Harris(12-MP)
Production Coordination
Shane D. Lewis(4-DK)
Lead Design
Tom Ivey(8-MP2)
Design
Russell O'Henly(8-MP2)
Andy Schwalenberg(7-MP3)
Bill Vandervoort(7-MP3)
Brandon Paul Salinas(7-MP3)
Jay Fuller(7-MP3)
Jonathan Delange (6-MP3)
Stephen Dupree (4-DK)
Aaron Black (0)
Nestor Hernandez (0)
Paul Schwanz (0)
Art Director
Vince Joly (8-MP2)
Art Lead
Ryan Powell (12-MP)
Principal Art
Elben Schafers (12-MP)
Technical Art
Chris Voellmann (12-MP)Senior
Environment Art
Ryan Powell (12-MP) Lead
Elben Schafers (12-MP)Principal
Chuck Crist (12-MP) Senior
Luis Ramirez(12-MP) Senior
Teague Schultz(9-MP2)
Sean Horton(8-MP2)
Matt Manchester(7-MP3)
Amanda Rotella(6-MP3)
Ted Anderson (4-DK)
Russel Lingo(4-DK)
Reed Ketcham(4-DK)
Eric Koslowski (0)
Brad Taylor (0)
Character Art
Elben Schafers (12-MP)Principal
Chris Voellmann (12-MP)Senior
Quinn Smith(8-MP2)
Gray Ginther(0)Senior
Concept Art
Jay Epperson(3-DK)
Effect Art
Thomas Robins(7-MP3)
Timothy Wilson (0)
Interface Art
Sylvia Rowland (0)
Lead Animator
Will Bate (7-MP3)
Senior Animation
Dax Pallotta(12-MP)
Derek Bonikowski(12-MP)
Stephen Zafros(12-MP)
Animation
Carlos Mendieta(9-MP2)
Raphael Perkins(6-MP3)
Chris Torres(4-DK)
Dominic Pallotta(0)
Kyle Ruegg (0)
Engineering Director
Tim Little(4-DK)
Lead Enginner
Aaron Walker(7-MP3)
Alexander Quinones(12-MP) Senior
Akintunde Omitowoju(12-MP)
Jim Gage(11-MP)Senior
Rhys Lewis(7-MP3)Senior
Andy Hanson(7-MP3)
Dan Higdon(7-MP3)
Eric Rehmeyer(7-MP3)
Frank Maddin(7-MP3)
Jesse Spears(7-MP3)
John Sheblak(7-MP3)
Jose Guerra(7-MP3)
Ryan Cornelius(7-MP3)
Nathan Nordfelt (0)
Tony Bernardin (0)
Operations
Al Artus(12-MP)
George Thomas(12-MP)
Kellie Prinz Johnson(8-MP2)
Ethan McDonald(7-MP3)
Faith Casper(7-MP3)
Translation & Administration
Akiko Furukawa-Laban(8-MP2)
Nowaday at Retro
People that worked at the first Metroid Prime - 16 (14 at Retro,2 at nintendo)1-designer,2 character artists,4 enviroment artists,3 animators,3 programmers,2 technical staff,3 managers)
People that worked at the second Metroid Prime - 27 3 designers,1 6 enviroment artists,3 character artists,5 animators,3 programmers,4 technical staff,3 managers,1 sound,1 producer
People that worked at the third Metroid Prime - 45 8 designers,8 enviroment artists,3 character artists,1 effect designer,7 animators,10 programmers,6 technical staff,2 managers,1 sound manager,2 producers
People that worked at the DKCR - 52 9 designers,11 enviroment artists,3 character artists,1 effect designer,7 animators,12 programmers,6 technical staff,2 managers,1 sound manager,1 director
Retro Currently hiring (https://nintendo.taleo.net/careersection/10000/jobsearch.ftl)
1-designer
1-programmer
1-manager
Executive Producer
Michael Kelbaugh (9-MP2)
Senior Development Director
Bryan Walker(9-MP2)
Production Manager
Ryan Harris(12-MP)
Production Coordination
Shane D. Lewis(4-DK)
Lead Design
Tom Ivey(8-MP2)
Design
Russell O'Henly(8-MP2)
Andy Schwalenberg(7-MP3)
Bill Vandervoort(7-MP3)
Brandon Paul Salinas(7-MP3)
Jay Fuller(7-MP3)
Jonathan Delange (6-MP3)
Stephen Dupree (4-DK)
Aaron Black (0)
Nestor Hernandez (0)
Paul Schwanz (0)
Art Director
Vince Joly (8-MP2)
Art Lead
Ryan Powell (12-MP)
Principal Art
Elben Schafers (12-MP)
Technical Art
Chris Voellmann (12-MP)Senior
Environment Art
Ryan Powell (12-MP) Lead
Elben Schafers (12-MP)Principal
Chuck Crist (12-MP) Senior
Luis Ramirez(12-MP) Senior
Teague Schultz(9-MP2)
Sean Horton(8-MP2)
Matt Manchester(7-MP3)
Amanda Rotella(6-MP3)
Ted Anderson (4-DK)
Russel Lingo(4-DK)
Reed Ketcham(4-DK)
Eric Koslowski (0)
Brad Taylor (0)
Character Art
Elben Schafers (12-MP)Principal
Chris Voellmann (12-MP)Senior
Quinn Smith(8-MP2)
Gray Ginther(0)Senior
Concept Art
Jay Epperson(3-DK)
Effect Art
Thomas Robins(7-MP3)
Timothy Wilson (0)
Interface Art
Sylvia Rowland (0)
Lead Animator
Will Bate (7-MP3)
Senior Animation
Dax Pallotta(12-MP)
Derek Bonikowski(12-MP)
Stephen Zafros(12-MP)
Animation
Carlos Mendieta(9-MP2)
Raphael Perkins(6-MP3)
Chris Torres(4-DK)
Dominic Pallotta(0)
Kyle Ruegg (0)
Engineering Director
Tim Little(4-DK)
Lead Enginner
Aaron Walker(7-MP3)
Alexander Quinones(12-MP) Senior
Akintunde Omitowoju(12-MP)
Jim Gage(11-MP)Senior
Rhys Lewis(7-MP3)Senior
Andy Hanson(7-MP3)
Dan Higdon(7-MP3)
Eric Rehmeyer(7-MP3)
Frank Maddin(7-MP3)
Jesse Spears(7-MP3)
John Sheblak(7-MP3)
Jose Guerra(7-MP3)
Ryan Cornelius(7-MP3)
Nathan Nordfelt (0)
Tony Bernardin (0)
Operations
Al Artus(12-MP)
George Thomas(12-MP)
Kellie Prinz Johnson(8-MP2)
Ethan McDonald(7-MP3)
Faith Casper(7-MP3)
Translation & Administration
Akiko Furukawa-Laban(8-MP2)
Nowaday at Retro
People that worked at the first Metroid Prime - 16 (14 at Retro,2 at nintendo)1-designer,2 character artists,4 enviroment artists,3 animators,3 programmers,2 technical staff,3 managers)
People that worked at the second Metroid Prime - 27 3 designers,1 6 enviroment artists,3 character artists,5 animators,3 programmers,4 technical staff,3 managers,1 sound,1 producer
People that worked at the third Metroid Prime - 45 8 designers,8 enviroment artists,3 character artists,1 effect designer,7 animators,10 programmers,6 technical staff,2 managers,1 sound manager,2 producers
People that worked at the DKCR - 52 9 designers,11 enviroment artists,3 character artists,1 effect designer,7 animators,12 programmers,6 technical staff,2 managers,1 sound manager,1 director
Retro Currently hiring (https://nintendo.taleo.net/careersection/10000/jobsearch.ftl)
1-designer
1-programmer
1-manager
Oh dear.
DICKS AHOY
Banned
Bethesda's issues are making their games technically sound when they're stretched across three different consoles, one which has strict patching rules and the other which is harder to program for than the other two. I doubt having one ex-guy from their engineering department working on a single, one-console Retro/Nintendo game is suddenly going to make this game run at 5 fps per second 20 hours in.
You seriously believe that a company that's been in the video game business 30 years with the quality of developers they have can't work out how to write fast server client code. My grandmother could write online for a video game.
You know it's not engineers that decide when to ship a game right?
fabricated backlash
Member
All is lost. Retro had a good run.
The Dutch Slayer
Member
I think that is true.
Just have a overall XBL for WiiU if its on par or even better than XBL and I'll happily pay 50 a year for it.
And on the game front itself, they have no idea how to create lobbies, friends, matchmaking etc on a halo level.
I want to see something new and in the same time I have some doubts about it.
With the profiles of new people hired and what we know about retro story, I fear they deliver an uninteresting game at least setting wise.
Metroid prime was already too serious, still saved by the original elements.
But I feel it still worth it and don't want metroid or metroid prime again by them.
With the profiles of new people hired and what we know about retro story, I fear they deliver an uninteresting game at least setting wise.
Metroid prime was already too serious, still saved by the original elements.
But I feel it still worth it and don't want metroid or metroid prime again by them.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I don't want this because Zelda doesn't need Retro. I don't doubt that Retro could breath fresh air into the franchise, but I don't believe it is necessary, nor a high priority. Skyward Sword was fine. After Skyward Sword, I trust Nintendo's Zelda teams with the franchise for now.
Metroid needs Retro more than Zelda. After Other M bombed (a game I liked more than I should have), I'm worry where Nintendo will take the series. Metroid should not become one of Nintendo's dusty, unused franchises. Not that I think it will be, but the franchise is currently in a rough spot and Retro's work on the Prime trilogy proves they're perfect for bringing it back to speed.
And, yeah, I'd prefer them working on a new IP more than anything. Hell, I'd prefer them working on a new Donkey Kong Country than Zelda, just because I don't think they need to be on Zelda, and their work on DKCR was amazing.
VindicatorZ
Member
I hope it's RAVENBLADE
Paul Schwanz?
That's penis in German.
I knew someone would "correct" me on that. <3 Germans
*thumbs up*
I knew a guy named Dick Johnson once.
walking fiend
Member
Yes, they need a functioning CoD and BF on Wii U...
Winnie the Pimp
Member
It actually means "tail" and is only used for that other word as well but that's slang/urban language more than anything
Cygnus X-1
Member
Impressive. Thanks for the new informations.
For once I agree, though I'm sure a Retro zelda would be fantastic.
Metroid is such a damn good series that it would be terrible to end up like that. Especially after the mindblowing Prime series.
CrAzY FiNgErS
Member
So this Retro employee list includes EVERYONE currently working there? That doesn't seem like alot of people for the quality of games they make. If so that amazes me. Do they rush in contract work at the end of a project to get things completed? Also, how much does NCL help them out development wise? These guys must be really efficient and laser focused to get AAA games out like Metroid Prime and DKCR. It does seem to take them 3 to 4 years to get a game out though. Wouldn't they need a staff of 100+ to accomplish a Zelda style game, FPS, or a Ravenblade MMO type game? Hmmm...questions, questions, questions.
Personally, I think that Zelda is in need of a developer change more than any other Nintendo franchise at the moment. Being Retro Studios or EAD Tokyo, I'd love to see another developer getting a chance with the series. It could benefit a lot if a fresh group of people got their hands on the next console installment.
Zelda used to be an ambitious, visionary and progressive game but, when I play Zelda today, I feel like there's absolutely no ambition / big vision during its development. As if the series continues only because it needs to.
It's not that I don't have respect for EAD3, they are a great team, but I think that they may be a bit saturated when it comes to developing Zelda games. As for Metroid, the collaboration with Team Ninja was a stupid move that made no sense from the beginning, it's not going to happen again.
I feel like it's time for Nintendo to shake things up a little. Trying a bit of rotation between their teams would be interesting. EAD Tokyo handling Zelda, EAD3 handling Metroid etc. The developer change did wonders for Mario, it could work for other games as well.
Anasui Kishibe
Banned
wasn't that the bad guy from Robocop as well?
Star Tropics Reboot.Sure am looking forward to my gritty, realistic Clu Clu Land reboot.
Ideally at this point if it's not DKC2R or a Star Fox reboot I'd prefer they were working on a new IP (or even resurrecting Raven Blade, if they were still bitter about having to cancel that one). F-Zero could just as easily be given to SEGA and Yoshi's Island to Feel-Good. After that you start running out of franchises that aren't already on steady groundbesides Metroid which I don't think we're going to be seeing for awhile
Believe.
NCL gives Retro advice and feedback and guides them to the right direction but they don't do any actual development work. The most concrete thing that comes from NCL is soundtrack by Kenji Yamamoto.
This could of course change after the EAD x Retro joint development of Mario Kart 7.
AceBandage
Banned
Metroid Space Federation: The Tale of Anthony Higgs
This Time, You Will Remember Him
This Time, You Will Remember Him
fabricated backlash
Member
It's like people willfully disregard Retros own stance to this game. When you have the creator of something telling you that they made sure to burn the last copies of the project, there is simply nothing to go back to.
Add to that, that we know what kind of Concepts Retro is throwing away (that rejected Metroid Prime 2 concept was amazing, and still it was rejected) should be enough to know what kind of quality control goes on inside this company.
As of now the most realistic projections is a new Metroid FPA.
The most optimisitic hope is a new IP done from the ground up.
Worst case scenario is having to work with some leftover garbage from Nintendos catalogue like Star Tropics or similar obscure nonsense.
AceBandage
Banned
You're a horrible person.
CrAzY FiNgErS
Member
I mentioned Ravenblade type MMO...that game was shelved for a reason. My point wasn't in hopes Retro would release Ravenblade, but that they probably would need a bigger staff to release such a game in todays market.
Shikamaru Ninja
任天å ã® å¿è
Modern Zeldas are. But some people like to focus on the ways in which they are similar with each other instead of the ways its different than EVERY OTHER GAME out there. A lot of people consider the controls in SS a mini revolution. SS is progressive in a lot of ways but its also not in others.
Always-honest
Banned
I'm hoping it will be the amazing rebirth of Metroid Prime.
I wasn't refering to you specifically, it's just a response to seeing Ravenblade mentioned several times in the past few pages, and whenever there's a thread about Retro in general.
Exactly. Why would they want to go back to working on something that both they and Nintendo thought was bad? Plus, I doubt anyone who was very involved in Ravenblade even works there anymore.
*terrorist fist-jab*
I've never played Star Tropics. I don't doubt it's a really good game, but getting super excited and optimistic about its revival is so silly to me. It's dead, and unlike Kid Icarus, there's no fan demand for a revival. There is no value in the Star Tropics brand. None. At all. Why would Nintendo put people on that instead of a new IP?
CrAzY FiNgErS
Member
Originally Posted by CrAzY FiNgErS:
As of now the most realistic projections is a new Metroid FPA.
The most optimisitic hope is a new IP done from the ground up.
Worst case scenario is having to work with some leftover garbage from Nintendos catalogue like Star Tropics or similar obscure nonsense.
Except I never really posted that Krev^^^
Edit-no problem Krev lol ;0)
As of now the most realistic projections is a new Metroid FPA.
The most optimisitic hope is a new IP done from the ground up.
Worst case scenario is having to work with some leftover garbage from Nintendos catalogue like Star Tropics or similar obscure nonsense.
Except I never really posted that Krev^^^
Edit-no problem Krev lol ;0)
Woah, how did that happen? I'll fix it.
fabricated backlash
Member
No I'm realistic. The game is simply too obscure to even matter outside of a small fanbase. It's a waste of Retros talent to create games that aim for larger audiences, and that's exactly why I hope that their new game isn't Metroid, as it would limit their reach to an ever dwindling fanbase. Especially after Other M, the franchise is toxic, and I'd hate to see Prime 4 not selling well.
Personally I would love to see Retro do either a Horror Adventure, in the vein of the classic Silent Hill 1, or a 3rd/1st person shooter with a huge focus on coop and competitive Multiplayer.
I'm hoping for a Mario FPS for all ages.
Paintball guns as the basic weapons..
...then all the various power-ups/weapons from Mario platformers/Mario Kart.
Green shells,red shells,blue shells,fireballs, freeze your enemies, F.L.U.D.D. for an FPS water cannon, thunderbolt to slowdown/shrink enemies, squid ink gun , banana slip hazards, ghost ability to go through walls etc.etc.
It would be an ideal launch title. A new Mario game (from a new series..so people won't be bored/tired of it), online multiplayer to encourage Wii U users to actually get their hardware online, aimed at a wide variety of people, in what's currently the most popular genre.
...but I'm expecting Metroid..which won't sell that well or push much hardware....even if it's incredible.
Paintball guns as the basic weapons..
...then all the various power-ups/weapons from Mario platformers/Mario Kart.
Green shells,red shells,blue shells,fireballs, freeze your enemies, F.L.U.D.D. for an FPS water cannon, thunderbolt to slowdown/shrink enemies, squid ink gun , banana slip hazards, ghost ability to go through walls etc.etc.
It would be an ideal launch title. A new Mario game (from a new series..so people won't be bored/tired of it), online multiplayer to encourage Wii U users to actually get their hardware online, aimed at a wide variety of people, in what's currently the most popular genre.
...but I'm expecting Metroid..which won't sell that well or push much hardware....even if it's incredible.
AceBandage
Banned
Star Tropics would basically be treated as a new IP.
It wouldn't be anything like the original NES game, outside of theme. It would be an awesome adventure game, which I think Retro would thrive at.
Always-honest
Banned
ha, i've been hoping for a mario universe paintball game too. third person though.
Shikamaru Ninja
任天å ã® å¿è
I think the problem is the concept of taking a popular game and imagining that an old Nintendo IP if recreated would be the carbon copy yet potential killer app of that proposed game. Originally it was Icarus of War. But when Kid Icarus resurfaced it was not Pit in a God of War game. Now it is StarTropics being an "Uncharted" game. Again, if we ever saw a Star Tropics game, I think it would be something different.
I don't expect another Metroid first-person shooter. I don't know why you would either. The sales of Corruption prove to me that Retro Studios best use would be using the FPS engine on a more contemporary intellectual property built from the ground up.
fabricated backlash
Member
Then why even use the IP? There is literally no reason to revive Star Tropics.
I do however agree, that Retro would probably be able to make an amazing Adventure game. But there is simply no reason to use the Star Tropics IP to achieve that. If they go for an adventurous game, they should make a new IP. One that actually carries a title that doesn't invoke soft drinks or 80s disco music.
I hold the same opinion about Star Fox. As much as I like the N64 game, the characters and fiction are too flat and uninteresting to waste Retros talent on it.
It's like expecting DICE/Infinity Ward to release a thoughtfull examination of War and the intricacies of a human mind being subjected to the madness of modern warfare, instead of writing a script with a 10/1 ratio of expletives and machismo galore.
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