Sega pulls plug on Aliens RPG, but Obsidian is okay - Page 3

Nirolak · (02-12-2009, 09:45 PM)

Hmm, Joystick just posted up a story on this that paints an even bleaker picture. I'm not sure if they got more news since it's later in the day or if their reports have just been exaggerated, but I thought people would want to see it regardless.

Quote:

Sega has allegedly pulled funding from both Obsidian's Aliens RPG and Gearbox's Aliens: Colonial Marines, sources have revealed to *******. Supposedly 20 people were laid off from Obsidian yesterday and more could soon lose their jobs. The layoffs also affected the team working on Alpha Protocol, another Obsidian-developed, Sega-published title. Without the Aliens RPG, Obsidian is apparently on the ropes our sources say.

As for Gearbox, Sega supposedly stopped paying the developer for "a while" to produce Colonial Marines and it's since ceased production on the title. At this point, it's unclear whether Colonial Marines has been "canceled," or simply "halted," which Gearbox president Randy Pitchford – in response to a previous rumor – called an "inaccurate characterization."

This rumor comes less than 24 hours after Sega announced Aliens vs. Predator and refused to answer questions about the previously announced Aliens titles. Sega turning off the money tap wouldn't exactly be shocking, given the company plans to lay off 560 people and has already lost $119 million in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. Requests for clarification from Sega and Gearbox on the status of the titles have not yet been returned as of press time. An Obsidian representative responded with "no comment" to our inquiry. If you're one of those let go, or have any further information, please feel free to contact us.

platypotamus · (02-12-2009, 09:50 PM)

Not the type of thread I wanted to see today. :(

Dark FaZe · (02-12-2009, 09:51 PM)

Sega is fucking infuriating.

Jtyettis · (02-12-2009, 09:52 PM)

Originally Posted by Nirolak:

Hmm, Joystick just posted up a story on this that paints an even bleaker picture. I'm not sure if they got more news since it's later in the day or if their reports have just been exaggerated, but I thought people would want to see it regardless.

SMH

firehawk12 · (02-12-2009, 09:55 PM)

Originally Posted by shpankey:

I know you listed Microsoft closing two studios, but didn't they have some big layoffs recently separate from those two? I remember Major Nelson talking about it on his podcast. Quite a few if I remember right.

1400 people across the company. Layoffs include the community people and the GFWL people.

Anyway, I really, really hope Alpha Protocol is safe. I'll double dip on this game because I really want Obsidian to survive. A world where it was just BioWare and Bethesda would be pretty sad.

Nirolak · (02-12-2009, 09:56 PM)

Originally Posted by Jtyettis:

SMH

I'd say they're at least as accurate as Kotaku lately. It's not like I didn't mentioned it was from Joystick either.

Jtyettis · (02-12-2009, 09:57 PM)

Originally Posted by Nirolak:

I'd say they're at least as accurate as Kotaku lately. It's not like I didn't mentioned it was from Joystick either.

No I don't have a problem with the source just the additional bad news on top of bad news.

Nirolak · (02-12-2009, 09:59 PM)

Originally Posted by Jtyettis:

No I don't have a problem with the source just the additional bad news on top of bad news.

Oh, nevermind then, my bad. But yeah, if Obsidian goes under it will be a very sad day.

Pein · (02-12-2009, 10:01 PM)

fuck, this was one my anticipated RPGs

Combine · (02-12-2009, 10:05 PM)

Originally Posted by Dark FaZe:

Sega is fucking infuriating.

It's such a dramatic turnaround from just a few days ago when they announced the AvP game and many people were declaring Sega the best publisher of the gen.

Now they'll be lucky to be a good publisher after this.

It is still so infuriating because I really really wanted to see how an Alien RPG would have turned out. Now we will probably never get the chance (I can't imagine a publisher greenlighting another attempt after one failed like this). :( :(

Ventrue · (02-12-2009, 10:25 PM)

Having horrible flashbacks to the day when Black Isle shuttered. :(

outunderthestars · (02-12-2009, 10:31 PM)

I hope they sell it off to another publisher. :( I was really excited about the aliens rpg.

dionysus · (02-12-2009, 10:33 PM)

I am getting more and more angry that they funded Golden Axe: Beastrider or whatever the fuck that game was and they are pulling the plug on this game.

vertopci · (02-12-2009, 11:02 PM)

All these fucking layoffs in the gaming industry make me cry inside :(

SimpleDesign · (02-12-2009, 11:05 PM)

More proof that there is no god.

EviLore · (02-12-2009, 11:05 PM)

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Hang in there Obsidian.

Flakster99 · (02-12-2009, 11:12 PM)

Ah fuck. Yeah, no doubt, hang in there Obsidian.

SlaughterX · (02-12-2009, 11:13 PM)

That sucks, I was looking forward to it... :(

Jtyettis · (02-12-2009, 11:14 PM)

Quote:

Update: Sega just replied saying they "do not respond to speculation or rumor questions."

Class act response there Sega. With that said, if Obsidian were to go under, and I mean fully under it would be outright travesty for the industry.

Akai · (02-12-2009, 11:14 PM)

Originally Posted by SimpleDesign:

More proof that there is no god.

Or proof that He's a Nintendo fanboy!

Good luck to Obsidian...I'm looking forward to Alpha Protocol...

B E N K E · (02-12-2009, 11:16 PM)

Originally Posted by dionysus:

I am getting more and more angry that they funded Golden Axe: Beastrider or whatever the fuck that game was and they are pulling the plug on this game.

Not only did they fund it. They bought the studio as they were making it.

Combine · (02-12-2009, 11:21 PM)

Wow, seeing the topic title change to cut the word "Rumor" out of it (and note the state of Obsidian) sort of finalized it. Put a hole through my gut as well. :( :( :(

What will happen without Obsidian? Who will make the D&D games? (I was also looking forward to a 4e game damnit!!!) Certainly not BioWare now that they have Dragon Age.

ARgh!!!

ghostmind · (02-12-2009, 11:29 PM)

WTF Sega?

Damn, I was really looking forward to this... please don't die Obsidian.

Basileus777 · (02-12-2009, 11:32 PM)

Terrible news, though in a way it's hard to blame Sega. If they're losing enough money that they have to lay off 500+ of their own employees, what else can they do?

Hopefully Obsidian will survive.

Pachael · (02-12-2009, 11:33 PM)

Originally Posted by Jtyettis:

Class act response there Sega. With that said, if Obsidian were to go under, and I mean fully under it would be outright travesty for the industry.

Again, should we be surprised? Sega pulled the rug under from Sega Racing Studio, which had some promising stuff in the pipeline and a good Sega Rally while giving Secret Level scope for franchise destroying games (Axe Axe)

It looks like the new AvP announced was just reallocated funds from Obsidian and Gearbox (that might not be true), so there's every right to be annoyed. SEGAAAA

Lonesome_Raod · (02-12-2009, 11:37 PM)

THIS IS A FUCKING TRAVESTY!!!!!

SEGA I WILL NOT ABIDE THIS TRANSGRESSION!!!!!

Hold on in there Obsidian, I'm crossing everything for you guys!

Skiptastic · (02-12-2009, 11:38 PM)

Originally Posted by EviLore:

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Hang in there Obsidian.

I know man, Obsidian must live on! I need a proper KOTOR III!

firex · (02-12-2009, 11:40 PM)

once again, sega fucks up the gaming industry. what a shitty company.

ixix · (02-12-2009, 11:42 PM)

Sometimes I wonder if Fallout and Torment were so good that they created a massive karmic imbalance and as a result everyone associated with them is destined to have their chains yanked for the rest of their lives.

fizzelopeguss · (02-12-2009, 11:44 PM)

By the time this gen is up there'll be no character left in the industry.

platypotamus · (02-12-2009, 11:44 PM)

Originally Posted by ixix:

Sometimes I wonder if Fallout and Torment were so good that they created a massive karmic imbalance and as a result everyone associated with them is destined to have their chains yanked for the rest of their lives.

This is the most plausible explanation I've heard yet.

jangotangos · (02-12-2009, 11:50 PM)

does the world really need THREE Aliens games over the next 12 months?

ixix · (02-12-2009, 11:51 PM)

Originally Posted by jangotangos:

does the world really need THREE Aliens games over the next 12 months?

No, it only needs one. And now the one it gets won't be the one it needs.

Joseph Merrick · 11:59 PM

wait, wasn't alpha protocol only announced last year?

also, a new avp by rebellion is the only aliens game I need (given the choice between the three). but I'd gladly take all of them.

or, at least if rebellion got enough time to do a proper one. which judged by their recent releases.. they weren't. it's not nice how they've turned into this group of developers that will turn out decent but really simple/pointless, or average games in a short time, now-- I always hoped that stuff was for funding huge projects they wanted to really do something nuts with in the background. like 2000ad properties.. or in this case a new avp. but I guess sega just really need money back as soon as possible now from the aliens franchise.

Hesemonni · 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by jangotangos:

does the world really need THREE Aliens games over the next 12 months?

Umm, yes?

The basic premise of Alien + RPG sounds like it could've been awesome and with Obsidian behind it was bound to be awesome. Atleast I would've gladly bought it at full price. Frankly, can't really see myself doing the same with Alpha Protocol.

Snaku · (02-13-2009, 12:01 AM)

Originally Posted by ixix:

No, it only needs one. And now the one it gets won't be the one it needs.

I'm so pissed right now.

firex · (02-13-2009, 12:11 AM)

Originally Posted by Joseph Merrick:

wait, wasn't alpha protocol only announced last year?

No. it was announced around E3 2007 I believe. maybe even before then, I'm not entirely sure. last year was just another big media reveal of the game.

_tetsuo_ · (02-13-2009, 12:11 AM)

Obsidian :( No :( :(

Darkpen · (02-13-2009, 12:23 AM)

I'll be picking up Alpha Protocol, Obsidian :(

Commanche Raisin Toast · (02-13-2009, 12:27 AM)

i can't believe this. bad gaming news doesn't normally shock me like this, but i am seriously getting the anxious sour stomach feeling right now.

if sega cans the gearbox game too i will seriously use a sonic plush as a voodoo doll on their ceo's. >:(

aliens..... rpg..... can things be any more depressing? wow. just wow.

Quasar · (02-13-2009, 12:30 AM)

Originally Posted by EviLore:

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Hang in there Obsidian.

Yeah. Obsidian/Black Isle have always been faves of mine and the aliens rpg was the one aliens game I was really keen on.

Sad days.

Total Assembly better be OK.

HK-47 · (02-13-2009, 12:38 AM)

At this point we are gonna end up with KotOR II and have a gem ruined by rushing (for sake of their financial well being) or Bloodlines and the game ends up annihilating the company.

Its fucking 2004 all over again!

ilikeme · (02-13-2009, 12:48 AM)

Oh fuck no. I usually don't get emotional about video game companies, but Obsidian man. ;(

I don't want to be fatalistic so I'll just say I'll buy Alpha Protocol twice and recommend it to everyone I know. And I still hope this isn't true. But if true they'll make it, right?

And yes of course the game industry needs three Alien games. And the Obsidian developed RPG the most. God I hope it still gets made.

Pachael · (02-13-2009, 12:57 AM)

Originally Posted by Quasar:

Yeah. Obsidian/Black Isle have always been faves of mine and the aliens rpg was the one aliens game I was really keen on.

Sad days.

Total Assembly better be OK.

Did you mean Creative Assembly? I think they should be good. Sports Interactive should also be good as long as they churn out the FM games.

AgentOtaku · (02-13-2009, 01:02 AM)

Please don't fuck with Alpha Protocol! =(

SRG01 · (02-13-2009, 01:04 AM)

Well, as much as I have dished the criticism on Obsidian in the past, it doesn't really deserve to be in this position. :(

If they do get into severe financial troubles, I do hope that a bigger publisher buys them out so that at least the studio survives in some form.

Aselith · (02-13-2009, 01:12 AM)

I really hope that Alpha Protocol does some amazing numbers so they can weather this storm. Don't want to see Obsidian leave the industry.

Varna · (02-13-2009, 01:14 AM)

This is really depressing.

These are the last guys that are still staying very close to their PC roots... What happens now? Alpha Protocol bombs and that's it for Obsidian? There really isn't anything worth waiting for on the PC RPG side anymore.

bathala · (02-13-2009, 01:18 AM)

that blows. I was looking forward to Gearbox's Alien

Sega blows. BLOWS!

EXGN · (02-13-2009, 01:24 AM)

Wow, that's crazy... I was just in touch with Obsidian not even a week ago, said the game was still progressing smoothly.