Except it is, read what you wrote, it clearly is.
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IGN: ~50 Layoffs at Sony Santa Monica, Project Canceled [Up2: Was Stig's New IP]
- Thread starter Jonboy
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Except it is, read what you wrote, it clearly is.
Rimon-hanit
Member
Bummer they have some of the greatest art talents in the industry,
I hope everyone lands on their feets.
I hope everyone lands on their feets.
Really reductionist, but how can you really disagree with the strategy this early in this gen? The install bases are so small, to create huge AAAA games for one platform seems foolish now if you aren't mitigating risk by building off an established IP.
Depressing times.
Yeah, it's really sad that this got canned after so long, and so close to announcement. But to cancel something after all that time, there must've been some serious issues with it.
If the game wasn't coming along then I'm sure it was for the best. Lets be real here if the game was really amazing then I'd like to believe that it wouldn't have been canned.
I'm sure they wouldn't kill the game for no reason, the real tragedy here is the lost jobs, the time sink, and the waste of financial resources.
I also feel pretty bad for the devs that poured their heart and soul in to a project that won't see the light of day.
I'm sure they wouldn't kill the game for no reason, the real tragedy here is the lost jobs, the time sink, and the waste of financial resources.
I also feel pretty bad for the devs that poured their heart and soul in to a project that won't see the light of day.
I thought they were working on The Last Guardian. So it's all just smoke and mirrors? Such a small staff and not even concentrating on the game everyone is apparently waiting.
You don't really believe this do you?
If they canceled the project and shuffled everyone to the GoW team, sure. But canceling the project and laying off those who were working on it...how does that help GoW at all?
New IP cancelled in favor of yet another GOW and probably another existing franchise sequel. This is certainly not the way to bring confidence to those wondering where the PS4 games are.
Sony saying absolutely silent on anything not named Infamous or Order doesn't help matters.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Driveclub cancelled at this point. We know about as much about DC as we did this new IP.
Sony saying absolutely silent on anything not named Infamous or Order doesn't help matters.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Driveclub cancelled at this point. We know about as much about DC as we did this new IP.
Dr. Kitty Muffins
Member
It sure seems like there is a lot here that we don't know. More to the point, it seems like we don't have enough to go on to be making any assumptions.
-sigh-
:lol
The game was on hold at some point and they were moved around them I'm assuming. I don't think he's implying the game was in active development for the past 8.5 years and they were getting moved around during active development.
paperheart
Banned
Wow a sci-fi game that was set to be unveiled this E3? That would have been cool to see.
I seriously doubt 50 people is all it takes to make a PS4 game. No doubt they didn't let the most talented people go and put them into other projects instead.
I honestly don't know. They just kept telling how it is coming but apparently it has been later revealed that they actually aren't working on the game? I'm little confused myself. Has anyone tried to spot some Team ICO staff on other games' staff rolls then?
Metalingus5150
Member
Come on....
We need new IP's...
I don't even think I would buy a new God of War.
We need new IP's...
I don't even think I would buy a new God of War.
And SSM have certainly had their fair share of projects that were cancelled before this. It's not like their track record is pristine.
Interfectum
Member
It perfectly represents the current AAA landscape.
cebri.one
Member
The videogame industry works like that, you need your last game to be a success in order to fund the new one. It doesn't matter how many successes you had in the past.
Well in their defense, in theory they wouldn't have to ramp up the new IP from 50 people to the 150-200 needed to ship.
Drive Club is not comparable.
Wishmaster92
Member
So Stig's game is cancelled but he is still working at SSM correct?
Or did he leave too?
Or did he leave too?
BlackBuzzard
Banned
So much hyperbole.
gundamkyoukai
Member
Not only that but they move from game to game within SCEJ.
You see...this is why I hate all of these assumptions that are presented as facts. After a couple of people states something, others will pick it up and run with it.
Next time someone does this, use a fucking source please.
What the fuck are you talking about? There's nothing out there saying they canceled the new IP to make another GOW. What you call "common sense" is straight from the ass. Don't act like that's a source.
Traumnovelle
Member
The Catch 22 is that early in a console cycle is often the best time to bring about new IP to get it established,
Guess how many people worked on the biggest XB1 game releasing this year.
Google is your sword. Common sense is your shield.
The team sizes vary. I'm aware. Still the other point stands: do you think they would let all the talent working on the game walk just because they cancelled the game they were working on?
Yeah I mean it's a fairly finished racing game. That's kind of hard to screw up.
At worst I could see them shuttering the studio after launch, but I feel we don't see warning signs of that currently given how much Sony UK has already been reduced and their big sin is missing launch on a new console which is a frequent event.
famousmortimer
Banned
And the reason they are still around is that they are cheap.
Well considering Yoshida said it's mostly just the technical staff on TLG now, I don't think it matters if art staff work on Gravity Rush and Knack.
It's hard to say people shouldn't be concerned about a game that hasn't been seen in years, but personally I believe it's fine, and we'll see it at E3.
This game wasn't even announced! What kind of shit post is this!?
MrChocolate
Member
Sort of related, Sakaguchi in Square.
After the flop in the FF Movie, he was kicked out of Square. It didn't matter any of his previous hits with every FF.
TheRealTalker
Banned
Or the game was deemed to expensive to move on, exceeding the budget
It didn't have to be a shit game
How many shit games does Sony London make and it still gets to shelves
Sorc3r3r
Member
Yeah, this strikes me too.
A lot of money wasted, the game must have been a mess in more than a way.
BTW for the people involed, i hope you can find a new job soon.
GL to all.
Doesn't sound cheap to me if working on TLG was the staff's main job. Was it so or is it like was stated above: they were just working on other games meanwhile?
In any case I think axing Team Ico would be a very hard stunt for Sony to pull off PR wise. The team has achieved a cult status and like you said they are arguably cheap to keep around even if their productiveness can be questioned.
Interfectum
Member
If I were a betting man I would say Evolution Studios won't make it past 2015.
Killing_Joke
Member
This is really shit news from such a high profile team. But like famousmortimer said there must have been a good reason. Hopefully they all land on their feet soon.
DarkLordMalik
Member
He was kicked out? I thought he left it voluntarily.
TheSpaceBetween
Member
People didn't "leave," they were fired. I would like to know if Stig was as well. Not only was he the Director of GOW III, but like Todd Pappy he was involved in all the previous GOW games too. What is weird though is a few months ago someone from SSM said they hoped to show their new game soon, probably meaning E3. And then we have this other dude now saying how excited he was about the game and how heartbroken he is over this. Everyone is of course throwing blame all over the place but the fact is we just don't know what happened. It is VERY weird though.
A full fledged God of War 4 running on the ps4 would sell like crazy. It's coming. And it would probably make up for some of the money that was spent on the now canceled IP that has been in production for 4 years.
But that doesn't mean SSM doesn't have another new IP in the works. It's just that a God of War game is probably coming from them next.
Was Stigs game the one that they were teasing with the president newspaper and stuff?
And they work on other projects. Team ICO isn't actually a dedicated team at all. Ueda is one of the few constants.
captscience
Member
I'd argue that the beginning of the generation is the best time to establish a new brand. New IPs get publicity and exposure amongst fewer competitors. Early adopters rush to buy and champion the early exclusives. Plus, it's always good to associate a new platform with a new IP. Ps1-Crash, PS2 Jak, PS3-Uncharted
From last gen we got Gears, Uncharted, Assassin's Creed, Dead Rising, amongst many others that have become successful franchises that were established early in the cycle.
Do you see Titanfall and Destiny as risks? They're almost sure fire hits.
No, I don't really believe it. Though the financial priority can very well have shifted to GoW.
Just bummed at the loss of a new IP.
How do you know it was in production for 4 years?
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