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IGN: ~50 Layoffs at Sony Santa Monica, Project Canceled [Up2: Was Stig's New IP]
- Thread starter Jonboy
- Start date
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D
Deleted member 80556
Unconfirmed Member
That sounds like the "If we're wrong, we're wrong. I don't really care." from that IGN thread haha.
Shhh... It's all okay, DemonNite.
vpance
Member
Yep, VR confirmed. Floating HUDs and Minority Report style control would've been super impressive looking.
Wow, judging from all the information out there this game was the greatest first person, third person, horror, sci-fi, vehicle combat, epic, shooter, RPG of all time that was best played on PS4 VR.
Can we stop being disappointed about a game that Sony has never ackwondegled the existence of? Perhaps in another era we might have gotten to play this unicorn of a game.
Can we stop being disappointed about a game that Sony has never ackwondegled the existence of? Perhaps in another era we might have gotten to play this unicorn of a game.
funkystudent
Member
So do we know if Stig got let go as well?
Freeman
Banned
Don't kill the dream man. Sony is testing our resolve, maybe we never deserved this game, instead we deserve GoW4 to atone for our sins.
no...no join us we don't bite
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if that's how it works in the "church of Sony" then I wouldn't want to be a member lmao
no...no join us we don't bit
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Dyack would like a word with you
I guess we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss a new God of War. If they do indeed change the mythos and setting, we could all be eating crow.
D
Deleted member 80556
Unconfirmed Member
Dyack would like a word with you
Well, I doubt Cory would talk shit about us behind our backs.
Are you FOR or AGAINST GAF, Cory? ANSWER.
Don't listen to him. We won't bite. I'm sure one of the mods can get you approved uber quick.
^The only reason Dyack got shit on here was because he said a bunch of stuff that wasn't backed up in the final product and he was extremely combative. If he had a humble attitude and had delivered on his promises would have been a different story.
Juan29.zapata said:
STAND AND BE COUNTED. I think it is time to draw the digital line.
Cornbread78
Member
Man, I really wish Sony would give up details on what the story is with the IP, maybe it will be revisted down ther street. I just do't see how they can throw away 4 years dev time, and millions of dollars on a new IP that could or could not have been epic. What is the true reason they had to lay people off and cancel the game? I wish tey would step up, but if they value the jobs they still do have, they will not say a word...
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Speaking with peeps again, they state that while Destiny comparisons may not have been exact the killing blow, the similarities were absolutely there, SSM knew it, and that a version of the game sometime afterwards had several changes to reflect that.
So I dunno. Barlog is probably right, and the people I'm speaking to probably are too, with the whole "Destiny killed new IP" thing the most inflated and generally inaccurate part of the whole thing. I still believe the comparison was made, as were changes. And that in the long run what likely killed the new IP was a process of changing the project and the natural development hurdles that brings, along general development and financial issues.
So I dunno. Barlog is probably right, and the people I'm speaking to probably are too, with the whole "Destiny killed new IP" thing the most inflated and generally inaccurate part of the whole thing. I still believe the comparison was made, as were changes. And that in the long run what likely killed the new IP was a process of changing the project and the natural development hurdles that brings, along general development and financial issues.
gundamkyoukai
Member
Which makes the most sense to tell the truth .
dragonbane
Member
You are probably right. This post was created last Sunday, two days before the announcement of the cancellation:
Given that the dude seems pretty open on twitter there is no reason to doubt this, especially not since this happened before anyone got the news about the incoming cancellation. So it definitely seems like they started over with a lot of stuff.
I think it is easy to say that Sony is in serious trouble financially... I'd expect a regression to MS levels of numerous sequels and guaranteed sellers like GoW, Uncharted, etc...
Very, very few new IP's. They don't have the cash to take chances anymore. This will be a generation of rehashes from both MS and Sony. Only innovation is going to come from third parties and Indies.
Console gaming is in dire straits
Very, very few new IP's. They don't have the cash to take chances anymore. This will be a generation of rehashes from both MS and Sony. Only innovation is going to come from third parties and Indies.
Console gaming is in dire straits
anexanhume
Member
Interesting. If they were really dealt that much of a setback, I understand them cancelling. My overwhelming feeling in any case is that I'm sorry for those who lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
That being said, if there is indeed a new GoW in development and that's what SSM feels they need to do, I'll be there to buy and play it as long as its good. I like new, but well done is more important than new to me. I can't imagine the crazy stuff they'll do on PS4.
Mr. PlayStation
Member
Last September MS hired Mark Simon, who was formerly at Santa Monica Studios having worked on God of War3 and Ascension.
Hope the famous Speed of Jason McDonald Mr.McDonald is still part of SSM as the Senior Combat Designer!
I am expecting to see more free to play and indie games. But I think we will also still see new IPs here and there like The Order and Driveclub for awhile yet. They are just going to have to cut corners and restructure some. It's unfortunate, but their financial situation demands it.
Some Nobody
Junior Member
The more I hear about it, the more I think the only reason there was a Destiny comparison is because both are sci-fi games. FPS and TPS aren't the same at all. Hell, you could make the exact same game as Destiny but make it third person and I'd be more likely to buy that, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't the case with SSM.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Aight, here's my amendment:
UPDATE 28/02: Cory Barlog, employee at Sony Santa Monica, disagrees with the content of this report. As indicated by his twitter:
Take it for what you will.
Weve spoken to our sources for clarification (hard to ignore the words of an actual dev). Theyve stated that while Destiny comparisons may not have been the coup de grâce for Sony Santa Monicas sci-fi new IP, they are adamant that there absolutely were similarities between the games original build and Destinys debut reveal. Furthermore, Santa Monica staff were apparently acknowledging of these similarities, frustrated, and that a later build of the game had clear changes implement.
Whats the truth? Weve no bloody idea. Barlogs words of wisdom should be taken as weighty as he works at the studio. Our sources? Thats up for you to decide. Its worth noting that while Barlog does refer to this piece as nonsense, he does not specify what exactly is nonsense, or if its the entire thing. The latter is highly unlikely, as rumours of the new IP being science fiction are far from new. Our weigh in? The emphasis on Destiny specifically causing the new IPs cancellation is misleading and not entirely true. Instead, we believe it is most likely a combination of changes made to the build, and naturally troubled development (something many titles face), as well as possible financial/downsizing issues with Sony/SSM, being the prime cause for cancellation. We are, however, inclined to believe our sources in that comparisons to Destiny were acknowledged by staff at Sony Santa Monica, and this played some role (positively or negatively) in the course of development. We also maintain that God of War for PlayStation 4 is indeed in development, and that some staff who worked on the new IP but did not face layoffs have moved on to this project.
He was never the head of the studio.
The original quote:
The amendment:
Care to clarify the change in tone? The rest of your post continues to make sense. Whether it's true or not remains to be seen. Pretty sure parts of it are true at the very least.
Have I came into the wrong section of the forum, is this a mating ritual right here lol!
Lol I really hope one of the reasons for canning it didn't lie in just the Sci-fi lore of it all.
It probably was development hell because there are alot of differences that goes in FPS compared to a TPS.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Diminished emphasis. I'm still lead to believe a lot of staff have gone over to God of War, just not all of them. But since I don't work at Santa Monica and can't vouch for the information personally I think it pays to leave room for interpretation.
I want to know if it was co-op.
If it was a multiplayer co-op, loot based sci-fi game, being first or third person wouldn't stop it being compared to Destiny. But if it was a single player game, I really don't see any relation at all, it'd be closer to Mass Effect I'd imagine.
If it was a multiplayer co-op, loot based sci-fi game, being first or third person wouldn't stop it being compared to Destiny. But if it was a single player game, I really don't see any relation at all, it'd be closer to Mass Effect I'd imagine.
Any publicity is good publicity as they say
- I see your first 3 paragraphs probable, I wonder if Stig is referring to the particular project move and unhappy speculation.It is understood not everyone faced layoffs from that team, I think. I'm guessing Stig didn't face one.
Its stuff like this that makes ppl think GAF has a hive mind.
funkystudent
Member
I think if he wasnt let go I cant imagine he would stay around long. Going back to GoW probably isnt his thing and they wont put him in charge of another new IP after he failed to deliver.
Would probably stick around and collect that paycheck while looking for a new job
I like to think that they went over that possibility. I like to think that...
PlanetSide is a proven F2P game. Different.
Agreed.
Seriously. Thank god Shu doesn't have an account where we know who he is. Just stay the hell away.
I don't think that would be the case. This stuff happens and I don't believe one unfortunate circumstance kills your entire credibility.
Rogue_Ledr
Banned
I severly doubt they would lay off Stig regardless.
The man is a proven and competent team leader.
Even if his game got killed, there are plenty of other projects where his talents could be applied.
Corpsepyre
Banned
I also doubt he'd want to work underneath Barlog after the whole GoW3 fiasco in 2007.
Here's to hoping they were as tired of Kratos as the rest of us.
Would love to see them take on norse mythology.
Is this puzzle recent?
I agree. I don't think he or any person would want to quit either. It hurts, but it was ultimately a layoff. I'm guessing he will probably start on another project, but that takes a while.
I will say that I am of the mindset that console gaming is far from dying but with the continuing increase in budgets, I am worried about the future of AAA new IP's.
You would think that publishers would at least trust the big name devs but even those devs are leaving the AAA industry or not getting the opportunity to make big games. David Jaffe, Cliffy B, and Ken Levine are examples of big name directors leaving because they want to work on smaller projects. It seems that Hideo Kojima will never be able to leave MGS, etc.
It will be concerning that if in 5 years, if every AAA title is an established franchise. Not only because that will make the industry stale, but also because you will have a ton of talent not satisfied creatively and frustrated.
Great talent knows how to make great games. Trust that they will make successful and interesting franchises. Don't suck it dry and then jump ship. You only tarnish your products name and frustrate consumers.
You would think that publishers would at least trust the big name devs but even those devs are leaving the AAA industry or not getting the opportunity to make big games. David Jaffe, Cliffy B, and Ken Levine are examples of big name directors leaving because they want to work on smaller projects. It seems that Hideo Kojima will never be able to leave MGS, etc.
It will be concerning that if in 5 years, if every AAA title is an established franchise. Not only because that will make the industry stale, but also because you will have a ton of talent not satisfied creatively and frustrated.
Great talent knows how to make great games. Trust that they will make successful and interesting franchises. Don't suck it dry and then jump ship. You only tarnish your products name and frustrate consumers.
I think very highly of Jonathan Blow, but that's a pretty stupid thing to say.
Games used to cost a lot less, so the risk was a lot less. When it costs $5m to make a new IP, you only need to sell 150k to get in the black, now people are looking at 3/4m units to get in the black.
Games used to cost a lot less, so the risk was a lot less. When it costs $5m to make a new IP, you only need to sell 150k to get in the black, now people are looking at 3/4m units to get in the black.
I get the feeling with Kojima its different, its his baby, his studio etc. Maybe some big directors made a name for themselves and find the publicity they made along the way would impact them better financially when self employed. Perhaps not due to lack of creative freedom.
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