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The hell is going on with Sony game studios?
- Thread starter sn00zer
- Start date
Barkley's Justice
Member
Developers are realizing how empty and unfulfilling big-budget game development is.
SarcasticD
Member
Every time someone puts up a thread about someone from Sony losing a job should include Mort's post into their initial post
paradise_circus
Member
100 million dollar spent over 4 years with (let's say) 1 year full production? I don't think that this is possible.
I want some positive Sony news for once with games. Uncharted 4 trailer, Drive Club looking better than ever, The Order gameplay demo, Guerilla Games new IP in a crazy fantasy setting, Media Molecule new IP more creative, Bend rebooting Syphon Filter, The Last Guardian re-revealed, Gran Turismo 7 Prologue, Last if Us port and etc.
Sony really need to start bringing in the goods. So far they only have 3 upcoming AAA games announced, which one was delayed and the other got a brief teaser. Both Killzone and Knack were dissapointments , however while inFamous has some flaws its a good start to the right direction.
Sony really need to start bringing in the goods. So far they only have 3 upcoming AAA games announced, which one was delayed and the other got a brief teaser. Both Killzone and Knack were dissapointments , however while inFamous has some flaws its a good start to the right direction.
GloriousBagel
Banned
Well isn't just like that tech lead lady that left Microsoft?
These things happen all the time, we shouldn't be in panic mode just yet. I'm going to wait and see how things pan out.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Spring cleaning.
Sidewinder
Member
Thanks famousmortimer, finally some truthfacts that make sense to me and that don't spell doom for Sony. Damn at dat Stig figure, should've made Colony Wars instead.
Frayne Daddy
Banned
Maybe sony doesn't pay what people feel they deserve?
Would be a bt neat of some of the laid off devs got together and started making mid tier studios
While Mort's post is great, its hard to ignore these are lead game developers leaving projects halfway. If they laid off minor staff to restructure it would not be a bug deal. But lead game directors leaving before game being shipped is a big deal. Uncharted 4 and Drive Club both have had this happen.
LookAtMeGo
Member
All these people leaving sucks for sure, but there is a lot of really good talented people out there that would be their dream to work at one of these studios. Who's to say that somebody with a shit ton of passion and ambition won't take the place of some of these people leaving and have the studio better off?
Does seem bizarre that there's this much upheaval now as they otherwise seem to have their act together with the new console. I don't recall this much upheaval when the PS3 was launching, and that was obviously fraught with much more challenge for their dev teams, I would think.
Sounds like a lot of it stems from overambitious projects and differences over the direction they're taking. I think Sony could probably benefit from getting a few more of their teams to work on smaller projects for the new gen first, then build to large scale AAA titles.
Sounds like a lot of it stems from overambitious projects and differences over the direction they're taking. I think Sony could probably benefit from getting a few more of their teams to work on smaller projects for the new gen first, then build to large scale AAA titles.
PeakPointMatrix
Member
Holy shit. Logic. Reason. Sound conclusions based on rational thought. Can this post be stickied? It seems like every time someone even hints at a professional's shift in job status, we get Finding Nemo seagulls level of inane uninformed noise and panic.
Sure, in 5 years it will probably be sorted, but changing management of AAA games mid-development is usually a very damaging thing.
Always-honest
Banned
I'm not worried.. Things change sometimes. For different reasons.
No matter what happens I just hope they can find a good home that they could fit in for future projects. There's always more things that we never know or find out but to be honest it's not my business. They should make the best decisions for the sake of their lives and I just hope they can all deliver good work like they have done so far.
I hope UC4 can be another amazing achievement by ND and I hope that Drive club can deliver it too. Same with any upcoming game and project no matter the platform.
I hope UC4 can be another amazing achievement by ND and I hope that Drive club can deliver it too. Same with any upcoming game and project no matter the platform.
How exactly does he move around a lot? This is what he did prior to going to Sucker Punch.
Halo: Reach
September 14, 2010 X360XBGS
Halo Wars
February 26, 2009 X360XBGS
Halo 3
September 25, 2007 X360XBGS
Halo 2
November 9, 2004 XBOXPC
Halo: Combat Evolved
November 15, 2001 MACXBOXPC
Myth II: Chimera
1999 MACPC
Myth II: Soulblighter
September 1, 1998 MACPC
Marathon 2: Durandal
September 6, 1996 MACXBGSPC
Holy over-reaction!
You're saying that nobody should discuss this? What is more seagull like, asking "what's going on?", or shouting "EVERYTHINGS FINE" over and over?
Ever worked in IT? Project cost overruns before shitcanning happens all the time - the conjunction of creative industry + IT can be a recipe for proper black holes, especially if the creative director/s have a lot of traction thanks to past projects.
They should run game developers like movie studios. Make them independent of the ideas and concepts, and independent from failure.
If the game fails because of the execution then you need to re manage the studio, do whatever it takes to get it so the products are well made. Management is usually the problem with this so they should go or be helped. If the concept fails then those responsible for the concept should go. They should use outside scripts, directors, just outside elements way more.
The way they have its almost a guarantee for stagnation as they drive these ideas into the ground with studios that can only do one thing. The talent should be able to translate to almost anything within reason. The could share assets resources between developers to make it easier.
For instance you could have Respawn to make the next Fifa. Ok maybe too far but have some of the devs whom have some interest move and lead the project for a time.
That's strange, someone said it in the other thread, and I was sure I'd read the same thing, that he'd worked at RAD, DICE, Valve and other places, I don't know who I'm confusing him with then.
Black Republican
Member
PS2 like comeback? oh lord, who told you that?
Plus they could start using Hollywood accounting techniques whereby nothing ever makes money ever.
What ms shown, whats nintendo shown? e3 is around the corner why in the world would they show stuff before that any of them?. If you read anything on mopheus its in devlopment and ways away from shipping, heck theyve been saying games need to be built from the ground up, jeff from giantbomb said they had a ground up demo built just for it what more do you expect from a device that is ways away.
1.21Gigawatts
Banned
Yes. They release multiple statements were they stated exactly that.
If this is a good or a bad thing is to be determined.
WorldWideStudios got pretty big over the course of last gen and they produced not only hits.
I could very well imagine Sony tightening the whole thing and focus more on quality.
I also think that some acquisitions are imminent. QuanticDream and ReadyAtDawn for example.
I actually think that Sonys 1st party output this gen will be even better than what they had last gen. If they get the Japan Studios back on track that would be huge, too.
Considering how many moves have happened lately that makes sense to get them confused lol
If morpheus ever comes out, I'm assuming it will have software. I don't think it's outrageous to expect them to present a game that they're working on, even if it's just a proof of concept.
MS owns like, no studios anymore, and Nintendo, as has been WIDELY OBSERVED AND COMMENTED ON has a disastrous dearth of software titles.
I don't think comparing Sony's massive amounts of studios' outputs to these two companies does Sony any favors.
lol, they just showed project morpheus last week.
they are not going to show you every game they will make, it is staggered as always to get most attention and that wont change.
Live Free or Die
Banned
People leave jobs all the time. You guys are getting too emotionally involved in these game studios. Lol
Why would they show now when e3 isnt far away, its not as if the other two are swimming in games. Take a look back when move was first shown, it was shown with tech demo nothing more, from what i read the shark demo does a great job at showing the tech off thats where its at right now, why would they show or announce games for it when they more than likely dont even know if or when its coming to market for consumers to buy.
things change indeed. I'm not worried either and see things from the inside.
freenudemacusers
Member
It's over, period. Sony lost their last ace, and that's the end of their PS4 hopes and dreams.
It's not hyperbole, it's not fanboy drivel. It is LITERALLY it for PS4. Sony has nothing left, nothing they can reveal tomorrow would fix the hole now created. There is no reason left for any one, hardcore or casual, to substantively invest in a PS4. Except if they want to play Ratchet and Clank. Which will also come to Xbone at some point.
The age of Sony is done.
It's not hyperbole, it's not fanboy drivel. It is LITERALLY it for PS4. Sony has nothing left, nothing they can reveal tomorrow would fix the hole now created. There is no reason left for any one, hardcore or casual, to substantively invest in a PS4. Except if they want to play Ratchet and Clank. Which will also come to Xbone at some point.
The age of Sony is done.
PanicFreak
Member
Accounting techniques aren't decided by companies. They are decided by FASB.
I see what you did there.
Can Crusher
Banned
100 million dollars on a cancelled project? I find that hard to believe.
And the move was a massive success for them, right? (I own one and love it FWIW). Anyway, they had tech demos, but they were of actual gameplay, and went on to become games.
The point of showing off software titles is to communicate what their vision for Morpheus is to not only the consumer but also other developers. It is the bare minimum expected of a platform holder. If they had something real to show, they would have.
omg lolololol u troll me
Triggerhappytel
Member
famousmortimer said:
Ah shit, really? I loved Mercenary, I thought it was their best game in a long time and I was hoping they'd either net a bigger project or create something new (probably as a spin-off to whatever GG are doing).
walltowall
Member
I don't care the cooperate culture you're in. You don't give creative $100 mil and leave them unchecked. A gamble like that is mismanagement and would normally cost the head of the vertical their job. Not just the studio head.
....
What's actually funny:
Sony could close Evolution Studios and Santa Monica Studios and they would still have more AAA teams than Microsoft or Nintendo.
Some of their studios needs fresh (creative) blood.
No better time than at the beginning of a console generation.
You mean after KZ:M?
Funny, because now I know for sure you are just making all these "rumors" up.
Paracelsus
Member
Sony is in first position, they expect third party exclusive titles to come naturally, they don't sound too eager to repeat what happened last gen: spend a fortune across several minor studios to create smaller exclusives because they weren't getting any from the outside.
One and fucking DONE...seriously the people freaking out is only due to this kind of stuff being more public knowledge
dragonbane
Member
Pretty sure they will be fine. Lots of projects still going on it seems.
I would be surprised if they're expecting notable third party exclusives, not that they need them either though.