First of all personal financial health is not necessarly the same thing as the company financial health and second there's a good chance he was invited to that expo and was not paying for the hotel.
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The God who Peter Molyneux forgot - Curiosity winner Bryan Henderson
- Thread starter mocoworm
- Start date
First of all personal financial health is not necessarly the same thing as the company financial health and second there's a good chance he was invited to that expo and was not paying for the hotel.
What the fuck?
CountAntonius
Member
I love Molyneux's enthusiasm but this guy needs to learn to dial it back a bit. He's becoming a meme at this point.
Kobun Heat
Member
Just posting to say that -- and I realize that these are a minority of the posts in this thread -- each time someone in this thread takes this very nicely put-together work of important investigative journalism (an exemplar of really just the best sort of thing we should all be hoping for) and decides to complain about (of all fucking things!) how the author gave a physical description and some basic biographical facts of the subject of the story, God gets so angry that He kills an unborn baby panda.
Lots of news around this game / developer, just over the past couple days:
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rocky-road-ahead-for-godus-as-key-devs-depart/1100-6425211/
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rocky-road-ahead-for-godus-as-key-devs-depart/1100-6425211/
Son of Cervantes
Member
Does anyone remember that sympathetic profile Kotaku did on Molyneux when he was doing the Godus Kickstarter and facing a ton of criticism? I was quoted in the article saying the guy was a con artist.
I take no satisfaction in my prediction coming true, but I hope this permanently tarnishes Molyneux's reputation. He is not to be trusted.
I take no satisfaction in my prediction coming true, but I hope this permanently tarnishes Molyneux's reputation. He is not to be trusted.
ShockingAlberto
Member
Imagine if Willy Wonka gave everyone golden tickets, then when they got to the factory, the building was on fire.
Leafhopper
Banned
To be honest that sounds like something he would do.
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
I love his gushing apology as if he's going to jump in the phone instantly. I'd bet he did nothing of the sort, or even contacted the guy. Molyneux actually seems like a pathological liar.
More_Badass
Member
It would certainly be a life changing experience
Check out the second video here: http://www.gamestar.de/news/vermischtes/3082700/ich_habe_sonst_nichts_das_ich_kann.html
CambriaRising
Member
This is really scummy.
Don't know. For me it was just strange that he mentions several things twice. To me, it felt as if the author assumed I have Alzheimer's disease
By repeating it this often, it seems as if Bryan was only after the money. Actually, the writer makes him look like some poor guy who's crying about not getting this feature that he won. The quotations, however, don't really paint that picture. Those make it seem as if Bryan couldn't care less anymore.
Well, that's the last thing I expected. My previous comment still stands, oddly enough.
Green Wiggly
Member
Don't know. For me it was just strange that he mentions several things twice. To me, it felt as if the author assumed I have Alzheimer's disease
By repeating it this often, it seems as if Bryan was only after the money. Actually, the writer makes him look like some poor guy who's crying about not getting this feature that he won. The quotations, however, don't really paint that picture. Those make it seem as if Bryan couldn't care less anymore.
I think the author just isn't a very good writer, but I don't read Eurogamer much.
We have passed that point a couple of years ago.
Orniletter
Banned
Anyone ever heard the podtoid episode where Jim Sterling slagged off Molyneux and Fable The Journey ?
It was hilarious.
It was hilarious.
Don't get me wrong. I really like what he wrote about and the approach he chose. But yes, his writing style in that particular piece isn't exactly what I would consider good.
Why would anyone trust this snake oil salesman again? Amazing how he can ride his legacy for so long after enough broken promises
outunderthestars
Banned
Dennis dyack and Peter Molyneux should create a game together.
Graphics Horse
Member
I thought the implication that vintage PS1 games like Crash and Tomb raider are less 'retro' than 1997's Dungeon Master was a bit odd, though they do have more recent sequels.
Son of Cervantes
Member
http://kotaku.com/the-man-who-promised-too-much-1537352493
The guy cried crocodile tears and people believed him.
The guy cried crocodile tears and people believed him.
That, or they'd get to the factory and nobody would ever come out of it, except some Oompa Loompa who does nothing but kick you in the junk and send you on your way.
I know Molyneux is known for his (and I put this gently) extreme exaggerations, but to promise somebody one thing - and then take it away without so much as a word - that's beyond just normal Molyneux behavior; that's being a huge dick.
depths20XX
Member
Anyone else get Heaven's Gate cult leader vibes from that video? It just seemed weird.
"You will be a God and shape the whole video game world, it will be truely amazing and unlike anything else. It will be absolutely life changing and you'll be rich. You'll get 3 wishes from a lamp and also a flying dragon."
"You will be a God and shape the whole video game world, it will be truely amazing and unlike anything else. It will be absolutely life changing and you'll be rich. You'll get 3 wishes from a lamp and also a flying dragon."
Doctor_Thomas
Member
I used to give Molyneux the benefit of the doubt in being an amazing mind, but was unable to get his vision into the game but, as time has gone on, it has gone from unfortunate inability to reach goals to blatant lies about the product.
I wouldn't buy another one of his games because, regardless of what the game becomes, it wouldn't be what he says it is and he never had an intention of making it as such.
I wouldn't buy another one of his games because, regardless of what the game becomes, it wouldn't be what he says it is and he never had an intention of making it as such.
Azure Dream
Member
Wow, this makes the Godus situation 10x scummier. Peter Molyneux seemed very humble about it one breath, then started spewing out fluff the next.
And as someone else pointed out, he only apparently gets paid while in the God of Gods role, and apparently they won't implement that until it can be challenged:
Depending on how their mechanics worked, it could be an extremely short time, then he's cut off. Unless they build in some ability for him to regularly gain it back. Which I doubt.
Molyneux should not have to be reminded by a Eurogamer interview about his "God of Gods" after he stood in front of a greenscreen and rambled on about how life-changing the whole thing was going to be. I'm sure they'll make some token gift now that they've been publicly called on it. (I suspect Molyneux's promise really was just for more communication.) But even for a small, struggling "indie" studio, this is shameful.
And as someone else pointed out, he only apparently gets paid while in the God of Gods role, and apparently they won't implement that until it can be challenged:
Depending on how their mechanics worked, it could be an extremely short time, then he's cut off. Unless they build in some ability for him to regularly gain it back. Which I doubt.
Molyneux should not have to be reminded by a Eurogamer interview about his "God of Gods" after he stood in front of a greenscreen and rambled on about how life-changing the whole thing was going to be. I'm sure they'll make some token gift now that they've been publicly called on it. (I suspect Molyneux's promise really was just for more communication.) But even for a small, struggling "indie" studio, this is shameful.
Darth Smurf X
Member
I award you with today's "You Made Me Laugh Out Loud At My Work Desk" trophy.
keltickennedy
Member
pr0cs
Member
I was a big fan of Molyneux but his promises over the last while have really soured me.
I helped Kickstart Godus because it seemed like a good genre (is it me or have god games been under-served in the last few years) to get back into.
Now I really regret it. Godus started out good, I could see the framework of a really fun game there and the early betas were reasonably fun. But as time went on you could see how it was never going to get finished. The updates got fewer and fewer.
Sadly Godus, of all the games and projects I funded on Kickstarter, is the one I'm most disappointed in.
I really think Peter needs to move on from gaming. I don't think his heart is in it anymore and it's easier to just promise the world than stay quiet and put out a fun game.
I helped Kickstart Godus because it seemed like a good genre (is it me or have god games been under-served in the last few years) to get back into.
Now I really regret it. Godus started out good, I could see the framework of a really fun game there and the early betas were reasonably fun. But as time went on you could see how it was never going to get finished. The updates got fewer and fewer.
Sadly Godus, of all the games and projects I funded on Kickstarter, is the one I'm most disappointed in.
I really think Peter needs to move on from gaming. I don't think his heart is in it anymore and it's easier to just promise the world than stay quiet and put out a fun game.
Inspiration = "ideas I can steal for my next scam"
More_Badass
Member
Idk, between games like Banished, Reprisal, and Reus, and more simulation-esque games like RimWorld and Craft The World, the genre is thriving among the indie scene
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
Purple Cheeto
Member
Tim Schafer is the American Molyneux, can we involve him too?
More_Badass
Member
Wow. Dishwasher was awesome, and I'm really excited for Salt & Sanctuary
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
So what's the story with Godus? People Kickstarted it, they started making the game, decided they couldn't finish it due to lack of funds/resources and he's moved onto a new one? What a cunt.
Seems Kickstarter enables people like this guy to fleece people pretty easily, in a way. Seems all the risk is on them when his shitty project management goes off the rails and he can just move onto a new project.
Seems Kickstarter enables people like this guy to fleece people pretty easily, in a way. Seems all the risk is on them when his shitty project management goes off the rails and he can just move onto a new project.
Green Wiggly
Member
Same here. Too much self projection to give the writing "texture" instead of just telling the facts. At least the kid seems pretty cool about the whole thing.
Baron_Calamity
Member
Thats a bit low.
NullPointer
Member
And to think, Molyneux used to be one of my gaming heroes because of his early games (formative ones for me definitely) and the promise of his words about the goals and intentions with each new game.
And with each new game I'd read the disappointment from players who were promised one thing and delivered another. But still, Peter seemed to be one of the few voices out there talking about creating these small emotional connections and creating reactive worlds where the player's actions would reverberate throughout and be reflected in NPC behaviors and evolving worlds.
But I've finally shed any fondness I've had for the guy. His projects are scams and his word means less than nothing. Curiosity and Godus and now The Trial are only the latest - and are so much vapor and false intentions.
And with each new game I'd read the disappointment from players who were promised one thing and delivered another. But still, Peter seemed to be one of the few voices out there talking about creating these small emotional connections and creating reactive worlds where the player's actions would reverberate throughout and be reflected in NPC behaviors and evolving worlds.
But I've finally shed any fondness I've had for the guy. His projects are scams and his word means less than nothing. Curiosity and Godus and now The Trial are only the latest - and are so much vapor and false intentions.
There's some kind of messed up stuff in that article. He stole money from his grandmother to buy a Pong machine, lied to Commodore so they would give him a bunch of Amigas and shot kids with BB guns at close range apparently sending a couple to the hospital.
Dude sounds like a psychopath.
I dont understand how Peter got this reputation as one of the most well known developers. True, I didnt play Black or White, but the Fable series was completely terrible in my opinion. Not just average, but just bad. Bad story, bad characters, horrible combat and things that didnt add at all to the game, like the emote system and the dog. I can't even name one NPC from Fable 1-3 and I bet a lot of people also can't.
More_Badass
Member
While also making a big deal of a mobile game tie-in and its life-changing reward, then offering the winner silence and broken promises.
SliChillax
Member
I've been hearing this phrase for almost a decade.
Nah, they're in good financial health. This article is from last week:
http://venturebeat.com/2015/02/03/f...eter-molyneuxs-reinvention-journey-interview/
Add to that the fact that Molyneux himself must be worth an absolute fortune. I can't find the figures for how much Bullfrog and Lionhead were sold for, but it would be tens of millions for sure. Around the time MS bought Lionhead they dropped over £200m on Rare. So Lionhead must have been around £50m at least?
Plus he's been a VP at EA and a VP at Xbox, both of which probably carry 7 figure salaries.
Molyneux is minted.
22 Cans only has 20 staff, assuming they get an average of £32k each (average UK dev salary) that's only £640k a year in salaries.
The whole Curiosity-Godus thing seems incredibly scummy, I can't believe they don't just send the kid a cheque for £20k or something and call it an advance. If his revenue share ever gets above £20k they can start sending him more money.
Yeah, ok, the terms of his contract means they can wiggle out of giving him anything, but at the moment, the prize in the middle of the curiosity cube was fucking nothing. They were selling upgrades for that game to give people a better chance of winning the "Life changing" prize.
The prize was literally nothing.
Leafhopper
Banned
He is nowhere near as bad as those 2.