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[Nirolak]

Given this is their website, I'll assume they don't mind wholesale copypaste.

A Message From Ted – Sunset Overdrive
Posted on June 10, 2013

At Insomniac, we’ve always been transparent with our fans. It’s important to us that our fans understand why we do what we do – it’s really the only way to build a meaningful long-term relationship.

In the spirit of maintaining that rapport, I wanted to take a moment and discuss our big announcement today. In case you didn’t see it, we announced Sunset Overdrive, our next big console IP. You can watch the trailer here and sign up to get more info on the website here. Here’s the official description of Sunset Overdrive:

“Sunset Overdrive is an always changing, open-world shooter set in the not-so-distant future. A catastrophic event has left your city overrun by mutants. While the majority perished or transformed, you flourished. It turns out your calling isn’t picking up trash or serving food, it’s mutant destruction. With an arsenal of kick-ass, overpowered weapons and a knack for traversing the city with hyper agility, it’s not the end of days for you. Your story is just beginning.”

It may surprise some of our longtime fans that we have partnered with Microsoft Studios to develop Sunset Overdrive exclusively for Xbox One. When we first began discussing this idea with Microsoft, we were initially hesitant to shift back into an exclusive arrangement. But as the Microsoft team began introducing us to the abilities and philosophies driving the development of Xbox One, we knew that Sunset Overdrive was a perfect fit. The Xbox One and Xbox Live will support our ambitions to create an ongoing two-way dialogue with our community. It will also allow us to have quicker production cycles, enabling timely content updates for new weapons, characters, storylines and even pop culture-relevant content like memes based on social commentary.

Many of you may be asking what this news means for Insomniac. What about Ratchet & Clank? What about Fuse? Others may ask why we have “abandoned” our PlayStation heritage. The truth is, not a lot has changed. Insomniac has been, is, and will continue to be 100% independent. We have treasured that independence for the last 19 years. It now allows us to own and control our IP, and find the most suitable partners to make those IP a reality. While we are excited about partnering with Microsoft on Sunset Overdrive, that doesn’t mean we can’t or wouldn’t make games with our longtime friends at Sony. That’s the magic of being an independent developer.

Everyone here at Insomniac and on the Sunset Overdrive team at Microsoft is pumped to bring the game to you. We hope you will sign up to get more info and join the S.C.U.K. For our local fans in Los Angeles, stay tuned to our Twitter (@sunsetoverdrive) as there will be some activities around town offering a chance for you to earn some of the first Sunset Overdrive swag.

Finally, next week we’ll be hosting a town hall style online stream. I’ll be joined by our Creative Directors on Sunset Overdrive, Marcus Smith (Creative Director, Resistance 3) and Drew Murray (Lead Designer, Resistance 3), and we’ll answer your Sunset Overdrive questions as best we can.

We can’t wait to show you more of Sunset Overdrive. Thanks for reading, and please let me know what you think about the game and the news.

Source: http://www.insomniacgames.com/a-message-from-ted-sunset-overdrive/

 

[PK Gaming]

That's the one game actually makes me want to consider getting an Xbox One (maybe 5 years down the line) haha.

 

[Dabanton]

This game from the visuals gives me a Jet Set Radio crossed with Crackdown feel.

 

[coldone]

hope they can add some physics to their engine.

In all their games every thing slips and slides without any weight. Especially the big towering monsters are a joke.

 

[Alx]

We can’t wait to show you more of Sunset Overdrive.

I can't wait to see more of Sunset Overdrive.

 

[Empty]

really looking forward to seeing their traversal mechanics

"pop culture-relevant content like memes based on social commentary."

what

 

[Garrett 2U]

There were some cool easter eggs in that trailer, can't wait to see more!

 

[sono]

I hope this works for them.

Its not enough for me to xbone. They lost me somewhere around R3.

 

[Squire]

Sounds like the game is another of these games that's always online and blends the single-player experience together with multiplayer. Interesting.

 

[Wynnebeck]

I'm sorry but this game looks and sounds terrible. Not one of the highlights from the conference IMO.

 

[boingball]

The only question to which I want to know the answer "What about Ratchet & Clank?". There is no direct answer to this, except that Insomniac wants to own their IP and R&C is Sony owned. Which means, they have no interest in it. At least, that is my interpretation.
Well, good luck hunting the CoD crowd with Fuse and Sunset Overdrive.

 

[Kyon]

I guarantee this game will not be like that trailer after the focus testing lawd Jesus

 

[Sean]

Sunset Overdrive has lots of potential, the teaser trailer looked really cool. I hope that accurately reflects the game.

 

[Phire Phox]

That trailer has got me hyped for the game. Looks great. Can't wait to see some gameplay.

 

[tokkun]

pop culture-relevant content like memes based on social commentary

Worse than all the DRM in the world.

 

[ezekial45]

This game from the visuals gives me a Jet Set Radio crossed with Crackdown feel.

Yeah, that's a good way of describing it. Even though I'm not planning on getting Xbox One, I am very curious about this game.

 

[Carl]

It will also allow us to have quicker production cycles, enabling timely content updates for new weapons, characters, storylines and even pop culture-relevant content like memes based on social commentary.

Err that sounds completely stupid.

But i quite liked the look of this game.

 

[GrayFoxPL]

That's the one game actually makes me want to consider getting an Xbox One (maybe 5 years down the line) haha.

 

[derFeef]

Sounds pretty good, and the art seems rad

 

[GamerJM]

I'm not really personally interested in this game from a gameplay standpoint, but it's nice to see another game try something unique visually.

 

[Statue of Limitation]

The problem with Insomniac is they have developed this idea that 'having cool' weapons is enough to set them apart from everything else on the market. It started with Ratchet and it was made worse with Resistance. Now it's literally all they do.

When EA put pressure on them to change Overstrike they swallowed their pride and made Fuse a game about 'cool weapons.'

Naughty Dog are evolving the industry through story telling and writing and Insomniac are making a machine gun that can shoot buzz-saws.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

I liked Resistance, but I don't understand the praise for the trailer. It looked like an awful teen-focused marketing firm's ad campaign pitch.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

The only question to which I want to know the answer "What about Ratchet & Clank?". There is no direct answer to this, except that Insomniac wants to own their IP and R&C is Sony owned. Which means, they have no interest in it. At least, that is my interpretation.

They are actively involved as a company in the Ratchet and Clank movie that will be in theaters in 2015:

We’ve been looking for the right partner to help us bring a Ratchet & Clank movie to life, and we’re thrilled to announce that Blockade Entertainment and Rainmaker Entertainment are currently in production on Ratchet & Clank’s first cinematic adventure. Insomniac is honored to play a hands-on role with the film’s production, screenplay, character development, and animation consulting. Furthermore, our own Ratchet & Clank writer, T.J. Fixman, who has written all of the recent Ratchet & Clank games, is writing the script for the film as well.

Sony Blog - Posted by James Stevenson // Community Lead, Insomniac Games

If Insomniac has "no interest in it" because Ratchet is a Sony IP, they've got a funny way of showing it...

 

[zomgbbqftw]

While we are excited about partnering with Microsoft on Sunset Overdrive, that doesn’t mean we can’t or wouldn’t make games with our longtime friends at Sony.

Actually, Ted, it does. If your premier Burbank team is making a game for Microsoft exclusively then it means Sony won't take your sloppy seconds from the NC team.

You made the right choice for your studio and I completely respect it, but don't pretend to your long time fans that your studio will still be working on their favourite PlayStation franchises, it does both you and them a disservice.

In Sony's position I would put my faith in Ready at Dawn and Sanzaru Games this generation and look at buying both of them by the end of the generation. RaD have proved themselves time and again in the wild west of development that was PSP, they made million selling games on a platform destroyed by piracy. Sanzaru made a very decent game in Sly 4, and I look forward to their next game, my hope is that they are given the R&C franchise and we get a proper sequel to ACiT, not the travesty that was A41 and FFA/Qforce.

 

[Sean]

Well, good luck hunting the CoD crowd with Fuse and Sunset Overdrive.

How is this "hunting the CoD crowd"? It has nothing in common with CoD besides the fact that you shoot guns (and even the weapons are way different).

 

[QisTopTier]

What are they going to rename it after they get rid of the current art style

How is this "hunting the CoD crowd"? It has nothing in common with CoD besides the fact that you shoot guns.

Hunting the Monday Night Combat crowd.

 

[Zekra Dezivad]

How many words to explain why exist a game that will bomb just like fuse

 

[Colonel Nasty]

R3 is awesome, this could be great as well.

 

[AznSniper]

The comments section is just brutal. Best of luck to Insomniac though. I have a feeling that the direction of the game will change just like when Overstrike changed to Fuse.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

Resistance leads?
My already low interest is now gone

 

[TriGen]

I wonder if this is a 2014 title or if that was a super early teaser?

 

[derFeef]

The comments section is just brutal. Best of luck to Insomniac though. I have a feeling that the direction of the game will change just like when Overstrike changed to Fuse.

You think? From the Xbox Wire Q&A.

Ted Price: Microsoft has been fully engaged as a partner on “Sunset Overdrive.” They definitely share our vision for where we’re taking this world. In particular it’s been fantastic to have a partner who enthusiastically supports a super stylized aesthetic, humor and rockinf--kingroll attitude.

Knock against EA?

 

[jstevenson]

Resistance leads?
My already low interest is now gone

you apparently didn't play Resistance 3

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I can't wait to see how it re-emerges drained of color next year.

 

[Fersis]

I cant play it even if i want it.
I live in the wrong country.... lololol T_T

 

[reptilescorpio]

Looking forward to the livestream to actually see what it is all about! Starting to get more and more confident about it after hearing the Resistance 3 leads are handling it, loved R3.

Also Fuse is only $32USD from Play Asia today. Made it 3 weeks before bomba at least.

 

[jstevenson]

The problem with Insomniac is they have developed this idea that 'having cool' weapons is enough to set them apart from everything else on the market. It started with Ratchet and it was made worse with Resistance. Now it's literally all they do.

When EA put pressure on them to change Overstrike they swallowed their pride and made Fuse a game about 'cool weapons.'

Naughty Dog are evolving the industry through story telling and writing and Insomniac are making a machine gun that can shoot buzz-saws.

I think everyone at Insomniac is aware that crazy weapons isn't enough to differentiate in this day and age.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

you apparently didn't play Resistance 3

I hated 2 & 3

 

[jstevenson]

I can't wait to see how it re-emerges drained of color next year.

Microsoft and Insomniac are 100% committed to the style shown in the teaser. You can see Ted's comments on the Xbox Wire blog as well.

 

[Carl]

you apparently didn't play Resistance 3

R3 is even more reason to have low expectations

 

[Die Squirrel Die]

I cant play it even if i want it.
I live in the wrong country.... lololol T_T

Maybe that's why MS was the perfect partner. Easier than getting a restraining order.

 

[jstevenson]

really looking forward to seeing their traversal mechanics

"pop culture-relevant content like memes based on social commentary."

what

I guess the best example in current media would be when South Park references things almost immediately after they happen, which is kind of crazy on a scripted TV show. We plan to be similar with pop-culturally relevant items while they are still fresh.

 

[Kyon]

I cant play it even if i want it.
I live in the wrong country.... lololol T_T

If only Ted was bundled with the game TBH I'd buy 100 copies

 

[krypt0nian]

Shame they shackled themselves to the lead balloon. I haven't loved anything since ACIT, but this at least is looking fun.

 

[jett]

I cant play it even if i want it.
I live in the wrong country.... lololol T_T

Microsoft doesn't care about Latin American people.

 

[Heart Attack]

Resistance Leads? hahahahahahhaha. Another XB1 exclusive that bites the dust.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Ratchet and Clank PS4, I don't care who makes it, but I want it to be epic. Just imagine the shower of nuts and bolts you can do on that thing, with 30 different weapon effects going off (bouncer, groovatron, tornado, and and and). I'll be waiting, I'll find something until then.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

Insomniac's President: "Insomniac has been, is, and will continue to be 100% independent."




Insomniac's Community Lead:

Insomniac's corporate messaging is just as disorganized as Microsoft's, huh? LOL

 

[I-hate-u]

Microsoft and Insomniac are 100% committed to the style shown in the teaser. You can see Ted's comments on the Xbox Wire blog as well.

Just a question, do you guys own the ip?

 

[diamount]

R3 is even more reason to have low expectations

R2 would of been a reason to have low expectations, R3 should of raised them ever so slightly.