Support NeoGAF

[Nirolak]

Update:

The hiring spree continues, now revealing at least one of the games has co-op.

Experience working on a product featuring shooting, melee combat or stealth mechanics
Experience working with networked, co-operative game and/or combat systems.

Source: http://www.ninjatheory.com/wp/?page_id=990

---

So last time we learned that Ninja Theory was working on a major AAA console game with Unreal Engine 4 while kicking off a notable staff expansion.

I checked a month later and it appeared all those jobs had been filled.

Now they put up another large batch of jobs, including an engine programmer listing with this note:

Ninja Theory – the makers of Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and DmC are looking for experienced engine programmers to join our expanding team. We’ve got some exciting new console projects coming up so if you have relevant console or PC industry experience then we want to hear from you!

Source: http://www.ninjatheory.com/wp/?page_id=960

They wanted to become a multigame studio after Enslaved shipped (to make both Enslaved 2 and DmC at the same time), so it looks like they're finally becoming and got enough contracts to support it.

Given Enslaved is getting a PC port and re-release on PS3, I wonder if Namco signed them for Enslaved 2.

 

[coolasj19]

Interesting theory you have there. It's probably true.

 

[Zero_]

It's to make better faces.

 

[Slamtastic]

Hopefully an original action IP with the gameplay quality of DmC without the baggage of the liscense and the associated haters.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Given Enslaved is getting a PC port and re-release on PS3, I wonder if Namco signed them for Enslaved 2.

Didn't the game sold pretty bad?....

 

[Nirolak]

Didn't the game sold pretty bad?....

They were hoping for 1 million shipped and only did 800K: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/...r_First_Half_Of_2010_Enslaved_Falls_Short.php

That said, Namco has had notably worse bombs than that.

 

[Professor Lich]

I'd work for Ninja Theory.

I could totally pull off Environmental Lighting.

 

[PeterVenkman]

Hopefully an original action IP with the gameplay quality of DmC without the baggage of the liscense and the associated haters.

Wouldn't be a NT thread without calling out all those haters, would it?

 

[IC_Champion]

I'll be watching them, with great interest.

 

[Silky]

It's to make better faces.

Next Gen Danty

Can't stop NT. Underdog's underdog.

 

[Byronic Hero]

I'd very much appreciate an Enslaved 2 as well as a DmC 2. Enslaved's ending made it seem like it was just the first of many, and DmC was just great.

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

Have they ever made a game that hit publisher expectations?

 

[coldone]

they have some good sales team. They can get new publishers to bite again and again.. but no one has returned. All publishers are just one and done deal. It will be interesting to see, if they got new ones like Nintendo to bite or is it publishers from previous games.

 

[Gbraga]

A new IP would be great! Specially a character action one, I'm very excited to see the results of their training with Capcpom-sensei

Rahni pls

 

[BPoole]

I hope one of those projects is a sequel to DmC

 

[Viola of the Abyss]

I really enjoyed Heavenly Sword and Enslaved so I'm looking forward to what they can do!

Personally I would be ok with both new games and sequels, especially for Enslaved.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Hopefully an original action IP with the gameplay quality of DmC without the baggage of the liscense and the associated haters.

I'd happily take something like that, though I'd love to see a sequel to DmC as well. Not sure if it's realistic to hope for that now, but I felt like they laid down a good foundation with the first game.

Wouldn't be a NT thread without calling out all those haters, would it?

They've become so intrinsically linked with the discussion of Ninja Theory that I'm finding it harder and harder to think of one without the other.

 

[Spazznid]

I hope one of those projects is a sequel to DmC

Same. Only DmC I could play and like. Also, Dat 60fps even at 4K.

 

[cuyahoga]

Please make an Enslaved sequel entirely in the style of the fucking weird epilogue.

 

[koryuken]

Who the fuck keeps giving them work? Have they ever made a commercially successful game?

 

[GuardianE]

I really hope they're successful with original IPs that their fans will enjoy... and they stay the fuck away from DMC.

 

[Cert.in.Death]

Good for them. They've gotten a lotta sh*t for their work, but I've generally enjoyed their approach to game design. Hopefully they have something in the works that can solidify them as a staple in the industry.

 

[PeterVenkman]

I'd happily take something like that, though I'd love to see a sequel to DmC as well. Not sure if it's realistic to hope for that now, but I felt like they laid down a good foundation with the first game.



They've become so intrinsically linked with the discussion of Ninja Theory that I'm finding it harder and harder to think of one without the other.

You need to look around more often. There wasn't anything negative before the "haterz" comments start getting thrown around.

I really hope they're successful with original IPs that their fans will enjoy... and they stay the fuck away from DMC.

god such a hater.

 

[GuardianE]

You need to look around more often. There wasn't anything negative before the "haterz" comments start getting thrown around.

It's kind of laughable how overtly and aggressively defensive people are when it comes to Ninja Theory.

 

[Gaz_RB]

This is great news. Ninja Theory has grown as a developer from game to game, and I expect the trend to continue.

DMC2 please.

 

[PeterVenkman]

It's kind of laughable how overtly and aggressively defensive people are when it comes to Ninja Theory.

I'll never understand it. Everyone needs to be persecuted these days.

NT can hire whoever they want and make a million projects for all I care just for the love of god stay away from existing IPs.

 

[FYC]

I really hope they're successful with original IPs that their fans will enjoy... and they stay the fuck away from DMC.

That'd be awesome.

 

[PaulloDEC]

You need to look around more often. There wasn't anything negative before the "haterz" comments start getting thrown around.

I dunno man. Just today we got a nice thread entitled "Ninja Theory are very good at face modeling", and the first reply was:

Too bad they suck at everything else.

I mean, how much more inoffesive of a thread can you make? It wasn't "Ninja Theory are the best at face modeling" or "Ninja Theory are better than __________ at face modeling". Just a nice, neutral observation with some pretty screenshots.

Not sure how many other devs would get that kind of a reception round here.

 

[Nirolak]

Who the fuck keeps giving them work? Have they ever made a commercially successful game?

Generally speaking, when signing projects, publishers care about the following:

1.) Create games on time and on budget.
2.) Make games that are well reviewed.
3.) Make games in a genre the publisher wants to enter into and/or expand their presence in.

Sales aren't a huge issue for publishers (unless they were the one who published the game that bombed) because selling the game is the publisher's job, whereas doing the above is the developer's job.

Ninja Theory's last game was DmC (Metacritic 86, 28 month dev cycle, Hack & Slash genre), so that fits the bill for a lot of publishers.

Avalanche is another great example of this. Their games aren't especially successful, but they make well timed/budgeted games, review well, and make open world titles.

 

[GuardianE]

Not sure how many other devs would get that kind of a reception round here.

Square. Capcom. Nintendo. Sega. There are plenty of developers that get potshots taken at the beginning of threads.

You're not looking hard enough. Especially if you're expecting first replies to be anything but trollish.

 

[PeterVenkman]

I dunno man. Just today we got a nice thread entitled "Ninja Theory are very good at face modeling", and the first reply was:



I mean, how much more inoffesive of a thread can you make? It wasn't "Ninja Theory are the best at face modeling" or "Ninja Theory are better than __________ at face modeling". Just a nice, neutral observation with some pretty screenshots.

Not sure how many other devs would get that kind of a reception round here.

NT took a huge dump on an existing fanbase. I'm not sure what you're expecting?

I disagree with that post you quoted - I don't even think their face modelling is good. Why do so many NT fans call "foul" when anyone doesn't like what they like?

 

[mattiewheels]

I'll never understand it. Everyone needs to be persecuted these days.

NT can hire whoever they want and make a million projects for all I care just for the love of god stay away from existing IPs.

What do you love most? Cherish with all your being, and all that? That's what they're working on next, sorry man.

 

[PeterVenkman]

What do you love most? Cherish with all your being, and all that? That's what they're working on next, sorry man.

Spoiler

so you're saying DmC2?

 

[Gaz_RB]

What do you love most? Cherish with all your being, and all that? That's what they're working on next, sorry man.

lmao

 

[PaulloDEC]

NT took a huge dump on an existing fanbase. I'm not sure what you're expecting?

The fact that you'd say something like this makes it hard to have a serious conversation. Ninja Theory was commissioned to reboot DmC, and that's on Capcom. Capcom hired them, Capcom oversaw the development, Capcom greenlit the game and Capcom brought it to market. Yet somehow Ninja Theory is the bad guy?

I disagree with that post you quoted - I don't even think their face modelling is good. Why do so many NT fans call "foul" when anyone doesn't like what they like?

This boggles my mind a little. You don't even find it "good"? I can only think of a handful of developers who've (IMO) matched or bettered their work.

 

[Kintaro]

I find them to be very good at everything except gameplay. They just can't nail that. So, I usually cross my fingers that they don't get any existing IP. Best of luck to them on their own though. Improvement would be welcome!

 

[Dahbomb]

At this point most DMC fans have exhausted their hate fuel for DmC and the hate has turned into indifference. A DmC2 announced will not be met with nearly the same level of vitriol but you will have the usual people coming in and reminding people of the game's flaws.

I don't think the game will do well sales wise but a next gen DMC game I want a piece of. I like DMC too much to not be hyped for a new one.

 

[PeterVenkman]

The fact that you'd say something like this makes it hard to have a serious conversation. Ninja Theory was commissioned to reboot DmC, and that's on Capcom. Capcom hired them, Capcom oversaw the development, Capcom greenlit the game and Capcom brought it to market. Yet somehow Ninja Theory is the bad guy?



This boggles my mind a little. You don't even find it "good"? I can only think of a handful of developers who've (IMO) matched or bettered their work.

You're assuming I think Capcom is clear of blame. Not true.

I still don't like NT and we can have a "serious conversation" about that for as long as you like.

EDIT: There are plenty of developers who make better character faces. It's also, and here's the kicker, an opinion. I really am not impressed by their modelling. Spend a few minutes in the Hi Res PC Screenshots. I think plenty of those faces beat out Donte and crew.

 

[GuardianE]

EDIT: There are plenty of developers who make better character faces. It's also, and here's the kicker, an opinion. I really am not impressed by their modelling. Spend a few minutes in the Hi Res PC Screenshots. I think plenty of those faces beat out Donte and crew.

What impresses most people about Ninja Theory's faces is the animation... which is mostly attributed to a labor intensive and expensive mocap technology that was outsourced.

 

[sleepykyo]

The fact that you'd say something like this makes it hard to have a serious conversation. Ninja Theory was commissioned to reboot DmC, and that's on Capcom. Capcom hired them, Capcom oversaw the development, Capcom greenlit the game and Capcom brought it to market. Yet somehow Ninja Theory is the bad guy?

They can't both be at fault (though I'll leave it to others to figure the split)? Yes, Capcom and Inafune set DmC up to fail by not forcing NT to meet the frame rate of the predecessor and then wasting time defending the frame rate that they signed off on. By wasting time on whether DmC was a reboot or an alternate universe or whatever. In other words, Capcom's inability to support the crap they put out.

On the other hand, plenty of developers seem to have meet a similar challenge (of following up on an existing franchise) as NT. eg. Treyarch, Dimps, Blue Castle/Capcom Vancouver.

While Nirolak's theory seems plausible, I hope it is something new instead of Enslaved 2. And hopefully for Capcom. Unless one of those games is Tomb Raider 2.

 

[PaulloDEC]

You're assuming I think Capcom is clear of blame. Not true.

Sure, but when you make a statement like "NT took a huge dump on an existing fanbase", without any mention of the publisher who handed them the keys to the franchise you can see why people might perceive an aggressive bias.

EDIT: There are plenty of developers who make better character faces. It's also, and here's the kicker, an opinion. I really am not impressed by their modelling. Spend a few minutes in the Hi Res PC Screenshots. I think plenty of those faces beat out Donte and crew.

I've no doubt there's better to be found out there, especially in a PC-centric thread. I'm just a little amazed when a piece of work that most people consider to be technically impressive doesn't even earn a passing grade from others.

I know, opinions.

What impresses most people about Ninja Theory's faces is the animation... which is mostly attributed to a labor intensive and expensive mocap technology that was outsourced.

People don't hesitate to praise Blizzard on their pre-rendered cutscenes. Part of being a good developer (at least in the AAA space) is choosing the right organisations to work with and outsource to.

They can't both be at fault (though I'll leave it to others to figure the split)? Yes, Capcom and Inafune set DmC up to fail by not forcing NT to meet the frame rate of the predecessor and then wasting time defending the frame rate that they signed off on. By wasting time on whether DmC was a reboot or an alternate universe or whatever. In other words, Capcom's inability to support the crap they put out.

At the end of the day, Capcom gets to choose what goes out under their name. If they weren't happy with Ninja Theory's work, it's was their responsibility as the stewards of the DmC/DMC franchise to cut their losses and shut it down. They chose not to do that.

 

[PeterVenkman]

What impresses most people about Ninja Theory's faces is the animation... which is mostly attributed to a labor intensive and expensive mocap technology that was outsourced.

Yeah that makes sense to me. Motion capture isn't all it takes to grab my interest. I've been more impressed with CDProjekt RED (Witcher 2 faces were fucking fantastic), Crytek (i could land the mars rover in Psycho's hi def face craters), DICE, 4A, 2K, Guerrilla Games - Waaaay more interesting to me than NT.

NT might clean up alright on the PC with some nice IQ, but Vergil's face isn't doing anyone any favors.

EDIT:

Sure, but when you make a statement like "NT took a huge dump on an existing fanbase", without any mention of the publisher who handed them the keys to the franchise you can see why people might perceive an aggressive bias.

I really don't know what you're getting at - Capcom gave them the game and NT was hostile to the existing fans. You can call it an aggressive bias if you want, I don't really care that people know I don't like NT. I also don't think I need to add a footnote to every post I make about NT wherein I mention Capcom's faults because a) the list would be too huge, and b) I blame NT more. But I'm fine with people liking NT and DmC.

 

[nbnt]

Heavenly Sword 2 #BELIEVE

... Please

 

[GuardianE]

People don't hesitate to praise Blizzard on their pre-rendered cutscenes. Part of being a good developer (at least in the AAA space) is choosing the right organisations to work with and outsource to.

I thought Blizzard made their pre-rendered cutscenes in-house?

I'm not saying it doesn't take skill to adapt motion capture. What I'm saying is that the most impressive thing they're known for is a derivative of expensive Hollywood technology.

 

[IconGrist]

I'll care once Heavenly Sword 2 gets announced with Ana Torv taking lead again.

 

[PaulloDEC]

I thought Blizzard made their pre-rendered cutscenes in-house?

Ah, you may have me there. Just did a quick google and it seems like Blizzard have an internal cinematics team. Guess I got them confused with another dev, apologies.

I'm not saying it doesn't take skill to adapt motion capture. What I'm saying is that the most impressive thing they're known for is a derivative of expensive Hollywood technology.

Oh, for sure. To be fair though, mo-cap has been a pretty standard practice in games for quite a few years now, and facial/performance capture looks to be going the same way.

 

[unholyrevenger72]

I'll care once Heavenly Sword 2 gets announced with Ana Torv taking lead again.

They could make anything for all i care as long as Anna Torv is in it.

 

[Dog Problems]

I hope one of those projects is a sequel to DmC

Same here. I played through it earlier this week and really enjoyed it.

 

[IconGrist]

They could make anything for all i care as long as Anna Torv is in it.

Hmmm... yes. Yes, I can agree with this.

 

[- J - D -]

I'll care once Heavenly Sword 2 gets announced with Ana Torv taking lead again.

They could make anything for all i care as long as Anna Torv is in it.

Yes, god, please. After Fringe ended I was utterly despondent.