Compulsion Games talks about their origin, We Happy Few Development and aquisition by Microsoft

[Bernkastel]

At 34:41, they start talking about the Microsoft Aquisition

They basically came to us and said we want you to keep doing what you do really well, but now you have a budget. So, we were like - 'Oh Yeah, thats great. Lets do that'.

We are spending a lot time figuring out to raise the standards of the quality of the game we are building so we can become a real first party studio.

For the first time, in a very long time in my career to be able to create without this cloud of impending doom of financing or studio politics, not having to carry those twin albatrosses around I think are extremely liberating.

If everyone else is just like me, I think they are preparing to do the best work of their careers

Do you feel like it made you a better studio ? Well I guess we will know whether we will be a better studio, once we get out our next game. People would tell us, if we are better or not.

 

[bumleforce]

It sucks when you work and you always have that fear of losing your job in there case because of funding. The talent was there obviously and microsoft saw that. I think the next game is gonna be really good but its gonna be a while and i am looking forward to it. They know how to tell a story and they were going in so many directions gameplay wise. it will be nice to see them focused.

 

[Kagey K]

I didn’t like We Happy Few personally, but I bought it for my g/f last Christmas, and so far she has spent 14 days and 55 mins in game according to the stats on Xbox.

So while it may not be for me, I appreciate that it’s a game some people love. Her 14 days in that game is almost double the time I spent in one game this gen.

 

[Mattyp]

I didn’t like We Happy Few personally, but I bought it for my g/f last Christmas, and so far she has spent 14 days and 55 mins in game according to the stats on Xbox.

So while it may not be for me, I appreciate that it’s a game some people love. Her 14 days in that game is almost double the time I spent in one game this gen.

This is the same for me, I don’t have the time to enjoy the game with the hours required but a few friends do and love it. More than glad Microsoft picked them up with the security they have now and more diversity for those who do love it.

Will no doubt will give some time to whatever they do next with MS funding and the hiring spree all these studios have been on.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Contrast is a beautiful game and I love the presentation and the game, so artistic. I wish it was launch it physical versión. In the other hand we Happy few is overrated game for nothing.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

"We Had to Make the Chicken and the Egg at the Same Time:" A We Happy Few Postmortem

How Compulsion Games found itself in stormy weather.

www.usgamer.net

Thanks mods for the title change

 

[Oddvintagechap]

I enjoyed Contrast. More than i should have? Felt really PS2 like.

 

[Bernkastel]

Few months old but relavant to this thread

 

[CatLady]

I didn’t like We Happy Few personally, but I bought it for my g/f last Christmas, and so far she has spent 14 days and 55 mins in game according to the stats on Xbox.

So while it may not be for me, I appreciate that it’s a game some people love. Her 14 days in that game is almost double the time I spent in one game this gen.

So glad to hear your gf liked it, I thought I was the only person on the planet that liked it. In fact I loved it, even as unpolished and janky as it was. It was unique & fresh, with a weird cool story & interesting quirky characters. I liked the game play and I thought overall it was really a fun game.

I'd been excited about this game since the 1st time MS showed at E3 and intended to buy it day 1 but then I was scared off by the horrible reviews it received and lost all interest. Once I joined Game Pass, I decided to give it a try even though my expectations were low and just like what happened with Hellblade another game I thought I wouldn't like, it turned out to be a game I really loved.

I hope their next game is as unusual and fun as this one was for me, minus the jank.

 

[Gargus]

I didn’t like We Happy Few personally, but I bought it for my g/f last Christmas, and so far she has spent 14 days and 55 mins in game according to the stats on Xbox.

So while it may not be for me, I appreciate that it’s a game some people love. Her 14 days in that game is almost double the time I spent in one game this gen.

Yeah. I got it off Ebay and I played it about 5 hours and quit. I just didn't like anything about it. It felt like someone came up with a really brief idea and sketched out some interesting mask concepts and that was really all they had, and just sort of threw the game up around those 2 things.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Let's see if they can actually put out a good game this time.

 

[Bernkastel]

8 Jobs in Worldwide

Today’s 8 jobs in Worldwide. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. New Worldwide jobs added daily.

www.linkedin.com

Qualifications
● Experience working on at least one AAA game

Alright folks. They are going all out.

 

[molasar]

Naila Hadjas seems to be nice.

 

[Bernkastel]

74 Lead Game Designer jobs in Canada (4 new)

Today’s top 74 Lead Game Designer jobs in Canada. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. New Lead Game Designer jobs added daily.

www.linkedin.com

 

[Hendrick's]

I think they will emerge as a top tier studio. I loved Contrast, and thought WHF had great potential, but lacked a budget.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

 

[Bernkastel]

8 Jobs in Worldwide

Today’s 8 jobs in Worldwide. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. New Worldwide jobs added daily.

www.linkedin.com

Qualifications

● 5+ years experience creating and designing narrative for AAA games and/or narrative indie games

They have 12 open postions

Principal systems programmer
Lead level artist
UI programmer
3D Artist
Level designer
Producer
Senior level designer- 8+ years experience in video game level design, with experience in 3rd person action and adventure games
Gameplay programmer
Writer
Senior Writer
Systems programmer
Senior UX designer

 

[CeeJay]

I think they will emerge as a top tier studio. I loved Contrast, and thought WHF had great potential, but lacked a budget.

I think you can say that for a lot of the studios that MS acquired. I think their output next gen is going to surprise a lot of people. I am looking forward to seeing what Undead Labs can do with access to the wealth of knowledge and technical expertise within Xbox Studios along with the shackles of extremely limited budgets removed.

 

[Bernkastel]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericallard/

 

[Bernkastel]

 

[Bernkastel]

 

[Bernkastel]

 

[FF:Enhanced_Reality]

It sucks when you work and you always have that fear of losing your job in there case because of funding. The talent was there obviously and microsoft saw that. I think the next game is gonna be really good but its gonna be a while and i am looking forward to it. They know how to tell a story and they were going in so many directions gameplay wise. it will be nice to see them focused.

I wouldn't think being first party will make you safer tbh.

 

[The_Mike]

I wouldn't think being first party will make you safer tbh.

Well depends if its under EA or not. Having living on a previous financial crisis, I can tell you that it really can kill any sort of creativity.

 

[LeftThumbstick]

Let's see if they can actually put out a good game this time.

That’s a bit harsh is it not? It certainly wasn’t the worst game to ever come out and a decent entry for a small studio.

 

[Redlancet]

I think they will emerge as a top tier studio. I loved Contrast, and thought WHF had great potential, but lacked a budget.

top tier? nah

 

[Alan Wake]

We Happy Few was a bit rough, but I saw the potential. Really curious to see what Compulsion can do with more people and better funding. Guess we'll have to wait a while to find out.

 

[FF:Enhanced_Reality]

Well depends if its under EA or not. Having living on a previous financial crisis, I can tell you that it really can kill any sort of creativity.

Actually I was thinking Microsoft have shut down studios before today. Sony too. A budget is great but there's still expectation with that. The console manufacturers aren't charities so they have to make money from that budget. If not well... Ask Lionhead.

 

[Bernkastel]