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Precursor Games Responds, Assets From Silicon Knights Converted To CryEngine3

May 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

After last week's announcement of Shadow of the Eternals, we had a number of questions about the relationship between Silicon Knights and new studio Precursor Games. As you might recall, Precursor Games is billing Shadow of the Eternals as a spiritual successor to Nintendo's Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem.

We recently spoke with Silicon Knights' Mike Mays about the current activities at that company, and now a Precursor Games representative has responded to some of our questions.

Game Informer: You’ve called Shadow of the Eternals a “spiritual successor to Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem.”  Can you tell us what Nintendo’s involvement with your project is? Are they providing financial or in-kind support?
Precursor Games: Shadow of the Eternals is built within a new universe that will give players their own individual experience as they delve deeper into the lore.  Nintendo has been very supportive of this project and we have been in constant communication with them.  They have wished us luck in the crowdfunding campaign.

We noticed that you are running a forum for Eternal Darkness, complete with the original logo (which we have been informed is still wholly owned by Nintendo).
Yes, this is a fan forum where people can talk about things such as favorite memories and characters. 

Your goal for $ 1.5 million will get you to through the first episode, but you are offering even some very low tiers multiple episodes. How are you able to guarantee delivery of anything beyond episode one should you only reach your initial goal?
We offer a $ 5 tier for those who want a conservative option and will continue to offer each future episode for $ 5.  For those who wish to contribute beyond $ 5 and get future episodes for a better price, we offer this option as well.  Through continued crowdfunding (beyond Kickstarter) and sales of the pilot, we plan on delivering the future episodes.  

We are introducing several new ideas with this crowdfunding campaign: episodic content, core community development and a new company called Precursor Games.  We understand that there may be some concerns with so many new things.  However, what concerns us more is not moving forward from old ideas.  We are asking gamers to support us and this forward thinking initiative.

Silicon Knights informed us that employees that are now at Precursor Games purchased art assets. Can you tell us what kind of assets were purchased? Were any from Eternal Darkness? Are any in your offices?
Precursor purchased a small amount of art assets and used equipment along with many other laid off employees.  Any used assets had to be significantly altered to work in the CryENGINE 3. Over the course of a year, Precursor Games created a large of amount of original content for this demo you see running on the awesome CryENGINE 3.

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Patrice Désilets Responds, ‘I Was Terminated By Ubisoft’

May 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Game Informer has just received a statement from Patrice Désilets regarding his departure from Ubisoft. As we reported earlier, Désilets is no long with the publisher and has opened up about the circumstances.

The following statement comes from Désilets by way of his agent.

Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft.  I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings.

This was not my decision.

Ubisoft's actions are baseless and without merit. I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights, for my team and for my game.

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Patrice Désilets Responds, ‘I Was Terminated By Ubisoft’

May 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Game Informer has just received a statement from Patrice Désilets regarding his departure from Ubisoft. As we reported earlier, Désilets is no long with the publisher and has opened up about the circumstances.

The following statement comes from Désilets by way of his agent.

Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft.  I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings.

This was not my decision.

Ubisoft's actions are baseless and without merit. I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights, for my team and for my game.

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Might & Magic Heroes 6 currently unplayable for many [update: Ubisoft responds]

May 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Might & Magic Heroes 6 currently unplayable for many update Ubisoft responds

Update: Ubisoft has issued a new response on Facebook, apologizing for the problems users are facing. The post lists possible solutions to some issues, though it seems that those with problems redeeming keys or with inaccessible content will have to wait. Ubisoft is preforming maintenance today to reauthorize players and “gradually set everything back to normal.”

Many Steam and Ubisoft customers are complaining that Heroes of Might & Magic 6 has become unplayable since the release of its recent expansion, Shades of Darkness, and the 2.1 patch that accompanied it. The issue seems to center around Ubisoft’s Uplay service, which refuses to accept the download codes issued to customers after they buy the game.

Users are saying that the problem arises after downloading the game and activating their key within Uplay. Upon booting the game, the in-game store page asks for the same key. If the key is entered again, the game produces an error message that the key has already been redeemed. After this, players have access to the Heroes 6 expansions, but are unable to play the main campaign (it’s grayed out in the menu).

For its part, Ubisoft has acknowledged the issue on its own forums, assuring users that their keys are “not broken and will be fixed as soon as possible.” The company is also recommending a workaround discovered by forum user ElektroDragon, which involves manually downloading and installing the patch instead of allowing the game to do it automatically.

Meanwhile, Steam users have started a petition against Ubisoft, specifically its use of 3rd party DRM via Uplay. The publisher has a rocky history with its PC games, often releasing them long after their console counterparts and saddling them with restrictive DRM. Earlier this year, Ubisoft’s Uplay director, Stephanie Perotti, said that the company is working to improve its relationship with the PC community.

We’ve contacted Ubisoft regarding this latest issue and will update this story if we hear anything new.

Update: The specifics of the problem have been clarified. Thanks to commenter LamiaMistral for providing the image above.

JoystiqMight & Magic Heroes 6 currently unplayable for many [update: Ubisoft responds] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft Responds To Rayman Legends Backlash With Exclusive Wii U Demo

February 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

One-time Wii U exclusive Rayman Legends was delayed yesterday to reportedly make the game a multi-console release. Some fans didn’t like the decision, and Ubisoft announced via its Facebook page that Wii U owners will receive an exclusive demo.

No date is set for when the demo will hit, but many of the comments on the post are from upset gamers, with many of them unhappy with receiving a new demo. 

Earlier today an anonymous developer wrote on a Spanish-language forum that the team was working overtime in order to make the February release before being told of the seven-month delay. 

Game Informer editor Kyle Hilliard also expressed his disappointment with the delay, commenting that it will hurt the console’s health.  

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Blizzard’s Rob Pardo Responds To Celebration Over Diablo III Director’s Departure

January 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Jay Wilson, director on Diablo III, recently announced that he was leaving Diablo III to work on another project internally at Blizzard. In response, many Diablo fans on Blizzard's message boards were happy. In response to that, Blizzard's chief creative officer, Rob Pardo, jumped in to defend Wilson.

You can read his full response by heading to the message boards, or reading the full quote below. The gist of Pardo's message is that Wilson is an excellent designer who knows what he's doing, and to see such celebration over his departure is upsetting. Pardo appreciates the "rough justice" frequently handed out on Blizzard's message boards, but doesn't believe that justice is being properly served in Wilson's case.

This thread saddens me greatly. I know that the Battle.net forums have earned a reputation for rough justice, but I do not believe justice is being served by how people are speaking about Jay’s departure from Diablo III.

I am very proud of the Diablo franchise and what the team was able to accomplish with Diablo III. As a gamer I have enjoyed the game and played for many, many nights with friends and family. I’m not, however, going to use that as an excuse. The Diablo community deserves an even better game from Blizzard and we are committed to improving it. We have a talented team in place and have no intention of stopping work on Diablo III until it is the best game in the franchise.

I’m the only person in this thread who has actually worked with Jay. I hired Jay to head up the Diablo project and had the pleasure of getting to work with him, both in building the team and designing the game. He has great design instincts and has added so much to the franchise with his feel for visceral combat, boss battles, and an unparalleled knack for making it fun to smash bad guys. I’ve worked with many, many designers at Blizzard and Jay is one of the best. He has a great career at Blizzard ahead of him and I guarantee that you will enjoy Jay’s game designs in future Blizzard games.

If you love Diablo as much as we do, then please continue to let us know how you feel we can improve the game. If you still feel the need to dish out blame, then I would prefer you direct it at me. I was the executive producer on the project; I hired Jay and I gave him advice and direction throughout the development process. I was ultimately responsible for the game we released and take full responsibility for the quality of the result.

[via NeoGAF]

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ECA Responds To NRA Blaming Sandy Hook On Video Games

December 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Earlier today, National Rifle Association (NRA) executive vice president Wayne LaPierre said that violent video games like Mortal Kombat and the Grand Theft Auto series were at least partly to blame for the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) begs to differ.

A statement by Jennifer Mercurio, vice president & general counsel for the ECA reads:

"We agree with the Supreme Court's decisions, and the volumes of scientific research, which all clearly state that there is no causal link between media violence and real life violence. As we are all learning increasingly through the news, this is a situation of the perpetrator's mental disorders, and his family's inability to adequately deal with them in time. Our hearts remain with all those suffering in the aftermath of this horrendous crime."

Last year the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association that the state of California's law banning the sale of violent video games to minors was unconstitutional. Apart from video games' protection as speech under the First Amendment, the Supreme Court found that there was no "compelling" link between violent video games and an effect on children.

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Update #2: THQ President Responds To Today’s Events

December 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Update #2: THQ President Jason Rubin has posted a blog outlining what today's events mean for THQ, its studios, and the games the company is working on.

In a lengthy post addressed to the gaming community, Rubin explains what filing for Chapter 11 means for THQ and why they chose to do it the week before Christmas. Rubin once again stresses that all of the games THQ is currently working on are still on schedule. "The most important thing to understand is that Chapter 11 does not mean the end of the THQ story or the end of the titles you love," Rubin writes. "Quite the opposite is true, actually."

You can read the full post at THQ's website.

 

Update #1: THQ President Jason Rubin has tweeted a response to the news, reassuring his followers that the company's upcoming games are still on track.

Jason Rubin has posted the following message on his Twitter account:

"On track for big releases. Busy schedule ahead. @Companyheroes,
@MetroVideoGame, @SouthPark #StickofTruth still on schedule"

 

Original Story: THQ just announced that it is filing for Chapter 11 and plans to sells all of its assets.

THQ announced that Clearlake has stepped in as the "stalking horse bidder" for the sale, which includes all four of its studios as well as the games they are currently working on. A stalking horse bid (as defined by Investopedia) is the first bid on a bankrupt company's assets, and is designed to prevent the troubled company from being low-balled. In essence, it sets a minimum price – in THQ's case, roughly $ 60 million – for the company. Other companies are now free to make higher bids for THQ to consider.

The studios for sale are Volition (Saints Row), Vigil Games (Darksiders), THQ Phoenix, and THQ Wireless.

The press release notes that THQ's foreign studios are not included in the agreement, which includes Relic Entertainment (Warhammer, Company of Heroes) and THQ Montreal, where Patrice Désilets is currently working on an unannounced project. The press release also states that THQ will continue working uninterrupted as the sale proceeds. THQ Chairman and CEO Brian Farrell characterized the Chapter 11 filing and sale as the "…necessary next steps to complete THQ's transformation and position the company for the future…"

THQ's financial troubles have been apparent for months, and led to the publisher practically giving away many of its recent titles in a THQ Humble Bundle. We hope the sale will provide the company and its studios the financial stability it needs to continue making games for its fans.

Here is the press release in full:

THQ Inc. Secures Asset Purchase
Agreement with Affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P.

Clearlake
Offers to Acquire THQ's Assets Via Section 363 under Chapter 11;
Company Obtains Commitment for Interim Financing to Fund Operations Without
Interruption

AGOURA HILLS,
Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– THQ Inc.
(NASDAQ: THQI), a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive
entertainment software, today announced that it entered into an Asset Purchase
Agreement with a "stalking horse bidder," affiliates of Clearlake Capital
Group, L.P., to acquire substantially all of the assets of THQ's operating
business, including THQ's four owned studios and games in development. The sale
will allow THQ to shed certain legacy obligations and emerge with the strong
financial backing of a new owner with substantial experience in software and
technology.

To facilitate the
sale, THQ and its domestic business units have filed voluntary petitions under
Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The
company's foreign operations, including Canada, are not included in the
filings. The company has obtained commitments from Wells Fargo and Clearlake
for debtor-in possession (DIP) financing of approximately $ 37.5 million,
subject to Court approval.

THQ will continue
operating its business without interruption during the sale period, subject to
Court approval of THQ's first-day motions. All of the company's studios remain
open, and all development teams continue. The company remains confident in its
existing pipeline of games. THQ maintains relationships with some of the top
independent development studios around the globe. As part of the sale, the
company is seeking approval to assume the contracts of these studios, and
Clearlake will assume these contracts.

"The sale and
filing are necessary next steps to complete THQ's transformation and position
the company for the future, as we remain confident in our existing pipeline of
games, the strength of our studios and THQ's deep bench of talent," said Brian
Farrell, Chairman and CEO of THQ. "We are grateful to our outstanding team of
employees, partners and suppliers who have worked with us through this
transition. We are pleased to have attracted a strong financial partner for our
business, and we hope to complete the sale swiftly to make the process as
seamless as possible."

According to
Jason Rubin, who joined THQ as President last May, "We have incredible, creative
talent here at THQ. We look forward to partnering with experienced investors
for a new start as we will continue to use our intellectual property assets to
develop high-quality core games, create new franchise titles, and drive demand
through both traditional and digital channels."

Clearlake has
agreed to serve as the "stalking horse bidder" for a Section 363 sale process,
which allows other interested parties to come forward with competing bids.
Aggregate consideration offered by Clearlake for the purchase totals
approximately $ 60 million, including a new $ 10 million note for the benefit of
the company's creditors. The company is asking the Court for a schedule to
complete the sale process in about 30 days.

Consumers and
retailers should see no changes while the company completes a sale. The new
financing will support business operations throughout the period. THQ does not
intend to reduce its workforce as a result of the filing, and employees will
continue to work their usual schedules and receive normal compensation and
benefits, pending customary Court approval.

As is the case
after a Chapter 11 filing, THQ expects to receive notice from NASDAQ informing
the company that its shares will be delisted from the exchange within nine
calendar days of notification.

THQ is being
advised by Centerview Partners LLC and FTI Consulting as its financial advisors
and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as legal counsel. Clearlake is being advised by
DLA Piper as legal counsel. 

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Gamespy Tech responds to multiplayer shutdowns of older PC games

December 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

GameSpy Tech recently shut down multiplayer servers for a number of older yet still popular PC games including Neverwinter Nights, Sniper Elite, Star Wars: Battlefront, and Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Gamers received no notifications in most cases that they would no longer be able to play their beloved games online causing both frustration and outrage.

The question up until now though has been why? Was it due to Glu Mobile recently purchasing GameSpy Tech and simply shutting down servers to cut down on cost? Or did developers lack the funds in order to pay for the servers?

According to an official post on Facebook by GameSpy Tech, all publishers of the aforementioned games had allowed their “services to lapse by not continuing to pay for these services” and chose to “not to renew their service agreements and in some cases remain delinquent in delivering payment for past services.” In addition, according to GameSpy Tech the publishers chose not to inform users of the impeding closure of the servers. This puts the blame directly onto the developers, as in GameSpy Tech’s own words “we cannot be expected to provide a service free of charge.”

However, the developer of Sniper Elite, Rebellion Developments, refutes this claim on their official forums. They state that they were never consulted or given advance warning of their servers being shut down. Additionally, when they did approached GameSpy to ask for their servers to be turned back on, they were requested to pay over $ 32,000 in bills. This was “far in excess of how much we were paying previously” over the past seven years and so their only possibility was to let the servers go. If other developers were quoted similar costs then it would not be surprising that the majority of publishers would be forced to let their multiplayer servers be shut down.

The two statements seem to contradict each other, and so it is still unclear exactly what happened and what process was taken in order to shut down these multiplayer servers. This post will be updated as more information comes to light.


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Report: Valve acquires Star Filled Studios talent [Update: Valve responds]

December 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Report Valve acquires Star Filled Studios, opening office in San Francisco

Update: We got a response from Valve’s Doug Lombardi, who did confirm that Valve hired both Tod Semple and Jeff Gates; however, he did wish to clarify this doesn’t necessarily mean Valve is opening up an office in San Francisco, despite what Semple’s LinkedIn profile says. “As a point of clarification, this is probably better categorized as Valve hiring two new employees instead of an acquisition of a company or opening of a Valve SF office.”

Original story: Star Filled Studios is a two-man outfit, founded by ex-Popcap and Blizzard guys Tod Semple and Jeff Gates, who both worked on Plants vs. Zombies and Diablo 3. “We are opening a new Valve office on the San Francisco peninsula,” Semple’s LinkedIn profile reads, revealing Valve’s acquisition took place in November.

Semple doesn’t say anything in regards to what Valve plans to do with this satellite offices in San Francisco, though current speculation is that this move mirrors Valve’s acquisition of Turtle Rock Studios in 2008, buying the developer and then finishing Left 4 Dead development on its own. Star Filled has not announced any projects of its own, so it is uncertain what the studio was working on previous to acquisition.

Semple’s blog talks about going up to Seattle to visit Valve in September, so we can only imagine this is another Turtle Rock scenario. Again, that’s only speculation at this point – we’ve inquired with Valve for more information and will update accordingly.

[Thanks, FHorrigan; image credit]

JoystiqReport: Valve acquires Star Filled Studios talent [Update: Valve responds] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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