Tag: Industry - Page 41
News Uncharted Franchise Director Amy Hennig Leaves Naughty Dog After 10 Years
The Last of Us author to take on the mantle
Long time Naughty Dog staffer Amy Hennig has recently left the Californian developer after 10 years of service, Sony has confirmed. Notable for her role as director and writer on all three Uncharted games, the storied scribe vacated her position on 3rd March. Thankfully, the Japanese giant was quick to...
News God of War Studio Sony Santa Monica Slashed by the Blades of Corporate Chaos
By Zeus' beard
Sony Santa Monica has been hit by layoffs today, the studio has confirmed. In a statement issued to IGN, the platform holder revealed that the move is a result of “resource re-alignment” and is a decision which it “hasn’t taken lightly”. The firm added that it has offered any affected employees “outplacement services and...
News There Are More Developers Working on PS4 Than Any Other Console
Teacher's pet
This week just keeps getting better and better for the PlayStation 4. With Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima proclaiming that the system is the "best console" currently available and Sony revealing that it has already sold over five million units, figures have now been released that show that a whopping one-in-five developers are...
News Ken Levine Closes the Booker on Irrational Games
BioShock studio caught in the Rapture
Irrational Games, the legendary developer best known for the BioShock franchise, is no more. Writing on the company’s official website, founder Ken Levine has confirmed that the studio is shutting down after an incredible 17 years of development. The outfit’s last ever release will be the second episode of...
News SCE London Studio Is Hastily Hiring For a New PlayStation 4 Exclusive
Listings of a vehicular variety
SCE London Studio has recently posted a job listing for a senior artist position in a team hard at work on an unannounced PlayStation 4 exclusive. The advertisement calls for an applicant capable of "the creation of environments and vehicle assets to a superb level of quality”, as well as the ability to "solve the...
News Virtue's Last Reward Sequel Sunk by Japanese Investors
Seek a way out
Kotaro Uchikoshi, the creator of Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward, opened a personal Twitter account for his English fans this week. Sadly, the reasoning behind this spelled bad news for the series' future. Despite the PlayStation Vita murder mystery and its Nintendo DS predecessor 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors being...
News UK Retailer GAME to Tackle Pre-Owned Market with GAMEtronics Stores
Fresh shops will still sell new goods, too
Focusing on pre-owned software, GAME has re-launched two of its stores under the new name GAMEtronics. The move will see the retailer lock horns with popular pre-owned outlet CEX. However, GAMEtronics will still sell new gaming hardware and software. The first two cities to secure the re-branded stores are...
News The Developer of Strider's PS4 Reboot Just Got Bought by, Er, Amazon
What the blades?
Double Helix Games is a developer that’s on the rise. Or at least, it was. Having dallied around with awful movie tie-ins such as G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra and Battleship, the company – made up of former Foundation 9 employees – got the opportunity to flex its creative muscles with Microsoft’s recent Killer Instinct reboot...
News PS4 Propels Sony Back to Profitability, but Kaz Hirai Vaporizes Vaio
All change in the television business, too
Oh no, it’s not financials day, is it? This disgruntled editor may have studied business for several years, but can’t seem to bring himself to look at a balance sheet these days. Nevertheless, our favourite electronics manufacturer has dropped a bit of a humdinger today, confirming that it’s dumping...
News Unannounced Need for Speed Title Canned as Focus Turns to Battlefield
Not fast enough
With the multi-million selling first-person favourite Battlefield standing toe-to-toe with genre juggernaut Call of Duty, EA has chosen to focus its efforts on the modern military brand – but not without some casualties. Ghost Games UK, which aided production on Need for Speed: Rivals, has been hit by layoffs over the past few...
News Sony Santa Monica Aiming to Encourage Collaboration in Colossal New Office
Expanding workforce in the process
The sunny Californian city of Santa Monica may be right at the heart of God of War creator Sony Santa Monica’s name, but the first-party developer has outgrown its current home and is moving south to Playa Vista this summer. The news comes on the back of a massive recruitment drive, which the studio hopes will...
Weirdness Sony Plans to Buy a Factory That Produces Parts for the Wii U
Wii U expecting that?
Sony has recently finalised its plans to purchase a new semiconductors factory, reports Japanese national TV channel NHK. What makes this acquisition slightly more interesting, however, is that the plant in question is most notable for producing the DRAM chip for the Nintendo Wii U. Our beloved Japanese giant plans to plonk ¥7...
News Investment Firm Encourages You to Steer Clear of Sony's Stock
Downward spiral
Sony’s no stranger to bad news of late, but investment firm Moody’s has published a humdinger for former PlayStation president Kaz Hirai to mull over while he tucks into his early morning porridge. Much like fellow credit ratings agency Fitch, the firm has cut the com
News Can UK's Broadband Cope with PlayStation Now?
Bandwidth bottleneck
With the recent announcement of the PlayStation Now cloud streaming service, the question that has been lingering in the air is whether our broadband connections can actually handle it. We've already been informed that a recommended speed of 5Mbps will be demanded in North America, but can the average consumer in the UK even...
News Want More PlayStation Vita Games? Thank the Skies for Unity
Join hands in joy
The tired old sentiment that the PlayStation Vita has “no games” has long been disproved, but even more software is never a bad thing. Fortunately, the system could be about to enjoy a healthy injection in its content catalogue, as Unity has announced that the latest version in its entry-level cross-platform game development...
News Hello Games Won't Delay No Man's Sky in the Wake of Flood
Reach for the stars
Indie developer Hello Games is back up and running at "full speed" after a flood devastated the studio on Christmas Eve. Despite the ordeal, its latest game – the hugely ambitious No Man's Sky – will not see a delay. "We won't let that happen," said managing director Sean Murray. "At times recently I've wanted to be...
News Wait, Japan Almost Got the PlayStation 4 First?
Missed it by that much
A few days ago, we reported on a decidedly average Japanese advertisement for Sony's next-gen marvel. Apart from its patently ho-hum premise, the biggest problem with the commercial was that it almost seemed to antagonise the long suffering Japanese public over the fact that they won't be getting the shiny black box until 22nd...
News Star Wars 1313's Creative Director Plots a Course for PS4
Not a Wookiee
Dominic Robilliard, the creative director on LucasArts’ unreleased Star Wars 1313, has fired up his jetpack and returned to Sony’s first-party fray. The developer – whose previous credits include London Studio’s underrated The Getaway games – has been working with the platform holder for over seven months now, though it’s...
News The Studio Behind Joe Danger and No Man's Sky Flooded on Christmas Eve
An unfortunate misfortune for Hello Games
Hello Games, the four-man developer behind Joe Danger and the recently announced No Man's Sky, has revealed on Twitter that its studio in Guildford has flooded. This was caused due to intense storms on the night of Christmas Eve, which broke the bank of a river close by. In a series of tweet
News 10 Per Cent of All Twitch Streams Since November Have Been from PS4
Stream and shout
Do you like arbitrary and potentially useless statistics? No? Well too bad, as a recent PlayStation Blog post has revealed a veritable treasure trove of bizarre PlayStation 4 facts, mostly pertaining to the console's robust social offerings. Truth be told, we think that after such an absurdly successful launch, Sony probably...
News Sony's Studio Liverpool Rises from the Ashes as Firesprite
They Liverpool
The closure of Studio Liverpool, formerly Psygnosis, came as a nasty and sudden shock to the wider video game community. Spearheading the much loved WipEout and Colony Wars franchises, it was undoubtedly one of Sony's most beloved first-party developers. We've not heard a great deal from the defunct company's former staffers, and...
Talking Point PS4 Proves That Consoles Are Alive and Kicking
On the pulse
We relish bad news like a kitten does catnip. As a species, it’s deep coded into our genetic makeup to pay utmost attention to the darkest parts of life and brush the positives under the carpet. Newspapers lead with murders rather than acts of bravery, television bulletins push cheerful clips to the tail-end of their schedules, and...
News Graphics Coder Corrinne Yu Dumps Microsoft for Naughty Dog
Already loving PS4
Programmers rarely ever take centre stage in the games industry, but Corrinne Yu has enormous pedigree behind the scenes. Having cut her teeth as an elite programmer on the classic adventure title King’s Quest for the Apple II, she adopted many game development roles before eventually winding up as the Director of Technology at...
Rumour PS4 Production Impaired by Poorly Treated Employees
So says one forum poster
If you’ve ever purchased an electronics product, chances are you own something that was manufactured by Foxconn. The colossal Taiwanese electronics giant employs over one million people, and has clients including Apple, Nintendo, and Sony. One of its current contracts includes the PlayStation 4, a product an intern has...
News PlayStation 3 Smashes 80 Million Worldwide Sales
Like hotcakes
Sony has announced in a press release today that, as of November 2nd, the PlayStation 3 has reached a total of over 80 million combined worldwide sales. That's right, our beloved black box has finally caught up to its competitor; the Xbox 360 reached this momentous milestone last month. Not content to rest on its 80 million laurels,...
TGS 2013 Western Publishers Are More Prepared for PS4, Says Sony
Platform holder explains console's delay in Japan
Sony’s making history with the PlayStation 4 by launching it in Western regions before its home territory. All previous prominent PlayStation launches – aside from the PSPgo – have deployed in Japan first, but the platform holder has decided to push the next generation console back until 22nd...
News Wait, So SEGA Now Owns Persona Developer Atlus?
Yes, it does
SEGA has tossed a big pile of cash at the feet of troubled holding group Index Corporation, and purchased Persona developer Atlus in the process. The company’s been sniffing around the flagging firm for some time, but won an auction to buy the bankrupt company in a deal estimated at around ¥14 billion ($140 million). According to the...
News There Was Very Nearly a World without Grand Theft Auto in It
Like nailing jelly to kittens
While we’re all chomping at the metaphorical bit to play Grand Theft Auto V, ex-DMA Design (now Rockstar North, of course) employees have revealed that the original PSone game almost didn’t make it to market. Chatting with The Guardian, producer and creative director Gary Penn explained that the project was a mess...
News You Shouldn't Worry About Sony's Relationship with EA
Best friends forever
EA may have given the impression that it’s jumped out of camp PlayStation over the past six months, but that couldn’t be further from the truth according to SCEE president Jim Ryan. While the North American giant has partnered with Microsoft and the Xbox One for virtually the entirety of its upcoming portfolio, that...
News David Cage: Microsoft Didn't Understand Our Goals with Heavy Rain
Quantic Dream pitched the title to Xbox maker
Heavy Rain could very well have soaked the Xbox 360 to its circuits, but Microsoft decided to pass on the project due to its child abduction plotline. Speaking as part of a BAFTA event in London overnight, Quantic Dream’s founder David Cage explained that the French studio actually pitched the project...
News Sony Prefers to Partner with Third-Party Titles That Are 'New and Fresh'
The company's Destiny
Take a quick glance at the Xbox One’s lineup, and you’ll see timed exclusive content coming out of the console’s ears. Microsoft has partnered with titles such as Battlefield 4, FIFA 14, and Call of Duty: Ghosts, whereas Sony has been a little quieter in this department. That doesn’t mean that it’s not out striking...
GamesCom 2013 EA Insists That It Still Has a Strong Relationship with Sony
Company impressed with PS4
Perhaps one of the biggest stories of the past three months has been EA’s, ahem, unprecedented partnership with Microsoft. The vast majority of the publisher’s lineup is either being marketed in conjunction with the Xbox One, has timed exclusive content on the Redmond-based manufacturer’s machine, or is outright...
News Cory Barlog Recruiting a New Team at Sony Santa Monica
God of War II director working on something huge
Cory Barlog’s “crazy announcement” turned out to be exactly what we expected: the God of War II director is returning to his former stomping ground, Sony Santa Monica. In an enormous post on the PlayStation Blog, the outspoken developer talked candidly about the tim
News God of War II Director Cory Barlog Teases 'Crazy' Reveal
Has the king come home?
Put your hype in perspective – this is unlikely to be a game announcement. However, it’s still news worth anticipating. Cory Barlog, the man behind God of War II, has Tweeted that there’ll be a “crazy announcement” on the PlayStation Blog today. Our best guess? He’s returning to Sony Santa Monica. The outspoken
Talking Point Do Single Player Focused Games Really Need Multiplayer?
Connected components
Publishers don’t want you to sell your games, and they’ll do almost anything to stop you. For primarily single player focused releases like God of War: Ascension and Tomb Raider, that means implementing online multiplayer in the hope of extending the title’s lifespan beyond its comparatively slender single player campaign...
Talking Point What Does the Future Hold for HD Re-Releases on PS4?
Bringing clarity to the classics
The humble high-definition remaster proved a popular revenue stream for publishers on the PlayStation 3. Starting with the excellent God of War Collection, and spawning several retail compilations thereafter – including Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, and more – the
News Razer's Boss Cuts PS3 to Shreds, Explains Lack of Support
Hardware manufacturer skips system because it's not a fan
If you’re hoping to snap up some Razer accessories for your PlayStation 3, then you’re bang out of luck – the third-party manufacturer doesn’t support Sony’s console because its gaffer isn’t a fan of the platform. Writing on Twitter earlier in the week, Min-Liang Tan explained...
News Lovefilm Breaks UK Gamers' Hearts from 8th August
Rental giant cans video games
Despite its name, Lovefilm is actually the best (and biggest) video game rental service in the UK. At least it was: the Amazon-owned giant has confirmed that it will cease distributing software to existing customers on 8th August. Yesterday, it revealed that it had axed game rentals for new members, prompting many to...
News EDGE Magazine Backs PS4 in Next Generation Special
Picking sides
Multiformat publications tend to sit on the fence for obvious reasons, but popular British magazine EDGE has pulled no punches with its latest issue. The next generation special runs with the headline, “This is your next console,” and includes a picture of the PlayStation 4 hardware. It continues that Sony’s system is the “only...
Reaction E3 2013 Uncovers the Trends That Are Poised to Define PS4
Onwards and upwards
E3 2013 has come and gone, and while the stage has been once again dominated by the usual corporate chest puffing, there were also a number of new gaming trends on display. Accelerated by the introduction of new hardware, this year's show played host to a slew of fresh technological advancements, all of which look poised to...
News Sony's First-Party PlayStation 4 Games Won't Break the Bank
Tried and tested
Sony won’t charge you more to get your greasy mitts on first-party software for the PlayStation 4. In a brief exchange with Shacknews, a representative for the platform holder explained that all four of its impending launch window games will retail for $59.99, the same as on the PlayStation 3. Those titles include DriveClub,...
News You'll No Longer Have to Deal with EA's Annoying Online Pass Codes
Changing public perception
The days of entering codes into your PlayStation 3 before connecting with your peers are long over, as EA has announced that it’s doing away with its Online Pass system. In an email sent to GamesBeat overnight, the company’s senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg confirmed that the publisher’s...
News Ken Kutaragi Secures a Second Job at Marvelous AQL
Father of PlayStation teams up with Soul Sacrifice developer
It’s taken a while, but it seems that Ken Kutaragi has finally followed his own controversial advice and landed himself a second job. The man behind the PlayStation, and the former chairman and CEO of SCE, has secured the role of external director at Soul Sacrifice developer Marvelous...
News PlayStation 4 Will Be More Profitable Than Its Predecessor
Platform holder not expecting big losses
Sony doesn’t expect the PlayStation 4 to nuke its bank balance to quite the same degree as the PlayStation 3. Those of you that were around at the start of the generation will recall the manufacturer’s current console almost crippling the company, even in spite of its exorbitant launch price. Fortunately,...
News Darksiders, Red Faction, and Other THQ Assets Purchased by Nordic Games
Gavel gazing
Death’s gigantic hammer has fallen on deceased publisher THQ’s remaining assets, deeming Nordic Games the new owner of Darksiders, Red Faction, and various other properties. The publisher paid a whopping $4.9 million for the assortment pack of IP, also grabbing MX vs. ATV, Destroy All Humans, and Marvel Super Hero Squad in the...
News EA's Peter Moore: We've Made Plenty of Mistakes, But We Will Do Better
Executive promises improvements at under fire publisher
EA’s not exactly having the best of times – the recent departure of CEO John Riccitiello is evidence of that. But while the publisher’s managed to badly bungle the launch of SimCity and produce some below-par games, we can probably all agree that it doesn’t deserve the ‘Worst Company...
News Disney Dumps LucasArts in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars 1313's fate not looking good
Disney’s questionable treatment of non-Star Wars: Episode VII content has continued today with the closure of legendary video game arm LucasArts. Following the Mickey Mouse marker's acquisition of LucasFilm along with its various subsidiaries late last year, the company has opted to shutter a large portion of...
Talking Point Do We Really Need So Much Gunplay in Games?
Bang, bang
Brilliant as it undeniably is, there’s a moment in BioShock Infinite where you realise that it’s turned a corner. Booker DeWitt’s exciting excursion to Columbia opens with very little action at all; the game’s perfectly content to let you explore the skyward archipelago at your own pace. But as you sprint towards the adventure’s...
News Yoichi Wada Exits Square Enix Following 'Extraordinary Loss'
Final Fantasy maker down on its luck
John Riccitiello is not the only high-profile video game executive to be heading for the exit door, as Square Enix gaffer Yoichi Wada has been ousted from the company following a dire financial forecast for its current fiscal year. The outgoing boss had been in the job since 2000, but he’ll now be replaced by...
News John Riccitiello Steps Down from His Post as EA CEO
Under fire executive resigns
Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello has submitted his resignation to a boardroom of (presumably) stern-looking directors. The executive’s final day will be on 30th March, the close of the company’s fiscal year. After that, he’ll be forced to pack up his ballpoint pens and Commander Shepard figurines, and leave the...
