Gaming PlayStation 4 (Console)

Seems like the cancelled IP was the one being led by Stig Asmussen, the fill-in director of GoW III (Barlog was director of GoW III for the first 8 months or so before he quit).

http://www.rocketchainsaw.com.au/exclusive-sony-santa-monicas-layoffs-new-ip-00912/

According to our sources, a majority of layoffs consist of key staff that were working on Santa Monica’s new IP, the project now more or less scrapped into oblivion. While details on the project are scarce, we’ve been told it was a science fiction title not all that far removed from Bungie and Activision’s Destiny, and a very large project at the studio, with sources expressing very positive enthusiasm for the project’s vision and potential. We’ve also been told that after Destiny was formally revealed parts of Santa Monica’s sci-fi project underwent rather significant changes, the original vision apparently quite similar to what Bungie is cooking up, changes applied to distance the two. Based on information supplied, we’re lead to believe the choice to divert Santa Monica’s project away from Destiny comparisons lead to somewhat troubled development, the studio unable to fully get the project back on course, ultimately culminating in its cancellation.

As for Santa Monica’s future, sources reveal that Sony’s prime objective with staff remaining from the now cancelled sci-fi IP is to move them over to development on a next generation God of War (among other things), set to launch at some point on PlayStation 4. While the move is hardly unsurprising, given the expectation that Sony would not abandon one of its most popular intellectual properties, we’re told a number of ex-scifi IP staff moved over aren’t happy about the change and are lamenting the loss of their original project.
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PS4 GoW is likely a total reboot, probably not set in Greece, not featuring Kratos at all, and headed by Barlog.

http://www.playstationlifestyle.net...t-sony-santa-monica-not-god-of-war-ascension/

Sony Santa Monica may be hard at work on a new God of War game, but with another director at the helm, what does that mean for GOWIII head Stig Asmussen?

After being questioned about the rate at which the GOW franchise seems to burn through directors (Jaffe, Balrog, Asmussen, Papy), David Jaffe said:

Pretty well documented in game press why Cory and I left. Stig is still at SSM tho doing cool stuff.​

Of course, Asmussen could be working on one of the main collaboration projects at SSM, where they help out other studios like thatgamecompany, Team Ico or Lightbox Interactive, but that seems unlikely for such a high-profile developer. Additionally, Asmussen’s LinkedIn says that he is a “game director”.

So that begs the question, what is he doing? Could Sony Santa Monica be doing what Naughty Dog are doing and splitting up to work on two high profile games at the same time? A recent hiring spree would suggest so, with Director of Product Development at Santa Monica, John Hight saying last year that the studio was planning to double in size:

During this particular part of our growth, which we’re right now at about 105 full time, we’re gonna go to about 200 people which is still huge. I mean God of War II had about 60 people so we grew quite a bit during God of War III.​

Considering Ascension is a PS3 game, it’s unlikely that the development team needs to be doubled (the engine will likely be the same or just updated, not built from scratch), so that does mean that a large development team might be working on something else, with Stig Asmussen at the lead.
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Basically a carbon copy of MS and Gears of War a few weeks ago.

Good to get a next gen reboot of a successful franchise.

Sucks that it comes at the cost of a new IP.
 
I never have cared for the God of War games, I mean I can look at them and see the appeal and marvel at the creations but I have zero desire to play them.
 
Yeah god of war isn't that amazing imo. I think it's hailed as better than it is due to being an exclusive. If it was cross platform it would probably be regarded as a very average game.
 
One Night Only said:
Yeah god of war isn't that amazing imo. I think it's hailed as better than it is due to being an exclusive. If it was cross platform it would probably be regarded as a very average game.
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I couldn't disagree more. The combination of epic storytelling, fantastic setting and an almost perfect gameplay balance sets God of War as a franchise apart.
 
Alock1 said:
Sucks that it comes at the cost of a new IP.
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Barlog was brought back in around the release of Ascension, we knew that Stig was working on something, and the studio had expanded to deal with two games at once like Naughty Dog have. The GoW reboot is not at the cost of the new IP, they were both supposed to have been developed simultaneously. The fact that only 50 were let go shows that that project was nowhere near into full swing. Now, out of 200 or so employees, if Barlog only started his project a year ago, then it will only just now be moving out of pre-production, so 50 on that, 50 let go from the initial phases of the new IP, maybe 50 in the support and collaborative development roles, so what are the other 50 that built GoW:Ascension doing? Maybe Barlog's game is now in full production with a team of 100 or so. Maybe the initial plan was to have 80 on each. As a comparison, Ready at Dawn (The Order 1886) are around 100 strong - with SSM in a support role, which makes sense because the had a collaborative role with RAD on the PSP GoW games.
 
Bebe said:
I couldn't disagree more. The combination of epic storytelling, fantastic setting and an almost perfect gameplay balance sets God of War as a franchise apart.
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Agreed... great series.

Seen that Thief has been out a few days and there is already booster packs and a level to buy...

And wow, £109.99 for some 'Prime Access Inferno' add on for warframe. Also £109.99 for '3125 platinum mods'. Do people really waste their money on this?
 
I still haven't finished KZ, its strange really because I will play it, enjoy it, turn it off and forget about it for about 2 weeks but then I feel that way about most shooters now, I think I'm all FPS'd out and have been for quite some time.

That's a great price though.
 
Leg-End said:
I still haven't finished KZ, its strange really because I will play it, enjoy it, turn it off and forget about it for about 2 weeks but then I feel that way about most shooters now, I think I'm all FPS'd out and have been for quite some time.

That's a great price though.
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I haven't played it since launch day, just haven't got round to it. Was busy getting platinum on lego marvel now working way through assassins creed.
 
Shadowfall, yes, was in this morning's Sony press release of 6m consoles sold.

TOKYO, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system has cumulatively sold through more than 6.0 million units*1 globally as of March 2, 2014 (JST). This also includes the 370,000 units sold through in Japan since its launch on February 22.

PS4 software sales also remain strong with more than 13.7 million*2 copies sold in retail stores worldwide and through digital downloads on PlayStation®Store as of March 2, 2014 (JST). Over 30 exciting titles*3 are available from SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) and the industry's best software developers and publishers, including the independent development community. This incredible line-up reflects the strong support for PS4 among developers and publishers, and has led the platform's accelerated momentum and expansion. A few of the top selling titles included KILLZONE SHADOW FALL (SCE WWS), which has already sold over 2.1 million units worldwide, KNACK (SCE WWS), Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision), FIFA14 (Electronic Arts), Battlefield 4 (Electronic Arts), and Assassin's Creed: IV Black Flag (Ubisoft Entertainment). Titles developed by the independent development community such as Contrast (Complusion Gams), Warframe (Digital Extremes) and Don't Starve: Console Edition (Klei Entertainment), have also been highly acclaimed by gamers. Japanese gamers are enjoying the latest installments of popular franchises, such as DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition (Tecmo Koei Games Co., Ltd), FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD) and Ryu-ga-gotoku Ishin! (SEGA Corporation).

The PS4 system's games portfolio will continue to expand with highly anticipated titles such as METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES (Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.), KINGDOM HEARTS III (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD), Destiny (Activision), Watch_Dogs™ (Ubisoft Entertainment), The Witness (Thekla, Inc.), #DRIVECLUB (SCE WWS), inFAMOUS Second Son™ (SCE WWS) and The Order 1886 (SCE WWS).

Many users have been taking advantage of the features and benefits of the PlayStation®Plus (PS Plus) membership service since the PS4 launch. In addition to existing members, more than half of PS4 owners are enjoying the benefits of PS Plus, demonstrating the explosive growth of the membership service. Subscribers have access to a wide variety of features such as exclusive game discounts, cloud game saves and "Instant Game Collection," which allows members to play full versions of popular titles from third party developers and publishers, as well as from SCE WWS, at no extra cost. PS4 owners have also been enjoying services such as online multiplayer and automatic patch downloads and installations.

Furthermore, users are also engaging with the world of PlayStation® through PlayStation®App, which has been installed more than 3.6 million times as of March 2. PlayStation App can be downloaded onto iPhones or Android OS smartphones and tablets, allowing users to purchase content over PlayStation Store and exchange messages with friends via PSNSM.

Gamers continue to take advantage of the PS4 system's deep social features to share experiences with friends around the world. More than 100 million shares*4 have been captured via the "SHARE" button on the Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK®4) and more than 3.6 million gameplay broadcasts*5 have been streamed from PS4 systems via video streaming platforms, Twitch and Ustream. The gameplay broadcasts generated more than 56 million spectate sessions*6. PS4 owners are connecting with millions of gamers around the globe, and are not only enjoying conventional gameplay, but are also immersing themselves in more dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences only possible on PlayStation.

"I am absolutely delighted that PS4 is off to such a great start in Japan," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "The responses we have received for the PS4 system's integrated social capabilities have been phenomenal, and I couldn't be more thrilled that gamers are utilizing these unique features to engage, share, play and connect with users around the world. SCE will continue to expand the world of PlayStation by growing its library of breakthrough games and bringing more innovative features and services only possible on PS4."

The PS4 system is currently available in 57 countries worldwide.

*1 Number of retail sales to consumers is estimated by SCEI. PS4 sales data in Japan collected 2/22/2014 –3/2/2014. PS4 sales data in North America, Europe and Latin America collected 11/15/2013 – 3/1/2014, and in Asia collected 11/29/2013 –3/1/2014.
*2 Number of retail sales to consumers is estimated by SCEI. PS4 sales data in Japan collected 2/22/2014 –3/2/2014. PS4 sales data in North America, Europe and Latin America collected 11/15/2013 – 3/1/2014, and in Asia collected 11/29/2013 –3/1/2014.
*3 Number of titles available as of 3/4/2014.
*4 Data as of 2/28/2014.
*5 Data as of 2/28/2014.
*6 Data as of 2/28/2014.
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http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...ial-interaction-through-gaming-248315741.html

Impressive for 3 and a half months.
 
WeasteDevil said:
Shadowfall, yes, was in this morning's Sony press release of 6m consoles sold.



http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...ial-interaction-through-gaming-248315741.html

Impressive for 3 and a half months.
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Oh c'mon weaste. You need to troll harder. That was the most widely available bundle... They're including bundles shipments there surely. Also it's a cheap game anyway, and easily available. Those figures mean nothing to me. And game sales figures will mean nothing much for anothe 3-4 months when there is a better tame of games available.
 
I got Thief and it's a decent game all in all, it could have probably been executed better (I only played Dishonored briefly before but it did seem like a better game) but it's still good enough for me.
 
Amy Hennig (writer and development lead on uncharted) has left naughty dog, apparently the last of us writers are taking over on uncharted ps4
 
Got £115 in game vouchers burning a hole in my pocket!

I have Knack (bundle), Fifa, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, and AC Black Flag. I only really play AC and am waiting on some new games to come out.

Is the general consensus on Thief more negative that people would have hoped? I remember playing Thief on PC 14 years ago but remember little about it.
 
WeasteDevil said:
Because I wanted to buy the machine. Would you buy a cutlery or dining set bundled with a hamper of selected food goods?
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If I want the machine AND the game, why wouldn't I buy the bundle then?
 
vanthaman said:
Amy Hennig (writer and development lead on uncharted) has left naughty dog, apparently the last of us writers are taking over on uncharted ps4
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Interesting, I wonder how that came about? If I had to guess I would say creative differences.

Hope it doesn't delay the game, usually losing someone like Hennig would be awful but Druckmann/Straley are on a roll with deep ties to the Uncharted games anyway, its in safe hands.
 
The base of the script should be finished by now, she's been working on it since at least November of 2011 (over two years). She probably just wanted to do something new and move on rather than being stuck with Uncharted for the rest of her life. The games media have to blow the whole thing out of proportion however with their usual hyperbole.
 
Apparently the guys that are replacing her 'forced her out'... just what I read. Game business getting as cut throat as the movie/music business it seems... not nice.
 
Yeah well I'd wait and see on the forcing out thing, lets see some actual evidence that was the case. IGN fecking suck for not letting facts get in the way of a decent headline.

Weaste, surely she would leave after the completion of the project if it was a case of moving on? ND have the game director and writers work together throughout the whole process, her leaving presumably before the end is very odd.
 
So what's the best source for gaming news/reviews/information you guys? I usually use IGN, infact, it's all I use these days.
 
One Night Only said:
So what's the best source for gaming news/reviews/information you guys? I usually use IGN, infact, it's all I use these days.
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I mainly use CVG although I follow pretty much all major gaming sites on twitter so normally get news there first or when browsing neogaf
 
Superb? Fcuk me... not sure if serious.

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