Industry

Whoops

Update: Umminger claims it was "just a typo". Original story: It’s about time employees of major video game companies learned that they can’t talk about unannounced products on their CV. The harsh reality is: someone will find it. SCEA software engineer Frederick Umminger is the latest to fall foul of the common quandary,...

Rejoice

Rayman creator Michel Ancel has confirmed that development on the hotly anticipated Beyond Good & Evil 2 has continued – albeit not on PlayStation 3. The industry legend said in a video interview with the Toulouse Game Show [via NeoGAF] that the project is at an “active creation stage” and that the developer is focusing on...

The long and winding road

It seems like an age since thatgamecompany's Journey released on the PlayStation Store and subsequently blew us away. A lot has changed since then, with a number of key staff exiting the developer. Now, with its three game relationship with Sony expired, the influential studio is looking to the future – and according to a...

Through the keyhole

There’s a myth on various forums and websites that the PlayStation 3 is unpopular and the poorest performer of the current generation consoles. It stems from years of disappointing NPD reports, where Sony’s home console has spent the generation lagging behind the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 in North America. But overseas,...

Pray tell

Bethesda announced yesterday that the promising looking Prey 2 had been delayed beyond its original 2012 release window due to development on the title not progressing at a “satisfactory” rate. Turns out the game hasn’t been worked on since November 2011, due to developer Human Head Studios trying to negotiate better contract terms...

Hostile takeover?

The real world of business is nothing like Starbreeze’s Syndicate – if it was, Overkill Software would probably find itself six-feet under by now. But thankfully for the Payday: The Heist developer, that’s not quite how takeovers work in 2012. Instead, Starbreeze has announced its intention to acquire the Stockholm-based...

Timing is everything

With the next generation of consoles supposedly looming, Sony finds itself in an interesting place. The PlayStation 3 has only really recently hit its stride, with its life-cycle likely to be extended later this year when it inevitably reaches $199. As such, the Japanese giant could do with holding off the next generation for...

Promises change

As promised, former PlayStation president and new Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has revealed his rescue strategy designed to resurrect the ailing Japanese giant. The likable executive’s speech hinged on the idea of change and unification – something Sony has been striving towards with little success for years. In his presentation, Hirai...

The numbers aren't red enough

We find it hard to believe there’s been a smile on new Sony CEO Kaz Hirai’s face since he started his new high-power role just over a week ago. One look at the company’s balance sheet would be enough to plant a permanent frown on even the most jubilant of personalities. Indeed, Sony has warned investors today that...

Hirai making his mark

Sony’s financial troubles are well documented. If you’re not up to speed, then know this: the company is expected to report a whopping £2.1billion loss in its latest financial report. That’s not particularly healthy. Of course, that’s also the reason that former SCE president – and lifetime Ridge Racer fanboy – Kaz...

Laying it bare

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick doesn’t foresee much longevity for troubled publisher THQ – the gaffer told an audience at the MIT Business in Gaming Conference that he believes the firm will be fully shuttered in six months time. Zelnick expanded that he believes the publisher’s biggest mistake was working with licensed...

No time for jokes

Expect to see the hairs on newly appointed Sony CEO Kaz Hirai’s head gently transition to a subtle shade of silver over the coming months. The fresh faced executive has announced a conference for 12th April where he’s expected to reveal his strategy to turn the troubled Japanese manufacturer around. With Sony predicted to lose...

Slippery slope

Idol Minds, the developer behind PSN’s well-supported arcade ache ‘em up Pain, has had a whopping four titles cancelled by long-term partner Sony over the past couple of years. While the studio is currently working on the Ratchet & Clank HD Collection, cyber snoop Superannuation reports that the developer has had multiple...

Sadly not hiring the Easter bunny, though

With the PlayStation Vita now firmly established on retail store shelves, Sony is turning its attention to ensuring there is long-term enthusiasm in the platform. In the UK it intends to achieve that by pumping a whopping £1.5 million into a fresh Easter promotional push. The new campaign will see the PS...

Good news, everyone

GAME Group's out of administration less than a week after it entered. Investment group OpCapita and Baker Acquisitions Limited negotiated a deal that will see all remaining stores continue to trade, securing the jobs of some 3,200 staff. Here's hoping this signals the start of an upswing for the chain.

Zipped up

SOCOM developer Zipper Interactive has closed, Sony has confirmed. Speculation about the studio’s imminent demise began last weekend, but the firm remained tight-lipped for the majority of the week. However, Sony confirmed the sad news in a statement to Game Informer over night: Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm the closure of...

Fond farewell

Journey developer thatgamecompany is a small studio, so it’s surprising when key members of the team announce their departure for pastures new. Yesterday co-founder Kellee Santiago revealed her intention to move on, and since producer Robin Hunicke has also shut the door behind her. Hunicke – who joined thatgamecompany at the start...

Blue sky gaming

SEGA has revealed it will cancel games and focus on sales-proven IP in the future. The company's report cites Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, Football Manager and Aliens as examples of the strong series it'll support in the next period and beyond. SEGA didn't reveal which titles would be canned, with a look through our list of

Headed on a new journey

Kellee Santiago has left thatgamecompany. The former co-founder and co-president announced the news in an interview with Gamasutra. The website speculates that more departures might be on the way. Santiago said: After doing these three games, I think it was a really great opportunity for all of us to look at what we’ve...

Four zero two

Robert Bowling has announced that he has resigned from his current position as creative strategist of Call of Duty. The hype-man – who has become the face of the biggest gaming brand in the world over the past few years – announced his departure on Twitter overnight. He said: Today, I resign from my position as Creative Strategist...

All change

It sounds as though Sony’s really keen to reinvent its Japanese arm. It wasn’t long ago that the company announced it had placed former Sony Santa Monica founder Allan Becker in charge of its domestic studios, and it has now followed up with a corporate restructure. Beginning 1st April, SCEJ will operate under new “First Party...

So gone

It sounds as though the lights could be dimming on SOCOM developer Zipper Interactive. Kotaku reports that Sony is currently in the process of laying off staff at the American studio, where project cancellations have put its future in doubt. Zipper Interactive recently released the decent Unit 13 on PlayStation Vita and SOCOM 4 on PS3 last...

Next move for motion studio

Zindagi Games – the developer behind the brilliant Sports Champions and the likable Medieval Moves – is readying itself for the next generation. In a job opening advertised on Gamasutra, the proficient PlayStation Move studio notes that it is "moving on and working on the next generation home console"...

Drowning in debt

Hydrophobia Prophecy developer Dark Energy Digital has been shut down, according to a report on GamesIndustry.biz. The site reports that the company’s assets have been passed onto the recently founded Dark Energy Publishing, a new upstart created in January by Dark Energy Digital owners Pete and Deborah Jones. GamesIndustry.biz...