In the days before the Nintendo Wii, it was actually Sony that ruled the casual games space – especially in Europe, with franchises like Singstar, EyeToy Play, and… Yes, Buzz!. For those of you who don't remember it – the series only seemed to be popular in the Old World – it was essentially a multiplayer quiz title, where you controlled the action using game show-esque buzzers. It was honestly quite fun.
But while it proved immensely popular on the PlayStation 2, it struggled during the transition to the PlayStation 3, and before long, the platform holder cut ties with Brighton-based developer Relentless Software. It splintered off and went indie, creating digital releases like the Blue Toad Murder Files for the PS3, but now it's no more.
According to Games Industry.biz, the studio officially closed its doors yesterday, with all staff members being made redundant. Our thoughts, of course, go out to all of those who have lost their jobs.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 19
That's really sad news. Never owned a Buzz game, but their sheer popularity is to be commended.
@Plainsville The series sold 10 million copies in total. More popular than even I thought.
Too bad. I sincerely believe the Buzz franchise could have had a future still. People love quizes.
I was actually hoping a Buzz game would come out on PS4, if there's one thing the PS4 is lacking in terms of games is the less serious and more easy to play ones.
Could be great fun with a bunch of people or even online.
@itshoggie This. We got That Trivia game but it is more like a Poorsman Buzz game.
I too was hoping for a Buzz PS4 game. There are many trivia and quiz games out for PS4 but they all lack what Buzz had...personality and attitude. When you played one of these games the host was an actual character with personality, which made the games very enjoyable.
With the dazzling visuals, and sweeping camera angles, you also felt you really were on a show. Plus the tension with certain games like where your platform sinks down when you miss an answer, gave real spark to the proceedings.
This series was the Uncharted of trivia games, all that is out now is more like Atari Pitfall. It will be missed.
Thats sad. I used to play alot Buzz with my wife and randomsfrom the internet. Don't know about the price of it now outside of Greece, but here the Greek version can fetch around 100 euros with the buzzer and people are still looking to buy it.
Damn, I was literally just saying to my girlfriend the other day that it would be great if they brought out another Buzz game for PS4 with smart phone integration (a la Singstar) so you didn't need to buy the expensive hardware.
I'd love a quiz game like that.
A shame because Buzz was a good buzz with family and friends. Wasn't Jason Donovan the voice of Buzz?
Sony can make a Buzz! game without Relentless if they want to. Sony owns the rights and assets to the franchise, after all.
I think it would have happened by now if it was going to, though.
@ApostateMage He was, yes!
I was late to the buzz party on PS3 but loved it. I was hoping for something similar on ps4, but Jackbox party pack 2 kind of fit the need. Sad that they are closing though.
@get2sammyb Scott & Charlene, still probably the most famous soap wedding ever.
Great memories of this game it had its time now it can RIP
I remember the wedding rushing home from school to make sure I watched it. That was when Neighbours was at its best. Now its relegated to Channel 5 enough said.
That's too bad. I had tons of fun playing the PS3 Buzz's with my wife and friends. It was a great local mutiplayer game. A PS4 version, if still four player local, would have been a day one purchase.
I played it once, it was okay. Meh.
Buzz waz ok but Blue Toad Murder Files was my jam. I always hoped we'd get a second one. I'm sorry to here people have lost their jobs.
Loved Buzz, had the two PS2 games and the one on PS3, me and my Uni friends spent a ridiculous amount of playing those back in the day!
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