Upon its release last May, much of the chatter surrounding PREY revolved around its lack of any connection to the 2006 edition. While it was a great game, it was almost as if the name had been slapped on after the fact because it sounded cool, and now we have confirmation of that.
Speaking to Danny O'Dwyer's NoClip, former lead designers Ricardo Bare and Raphael Colantonio confirmed that Prey started out life as a new IP. "We really treated it as a new IP. We already had in mind the kind of game we were making and then Bethesda said hey, what about using this name?"
Do you think PREY would have found more success under a new name that didn't have any baggage? Whip out your GLOO Cannon in the comments below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 15
"Do you think PREY would have found more success under a new name that didn't have any baggage?"
Honestly, no. The name raised awareness for the project, and while it may have irritated some core fans of the original, it's not like they did anything to harm its success.
It just didn't seem to resonate — no matter how good it is.
I loved this game. Just finished it. I hadn’t played any of the other prey games so I didn’t know what they were about. Hearing that it had a similar vibe to bioshock is what made me excited.
The name itself probably wouldn't have affected sales but I still think the original concept for Prey 2 would have been more exciting. I think it ought to have had a new name rather than tie it to the existing game.
Sometimes I think devs/publishers are more concerned about the risks of a 'new IP' and try to link games to existing IPs. AC4 would have been better as a new IP (Skull n Bones?) and we could be getting a sequel as well as a needed break from AC. It would give Ubisoft more IPs and maybe stop franchise fatigue. Instead of getting AC every year, we could have had a break with other franchises and new IPs breaking up that 'annual' release.
I know Prey isn't like that - most people probably can't remember or never played the first. In that respect, the new game didn't matter if it tied into the same universe but in general, I think its better to try and make games with 'minimal' connection to each other, become 'new IP's'.
This generation is known for its remakes/remasters and endless sequels - even though we have seen a lot of New IP's too. Destiny, Titanfall, Watchdogs, the Division etc are all 'new' IPs but Prey would fall under a sequel - unnecessarily so.
To Tartarus with the baggage. I understand calling dolled-up installments when you have SaGa rechristened "Final Fantasy Legend" or something, but "prey"? Isn't the word a wee bit too general to be monopolized by one game/franchise? Please: http://www.gamesradar.com/same-name-completely-different-game/
@ztpayne7 it's firmly on my wishlist as well, although if I'm to buy it on PS4, I might get through the rest of Dishonored series first. But the demo was really Bioshock/10. Probably a lot in common with System Shock games, too. Supposedly one hour of gameplay unlocked for demonstration, but I suspect I spent several while exploring every nook and cranny and eyeing every other prop in cold sweat. XD
Can't speak about the original Prey because i never played it, sadly.
But i really like the game Prey released last year. Before the release, i was interested about the concept, it looked like a mixture of Bioshock and Dead Space, so i can't say that i bought the game because of the name "Prey".
The devs were told not to connect it to original from what I heard before release. Still butt mad about the human head title being killed.
Interesting though I don't think it would have affected the games sales. I think this was not well marketed and that came through in the launch and sales.
I don't think this title helped sell the game or had any major impact on it's sales. Just not a lot of marketing if you ask me.
It kept me from checking out the game. I missed the previous one so I figured I wouldn't enjoy it as much as someone who played the original.
I liked it a lot! It was a flawed masterpiece, the middle of the game was very samey, but the beginning and end were brilliant and the recycling and skill trees were fun. They put a lot of love and attention into designing the levels and it showed. The Bioshock, Dead Space and Dishonored influence was strong, but that's a good thing.
I'd love to see Prey get a sequel.
I really liked the new version, one of my favourite games last year. Underrated as heck.
However, having played the original, I can't see the connection or relation to it. I thought Prey 2017 had more in common with System Shock 2 and Half-life 2 than to the original Prey game.
Had it been better with a unique title? It doesn't matter in my opinion. The original Prey game was not a big hit, in fact I think most people at the time only saw it as a bad or weird Doom/Quake clone. Regardless of the name most gamers and journalists today would still sadly see it as a bad Bioshock clone.
Loved the game! One of the best games I played last year
Not sure if I even knew or realised this. Well, it surely didn't affect me in any way. I have the game right there but still unplayed.
Read the comment section - bought the game.
For a tenner i don't mind adding it to my backlog for future play.
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