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[Papacheeks]

Well, more bad news:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FN1lHLOWUAQx8qk?format=jpg&name=large

I mean it does sound like original leads that were contracted for Initiaitive are now leaving and it seems Crystal Dynamics has fully taken over for them. It's still not a good sign of this game coming out in a timely fashion let alone not coming in hot. So 5 years and then these guys peace before we even see gameplay?

God Maybe Microsoft wised up and thats why they got Crystal? But then why wait so fucking long to make this decision?

Sorry but this falls on Microsoft.

 

[Team Andromeda]

Given his work history, it seems he leaves a studio after every game. At leats he's still at XBox studio I guess

 

[DenchDeckard]

Well, more bad news:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FN1lHLOWUAQx8qk?format=jpg&name=large

I mean it does sound like original leads that were contracted for Initiaitive are now leaving and it seems Crystal Dynamics has fully taken over for them. It's still not a good sign of this game coming out in a timely fashion let alone not coming in hot. So 5 years and then these guys peace before we even see gameplay?

God Maybe Microsoft wised up and thats why they got Crystal? But then why wait so fucking long to make this decision?

Sorry but this falls on Microsoft.

looking at his resume and it seems like he moves on once he has done his work. Hard to say until we see the product. If CD have taken over the heavy lifting his role could be complete. No idea. We will see soon enough I hope.

At least he has gone to coalition so he is still with MS, I gues he is now working on the Mandolorian game lol

 

[Papacheeks]

looking at his resume and it seems like he moves on once he has done his work. Hard to say until we see the product. If CD have taken over the heavy lifting his role could be complete. No idea. We will see soon enough I hope.

At least he has gone to coalition so he is still with MS, I gues he is now working on the Mandolorian game lol

Yea his position seems to be contract related as in he moves on once systems are in place.

But this one is here is another red flag:

This is a lead animator those types you want to keep. Look at his tenure at ND? 10 years? Then he left because more money to work with Initiative and be lead, I guess it was not his bag. Now he's with Deviation.

 

[DenchDeckard]

Yea his position seems to be contract related as in he moves on once systems are in place.

But this one is here is another red flag:

This is a lead animator those types you want to keep. Look at his tenure at ND? 10 years? Then he left because more money to work with Initiative and be lead, I guess it was not his bag. Now he's with Deviation.

yup, gonna be interesting to see how the game is. I dont know these people or their personal experience so Im not going to make judgements. I imagine you could work through any major developers staff and see turnover like this but maybe I am wrong. I cant be assed hunting through Linked in profiles and try and find out haha.

 

[Papacheeks]

yup, gonna be interesting to see how the game is. I dont know these people or their personal experience so Im not going to make judgements. I imagine you could work through any major developers staff and see turnover like this but maybe I am wrong. I cant be assed hunting through Linked in profiles and try and find out haha.

Well when Game Director leaves that means a lead at Crystal Dynamics took over and whats weird is the game Director at Initiaitive was somewhat lead position at Crystal. So I wonder if his direction wasn't going anywhere so he brought in Crystal Dynamics to take what they had and basically make a game?

Sounds like anyone who was with Game Director is and original initiative is leaving because their role is being overseen now with Crystal running the show. Maybe it turns out great, Crystal is a very capable studio. But this is exactly what happened with 343i.

And that game although end result was still good after a delay and poor showing. It still came in hot and has serious issues with COntent. I just dont think a new re-imagining of a old beloved IP can withstand the same scenario.

Like it has to blow peoples socks off, if it's like a good looking third person spy shooter like splintercell. I could see it getting a good amount of attention. But if the leaks are true of it being kind of chapter/Episodic? Then I really don' know what to expect hoenstly.

If we see a lengthy playthrough that looks really good, then I guess all is well. If the preview is just a trailer, that has no gameplay in it, or looks rough like the Infinite playthrough but worse,......then honestly heads are rolling at Redmond.

 

[Riky]

People are making a lot of presumptions about quality before seeing any gameplay, do we know the background of the people joining The Initiative who have replaced these people? That doesn't seem to matter for some strange reason.

 

[Hendrick's]

I imagine you could work through any major developers staff and see turnover like this

According to Neogaf, this only happens at Xbox studios.

 

[squarealex]

Well, more bad news:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FN1lHLOWUAQx8qk?format=jpg&name=large

I mean it does sound like original leads that were contracted for Initiaitive are now leaving and it seems Crystal Dynamics has fully taken over for them. It's still not a good sign of this game coming out in a timely fashion let alone not coming in hot. So 5 years and then these guys peace before we even see gameplay?

God Maybe Microsoft wised up and thats why they got Crystal? But then why wait so fucking long to make this decision?

Sorry but this falls on Microsoft.

Don't Worry, Klobrille says was Ok

 

[BigbyTheSheriff]

 

[Papacheeks]

No shit Nick! That guys is a fucking twat, how he got Phil to be on his shitty show is beyond me.

 

[skit_data]

Related?

 

[BigbyTheSheriff]

 

[Papacheeks]

Related?

You wonder if Microsoft took a long term contract with Crystal Dynamics as they start to crack down on studios projects not progressing to where they need them to be.

Sounds like Honeymoon phase is over.

Andy I believe was one of the people at VGC behind Director leaving article/News for Initiative.

 

[Interfectum]

The Initiative always reeked as too many chefs in the kitchen. Not shocked it is now imploding. Too many egos clashing for sure.

 

[mejin]

Related?

I wouldn't be surprised if they come and say "The Initiave" is going to start from zero and Crystal Dynamics will finish Perfec Dark somehow. This is just MS M.O. rinse and repeat.

I talked about the mediocre management and was criticized for it.

Anyway, let's see what's this about.

 

[Shmunter]

Whoa, could Phil have the balls to pull the pin on the studio? He may be feeling stoic with the bounty of other studios he now hovers over.

 

[skit_data]

Insiders describe ‘fast and furious’ exits from Xbox’s Perfect Dark studio | VGC

As much as half of the core development team have quit in the past year; Initiative management says it’s “confident” in its team…

www.videogameschronicle.com

 

[Bernd Lauert]

 

[Punished Miku]

Put them on Lococycle 2 development. We've waited long enough.

 

[Papacheeks]

The Initiative always reeked as too many chefs in the kitchen. Not shocked it is now imploding. Too many egos clashing for sure.

But again its another internal studio mismanaged by Microsoft. Same with 343i, and to an extent Rare.

All studios who are already established that Microsoft Bought they don't really need to manage them because their workflows and teams already have a type of synergy. It's new studios/Teams and existing ones under Microsoft's direct management that are in question.

If they close this studio in favor of just having Crystal Dynamics develop the game then I think its a lose/win. We win by we get Perfect Dark game made by Crystal Dynamics, we lose basically a new studio and the idea that Microsoft was managing their studios finally.

 

[mejin]

Insiders describe ‘fast and furious’ exits from Xbox’s Perfect Dark studio | VGC

As much as half of the core development team have quit in the past year; Initiative management says it’s “confident” in its team…

www.videogameschronicle.com

this deserve a new thread.

 

[R3claimer117]

Well, more bad news:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FN1lHLOWUAQx8qk?format=jpg&name=large

I mean it does sound like original leads that were contracted for Initiaitive are now leaving and it seems Crystal Dynamics has fully taken over for them. It's still not a good sign of this game coming out in a timely fashion let alone not coming in hot. So 5 years and then these guys peace before we even see gameplay?

God Maybe Microsoft wised up and thats why they got Crystal? But then why wait so fucking long to make this decision?

Sorry but this falls on Microsoft.

This is bad news they person left one Microsoft owned studio and went to another first party studio of Microsoft? How in the name of butthole is this bad news other then people just reaching for it ? Clearly that game is in full production and the leads are moving on. If it was so bad the last place he’d want to work is at another Xbox studio.

 

[Pedro Motta]

People are making a lot of presumptions about quality before seeing any gameplay, do we know the background of the people joining The Initiative who have replaced these people? That doesn't seem to matter for some strange reason.

People are saying Starfield is going to be GOTY.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Can't wait to hear the damage control on this one.

 

[Punished Miku]

Can't wait to hear the damage control on this one.

"That's what you get for hiring ex-Naughty Dog devs at the Initiative."

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

Holy shit! Crystal Dynamics won't save this mess

 

[Riky]

People are saying Starfield is going to be GOTY.

Bethesda is a known quantity, different situation.

 

[ResilientBanana]

Well, more bad news:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FN1lHLOWUAQx8qk?format=jpg&name=large

I mean it does sound like original leads that were contracted for Initiaitive are now leaving and it seems Crystal Dynamics has fully taken over for them. It's still not a good sign of this game coming out in a timely fashion let alone not coming in hot. So 5 years and then these guys peace before we even see gameplay?

God Maybe Microsoft wised up and thats why they got Crystal? But then why wait so fucking long to make this decision?

Sorry but this falls on Microsoft.

He went from MS Studio to MS Studio, it's not like he's working for someone else.

 

[Papacheeks]

This is bad news they person left one Microsoft owned studio and went to another first party studio of Microsoft? How in the name of butthole is this bad news other then people just reaching for it ? Clearly that game is in full production and the leads are moving on. If it was so bad the last place he’d want to work is at another Xbox studio.

if you paid attention I said in a previous post it looked like he moved on after his work was complete because of the nature of his position. But now that VGC article shows outside of this employee and a few who's work was either done or scrapped moved on, it looks like a mass exodus of original staff that made up the 80" at Initiative have left in favor for Crystal Dynamics taking over.

Thats not good that you need a contractor to build your game for you when you built a studio full of talent for the sole purpose. Also reflects on how 343i used contract work heavily to make an actual playable built of halo before showing it off to people in 2020.

You can go and say what you want but I posted others who had been with other companies for 10 years before leaving, and they left senior positions at Initiative. It's not good any way you shake it.

I hope perfect Dark still turns out great, but after that game wtf is going to happen with this studio? It shows microsoft can not manage talent only buy them.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Bethesda is a known quantity, different situation.

Insiders describe ‘fast and furious’ exits from Xbox’s Perfect Dark studio | VGC

As much as half of the core development team have quit in the past year; Initiative management says it’s “confident” in its team…

www.videogameschronicle.com

 

[Pedro Motta]

Bethesda is a known quantity, different situation.

Their latest iterations are quite lacking. That's why I don't understand the blind trust. I hope it's a great game, but I can't put my money on it without gameplay.

 

[VAVA Mk2]

Perfect Dark is the new Halo Infinite

 

[adamsapple]

Holy shit! Crystal Dynamics won't save this mess

I think saving this mess is exactly why MS commissioned Crystal Dynamics.

If the development was going fine in-house, they wouldn't need to get another external studio on board.

 

[Germuso]

AAAA Game, the last A is for Adiós amigos.

 

[skit_data]

So… is it safe to say this is more of a Crystal Dynamics game than a The Initiative game?

It’s pretty interesting, it could be compared to something like Bloodborne/Demon’s Souls but with CD instead of From Software i guess.

 

[reksveks]

Trying to figure out the fact that there is only 3 open roles

 

[skit_data]

 

[Papacheeks]

So… is it safe to say this is more of a Crystal Dynamics game than a The Initiative game?

It’s pretty interesting, it could be compared to something like Bloodborne/Demon’s Souls but with CD instead of From Software i guess.

I think the bigger thing is the last part. It's now been soft rebooted, meaning dont expect this thing to come out anytime soon. SO baically 2024 at earliest. God WTF Microsoft, like me and Colin Moriarty have been saying your culture at your division sucks, if your culture in cultivating excellent software sucks then how do you expect results like the ones you want for Gamepass?

 

[reksveks]

Is the argument that xbox doesn't care about first party games releasing?

 

[skit_data]

Is the argument that xbox doesn't care about first party games releasing?

I think the argument is that their hands-off approach produces unpredictable results in terms of dev time and/or quality. Sometimes it works out fine, sometimes not so much.

 

[Shmunter]

Do we know if there was a lack of diversity?

 

[rickybooby87]

I thought the Initiative was the industry's first AAAA developer? I really hope that this studio is an outlier, but yeah. Looks like the initiative is on life support, why even have a studio like this when you're just going to outsource the development to Crystal Dynamics?

 

[reksveks]

I think the argument is that their hands-off approach produces unpredictable results in terms of dev time and/or quality. Sometimes it works out fine, sometimes not so much.

Yeah, being a producer is a very tough role and think MS need better producers/project managers for some of their studios like 343, Initiative.

I suspect the new purchased publishers will already have that down.

 

[Shmunter]

I thought the Initiative was the industry's first AAAA developer? I really hope that this studio is an outlier, but yeah. Looks like the initiative is on life support, why even have a studio like this when you're just going to outsource the development to Crystal Dynamics?

Well they say AAA is unsustainable, AAAA must’ve been murder

 

[Papacheeks]

Is the argument that xbox doesn't care about first party games releasing?

Come on? No its what I and everyone with a brain has been saying about how Microsoft manages software currently. They care, but I think they saw things not progressing well internally with specific studios they themselves manage, hence the buying at a good price of Activision.

Because all of those studios under A/B are established with teams/Work flows and can pump games out. They dont have to manage them they are already self sustaining, same with Bethesda. I think now the veil has been pulled of the big promise, and outside of established studios/Publishers they now have under their umbrella, Microsoft doesn't need to put as much emphasis on Coalition/343/ ect. They have COD, Diablo, Overwatch, Crash, and a back catelog of IP's that they can just say: "yea go for it, here's a bunch of money".

This article just finally said what all of us have been saying. Microsoft is trying to buy their way to their success, and not nurture studios and learn as a company/Division in their failings in approach to managing studios/projects. Why look inward when you can buy the already established?

 

[Riky]

Nobody really expected the game until 2024 anyway, so there is plenty of time. CD is a big enough studio to deal with it.

 

[reksveks]

This article just finally said what all of us have been saying. Microsoft is trying to buy their way to their success, and not nurture studios and learn as a company/Division in their failings in approach to managing studios/projects. Why look inward when you can buy the already established?

Think you are reading into the article something that isn't there.

They care, but I think they saw things not progressing well internally with specific studios they themselves manage, hence the buying at a good price of Activision.

Everyone is buying companies cause hiring has become a pain btw, it's not just Sony or Microsoft. Google did it on the Cloud Security front with Medient or however you spell it.

 

[kingfey]

Well when Game Director leaves that means a lead at Crystal Dynamics took over and whats weird is the game Director at Initiaitive was somewhat lead position at Crystal. So I wonder if his direction wasn't going anywhere so he brought in Crystal Dynamics to take what they had and basically make a game?

Sounds like anyone who was with Game Director is and original initiative is leaving because their role is being overseen now with Crystal running the show. Maybe it turns out great, Crystal is a very capable studio. But this is exactly what happened with 343i.

And that game although end result was still good after a delay and poor showing. It still came in hot and has serious issues with COntent. I just dont think a new re-imagining of a old beloved IP can withstand the same scenario.

Like it has to blow peoples socks off, if it's like a good looking third person spy shooter like splintercell. I could see it getting a good amount of attention. But if the leaks are true of it being kind of chapter/Episodic? Then I really don' know what to expect hoenstly.

If we see a lengthy playthrough that looks really good, then I guess all is well. If the preview is just a trailer, that has no gameplay in it, or looks rough like the Infinite playthrough but worse,......then honestly heads are rolling at Redmond.

I hope they don't become 343i. That is bad news, if they become like that.

 

[Tripolygon]

Holy shit! Crystal Dynamics won't save this mess

That is a lot of senior roles leaving.