THE BORE

General => Video Game Bored => Topic started by: Sho Nuff on November 16, 2010, 01:36:28 PM

Title: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Sho Nuff on November 16, 2010, 01:36:28 PM
This is my fault because I didn't buy Blur.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Bebpo on November 16, 2010, 01:39:31 PM
but if you'd bought blur you would have sent a message that you wanted them to keep making mario kart wipeout sequels for years instead of a normal racing game.

it was a lose/lose situation.


Activision sucks
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Trent Dole on November 16, 2010, 01:40:32 PM
LAME
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Cravis on November 16, 2010, 01:42:08 PM
Bungie take note.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: cool breeze on November 16, 2010, 01:48:32 PM
It's a shame.  Bizarre made games I really liked, including the best racing game series (which includes THE best racing game: PGR2).  The Club was really fun too.  Their games with Activision didn't seem as good, but at least with the one I played, Blur, I thought it was a lot of fun.  Oh, and the Geo Wars games are awesome.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Sho Nuff on November 16, 2010, 01:57:08 PM
Seriously, that team's been together forever and they're a proven quality developer. I'm baffled as to why they'd dump them.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: ferrarimanf355 on November 16, 2010, 02:04:16 PM
Seriously, that team's been together forever and they're a proven quality developer. I'm baffled as to why they'd dump them.
It's Activision.  :'(

Hopefully, Microsoft hires them all and gets them working on PGR5.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: archie4208 on November 16, 2010, 02:25:39 PM
http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/11/16/activision-shuts-down-bizarre-and-budcat-studios/

Budcat (PS2 Guitar Hero farm) is being shut down too.

Activision.  :yuck
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on November 16, 2010, 03:06:23 PM
Seriously, that team's been together forever and they're a proven quality developer. I'm baffled as to why they'd dump them.
The games don't sell ???

no, that can't be it

(http://static02.mediaite.com/geekosystem/uploads/2010/08/We-Need-To-Go-Deeper.jpg)
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Cravis on November 16, 2010, 03:18:27 PM
Bungie wouldn't be owned by Activision and unlike Bizzare, probably any company would pick them up if they should ever fall to the point of closing. Even Microsoft would swoop in before that studio were to break apart.
Ah didn't realize it was just a 10 year publishing deal.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Diunx on November 16, 2010, 03:23:17 PM
Who?
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: EmCeeGrammar on November 16, 2010, 03:42:44 PM
EVERYONE saw this coming. I fear for anyone who even works in conjunction with Activision at this point.

Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: tiesto on November 16, 2010, 03:50:16 PM
Sucks, only games I played from them were the Geometry Wars games but those were still cool.

When will the mighty Activision empire crumble? They're on track to becoming even worse than back-in-the-day EA (though they have a ways to go before doing anything as heinous as what EA did when they bought out and systematically destroyed Origin)
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: chronovore on November 16, 2010, 03:58:46 PM
Sucks, only games I played from them were the Geometry Wars games but those were still cool.

When will the mighty Activision empire crumble? They're on track to becoming even worse than back-in-the-day EA (though they have a ways to go before doing anything as heinous as what EA did when they bought out and systematically destroyed Origin)


...and Bullfrog...
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Olivia Wilde Homo on November 16, 2010, 05:09:25 PM
Blur wasn't that great of a game.

The problem is that their games sold like ass.  If you're owned by a publisher who is more financially driven than others, then studios who aren't raking in the cash will get axed.  Pretty straightforward.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Stoney Mason on November 16, 2010, 05:12:20 PM
Blur wasn't that great of a game.

The problem is that their games sold like ass.  If you're owned by a publisher who is more financially driven than others, then studios who aren't raking in the cash will get axed.  Pretty straightforward.

While I agree there is something to be said for being able to use a developer correctly to their strengths. I don't think that bond game plays to their strengths as a dev. And I don't think one crack at a racing IP is a good effort at really creating a racing franchise.

I simply think it was a bad fit. I'm not one of those people who automatically jumps to evil Activision but I also believe Bizarre would have been better suited with a different publisher. Their work honestly seems more fit for XBLA fare. 
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Joe Molotov on November 16, 2010, 05:16:23 PM
Damn, that sucks. I was really hoping for a sequel to...

*checking, checking* (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarre_Creations)

...hm, nevermind.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: pilonv1 on November 16, 2010, 05:19:31 PM
Wasn't Microsoft looking for someone to do a new Project Gotham game?
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Cravis on November 16, 2010, 06:35:55 PM
Their most enjoyable game IMO was Fur Fighter's.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: demi on November 16, 2010, 06:39:23 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHa

WHERE U AT FERRARIMAN

SPLIT SECOND > BLUR
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: demi on November 16, 2010, 06:42:15 PM
where's that fucking i called it gif

here it is

(http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss167/RocKomedy1/Colbert/Colbert-ICALLEDIT.gif)

(http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss167/RocKomedy1/Colbert/Colbert-ICALLEDIT.gif)
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Eel O'Brian on November 16, 2010, 06:48:57 PM
at what price point would boodstone be worth it?  i've never played a james bond game before and it looked a little interesting
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: WrikaWrek on November 16, 2010, 07:17:42 PM
Well that sucks for them.

I liked their James Bond game.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: AdmiralViscen on November 16, 2010, 07:47:44 PM
The Club was really good too. For $20-30
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: ferrarimanf355 on November 16, 2010, 11:41:15 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHa

WHERE U AT FERRARIMAN

SPLIT SECOND > BLUR
You're gloating over a studio closing down and 200 people losing jobs.

You really are an asshole.

And you still have Hanna Montana: The Movie on your fucking gamercard. Go eat a dick. :maf
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: maxy on November 17, 2010, 12:42:31 PM
Quote
Handful of firms declare interest in the Liverpool-based Blur studio, sources tell Develop

Staff at renowned Liverpool studio Bizarre Creations have spoken of a twenty-four-hour emotional rollercoaster as, as of this evening, it has emerged that several companies have shown interest in buying the Blur developer.

Last night Activision put Bizarre Creations up for sale – in a move that put the job security of 200 developers at serious risk.

This morning, one source from inside the studio told Develop that job cuts were highly likely.

That was the mood at the company until this afternoon, when studio management (and possibly Activision execs) held a second major meeting with staff.

“That meeting really lifted the mood here, I think, because we’ve been told that there’s multiple parties interested in buying us,” the anonymous source said.


“We are still on consultation for ninety days,” he added, “but things look much better than they did last night or this morning.”

“Things here are changing at such a quick pace.”
 
The source declined to name the interested parties, because – by his own admission – he doesn’t want to take risks by naming companies that seem eager to step in and save the studio.

Earlier today, in a separate conversation, a source at the studio was understood that Microsoft was already showing an interest in the company.

“Microsoft aren’t stupid,” he said, “they know we’re talented and have spoken to Activision about us.”

It is unclear, for now, whether Microsoft’s interest in the studio extends beyond hiring staff.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/36404/Bizarre-mood-lifts-with-several-keen-to-buy (http://www.develop-online.net/news/36404/Bizarre-mood-lifts-with-several-keen-to-buy)
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: iconoclast on November 17, 2010, 01:03:29 PM
Would be awesome if MS bought them and brought PGR back. Specially since MS is in dire need of good first party studios.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Mupepe on November 17, 2010, 01:36:21 PM
Would be awesome if MS bought them and brought PGR back. Specially since MS is in dire need of good first party studios.
This.  I fucking love the PGR series
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: ferrarimanf355 on November 17, 2010, 01:51:30 PM
Would be awesome if MS bought them and brought PGR back. Specially since MS is in dire need of good first party studios.
... but would it be necessary with Turn 10 as well? ???
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Akala on November 17, 2010, 01:52:56 PM
Rare needs company in kinect hell.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: ferrarimanf355 on November 17, 2010, 01:56:57 PM
Rare needs company in kinect hell.
:wtf
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Stoney Mason on November 17, 2010, 01:58:10 PM
Funny how the world works. When they were sold to Activision I remember reading a few articles about how they were chafing under the control of Microsoft and how now they were in a better situation. That MS was making them rush out PGR games and that they were favoring Turn 10. The grass is always greener. 
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: chronovore on November 18, 2010, 04:08:42 AM
The grass /is/ always greener. It's crazy.

I'll be waiting to hear how Bungie likes working with Bobby Kotick, particularly when their title doesn't sell like HALO, or at the end of their tenure (read: ten-year) when they're ready to move on.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: Olivia Wilde Homo on November 18, 2010, 07:06:25 AM
Funny how the world works. When they were sold to Activision I remember reading a few articles about how they were chafing under the control of Microsoft and how now they were in a better situation. That MS was making them rush out PGR games and that they were favoring Turn 10. The grass is always greener. 

Well, their options are:

1) Getting bought by Microsoft
2) Going on food stamps

Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: TripleA on November 21, 2010, 01:46:39 AM
Microsoft won't buy Bizarre.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: TripleA on November 21, 2010, 09:57:25 PM
Yeah, they'll probably absorb some Bizarre guys into Turn10.
Title: Re: Activision is closing down Bizarre
Post by: TripleA on November 22, 2010, 08:30:39 AM
"Some".