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Eidos' Quebec game studios shift to a four-day work week
Eidos' Montreal and Sherbrooke studios are switching to a four-day work week to minimize crunch.
Square Enix's 54-game charity bundle includes Eidos and Ion Storm classics
Square Enix has released a 54-game bundle of Eidos title to encourage people to stay at home during the pandemic, with all profits going to charity.
'Uncharted' borrows from cinema to sidestep clunky game design
Developer Naughty Dog's games have always had a flair for the cinematic and that's due in large part to their presentation. The studio takes a minimalistic approach to how it delivers information to the player, eschewing ugly on-screen means of directing you where to go by using filmic techniques like smart scene composition and color to subtly guide the players from one area to the next. In the video below, YouTuber Mark Brown explores Uncharted 3's opening, breaking down how Naughty Dog pretty masterfully keeps players on the right track during the rooftop chase sequence without it feeling claustrophobically linear.
Square Enix Europe discounts Eidos Anthology by 80 percent
The latest promotion to hit the online store at Square Enix Europe highlights developer Eidos Interactive by discounting 34 of the studio's games. In lieu of discounting individual games, the Eidos Anthology sale discounts entire series. Highlights include all Tomb Raider games created to date, the entirety of the Thief and Legacy of Kain Collections and both Deus Ex and Deus Ex: Human Revolution (the less said about Invisible War, the better). The eight collections included in the sale consist of 34 different games, all of which can purchased en masse for $40. There are caveats, however. These discounts only apply to PC games (buyers are technically purchasing Steam keys), and are only available by visiting the European version of Square Enix Online. Assuming none of that bothers you, pay a visit to the promotion's handy infographic. [Image: Square Enix]
Square Enix opens its curation and funding program to all indie devs
Square Enix opened the doors for all developers to submit game ideas to its Collective platform today, which curates ideas and pushes them forward to the crowdfunding space. The publisher previously tested the waters with three games, two of which received a thumbs-up from the voting community: World War Machine and Moon Hunters. Crackdown 2 developer Ruffian Games received 60 percent "No" votes for its project, Game of Glens. New submissions going forward will be published every Monday. The Square Enix Collective allows indie developers to submit their projects to the community for a Steam Greenlight-esque voting process, which takes place over the course of 28 days. Once a project gains approval by the community, Square Enix assists the developers in crowdfunding the game via a partnership with Indiegogo. Of the three test-phase projects, only Tuque Games' World War Machine (which received a 90 percent positive vote from the community) will move forward to the funding part of the program at the moment, and is scheduled to do so near the end of the month. Square Enix announced the Collective program in October, at which point it revealed plans to open up older IPs from Eidos' backlog for prospective designers to toy with. The publisher is still hammering out the details of this option, so it is only accepting original IPs from developers for now, but will start with the Gex, Fear Effect and Anachronox properties when the time comes. Developers interested in joining the program should check Square Enix's terms and conditions. [Image: Square Enix]
Hitman: Absolution to get Elite Edition on Mac this spring
) If you're wondering what that gleaming sphere popping above the bushes is, veering closer and closer to your MacBook (why do you leave your MacBook out in the yard?), Agent 47 and Hitman: Absolution is coming to Mac this spring courtesy of Feral Interactive. No news yet on a more specific date for the 2012 stealth adventure, or how much will ring up on the till when you scan 47's neck. Feral notes all the game's additional content features in the codenamed "Elite Edition," including the standalone sharpshooting of Hitman: Sniper Challenge. [Image: Square Enix]
Garrett channels his inner Bruce Willis in Thief launch trailer
"I've been a ghost all my life," Thief protagonist Bruce Willis Garrett says in this trailer for his soon-to-be-released game, in which he may or may not literally be a ghost. Where's Haley Joel Osment when you need him? Check out our video preview for more ghost-thief action.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition boasts 1080p resolution, 'buttery framerate'
Crystal Dynamics has detailed the numerous improvements players can expect to see in the upcoming PlayStation 4 and Xbox One release of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, explaining that the new port is "a colossal effort, soaked in visual enhancements and technical optimizations." The game will run at a native 1080p resolution on the PS4 and Xbox One, and will be bolstered by a "buttery framerate" throughout. The new port is bundled with all of the game's previously released multiplayer DLC, along with the bonus The Tomb of the Lost Adventurer add-on, six alternate outfits, and a collection of digital comic books and documentary featurettes. Lara herself has also seen an upgrade for the upcoming port, as Crystal Dynamics has implemented a new head and face model for the game's misfortune-prone protagonist, along with subsurface scattering technology that results in more realistic skin glow. While a handful of games released last year for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 were available at a discounted rate for buyers who wished to upgrade to PS4 and Xbox One versions, Eidos notes that it will not offer a Definitive Edition discount for players who purchased a previous version of Tomb Raider on any platform. The company additionally revealed that Definitive Edition's upgrades are exclusive to current-gen consoles; an update for the Windows PC version of Tomb Raider is "not planned." Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition will be priced at $59.99 when it launches in North America on January 28.
Rumor: Deus Ex dev cancels unannounced, original IP
While Eidos Montreal continues work on both the Deus Ex franchise and on the upcoming Thief, a third, unrevealed project has been scrapped. Kotaku cites unnamed sources for this revelation, but notes that "two different developer sources" had linked the now-canceled game to the Japanese side of publisher Square Enix. Furthering that tenuous connection, the site points to a recent OXM interview with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII gameplay director Yuji Abe, in which Abe suggests that Square Enix might one day allow Eidos to develop a Final Fantasy entry. "Obviously, Square Enix bought out Eidos a number of years ago, and now we have direct access to American development teams," stated Abe. "That's certainly been discussed within the company, the possibility of say, Eidos or maybe someone else to look after or maybe take on the Final Fantasy series." Was this canceled game a new Final Fantasy entry? Did it even exist? We attempted to contact Square Enix for more details, but never received a response.
Square Enix 'Collective' partners with Indiegogo, opens older Eidos IP
Square Enix is partnering with Indiegogo for a indie development curation program it's calling Square Enix Collective. The platform allows creators to post their ideas to Square Enix's community, garnering votes over the course of 28 days. Project pitches are evaluated by Square Enix, and providing the community approves the idea, can then be taken to Indiegogo to potentially raise funds for development. Square Enix stays in touch through each game's development process, assisting in distribution once the game is ready. The publisher says that while submitting a pitch costs nothing for creators, they "will need to accept some terms and conditions" when placing their ideas in front of Square Enix's community. Square Enix also added that creators "could have the chance to work with some of the older Eidos IP from our back-catalogue," indicating that its own properties are on the table for prospective designers to toy with. Square Enix will have more information on the program's requirements and submission guidelines at November's GDC Next even in Los Angeles. Now don't go submitting a new Timesplitters game all at once, everyone.
Eidos' Deus Ex: Universe is an 'expanding and connected' world that spans platforms and titles
Eidos Montreal has seen the future for its Deus Ex franchise and it's ready to shed some light on its connected vision. On the company's community blog, studio head David Anfossi revealed that the next phase for the franchise builds upon lessons learned from Deus Ex: Human Revolution; something Eidos Montreal is calling Deus Ex: Universe. No, it's not a standalone title for the next-gen, but rather a new, unifying approach to "create an ongoing, expanding and connected game world" that spans all upcoming titles. And that's cross-platform, too, as this persistent world and the additional experiences it'll deliver will encompass traditional platforms like the PC and console, as well as the portable space, mobile and even graphic novels. Work's apparently already underway on the project, with the first title in this new Universe slated to hit the PC and next-gen console space.
Deus Ex: Universe announced, includes new PC and next-gen console games
Eidos is looking to greatly expand the Deus Ex universe with a new project called ... Deus Ex: Universe. The project will include new next-gen console and PC games, but Eidos' goal is grander than that. Writing on the company's community site, Eidos Montreal head David Anfossi says, "The concept behind Deus Ex: Universe is to create an ongoing, expanding and connected game world built across a generation of core games." The plan is to add to the Deus Ex franchise on a "regular basis," and to "deliver a deep conspiracy" that will stretch across multiple games. Beyond the PC and console games, Deus Ex: Universe will also span across other media, including mobile games, books and graphic novels, says Anfossi. He adds that Eidos Montreal is "already into production of the starting point for Deus Ex: Universe with a new game for PC and next-generation consoles," and that "most" of the original Deus Ex: Human Revolution team is on board. Anfossi also shared the above concept art, a sneak peek of things to come. It's an example of a "trans-humanism segregation," which will be a core theme of the next game. "The people in this segregated class have reshaped their environment," says Anfossi, "nostalgic for their ideal of Cyber Renaissance."
Former Eidos Montreal GM leaves Square Enix, citing 'irreconcilable' differences
Former Eidos Montreal studio head Stephane D'Astous has resigned from Square Enix, criticizing the company's "lack of leadership, lack of courage and lack of communication." "Since last year's financial short-coming performance of Square Enix Europe, we (HQ London and GM Eidos-Montreal) have had growing and divergent opinions on what needed to be done to correct the situation," D'Astous told Develop. "The lack of leadership, lack of courage and the lack of communication were so evident, that I wasn't able to conduct my job correctly. I realised that our differences were irreconcilable, and that the best decision was unfortunately to part ways." D'Astous was ousted from his leadership role during a Square Enix managerial shakeup in June, and was replaced by Deus Ex: Human Revolution executive producer David Anfossi. Following the corporate restructuring effort, Square Enix representatives told Develop that D'Astous had "taken on a new project in the company working directly with [current Square Enix head of studios] Darrell Gallagher across our studios focusing on cross studio operations."
Hitman: Absolution is absolutely $12 at Best Buy
Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Hitman: Absolution are on sale for a mere $12 at Best Buy right now. While the deal includes free shipping, the game is no longer listed as available for shipping. Instead, those looking to save a few dollars on the game can opt to pick up a copy at select locations that still have it in stock. If the diminishing stock at our local stores is any indication, this deal many not last much longer.
Legacy of Kain revival suggested by AMD drivers
Some potentially good news in the world of eternal grudges today, with more evidence of a new game in the Legacy of Kain series being unearthed. Buried in the driver files of a new patch to AMD's Crossfire program are several references to "War for Nosgoth" and "Nosgoth." The files were spotted by Eidos forum user Corlagon, via a tweet from an AMD employee. Kain fans will know that the game takes place in the realm of Nosgoth, and you may also recall that Square Enix registered the domain "WarForNosgoth.com" earlier this year. Furthermore, SteamDB, which keeps records of Steams extensive database, logged the image above, again suggesting Kain and Raziel might return to go another round. As VGLeaks notes, the symbol in the image matches the configuration of the Pillars of Nosgoth, one of the important landmarks in the Kain series.
Grab Hitman: Absolution PC for $7.49 at Amazon
You can snag a PC download of Hitman: Absolution from Amazon right now for just $7.49. And by "snag," we don't mean with garrote wire. Use your mouse, silly.
Thief's new voice actor gets chatty
Perhaps you noticed, but Garrett has a new voice actor in Eidos' upcoming Thief. He goes by the name of Romano Orzari. For a guy portraying a master thief, ostensibly someone who spends most of his time being vewy quiet, he sure talks a lot.
Thief cinematic trailer leaps into view
The premiere trailer for Thief breaks down the best ways to be a successful person in the occupation of stealing and stealth, before pulling down Garrett's ninja mask and revealing a distinctive five-o'clock shadow (and what sounds like a new voice actor). We're no experts in thievery, but that seems like a bold move for someone who makes a living ripping off rich people.Thief is due out for PC, PS4 and "other next-gen platforms" in 2014.
Square Enix notes 'weak sales of big console titles' Tomb Raider, Hitman: Absolution
Square Enix announced a massive restructuring today, which included the dismissal of president Yoichi Wada, but we really hope the company takes a long look in the mirror about its sales projections. Buried within the briefing of the consolidated results forecast, the company had a slide expressing the "weak sales" of three of its games. These allegedly anemic sales involve three games that will have sold millions of units by the end of the company's fiscal year on March 31. It seriously raises the question: how broken is Square Enix's business if Tomb Raider's expected 3.4 million units sold (not including digital distribution) is considered "weak?" "Despite the high critical acclaim, [the games listed] failed to meet each target," the briefing notes. "In particular, North America sales force was ineffective, ending up with 2/3 of number of units sold in Europe." Oddly – beyond this being a clear sign Square Enix North America is being thrown under the bus – this is the second time we've had to scratch our heads about Eidos/Square Enix sales projections. In 2009, the company was disappointed by the sales of Tomb Raider: Underworld, which launched in November and sold 1.5 million copies by the end of 2008. Soon after the publisher did a round of layoffs at Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics.
Eidos classics 50% off on GOG (except for Daikatana)
Fancy yourself some cheap, old Eidos games? GOG.com has its entire Square Enix catalog on sale for half price this weekend, which translates to Eidos classics like the Tomb Raider, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, Hitman, Thief, Deus Ex and more – all for five bucks or less.Oh, did we say the entire Square Enix catalog? We meant everything except Daikatana, John Romero's infamous flop, which was just released on the service. If you've got a mean masochistic streak, you can fork over $6 to try it out.
