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Report: How Homefront's developer crumbled
The slow demise of Kaos Studios leading up to its June 2011 closure has been attributed to poor management and a misallocation of resources, according to conversations anonymous ex-staff members had with Gamasutra. One of the Homefront developers believed THQ's "plan was to close the studio regardless."Management issues reportedly stemmed from inexperienced team members leading more qualified peers during Homefront's development. One ex-staff member said the studio "had this level of leads with tons and tons of experience, and you had the directors with much less." Those directors "didn't listen to the very talented team they hired."Former THQ Executive VP of Core Games Danny Bilson was also the target of former team members' frustrations. Ex-staffers spoke of Bilson's heavy involvement in Homefront's development and his tendency to "hand out mandates on high and then disappear," adding that "he's not qualified to talk about game mechanics."We've contacted THQ for comment on this story.
Report: Homefront 'Ultimate Edition' due before April
If you're going to buy Homefront, you might as well buy the absolute best version of it you can find. Eurogamer reports that a release schedule sent out by THQ includes Homefront: Ultimate Edition, due before the publisher's next fiscal year starts in April. No details were included about the release, but by now we all have a good idea of how these "ultimate" things go: it's likely to be the game, plus all DLC to date, which so far includes the two map packs "Fire Sale" and "The Rock," and nothing that substantially changes the aspects of the game people didn't like before. For that, you'll have to wait for the sequel.
Homefront 'The Rock' map pack rolls onto Xbox Live July 28
Major Nelson has revealed that a new Homefront map pack is on the way. Entitled "The Rock," the pack is slated to arrive this week. As previously announced, the map pack takes the resistance to San Francisco's Alcatraz Island. The pack will include two new maps, Alcatraz and Bridge, and also adds Overpass and Waterway to the Team Deathmatch mode. The Rock map pack will hit Xbox Live this Thursday for $5. Initially, the maps will be exclusive to Xbox Live, with a PSN and PC release to follow.
Homefront, Singularity, Fallout: New Vegas and more highlighted in today's Steam Summer Camp sale
It's a new day, which means there are new Steam deals to peruse. Continuing its Steam Summer Camp Sale promotion (new deals every day on through July 10), Valve's digital distribution platform is slashing prices, taking half off Homefront, 75 percent off Singularity, 70 percent off Fallout: New Vegas (and all of its DLC) and 90 percent off Trine. Those of you to engage in the "activity" part of the promotion -- and looking to earn some tickets to exchange for sweet prizes -- should load up Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter (also on sale today), Trine, Fortix 2, Homefront, Zombie Driver or Mount & Blade: Warband. Or, if you're looking for a free ticket, just post any screenshot today.
Homefront multiplayer added to OnLive PlayPack
The ever-so-thrifty OnLive PlayPack has become even thriftier today, with the addition of Homefront's online multiplayer component. The $10-per-month bundle, which currently includes over 60 games for subscribers to dip into, will now let users access the THQ shooter's 32-player competitive offerings without forcing them to bother with that pesky single-player campaign. To celebrate the game's arrival, THQ and OnLive are hosting a "Multiplayer Madness" event, which will award skilled attendees with free PlayPass access, an Astro A40 Headset or a Parrot AR Drone. Check out the event's official site to find out exactly how you can participate in the event, and maybe take home your own smartphone-controlled impromptu haircut machine.
THQ shutters Homefront dev Kaos Studios and THQ Digital Warrington
Manhattan-based Kaos Studios -- developers of Frontlines: Fuel of War and Homefront -- has been closed. THQ confirmed the closure to Joystiq this afternoon, noting that the company's UK-based studio, THQ Digital Warrington, has also been closed. The Warrington studio previously worked on Red Faction Battlegrounds and Warhammer 40K: Kill Team. A statement from THQ additionally explains that employees at each studio have been alerted. Beyond a cursory note about "strategic realignment within its internal studio structure," no other specifics are given as to the why the studios were closed, but its not as though the closure of Kaos Studios was unexpected. In the meantime, Homefront development has been transferred to the company's Montreal studio. THQ states that the laid off employees will be given a chance to interview at other internal studios, such as Montreal and Toronto. The full statement is available beyond the break. Update: Due to UK law requiring employers to give a 60 day warning before layoffs, THQ says that THQ Warrington employees' warning "starts today ... and it is longer than 30 days." Given that, it's "not an immediate closure," but "a notification process leading to closure" for the UK-based studio.
Homefront's 'Fire Sale' map pack priced at 240 MS Points ($3)
While plodding through Hooters after Hooters, shooting up tons of nondescript North Korean soldiers, wasn't the best time for us, those of you who've been knee-deep in Homefront's multiplayer component on Xbox 360 may be excited about the upcoming Fire Sale multiplayer map pack. Previously dated for a June 7 deployment, the official Twitter account for the game revealed a price today: 240 MS Points ($3). Fire Sale is the first of many proposed DLC packs. The publisher has yet to divulge specific details beyond it will "carry you further into the heart of a war torn and twisted America." No word on how many maps or the exact nature of the content has been revealed. We've followed up with THQ for said info and will update accordingly.
First Homefront DLC is 'Fire Sale' map pack coming June 7; 360 title update brings fixes, Ability Pack
When THQ promised a "wide range of exciting DLC" for its shooter Homefront, we honestly expected something besides a map pack. Nowadays, if your map pack doesn't have at least one celebrity in it, we're not even taking the call. Homefront's first piece of DLC is the on-Xbox-first "Fire Sale" map pack which "will carry you further into the heart of a war torn and twisted America." No word on the number of maps in this pack, nor the modes supported, price, or number of celebrity cameos. About the only thing we do know is the name and the date: June 7. More concerned with being able to play the Homefront maps you already have? THQ also announced that a Title Update is available now for Xbox 360 that offers improvements to the game's "overall stability and network connectivity." Some of the higher profile improvements include: "game returns to MP menu instead of Main Menu after leaving a match," "Max ping limits for server connections" which should prevent connections to distant servers, "game freeze and hitching," and the "joining friends feature." As a kind of thank you, THQ is including the "Ability Pack" which features some new goodies for your multiplayer game. Get a full rundown at the Source link below. [Update: THQ let us know that a PC patch went live yesterday and a PS3 patch is in the works, but has been delayed due to the PSN outage. And what about those details on the DLC? We'll get "more detailed information" on the 7th, we're told. In fact, it should be the most detailed information since it will actually be out and all.]
THQ planning multiplayer Homefront demo
Speaking during THQ's fourth quarter earnings call, CEO Brian Farrell announced that the company is planning a multiplayer demo for Homefront. Farrell noted that many people have already heard of Homefront and that a demo will help further "stimulate more new users and purchasers of the game." Farrell also reiterated THQ's plans for "multiple drops" of "robust downloadable content" for the game, though he didn't elaborate on exactly what form it would take. Though no specific release date was given for DLC or the demo, Farrell did note that both should arrive sometime within "about the next six months."
THQ lays off 33 across Kaos Studios and Volition
And the hits just keep on coming. THQ has confirmed to Gamasutra that it has reduced the staff sizes of Red Faction developer Volition, Inc. and Homefront developer Kaos Studios. Volition, whose team of around 200 is also working on the next, bonersword-equipped installment in the Saint's Row franchise, had its headcount cut by 16 positions. Kaos Studios, which employs more than 100 developers, lost 17 across its departments. In its statement to Gamasutra, representatives for THQ explained, "The changes are not expected to affect any current or future titles in development with Volition." The statement adds that Kaos has a "dedicated team in place" to continue supporting Homefront with post-launch content while preparing for future projects. We wish the 33 folks affected by the cutbacks the best of luck in getting back on their feet.
Homefront debuts at #6 on Xbox Live charts
Major Nelson has released the Xbox Live activity numbers for the week of March 14, and things are looking good for THQ's Homefront. After less than a week on the shelves, Homefront debuted at number six on the charts. While a far cry from the top spot (unsurprisingly occupied by Black Ops), it's still impressive for a brand new property, especially in its first week. Then again, given Homefront's sales figures, a strong showing on Xbox Live isn't too shocking. On the Xbox Live Arcade front, newcomer Full House Poker took the top spot, with Runic's Torchlight coming in second. The XBLA version of Battle: Los Angeles, despite a complete lack of marketing, landed in third. Oh, you hadn't heard? Yes, there totally is a Battle: Los Angeles game on XBLA.
Homefront sells a million, ships 2.4 million units
THQ has shined its best bugle to announce that Homefront is a success: today, the publisher revealed the game has managed to infiltrate one million homes in North America, Europe and Asia. Last week, the game was the top seller on UK Chart Track. Additionally, THQ reveals that 2.4 million copies have been shipped. "We are very pleased with strong worldwide shipments and sell-through for Homefront, and we continue to fulfill new retail orders for the game across the globe," concluded THQ president and CEO, Brian Farrell, in the announcement.
Homefront PS3 patch met with poor reviews; stats reset unaddressed
Kaos Studios responded to reports of "freezing" issues and other bugs in Homefront by pushing out a patch for the PS3 version of the game last night at approximately 8PM ET. In its announcement, the developer claimed that "far fewer issues" had been reported in the Xbox 360 version, though a title update was in the works nonetheless. Additionally, a "small hotfix" was released for the PC version yesterday, to be followed by "a patch with full change-list in the near future." Following the update's release via PlayStation Network, a few worrisome comments began to appear below the announcement post. "I thik [sic] they broke the game," observed one commenter complaining of lag. "I hadn't had any lock up problems till this update, now all it does is lock up making the game unplayable for me," posted another. "I too have lost my rank (PS3)," reads a more alarming comment, "I was rank 24 and i played a game and noticed i was back to 2." This issue of reset player ranks and XP appears not to be an unintended side effect of the patch, but rather an ongoing issue since the game's launch earlier this week, acknowledged by Kaos yesterday afternoon. "We are aware of the buggy leader boards and stat tracking issues and it is being addressed in an upcoming patch," promised Kaos' Dan Matlack in response to one of the many, many forum threads on the issue. While the stats reset bug was not addressed in last night's update, Kaos' patch notes did highlight the introduction of "several fixes for reported freezes." In the main "PS3 'Freezing' Issues" thread, posters have reported mostly failed results. In the "Multiplayer Status Update" thread, similar complaints about freezing have appeared following the patch's release, in addition to reported server connection and party system failures. Still, some forum-goers remain optimistic: "great patch, the only problem im still having is my ps3 is freezes usually after every other game," posted a cheery St0rMiN_X_NoRMaN. [Thanks, Gwynne]
Metareview: Homefront
There is definitely a war going on in Homefront, especially in the game's review scores. We weren't exactly keen on the game, but hardly anybody seems to be. The general consensus has the game taking significant lambasting by outlets over the short, mediocre single-player campaign, tempered by what the title has going on in multiplayer: GamePro (4/5): "Homefront does a whole lot right, delivering powerful imagery and actions on the single-player side, as well as interesting multiplayer alterations, but neither end feels fully realized. ... Should Kaos expand on this promising start with meaningful and memorable additions in a sequel, Homefront may prove a potent franchise in no time at all." Game Informer (70/100): "Thanks to some well-crafted maps and a unique in-game economy, the multiplayer fares better than the campaign. Rather than give each team a set number of vehicles at the start of the match, Homefront rewards you with Battle Points for each kill, assist, or flag capture." IGN (70/100): "[Homefront] controls and feels like a typical shooter, looks like a game that's several years old, and most importantly, has an inexcusably brief campaign. Multiplayer is Homefront's redeeming quality, and those gamers out there who are like me and swoon for alternate/future history settings should certainly look into it. " 1UP (B-): "Kaos Studios has made a competent shooter to accompany an engrossing story, one I'm more than willing to finish (assuming a sequel will be made). Multiplayer is where the game's real value lies, and it's certainly more than competent. There's a polish to the online mode that speaks to the developer's true talent." Giant Bomb (3/5): "Whether or not you decide to pick up Homefront should rely entirely on how much you want to play its multiplayer. It's not quite exciting or remarkable enough to trump the current giants of online dude-shooting, but it's a solidly crafted mode made comparatively impressive by just how tremendously mediocre the game's single-player campaign proves to be." %Gallery-104301%
Homefront first day sales 'robust,' server capacity being added
Despite some rough reviews for Homefront (including our own) and a nasty dip in stock price (it's still down), things aren't all frowny face in THQ Land. Homefront already had the distinction of being the most pre-ordered title in THQ history and now, just one day after launch, THQ is trumpeting "robust" first day North American sales of approximately 375,000 units. Of course, nothing says "successful multiplayer game" like a server boost, and THQ core games veep Danny Bilson is happy to note as much. "Due to the strong and growing demand for Homefront's multiplayer, we continue to add dedicated server capacity," Bilson said in a press release. Bilson's boss, CEO Brian Farrell, added, "We are delighted with first day sales for Homefront and are already fulfilling re-orders for the game from multiple retailers." $20 says that two of those retailers are Walmart and Amazon.
THQ stock drops 25 percent in one day on Homefront launch
"If THQ can come up with a couple of franchises that sell well, that's a much clearer path to profitability and a higher stock price." -- Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets "75" -- Metacritic score for Homefront, the most pre-ordered title in THQ's history "This score is a bit of a disaster for THQ and the share price today is reflecting that." -- Mike Hickey of Janco Partners
Homefront review: First-person Hooters
Maybe I'm naive, but I honestly believe there was a point at which Homefront was destined to be something special. An FPS war game where the conflict was made intensely personal by staging it in America and waging it with real people? It's an inarguably rock-solid concept. The question then (and isn't the question always some variation on this?) is how did Kaos Studios and THQ go from that great germ of an idea to the brain-dead, dull and frankly pretty lousy final product they're releasing today? %Gallery-107660%
Homefront mobilizes launch trailer
Homefront is prepared for its March 15 launch, sending out the final trailer to gather troops for battle against The Great Leader.
Homefront fires off its multiplayer carnage trailer
THQ's made it no secret that Homefront's design "emphasis is on multiplayer." This trailer seeks to tempt multiplayer shooter fans away from their beloved Call of Duty and Battlefield.
Overheard@GDC: Homefront devs 'put a baby in a dumpster' (and then took it out)
Kaos Studios' Homefront has gone "gold" and is under two weeks away from being released. We found out yesterday afternoon about one scenario that didn't make the cut: protecting a dumpster ... with a baby in it. Lead single-player designer Chris Cross (real name!) related a story about the team's process of involving civilian presence in the game. Cross said his team wanted to "make it relevant without making it cheap." As it turns out, relevant became a little crazy -- at least initially. "We went through all kinds of crazy crap! We put a baby in a dumpster and were using that as a bullet shield," Cross explained, heartily laughing. "We were trying a bunch of very strange ideas." We'll be doggedly exploring every dumpster we find in Homefront in search of secret (baby) easter eggs when the game ships on March 15.
