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Bethesda confirms that Prey 2 is really, most sincerely dead
More than two and a half years after rumors first emerged that the sequel was canceled, Bethesda has confirmed Prey 2 is no more. "It was a game we believed in, but we never felt that it got to where it needed to be," Pete Hines, vice president of Bethesda, told CNET at PAX Australia, "We never saw a path to success if we finished it." "It wasn't up to our quality standard and we decided to cancel it. It's no longer in development. That wasn't an easy decision, but it's one that won't surprise many folks given that we hadn't been talking about it." First announced in 2011, Human Head's science fiction bounty hunter game impressed Joystiq and others in early showings but was publicly troubled within months of its reveal. First it was delayed, then removed from Bethesda's website, and finally rumored to be in development at Dishonored studio Arkane. When Bethesda would even acknowledge the game's existence after that, it would simply say that the game wasn't up to the publisher's quality standards. Hines' words reflect that view in the final decision to cancel the game. Fans of Prey's unusually suggestive doorways shouldn't give up hope just yet. Hines explained that Bethesda still considers Prey a potential series."It's a franchise we still believe we can do something with. We just need to see what that something is." [Images: Bethesda]
Report: Prey 2 reboot in development at Arkane Austin
The Austin, TX branch of Dishonored developer Arkane Studios has begun pre-production on a reboot of Prey 2, according to a Kotaku report citing supposedly leaked internal emails written by Arkane Studios' creative director, Raphael Colantonio. "Austin has officially been green lit for its own project," one of the emails reads. "Doing a new IP was not a possibility because it's adding risk to the challenge of growth, so after going back and forth with Todd, Harvey, Ricardo, we decided that Prey 2 presented an interesting opportunity if we could reboot it. Zenimax accepted our pitch which was 'the spiritual successor to System Shock 3.'" According to the report, this project is a new attempt at developing Prey 2, completely unrelated to the troubled efforts underway at Human Head Studios. Bethesda VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines had previously said that Human Head's work on the game was "not up to our quality standards." We've contacted Arkane for comment. [Image: Human Head Studios' Prey 2]
Bethesda's publishing model based on quality, not quantity, says Hines
Bethesda has no ambitions to become a volume-driven publisher, VP of PR and Marketing Pete Hines told us during last weekend's QuakeCon festivities in Dallas, TX. "It's not a situation where we set out to say 'Well, we need to be acquiring studios at this level,' or 'We need to be a 10,"' Hines said with regards to Bethesda's growth philosophies as a publisher. "We know for sure that we don't want to be a publisher that is publishing 20 to 30 games a year, that's not who we are." "We're more about fewer premium titles and putting our full attention behind those," Hines continued, "and if it's one a year, or two a year, or three a year or four a year, what's most important is backing the best bets, putting our full support behind those and making them great. And then, do it again." That whole "making them great" thing seems to be an integral part of Bethesda's operating procedure, as Wolfenstein: The New Order was recently delayed into 2014 for polishing. Likewise, Hines has said previously that Prey 2 has yet to meet Bethesda's quality standards, despite years in development and millions of dollars spent.
Prey 2 is 'just not good enough,' Bethesda says
Publisher Bethesda is "unhappy" with Prey 2's current state, company vice president of PR and marketing Pete Hines said during an interview with IGN during E3. "We appreciate that folks are displeased that we haven't had any update or any info on Prey 2, but whatever your displeasure is, you can't even be remotely as unhappy about it as us," Hines said. "We spent years and millions of dollars and a ton of effort trying to help [developer] Human Head make a great Prey 2 game. What we said the last time we said anything was that it's not up to our quality standards." Human Head is rumored to have encountered numerous setbacks during Prey 2's development. Anonymous sources claimed that development stalled in late 2011, and rumors from last month indicated that Dishonored developer Arkane Austin might be taking over the troubled project. Hines' frank comments during IGN's interview suggest that Prey 2 is either on the verge of cancellation or a major shift in development. "You don't just keep throwing money at something or going down a path that you're not happy about," Hines explained. "You have to make tough choices. Again, when we have more info on it, we'll be happy to talk about it. That's what I can say for now."
Rumor: Prey 2 in hands of Dishonored developer
Bethesda's Prey 2 is rumored to be under development at Arkane Austin, the studio behind last year's excellent Dishonored. Kotaku has been tracking the winding road of Prey 2's development, along with fan site Alien Noire, who have both heard of Arkane taking over. "We don't have any new info to share on Prey 2. We don't comment on rumors," said Bethesda VP of marketing and PR Pete Hines. Bethesda stopped acknowledging the existence of Prey 2 late last year when it pulled the game from its company site. A few months prior to that the company stated Prey 2 had "not been canceled" after it removed developer Human Head over "quality standards."
Prey 2 countdown ends at fan site, Bethesda has 'nothing to do with that site'
The "Alien Noire" website counting down to a Prey 2 reveal has concluded with a fan site that's apparently designed to host a petition to finish the game. Despite featuring logos for Bethesda Softworks and Human Head Studios, Prey 2's publisher and developer, respectively, the studios aren't involved in the site."It appears to be a fan site. We have nothing to do with that site," Bethesda's VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines tells Joystiq.Hines previously told us, "I don't know what that is or who is doing it. It's not something we're doing."Bethesda removed Prey 2 from its company website late last year, reiterating the game was delayed and not canceled.
Bethesda: Prey 2 teaser site is 'not something we're doing'
Remember the "Alien Noire" website supposedly counting down to a revelation about Prey 2? A recent update added a Prey 2 logo and more to the site. The site now also features logos for both Bethesda Softworks and Human Head Studios, Prey 2's publisher and developer, respectively.Furthermore, the hidden message in the site's source code has been expanded. Previously reading "Tommy needs your help," it now reads "Tommy needs your help with a stranded human who wants to go home." The message refers to Tommy, the protagonist from the original Prey, who plays an important role in the sequel.You might think that using official logos would substantiate the site's legitimacy, but apparently that's not so, according to Bethesda. A spokesperson tells Joystiq, "I don't know what that is or who is doing it. It's not something we're doing." So there you have it.
Rumor: Countdown site hints at Prey 2 reveal on March 1
The last time Bethesda said anything about Prey 2, it deemed the game as having "not been canceled," though it was no longer listed on the publisher's site. A recent teaser site sprang up with the URL "aliennoire.com" however, and much like any conspiracy theory, all signs from it point to whatever we want them to point to, such as the revival of Prey 2.NeoGAF users grabbed supposed screens of the site's previous source code that flat-out had the key words "Prey 2" and "Human Head Studios" in it, though the teaser site has seemingly been edited since then to remove those phrases. The cryptic countdown timer (which uses a "South Venusian" font, by the way) is ticking down to March 1. WhoIs registration info on the domain owner lists a private registrant by the name of "The Collective," with a Tahlequah, Oklahoma address, which happens to be next door to the Cherokee Tribal Administration. Coupled with the phrase "Tommy needs your help," which is still in the teaser site's source code, these two clues would certainly hint at the main character of Prey, a Cherokee mechanic and former soldier.The teaser site might not be associated with Bethesda or Human Head Studios in any way, even if the logo at the top of the page looks strikingly similar to signs from previous Prey 2 screens. We reached out to Bethesda just to make sure we're not too crazy, as there's still no definitive sign that this is entirely legit.
Prey 2 no longer listed on Bethesda site, company focusing on games it's 'talking about'
Bethesda's recent website revamp is lacking a listing for its delayed (but not canceled) game, Prey 2."Since we had already announced it wasn't coming out this year and we don't have anything new to say on the game at this time, we simply didn't think it'd be appropriate to include it on the new site launch," Bethesda VP of marketing and PR Pete Hines told IGN. "We chose instead to focus on the upcoming titles we are talking about."As Eurogamer points out, the current docket of featured games on the site runs through 2013. Bethesda announced in April that Prey 2 had "not been canceled," though said The Human Head developed project didn't its "quality standards."
Rumor: Prey 2 development suspended since November
Bethesda announced earlier today that Prey 2 would not launch in 2012. Rumors suggest development is troubled, with Human Head Studios having suspended work on the FPS since November 2011.Word comes from a source close to Shacknews, who claims work was intentionally stopped in the hopes of negotiating better contract terms with Bethesda owner Zenimax. Many employees were reportedly laid off as a result, with Human Head aiming to rehire them once the contract was satisfactory. According to the source, the game was in limbo until March, when things finally "soured."Bethesda claimed the delay was "due to the fact that game development has not progressed satisfactorily this past year." Beyond that, the company wouldn't comment on the future or in what shape Prey 2 is in.
Prey 2 delayed beyond 2012, has 'not been canceled'
Prey 2 "will not be released in 2012," Bethesda Softworks announced this morning. The game has apparently "not been canceled," but at this point doesn't match Bethesda's "quality standards."Bethesda released a statement this morning revealing the delay. "The delay is due to the fact that game development has not progressed satisfactorily this past year," it reads. Despite the game showing "great promise," the publisher is "unwilling to compromise our quality standards to meet a release schedule."The Human Head-developed sequel to 2006's Prey suffered rumors regarding its cancellation earlier this year – rumors which Bethesda refused to engage at the time. Given Bethesda's track record with shooting down cancellation rumors, that put Prey 2 in a nebulous place for the past month.Update: Bethesda declined to comment "beyond anything that's in the statement."
Bethesda has no comment on Prey 2 cancellation rumor
Publisher Bethesda has no statement on the rumor that Prey 2 has been canceled, a story which gained significant traction yesterday. Dutch site PSFocus reported that the game, in development at Human Head Studios, was kaput and that an official announcement would be made next week.The last time Prey 2 showed up on our radar in a significant capacity was around GamesCom last August. As IGN notes, GDC talks planned for the game were cut a few weeks before the show.This isn't the first time this year a high-profile Bethesda title made its way into the rumored cancellation mill, as DOOM 4 went through the experience twice in six month. The difference? Bethesda flat-out stated "DOOM 4 isn't cancelled."%Gallery-131026%
Tommy will play an 'integral' role in Prey 2's story
While Prey 2 has players running, sliding and jumping around in the shoes of a new protagonist, one Killian Samuels, it doesn't mean the star of the first game, Tommy, has been taken out back to the space shed and put down, Old Yeller style. Chris Rhinehart from Human Head Studios has told IGN that Tommy will actually play an "integral" role in the story. "He's a character that you encounter many times throughout the game," Rhinehart said. "It's not just a single cameo where he shows up and takes off. He's integral to the story and events on Exodus. One of the big things is, the unique abilities that Tommy has, specifically spirit walk and death walk, are integral to his role and how he actually fits into the story." In the first game, Tommy was visited by the spirit of his grandfather, who taught him abilities which helped to propel the story forward. Could Tommy play a similar role for Killian in the sequel? Let's see if we wait until next year before finding out.
Prey 2 screens make Earth look bad
If there's a single takeaway from these new screens of Prey 2 straight outta Quakecon, it's that, man, where we live sucks. These screens are chock full of aliens and flamethrowers and exciting extraterrestrial-type stuff. Where are our holographic dancers?
Prey 2 live-action trailers get developer commentary
Bethesda has released a new developer commentary video discussing the two live-action trailers for Prey 2. The video does a good job of explaining Human Head's inspirations for Prey 2 and exactly how it ties into the original Prey. Another video, discussing Prey 2's CG trailer, is coming soon.
Prey 2 cinematic teases parkour-fueled, bounty-grabbing mayhem
The latest trailer for Prey 2 doesn't feature any actual gameplay (see our preview for that), but it does feature Johnny Cash's cover of Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage." Perhaps we'd feel duped if it weren't such a thrilling clip.
Prey 2 creative director sets the scene for an 'alien noir'
Prey 2 drew a lot of quick comparisons to games like Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect following Human Head's gameplay presentation at Bethesda's "BFG 2011" media event last week. Afterwards, I talked with Human Head co-founder Jim Sumwalt, creative director of Prey 2, about another big influence on the game -- film noir. Set in a futuristic, hyper-vertical alien city, Prey 2 features some essential nods to the kind of classic Hollywood film noir that was inspired by German Expressionism. "The obvious is the use of light to create dramatic, long shadows," Sumwalt pointed out. "There's a really awesome use of color and reflective surfaces and distorted images." He cited newer neo-noir films, such as Sin City, as the inspiration for Prey 2's use of shadows. In an alien city, with a confused protagonist (he's got amnesia!), this effect almost guarantees a frantic, stressful tone, which is exactly what Sumwalt and company hope to achieve.
Prey 2 producer on taking new direction, with 'capable' id Tech 4
Prey 2 raised eyebrows at Bethesda's "BFG 2011" media event last week for its almost total lack of resemblance to the original game. Following the gameplay presentation, I picked the brain of associate producer Matt Bisenius to find out more about this startling sequel. Because Prey 2 is such a clear departure from the first game, I wondered if the developers at Human Head were trying to fix some perceived problems. "We didn't look at Prey 1 and pick out mistakes as much as look at it and pick out the core themes of Prey," Bisenius clarified. "So we kept the alien abduction, 'Keepers' as the main race, one man versus many aliens, and then the predator/prey relationship." He made it clear that Prey 2's new direction is not an effort to address any flaws in Prey 1, but instead reflects the natural progression of the overarching Prey story. Whereas the first game was contained within The Sphere, an organic ship that sustained itself on species from across the galaxy, Prey 2 will open players up to the franchise's universe at-large, which, in a way, revolves around the still-mysterious Sphere.
Prey 2 preview: Alien sequel
Prey 2 is so radically different from the first game in terms of look, gameplay and feel that it should really be approached with entirely different expectations. Though the universe may be the same and is set to include an appearance from Prey's former protagonist, Tommy, this isn't the straightforward sequel you may have expected from Human Head Studios. The hands-off demonstration at Bethesda's BFG 2011 event emerged from a downed airplane on an alien world. From there, you -- playing as US Air Marshall Killian Samuels -- begin a frantic battle with strange aliens amid the wreckage of his plane, using only your standard issue pistol. After you're knocked out by one of the aliens, the preview jumps forward a few years to a point where Killian is a talented bounty hunter in an open, alien city. In an interesting turn of events, neither you nor Killian have any idea of what transpired during the interim. Killian is aware of his profession and has retained his skills, but beyond that it's up to you to piece together the missing years.%Gallery-121460%
First Prey 2 images arrive
Believe it or not, it's possible to make judgments too quickly. For example, the last time we wrote about Prey 2 we were dismissing it for excluding the gameplay elements that distinguished the first game. Now, with the debut concept art and screenshot of the game ... well, we honestly don't know what we're looking at any more. Check out at this neon-drenched alien city. It's crazy, right? And why's this guy dressed like David Carradine in Kill Bill? Okay, so we're holding out hope for you, Prey 2. But you take the vaguely vaginal doors away from us and we walk.%Gallery-120619%
