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Fractiv tells the tale of Project Offset, launches new website
The story of Project Offset doesn't have a happy ending (not yet, at least). Several years ago, Offset Software began developing Project Offset, a fantasy FPS built from the team's impressive, proprietary Offset engine. The technology was so impressive, in fact, that Intel bought the studio in early 2008 with the intention of using Project Offset to showcase its new Larrabee graphics tech. Things were looking good ... until Intel's corporate strategy changed and the company decided to abandon the project and disband the team two years later. Now Intel owns the Project Offset name as well as the Offset engine, putting the Offset team's new company, Fractiv, firmly back at square one. Former Offset Software founder and current head of Fractiv, Sam McGrath, tells the whole story to Big Download -- just make sure you've got your box of tissues handy. Looking forward, Fractiv has released Lane Splitter on the App Store, with an Android version also in the works. The company's next project, an action RPG with a Old West theme called The Gunsmith (pictured), is currently in development for iOS and Android, with PC and console versions "being considered." Read more about The Gunsmith and check out additional screens at Fractiv's new website.
Project Offset team disbanded at Intel; Offset Software founders form new startup
You remember Project Offset, right -- that really purdy game that Offset Software was working on for PC and Xbox 360 before Intel bought it up and relegated it to a tech demo? Yeah, we'd pretty much forgotten about it too, until our compatriots at Big Download remembered the game and bugged Intel for an update. Unfortunately, it appears that Project Offset, as we once (barely) knew it, may be no more. Intel issued the following statement in response to the query: "Intel purchased Offset Software to improve our game development knowledge-base and to further Intel's visual computing technology development expertise, helping the company offer robust products, support, and tools to customers. With the recent changes in our product roadmap, some of the resources and technologies from the acquisition are being re-applied to help support new graphics related projects. Additionally, other Offset Software team members have moved onto other external projects outside the company." Sam McGrath, along with the other founders of Offset, have left Intel to form their own startup: Fractiv. McGrath confirmed as much to Big Download, adding that he "can't say any more than that at this stage," but he'll be spilling more "in the near future." So, has Project Offset been canceled? It seems likely given the situation, but we've asked Intel for a solid "yes" or "no" either way.
