EA-Redwood-Shores
Latest
The Sims 3: Barnacle Bay coming this fall
Embark on a quest for booty in the upcoming DLC, "Barnacle Bay," for The Sims 3 -- er, wait, we're mixing up our content here! Rather: You'll get to explore a tropical paradise in the Barnacle Bay, available for download this fall. Whether you decide to be a lowdown, dirty pirate on the hunt for treasure and grog, or a sightseeing tourist looking to soak up virtual sun, is up to you. The Barnacle Bay area will be sold exclusively through The Sims 3 Store. Within, you'll discover new locales such as Founder's Beach, Goldbeard Galleon Gallery and Pirate's Hideaway -- plus several other locations and NPCs that await your inner Magellan. The expansion pack will also include "nearly two dozen" new items. %Gallery-100811%
EA expands Salt Lake studio, announces 'groundbreaking' new project
EA's got something cooking in Utah, as a recent press release states EA Salt Lake is getting some plush new office space downtown, as it gears up to undertake a "groundbreaking" new project and looks to hire people for "several critical leadership positions." EA Redwood Shores is also apparently getting in the mix, as executive producer Ben Bell told IndustryGamers his studio will enlist the aid of some of the best and brightest from over yonder. Everyone is pretty mum on the subject of exactly what the project is right now, but, following EA's massive layoffs affecting 1,500 of its employees, Bell bills this expansion of talent to only "a few key positions right now." The new project will lean heavily on EA Salt Lake and EA Redwood Shores for most of the necessary personnel. EA Salt Lake is perhaps best known for producing The Sims line of games. Maxis obviously created the franchise, but since the release of Spore, has been focusing primarily on that series. EA Salt Lake also handles the EA Play line of games, and has contributed Nerf N-Strike and Littlest Pet Shop. Now, we wouldn't want to speculate on what this new project is, but if you look at the studio's track record since officially becoming EA Salt Lake, one can't help but assume it'll be something on the PC or a Nintendo platform. That, or it's a golf game.
Dante's Inferno creators explain 'Violence' in latest dev diary
You might be wondering exactly how Visceral Games managed to get a level themed after "Violence" into Dante's Inferno -- a game where the lead character spends roughly 100% of his time killing anything near him. We were wondering too, and so it was really nice of Visceral Games and EA to release the above dev diary for the "month of violence" that the game's marketing campaign is currently embracing to promote the game's level based on the seventh circle of Hell. The real question now: what can we expect EA's marketing team during this month's theme? We're not sure just yet, but given its recent track record, we're hoping no one goes to our Editor-in-Chief's house to give him a lesson or two in violence. %Gallery-45836%
EA job listing hints at online multiplayer for Dead Space 2
If an Electronic Arts job listing is any indication, Dead Space 2 is set to receive a gameplay feature that none of us saw coming -- online multiplayer support. The listing, which calls for the aid of a "Senior Online Level Designer," mentions that the new hire should "be able to work collaboratively with Creative Director and Online Producer to create extremely fun, satisfying and polished multiplayer levels." Those who desire to create droll, unsatisfying and shoddy multiplayer levels should probably look for employment elsewhere. We'd call this move surprising based on the fact that we have no idea how it would work out. Given the first game's heavy focus on "strategic dismemberment," we can only imagine that multiplayer matches will quickly devolve into hilarious, appendage-removing duels. Kind of like Bushido Blade meets the Black Knight scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (Actually, that sounds pretty awesome!) [Thanks, Andrew!]
EA laying off 1,500 in new round of restructuring
We know at least four portions of EA that probably aren't thrilled about the Playfish acquisition. Gamasutra reports that significant layoffs have taken place at EA's Tiburon, Redwood Shores, Black Box, and Mythic divisions. Gamasutra suggests that the layoffs exceed the scope of EA's normal annual layoffs. We're attempting to verify the actual percentages with EA. According to a tweet by Katherine Pitta, "Mythic Entertainment, responsible for Warhammer Online, just laid off 80 people, about 40% of it's employees." Former EA employee Eron Garcia estimated "HUGE chunks of EA" have been let go. Mythic has been subject to layoffs in the past, as has Need for Speed and Skate developer Black Box, which already had its studio closed last year as part of another widespread round of layoffs. Best of luck to everyone affected by the layoffs! [Update: Approximately 1,500 people have been or will be laid off as a result of this year's cuts, EA reports in its earnings statement. Last year's "major" restructuring resulted in the loss of about 1,000 jobs.]
Dante's Inferno 'King Minos' bossfight looks more familiar than ever
We've seen a decent amount of Dante's Inferno gameplay over the last nine months we've known of the game's existence -- and heard a lot of comparisons to God of War in the process -- but we didn't realize how spot on that was until we saw the video of Dante battling King Minos (found after the break). Judging souls in the second circle of Hell can be a tough job (don't we know it!), so Dante has apparently stopped by to relieve Minos of his duties. Rather than thanking him though, the grumpy old curmudgeon attacks Dante and all hell breaks loose! (Get it! 'Cause they're in Hell!)All joking aside, the game looks to be more than competently cloning that other game where you spend time in The Netherworld, albeit with a multiplatform release. Now when's this thing coming out, EA? Hmmm?%Gallery-45836%
Visceral execs wooed away from EA by Activision [update]
Update: An EA spokesperson confirmed to IndustryGamers that the two have indeed flown the coop. There's no word on replacements for them as of yet, but we'll be sure to keep you posted.Original post: EA's Visceral Games (formerly EA Redwood Shores) may have lost two key personnel, if a rumor originating at GameSpot is to be believed. General manager Glen Schofield and COO Michael Condrey supposedly jumped ship to rival Activision, with a memo circulating at Visceral apparently describing the departure of the execs. Schofield is best known as the guy behind Dead Space, whereas Condrey got his start by directing this Levi's commercial. This news comes following some job listings (via superannuation) for a San Mateo-based studio with Activision. The company currently has nothing in the area, so this lends credence to the rumor that Activision is looking to start up something around the Bay. Add what Schofield and Condrey bring to the table and you have the makings of a fine studio.Inside sources close to GameSpot said the departure follows weeks of rumors circulating about Activision aggressively pursuing Visceral talent. We've put in word to EA and Activision for comment and will be sure to get back to you if we hear anything.[Via Big Download]
Dante's Inferno won't be burning on PCs
For those of you hoping that upcoming Visceral Games hack-n-slash Dante's Inferno would be heading to your PC, prepare to be disappointed. Joystiq sister site Big Download received confirmation earlier today from EA that currently there are "no plans" for a PC release. In fact, the representative at EA went one step further, not only confirming the game's console exclusivity but saying, "When Dante's Inferno was originally announced in December, we attached no platforms to the project ... when we came out with a first look for press in February we announced 360/PS3 and then in April we announced PSP ... We never announced a PC SKU nor are there plans for any." Sorry, PC gamers! Look at it this way: At least you can't "go to Hell" now! (Hey-o!)%Gallery-45836%
Christian bloggers protesting fake EA protest
After staging a protest/publicity stunt outside of E3 last week against upcoming EA game Dante's Inferno, the company is catching heat from Christian bloggers. InsideCatholic says on its website, "It's been clear for a while now that the entertainment industry views Christians on the whole as priggish, thin-skinned fun-killers," further wondering if "anyone at EA even read the Inferno." Catholic Video Gamers fires an even more direct shot at EA's Dante's Inferno, saying, "Instead of engaging in a shamelessly anti-Christian stunt to promote your poor excuse of a product, maybe you ought to work on making this game, you know, something better than a blatant God of War rip-off." Wait, isn't Christianity all about forgiving? Oh well! Hopefully EA will think twice next time it decides to fake a protest and instead choose protesters without any major religious affiliation. [Via GameSpot]
EA Redwood Shores becomes Visceral Games, gets moody logo
EA Redwood Shores (aka EARS), an internal development studio within EA, was suffering a bit of an identity crisis. Known for making some of EA's best and brightest stuff -- including last year's Dead Space and the upcoming Dante's Inferno -- the studio just didn't feel right with such a ... less than descriptive name. That changed today, as its parent company EA announced a rebranding of the studio, now dubbed Visceral Games. And while the studio is still working on the aforementioned Dante's Inferno as well as the now Wii-ified spin-off of Dead Space, titled Dead Space: Extraction, it's also apparently working on "two other unannounced titles." Little did we know! The studio claims to be identifiable as one with a "focus on creating intense action-oriented intellectual properties," a claim that needs little substantiation considering its back catalog. Now, can we hear a little bit more about those two unannounced titles please?
Joystiq hands-on: Dante's Inferno
click to enlarge In the summer of 2007, Electronic Arts and the US military began a top-secret project aimed at creating a perfect clone of God of War II. Before it could be completed, the game escaped, undergoing minor cosmetic surgery and adopting a new backstory in an attempt to elude its creators. It used the name ... Dante's Inferno.At least that's how we like to romanticize the origin of Dante's Inferno. In reality, it's more of a shameless God of War play-exactly-alike than X-Men Origins: Wolverine could ever aspire to be -- but at least EA chose an excellent game to ape. Read on for our travelogue of the first circle of H. E. Double Hockey Sticks.%Gallery-51250%
First in-game images of Dante's Inferno PSP surface
Curious what hell looks like in the palm of your hand? Eurogamer.pt has posted a pair of in-game shots taken from the recently announced PSP version of Dante's Inferno, which, while impressive, only further cement the notion that this particular take on Divine Comedy offers the liberalest of interpretations. Set to ship sometime in 2010 alongside home console versions, Dante's Inferno for the PSP is being jointly developed by EA Redwood Shores and Wet developer A2M. The Prince of Lies' involvement in the project, however, remains purely rumor and speculation -- but, we can hear him whispering, whispering, whisper ...%Gallery-51141%
Dante's Inferno set to burn up PSP next year
Electronic Arts has announced that its forthcoming, hellish action romp, Dante's Inferno, will be heating up the PSP in 2010. The portable version will ship alongside those previously announced for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with Wet developer A2M working with EA Redwood Shores to translate the game's nine circles of hell onto the small screen. Even with this news, details remain scant on the project. Still, given the game's purported God of War-style gameplay, we have high hopes that Dante will be able to follow in the Ghost of Sparta's miniaturized footsteps when Dante's Inferno ships for the PSP next year.
Joystiq impressions: Dead Space: Extraction
click to enlarge The Dead Space: Extraction dev team would rather you didn't call its game an "on rails shooter." It prefers "guided first-person shooter experience." Whatever you decide to call it, there's no escaping (or being extracted from) the fact that this isn't a free-roaming FPS set in the Dead Space universe. Based on a recent live demo of the game we were given, though, it's clear this isn't a mindless shooting gallery, either.Extraction builds not only on the audio-visual presentation of the original game -- and certainly looks & sounds the part -- but also on its unique gameplay mechanics, the most prominent of which being "strategic dismemberment." It also uses the Wii's controls to great effect, as we found during our 15 minutes in Hell (or something close and certainly scary, at least).%Gallery-49881%
SXSW 2009: EA Dead Space - A Deep Media Case Study
One of SXSW's panels that showed off the effects of Panelitis Fakeoutitis (where a panel sounds much better on paper than it actually is) was "EA Dead Space: A Deep Case Media Study," which sounded like it would be a dissection of the game and what went into creating it.A closer reading of the synopsis noted that it was all about "the method and the madness behind Electronic Arts' use of cross-platform marketing." Wait? What? Marketing?! Well, we went anyhow, and you can check out the highlights beyond the break.
Godfather II release day patch adds new multiplayer mode
EA hasn't been just kicking back, watching The Godfather II hype build ( ... it's building, right?). The Redwood Shores studio has been tinkering with the final game during the strategic delay, and EA has announced today that a new multiplayer mode will be added -- free -- in addition to the four preexisting modes. "Don Control" will be patched into the game on release day, April 7, and features a 16-player scenario where money from the single-player game is wagered for, well, ultimate Don-ination! (Geddit?) Confirmation of the Godfather freebie comes just days after Capcom was forced to defend its $5 multiplayer patch for Resident Evil 5 after it became clear that the modes were being prepped before the game's release. Was EA's decision to offer Don Control for free (and not save it for post-release premium DLC) influenced by Capcom's faux pas -- perhaps even a subtle swipe at its industry competitor? We like to think EA is tossing in the new mode out of the kindness of its heart (its very strategic, consumer value-bearing heart). Then again, this is the same company charging $10 for XBLA Connect Four and Yahtzee -- a piece.
EA's Glen Schofield hopes Sony can 'figure it out'
Speaking to GI.biz, EA Redwood Shores manager Glen Schofield expressed hope that Sony can figure out what to do with PS3's relatively high price tag in a time of economic woe. The conglomerate faces massive losses from its computer entertainment division and declining sales for its flagship console, but Sony doesn't seem to see a problem. Some suggest a price cut would be beneficial (and believe is actually on the way), but Schofield isn't sure it's the best direction: "You know, I can't tell them what to do. I don't know their finances." So what is Sony to do? It seems like the company is caught between a rock and a hard place. "They've been such a great, great partner," said Schofield. "I hope they get out of this and they figure it out and they're around for a long time." If outsiders like Schofield are worried for Sony ... imagine what its employees are feeling.
EA's Schofield sticks to 'quality games' mantra
Though EA's pledge to focus on quality games and new IP may have resulted in critical approval and a more positive image among gamers, the company has still been forced to take serious financial cost-cutting measures in recent months. Thankfully, Glen Schofield, manager of EA's Redwood Shores studio, isn't about to let some unpleasant realities get in the way of staff morale and a commitment to top-notch titles."I said, look, I can't tell you if this is the end or not, but we're making some great games here," Schofield relayed to GI.biz. "If we continue to make great games, if we continue to push this, we're not going to lose our jobs. Because we're making great stuff." The studio hopes to follow up the positively received but commercially disappointing survival-horror, Dead Space, with potentially great stuff like The Godfather II and hellish actioner Dante's Inferno.Schofield reportedly told his staff, "People who aren't making great games are going to lose their jobs. But if you're making quality and we continue to push on that, and you're a quality person then you're going to keep your job." That almost sounds like a threat, doesn't it? Talk about the man(tra) sticking it to you.
Squint! Yep, that's definitely Dante's Inferno
Click to enter Hades the Inferno! Perhaps not divine, but we're seeing obvious comedy in these first Dante's Inferno assets, released today by EA. Of course, Redwood Shores no doubt wants us to take its adaptation of the 14th century Italian epic quite seriously, it being concerned with Hell and all. Still, we're not seeing these images as portraying anything other than another God of War -- a cross-wielding, Christian "God of War" (see what we mean after the break ... ). Not that the concept is a bad one, given it's being anointed by the very smooth hands of the Dead Space developers. Just don't expect us to sit here quietly, holding in our giggles. %Gallery-45836%
Dead Space started life on the original Xbox
It seems that Dead Space has been around a lot longer than we'd have thought, originally taking form on the original Xbox. You can check out some early footage from the game in a video found after the break. There's not a whole lot to see really; it's very dark footage. What you can see looks very much like the Dead Space we know and love. Still, it's always interesting to see a game concept's humble beginnings. Plus, it might give us an indication as to what to expect from the Wii version.[Via VG247]
