project-offset
Latest
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.
Red 5 Studios standing by to show team-based online shooter at PAX '10
After the fate of its Offset Engine-powered MMO was left in doubt when the Project Offset team at Intel left the building, Red 5 Studios -- founded by former Blizzard crew -- has confirmed plans to show off its debut effort, a team-based online shooter, at PAX Prime in September. We knew that the developer intended to forge ahead with its game using "highly modified" Offset Engine tech; we just didn't know until now what the nature of the title was or when we'd see it. It would seem that the $15 million Red 5 received from China's The9 (former operator of World of Warcraft in that territory) got the company through a rough patch, and that its game -- intended for a worldwide market -- will finally have its day in the sun. (If the sun even comes out in Seattle, that is.)
Red 5's Offset-powered MMO still in the cards
The future of Project Offset may look grim -- what with the team disbanded and its founders creating a new startup -- but it looks like the Offset Engine will live on. Red 5 Studios, which has been working on an MMO powered by the Offset Engine (concept art can be seen above) for the last several years, has informed Gamasutra that its project is still in the works, despite the Offset-related shenanigans at Intel. "While we are using a highly-modified version of the Project Offset engine," a representative said, "the closing of the Intel team does not impact our ability to complete our own project." Very little is actually known about the project, though Red 5 itself was founded by former World of Warcraft team members. The studio ran into trouble earlier this year, reportedly laying off nearly 30 employees. Shortly thereafter, the majority stake of Red 5 was acquired by The9, the company once responsible for running World of Warcraft in China.
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.
GDC09: Project Offset reemerges with new media
No, it's not a dream. Go ahead and pinch yourself. After a year of nearly complete silence, the team behind the fantasy FPS Project Offset -- which was acquired by Intel last year -- has redesigned its website and released new media. Specifically, there are two new tech demo videos and some fresh concept art. Embedded above is a video of meteors destroying the environment as they fall from the sky. It certainly looks impressive, though it's unclear if this is dynamic destruction or something pre-defined. Either way, it certainly looks nice. The second video, embedded after the break, shows off a cottage being constructed inside the Offset engine. The cottage is apparently a prefab, which is essentially a reusable asset for game design. Objects are added to the structure and several textures and graphical effects are added on the fly. The video certainly makes it look easy to create objects within the game world, though we'd like to see something made from scratch.Sadly, neither video features any gameplay. There are no giant trolls and stealthy elves this time. Project Offset's Sam McGrath promises there will be "much more" in the upcoming months.%Gallery-48717%
Intel acquires Offset Software
Lost in the shuffle during the GDC08 news flood was the announcement that Intel had acquired Offset Software, makers of the upcoming, Project Offset. Currently in development for the Xbox 360 and PC, Project Offset is reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with a third-person perspective that doesn't look broken (first-person is also selectable). The game will also feature a multiplayer component, so it actually might be a little more like Two Worlds. Oh, man. We really hope it doesn't turn out like Two Worlds because the for Project Offset trailer looks pretty promising.[Thanks, Joe]
Intel buys up Offset Software, Project Offset still 'going strong'
Sam McGrath, technical guru and one of three founders Offset Software, has announced that the company has been purchased by technology giant Intel. The notice came in the form a short post on the Project Offset website, with McGrath adding that the now mythical project is still "going strong" and that the team is "excited about things to come." Honestly there are two ways to take this, either as PR rhetoric, or a sign that the tech demo that wowed us way back in 2005 could finally be getting its game legs. We'd like to believe the latter, but most of us here stopped believing in miracles a long time ago. But it begs the question as to what Intel has up its sleeves -- why would it pick up such a small developer if Offset Software's game engine technology didn't somehow fit into Intel's master plan? Whether it's interested in pushing Project Offset ahead or is just wanting to field the company's impressive middleware technology, it will be very interesting to see what comes out of this latest game industry acquisition in the months to come.
Project Offset is making its way to the 360
Offset Software just updated their Project Offset website and now it's now official, Project Offset is being worked on for release exclusively on the PC and Xbox 360. W00t, w00t! The game and game engine have been in development for what seems to have been ages, but with promises of a revolutionary game engine and revolutionary gameplay fans have been more than patient for their Offset fix. The only problem is we aren't sure when an Xbox 360 release will happen, but if the new screenshots are any indication of things to come then we're willing to give Offset Software as much time as they want to bring us their little gem.[Via TeamXbox, Thanks DjDATZ]
Project Offset viral campaign unearthed
Okay, let's get a few things clear. One, Project Offset is a team-based FPS set in a fantasy universe. Two, that is one mean looking crocodile beasty thing. Three, said beasty is wearing a saddle, so you must be able to ride it. In short, it's awesomeness on a stick. On ... a ... stick. The Project Offset website hasn't been officially updated since October of last year, so we were pretty damned excited when we found out about a new viral campaign. According to VE3D, the viral site is recording unique IP addresses. When a certain number is reached, a new image becomes available. So, get to it fanboys! Together, we can crack this thing wide open![Via VE3D]
Project Offset to offset 360
Here's a tip. If you want to get in good with 360 Fanboy bloggers (this one at least), send us news about Project Offset. For those of you that don't know, Project Offset is the codename for an upcoming fantasy FPS created by Offset Software (hence, the catchy codename). Anywho, the news: Offset Software has recently updated their website with a job listing for an Xbox 360 programmer (curiously, no PS3 programmers, though). Offset has already stated that they planned to bring the title out for consoles, but it's nice to see that development is continuing apace -- the studio has also acquired an as yet unnamed "major" publisher. In case you've never heard of this game or its developer, check out a video of the Offset engine in action. Could the Unreal Engine finally see some real competition?[Thanks, Vill4no and SickNic]
