DVD Talk Forum - Bizarre Creations

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chuckd21

11-16-10 12:21 PM

Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Looks like Bizarre is closing up shop. Activision destroys.

RichC2

11-16-10 12:21 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

I wasn't a big fan of their racing games (I'm not big into racing in general) but man did I love me some Geometry Wars.

chuckd21

11-16-10 12:23 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Blur was pretty good. It definitely grows on you. Which of course isn't good in the world of video games since if you don't sell 3mil at launch, you're dead.

fumanstan

11-16-10 12:29 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

I know you're exaggerating, but I think not being able to sell a few hundred thousand copies of Blur didn't help. That and the mediocre reviewed Bloodstone.

Actual link: http://www.giantbomb.com/news/bizarr...s-closed/2731/

chuckd21

11-16-10 12:31 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Releasing Blur near Split/Second was dumb. Genre specific games can't survive when they all come out at the same time.

Matt	11-16-10 12:46 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

(pours out a 40)

chuckd21

11-16-10 12:48 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

I just want another Geometry Wars. Why they turned their back on that franchise I'll never know...

UncleGramps

11-16-10 12:50 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Bummer. Geo Wars and Blur were pretty awesome.

Matt	11-16-10 12:50 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckd21 (Post 10493771)

I just want another Geometry Wars. Why they turned their back on that franchise I'll never know...

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/4...ngameslogo.jpg

PixyJunket

11-16-10 12:56 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckd21 (Post 10493771)

I just want another Geometry Wars. Why they turned their back on that franchise I'll never know...

Stephen Cakebread had ideas for GW3, but he didn't want to do it yearly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWB (Post 10493776)

radiangames

As much as I love them, they're not even in the same league..

pinata242

11-16-10 01:00 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Class.

Quote:

Originally Posted by @mikehasnoluck

We don't have many openings at the moment, but I would welcome any and all of the Bizarre staff to hit us up at [email protected].

RichC2

11-16-10 01:05 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Considering Geometry Wars and Splosion Man are my favorite XBLA games it seems like a good mix to me.

Liver&Onions

11-16-10 01:06 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinata242 (Post 10493807)

Class.

Or the illusion of.

Real class would be saying "We have space for 15 RIGHT NOW to build a new game. Come on over."

fumanstan

11-16-10 01:08 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

It's pretty normal for other studios to jump in when another studio closes or has massive layoffs to scoop up people. I've seen staffing people get sent out for interviews, etc pretty quickly.

PixyJunket

11-16-10 01:12 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Bizarre Creations is (was, sigh) based in Liverpool, Twisted Pixel is in Austin, Texas.

pinata242

11-16-10 01:14 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixyJunket (Post 10493834)

Bizarre Creations is (was, sigh) based in Liverpool, Twisted Pixel is in Austin, Texas.

And?

PixyJunket

11-16-10 01:16 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinata242 (Post 10493837)

And?

The market right now is obviously extremely unstable and volatile.

Would you relocate to another continent for a job under those conditions?

pinata242

11-16-10 01:18 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Yes, I would. If it was something I loved doing and was skilled enough to be offered (even as an illusion) a job with a team that I respect and think knows what they're doing and has already shown to have a few projects in the works. Yes, yes I would.

I certainly would send an email.

Groucho

11-16-10 01:25 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Looking at their list of games, Geometry Wars 2 was the only one I've played in depth. And it was superb. Here's hoping the developers all land on their feet.

fumanstan

11-16-10 01:27 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

http://kotaku.com/5691455/bizarre-de...may-get-closed

Quote:

"Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations," an Activision spokesperson told Kotaku today, "the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers, however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business."

Maybe they'll get sold.

And really, the number of people that would move from England to Texas is probably limited.

chuckd21

11-16-10 01:51 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

So, we recognize their talent, but we better sell them off. Genius.

fumanstan

11-16-10 01:59 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Well keeping a developer that makes games that under perform or lose money isn't exactly smart either, is it? I think it seems weird to ditch them already so soon after the purchase, but it kind of makes sense to me although I know everyone wants to rip Activision by default. I am curious what happens to smaller things like Geometry Wars though and if it just gets handed off to a small team if they want to continue making them.

hail2dking

11-16-10 02:39 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Sweet...just in time for Microsoft's PGR Reboot...

Decker

11-16-10 04:02 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Bummer. First Realtime Worlds and now Bizzarre Creations. It seems it doesn't matter what you've done in the past, if your new big-budget title bombs, your studio can be shuttered in a matter of weeks. Scary business.

maingon

11-16-10 04:06 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

wow. I heard this and was suprised they usually developed great games. Sad to see this.

Lastblade

11-16-10 04:41 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Loved PGR2, was one of my favorite racing games. 3 took a dip and 4 was graphically amazing, just more of the same. GW2 was insane. Bizarre, you will be missed.

Drexl

11-16-10 05:46 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decker (Post 10494225)

Factor 5. :(

porieux

11-16-10 06:02 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Blur is a great game, would be in my top 5 retail releases I've played this year so far.

You'd think someone somewhere would want to snatch them up.

thelwig14

11-16-10 10:53 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

I loved Blood Stone. Hate to see it won't be build upon.

PixyJunket

11-17-10 07:48 AM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

This generation is going out scorched earth style.

chuckd21

11-17-10 07:51 AM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Next gen of video game systems will just be either a dedicated CoD box or a dedicated Madden box.

fumanstan

11-17-10 11:59 AM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Supposedly rumors say that there have been companies that have shown interest in buying Bizzare.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...al-keen-to-buy

orangecrush

11-17-10 12:51 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckd21 (Post 10495383)

Next gen of video game systems will just be either a dedicated CoD box or a dedicated Madden box.

I know this is a common sentiment, but I have to strongly disagree. We have more variety in gaming now (If you count digital distribution) than at any time in my memory.

PixyJunket

11-17-10 01:16 PM

Re: Bizarre Creations - DEAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangecrush (Post 10495909)

I know this is a common sentiment, but I have to strongly disagree. We have more variety in gaming now (If you count digital distribution) than at any time in my memory.

Yes, but the range of big budget, retail software will continue to get narrower and narrower going down this path. Certain companies seem outright intent on cashing in and cratering the entire market. Basically, you can either make a small indie/retro style game or a guaranteed million seller to be successful/keep your job. The middle ground will disappear soon and that is very dangerous.

Things like XBLA, XBLIG, PSN and WiiWare WILL be a defining factor of where gaming goes from here on out.

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