Blizzard’s Unannounced Survival Game Cancelled After 6 Years of Development
Blizzard’s highly anticipated survival game, which had been in development for six years, has been officially cancelled. The game, touted to be the studio’s first new IP since Overwatch, was set to take players on an immersive journey into a brand-new universe filled with heroes, untold stories, and thrilling adventures.
Early indications of the game’s potential were revealed with two concept art pieces, depicting modern-day humans in a fantasy realm. However, beyond these initial glimpses, no further details or information about the project were made public. Unfortunately, the cancellation of the game has resulted in numerous layoffs for the developers involved, forming part of a larger downsizing effort at the company.
Recent revelations have shed light on the development process of the survival game. Work on the project actually began in 2018, initially utilizing Epic’s Unreal Engine. However, Blizzard executives made the decision to transition to their own proprietary Synapse engine, primarily designed for mobile games. Ultimately, it became evident that this engine was not equipped to handle the ambitious scale and demands of the survival game, leading to its ultimate demise.
While Blizzard remains steadfast in their commitment to creative exploration and risk-taking, spokesperson Andrew Reynolds noted the challenges inherent in starting new ventures within the gaming industry. Ideas that emerge from these initiatives often find their way into other games or evolve into standalone projects. The studio expressed its gratitude to the talented individuals who dedicated their efforts to the ill-fated survival game.
In the aftermath of the cancellation, Microsoft studio president Matt Booty revealed that some of the affected developers would be redirected to other promising projects in Blizzard’s early development stages. However, it is apparent that a significant portion of the team, including game director Craig Amai, has been let go.
The repercussions of the layoffs have prompted reflection among fans, who have shared former Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata’s perspective on the short-term financial benefits of firing staff. Iwata emphasized the importance of maintaining employee morale to foster the creation of groundbreaking software titles with global appeal. His sentiments were echoed as a reminder of the potential long-term consequences when facing financial difficulties in the gaming industry.
FAQ:
1. What is the news about?
– Blizzard’s highly anticipated survival game has been officially cancelled after six years of development, leading to layoffs at the company.
2. What was the game supposed to be?
– The game was supposed to be Blizzard’s first new IP since Overwatch, taking players on an immersive journey into a brand-new universe filled with heroes, untold stories, and thrilling adventures.
3. What were the initial indications of the game’s potential?
– Two concept art pieces were revealed, depicting modern-day humans in a fantasy realm.
4. Why was the game cancelled?
– The game was cancelled because the proprietary Synapse engine, which Blizzard transitioned to from Epic’s Unreal Engine, was not equipped to handle the ambitious scale and demands of the survival game.
5. How did Blizzard respond to the cancellation?
– Blizzard remains committed to creative exploration and risk-taking but acknowledged the challenges in starting new ventures in the gaming industry. They expressed gratitude to the talented individuals involved.
6. What will happen to the affected developers?
– Some of the affected developers will be redirected to other promising projects in Blizzard’s early development stages, but a significant portion of the team, including the game director, has been let go.
Definitions:
– IP: abbreviation for „intellectual property,” referring to creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, literary and artistic works.
– Unreal Engine: a popular game engine developed by Epic Games, used for creating video games and other interactive experiences.
– Proprietary: something that is privately owned or exclusive to a particular company or individual.
Related Links:
– Blizzard’s official website
The source of the article is from the blog foodnext.nl