Blizzard’s Highly Anticipated Survival Game Cancelled After Lengthy Development Cycle
Blizzard, one of the leading game developers in the industry, made waves recently with the announcement of the cancellation of their highly anticipated survival game. This project, which had been in development for an impressive six years, was set to be the studio’s first new intellectual property (IP) since the widely popular game Overwatch. Despite early indications of its potential and excitement from fans, the game has officially been scrapped, leading to significant layoffs at Blizzard.
The survival game was poised to transport players into a captivating new universe, brimming with heroes, untold stories, and exhilarating adventures. Initial glimpses of the game’s concept art showcased modern-day humans immersed in a fantastical realm, sparking excitement and curiosity among avid gamers. However, details about the project beyond these teasers remained shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more information.
It has now come to light that the development process for the survival game encountered several obstacles along the way. The project first began in 2018, utilizing Epic Games’ renowned Unreal Engine. However, Blizzard executives eventually made the decision to transition to their own proprietary engine, named Synapse, which was primarily designed for mobile games. Unfortunately, it became apparent that this engine was ill-equipped to handle the grand scale and ambitious demands of the survival game, ultimately leading to its demise.
Blizzard, known for its commitment to creative exploration and risk-taking, has acknowledged the challenges involved in venturing into new territories within the gaming industry. Ideas that emerge from these ventures often find their way into other games or evolve into separate projects. The studio expressed deep gratitude to the talented individuals who wholeheartedly dedicated their efforts to the ill-fated survival game, recognizing their invaluable contributions.
In light of the game’s cancellation, Microsoft studio president Matt Booty provided some reassurance, revealing that some of the developers affected by the layoffs would be redirected to other promising projects in Blizzard’s early development stages. However, it is evident that a significant portion of the team, including game director Craig Amai, has been let go.
The news of the game’s cancellation and the subsequent layoffs has stirred contemplation among fans and industry insiders alike. Many have reflected upon the words of former Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, who emphasized the importance of maintaining employee morale, even in the face of short-term financial difficulties. Iwata believed that high employee morale contributes to the creation of groundbreaking software titles with global appeal. This serves as a reminder of the potential long-term consequences that companies may face when navigating financial challenges within 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 intellectual property (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 [URL]
The source of the article is from the blog rugbynews.at