Paul Reiche, studio head of game developer Toys for Bob, has overseen the monumental rise of Skylanders, a series that is both video game and action figure collection. Andy Robertson meets him to discuss the next title in the franchise, Skylanders Giants.
In an email interview with Canadia Guy Eh, Toys for Bob studio head Paul Yan said the studio is currently developing a “big and ambitious” title in collaboration with both Microsoft and Activision. While Yan didn't reveal specific details, a number of subtle clues have fueled speculation among fans.
Most notably, Yan’s responses throughout the interview were typed in purple — a color long associated with Spyro the Dragon, one of the studio’s most beloved properties. When asked about potential future projects, Yan stated he would “love to work on a new Banjo,” though the phrasing suggested this was not the title currently in development.
Crash Bandicoot 5 was cancelled during development at a studio other than Toys For Bob, based on the latest information.
THPS 3 & 4 canceled for Diablo II Remake, and now Crash 5 canceled, too? Ah yes, we need to focus only on Call of Duty, that's the Activision way.
diablo 2 deserved a remake over thps 3 and 4, that's for sure and it's one of the best remakes I ever seen. Diablo 2 was still being played after 20 years, thps 3 and 4 weren't and never will.
We already got the thps 1+2 remake so I'm not sure what you want. 2 games that weren't better than their previous entry or an entry that's better than what came before and after.
This is massive shame, especially after recently learning that the NST sold a massive 20 million copies, and 4 sold a better than previously thought 5 million copies, which would have sold more imo if it was priced a tad lower and along side current gen console launch.
Absolutely if it was a launch game for ps5 I would of picked it up day 1 without hesitation. But I recall when it launches having so many other games to get through I couldn't justify adding more
This is likely a result of that awful microtransaction fueled non-free-to-play and non-advertised Crash Team Rumble predictably failing
Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.
I guess.
How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )
At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.
MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.
one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.
"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"
Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.
Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.
Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.
"Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future."
MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB.
It's inexcusable, they have options on how to handle studios they don't want anymore with killing jobs. Not just MS but the rest of the industry also.
Sad and disgusting sure how many will get shut down next year or this year even?
I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another.
"MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB."
Imo, MS separated from TFB because they didn´t had a game associated with Xbox yet, unlike Tango.
"I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another."
Fair enough. It was indeed an epic dumb move from them to close Tango.
Still, all to be forgotten, like always have. This is not the first time a big publisher shuts down a beloved and/or successful studio out of nowhere and certainly won´t be the last. Do you remember Lionhead? Do you remember Evolution Studios? Yeah... both were beloved studios and yet, those companies kill those studios in q blink of an eye and got away with it.
The studio boss made some money from this transaction. Once the game releases, the studio will get chopped up.
Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately
...
Goes right back to them as partners.
Okaaaaaay...
Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.
From the article...
"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"
I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.
MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂
The best thing is that the company that is worth $3 trillion and owns the company instead of Xbox lacks resources. How the hell does a company worth $3 trillion making a measly $70 billion purchase they 'can't' support. Lol
The reason they would need to "partner with Microsoft" is simply to make a game that's part of a franchise that Microsoft owns. Meaning they're probably going to make a new Spyro game - they're still an independent studio, but are making a game in a franchise that Microsoft owns. It's kind of like Remedy partnering with Rockstar to be able to make the Max Payne remakes.
Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.
That's absolutely 💯 BS. Any sane 'autonomous' company would NOT put their games on Gamepass day 1 like COD will lose probably billions.
Also they're all under Xbox game studios so any autonomy is an illusion.
No, I'm sure MS can and does step in when they want something done specifically but I'm also sure they let them also work independently
I highly highly doubt this. Ms controls all. The guys aren't gonna be allowed to just shut something down like that without approval. No way
Don´t worry. You won´t be playing it anyway since their next game will possible be a next gen Xbox console game.
Never Astro Bot. Astro Bot looks better than any exclusive released on XB this entire generation & believe there hasn't been much.
Hey you said that about SOT and looks like many ppl on PS is playing it. You also found bugsnax interesting ffs your opinion hold no weight lol.
Bugsnax is BS, tried it & quickly deleted it. It's a game that fits right on Gamepass. PS5 owners that are probably playing the boring SOT you could count on one hand. LMAO!!...don't try to come for me.
So you admit bugsnax interested you enough to try? 😂 someone gotta call you out on the foolishness.
