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Crackdown 3’s Original Co-Developer And Series Creator Leaves Project

Last week at E3 2018, Polygon spoke with Microsoft Studios head Matt Booty about the status of the destruction mode, which the company hasn’t shown since that 2015 demo. Booty confirmed the destruction-heavy online multiplayer mode remains in development. “It is still part of [Crackdown 3],” said Booty. “We’re not showing a lot of details about that here. We’ll have more to show as the year goes on.”

-Foxtrot2884d ago

Yeah. Just like a Werewolf Bar Mitzvah

fr0sty2883d ago

Just more evidence that this game is vaporware. The cloud tech doesn't work in the wild, and it will never release.

OffRoadKing2882d ago

Boys becoming men, men becoming wolves.

2882d ago
-Foxtrot2882d ago

@OffRoadKing

Well least someone got it

...

SPOOKY SCARY

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2882d ago
darthv722884d ago (Edited 2884d ago )

He left to go work for Epic. Probably to help build up their cloud based services for Fortnite.

edit: looks like Epic is going to incorporate some of the cloudgine tech into their unreal engine.

TheCommentator2883d ago

Yeah, Epic bought Cloudgine in January so all of the tech is now being incorporated into Unreal. Besides, Reagent co-developed Cloudgine alongside Ruffian, Epic, and of the Cloudgine devs themselves so perhaps he can lend his expertise to the Unreal team now.

https://venturebeat.com/201...

MS had this to say about working on Cloudgine though:

"We are excited to see gaming experiences get better with cloud-computing becoming part of UE4. Also, a sincere thanks for both studios’ work done in partnership with MS Studios to build the cloud-powered technology in “Crackdown 3” from scratch."

So, for those who wondered why CD3 took so long and why "da power of The Cloud" isn't in the wild yet, notice the words "from scratch" being used to described the cloud-powered tech used in CD3. CD3 is the first game to utilize the cloud in this way, and currently CD3's development is all about the campaign (being handled by Sumo) because the MP/tech wrapped up in January of this year.

Aenea2883d ago

Yup, might do wonders for Fortnite Save the World as well!

candystop2882d ago

Crackdown 3 is the most important game this generation above any and every game!

IamTylerDurden12882d ago (Edited 2882d ago )

TheCommentator

Both Ruffian and Reagent Games left the project. You assume that the mp and Cloud tech was simply done thus the two developers went on their merry way? You better have a damn good source for that, otherwise don't spread bs.

If the mp and Cloud tech was just "finished" then why haven't we seen any Cloud destruction or mp since 2015? If the mp and Cloud destruction are wrapped and the sp is yet to be finished then why have they only showed sp over the past 3 years? This game is being advertised for the destruction and the Cloud yet you say all of that including mp is finished but for some reason they won't actually show it? Hmmm? Sounds more like development issues and developers fleeing a sinking ship.

Godmars2902882d ago

"So, for those who wondered why CD3 took so long and why "da power of The Cloud" isn't in the wild yet, notice the words "from scratch" being used to described the cloud-powered tech used in CD3. CD3 is the first game to utilize the cloud in this way, and currently CD3's development is all about the campaign (being handled by Sumo) because the MP/tech wrapped up in January of this year."

*self facepalm for replying*

When first shown cloud tech was promoted as something that would reduce dev time and ease production. Now years initial announcements, when it was going to make the XB1 multiple more time powerful that the PS4, it yet to be really utilized. MS is looking to a 3rd party to show what it can do while talking about the Next Xbox. CD3 remains the only in MS's library - technically - and there are already rumors of that game facing another delay on top the current one.

I would go on, ask if you see what I mean by MS credibility being next to nothing, that they need to deliver on current E3 promises, nevermind "da cloud", but then we both know that's going to be the least thing you address in your reply.

TheCommentator2882d ago (Edited 2882d ago )

@ Tyler
"You assume that the mp and Cloud tech was simply done thus the two developers went on their merry way? You better have a damn good source for that, otherwise don't spread bs."

Don't spread BS? Look who's talking. Epic bought Cloudgine once it was completed. The quote I pulled, FROM A SOURCE, thanks both studios for their work which is something usually done when the developers are finished with a project. Do you have a source that says why Ruffian and Reagent left? Then STFU. Your BS ignores sources and facts like the plague because you're a troll.

"If the mp and Cloud tech was just "finished" then why haven't we seen any Cloud destruction or mp since 2015?"

First of all, why would MS continue to show the same thing if CD3 isn't going to be released for years? People like you bitched about it being shown too early, bitched about games like Scalebound and Fable for the same reasons too. MS doesn't show stuff too early anymore because of people like you, but what else is left to demonstrate about CD3's MP at this point anyways? We've already seen what it does. Besides, how many times do you need to see it when all you're going to do is continue to ASSUME it won't work when it's finally published?

"This game is being advertised for the destruction and the Cloud..."

Again, where's YOUR sources? I saw them talking about building the Cloud tech, showing off how it functioned, and moving on to show off the campaign after their MP demonstrations. The MP isn't changing, but the SP keeps getting better every time we see it. You're the one assuming that all the development time is wasted and that Cloudgine doesn't work even though Epic bought the company.

Seriously, you're a hypocritical ass-clown but it's fun to mess with ignorant people like you!

Edit: Godmars, you're also an ass-clown... sorry to leave you out of the conversation!

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2882d ago
DarkVoyager2884d ago

You can tell. Looks much better now than before.

https://ibb.co/fNwF9o

darthv722884d ago

That's because Sumo Digital is finishing things up instead of Reagent.

generic-user-name2883d ago

But what about the cool destruction? They haven't showed that off in the last 2 e3s, that was the main appeal of the game for me, and many others I'm sure. I get an awful feeling it will be dumbed down a lot or scrapped altogether.

DarkVoyager2883d ago (Edited 2883d ago )

“But what about the cool destruction? They haven't showed that off in the last 2 e3s, that was the main appeal of the game for me, and many others I'm sure. I get an awful feeling it will be dumbed down a lot or scrapped altogether.“

Verified Resetera user.

“It's still in MP yeah, it'd be a disaster for them to not have it in at this point given the resources they've thrown at it. From what I know the plan for what the cloud tech would do in that game was much, much larger in scope from when dev started to how it's used now.“

Italiano12345672883d ago

What they should was single player. The multiplayer hasnt been shown since 2015 and thats where the cloud and destruction is supposed to be. That what there having problems with

fr0sty2883d ago

"It's still in the game that we're never going to release."

*Crackdown release date begins disappearing from retailers.*

IamTylerDurden12882d ago (Edited 2882d ago )

We just saw a trailer at E3. How are people actually spinning this as a good thing? Crackdown 3 just showed another sp trailer with no Cloud destruction at E3 and the game looked terrible. Reports have surfaced of two of the three developers leaving the project and rumors of another delay. Yet this is being spun as a good thing? Crackdown 3 is a wreck. This is terrible news and the game didn't look good at E3. It was only sp, no Cloud destruction, horrible animations, mediocre visuals, and basically just Terry Crews throwing things and jumping.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2882d ago
Araragifeels 2884d ago

It was too obvious after many delays, the game probably couldn't handle properly power Of the Cloud. Plus they really haven't shown much to the consumer which is odd since MS like to market their games.

isarai2884d ago

Annoying part is I don't give even the smallest crap about the power of the cloud. I just wanna play the damn game. Not really getting this for it's multiplayer anyways. So it keeps getting delayed over a feature I'm not even going to use. I get that's what has many people excited about this game, but it's just frustrating

DigitalRaptor2884d ago (Edited 2884d ago )

It figures.

A verified insider source over at Resetera had this to say:

"From what I know the plan for what the cloud tech would do in that game was much, much larger in scope from when dev started to how it's used now." https://www.resetera.com/th...

madforaday2883d ago

I think this has more to do with MS having the concept of always online console with the xbox one im the beginning, which the developers banked on for their game with the cloud.

That whole always online concept backfired and MS did a 180, and Crackdown 3 was already well into the development which the notion of having the user have an always online console.

They had to back track with the SP to accomitdate to the change which caused a lot of set backs. But that is just my guess.

TheCommentator2883d ago

It's only appearing that way to you because you obviously didn't bother to learn anything about how the development was being handled. It's been mentioned here on many occasions and the information is readily available for you to research if you're interested in the truth. I posted to DarthV72 above, but I'll leave this link here too if you want to educate yourself instead of making silly assumptions...

https://venturebeat.com/201...

@ isarai

The game is being delayed because of the campaign, not the MP, which should be obvious since Sumo is the only dev still working on the project and they are in charge of the SP development. Initially, Ruffian was helping out with the campaign too but they were more a part of the cooperative effort to build the Cloudgine tech.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2883d ago
IamTylerDurden12882d ago (Edited 2882d ago )

I though Sea of Thieves was Microsoft's "No Man's Sky" but with the broken promises and the final version of the game sounding like it won't live up to what was promised it might be Crackdown. Apparently the Cloud destruction is being dramatically scaled back from what was originally promised and the developers working on it left.

TranceHop 2885d ago (Edited 2885d ago )

Looks Iike Anthem going to be the only game I’ll purchase in Feb 2019 now.

BlackIceJoe2885d ago

I hate to say this, but Crackdown 3 should have been cancelled instead and not Scalebound.

chrisx2884d ago (Edited 2884d ago )

Why would u hate to state a fact? it's true. this game will never live up to the hype and all the cloud powers talk.

BlackIceJoe2884d ago

The reason I said that was because had it been cancelled years ago people would have possibly lost their jobs if they didn't start working on a different game.

bluefox7552883d ago (Edited 2883d ago )

100% agree, scalebound was probably the only game that would have gotten me to buy an Xbox (before they announced they were ditching exclusives).

BlackIceJoe2882d ago

I agree and because the game was from PlatinumGames you'd know it would have been awesome. It might have had a few problems when it got cancelled, but because the game was from PlatinumGames I know without a doubt they'd have found a way to make the game work and be a blast to play.

Relientk772883d ago

Hate to say it? Lol

I 100% agree with you. Scalebound actually had potential

BlackIceJoe2882d ago

That it did and it is disappointing we'll never be able to play it.

UnHoly_One2883d ago

I'm not as sold on Scalebound as everyone else seems to be.

I liked the idea and everything, but that one time they showed gameplay it seemed pretty bland.

Jinger2883d ago

It's never that simple. it's not like the projects are even related. Shutting down Crackdown 3 wouldn't have solved the issue with Platinum... Not sure why people think it was a "one or the other" situation.

BlueBlue2883d ago

Scalebound had a lot of technical issues on stage, and the game seemed to have a rough time with its co-op mechanics not working as intended. It seems to me that it's either a game designer's vision not realised or a funding problem.

Godmars2902882d ago

CD3 was in-house and a flagship project for showing off cloud serves for games where Scalebound was 3rd party. Pulling off one meant a number of things from a bigger install base to locking down in 3rd party devs to their network with cloud tool to even getting Sony coming to crawl to them, where the other was one niche game they'd have to share the profits of.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 2882d ago
DigitalRaptor2884d ago

YIKES!!!

People on this site were telling me that David Jones was the reason this game should be amazing because he was the creative mind working on it. Well I guess he got fed up of the crap, after so many showings and very few that illustrates why it should be good, or holds up to the original grand claims of the "cloud destruction". And I'll tell you why it was delayed until 2019...

They're scaling back the cloud compute due to issues in delivering on what they've promised. A verified insider source over at Resetera had this to say when talking about how the game stands as of now: https://www.resetera.com/th...

"From what I know the plan for what the cloud tech would do in that game was much, much larger in scope from when dev started to how it's used now."

This is going to be a disaster, especially if the media go into depth about what was promised vs. the final game.

darthv722884d ago (Edited 2884d ago )

Actually, when his cloudgine company was bought by Epic earlier this year, they offered him a job to head up that part of things. So instead of splitting his time between both his companies, he basically left one (Reagent) and went where the cloudgine was going which was Epic.

there was no "fed up of the crap..." nonsense. Just a business opportunity to continue working on what he started with cloudgine. And as for the final game. It looks like they scaled back on the cloud (its still there but not the main focus) and ramped up the visual style which is why it looks way better than it initially did.

Jinger2883d ago

Well David Jones did work on it for 4+ years so it's not like he ditched out right in the middle of development...

Jinger2883d ago

@darth

Actually David Jones co-founded Cloudgine and since he still had ties at Reagant they were co-oping development on the cloud portion of the project. David Jones has been working on this title for 4+ years with Reagant and Cloudgine... it's not like he ditched out on the project right in the middle of development.

His work is probably mostly done anyway, he saw the opportunity to work with Epic on their next big project and he took it. the article is a lot more doom and gloom than the facts actually are.

"Cloudgine Limited is a British video game developer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in May 2012 by Dave Jones, best known as the co-creator of the Grand Theft Auto and Crackdown video game series, Maurizio Sciglio and Marco Anastasi.[1] All three were previously employed by Realtime Worlds, of which Jones as creative director, and worked on APB: All Points Bulletin (2010). Cloudgine prioritises on real-time cloud computing technologies, which can be integrated into video games to allow complex calculations to be executed on inferior hardware.[2]

Their first game, Crackdown 3, was announced by Microsoft Studios at the June 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo.[3] Bearing the working title Crackdown, the game was announced to release for Xbox One at an unspecified date.[4] Although the game was later scheduled for a 2016 release,[5] it has since been delayed into late 2018,[6][7] and will additionally release on Microsoft Windows.[8] The game will make extensive use of Cloudgine's proprietary cloud computing technology, which they claim will make the game able to process physics calculations thirteen times as fast as with a standard Xbox One.[9][10] Meanwhile, Oculus Studios released the Cloudgine-developed freeware Oculus Touch game Toybox in December 2016.[11]

In January 2018, it was announced that Cloudgine had been acquired by Epic Games for an undisclosed sum.[12][13] Epic Games plans to natively integrate Cloudgine's technology into their game engine, Unreal Engine 4.[14]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

gangsta_red2883d ago

Oh, he was fed up with the crap or could it be that his company was actually bought by Epic?

You know....like the actual article says!

"This is going to be a disaster, ..."

And I can tell you're on pins and needles waiting for it. No surprise really.

IamTylerDurden12882d ago

Years of hype, basically selling the game entirely based on Cloud destruction and now "Cloud destruction is being scaled back" while both the mastermind behind Cloudgine and the engine itself go to Epic Games.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2882d ago
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60°

Take-Two CEO Once Again Side Steps Grand Theft Auto 6 Price Point

Strauss Zelnick says price of GTA 6 is being carefully considered and that Rockstar is focused on "making the most spectacular piece of entertainment on Earth."

Kuma15d ago

If GTA 6 abandons everything that made GTA 5 great, it will crash and burn right out of the gate. GTA 5 was funny and not at all PC. My worry is that they will cave to the PC crowd and ruin the vibes.

Eonjay15d ago

They got freaking BBLs twerking on the top of trucks for the gram, the freaking Flordia joker, and dude running down the stree in their undies and you are worried about it being 'too PC'? The internet has runied gamers. It doesn't matter how non-PC they make the game, you will all listen to the grifters telling you not to believe your lying eyes lol.

gigoran814d ago

"Rockstar Games’ co-founder and former VP of Development Jamie King said he envisions GTA 6 as a game that’s “maybe not quite as edgy or quite as funny” as its satirical predecessors."

oh yeah, totally internet grifters spreading rumors...

blacktiger14d ago

That's part of the plan, they destroyed you but they need to destroy the shareholders? Only 1 shre holder is the true elite that don't care

1nsomniac15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

Meh.., if it’s above £55 I ain’t buying it.

Rockstar are genuinely not half the company they used to be. I was a die hard GTA fan I’ve purchased every game and expansion and spin off day 1.

My opinion of GTA6 is that I can take it or leave it. Not bothered. They burnt too many bridges.

DaReapa15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

So they're actually leaving the door open for an L.A. Noire sequel? Nice!

VaNdAl14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

He should just come out and say it already it's getting stupid it's going to be a 100 bucks $200 for the special edition🤡🤡; 29315;🤣♿

Storm2314d ago

I won't be getting this game until I can get it for $70. SHoot, I could wait for it to be even lower. I don't need the game that badly as my backlog is still huge and I am enjoying playing other things.

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40°

Talking Aliens: The Video Games With Author Mike Diver

Skewed and Reviewed have posted an interview with Author Mike Diver about his pending book on Aliens video games.

70°

Xbox boss: Memory crisis could impact next-gen hardware pricing

Xbox boss Asha Sharma has discussed how component shortages will impact the company's plans for Project Helix.

Read Full Story >>
gamedeveloper.com
Eonjay16d ago

When does this end? Its killing everyone. Consoles and PC. And for what? AI? The benefits of AI are completely outweighed by the negatives. And the government should have never allowed one company to buy up all the RAM.

Lexreborn217d ago

This kind of proves this is an after thought product, most products like this are in r&d 5 years before they start mass producing. So they typically have the cost of components and things worked out long before assembly starts.

This is an assumption still, but I wouldn’t be surprised if project helix is similar to Scalebound,perfect dark and sod3. They had an idea but no actual execution other than concept stage. Being impacted by the ram shortage likely would also put this device 3-4 years out.

I’m not even sure MS has that endurance with Xbox yet

Fishy Fingers16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

I mean.... what?

We're at a point that Samsung wont even provide their own phone department ram because they can sell it at higher prices to 3rd parties (AI). Its more profitable to sell the ram than make their own devices with it.

You think because R&D starts 5 years ago the 3rd party component manufacturers will honour that price? They'll sell it to whomever is paying the most today, not some gentlemens agreement they made years ago. AI farms will buy more volume at higher prices than any console manufacturer will. It'll be the same for Playstation.

Lexreborn216d ago

Contractual agreements are not the same as “gentlemen” agreements. If you think that they work with their distributors a month before production then their entire business model is trash. They work with companies like nvidia constantly for building the graphics cards they need. They work with companies that build motherboards years in advance. This is what proper business planning does.

They are not buying components on a whim like a consumer. So again, considering the ram isn’t a singular module and is integrated into the motherboard I highly doubt they wouldn’t have a final schematic that they are supposed to be building around.

If they are delaying production another 3 years then it’s obvious again this is an after though project and is just trying to be responsive to their bad execution they had the last 14 years.

It also isn’t far fetched to use their failure to produce first party titles the last 7 years including the highly anticipated games I mentioned all being cancelled. That they would continue to you know… lie

Sitdown16d ago

You don't really know how this works huh?

Profchaos16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

Helix is going to be stupidly expensive

Instead of leaning into smarter upscaling techniques they're brute forcing hardware that will cost them dearly and it remains to be seen if it's genuinely going to provide a meaningful differential

I know in the oc.doace people like to brag about not using frame gen or dlss to get to high on a game but for the majority of players they happily use those technologies without a second thought

That's going to be ps6 vs Helix

Eonjay16d ago

Yeah with FSR 5 they should be able to offer a much cheaper version of Helix.

Eonjay16d ago

While this does seem to be the case, I am encouraged by the statement from Microsoft about wanting to provide affordable options. If this means a Series S style Helix, at least there will be something affordable being offered.

XBManiac16d ago

Series S is what has killed Xbox Series so... Will they dare?

blacktiger16d ago

It's called systematic inflationary. Yes we get it Microsoft, keep raising in the name ofall kinds of stuffs

pwnmaster300016d ago

Honestly if there was thing I learned from this generation is that new consoles arnt day one anymore.
I can wait 1-3 years.

DarXyde16d ago

Another important lesson from this generation: while Nintendo showed us that prices don't necessarily need to ever drop, we've now learned that waiting 1-3 years does carry some risk that prices increase. This generation is just bizarre in all the wrong ways.

LucasRuinedChildhood16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

The factors are largely external. Covid and Russia-Ukraine war causing inflation led to the first price increase in 2022.

Then we get Trump's tariffs increasing hardware prices, AI boom causing a RAM crisis, war on Iran causing a worldwide fuel crisis which impacts the cost of everything.

Gaming doesn't exist in a vacuum. The last few years have been a shitshow and lot of it was definitely avoidable.

DarXyde16d ago

LucasRuinedChildhood,

For sure. No disagreement on the external factors doing a lot of this. Where I have to gently push back however is on two fronts:

1. The pandemic definitely caused some issues: asynchronous development was a big issue and really complicated timelines and affected game quality. At the same time, when it comes to price hikes, it's really difficult to know what was genuine necessity and what was taking consumers for a ride. The pandemic brought about "stag-flation" which was increasing prices and stagnant wages, which was a problem caused by supply chain constraints. There was also "Greed-flation", where companies that were slightly affected or had no issues took advantage of the situation and squeezed everyone citing supply chain issues when there were none.

2. It's definitely true that the tariffs, AI boom, and RAM crisis were all things enabled by tech broligarchs throwing money at this caricature of a world leader, one of them being Satya Nadella. I don't think Sony and Nintendo have contributed much to this problem if at all, but Microsoft's Nadella I feel was instrumental in causing every one of those issues. Microsoft as a company contributed to both candidates (though they gave Harris 4x as much if I recall), but Nadella was all in on letting AI run wild. He paid for unregulated AI, and got a war that's not a war (even though Trump called it that at least five times on television) that screwed up helium access. So for me, I feel that one of the players in the gaming industry is a key architect of these issues, and for that reason I struggle a bit to think of it as "external".

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