In an interview with the MinnMaxShow, producer Zach Mumbach reveals new details about Amy Henning’s “Ragtag” Star Wars project and laments the project’s controversial cancellation.
We had this leadership team come in from Vancouver… and not knocking them, they were in the same position I was in Army of Two. They were like ‘we need to ship this thing, let’s go, cut this, cut this, cut this’,” Mumbach says. “And I’m thinking, this is effing Amy Hennig, we have the chance to make the greatest Star Wars game ever made and a possible Game of the Year contender. This isn’t an Army of Two game.”
According to Mumbach, the Ragtag project’s development was strange from the start. Basically, Visceral Games was asked to convert to the Frostbite Engine and make Battlefield Hardline. While the team accepted and completed that task, Mumbach says the transition...
We had this leadership team come in from Vancouver… and not knocking them, they were in the same position I was in Army of Two. They were like ‘we need to ship this thing, let’s go, cut this, cut this, cut this’,” Mumbach says. “And I’m thinking, this is effing Amy Hennig, we have the chance to make the greatest Star Wars game ever made and a possible Game of the Year contender. This isn’t an Army of Two game.”
According to Mumbach, the Ragtag project’s development was strange from the start. Basically, Visceral Games was asked to convert to the Frostbite Engine and make Battlefield Hardline. While the team accepted and completed that task, Mumbach says the transition...
- 8/12/2020
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Matthew Byrd Apr 15, 2019
Uncharted creator Amy Hennig reflects on Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and the cancelled Ragtag project.
While many Star Wars fans are excited about developer Respawn's upcoming single-player Star Wars adventure, Jedi: Fallen Order, few fans have as fascinating of a perspective on the reveal of this upcoming game as Amy Hennig; the creator of Uncharted who worked on an infamously canceled Star Wars project named Ragtag. Hennig admits to being a little confused as to why Fallen Order is being celebrated as single-player experience when Ragtag was partially canceled for being the same thing.
"[It's] odd," said Hennig to Eurogamer in regards to the Fallen Order tweet from EA that celebrated Fallen Order's lack of Dlc and its single-player experience. "I mean, it's coming from the EA Star Wars Twitter handle, so it's certainly part of the plan, but I don't know whether it's implicitly referencing...
Uncharted creator Amy Hennig reflects on Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and the cancelled Ragtag project.
While many Star Wars fans are excited about developer Respawn's upcoming single-player Star Wars adventure, Jedi: Fallen Order, few fans have as fascinating of a perspective on the reveal of this upcoming game as Amy Hennig; the creator of Uncharted who worked on an infamously canceled Star Wars project named Ragtag. Hennig admits to being a little confused as to why Fallen Order is being celebrated as single-player experience when Ragtag was partially canceled for being the same thing.
"[It's] odd," said Hennig to Eurogamer in regards to the Fallen Order tweet from EA that celebrated Fallen Order's lack of Dlc and its single-player experience. "I mean, it's coming from the EA Star Wars Twitter handle, so it's certainly part of the plan, but I don't know whether it's implicitly referencing...
- 4/15/2019
- Den of Geek
John Saavedra Apr 3, 2019
A new report sheds light on the many obstacles BioWare faced during the development of Anthem.
Anthem, BioWare's latest game, launched with quite a few issues, including bugs, long load times, an unbalanced loot system, and uninspired missions -- all of which shaped the title's tepid reception -- and now a lengthy report from Kotaku gives us a window into what happened behind the scenes. Unsurprisingly, this tale involves poor working conditions, indecisive leadership, and a major publisher's unrealistic expectations.
At the forefront of Kotaku's report is the lack of decision-making during Anthem's development, a long, more than 6-year process that saw the project go through various iterations of gameplay and storytelling. The people BioWare put in place after game director Casey Hudson left the studio to pursue other opportunities (he returned in 2017 to become BioWare's general manager) could not nail down a clear direction for the game,...
A new report sheds light on the many obstacles BioWare faced during the development of Anthem.
Anthem, BioWare's latest game, launched with quite a few issues, including bugs, long load times, an unbalanced loot system, and uninspired missions -- all of which shaped the title's tepid reception -- and now a lengthy report from Kotaku gives us a window into what happened behind the scenes. Unsurprisingly, this tale involves poor working conditions, indecisive leadership, and a major publisher's unrealistic expectations.
At the forefront of Kotaku's report is the lack of decision-making during Anthem's development, a long, more than 6-year process that saw the project go through various iterations of gameplay and storytelling. The people BioWare put in place after game director Casey Hudson left the studio to pursue other opportunities (he returned in 2017 to become BioWare's general manager) could not nail down a clear direction for the game,...
- 4/2/2019
- Den of Geek
John Saavedra Jan 16, 2019
Another Star Wars game has been canceled by EA. This time, it's the open-world game being developed by EA Vancouver...
Electronic Arts has canceled another Star Wars game, this time an open-world title in development at EA Vancouver, according to Kotaku. Codenamed Orca, the game was still in the early phases of development. The outlet reports that EA decided to cancel the project because the publisher feared the game would not be ready for a 2020 release date. EA Vancouver will instead begin work on another, "smaller-scale" Star Wars game.
Little is known about Orca except that it was to feature open-world gameplay. Job listings in early 2018 suggested that the game would have had an online component as well, including matchmaking and live services. According to Kotaku, Orca would have allowed players to "explore various open-world planets and work with different factions" with either a "scoundrel or bounty hunter" character.
Another Star Wars game has been canceled by EA. This time, it's the open-world game being developed by EA Vancouver...
Electronic Arts has canceled another Star Wars game, this time an open-world title in development at EA Vancouver, according to Kotaku. Codenamed Orca, the game was still in the early phases of development. The outlet reports that EA decided to cancel the project because the publisher feared the game would not be ready for a 2020 release date. EA Vancouver will instead begin work on another, "smaller-scale" Star Wars game.
Little is known about Orca except that it was to feature open-world gameplay. Job listings in early 2018 suggested that the game would have had an online component as well, including matchmaking and live services. According to Kotaku, Orca would have allowed players to "explore various open-world planets and work with different factions" with either a "scoundrel or bounty hunter" character.
- 1/16/2019
- Den of Geek
Patrick Soderlund, whose 12 years with Electronic Arts included heading up worldwide studios, the games label and most recently overseeing game designs as chief design officer, is leaving Electronic Arts, the company announced Tuesday morning.
An EA spokesperson told Variety that there are no plans to name a new chief design officer.
“Patrick has been a trusted business partner and a great friend, and his inspiring leadership has had an outstanding impact on EA,” EA CEO Andrew Wilson wrote in a letter sent to EA employees. “As an integral part of the management team for many years – including as head of Worldwide Studios and, most recently, Chief Design Officer – he’s been an agent of change and transformation. From his early vision for Frostbite, which has now become a cornerstone for our technology strategy, to being a champion for Players First experiences, Patrick has always ensured we put creative at the center of everything we do.
An EA spokesperson told Variety that there are no plans to name a new chief design officer.
“Patrick has been a trusted business partner and a great friend, and his inspiring leadership has had an outstanding impact on EA,” EA CEO Andrew Wilson wrote in a letter sent to EA employees. “As an integral part of the management team for many years – including as head of Worldwide Studios and, most recently, Chief Design Officer – he’s been an agent of change and transformation. From his early vision for Frostbite, which has now become a cornerstone for our technology strategy, to being a champion for Players First experiences, Patrick has always ensured we put creative at the center of everything we do.
- 8/14/2018
- by Brian Crecente
- Variety Film + TV
During the opening press conference for E3 this year, EA premiered a trailer for the next title announced in their EA Originals lineup: the melancholy game Sea of Solitude.
Cornelia Geppert, the writer and creative director of Sea of Solitude at Jo-Mei games, gave a touching speech before introducing us to Kay and her lonely world with a world-first trailer.
Patrick Soderlund, Executive VP at EA, said, in their introduction of the game to EA Originals in 2016, that "[he] was stunned by the intensity of the imagery and the emotional view into the universe of Kay, the central character. We follow her journey as she finds out that her biggest enemies are not the ones she comes across as she explores the Sea of Solitude, but something even more dangerous. Its combination of beauty and rawness is unlike any game I’ve played before."
The emotion of the game is palpable in the trailer,...
Cornelia Geppert, the writer and creative director of Sea of Solitude at Jo-Mei games, gave a touching speech before introducing us to Kay and her lonely world with a world-first trailer.
Patrick Soderlund, Executive VP at EA, said, in their introduction of the game to EA Originals in 2016, that "[he] was stunned by the intensity of the imagery and the emotional view into the universe of Kay, the central character. We follow her journey as she finds out that her biggest enemies are not the ones she comes across as she explores the Sea of Solitude, but something even more dangerous. Its combination of beauty and rawness is unlike any game I’ve played before."
The emotion of the game is palpable in the trailer,...
- 6/9/2018
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Katykakes)
- Cinelinx
During their EA Play event at E3, EA – in partnership with Hazelight – announced A Way Out, a new EA Originals game coming from the creative minds behind the critically-acclaimed indie title, Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons. Coming early 2018, A Way Out is a co-op only game uniquely tailored for two players to work together no matter the situation.
Through a compelling narrative, Leo and Vincent will embark on an emotional adventure, where they will live some memorable action moments that they will face together including car chases, stealth passages, melee fights, shootouts and many more. The story of A Way Out begins in prison with two separate inmates, Leo and Vincent, who don’t know each other. While their individual stories progress, players will have to build a relationship based on trust as they break both men out of prison into the world beyond. This co-op only experience is...
Through a compelling narrative, Leo and Vincent will embark on an emotional adventure, where they will live some memorable action moments that they will face together including car chases, stealth passages, melee fights, shootouts and many more. The story of A Way Out begins in prison with two separate inmates, Leo and Vincent, who don’t know each other. While their individual stories progress, players will have to build a relationship based on trust as they break both men out of prison into the world beyond. This co-op only experience is...
- 6/11/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
A new co-op adventure game from the makers of the BAFTA award-winning Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was officially unveiled yesterday.
Unveiled during EA’s E3 press conference, the title, A Way Out, is set for release in early 2018 and will be a uniquely tailored co-op only game for two players.
It follows the lives of two prison inmates, Leo and Vincent, strangers to one-another. Both players have to build a relationship between the two inmates and successfully break both men out of prison.
“Josef and his team at Hazelight represent everything that EA Originals stands for,” said Patrick Soderlund, Executive Vice President of EA Worldwide Studios.
“They are a small and very talented group with a vision and passion for a game that is truly unique in the video game industry. A Way Out is going to surprise people with its innovative co-op gameplay and the way it...
Unveiled during EA’s E3 press conference, the title, A Way Out, is set for release in early 2018 and will be a uniquely tailored co-op only game for two players.
It follows the lives of two prison inmates, Leo and Vincent, strangers to one-another. Both players have to build a relationship between the two inmates and successfully break both men out of prison.
“Josef and his team at Hazelight represent everything that EA Originals stands for,” said Patrick Soderlund, Executive Vice President of EA Worldwide Studios.
“They are a small and very talented group with a vision and passion for a game that is truly unique in the video game industry. A Way Out is going to surprise people with its innovative co-op gameplay and the way it...
- 6/11/2017
- by Jamie Press
- The Cultural Post
Nintendo‘s prominence in the gaming industry over the past decade has been a roller coaster ride; rising to the highest of peaks and dipping to an abysmal trough. Yet through it all, Nintendo has prided itself on being a separate facet – far removed from the Microsoft/Sony console war, once described as a “red ocean” by its CEO, Reggie Fils-Aime. Seeking its own corner of the market, brand power has allowed Nintendo free reign to engage and disengage with the video game industry at its choosing. They just don’t play ball in the same way that Sony and Microsoft do – where other companies pander to suitability, Nintendo typically ignores the mainstream.
The Wii’s success arguably founded this strategy, convincing Nintendo it had found its feet among an all-new slice of the gaming industry. And they’ve never quite let go of that, even after Wii U’s...
The Wii’s success arguably founded this strategy, convincing Nintendo it had found its feet among an all-new slice of the gaming industry. And they’ve never quite let go of that, even after Wii U’s...
- 1/26/2017
- by Alex Gibson
- We Got This Covered
Things have been quiet since we originally reported on a planned remake/remaster for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. With many fans still crossing their fingers and waiting, we have some new information to update you all with. Come inside to learn more!
It's been awhile since we initially reported on the Knights of the Old Republic remake/remaster, despite posting some minor updates I'd heard on my Twitter account. As such, and considering some new(ish) information I've come across, I figured now was as good a time as any to provide a more formal update on the state of the beloved RPG.
First of all, I'd like to refresh your memory on my original report last year. I started out by stating my reluctance to comment on the news I'd heard, even though I had word from three entirely separate sources saying the same information.
It's been awhile since we initially reported on the Knights of the Old Republic remake/remaster, despite posting some minor updates I'd heard on my Twitter account. As such, and considering some new(ish) information I've come across, I figured now was as good a time as any to provide a more formal update on the state of the beloved RPG.
First of all, I'd like to refresh your memory on my original report last year. I started out by stating my reluctance to comment on the news I'd heard, even though I had word from three entirely separate sources saying the same information.
- 9/28/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
Introducing the new studio under EA, EA Worldwide Studios.
EA released an organizational update at which they announced EA Worldwide Studios.
The news brings together several EA Studios under one label. The studios we can confirm are Bioware (Mass Effect developers), EA Mobile, and Maxis. Samantha Ryan of EA Mobile will keep her lead role, and actually expand into the lead role of Bioware as well. Patrick Soderlund will be the overall lead in the entire Worldwide Studio.
Also coming with the change is the implementation of the Frostbite engine in their technology side of things. EA notes they are trying to maintain a cutting edge approach with games providing reliable and fun experiences, so more games will have the Frostbite engine. Several titles have already switched over to the engine including the new Fifa title recently released. (Other sports franchises like the NHL series are switching next year.)
EA...
EA released an organizational update at which they announced EA Worldwide Studios.
The news brings together several EA Studios under one label. The studios we can confirm are Bioware (Mass Effect developers), EA Mobile, and Maxis. Samantha Ryan of EA Mobile will keep her lead role, and actually expand into the lead role of Bioware as well. Patrick Soderlund will be the overall lead in the entire Worldwide Studio.
Also coming with the change is the implementation of the Frostbite engine in their technology side of things. EA notes they are trying to maintain a cutting edge approach with games providing reliable and fun experiences, so more games will have the Frostbite engine. Several titles have already switched over to the engine including the new Fifa title recently released. (Other sports franchises like the NHL series are switching next year.)
EA...
- 9/14/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Dustin Spino)
- Cinelinx
John Saavedra Aug 17, 2016
Electronic Arts is considering releasing a Mass Effect remastered collection.
It does seem odd that Electronic Arts has abstained from the remaster business, especially since every other major publisher is happy to churn out multiple remastered editions of past hits a year. But that all may change very soon. Speaking to Game Informer at Gamescom 2016, Evp of EA Studios Patrick Soderlund teased that the publisher is "actively looking" at remastering the Mass Effect games.
Although Soderlund has gone on record as recently as E3 2015 saying that EA was looking forward to new projects and had no plans to release remasters, his latest comments to Game Informer seem to be a reversal of that attitude. Said Soderlund at Gamescom when asked if EA would consider releasing a remaster of the Mass Effect games.
"What's changed is that there is proof in the market that people want it, maybe...
Electronic Arts is considering releasing a Mass Effect remastered collection.
It does seem odd that Electronic Arts has abstained from the remaster business, especially since every other major publisher is happy to churn out multiple remastered editions of past hits a year. But that all may change very soon. Speaking to Game Informer at Gamescom 2016, Evp of EA Studios Patrick Soderlund teased that the publisher is "actively looking" at remastering the Mass Effect games.
Although Soderlund has gone on record as recently as E3 2015 saying that EA was looking forward to new projects and had no plans to release remasters, his latest comments to Game Informer seem to be a reversal of that attitude. Said Soderlund at Gamescom when asked if EA would consider releasing a remaster of the Mass Effect games.
"What's changed is that there is proof in the market that people want it, maybe...
- 8/16/2016
- Den of Geek
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EA gives us an explanation for why Star Wars Battlefront was released without a campaign mode.
In an EA Investor's Day briefing last week, studio boss Patrick Soderlund explained why last year's Star Wars Battlefront videogame had no campaign mode, something that was notably missing in the successor to the popular shooter series of old. Soderlund's explanation was simple: Dice didn't have enough time to properly develop a campaign to coincide with the release Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
"The one thing that we got criticised for was the lack of a single-player campaign", he said. "It was a conscious decision we made due to time and being able to launch the game side-by-side with the movie that came out to get the strongest possible impact."
Soderlund did hint that Star Wars Battlefront 2, which has already been announced, could potentially get the single-player mode many fans wanted to begin with.
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EA gives us an explanation for why Star Wars Battlefront was released without a campaign mode.
In an EA Investor's Day briefing last week, studio boss Patrick Soderlund explained why last year's Star Wars Battlefront videogame had no campaign mode, something that was notably missing in the successor to the popular shooter series of old. Soderlund's explanation was simple: Dice didn't have enough time to properly develop a campaign to coincide with the release Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
"The one thing that we got criticised for was the lack of a single-player campaign", he said. "It was a conscious decision we made due to time and being able to launch the game side-by-side with the movie that came out to get the strongest possible impact."
Soderlund did hint that Star Wars Battlefront 2, which has already been announced, could potentially get the single-player mode many fans wanted to begin with.
- 5/23/2016
- Den of Geek
The single most common complaint about the release of the "Star Wars: Battlefront" video game last year was the lack of content, specifically the lack of a single player campaign mode and the small number of multiplayer maps.
Subsequent (and expensive) Dlc has resolved the last problem, but not that of the missing campaign. At the time there were various reasons cited for EA going in the direction of a multiplayer only game, but finally it looks like the truth has come out and it appears to be due to that most basic of motivations - money.
During an investor broadcast this week, EA's Patrick Soderlund addressed the criticisms of 'Battlefront' saying it was a 'conscious decision' to forego a campaign feature (and likely hold back the Dlc) in the game in order to meet a release date close to the theatrical premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Kotaku...
Subsequent (and expensive) Dlc has resolved the last problem, but not that of the missing campaign. At the time there were various reasons cited for EA going in the direction of a multiplayer only game, but finally it looks like the truth has come out and it appears to be due to that most basic of motivations - money.
During an investor broadcast this week, EA's Patrick Soderlund addressed the criticisms of 'Battlefront' saying it was a 'conscious decision' to forego a campaign feature (and likely hold back the Dlc) in the game in order to meet a release date close to the theatrical premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Kotaku...
- 5/18/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Held up as a technical marvel upon release, the one common criticism levelled at Dice’s Star Wars Battlefront was in regard to its absent single-player campaign.
Instead, both the developer and EA doubled down on a number of multiplayer features for the licensed shooter, as it pulled from the beloved original trilogy of Star Wars movies. But as EA’s Patrick Soderlund told investors earlier this week, a decision was made early on in development to forgo a single-player campaign in order to align Battlefront with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which launched into theaters back in December.
First reported by Eurogamer, Soderlund revealed that EA “made [the choice] due to time and being able to launch the game side-by-side with the movie that came out to get the strongest possible impact. I think the team created a really good game based on the premise that we had. I would say...
Instead, both the developer and EA doubled down on a number of multiplayer features for the licensed shooter, as it pulled from the beloved original trilogy of Star Wars movies. But as EA’s Patrick Soderlund told investors earlier this week, a decision was made early on in development to forgo a single-player campaign in order to align Battlefront with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which launched into theaters back in December.
First reported by Eurogamer, Soderlund revealed that EA “made [the choice] due to time and being able to launch the game side-by-side with the movie that came out to get the strongest possible impact. I think the team created a really good game based on the premise that we had. I would say...
- 5/18/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
John Saavedra Matthew Byrd Feb 27, 2019
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the next EA Star Wars game, will arrive sometime this fall.
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order will be revealed during Star Wars Celebration according to an update from StarWars.com. The update states that during "a special panel on Saturday, April 13, EA and Respawn will pull back the curtain on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, in which gamers will meet a Padawan who survived Order 66 and explore the galaxy in the time after the fall of the Jedi Order." Furthermore, the site claims that new details for the game will be revealed at that time ahead of the title's 2019 release date.
In case you missed the original announcement during the EA Play press conference at E3 2018, Respawn founder Vince Zampella revealed that the studio is working on a new Star Wars game called Jedi: Fallen Order. The game will take...
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the next EA Star Wars game, will arrive sometime this fall.
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order will be revealed during Star Wars Celebration according to an update from StarWars.com. The update states that during "a special panel on Saturday, April 13, EA and Respawn will pull back the curtain on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, in which gamers will meet a Padawan who survived Order 66 and explore the galaxy in the time after the fall of the Jedi Order." Furthermore, the site claims that new details for the game will be revealed at that time ahead of the title's 2019 release date.
In case you missed the original announcement during the EA Play press conference at E3 2018, Respawn founder Vince Zampella revealed that the studio is working on a new Star Wars game called Jedi: Fallen Order. The game will take...
- 5/4/2016
- Den of Geek
EA and "Titanfall" developer Respawn Entertainment have officially announced plans for a new "Star Wars" video game described as an "all-new 3rd person action adventure game set in the Star Wars universe." Further details weren't forthcoming.
In a statement, game director Stig Asmussen says: "I understand on the surface this might sound a bit dry. But developing a game within the ever-expanding Star Wars universe opens up so many paths for us to go down, and an unparalleled playground to design within. We have already planted the seeds by assembling a small, but incredibly talented team, ready for the amazing journey that lies ahead. With this in mind we are looking to expand the dream."
EA Studios executive vp Patrick Soderlund says: "Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Vince Zampella and his group. Their obsession with making games that feel...
In a statement, game director Stig Asmussen says: "I understand on the surface this might sound a bit dry. But developing a game within the ever-expanding Star Wars universe opens up so many paths for us to go down, and an unparalleled playground to design within. We have already planted the seeds by assembling a small, but incredibly talented team, ready for the amazing journey that lies ahead. With this in mind we are looking to expand the dream."
EA Studios executive vp Patrick Soderlund says: "Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Vince Zampella and his group. Their obsession with making games that feel...
- 5/4/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
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