Warren Spector joining Otherside to lead System Shock 3 development... - by terrannova
Melan on 18/2/2016 at 08:01
Quote Posted by Brethren
Eh? Why, just because of Deadly Shadows?
He has consistently advocated the "streamlining" of game franchises. Over the last years, he has repeatedly said that he is through with complexity (something that was already evident in DX:IW, which had his blessings). Like Ken Levine, he seems to have sworn off complex simulation and depth, and advocated "focused" gameplay and a cinematic experience. To me, that seems to be the complete opposite of the philosophy Otherside is going for with UW:A. Most of the things the Otherside people have said have resonated with me, but that's not the case with Spector. I don't trust him to make good design decisions until I am proven wrong.
icemann on 18/2/2016 at 16:59
I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.
We've already seen studios/new incarnations of old studios produce sequels/spiritual successors for other companies of games that they did the originals for (eg Obsidian with Fallout: New Vegas, Satelite Reign by 5 Lives Studios). So bring on the original employees.
The more the better if you ask me. Except for Levine. Keep him away.
Renault on 18/2/2016 at 18:14
Doesn't seem likely that Spector will suddenly show up and change the mentality of the company to produce some dumbed down, triple A title for the masses. Just seems counter to what Otherside is striving for. Time will tell.
Renault on 18/2/2016 at 21:15
Here's a quote from an article I just read on Wired that might assuage some fears out there:
Quote:
Spector’s excited, he says, about creating a game that allows players to solve problems in creative ways in the era of Twitch streaming and Let’s Play videos. “Back then, it was hard to communicate that you could play through the games differently,” he says. “Now you can actually have people show off their unique playthroughs.”
As opposed to, I say, a linear first-person shooter experience that plays the same every time.
“If I ever make a game like that,” Spector says, “shoot me.”
Chade on 19/2/2016 at 01:02
You have to take the context in which Warren was working into account. His last few games have all been AAA titles with many millions invested in them and needing to reach a large audience to make back that money. Now he's working with a smaller studio again making a game that is (I think?) primarily targeted at the old audience for LGS-type games. You have to view any interviews he does through that lens.
froghawk on 19/2/2016 at 05:03
Where has he ever said he's done with complexity? The last few things I've read from him were railing against on-rails gaming.
Vicarious on 20/2/2016 at 22:37
15 years ago I would have been excited by that. Right now though I know the past reputation doesn't mean anything when it comes to delivering new goods. We'll see.
But seriously, what the hell? Why is this game already announced? (
http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/19/11057698/heres-what-warren-spectors-doing-about-system-shock-3) It sounds like it's not even close to being out of purely conceptual stages. It's like "Hey, we're making this game! Be excited! And see you in 5 years." Pointless.
Pyrian on 20/2/2016 at 23:13
Quote Posted by Vicarious
Why is this game already announced?
Maybe they'll be begging for kickstarter/etc funds sometime soon?
Starker on 20/2/2016 at 23:13
If you don't have a large marketing budget, you really need to start spreading the word as early and as often as you can. Otherwise, you might be looking at a very stretched out long tail and lots of copies bought at discount.
