So, they're a dev that does outsource work for shyt like DLC and other assets. That's cool. They want to make a name with their own, original project. That's cool.
Nothing too interesting here other than the fact that Microsoft is looking for people to make the bolded titles. Battletoads was already a known, but Perfect Dark was quoted to be put on the backburner. From what /I/ know, at least. The fact that Battletoads was off the table means that there must already be a developer working on the project.
This was the plan, then. A pretty sound and solid plan that honestly, as a fan of the OG would be perfectly satisfied with. (and I'm a Hearthstone head so that's a double bonus)
So....this developer, Darkside, knew this information beforehand and didn't make a push for more funding then and there? Or like, back out of the project so they could at least cut their losses at the point of not letting the developer close altogether?? I mean, fukk, you wouldn't build another floor on a house if that floor doesn't fit your budget. You don't have to be a game developer to know this--that's just common sense.
What? So you're gonna risk the ENTIRETY of your company and the people who work their--their livelihood and how they make bread--on fukking ambition? Making a blind jump that (in the end) won't work??? That's fukking stupid especially if you knew beforehand that Microsoft wasn't budging in regards to more funding.
This is an L on Microsoft's part. You don't do that to a developer along with making a pre-rendered trailer that they didn't make. This is a sour move that honestly pisses me off about how Microsoft handles their developer relationships. Still haven't learned.
So as they added more content time after time and you KNEW your team couldn't handle it, why continue development? Why not quit then and there? You're a team of ~60 people, not fukking Remedy or 343.
And again, another L on Microsoft. They're not listening and the one dude that DID listen bounced. So it gives me the idea that Microsoft doesn't care about the project anymore. Shame.
Reading more and more of this just irks me a lot. The developer, young and ambitious couldn't keep it's realities and check and that cost a lot of people their jobs. Microsoft just shat on these guys and Phantom Dust (as much as it kills me inside.) is Canceled. Poor decisions from both aspects but...eh. That's game development for you.
Phantom dust isn't cancelled Microsoft was very clear about that. For all we know another studio could have been working on it and doing a better job.
You have to keep in mind that this is only one side of the story and it would be impossible for someone who worked for that dev to know Microsofts plans on the title.
Of course they're gonna say they did everything right and Microsoft just threw them in the bushes for nothing. But you have to question their management if they decided to cancel all their other projects just for a prototype project and them run over budget early into development. Maybe Microsoft decided further investment with them would be a bad idea.
Depending on this sources position he may not fully understand what happened.
Not saying that Microsoft is above shady dealings, but you gotta take these story's based on anonymous sources with a grain of salt IMO
