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It's been announced that Twisted Metal developer Eat Sleep Play will be laying off approximately 20% of its workforce and re-calibrating to focus on the casual game market. The layoff's come as the studio is about to release Twisted Metal on February 14th, its first major title after being created by David Jaffe and Scott Campbell in 2007.
As for the move to the casual market, Campbell stated, "It’s a platform that is in our pockets almost 24/7. It’s kind of the size and types of games we’re playing. You can certainly reach a lot more people. That’s pretty exciting for us.” According to Campell, the company is looking to bring its "brand of mechanics-driven gaming" to mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads.
This change is not just relegated to Campbell, however. David Jaffe is also reportedly moving into the casual direction too. “He’s excited to go into the casual space as well,” Campbell said of Jaffe. “He’s got some projects that he’s excited about. So we’re kind of going down two separate paths.”
David Jaffe has not yet commented on the move to the casual market or the layoffs at Eat Sleep Play. More as it develops.
Updated: David Jaffe has commented on the rumors that he would be making casual games after the release of Twisted Metal, calling them "highly exaggerated."
[Source: Salt Lake Tribune]
Comments
12 years, 2 months ago
I'm hoping this will be a case like double fine where once they get enough money they go back to doing another big project, but I have doubts. Really unfortunate.
12 years, 2 months ago
Dang...
12 years, 2 months ago
this is fucked.
12 years, 2 months ago
What the fuck. Not a question, but a statement.
12 years, 2 months ago
Dat feel
12 years, 2 months ago
I had to double-check the date and my sure I hadn't hibernated into April.
But seriously though, is this really that big of a surprise? Calling All Cars was a download only game on PSN, and this iteration of Twisted Metal was also originally download only.
They were already naturally progressing in this direction, Sony was the reason the new TM got the spit-n'-shine retail treatment.
12 years, 2 months ago
Good luck. The reception of game developers who move from the hardcore to the casual market hasn't been pretty. I wish every developer who favored casuals (after previously targeting people who ACTUALLY play games are AREN'T complete morons) would just die out so that the industry would finally see that this is a stupid decision to appeal to some hipsters who only throw around that they're a gamer to impress others because it's a fad. Developers, once the fad dies out, the only audience left will be the people who have stuck with gaming a good portion of their lives. When are they going to realize this?
12 years, 2 months ago
So R.I.P. E.S.P.
We better savor Twisted Metal. We could all be elderly by the time another one comes out for the non-casual. Let alone a game that brings out Jaffe's creative potential.
12 years, 2 months ago
I'm kind of sad about this, it's not every day we get an original triple A title from the big names of gaming. Still I can't really blame these guys after all they need to make money and casual games sell.
12 years, 2 months ago
Guess this also means that TM will not be getting alot of DLC (if it does get any).
Bummer...
12 years, 2 months ago
That's a real shame..... Hopefully Jaffe sticks around longer still.
12 years, 2 months ago
Yeah, that update makes a lot more sense. If you've ever seen Jaffe in interviews he seems like the kind of guy who would rather eat his shorts than make casual games.
12 years, 2 months ago
This doesn't shock me at all. Eat.Sleep.Play was created originally with downloadable and small sized games in mind. They hired on a bunch of people to complete a large scale game like Twisted Metal and now that it is complete they are downsizing back to the small scale. It's not too uncommon in business to see this happen. Most people who are hired for one off projects typically know they are. If no one here knew that then I'd be worried.
12 years, 2 months ago
Ah, wait. Jaffe's always complaining about how people get the wrong idea from what he says. Maybe there was a misunderstanding? Also, if they DO move into the casual market, I'm curious to see if they can make some really addicting games (though it's still a step backward).
12 years, 2 months ago
Another potential update to this was posted on GiantBomb if anyone is interested. Says Jaffe will support TM post launch but will part ways with ESP to move on to a big next-gen game.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/david-jaffe-leaving-eat-sleep-play-after-twisted-metal/3968/
12 years, 2 months ago
lol, Jaffe probably stormed in Campbell's office and kicked his ass for "highly exaggerating" the whole him being "excited" for casualgames