Despite the dwindling success of the Bond game franchise, Activision seems intent on keeping the franchise afloat. Over the years, Bond has failed to capture a real, solid audience and has consequently jumped from one studio to another. With both Eurocom's N64 classic reboot, "Goldeneye" and Bizarre Creation's original title, "Blood Stone" failing to garner much recognition, it came as quite a shock to read today that Activision MAY already be hard at work at a follow up. This time, from a studio that has done a lot recently to earn my respect, Raven Software.

While Raven is certainly not considered a major development studio, it is certainly a studio with talent. Responsible for the mildly successful Wolfenstein (2009) and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), as well as one my favorite shooters of 2010, Singularity, (Check out my review here) this is a studio with a knack for producing solid games with great gameplay mechanics and satisfying storytelling. It's a shock that I never once considered Raven a studio I would entrust the Bond franchise with.

If rumor and speculation hold true, expect an announcement of a stealth based Bond adventure from Raven in the near future. My only concern here is that Bond has never been a super stealthy character. He sure does try but it almost always ends with loud, non-stealthy explosions and fire fights. With Goldeneye and Blood Stone both doing a lot to quench my Bond thirst in the midst of this MGM debacle, as well as ranking among my favorite Bond games of all time, I will be happy as long as Activision keeps hurling money at quality developers.

HERE'S TO THROWING AWAY MONEY! CHEERS!

Comments

  • Avatar
    BloodGatts
    13 years, 12 months ago

    I dunno, I can kinda see James Bond using Hitman type of stealth. Maybe drugging someone's drink and taking their disguise. And it is kinda odd that another James Bond games gets announced so soon after the release of two other Bond games. They really must want Bond to be successful or something.

  • Avatar
    Brad Simons
    13 years, 12 months ago

    I'd say this is bad news. For Raven at least. Not enough people care about Bond and Activision won't throw down the big bucks. Look at the difference the money, time, and team size could make for Treyarch. They made Quantum of Solace which kinda blew and sold like crap, and then they made Black Ops.

    I could see this next Bond game being like Bloodstone and Activision closing or selling Raven. Especially since Singularity underperformed.

    Sorry to pee on the parade with negativity, but this is Activision we are talking about.

  • Avatar
    thecineaste
    13 years, 12 months ago

    Sorry to be the observantly annoying film freak here, but James Bond wasn't, isn't, and should never be a gun totting, rowdy action hero. It may make sense in videogame terms, but seriously Nick, a stealth Bond game makes as much logical sense as in saying water is opaque.

  • Avatar
    Comradebearjew
    13 years, 12 months ago

    Hmmm could be interesting.

  • Avatar
    Marsh D Teach
    13 years, 12 months ago

    Fuck Activision.

  • Avatar
    Mr G-(Man)
    13 years, 12 months ago

    "With both Eurocom’s N64 classic reboot, “Goldeneye” and Bizarre Creation’s original title, “Blood Stone” failing to garner much recognition"

    I'm not entirely sure where this is coming from. GoldenEye Wii has been within the Top 30 All Formats charts every week in Europe since its release.

  • Avatar
    Binary-79
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Could be worse Mercury Steam could be developing it

  • Avatar
    Harley Cosmo
    13 years, 11 months ago

    What? Like mercury steam were making some sort of Jericho sequel and activision gave them the bond liscene half way through?

    They should make a bond game with sections along the same lines of Spy party and Creed brotherhood's multiplayer. Hunt whilst remaining inconspicuous at some sort of high class party until all hell breaks loose and then fight your way out. That'd be more like bond.

  • Avatar
    Arxidus
    13 years, 11 months ago

    At this point, I'm tired of all the new Bond stuff lately. I would compare it to trying to milk a cat. Not only is it very difficult to do right, you're not going to get that much milk. Sure, a great Bond game is going to catch my attention, but I don't see that happening.

  • Avatar
    Sharron Clemons
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Sorry to be the observantly annoying film freak here, but James Bond wasn't, isn't, and should never be a gun totting, rowdy action hero. It may make sense in videogame terms, but seriously Nick, a stealth Bond game makes as much logical sense as in saying water is opaque.

  • Avatar
    Joe
    13 years, 4 months ago

    I hope activision get bored of bond and sell the rights back to ea, cuz they made some good bond games like nightfire and everything or nothing.