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No More External LucasArts Development?

TheMadSpinTheMadSpin
edited September 2010 in General Chat
So, stop me if you've heard this one, but GameInformer.com had this little bidness on their page:

http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/08/17/the-force-unleashed-3-already-canceled.aspx

Which includes this nugget:

"If things are looking bad for internal development at LucasArts, it's nothing compared to external development; Meegan is also allegedly putting a stop to external studios working on LucasArts' properties. This would mean that after BioWare's MMO The Old Republic, we wouldn't see any more KOTOR titles, nor additional LEGO games made by Traveller's Tales."

If this is true, does this mean we won't be seeing any more Tales of Monkey Island games? I hope that the close relationship between these two houses means that TellTaleGames and Monkey Island are safe from this particular lock down (if it's even true), but I have to admit that I'm a little worried.
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Comments

  • doodo!doodo!
    edited August 2010
    So basically Lucas arts went from almost cool again to road kill on hot pavement!
  • JedExodusJedExodus
    edited August 2010
    If they're gonna can there relationship with Bioware I wouldn't have much hope for Telltale
  • SHODANFreemanSHODANFreeman
    edited August 2010
    If it's true, their new president is incompetent. Lucasarts has always made a hell of a lot of money on their licensing deals, and just outright canning them is an absolutely horrible idea.
  • guitarsareboringguitarsareboring
    edited August 2010
    Aaah christ.
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited August 2010
    SHODANFreeman wrote: »
    If it's true, their new president is incompetent. Lucasarts has always made a hell of a lot of money on their licensing deals, and just outright canning them is an absolutely horrible idea.

    Plus apparently something's bad for internal development so that mean's they're getting screwed too.


    I knew this new person was bad.
  • Gman5852Gman5852
    edited August 2010
    TheMadSpin wrote: »
    So, stop me if you've heard this one, but GameInformer.com had this little bidness on their page:

    http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/08/17/the-force-unleashed-3-already-canceled.aspx

    Which includes this nugget:

    "If things are looking bad for internal development at LucasArts, it's nothing compared to external development; Meegan is also allegedly putting a stop to external studios working on LucasArts' properties. This would mean that after BioWare's MMO The Old Republic, we wouldn't see any more KOTOR titles, nor additional LEGO games made by Traveller's Tales."

    If this is true, does this mean we won't be seeing any more Tales of Monkey Island games? I hope that the close relationship between these two houses means that TellTaleGames and Monkey Island are safe from this particular lock down (if it's even true), but I have to admit that I'm a little worried.

    So this means no more telltale and lucasarts licensing(tales 2 is officially no more unless it was already started maybe) no lego games(which was a pretty good selling series star wars alone) and no good games. good choice lucasarts:D
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited August 2010
    Seriously, even though I don't like Star Wars I loved the Lego StarWars. And I know people that bought each and everyone.
    Same with the KOTOR games.

    Also now zero chance of a Grim Fandango Revival. :/
  • taumeltaumel
    edited August 2010
    Does this decrease the chances for a The Dig II?
  • JedExodusJedExodus
    edited August 2010
    Maybe Lucasarts are going down the BP route of "coming back smaller and wiser"

    There'll always be a niche for the games they're most famous for (pointan and clickan/light saberan) so I don't see why they don't use game studios who are hitting there stride to help them out. Maybe the new prez is a genius playing the long game, or maybe he's just a tithead trying to save cash... by making no games :confused:
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    If this is true, I have one thing to say to whoever's running Lucasarts.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDW0ZnZxjn4 (Thanks for St.LouisRibs for the link.)
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited August 2010
    Oh god, what's up with the menu after the video's done playing?
  • BoneFreakBoneFreak
    edited August 2010
    Well, this isn't good news. If Telltale would get the rights to Monkey Island, we would see ToMI, but no more SEs (but I can't think of there being SE's for Curse and Escape).

    Lucasarts is running out of good games and this is no help, that's for sure.
  • jp-30jp-30
    edited August 2010
    Every new president does a clean sweep. Even the beloved D-Rod did it.

    Let's wait & see before we all hurl ourselves off cliffs, eh?

    (and as I've posted elsewhere...)

    He's apparently stopping external development AND firing internal teams / halting internal development?

    That makes no sense, unless the rumour is missing some vital information.

    > the majority of "external" development...

    The "majority" does not mean "all", so if this is true there's still a chance ToMI or more LEGO games are possible.


    As for LEGO, what else is there left to do? 2x Indiana Jones, 1 prequel, one OT, one Clone Wars. Pretty sure LEGO / Traveller's Tales will move onto LEGO's Disney licences next (Toy Story, Pirates of the Carribean, other Pixar, etc).

    Plus the LEGO licence with Lucasfilm expires in 2011 (though it could get extended, of course).
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited August 2010
    BoneFreak wrote: »
    Well, this isn't good news. If Telltale would get the rights to Monkey Island, we would see ToMI, but no more SEs (but I can't think of there being SE's for Curse and Escape).

    Lucasarts is running out of good games and this is no help, that's for sure.

    I'd like an SE for all to be honest.
  • BoneFreakBoneFreak
    edited August 2010
    jp-30 wrote: »
    LEGO's Disney licences next (Toy Story, Pirates of the Carribean, other Pixar, etc).


    Pirates of the Carribean?

    And why was I not informed of this?
  • jp-30jp-30
    edited August 2010
    It's not announced yet, and may not eventuate, but a sweet Jack Sparrow minifig prototype was snuck into an official Prince of Persia LEGO display at Comic Con.

    More here;

    http://www.lucasforums.com/showthread.php?t=204882

    4819476713_7e032d28f5.jpg
  • Sausy GibbonSausy Gibbon
    edited August 2010
    I thought MegaBlocks made Pirates of the Carribean sets, maybe we'll see a new set of MegaBlocks games that way it'll be cheaper for Lucasarts. (:
  • jp-30jp-30
    edited August 2010
    Megablocks did have it, but now LEGO and Disney are hooked up.

    http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/02/16/daily5.html
  • FealiksFealiks
    edited August 2010
    I doubt LEGO are gonna miss the opportunity to make video games based on Disney's franchises, then. Good snoopin', jp.
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited August 2010
    Also, I'm going to say it. The reason for the lack of info could be the sources. I mean, GI and Kotaku aren't known to be the most reliable sources, to me. Like, remember when they announced GTAIV would be on the Xbox[original] under the name GTA: Sin City! But, before San Andrese came out they had undeniable proof that the new GTA (which was SA at the time) would be named Sin City and that it was to be Xbox only. I remember this because my friend brought me both those magazines as proof of how amazing GI was in getting gaming news. And I just laughed.
    And yes they used the same name twice and I was the only one of my friends to catch that.
  • FealiksFealiks
    edited August 2010
    Elvenmonk wrote: »
    Also, I'm going to say it. The reason for the lack of info could be the sources. I mean, GI and Kotaku aren't known to be the most reliable sources, to me. Like, remember when they announced GTAIV would be on the Xbox[original] under the name GTA: Sin City! But, before San Andrese came out they had undeniable proof that the new GTA (which was SA at the time) would be named Sin City and that it was to be Xbox only. I remember this because my friend brought me both those magazines as proof of how amazing GI was in getting gaming news. And I just laughed.
    And yes they used the same name twice and I was the only one of my friends to catch that.

    Yeah, these rumours are just rumours at this point.
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited August 2010
    Yes, that's what I meant.
  • adventureaddictadventureaddict
    edited August 2010
    Even still, bad rumours are still bad.
    I reaaally hope we see more Tales, and I'm a fan of the Lego games(Star Wars, mostly) so beh.
    Fingers crossed these rumours are just that.
  • FealiksFealiks
    edited August 2010
    Elvenmonk wrote: »
    Yes, that's what I meant.

    I know, I was just agreeing with you

    >.>
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited August 2010
    No, I meant it as I just realised how my post above made zero sense. And wanted to agree with you, as that wasn't my full original point. :P
  • tredlowtredlow
    edited August 2010
    Couldn't Telltale buy MI?
  • BaggeBagge
    edited August 2010
    tredlow wrote: »
    Couldn't Telltale buy MI?

    What makes you think it is for sale?
  • tredlowtredlow
    edited August 2010
    Bagge wrote: »
    What makes you think it is for sale?

    Good point.
  • jeeno0142jeeno0142
    edited August 2010
    If LucasArts aren't going to do anything else with MI, then they could at least make a bit of money selling the rights to TTG and allow all the fans to see more of it. [/dreaming of a perfect world]
  • DrRocketGeniusDrRocketGenius
    edited August 2010
    The worst part about all of this is that Tales hinted at a sequel. :(
  • StarEyeStarEye
    edited August 2010
    Lego Monkey Island, Lego Zak McKracken, Lego Maniac Mansion, LEGO LEGO, LEGO PLAYMOBIL, Lego MegaBlocks, Lego President Obama.

    I started this post to list a few LucasArts franchizes that could be use by Traveller's Tales, but somewhere along the way I went crazy. Now I don't know what I'm trying to say anymore.
  • purple_monkfishpurple_monkfish
    edited August 2010
    I want lego jack sparrow!

    Ahem... I mean...

    Yeah, I have nothing constructive to add that hasn't already been said.

    AHAHA LEgo Obama! Well he already had comics! Why not toys? I'd SO buy a lego white house set, especially if I could then use lego spaceships to blow it up mwhahahah.

    Lego Playmobil.. you know.. given how screwed up Playmobil IS (http://www.amazon.com/Playmobil-3180-Hazardous-Materials-Team/dp/B0002HX2BU for instance) I can totally see them doing something that mind blowing.
    And Lego Lego already exists! http://www.amazon.com/Lego-4567626-LEGO-Truck-3221/dp/B003F7YNGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1282298384&sr=1-1 It has mini lego crates! Like the playmobil playmobil (Which is actually more screwed up because there's mini figures that the mini figures can play with... yeah, wrap your head around THAT)

    A lego purple tentacle would be awesome. Someone make one IMMEDIATELY!
  • jp-30jp-30
    edited August 2010
    Pirates of the Carribean LEGO sets have been confirmed for 2011.

    (Look at this chat log with LEGO PR guy, Steve Witt at 6:03.

    http://bricknotes.blogspot.com/2010/08/steve-witts-q.html
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited August 2010
    maybe its a way to make us let our gaurd down then when they announce it we feel even more joyful
  • doodo!doodo!
    edited August 2010
    I guess this means we can still get SE(s), regardless. I just hope they really don't go through with a sequel for FOA, that's the most tactless idea they've ever had.

    I hardly doubt they made that decision tactfully anyways. Money speaks and if you've played the first, it's like...wtf? A sequel to this? It's a great game, but I doubt the sincerity of the idea.
  • jmmjmm
    edited August 2010
    My piece of advice: don't read too much into it.
    It's probably the typical "I'm the new guy in charge" mumbo-jumbo.
    Probably done to cause external buzz, and to stir things a little inside

    Of course a few things will change, but probably things will not shift that much (or the board will worry)
  • jp-30jp-30
    edited September 2010
    http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/090110-lucasarts-confirms-staff.html

    "LucasArts is reorganizing its teams to better address the needs of the internal studio. Unfortunately, this means adjusting staffing. LucasArts continues to be committed to creating a first-class internal studio -- and to fostering relationships with trusted external partners -- in order to deliver quality games that amaze and inspire fans."

    That's better news than the rumoured reports that they were pretty much shutting down external development.

    ToMI 2, pls?
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited September 2010
    Yes it is. And Please ToMI 2.
  • Debbie82Debbie82
    edited September 2010
    jp-30 wrote: »
    http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/090110-lucasarts-confirms-staff.html

    "LucasArts is reorganizing its teams to better address the needs of the internal studio. Unfortunately, this means adjusting staffing. LucasArts continues to be committed to creating a first-class internal studio -- and to fostering relationships with trusted external partners -- in order to deliver quality games that amaze and inspire fans."

    That's better news than the rumoured reports that they were pretty much shutting down external development.

    ToMI 2, pls?

    Whew! This is so much better news than the bad rumors (which I hope are just rumors).
  • ElvenmonkElvenmonk
    edited September 2010
    I wish they'd sell their old adventure games to TellTale.
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