410°

Former 343 Industries Developer Says Incompetent Leadership Caused Massive Stress

Patrick Wren, who was a Senior Multiplayer Designer at 343 Industries talks about the recent layoffs and the state of Halo Infinite.

Jin_Sakai554d ago

It’s finally starting to come out.

InUrFoxHole554d ago

Finally? Where have you been? This train wreck entered the station a long time ago. Sad really. Piss poor leadership will ruin anything

SullysCigar554d ago

"Incompetent Leadership"

Monkey see, monkey do, eh Phil?

AmUnRa554d ago

Matt Booty is the one who is in control of the progress of the MS studio's so theyr are both responsable for the shitshow by MS...

554d ago
Lifexline554d ago

I think what I find funny is most people been wanting this for MS to get rid of 343. Then MS does it and people are shocked people here are too funny.

It’s unfortunate for those that got fired I hope they all bounce back. But hopefully they restructure and do better on the next Halo game. Halo infinite was a huge improvement compared to 4 and 5. Just the lack of content so hopefully the next one gets back on track. This is their flagship title I think they are learning because they are delaying games that are not ready instead of sending out games that are missing features.

CobraKai554d ago

I’m glad they nixed the campaign team at least. They failed. The campaign felt unfinished and filled with meaningless side quests to fluff the content. 343 isn’t cut out for Halo.

The Wood554d ago

Im only surprised it took this long. How some made excuses for the management from top to bottom didn't surprise me at all though. Some guys on here are hell bent to cap

neutralgamer1992554d ago (Edited 554d ago )

Ms should hav bought Bungie back for 3.6 billion. But I guess that's where Phil drew the line

Owning and managing are different

Just like running a business because your dad was rich to own it and have a start up that's worth what it's worth because you worked hard

If Ms had given me the same resources they gave Phil I would have bet anything in this world that Xbox would be the #1 brand. Phil lives in a bubble constantly being praised by the very vocal minority

You know what helps sell consoles and get a share of the market "Excellent Games" especially those which are only available on Xbox. Give people a reason to join the damn ecosystem. I bought a XSX because I wanted to play starfield and guess what I have been playing the wait game. Anytime we bring this up we are told by Xbox fans that exclusives are not important and just you wait and see

Wait and see has been going on since the last few years of Xbox 360. I guess if Activision acquisition doesn't fix it buy take two and make GTA exclusive maybe that will help

Don matrick was the best head of Xbox because he knew how to compete with PlayStation while Phil is trying to speak from both sides and isn't making any sense or progress

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 554d ago
crazyCoconuts554d ago

What's surprising to me is that MS allows Xbox to grow their studios at such a rapid pace despite their lack of demonstrated capability to manage the existing ones. And the studios they're bringing in are going to need some love and attention to thrive, I don't think Xbox can just leave them on autopilot like they might have done with Minecraft. How are they going to turn the ship around while getting all these new ships, half of them going the wrong direction already?

Profchaos554d ago

Sitting here waiting for a massive expose article or doco

SullysCigar554d ago (Edited 554d ago )

I think so too. Seems a good time for them to lay their cards on the table, what with the news that Microsoft just laid off 10,000 staff at the same time as trying to spend ~$70bn on an acquisition. Presumably, if their games had been better some in the affected development houses - such as 343i - could have dodged the axe.

lonewolf10554d ago

Somehow the news that Microsoft just laid off 10,000 staff despite trying to spend ~$70bn on an acquisition has been squashed.

That is everywhere, you have a funny idea of squashed

crazyCoconuts554d ago

And I think I read there's about 10K people they would gain as part of that acquisition. Unfortunate coincidence

SullysCigar554d ago

^ Well yeah, it's not now, clearly @lonewolf10 !

If you'd care to check, you'll find several articles 'squashed' in the failed section of N4G.

-Foxtrot554d ago

Come on Jason Schreier

Do your thing

dumahim554d ago

I'm sure he's got plenty of newly willing developers who want to talk now. It's just a matter of time.

gold_drake554d ago

its nice to get confirmation on what we've been saying for some time now.

Masterchief_thegoat554d ago

Let’s the drama begin. I can’t wait for more info to come. I blame M$ and 343

CorndogBurglar554d ago

I mean, who else would anyone blame? Lol

KwietStorm_BLM554d ago

As opposed to who? Chef Gordon Ramsay?

Show all comments (70)
90°

Sea of Thieves Developer Rare Now Has a Dedicated Doggo Park

Rare, the developer behind pirate adventure Sea of Thieves, has introduced a dedicated dog park to its studio grounds for employees' good boys and girls.

Read Full Story >>
techraptor.net
CrimsonWing691d 8h ago

Is the industry hurting for money or not?

Hofstaderman1d 7h ago

They belong to XBOX. Its a dog's life....

Chocoburger1d 8h ago

Nice thing they did, but not actually gaming related, not sure why this article was approved. Also strange informing us what game Rare worked on, as if we don't know their legacy.

Tacoboto1d 7h ago

Sorry you hate dog news - here's a game-related headline for you, the latest: "Deathsprint 66 is a hyperviolent freerunner that proves game journos suck at games | Video Gamer"

Yeah we need more headlines like *that* on this site, instead of news about a studio's employee perks.

GaboonViper1d 7h ago

Its actually nice to see a story like this instead of the usual doom and gloom but people still moan, anyhow hope these beautiful doggos have a great life.

1d 7h ago
GaboonViper1d 7h ago

Really nice story, kudos to Rare.

Mulletino14h ago

I went to look at new apartments and saw only dog parks, no kid parks. We're so screwed.

270°

Concept Art For Bluepoint's Next Game Spotted In PlayStation Tour Video

A new PlayStation Malaysia tour video shows what looks to be concept art for Bluepoint's next game.

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
phoenixwing1d 11h ago

Damn was hoping for a fantasy setting. Looks futuristic

jznrpg1d 9h ago (Edited 1d 9h ago )

I think that’s a screensaver if you look to the right it looks more like a fantasy game and so does the concept art leaked earlier. Who knows though

phoenixwing11h ago

Unless that structure/pillar thingy in the right picture is long forgotten technology it's futuristic.

Name Last Name1d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h ago )

Another shooter? Yawn. Thought the prevous concept looked more fantasy.

just_looken20h ago

With there same look on the right a arena setting this might be live service game #5 from sony

So a live service shooter like concord.....

StormSnooper20h ago

It looks like a fantasy game on the right screen. You are looking at a screensaver.

Goodguy011d 10h ago

Been looking forward to what they have next. Looks interesting.

Eonjay1d 10h ago

Really excited to see them release an original IP

GaboonViper1d 7h ago

Looks like my dream of them remaking Metal Gear Solid is over, still cant wait to see what they are cooking up.

Show all comments (17)
90°

World of Warcraft developers form wall-to-wall union at Blizzard Entertainment

The new unit comprises over 500 developers representing the entire World of Warcraft development team.

Read Full Story >>
gamedeveloper.com
2d ago
XiNatsuDragnel1d 20h ago

Unions in gaming are necessary fr fr

montebristo1d 9h ago

I used to be anti-union, it kills productivity, investment and turns product mediocre. Their games suck anyways though so what was lost? Might as well get their people paid until they are dissolved.

shinoff21831d 9h ago

Unions are necessary regardless of how you feel. You know how fked the working class would be without them. As if we're not already.

montebristo1d 8h ago

No they aren’t, regardless of how you feel. Unions make zero sense for skill based labor. They are for people who press a button every 10 seconds on an assembly line. “working class” is a made up term. I don’t care about corporations or developers, I just want good games lol. Killing your incentives to appease the lowest common denominator doesn’t lead to great games imo

montebristo1d 2h ago (Edited 1d 2h ago )

I wasn’t trying to be offensive if I came off that way. The Union is an old mentality and I can see their usefulness but also the danger. We’re in the age of AI and robots and skill based labor. Unions can be dangerous these days. You could replace your entire workforce in one move. Checkmate. Look to the kiosk replacing workers in the 20 dollar minimum wage era.

Well run businesses don’t need unions. If you need a Union that business won’t survive anyway. Unless it’s propped up by the government with corporate welfare (which is the real issue). If you’re not going to spend some on your workers (Amazon, Google) then your welfare is cut off. No tax breaks. All you put together don’t match their wealth and resources, the union is a traditional memory at this point and counterproductive with this new enemy we face. They need a flying elbow from the top ropes. And by “working class is a made up term” I just mean we’re not a class system and even CEO Bobby Kotick puts in a days work lol. Or did.. It’s just a vague term that doesn’t mean anything no offense lol. People say “middle class” but that can change quick right? Up or down. That’s not a “class system”.