270°

Ninja Theory: Enslaved is 'the best game we've ever made'

Cambridge-based studio Ninja Theory aren't pulling any punches when it comes to talking up their game, with company co-founder Tameem Antoniades claiming that the team's upcoming game Enslaved: Odyssey to the West will "easily (be) the best game we've ever made."

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gamerzines.com
Cloudberry5423d ago

.
All the pros & cons of Heavenly Sword could be refined in Enslaved & their future games.

captain-obvious5423d ago (Edited 5423d ago )

they need to hype this game
there isn't much hype going on for it

and the game is coming out in 2 months

bakasora5422d ago

i dont really like the design of the monkey, he should be slimmer and not anything like the hulk. i dont have a good impression of the game.

5423d ago
DigitalRaptor5423d ago

I doubt I will enjoy it as much as I did Heavenly Sword.

Nothing about this Enslaved grips me.

Shang-Long5423d ago

they will eat their words if this game flops. seriously why put yourself in that postion.

nickjkl5423d ago (Edited 5423d ago )

so its better than
kung fu chaos
heavenly sword

as we know ninja theory believes heavenly sword suckssssssssss
and kung fu chaos havent heard anything about but it has a 68 on metacritic

so that means ninja theory thinks its better than heavenly sword which thy think succccccccccccks

ebgeer5423d ago

i'm not sure that they think it sucks...i think they think that the time in which it was released sucks...it was when PS3 just arrived at its new low price of $600. I think if it was released in the current price market it would have done real well...BUUUTT...Enslaved looks quite awesome..I would give it a chance--I'll probably buy it when it is released in Oct.

SOAD5423d ago

You could say that the semi-journalist blogsites post a lot of stuff from them but I don't think they talk too much. They're on level with any other developer.

Applegate5423d ago (Edited 5423d ago )

Cool so the 360 gets to taste Ninja Theory's best work.

princejb1345423d ago

i hope so
cause if your 8 hour game is better than this
than ama go play heavenly sword to remind myself of how excellent that game is

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5422d ago
ArchangelMike5423d ago (Edited 5423d ago )

How many games have Ninja Theory made exaclty? In any case it's about time they stopped hyping Enslaved, because there just setting themselves up as bait for the fanboys and reviewers... especially with all the scorn they've recently been pouring on Heavenly Sword, which was a classic game. That's not to say Enslaved won't be a good game, but too much hype, too much exposure and the gaming public become jaded before the game is even released!

When will developers learn...

(1) Don't overhype your game (it might not meet the resulting over inflated expectations)
(2) Don't rag on your last game (you insult the peole who bought it and liked it)
(3) Above all else don't rag on another devs game! (Just don't!)

despair5423d ago

they've made 3 games total including enslaved, the other 2 are heavenly sword and an 2003 xbox game called kung fu chaos - not very highly rated, so this being their best game is not that impressive against only 2 other games.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

mac_sparrow5423d ago

"My Special KICK!"

Kung-Fu chaos was one of the few titles I was sad to lose when I sold my xbox. Was great fun with friends and beer.

despair5423d ago

never played it, just going by review scores.

Slimshadyn5423d ago

(1) No its much better for devs to say they game will be mediocre
(2) As devs I'd hope they would want each game they make to be better than there last
(3) Yeah next time they should just say skip their game because their competition's games are better

CoxMulder5422d ago

Is everything black or white in your world?

-Judge_Fudge5423d ago

meh still doesnt seem as delicious as heavenly sword

maniacmayhem5423d ago

Looks like a good game, can't wait to play it.

"Be a gamer not a hater" - Snoop Dogg

TheTwelve5423d ago

"This is the worst game we've ever made" or "This game is 'meh', we'll try better next time".

They'll be honest about this game when Enslaved 2 is made, like how Peter Molyniuex (sp?) disses every Fable once the sequel comes out. =)

12

LightofDarkness5423d ago

Exactly, Fable III is what Fable was originally intended to be. Just like Fable 2.

Show all comments (46)
80°

Empowering Creators and Players With Muse, a Generative AI Model for Gameplay

"Introducing Muse, a new kind of generative AI model that lets you play and create. From developer ideation to one day supporting game preservation, Muse holds potential to unlock new possibilities." so says Microsoft

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news.xbox.com
Abriael115d ago

Absolutely slimy to use game preservation as a thinly-veiled excuse to continue peddling generative AI garbage. 😡

Eonjay115d ago (Edited 115d ago )

MUSE
Massive Unmitigated Suspension for Employees.

Lets get this straight. When they say its to asisst creators, they mean assist executive managment. Tell me this, if companies stop paying real people to do real work, who is going to be able to buy anyone else's AI generated products in the first place?

Abriael114d ago

You're definitely preaching to the choir. If you read my own version of the news (it's in the alt sources), it's one of the few times I took the fuc*ing gloves on. I was pissed all day after reading this crap.

Jingsing115d ago (Edited 115d ago )

Microsoft's latest push into mediocrity and billions wasted. I do wonder if Microsoft will eventually meet the same fate as Intel.

staticall115d ago

They need to replace Xbox execs with generative AI. It'll do less damage than Phil and the gang for sure

> a first of its kind generative AI model trained on Ninja Theory’s multiplayer battle arena game, Bleeding Edge
Yikes
This is a "Coming soon" from their gaming copilot thingy they're so proud of https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Dunno, feels and looks awful to me

And they didn't explain how they're planning to preserve older games, just some world salad
> To imagine that beloved games lost to time and hardware advancement could one day be played on any screen with Xbox is an exciting possibility for us
This doesn't explain anything. How can they run the older games without hardware it's tied to? Magic?

Whole article actually feels like a world salad galore. Did they use AI to write this?

P. S.: Calling it «Muse» is disgusting.

jznrpg108d ago (Edited 108d ago )

At Xbox we shit on our employees and our customers. Now who is going to buy this nearly no effort game?

90°

Playback: Enslaved Odyssey to the West

TSA revisits Enslaved Odyssey to the West to see how it holds up.

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thesixthaxis.com
Relientk77299d ago

Such a great game. I really wish we got a sequel to it.

darthv72299d ago

This is a pretty good game. Im glad its backward compatible on xbo/series

Venoxn4g298d ago

Great game, enjoy the DLC as well

bamboo313rd298d ago

So under rated. Just played it with lossless frame generation and 4k. 144hz.

0hMyGandhi298d ago

fantastic game. Criminally underrated. Yes, the combat was overly simple. But the sound design, world design, characters and lore were absolutely top-notch.

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340°

Unfortunately, Ninja Theory Isn't Actually Safe From Microsoft

Ninja Theory might have games in the pipeline, but that doesn't mean Xbox won't close it for no reason

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thegamer.com
rlow1389d ago

Alot of speculation on their part. Ninja Theory has two games that have been green lighted and are in the works. Yes it’s always a possibility they could be closed but no matter how you feel about the Senua games. They do make a quality game. I personally think MS is going lay low for a bit, after the firestorm they experienced last week.

darthv72389d ago

I really hope one of them is a long awaited sequel of heavenly sword or enslaved. Both are good games that deserve a 2nd chance... or at least a reboot.

blackblades389d ago

I'm 100% doubt its heavenly sword for obvious reason and Enslave 99% doubt it.

389d ago
Rynxie389d ago

Santa Monica is a great studio, but I would rather the minds behind the original make it (ninja theory). I never liked sequels that were done by someone else, they are usually never as good as the original.

rlow1389d ago

Enslaved would be awesome. If they did a remaster, then the next game in the series…..one can hope.

Yui_Suzumiya388d ago

Hopefully they'd get Evan Wells back for a sequel to Enslaved. After the original Enslaved he went on to Naughty Dog and did The Last of Us.

neutralgamer1992388d ago

darth

HS IP is owned by sony and enslaved sold so poorly that you want a sequel now? let's say a sequel is made and sells like the first than this studio is for sure shut down. Their next game needs to be a big hit(if there is a next game)

rlow1

that's not how business works, if a studio needs to go it will go whether ot not that will come with negative PR. They just spent 100 billion and now they are in the phase to find out which studios will survive and which needs to go to cut costs. NT let a huge opportunity slip away, they had the backing of MS and the sequel has even less gameplay, that makes zero sense

Chevalier388d ago

How?! Sony owns one IP and Bandai owns the other one

Plague-Doctor27388d ago

Heavenly Sword IP is owned by Sony and Enslaved IP is owned by Namco Bandai

Hellblade was the only IP that Ninja Theory themselves owned when MS acquired them

Sonic1881388d ago

Heavenly Sword or Enslaved didn't sell that well

Cacabunga388d ago

NT completely lost it since dmc, their
last good game to date! And has been a long time since.
An average studio at best, got lured by MS money and forgot to improve

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 388d ago
Rynxie389d ago

They make quality games, but they're usually hit or miss. Either they are average, or they are awesome. However, besides heavenly sword and DMC, they aren't big sellers either. Ms is as big of a corporation as it gets. If ninja theory isn't making them money, they will shut them down. Simple as that.

MrDead389d ago

Studio survival no matter who is reliant on MS's quarterly reports, if MS is looking to save money then studios like Ninja Theory are gone as we've seen with Tango and others. MS has their IP's, the devs mean nothing to them but a handy tool to balance the books with layoffs.

DarXyde389d ago

Eh, maybe. Microsoft seems like a phenomenally wealthy company that's (generally) wise with how they handle their finances. What they're not wise with is how they spend social capital. As soon as they get it, they spend it by doing something nefarious. Can't say they're the only ones of course.

Will they get rid of Ninja Theory? No earthly idea. Honestly, I have a hard time even speculating about it because we don't have any details on performance metrics. If I had to guess... And really, this is is a guess... It's just about engagement. It's the only thing that makes sense to me. If you've got a popular mobile game or MTX-heavy multiplayer game, you're safe. King and Activision aren't going anywhere. Even if player count tapers off, MTX keep them in the game as a form of engagement.

But then you've got single player games. I suspect that's a losing battle because single player games, unfortunately don't get long term engagement broadly. So games launching half baked is perhaps a strategy for the studios themselves to get people coming back to their games? It would make some sense, but it doesn't match with studios being surprised at the closures.

All of this to say, we'll just have to wait and see. The simplest explanation with the most streamlined thinking on the matter is just that they're getting rid of studios they see as dead weight in the long run. HFR was quite well received, but I guess it doesn't translate into happy investors because it's critical acclaim and not commercial success exactly. Bethesda isn't going anywhere. Making very long RPGs kind of saves you automatically in terms of engagement.

But on the other side of this, while studios don't close per se, nothing stops them or any other company from just cutting the work force within each studio.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 388d ago
Einhander1972389d ago

It's not for no reason.

The reason is they made two games that were underwhelming (Bleeding Edge) and didn't/aren't going to grow the user base for game pass.

They spent 5-7 years and this was what they produced, it's easy to see how they would be on the short list for termination at this point.

Sciurus_vulgaris389d ago

One thing to point out was that all the recently closed studios were under Bethesda. Before being purchased by MS, Bethesda had a slew of poor or under performing titles (Evil Within 2, Prey (2017), Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, Young Blood, and initially Fallout 76 ). I don’t think, Ghost Wire Tokyo, Deathloop, Redfall and sadly even High-Fi: Rush performed well after the buyout.

Einhander1972389d ago (Edited 389d ago )

I bet this game with a 5-7 year dev cycle being launched directly onto game pass is going to generate less tangible cash profit than any of those games.

I'm sure Microsoft will brag about players or sword swings or some other pointless statistic, but those don't make cash money.

Chevalier388d ago

You do realize it took 3 platforms and like 2 years to sell 1 million for Hellblade 1 right? Added in 3 more platforms and it didn't move much.

Now cut our 4 platforms. How many copies do you think this will sell?! Not just played on Gamepass

Lightning77389d ago (Edited 389d ago )

Apparently Ninja Theory is safe From being closed down https://www.gamespot.com/ar...

Already working on a new game. They are a 80 person team and relatively inexpensive I suppose to any other publisher

Buuuuut.

Yeaah sorry this is MS, I don't believe anything MS says. They have to be joking if they think anyone will believe them besides gullible Xbox fanboys. Once again MS needs to earn my trust back. Just when they earn some trust back, they always seem to destroy it and have to work to get it back. I still think they're getting shut down and canceling whatever game they're making because the game won't sell, again MS fault for not advertising it.. This company man...

FPSRUSSIA389d ago

the article talks about that to i recommend checking it out when you get a chance.

389d ago
outsider1624389d ago

The problem with this game probably not selling will be because of Gamepass. Every comment i see from xbox players are "dude, no need to buy this amazing game, just get it on gamepass"

Will it sell well based on word of mouth? Will they release it on ps5? Will ps players buy this game vs free on gamepass? Time will tell.

JBlaze226389d ago

Look at what happened to Hi Fi Rush.The game was sold on PS5 and didn't sell well.

JBlaze226389d ago

I mean Sony has done worst and no one speaks up about it.

outsider1624388d ago (Edited 388d ago )

Well i dont know about hi fi rush..as i didnt buy it. I mean others are getting it on gamepass..so ill just wait it for psplus. Im guessing others are doing the same..soo..

Sure Sony has done it too..and people are vocal about it. Look at the helldivers fiasco for example..they got called out.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 388d ago
Knightofelemia389d ago

I don't see Microsoft shutting off the lights to Ninja Theory. As a studio they actually have talent and have released some decent games. I love Enslaved maybe a sleeper hit but it's one of my favorites. Only way I see Microsoft shutting off the lights is if Ninja Theory releases games that sink faster then a lead weight. And there are fans of Ninja Theory one thing I would hate to see is Ninja Theory ending up like Bioware. Loosing all their talent and being a former shell of what they use to be.

Elda389d ago

Never say never. Tango Gameswork were just as talented as Ninja Theory & they were shut down.

darthv72388d ago

And they were also under Bethesda... Ninja Theory is not.

Profchaos388d ago

I honestly blame starfeild and Microsoft for the closure of arkane and tango it didn't turn a profit like other huge Bethesda games. If it .are fallout 4 money Bethesda would have had the capital to share among the other studios. Microsoft should of also had the ability to step in and save the studio but decided to kill them instead likely because of Bethesda's financial failure with starfield and Microsoft's stupid goal of turning gaming into a subscription that everyone and their grandmas subscribe to

shaenoide389d ago

To be honest for Microsoft (not Microsoft gaming) it's all about making for the 70 billion purchase of AKB. No matter how good the games are. If they don't generate sales or new gamepass subs the studios can be shutted down.

Rynxie389d ago (Edited 389d ago )

Yes, they make decent games, but do they sell? Unfortunately, no. Heavenly sword sold 1.5 million, even when the ps3 had a much lower install base than the 360. However, it's not a ninja theory ip. Enslaved sold poorly. DMC, sold well, but that's also not a ninja theory ip. Hellblade was a hit, but in my opinion, barely. Hellblade 2, unfortunately, might be a flop. There's no bigger corporation than Ms, they are as corporate as they come. If ninja theory isn't making them money, they will get shut down and their ips giving to another studio.

Elda389d ago

It was just announced that MS gave NT the greenlight for its next game. I just hope it's not another Hellblade. https://www.yahoo.com/tech/...

shaenoide389d ago

Tango was working on a new game.

jznrpg388d ago

Xbox - Green light
MS - Red light

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