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Oddworld Ditches Money Hat, Seeks Stranger Route

Posted by simoniker on from the rakish-dollar-fedora dept.

Thanks to 1UP for its article mentioning that developer Oddworld Inhabitants is seeking a new publisher for the next title in its Oddworld game series, after the allegedly lucrative Xbox-exclusive deal for the slightly disappointing Munch's Oddysee seems not to have been continued - apparently the new, "Western-vibed Xbox shooter... [formerly called Steef's Oddysee] has nothing to do with Microsoft anymore." The Depths Of Oddworld fansite has the most recent CG screens from the next Oddworld title, whose name is uncertain, though "Oddworld's website simply refers to the new project as 'Stranger'", and 1UP notes: "Oddworld Inhabitants representatives didn't specify any companies that may be interested in the game, although they said they were 'in talks with several'."

11 of 18 comments (clear)

  1. Xbox vs PS2 by dealsites · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Although I'm not too familiar with this game, it would be another way for the PS2 to get a notch up if the game turns out worthy. I guess the game is probably written for the Xbox now and the company just wants to find some more funding to release it, but if the game is pretty fun and gets ported to the PS2, Sony might end up wtith another developer exlcusive to the PS lineup.

    --
    Tons of hot deals updating in real-time from Slickdeals, Techbargains, Bens Bargains and more!

    1. Re:Xbox vs PS2 by Wuukie · · Score: 1

      Oddworld developer was making the previous game (Munch's Odyssee) originally for PS2 but they jumped to XBox. They had some complaints about PS2 hw or something. At least they complained something about anti-aliasing or specifically the lack of it.

      So I don't think they're going back to PS2.

    2. Re:Xbox vs PS2 by Babbster · · Score: 2, Redundant

      Welcome to Excuseville. For the real reason Oddworld appeared exclusively on Xbox, please refer to this perfectly aged, smoky flavored Penny Arcade Classic.

  2. Good for MS, Bad for Lorne by superultra · · Score: 1

    I think what MS paid for, and to some degree all they got, was an evangelist-for-hire. In the initial days of the Xbox, the enthusiasm of Lorne Lanning, combined with that of Seamus Blackley and a few others, was a driving factor in rousing up the "home crowd." I think that what everyone was thinking when Oddworld came out, after after a full year of preaching, was, "And this is revolutionary because........???" It wasn't a bad game, it just a game, not the second (or first) coming of the messiah of video gaming.

    So now, it's what, over 3 years later, and all these guys have to show for is some pre-rendered footage? His New Year's resolution is to get the game out? Riiight. What I saw on that Discovery channel documentary didn't look too promising anyway. Like Oddworld, but...and get this...WESTERN. It looked a lot like Munch; fun, but not worth keeping around. Apparently, that's how Microsoft felt about the company as well. Ok, to be fair, Bungie has yet to release another game. But, it was Halo, and not the expected Oddworld, that carried the Xbox on its back during the system launch. In fact, Oddworld could never have come out and the Xbox probably done just as well. Without Halo...well, that's another story all together isn't it?

    So I wonder if Lorne Lanning is as enthuastic about the Xbox today as he was three years ago?

  3. PA as Language (unfortunately) by superultra · · Score: 1

    That is a very funny PA strip. That's also why that same one is in included in story (second link).

    Like, apparently, every one else, I am a huge fan of Penny Arcade. However, what scares me is that in 6 months here on games.slashdot, instead of actually writing succinct, witty posts as we, of course, all do now, our posts will consist merely of a series PA links.

    1. Re:PA as Language (unfortunately) by jmlyle · · Score: 1


      Well, as this old strip shows, they do have a template which could fill all of our needs.

      --
      I have misplaced my pants.
  4. Just desserts by metamatic · · Score: 4, Insightful

    They got in bed with Microsoft, they alienated their fans (anyone else remember the Oddworld forums at the time?) and sold very few copies of the game as a result, they destroyed their developer credibility by shamelessly shilling for the Xbox, and now Microsoft has got what it wanted they've been hung out to dry. Now there's a surprise.

    Maybe if they ported Munch's Oddysee to run on the PS2 like it was intended to, some of us would buy it. If they're going to make another Xbox-only game, let 'em go bust.

    --
    GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
    1. Re:Just desserts by Refried+Beans · · Score: 1

      I was a huge fan of the Oddworld games. I played them both on the PC, then bought them for the PSOne when I got my PS2. If they ported Munch to PS2, I'd buy it.

    2. Re:Just desserts by toopc · · Score: 1
      The got 'hung out to dry' because the game wasn't that good. I bought it when it first came out....still haven't bothered to finish it.

      For a console game, it's pretty to look at but the gameplay is adequate at best.

  5. Re:Do you like my hat? by IntergalacticWalrus · · Score: 1

    This was already in the news post you dumbass.

    Screw the RTFA, you need to RTDNP.

  6. Re:REDUNDANT AS FUCKING HELL by Babbster · · Score: 1

    Now I'm even dumber. I thought the [insane?] AC meant it was in one of the linked articles, but upon further review it appears I missed that link in the /. text. I'm sure a couple of people could do some damage to my karma by modding all three posts to -1. It's no less than I deserve, and I shall slink off in shame. But I'll still be happy. :) --God, I love ASCII.