Yesterday, we reported that Jason Blundell’s second studio, Dark Outlaw Games, had been shut down by PlayStation. The studio lasted just about a year before its shuttering. Appearing on a Twitch stream hosted by JC Farmer, Blundell shared his thoughts.
Blundell implied that the shuttering of Dark Outlaw Games was due to a shift in focus. Nevertheless, he felt confident about the project they were working on. He also disclosed that the game they were working on was not live service.
ALSO READ: 3 Nacon Video Game Studios Have Filed For Insolvency
“Are we disappointed? Yeah. I mean we’re laughing and we’re joking but you’re depressed, you’re sad, and you’re going to mourn what could have been, because we were making a hell of a game,” Blundell said.
“The thing that’s hard is, everything before this point was all glowing, what we were doing was all good, but you know – it’s a big company, decisions have to be made, and I totally respect that. It hurts a little bit because you’re like ‘argh, it’s dead’, but you know.”
Farmer who has been working on the game as a level designer emphasized that the studio closure was not related to the quality of the game they were developing.
In reply, Blundell said, “I can reassure you, and it’s been reassured to me as well, it’s just as times change, focus changes. But the project we were doing, what we were doing, I think fans would have been very excited. The best game is the one you never played, unfortunately.”
“But man oh man, it’s disappointing. I’m disappointed. You are, I am, we all were, but it’s how it is, you know? But you don’t… you know, we have a moment – by the way, I will do a little cry – and then you brush yourself off and get up and get going again.”
Although games are frequently canceled, especially at the early stages, the closure of Dark Outlaw Games drew a lot of attention because of Blundell’s relationship with Sony. He mentioned this point during the livestream.
“I’ve done full games that I’ve got to the end and the community’s said ‘no, I don’t like that’ – that’s even worse,” Blundell laughed. “You’re like ‘oh God, that was everything I wanted to do, and they didn’t like it’.
“What do you do? Do it again. Do it again. Something comes in, do it again. As the industry changes – the shape, or the scale, as the world changes, different kinds of projects will be formed – adapt, change, look at what’s going on, look at what people are asking for, go again. Our job is to be creative, to be passionate, and give something to the people at the end, right? And yeah, now we have spotlights on us.”
What do you think is the reason why Sony canceled the game being developed by Dark Outlaw Games? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
