Pandemic => 343 Industries

[CivBase]

So... I've heard that a lot of the former Pandemic employee were hired by 343i. What do you guys think are the odds of us seeing a Halo: Combat Commander? I'd buy it

[Zenophas]

So... I've heard that a lot of the former Pandemic employee were hired by 343i. What do you guys think are the odds of us seeing a Halo: Combat Commander? I'd buy it

Sorry, Halo's not Zeno's thing.

And by Combat Commander, do you mean it having BZ2 like aspects?

[GSH]

To my knowledge, none of the Pandemic employees who worked on BZ2 are at 343 Industries.

George Collins -> Left Pandemic after BZ2
Brad Pickering -> Still at Electronic Arts (owner of Pandemic)
Ken Miller -> Armature Studios (Austin)
Carey Chico -> Globex Studios (Los Angeles)
Julio Jerez -> Own company since about 2001-ish
Nathan Mates -> Intific (was Total Immersion Software)
Will Stahl -> Left Pandemic in 2004(?), now on own things
Jack Davis -> Left Pandemic in 2000 (right after BZ2 release, was at MTV for a bit)
Andrew Goldman -> ? (not keeping up with info)
Josh Resnick -> ? (not keeping up with info)

That's all I can remember of the BZ2 team.

Those hired later by Pandemic who are now at 343 Industries include a lot of people from Mercenaries 2 and The Saboteur. I worked with a bunch of them, and they're good guys, but I wouldn't say they have any connection to BZ2 whatsoever.

-- GSH

[CivBase]

So.... maybe.... Halo: Battlefront? >.>

[TheJamsh]

Isn't 343 Industries making Dust 514 at the moment? Which is supposed to be split between consoles and PC's? I think the idea is something similar to EVE Online for the PC Gamers, but a regular FPS for console gamers.

Basically, PC has the brains, Console has the FPS Braun. Could have the totally wrong company here...

[Zenophas]

So.... maybe.... Halo: Battlefront? >.>

Babe, you're speaking some kinda foreign language.

[DuoRanger]

George Collins is working now for Relic/THQ, he worked on Dawn of War II series

you can see his name on credits

and jesus, halo is for kids

[VSMIT]

Isn't 343 Industries making Dust 514 at the moment? Which is supposed to be split between consoles and PC's? I think the idea is something similar to EVE Online for the PC Gamers, but a regular FPS for console gamers.

Basically, PC has the brains, Console has the FPS Braun. Could have the totally wrong company here...

Dust514 is CCP Games.

[Psychedelic Rhino]

Isn't 343 Industries making Dust 514 at the moment? Which is supposed to be split between consoles and PC's? I think the idea is something similar to EVE Online for the PC Gamers, but a regular FPS for console gamers.
Basically, PC has the brains, Console has the FPS Braun. Could have the totally wrong company here...

I've always felt the consoles were the worst for FPS with the clumsy controllers and their 1/4" joysticks. It's analogous to flying a bomber in BZ with a mouse vs a joystick.

Watching game videos, I can pick out an FPS player on a console a mile away with the X to Z transitions so non-fluid. I think consoles are best for those on a couch with their feet up with a bowl of popcorn on their stomach.

[GSH]

Whatever you may think about consoles and/or the Halo series, the fact of the matter is that console games sold well, and Pandemic's PC titles did not. Developers/publishers aren't charities doing things for a few hundred hardcore fans. Even though you may find yourself looking down on others, at least those people are opening their wallets. That's that matters to the games industry.

-- GSH

[TheJamsh]

^ This. Unfortunately for us, we are the minority, even if we we prefer the mouses precision.

Most people can't be bothered to deal with compatibility issues, getting the latest software all the time etc. Consoles are cheap, easy gaming with everybody set on an even playing field. I've grown to like them more because of those factors alone. That, and its also much more difficult to pirate software for things like the 360 than it is for PC. DLC etc is a profitable reality now too.

If I want to have a quick blast and actually enjoy a game, I'll fire my 360 up. It takes forever and a day getting the settings adjusted well enough to play, then worry about other programs kicking in, compatibility problems, network problems etc. in comparison to a console. BZ2 is one of the few PC games i'll touch because it has reasonable requirements. UT3/Crysis/Rage do not.

[General BlackDragon]

I play Crysis 2 on full graphics just fine...



The only thing I ever have to adjust in PC games is the controls from WSAD EQ to Up, Down, Left, Right, Shift, and Ctrl.

[TheJamsh]

I play Crysis 2 on full graphics just fine...



The only thing I ever have to adjust in PC games is the controls from WSAD EQ to Up, Down, Left, Right, Shift, and Ctrl.

You're one of the lucky few who can afford a PC like that though . Mere mortals like myself cannot unfortunately

[HitchcockGreen]

That, and its also much more difficult to pirate software for things like the 360 than it is for PC. DLC etc is a profitable reality now too.

Well....not that difficult... But yeah, DLC is the money maker for sure (although you can pirate that, as well).
And I completely agree about consoles creating a level playing field.
Now if we could only get Ken to port BZ to consoles.....

[General BlackDragon]

My PC cost 600 USD, that was in 2008.

+ 100 USD for new gfx card and == win