EA Maxis layoffs.

[Coca Cola Zero]

Are Jeff Green and Chris Hecker still employed?

[Cubit]

Jeff has been tweeting like normal throughout the day, so I would guess he is still employed.

[JD]

Is the Sims division actually a part of Maxis? For some reason I always thought it is its own... 'separate thing' within EA now.

Anyway, good luck to those affected by the lay-offs. Same to the girls and guys from Raven.

[Jon Shafer]

Is the Sims division actually a part of Maxis? For some reason I always thought it is its own... 'separate thing' within EA now.

Anyway, good luck to those affected by the lay-offs. Same to the girls and guys from Raven.
That is correct, the series is no longer developed at Maxis.

And best of luck to those affected. It almost always sucks when "business" is the reason for something happening in the games industry...

Jon

[Acosta]

Best wishes to them. Sad news.

[Kunikos]

Maxis being able to move on to other things is probably refreshing for those who are still working there.

[Skipper]

So what exactly does Maxis still develop if not Sims?

[Dave Long]

Maxis is no longer "Will Wright and a bunch of other guys." so I imagine they're free to do whatever they'd like?

[mkozlows]

Maxis is no longer "Will Wright and a bunch of other guys." so I imagine they're free to do whatever they'd like?

Yeah, but what DO they do now that they're just "and a bunch of other guys"?

[Fugitive]

Yeah, but what DO they do now that they're just "and a bunch of other guys"?
The sequel to SimEarth, of course, taking place after you've successfully developed your intelligent plants into a spacefaring civilization. SimMars: Revenge of the Triffids.

(Maybe Obama can contract them to do a SimHealth 2: Universal Edition.)

[Jon Shafer]

So what exactly does Maxis still develop if not Sims?
Spore expansions.

Jon

[Skipper]

I was not aware of that Jon. I wish them luck and I'm sorry to hear about the layoff.

[Sarkus]

The articles I've read don't talk about Maxis doing Spore "expansions" as much as they seem focused on making console games based on the franchise. Those, at least, are the next two Maxis titles being mentioned.

[Creole Ned]

Which team would be working on the next SimCity game? Is a SimCity 5 even in development? Are other Sim (not Sims) games dead?

[Sarkus]

Which team would be working on the next SimCity game? Is a SimCity 5 even in development? Are other Sim (not Sims) games dead?

All signs point to Sim City being a franchise in hibernation at this point, though it's possible that some of those laid off were working on unannounced projects that may have included that, I guess.

[Creole Ned]

That seems odd, considering each iteration of the series has always sold well.

[cliffski]

I suspect that the iminent CitiesXL probably canniablizes a huge chunk of the sim city potential market

[Sarkus]

That seems odd, considering each iteration of the series has always sold well.

SimCity 4 was six years ago. SimCity Societies, which they went to great lengths to define as NOT the new SimCity, was two years ago and didn't sell all that well from what I understand. The various console spin-offs are a different matter.

I'd say it's status is definately up in the air.

[jpinard]

That's sad. I was hoing with future Spore expansions they could make it more like SimEarth and give us more options. I'd certainly buy more.

Sims on PC I love and Simcity as well. Sad they're focusing all their "sim" efforts on consoles.

Cliffski - I personally don't think Cities cannibilizes the Simcity segment. 90% of the people who like Simcity are waiting for the next Simcity. With all the poor Tycoon and city sims of the past eveyrthing else is just a wannabe. The other thing about "Cities XL" is I don't like its theme. I like zoning for buikldings and having no control of what will later develop. From what I've seen in Cities XL it appears your entire focus is on maintaining population size not on bringing in buildings.

[Dufresne]

SimCity 4 was six years ago. SimCity Societies, which they went to great lengths to define as NOT the new SimCity, was two years ago and didn't sell all that well from what I understand. The various console spin-offs are a different matter.

I'd say it's status is definately up in the air.

I wouldn't look at Societies as proof the SimCity franchise isn't viable any more. Part of the reason it didn't sell well is that it in no way catered to the core SimCity fan base. Most of the people who were still playing SimCity 4 took one look at Societies, said, "No thanks," and went back to evolving their game with downloads from Simtropolis and SC4Devotion. As a result, the game had no fan support, and it was dead in the water from the start. Meanwhile, SC4 is still kicking.

I have some reservations about CitiesXL, but it does seem to be the heir presumptive to the throne.

[Eric Majkut]

I wouldn't look at Societies as proof the SimCity franchise isn't viable any more. Part of the reason it didn't sell well is that it in no way catered to the core SimCity fan base. Most of the people who were still playing SimCity 4 took one look at Societies, said, "No thanks," and went back to evolving their game with downloads from Simtropolis and SC4Devotion. As a result, the game had no fan support, and it was dead in the water from the start. Meanwhile, SC4 is still kicking.

I have some reservations about CitiesXL, but it does seem to be the heir presumptive to the throne.

This describes my reaction to Societies pretty well. Once I found out what Societies was like, I had absolutely no interest in it. I found myself wishing for Simcity 5 instead, and playing Simcity 4 in the mean time.

[Pogo]

Simtropolis still going as strong as ever, by the way. Although I see no mention of this news on their site.

[Munky]

The next version of SimEarth just needs better graphics, and to incorporate SimLife, using the Spore creature system.

[Sarkus]

I wouldn't look at Societies as proof the SimCity franchise isn't viable any more. Part of the reason it didn't sell well is that it in no way catered to the core SimCity fan base. Most of the people who were still playing SimCity 4 took one look at Societies, said, "No thanks," and went back to evolving their game with downloads from Simtropolis and SC4Devotion. As a result, the game had no fan support, and it was dead in the water from the start. Meanwhile, SC4 is still kicking.

I have some reservations about CitiesXL, but it does seem to be the heir presumptive to the throne.

I didn't mean to make it sound like I thought Societies had killed the franchise, just that when you look at that game and the long time since SimCity 4 there should be some concern on the part of fans as to what EA/Maxis' plans are. At the very least it suggests they are uncertain of where to go with the franchise.

[checker]

Are Jeff Green and Chris Hecker still employed?

http://chrishecker.com/Elvis_Has_Left_The_Building

Chris

[intruder]

So much for "Spore will be not simply be a game but a platform!"

Hopefully EA learned that DRM might kill any game if the backlash is big enough...

[UncleSmoothie]

Disregard.

[JD]

[...]
Damn. Godspeed, and good luck with your project!

[intruder]

http://chrishecker.com/Elvis_Has_Left_The_Building

Chris


All the best and I definately will keep an eye out for "SpyParty".
The quick-job website already looks pretty tempting! :)

[checker]

All the best and I definately will keep an eye out for "SpyParty". The quick-job website already looks pretty tempting! :)

Thanks, that's a good sign! I'll post more about it next week after I get back from the GDC advisory board meeting.

Chris

[checker]

Damn. Godspeed, and good luck with your project!

Thanks! Exciting and scary times ahead. :)

Chris

[Skipper]

http://chrishecker.com/Elvis_Has_Left_The_Building

Chris

Chris,
Very sorry to hear about the layoff. However your indie game sounds very interesting. For years I've kind of hoped that someone would take the old work done on Microprose's Covert Action and turn it into a real spy game. Although what you are working on sounds slightly different, I'm glad to see someone picking up the torch and trying a decent spy game. It sounds like you're taking one cool facet of spying, introducing multiplayer, and running with the concept. I'm interested!

Good luck with the game as well as future endeavors. Keep the positive attitude you seem to have right now and you'll be fine.

[Telefrog]

Sorry to hear about the layoff. That sucks, but hopefully it's the start of something bigger and better for you.

[Jeff Green]

I was just thinking about how we really, really need more good spy games. Yay. I still have fond memories of SpyCraft, though I can't imagine it would hold up now.

Good luck, Chris. I have the site bookmarked now--do us all proud!

[Jon Rowe]

Spyparty sounds like "The Ship" but more focused on espionage and trickery.

[Gendal]

http://spyparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/screenshot11.jpg
I know who I would shoot, I don't care how cute you are, plaid is a crime against humanity. Unless in a kilt of course, but the end result is still the same if for a different reason.

I would shoot the guy with the golden halo at his feet too, just in case they sent a backup. And of course the possible photographer in the foreground, that's far too good of an excuse for a spy.

Can't say it would be prudent to let the general live either, the high ranking military official is a great ploy to bluster your way through.

Oh to hell with it. We get high explosives I hope?

[checker]

Oh to hell with it. We get high explosives I hope?

There has been discussion of a mode where the sniper has more than one bullet. Not sure it's a good idea to step onto that particular slope, it seems fairly well greased. :)


And of course the possible photographer in the foreground, that's far too good of an excuse for a spy.

My favorite idea so far with the photographer is that his camera will act as a "social flashbang", where when it goes off it'll bloom the screen for the sniper for a sec if he's looking in that direction.

Chris