Senior producer says fans enjoy open-world franchise’s irreverent tone, even if they may not admit it.

The “juvenile” tone of the Saints Row series does not hurt sales, but in fact is a component of the franchise’s success. That’s according to Volition producer Jim Boon, who told OXM that fans have spoken and they enjoy the series’ irreverent nature.

“Ultimately, I don’t think that Saints Row’s tone gets in the way of bigger sales. If anything, I think our tone is an element of our success,” Boon said. “Saints Row is quite unlike anything else out there, and I think gamers crave unique experiences–I know I do. We have a lot of passionate fans that love Saints Row, so I think we are striking the right chord.”

Boon explained that past and present management have been pleased with the series tone, including that of this year’s Saints Row IV, which features features a dub-step gun, aliens, and superpowers, among other new features. Boon said former THQ president Jason Rubin had no qualms with this approach and new owner Deep Silver never asked Volition to make any changes.

Boon explained that the Saints Row franchise is much like film series The Hangover, where people enjoy the humor, but would perhaps not be inclined to discuss the subject material with their parents.

“Based on the overall reception and sales of Saints Row: The Third, I strongly suspect many people enjoy this aspect of Saints Row, even if some may not want to admit feeling that way,” Boon said. “Thinking of a movie series like The Hangover–people love the humor but you might not want to discuss some of the finer moments of those movies with your mom, for example.”

“I think the same might be true for Saints Row,” he added. “We do get an awful lot of feedback from fans telling us much they love our juvenile tone–with some asking us to go even further! Ultimately Saints Row IV doesn’t try to take itself too seriously and we even have a lot of fun at our own expense.”

Saints Row IV launches August 20 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. A Wii U version is not happening.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

Koch Media CEO Klemens Kundratitz says transmedia initiatives for its games a long-term strategic goal for the company.

Films based on the Saints Row and Metro game franchises are possible, according to Deep Silver parent company Koch Media CEO Klemens Kundratitz. Speaking with VentureBeat, the executive said the company is exploring transmedia opportunities for all its franchises.

“[Those movies are] not out of the question,” Kundratitz said. “If a company can deliver that transmedia experience, we are probably one of the few that have the ambition and ability to deliver that.”

Germany-based Koch Media, which purchased the Saints Row and Metro franchises during the THQ bankruptcy auction in January, is no stranger to the film industry. The company has published a series of high-profile films in German theaters, including Margin Call and Moon.

Though Koch Media has experience with publishing films, the company would be breaking new ground for itself by adapting one of its games franchises for the big-screen. Still, Kundratitz said capitalizing on transmedia opportunities is a long-term goal for the company.

“At the same time, I have to be honest, we have not been able to deliver that [transmedia experience] yet,” Kundratitz said. “But it’s one of my long-term strategic goals to do so.”

In September 2012, MGM said it was interested in making a movie based Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Metro 2033 science fiction novel, which was the source material for 4A Games’ THQ-published 2010 shooter of the same name. The status of this project today is unclear.

A Dead Island movie is also in the works. Shortly after the original game’s release in 2011, Lionsgate announced that interest in the IP was sparked by the CGI trailer for the game that released in February of that year. According to Lionsgate, the film will focus on “human emotion, family ties, and nonlinear storytelling.”

At the time, Lionsgate announced that development of the Dead Island film will be led by The Mummy producer Sean Daniel and his Sean Daniel Company. Accompanying Daniel on the project will be post production leader Stefan Sonnenfeld (Pirates of the Caribbean, X-Men: The Last Stand).

Like the Metro 2033 film, the current status of the Dead Island movie is unknown.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

uDraw and lack of focus on mobile blamed for THQ’s closing

THQ’s collapse was down to “bad choices” made by the publisher according to Saints Row developer Scott Phillips. Speaking to GameSpot about the company’s collapse, Phillips blamed not just poor decision making, but also a lack of investment into mobile games.

A lack of investment in mobile contributed to THQ’s collapse according to Phillips.

“It was uDraw and bad choices like not getting into mobile”, said Phillips. “I don’t even think they were thinking about mobile as of the beginning of this year, nor were they planning on iPad games. They were just behind the curve on everything and that ultimately hurt them.”

Senior Producer Jim Boon placed much of the blame on uDraw, a tablet peripheral for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii that fell over $100 million below the company’s sales expectations.

“When you have things like the kids business–which by their own admission they wished they had gotten out of the a bit earlier than they did–there’s a lot of investment that went into that”, said Boon. “Then there’s the lynchpin of it all with the uDraw issue. That came out right when Saints Row The Third Came out, so here on the one hand is this huge hit for THQ, and everyone’s so excited about that, and then here’s a $100 million loss as the same time for uDraw.”

The collapse of THQ led to Saints Row developer Volition being purchased for $22.3 million by Koch Media. Saints Row IV is now being published under Koch Media’s subsidiary brand, Deep Silver. Boon told GameSpot that while the transition between the two publishers wasn’t entirely without issue, it hasn’t affected the studio’s creative direction.

“I don’t think we were really worried about [switching publishers] for our jobs, say, because with THQ they had the Clearlake investment that they were going for”, said Boon. “We always looked like we had an avenue where we knew we were gonna be safe. The concern for us was who would ultimately be the owner of us and what would that mean? Say if it was a different publisher that grabs us, are they going to want to change the game, or are they going to want to change our culture or processes? Luckily with Deep Silver they’ve been totally great. It’s the same process, the same culture, they’ve not asked us to make a single change on the game. It’s been pretty seamless.”

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

Today Deep Silver announced that Saints Row IV is in the works. Not only that, but it’s pencilled in for a Fall 2013 release.

The bonkers storyline will involve the Third Street Saints becoming the leaders of the free world, with the Saints leader elected President of the United States of America.

But wait, there’s more! Saints Row IV will also take place during an alien invasion:

“The aliens have transported the Saints to a bizarro-Steelport simulation. Wield gargantuan superpowers and fight to free humanity from alien granddaddy Zinyak’s mental grasp. Escape the simulation that’s trapped the Saints crew, or die trying.

Saints Row IV lets players delve into an arsenal of alien weaponry and technology that will turn each Saint into an ultimate entity of destruction. Utilize out-of-this-world superpowers to fight all the way to the top. With intensified action and enhanced customization, players can use their newfound superpowers and leap over buildings, outrun the fastest sports cars, or send enemies flying with telekinesis in the greatest, most insane installment of Saints Row yet.”

This is an excerpt from the full story which was originally featured on gamrReview, read the full version here – Saints Row IV Announced – News

Read more here: gamrReview

New franchise owner Deep Silver suggests major announcement scheduled for event later this month.

Saints Row publisher Deep Silver, which acquired the franchise from THQ for $22.3 million in January, has teased “huge” news for this month’s PAX East.

“Dear media: You’re going to want to be at PAX East this year,” tweeted Deep Silver marketing manager Aubrey Norris. “If not, you’re going to be missing out on something HUGE. Just FYI!”

No further details were divulged. One major game in development at Deep Silver is Saints Row 4, which was announced in 2011 as a title that would be “wilder” than Saints Row: The Third.

Deep Silver is not the only publisher planning big news for PAX East, as Capcom will announce two new titles during the industry event. PAX East is slated for March 22-24 in Boston, Mass. GameSpot will be in attendance.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

…read more
Source: Game Spot News

Deep Silver parent company Koch Media “really excited” to lead franchises into the future; plans to share plans for each series in coming months.

Deep Silver parent company Koch Media has promised a “bright future” for the Saints Row and Metro franchises, which it acquired yesterday as part of the THQ bankruptcy auction. The company also purchased Saints Row developer Volition, Inc.

“Both the Saints Row and the Metro franchises perfectly fit into our future lineup and strategy,” Deep Silver international commercial director Menno van der Bil said in a statement. “We’re really excited to lead these well-respected licenses into a bright new future.”

Future plans for the Saints Row and Metro franchises will be announced in the coming months, the company said. Saints Row 4 is currently in development at Volition and Metro: Last Light is due for release later this year.

In total, Koch Media spent over $28 million to acquire the Saints Row and Metro franchises and the Champaign, Illinois-based Volition. No other bidding party spent more during yesterday’s auction.

Saints Row and Metro add to Deep Silver’s existing stable of franchises, which include Dead Island, Risen, nail’d, and Sacred.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Source: Game Spot News

Bankrupt publisher to be broken apart, with games and studios sold to Sega, Koch Media, Crytek, Take-Two, and Ubisoft.

THQ is no more. The company will be broken apart and its games sold to at least five different companies, according to a letter sent to employees today from CEO Brian Farrell and president Jason Rubin. Kotaku obtained the letter, which further states THQ is currently presenting its case to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The proposed sale, including sales figures and backup bidders for each, is below.

Relic Entertainment and Company of Heroes franchise
Winning bid: $26.6 million – Sega Corporation
Backup bidder: $26.3 million – Zenimax Media

THQ Montreal, including 1666 and Underdog
Winning bid: $2.5 million – Ubisoft
Backup bidder: None

Evolve aka Metamorphosis
Winning bid: $10.894 million – Take-Two Interactive
Backup bidder: $250,000 – Turtle Rock Studios, Inc.

Volition and Saints Row franchise
Winning bid: $22.3 million – Koch Media
Backup bidder: $5.4 million – Ubisoft

Homefront franchise
Winning bid: $544,218 – Crytek
Backup bidder: None

Metro franchise
Winning bid: $5,877,551 – Koch Media
Backup bidder: $5.175 million – Ubisoft

South Park: The Stick of Truth
Winning bid: $3,265,306 – Ubisoft
Backup bidder: None

The fate of the Darksiders franchise and its developer Vigil Games is unknown. Farrell and Rubin said, “We will make every effort to find appropriate buyers, if possible.”

The formal THQ auction document reveals an unannounced game from THQ Montreal called “Underdog.” This is in addition to the company’s still-unannounced “1666” and could be a working title.

The document also suggests High Voltage Software (The Conduit) is working with Volition Inc. on development on Saints Row 4, though it is not clear in what capacity.

Farrell and Rubin said most employees included in the sale will be offered jobs by their new owners. However, this is not a certainty, and “there will likely be some positions that will not need to be needed under the new ownership,” they said.

All employees of a company not included in the sale will be out of a job. A “small number” of staff at THQ headquarters in Agoura Hills, California will remain employed beyond January 25 to assist in the transition.

“While the company will cease to exist, we are heartened that the majority of our studios and games will continue under new ownership,” Farrell and Rubin said. “We were hoping that the entire company would remain intact, but we expect to hear good news from each of the separate entities that will be operating as part of new organizations.

“For those THQ employees who are part of
Source: Game Spot News

President Jason Rubin explains bankruptcy filing does not signal the end of THQ or its games.

THQ president Jason Rubin has explained, in plain English, what the company’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing means for the future of the company and its games. Writing on the THQ website, Rubin explained that neither THQ, nor its games, are going away.

“The most important thing to understand is that Chapter 11 does not mean the end of the THQ story or the end of the titles you love,” Rubin said. “Quite the opposite is true, actually.”

Rubin explained that Chapter 11 is a “safety net” for United States companies. The executive pointed out that American Airlines is currently undergoing Chapter 11 restructuring and yet he flew on that airline recently to visit Saints Row developer Volition this month.

“MGM filed Chapter 11 two years ago, and this year it released ‘Skyfall’ and ‘The Hobbit,’ two of the biggest titles of the year. That’s what I mean when I say new start,” he said.

“Whatever happens, the teams and products look likely to end up together and in good hands. That means you can still pre-order Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2, and South Park: The Stick of Truth,” Rubin added. “Our teams are still working on those titles as you read this, and all other rumored titles, like the fourth Saints Row, the Homefront sequel, and a lot more are also still in the works.”

As noted in THQ’s bankruptcy filing, private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group is interested in purchasing all of THQ’s assets. This includes staff at wholly-owned studios (Relic, THQ Montreal, Vigil, and Volition), the company’s intellectual property (titles, source code), its contracts (like those with Crytek, South Park Digital Studios, 4A Games, Obsidian, and Turtle Rock), and various support staff.

Clearlake is also providing THQ with money to continue working on its projects during the sale period and also following the sale, which is estimated to be complete in 30 days.

“In short, they are investing in a new start for our company,” Rubin said.

Though Rubin is optimistic about the future of THQ, he cautioned that nothing is set in stone until the deal goes through.

“Our Chapter 11 process allows for other bidders to make competing offers for THQ. So while we are extremely excited about the Clearlake opportunity, we won’t be able to say that the deal is done for a month or so,” Rubin said.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Private equity firm bids to purchase assets

THQ, the folks behind WWE licensed games, Red Faction, and Saints Row, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while they reorganize. Private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group has emerged as a stalking horse bidder with $60 million being offered for a substantial portion of the developer/publisher’s assets. More after the jump.

Click Here to Read Entire Story!

THQ president Jason Rubin reveals open-world action game reaches new sales milestone, though unclear if figure is sold through or sold-in.

THQ’s open-world action game Saints Row: The Third has now sold 5.5 million copies, according to a tweet from company president Jason Rubin. It is not clear if the figure represents sold-through to consumers or sold-in (i.e shipped) to retailers. It also does not take into account Humble THQ Bundle sales.

“5.5 million people (pre Humble Bundle) can’t be wrong,” Rubin said. “Saints Row was the hit nobody realized was a hit!”

Saints Row: The Third released during November 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. It notched a warm critical reception and shipped more than 4 million units as of April 2012. For more, check out GameSpot’s review of Saints Row: The Third.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot