Epic Games Suda 51 partner with EA

[Nelo Ice]

per gaf
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331356
Legendary Producer Shinji Mikami and Innovative Designer Suda51

Working with EA Partners on an All-New Action Horror Title

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2008--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced a publishing agreement with iconic Japanese development studio Grasshopper Manufacture. Under the terms of the deal, EA Partners will publish an all-new action horror game produced by Shinji Mikami and directed by innovative game designer Suda51.

The title is being developed for the PC, Xbox 360(R) video game system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Wii(TM).

"Grasshopper Manufacture is excited to work with EA Partners to bring our new title to gamers around the world," said Goichi Suda, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture. "They are a great partner who shares our commitment to quality and innovation while respecting our independence as a studio, which is very empowering."

"It is an honor for EA to sign Grasshopper Manufacture and help bring their new franchise to gamers worldwide," said Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label. "The roster of partners at EA is growing and the caliber of talent is outstanding. Grasshopper Manufacture is a world-class studio and, within the EA partner program, they stand alongside some of the world's most revered independent studios."

"Grasshopper Manufacture is one of the most daring and innovative independent studios in the world, and EA Partners is honored to be working with Mikami-san and Suda-san on this new project," said David DeMartini, senior vice president and general manager, EA Partners. "EA Partners is a truly global resource for the world's best independent developers, whether they're in North America, Europe or Asia."

The deal was brokered by CAA, in conjunction with Q Entertainment who will be working with Grasshopper Manufacture and EAP on the project.
EA Partners Team up With the Creators of the Award-Winning Gears of War and Unreal Series to Publish an All-New IP

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2008--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Epic Games, Inc. today announced that they have signed a publishing agreement for an all-new action title for the PC, Xbox 360(R) video game system and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system. The new intellectual property is currently in development by Epic's People Can Fly studio in Poland.

"Epic is excited to work with EA Partners to launch our next big IP on the global stage," said Mark Rein, vice president, Epic Games. "EA Partners gives independent developers like Epic the muscle of a global publisher like EA, along with the focus and flexibility of a smaller team committed to working with our individual needs."

"In the last year, EAP has become a powerhouse player in the publishing world with the best of breed developers signing on to leverage EA's studio-focused philosophy, global scale and publishing leadership," said Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label. "Epic brings first class talent and technology to the development of this new title. We are very proud to have Epic join the growing roster of EA Partners."

"Epic is a legendary studio that is synonymous with quality and EA Partners jumped at the chance to team up with them on the launch of their next blockbuster IP," said David DeMartini, senior vice president and general manager, EA Partners. "EA Partners is committed to giving the world's best independent developers access to EA's global publishing resources, letting them focus on what they do best - making great games."

[RelentlessRolento]

Clusterfuck!

here's concept art on what it is most likely going to be from Suda:

http://www.azillionthings.com/lookytouchy/kurayami.jpg
http://videogamerx.gamedonga.co.kr/gamenews/usernews/bonobono/a001/684/03.jpg

it's been in concept stages for years, so not surprised if that's it.


I'm glad though that EA isn't placing a grip on Grasshopper. that would be sacralig if so.

[botticus]

You can never have too much Grasshopper. I'll be curious to see what happens with a multiplat Suda title. At least EA should provide a little funding.
<---

[KingBroly]

I'm going to guess it's an RPG like No More Heroes but with magic.

[Reality's Fringe]

Hopefully he can pull down the gameplay this time. A lot of good ideas with easily avoidable flaws in his games.

[akilshohen]

Hope this comes out next year.

[Monsta Mack]

Money talks.
Looks like EAmania is runnin' wild brother.

[RelentlessRolento]

Well, if it makes you guys think differently, Suda 51 has been doing a ton of western work for Famitsu. Basically he's the head guy going over discussions of western games such as Burnout, Bully, etc. and talking about them thoroughly for Japanese readers.

he definitely has a western love, which is kinda cool in one sense.

[RelentlessRolento]

I never understood the appeal of mikami to be honest.

this is one turn for EA to try and rechange its image which it has been doing well over the past year.

[The Crotch]

Grasshopper with a bigger budget? Cautious optimism.

[RelentlessRolento]

Grasshopper with a bigger budget? Cautious optimism.


Their workflow will now be exactly like NMH except without having to do all the side job minigames ;)

[Dr Mario Kart]

Boo to multiplatform

[mykevermin]

Boo to multiplatform

Console exclusivity from EA? P'shaw.

[rapsodist]

Boo to multiplatform

Your post and your user title truly go hand in hand.

[JEKKI]

also from gaf:

http://i26.tinypic.com/ekjltd.gif

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2n5ShZ1eH8

I dont really understand it, but I think it's something good!!

[RelentlessRolento]

hell yeah!

[ninja dog]

liked Killer 7 for one playthrough, despise No More Heroes, but fuck, if Mikami is on board this has huge potential, marx and engels style.

...


yep, you read that right

[ratzombie]

Makes sense, I recall Suda expressing interest in doing a "next gen" game, but cited budget being a restraint.

[RelentlessRolento]

Makes sense, I recall Suda expressing interest in doing a "next gen" game, but cited budget being a restraint.


I'm wondering who approached who... From the sound of it it seems Q Entertainment hooked the two sides up. Q probably has a good relationship with EA due to Q handling japan's release of Rock Band.

[Dr Mario Kart]

Your post and your user title truly go hand in hand.Games to tend to be better when they are tailored specifically to the strengths of a single platform. Good multiplatform is very hard to do, and even in that optimal situation, one or all versions suffer.

[Sarang01]

I'm just wondering after how long, if this is successful, when EA will try to cut Grasshopper or Suda's balls off if you will. You just know this will happen. I mean EA Innovative?! P'shaw! The last innovative game was "Majestic" and that failed. Since then they haven't tried anything risky.

[Dr Mario Kart]

EA's corporate behavior has been significantly better lately. Perhaps it coincided with when they rehired Riccitiello. They dont have a tight leash on Will Wright, and I like what I'm seeing out of EA DICE.

However, their games are certainly not niche, and that is something to be concerned about.

[Sarang01]

EA's corporate behavior has been significantly better lately. Perhaps it coincided with when they rehired Riccitiello. They dont have a tight leash on Will Wright, and I like what I'm seeing out of EA DICE.

However, their games are certainly not niche, and that is something to be concerned about.

I hope "Mirror's Edge" on the PS3 turns out good, like with better graphics AND Lossless audio as well. There's no excuse for any 3rd party PS3 game to be without Lossless audio on it.

When are you going next gen. Mario? I want to be the FIRST to add you to my friends list on PSN.

[Dr Mario Kart]

haha. Not anytime soon. Not remotely.

[KingBroly]

I think we need bombexplosion.jpg in here.

[RelentlessRolento]

I just hate when people suck life out of other people's enjoyment.

....moving back onto subject, here's a good interview behind what happened:

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169360