Rag Doll Kung Fu Creator Forms New Studio

[fitbabits]

Next Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz) is reporting that Mark Healy (Rag Doll Kung Fu and ex-Lionhead designer) has formed a new studio.

You can check out the news here (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3049&Itemid=2).

Former Lionhead designer and Rag Doll Kung Fu creator Mark Healy [has] reveal[ed] to Next-Gen.Biz that his new studio, dubbed "Media Molecule", is up and running, and working on a prototype for a next generation game.

"[The game is] definitely original, and quite unusual. We're giving ourselves another three months to make it into a very sexy demo, which will hopefully secure us a good publishing deal," Healy said.

Currently, 10 people are working on the title within Media Molecule, including Healy and two other former Lionhead employees, Alex Evans and David Smith. Between the three, the projects they worked on include Fable, Black & White, Syndicate Wars, Dungeon Keeper and Lionhead's The Room project -- titles which give credence to Healy's claim of "original and unusual."

Media Molecule's new project is three months into development.
I didn't really get a chance to play Rag Doll Kung Fu, but kudos and best wishes to anyone who's willing to dip their toes into the shark-infested waters that forming a new studio has become.

[Heretic Machine]

So, they have someone who did -something- with Dungeon Keeper, and him and the others have worked on a few crappy games as well.

Wonderful.

[Draft]

Rag Doll Kung Fu is a neat concept, but the execution falls flat. Hard as hell to control. Probably would have been pretty cool with dual analog instead of just a mouse.

[Klade]

I wouldn't say fable and syndicate wars are crappy games.

[OrangePulp]

Rag Doll Kung Fu is a neat concept, but the execution falls flat. Hard as hell to control. Probably would have been pretty cool with dual analog instead of just a mouse.

Haha, that's exactly what I thought when I played the demo. Same kind of situation as Madness Combat (well, for melee in madness, anyways).

And I haven't played syndicate wars, but Fable... Fable wasn't exactly great.

[kid cabelgo]

I liked syndicate wars, and RDKF was really fun with a few friends.

As for the danger of starting a new game studio, I would like to think that it's slightly less of a dangerous proposition nowadays with things like live marketplace and steam around that can offer a cheap alternative to publishers

[TKO]

So, they have someone who did -something- with Dungeon Keeper, and him and the others have worked on a few crappy games as well. Wonderful.
Way to go with that optimism Perigon. You hear a mention of Lionhead and you aren't even willing to wait for their first product before dissing them. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I'm sure these guys must have been the ones that were responsible for every bit of mediocrity you've seen in recent Lionhead products. ;)

Shouldn't you be off picking on George Lucas this week? I hear he's made a perfect target of himself with his latest nostalgia whoring ideas. :D

[Heretic Machine]

Way to go with that optimism Perigon. You hear a mention of Lionhead and you aren't even willing to wait for their first product before dissing them. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I'm sure these guys must have been the ones that were responsible for every bit of mediocrity you've seen in recent Lionhead products. ;)

Shouldn't you be off picking on George Lucas this week? I hear he's made a perfect target of himself with his latest nostalgia whoring ideas. :D

If you are involved with a bunch of shitty games, it'd be a good idea to hide that fact before starting your new company.

[01010]

So, they have someone who did -something- with Dungeon Keeper, and him and the others have worked on a few crappy games as well.

Wonderful.

Syndicate Wars was crappy?

[Draft]

Syndicate Wars was crappy?Yes, yes it was.

[TKO]

Hmmmm... I know people didn't like some of those games, but there's certainly a title or two there that have quite a reputation to them. Mentioning them is certainly gonna get you noticed, and not in a bad way. Think I'll go play some "The Movies", to remind myself of how much fun shitty games can be. ;)

[01010]

Yes, yes it was.

Why was that then?

[TKO]

Why was that then?
I'm expecting there will be some infallable bit of logic in their response, such as "because". :D (It seems to be the way of forums.. no need to have a reason, just need to bitch.) :)

[EGO]

Yeah, funny how people that haven't done better are the first to talk shit.

Man, I love the internet... :p