Irrational Hiring for the Next Big Thing

[Borys]

Looks like Irrational (http://www.irrational.com.au/) is not only working on BioShock (http://www.sshock2.com/bioshock/), the spiritual successor to System Shock 2. Check the info posted (http://www.irrationalgames.com/default.cfm) on their website last Friday:

We’re hiring!

Off the back of winning game of the show at E3, we’re looking for lots of talented people to join us in Australia. We’re working on the sequel to one of the best loved PC franchises of all time. I think gamers are going to go nuts when they find out. So, why not come and talk to us about being part of it? Click here

Irrational Joe

Deus Ex? System Shock? Ultima? Ultima Underworld?
...
Speculate!

[Frogleg Special]

Mechwarrior?

[Borys]

People say it's Max Payne 3 :(

[Draft]

Crusader??????????????

[Frogleg Special]

What's Crusader?

Max Payne, hmmph save it for Remedy to come back on that. MP2 has me filled up for the moment.

Please be Deus Ex 3.

[Kelegacy]

Most beloved franchises? That's not Max Payne. Good series, but c'mon.

I don't even want to speculate. Because when I find out I know I'll be disappointed.

[Varsity]

The Sims! It's got to be.

[The Continental]

I'm guessing something having to do with the Ultima franchise. Calling Max Payne "one of the best loved PC franchises of all time" would be a bit of a stretch.

[Frogleg Special]

But Max Payne is 2K Properties. Irrational has been another studio of 2K. Ultima is EA.

But MP doesn't need sequel yet. I wanna see Alan Wake first.

[Everlost_MI]

What's Crusader?

Max Payne, hmmph save it for Remedy to come back on that. MP2 has me filled up for the moment.

Please be Deus Ex 3.

Crusader (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusader_%28computer_game%29) was a franchise from Origin System, the two titles were Crusader: No Remorse and Crusader: No Regret. My high school friends that worked on the title are mentioned in this Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/) article describing the game. I think Eric told me that the subtitles were from the Metallica song, No Remorse No Regret.

So if it's Crusader, I'll buy it in a minute.

[Savok]

See this? This is my god damn dream, I'm even Australian and you know what? I haven't got a single fucking skill with art or coding or sound or anything. Can't draw, I'm too mentally unstable for coding... I need to become a sound guy.

All I have right now is a working knowledge of how games should work and an uncanny knack for breaking things, damn you world for not being enough.

Ok that's enough self pity, going over what they want, it's a first person sci-fi game, so Deus Ex is a strong possibility. The word "console" is thrown around way too much and they're pretty much hiring the entire development team on the spot, I wouldn't get too excited just yet.

[Reanimated]

It's not System Shock, unless they got the rights back from EA, or they've entered into a publishing agreement with EA on the game. *prays*

[Draft]

What's Crusader?You sicken me.

[Norse]

I would be happy as a puppy if it was System Shock 3, but for me it doesn't make sense since they hype BioShock as "the spiritual successor" of System Shock. Deus Ex 3 would be just as nice. Didn't play Crusader back in the day, but I remember I really wanted to :). Never cared for Ultima so I hope it's something else.

[Serapth]

I would be happy as a puppy if it was System Shock 3, but for me it doesn't make sense since they hype BioShock as "the spiritual successor" of System Shock. Deus Ex 3 would be just as nice. Didn't play Crusader back in the day, but I remember I really wanted to :). Never cared for Ultima so I hope it's something else.


SINNER!!!

If its ultima, and done right, my mind would be blown.

Ditto for System Shock.

I would also be happy to see it be Mechwarrior, but with Microsoft owning Fasa rights, thats doubtful.


... my call is system shock.

[Flatpicker]

A new Crusader game would be mindblowing. They would have to keep the 3/4 perspective though, that's what made it.

How about Thief 4?

[Blade]

I recently applied for a QA job there.

They're located in downtown Quincy, my hometown and current residence. :)

[Frogleg Special]

You sicken me.

Crusader was too claustrophobic for me to play it.

[51|RandoM]

Crusader was too claustrophobic for me to play it.

Shows you how great the immersion is if you get claustrophobic playing a game where the hero is wearing an armor suit.

:p

[Borys]

Let's break it down:

System Shock 3 - Fucking yes, but it can't be SS cause they are making BioShock.

Ultima X - Fucking yes, that's my guess.

Deus Ex 2 - see System Shock.

Max Payne 3 - probably that's it. Kinda bummer (not that Max Payne isn't a *great* franchise).

Thief IV - please, please, please be it. Slim chances, though.

X-Com 5 - fucking yes, imagine a tactical X-Com shooter running on SWAT IV or UE3 engine.

[Norse]

Irrational are owned by Take2. Wich franchises do they own?

Both Deus Ex and Thief were published by Eidos, but do they own the rights? Max Payne is owned by 3DRealms/Remedy. Why on earth would Irrational work on Max Payne. Has Irrational ever had any connection with those guys? System Shock is owned by EA. What's the status of Ultima?

[Frogleg Special]

Deus Ex is kinda different enough from System Shock, and IG experience with Bioshock should help the dev a little.

FPS Xcom is kinda cool. Ultima - ugh, too risky.

Thief and Max Payne still need to be in vacation.

Mechwarrior FTW!!!

[EvilBob46]

As much as I disliked Deus Ex: Invisible War, I'm up for a different team trying a Deus Ex game (hopefully more in line with the original).

If it is a Deus Ex game, I'm gonna go nuts. Except it probably won't be.

[Philonious]

Could they be working with Bethesda on Fallout?
(And Crusader was fun and all... But "Best Loved?" C'mon.)

[Axiom]

As fun as the Max Payne games were, it definitely doesn't rank among "one of the best loved PC franchises of all time". Not even close.

[Wombat]

Since the Irrational people were from Looking Glass, who did the Ultima Underworld games, that might be a possibility.

[Savok]

(And Crusader was fun and all... But "Best Loved?" C'mon.)
At the time it came out it was, between the graphics and the ability to simply blow almost everything up was HUGE for a 486... little too huge most of the time considering my framerate, but it ran... just.

Sad it was so quickly forgotten.

[bryan]

Crusader was a great series, it was the first series in the newly ushered in age of SVGA to make graphics look gritty i.e They had decent textures. And it wasn't a mindless run and shoot either, you'd have to figure out ways to overcome a particular challenge such as placement of traps, guns, etc.

[Flatpicker]

Hoping that it's NOT X-Com. I love the first 2, but the next has to be a turn-based strategy game. Any deviation from that and it's not X-Com.

[Draft]

X-Com 5[/i] - fucking yes, imagine a tactical X-Com shooter running on SWAT IV or UE3 engine.Borys, that is an AMAZING idea.

[Cha-Ka]

Best loved PC franchise of all time, huh? I will cling to the slim hope they're talking about Freedom Force. C'mon irrational...don't disappoint me!

[Derella]

I would cry tears of joy if they were working on an Ultima title. Not likely, but still.

[Blade]

My assumption is Deus Ex 3 or a new project.

[Cha-Ka]

http://www.irrationalgames.com/images/logo_avatar.gif

I found this odd EA logo whislt digging for nuggets in Irrational's website. I don't know if it was ever used here in any 'official' capacity, I thought others might get a kick out of it like I did.

[balamoor]

See this? This is my god damn dream, I'm even Australian and you know what? I haven't got a single fucking skill with art or coding or sound or anything. Can't draw, I'm too mentally unstable for coding... I need to become a sound guy.

All I have right now is a working knowledge of how games should work and an uncanny knack for breaking things, damn you world for not being enough.

Ok that's enough self pity, going over what they want, it's a first person sci-fi game, so Deus Ex is a strong possibility. The word "console" is thrown around way too much and they're pretty much hiring the entire development team on the spot, I wouldn't get too excited just yet.


And still you have more experience than Jeff Kaplan did when he was hired by Blizzard...amazing what the power of sucking cock will get you.

[Draft]

And still you have more experience than Jeff Kaplan did when he was hired by Blizzard...amazing what the power of sucking cock will get you.holy shit you are a bitter troll.

[sTubbs]

Crusader??????????????

Fucking eh! Although I in no way see this happening, it would be beautiful on so many levels. However, I have to wonder if a new Crusader game would have the same feeling if it were not done from an isometric perspective like the past.

I am hoping for Deus Ex 3. After seeing how good Irrational's spiritual sequel to System Shock is looking like, I would love to see their take on a spiritual sequel to Deus Ex. More RPG-ness please!

[Sloth]

Ultima would be my guess, some kind of Ultima game.

[Borys]

Skumlex on BioShock forums (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=134) reviewed all the information regardin this project:



1. It is a "sequel to one of the best loved PC franchises of all time"

2. "Gamers are going to go nuts when they find out."

3. It uses the UE3 engine: "This role will require close work with the art team so a good working knowledge of content creation tools is a big plus, in particular 3DS max & Unreal 3 Editor."

4. Artist applying for a job should have: "Mech and Tech concepting ability – weapons, vehicles, technology etc."


That leaves some franchises (like Max Payne, Ultima) out.

My guess?

Deus Ex 2 or X-Com 5 or System Shock 3.

[Draft]

System Shock 3 - I hope not. We're getting Bioshock, which is by all accounts System Shock underwater. New IPs FTW.

[Deadend]

I hope it's Deus Ex 2.

[Trencher]

Oh great, Doom 4...

;)

[Norse]

Maybe it's Duke Nukem 4? :)

[Oddmaker]

It's going to be System Shock 3 :)

[gawaintheblind]

....wing commander: Pivateer 3?

[F3nyx]

http://www.irrationalgames.com/images/logo_avatar.gif

I found this odd EA logo whislt digging for nuggets in Irrational's website. I don't know if it was ever used here in any 'official' capacity, I thought others might get a kick out of it like I did.I think it was the site logo several years ago.

[Steele Johnson]

I'd like to see Ultima.

[S1n1star]

You guys can throw out ALL the Origin/EA guesses outright. Why would EA contract out any of their IP to somebody they DON'T OWN? That is not their m.o., they develop in house or they buy up and coming IPs. Unless Irrational announces that EA is their new overlord in the next 3 months or so, all the Ultima/Crusader/Wing Commander wishings are just farts in a hurricane gale.

[sflufan]

Irrational are owned by Take2. Wich franchises do they own?

Both Deus Ex and Thief were published by Eidos, but do they own the rights? Max Payne is owned by 3DRealms/Remedy. Why on earth would Irrational work on Max Payne. Has Irrational ever had any connection with those guys? System Shock is owned by EA. What's the status of Ultima?

Actually, the Max Payne IP is now owned by Take 2 Interactive (who own Irrational).

[Philonious]

Was the Fallout suggestion THAT bad? Bethesda has published other people's games (Cthulu) and they distribute through 2K Games. Maybe they've decided to avoid the rabid criticism and have someone else do the dirty work.

[earthworm48]

Swat 5? Another Tribes?

[Pentadact]

I wish no-one had said Crusader. It's not going to be that because it's not really considered all that well-loved, but now it's all I can think about. Crusader: No Mercy. I would probably die of excitement.

[Cyotik]

As much as it makes no sense... Please be Mechwarrior.

[Klade]

Odd thought, Irrational did Tribes: Vengeance, and while it was no where near as good as previous tribes games (multiplayer portion that is), could they be talking about a 4th Tribes game?

[Abash Alarmist]

Tribes IV
10char

[S1n1star]

With all the hype and attention the Battlefield and Enemy Territory games garner, I think a new Tribes is probably the best guess I have heard. Even allows for the "mech experience" asked for in the job listing.

[Liquidize105]

There's a lot of confusion here.

Irrational created System Shock 2 with Looking Glass assistence, they co-existed as 2 separate companies. T2 purchased Irrational recently, they also purchased the Max Payne IP from 3DRealms/Remedy shortly after MP2. As for Thief and Deus Ex, those still belong to Eidos Interactive.

As much as I'd like to believe, we can safely rule out Deus Ex and Thief.

[tombofsoldier]

Didn't MS get rid of the rights to Mechwarrior? I thought I read that, thank god too as they totally screwed it over. I want my customized Timber Wolf back!

[toranaga]

As for Thief and Deus Ex, those still belong to Eidos Interactive.

As much as I'd like to believe, we can safely rule out Deus Ex and Thief.

right, and since Tribes belongs to Sierra/Vivendi that can be ruled out too. Irrational did Tribes3 for Vivendi before they were owned by T2.

Fallout seems a bit unlikely, I'm not convinced T2 would do something where they'd have to share profits with a third party (Bethesda/Interplay whatever) not directly involved with developement, as opposed to something like say Max Payne which they own themselves.

According to the USPTO, Mechwarrior is currently registered to Wizkids Inc., so I'd rule that one out too.

Max Payne seems most likely so far, even though something doesn't feel right about that. It's neither a best loved franchise of all time nor is the trivial gameplay something I'd like to see Irrational stoop to. (and an open ended Max Payne is already in developement, it's called Alan Wake ;) )

x-com might also be an option, I don't know anything about that more than T2 having the trademarks.

There's always the possibility that someone not doing too hot (like Eidos) sold off an IP to T2, but it has not yet been announced, I guess anything is possible.

I'd also keep in mind the fact that Irrational wrote that update on their page in the hopes to get lots of job applications, of course they're gonna try to make this sound as juicy as possible, I'd take "best loved PC franchise of all time" with a grain of salt :)

[Frogleg Special]

"Mech and Tech" rules out Max Payne.

Mechwarrior pls. It's one of the best loved PC franchises and much more loved than Max Payne and Crusader combined. If not Mechwarrior, Deus Ex.

[earthworm48]

Can we get people to start pestering them for more info, or at least a clue? :p

[toranaga]

I wouldn't put too much weight on that part of the job descriptions, especially since they elaborate on what they mean by "Mech and Tech" with the more generic "weapons, vehicles, technology etc".

Besides I'm just trying to guess what is more probable, not what I'd like to see. If I'd guess based on wishes it would be things like Thief4, System Shock3, but T2 simply doesn't own those (at least what's known at present) so it's just extremly unlikely.

[Wombat]

I'd like it to be a new Ultima Underworld, but if a previous poster is right, and T2 has the rights to Xcom, imagine this: A new Xcom using an upgrade of the Freedom Force engine.

[DigiWiz]

EA owns the Ultima property, so not a chance.

[ElectricMonk]

somehow I doubt it's going to be system shock, considering they are already working on bioshock. also deus ex 2 seems way too similar to bioshock as well.

x-com 5 w/ the swat engine could be cool but the american team did swat, so it seems unlikely that they would transfer the engine over. it's also possible that sierra etc owns the rights to it.
.
also microsoft owns fasa and fasa is still around, i don't see why they would farm out mechwarrior.

considering that the australian studio previously did tribes vengance, and irrational was recently aquired by take2, it does seem likely that they would be doing a fps-related game, something along the lines of max payne 3 (a take2 franchise with a announced sequel and no announced developer).

however take2 has a number of other franchises, civilization and myth etc.

my guess is the 'best loved franchises of all time' is greatly over-stated and it will be max-payne 3 in a futuristic world.

[DigiWiz]

Baldurs Gate 3?

Atari owns the franchise, they are in miserable condition and might be hurting enough to sell the franchise to 2k...

[Herald42]

According to the USPTO, Mechwarrior is currently registered to Wizkids Inc.

That's not entirely true. FASA split in two, when it broke up. FASA electronic games (responsible for all FASA electronic IP, including Crimson Skies, Shadowrun, and Mechwarrior games) was purchased by Microsoft, while all FASA tabletop/written IP was bought by WizKids. WizKids can't sell rights to develop any games based on former FASA IP; Microsoft holds all rights to that. So we can rule out Mechwarrior, unless this company's being bought out by Microsoft, too. WizKids would sell the liscense if they had it; they have flatly stated they have no interest in electronic media.

Atari still owns the X-Com series. Doubtful Atari would let a Take 2 company get it without too much of a fuss. On the other hand, Atari is in dire enough financial straits to sell off a liscense it plans to simply sit on.

Just remember that Take 2 has publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever. Maybe they're finishing it? Heh.

[bryan]

I would so love to see another Mechwarrior iteration, unlikely as that might seem.

[Flatpicker]

When T2 picked up Firaxis did they even get X-Com?

[destoo]

Let's break it down.

IG:
* The Biggest Names the Best Games 4
* Freedom Force
* Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich
* Gamers Pack
* SWAT 4
* SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate
* System Shock 2
* Tribes: Vengeance

http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/irrational-games/

Take Two
http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/take-two-interactive-software-inc/
(around 100 games) (removing what seems to be HIGHLY improbable, or just stupid like Kiss Pinball)
* Age of Wonders
* Austin Powers
* Blair Witch
* Bureau 13
* Darkstone
* FireFly Studios' Stronghold
* Grand Theft Auto
* Hidden & Dangerous
* Kohan
* Lemmings
* Lula
* Master of Orion
* Max Payne
* Motocross Mania
* Myth
* Oni
* Rune
* Sacred
* "something" Tycoon
* Serious Sam
* Spec Ops
* Speedball 2100
* Star Crusader
* You Don't Know Jack


I hope it's not a "You don't know Jack" FPS with mechas.

I could see a spinoff to MOO though..
We just need to know who's working on he game to know what game series it will be. is there another hint yet?

[H.Bogard]

Pleeeeeezzzzeeeee be Thief 4!
...and dont consolize it this time you bastards!!!

See this? This is my god damn dream, I'm even Australian and you know what? I haven't got a single fucking skill with art or coding or sound or anything. Can't draw, I'm too mentally unstable for coding... I need to become a sound guy.

All I have right now is a working knowledge of how games should work and an uncanny knack for breaking things, damn you world for not being enough.



I feel ya... :rolleyes:

"Mech and Tech" rules out Max Payne.

TUM TUM TUM!!!

Mechs Payne!!!

[laggerific]

Since the Irrational people were from Looking Glass, who did the Ultima Underworld games, that might be a possibility.

A new UW game would be top on my list...great RP elements and an excellent magic system...I had so much fun with Ultima Underworld II...still have the original box! I would love a remake of the original System Shock...it was such a phenomenal game.

But yeah...EA owns the IP, as usual they destroy almost all good that they touch.

[tombofsoldier]

Someone mentioned Baldurs Gate 3. Incredibly unlikely but my god, fuck Max Payne, Ultima, and Mechwarrior straight to hell I want BG3.

[absolut taco]

It's Duke Nuk'em Forever of course!

He'll be fighting some big ass mechs I guess... ;)

[Evil Avatar]

http://www.irrationalgames.com/images/logo_avatar.gif

I found this odd EA logo whislt digging for nuggets in Irrational's website. I don't know if it was ever used here in any 'official' capacity, I thought others might get a kick out of it like I did.

That was our previous logo. It was used in both Silver (above) and Gold.

[Evil Avatar]

"Mech and Tech" rules out Max Payne.

Mechwarrior pls. It's one of the best loved PC franchises and much more loved than Max Payne and Crusader combined. If not Mechwarrior, Deus Ex.

As other people have pointed out, Mechwarrior is owned by Microsoft.

It can't be Mechwarrior, Thief, Ultima, Crusader, Tribes, SWAT, System Shock or Deus Ex.

It can be Max Payne 3 or Duke Nukem.

[Savok]

MP3 wouldn't be first person, that leaves Duke.

[Citizen Philip]

Tribes MCMXIXIV

[Steele Johnson]

Irrational doesn't stick to any one publisher. They could be doing work for EA just like they did for other publishers.

[earthworm48]

Yeah but since those times they've been acquired by Take 2. Theres a chance an agreement with someone might have been struck for their services but its unlikely.

[mister_slim]

Myth would be cool. Master of Orion is something Irrational could do well, I think.

[Flatpicker]

Trespasser 2?

[easi]

There was no Deus Ex 2.

[destoo]

(stealiing a few from the TTLG forums)

mavis beacon teaches typing 2008
NHL 2007
Daikatana 2
Ridge Racer
Commander Keen: More Commanding and more Keen

This one's easy. EA's going to grab the Thief trademark anyway, so I guess Irrational is kind of one step ahead, as they're making Chief: The Spiritual Sequel (with emergent gameplay and an easter egg pointing to Garret). The game won't be featuring a Blackjack, because IG would soon be facing a lawsuit. The game will have a coconut instead, which is way more effective and can also be used as a ranged stun weapon.

After reading that thread, I would wish they'd go with X-Com, but my heart roots for Fallout 3.

[baz]

Let's break it down:

Deus Ex 2 - see System Shock.


Haha I like that, it's probably all for the best to deny the existence of DE: IW. (although I did enjoy playing it, I just pretended it didn't have Deus Ex in the title)

[didragondi]

If its done right, and in close to the spirit of the original 2, I would kill for BG3. Really, just tell me who. That aside, Freedom Force 3 would still be quite nice and I don't trust that a Deus Ex sequel would be done right this time.