Xbox 360 version of Sopranos game cancelled

[Mr.Condescension]

Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6154805.html) reports that THQ has discontinued production on the Xbox 360 version of the Sopranos, making the title a PS2 exclusive. Finances are stated as the reason for the cancellation.

"Amortization of 18 percent was up three points versus the prior year quarter," Zinser told analysts. "This is primarily due to our decision to discontinue development of the Sopranos for Xbox 360. There is no change to our plans to replace it, [but] we will release it on PS2 [during] the holiday [season]." THQ reps later confirmed to GameSpot that the game was "on track" for a fourth-quarter release.

Is this an example of increased production costs for next gen titles hindering game development, or a reflection of the continued market dominance of the PS2 making releases for any other console unprofitable?

[benig]

Is this an example of increased production costs for next gen titles hindering game development, or a reflection of the continued market dominance of the PS2 making releases for any other console unprofitable?More likely, this is THQ abandoning ship on a mediocre game..

[Mr.Condescension]

Except the PS2 version is apparently continuing on schedule. Only the 360 version is being scrapped.

[KNOTE]

It must be posted...

Tough<<<<<<>>>>>>>Smooth

Thq leaned to the left.

[jeffbax]

Good riddence, the less games likely to be shit the better.

[Zanzibar]

Is this an example of increased production costs for next gen titles hindering game development, or a reflection of the continued market dominance of the PS2 making releases for any other console unprofitable?
Yes! ;)

Actually, they saw the sales numbers for GUN on the X360. It was a decent game that had absolutely no visual upgrades from the last-gen console version, and it got rightfully hammered because Activision wanted you to pay $10 more for it. THQ realized that they couldn't just spend a few weeks bumping up texture sizes and adding normal maps and expect people to buy the game. It does indeed take a LOT OF TIME AND MONEY to get high-quality next-gen visuals out of your art team.

Has anyone mentioned today that Nintendo is populated exclusively by fucking geniuses?

[kid cabelgo]

now we just need it to be cancelled on all the other platforms it's coming out for, and we'll be on the right track

[Heretic Machine]

...How and why was there a Sopranos game being made? That doesn't make any god-damn sense. The show does not lend itself to a game.

[TrackZero]

I'm surprised noone here has added two and two together.

THQ recently announced the essential cancelation of the new WWE game for the PS3 and now the Sorpranos for the 360. The logical conclusion is that they're strapped for cash and can't afford to take chances on platforms that won't give them enough sales to make it through their current financial situation. Comments?

[GrinR]

It's called "pinching it off."

[gojira]

Yah, I sure it's a bit of both. The till doens't look as full as it might, so don't take chances and release for whatever has the highest market share right now. One can always port later, after some cash starts to roll in.

And N 4 teh win. Those guys are gonna walk off of the next gen stage with a big pile of cash, while all MS and $ony will get is a lot of lumps from beating on each other.

[Reanimated]

It's an example of nobody giving a shit about this crappy game, and THQ putting their focus on Saint's Row this Fall.

[Demo_Boy]

what Zanzibar said.

[Xerxes]

They should of just done something simple like port to xbox and set it up for xbox 360 playability. Why would I want a game for $10 more with no upgrades. If it's good it'll get play, more than likely it won't be good.

[Kamalot]

I was never once looking forward to this game, but it is still sad news. It sounds like the company decided to take the cheap way out instead of stepping up to the plate and making something special.

[EternalGamer]

I was actually torn on this license. While Perigon is right in that what makes the show so good is the way it comes up with unique dramatic scenarios connected with mafia life, I have to admit that I like these characters so much that I'd almost be willing to play the game just to get another Sopranos storyline, even if it was subpar.

[MSUStud911]

I feel like I keep abreast (breast...heh) of game news pretty well and I had no idea anyone was making a Sopranos game. The game must be utter shit if the publisher can't even be bothered to release a few screens now and then to whet the public's apetite. I'm sure the 360 will be better off without it.

[GunnyMo]

All I can say is: thank jeebus. A Sopranos game was, from the beginning, a really bad idea.

Let's not tarnish the 360 with a horrible TV show game. :D

[SexualChoc]

A Soprano's game? Oh come on. I mean it's bad enough Hollywood doesn't have a clue, but when we have games like these coming, it's fucking worse.

[EternalGamer]

Am I the only one that saw the HB0 preview of the game? While I wouldn't be overly optimistic, the game actually looked really damn good (in terms of graphic models anyway) and the cast was doing all the original voices. Like I said before, I am ambivalent about the very idea of the license, but what I saw looked pretty darn good.

[Johan]

I'm surprised noone here has added two and two together.

THQ recently announced the essential cancelation of the new WWE game for the PS3 and now the Sorpranos for the 360. The logical conclusion is that they're strapped for cash and can't afford to take chances on platforms that won't give them enough sales to make it through their current financial situation. Comments?

Only comment is...QFT! Good analysis.