DICE Cancels PS2 and Xbox Development of New Title

[fitbabits]

GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz) has the details (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14511).

Swedish developer Digital Illusions CE has announced that the Xbox and PS2 versions of a new untitled project, due for launch in 2007, have been cancelled - but the Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable versions are still in the works.

No details about the content of the game have yet been announced, but it is believed to be a new original franchise created by DICE. It was originally scheduled for "2006/07", but with the cancellation of the current generation versions, is now scheduled for 2007 release.

The decision to drop the PS2 and Xbox versions, which were being developed at Electronic Arts' UK studio rather than in DICE's Stockholm studio, is as a result of the declining sales of software for both platforms, according to the company.
Not exactly a death knell, but significant nonetheless.

[Grifter]

Good
to short my ass
doooobieeee doobiee dooooo:cool:

[Noiz]

So they're announcing the cancellation of an unannounced game? Who cares!

[fitbabits]

So they're announcing the cancellation of an unannounced game? Who cares!
Sometimes it pays to read between the lines - the news here is not the cancellation of an unannounced game. It's the cancellation of said unannounced game on PS2 and Xbox due to flagging sales of software on these platforms, which could very well be the start of a trend.

[Dr Quincy]

I'd prefer a shift to handhelds rather than the bloody 360.

[fitbabits]

I'd prefer a shift to handhelds rather than the bloody 360.
Careful what you wish for! Before you know it, the PSP may get some decent games. Then where would all the detractors be?

[Dr Quincy]

Heaven forbid that Western developers should recognise the potential for the DS either.

[Nite_Moogle]

Careful what you wish for! Before you know it, the PSP may get some decent games. Then where would all the detractors be?
Playing their backlog of excellent DS games. :D

This might be less of a death knell for the PS2/Xbox than it might just be a reaction to EA's recent stock announcements. EA has thrown quite a bit of its weight behind the next generation, it doesn't surprise me they would be the first ones to drop the last one.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Heaven forbid that Western developers should recognise the potential for the DS either.


Hear hear. The total lack of excellent DS games from Western developers is sad. They all seem to be focused on bringing more schlock to the PSP - those that are bothering with the handhelds at all anyway.

[Dr Quincy]

They all seem to be focused on bringing more schlock to the PSP - those that are bothering with the handhelds at all anyway.

Never underestimate the power of the port.

[earthworm48]

No PC version then?

[Zurik]

Sometimes it pays to read between the lines - the news here is not the cancellation of an unannounced game. It's the cancellation of said unannounced game on PS2 and Xbox due to flagging sales of software on these platforms, which could very well be the start of a trend.

This trend won't hit too hard until people can actually get their hands on a 360. Maybe PC games can pick up now? Please?

[Montolio]

GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz) has the details (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14511).


Not exactly a death knell, but significant nonetheless.

I wonder why the article ignores the fact that the untitled game is also in development for the PS3...below pulled from DICE's official press release.

The Playstation Portable version of the game will continue to be developed by EA UK and the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions by Digital Illusions’ Stockholm studio. The launch of the untitled game is now set to 2007.

Anyway, I think their expectation that BF2:MC would sell more than 4 million copies combined on the Xbox and PS2 was unrealistic IMHO. I could see planning for 2 million maybe. I don't know how it all works since DICE has to eat all the development cost for BF2:MC under that agreement, does that also impact EA's bottom line or does DICE perform (good or bad) all on their own?

There are many people in the know here so I thought I'd toss that out to see what you think.

There is no mention of PC development so I'm guessing this isn't BF3 and something new altogether.

[emperordahc]

Yea, the PSP is a badass system, I have mine, but it just sits there w/ SNES9X loaded on it. My DS gets all the playtime. Did I mention that it has a badass Castlevania game? ;)

[Babbster]

Careful what you wish for! Before you know it, the PSP may get some decent games. Then where would all the detractors be?Speaking for many PSP detractors I'm sure, if the PSP got a bunch of "decent" (I prefer "good," of course) games I'd be in line to buy one. :)

[Megalith]

Can I just get RalliSport Challenge 3.

Oh, nevermind.