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[Eddie-Griffin]

https://gamingbolt.com/perfect-dark...e-to-leadership-and-cultural-issues-rumor/amp

However, in another twist, VGC’s Andy Robinson revealed that the “flood of departures very much is sign of a problem.” Speaking to “many current and former employees”, he revealed that the multi-studio setup hadn’t caused issues since there was always the “intention to partner with an experienced dev.” Instead, “many seemingly had issues with Initiative leadership.”

In a follow-up, he noted, “I believe Crystal Dynamics coming on board will be positive for the project, partly because it’s studio head Darrell Gallagher’s old team. But the number of messages I have received suggests there have definitely been cultural issues there.” He also said that few “directly blamed Xbox leadership” and said it “speaks volumes that many Initiative leads have moved to other Xbox studios.”

What these “cultural” issues may be is unknown. Multiple sources reportedly suggested to Robinson in March that Crystal Dynamics is essentially leading the project. How this may factor into issues with The Initiative’s leadership is also unknown, but there’s seemingly more going on than suggested by Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty’s recent statement.

Where's that damn Matt Booty? lol

I said to be cautious when taking what he said wholesale and people got on me for it, see? See what happens when you trust the Booty instead of the Brain?

 

[Gudji]

 

[Eddie-Griffin]

More



Of course, this is a game of they said them said, since Matt Booty didn't provide proof, and we have only words from the Yooka Laylee guy but it's clear there's more to it than 'everything's "fine" like Matt Booty implied.

Hopefully the finished product, assuming it doesn't end up like Fable Legends or Scalebound, will be good inspite of these issues.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

 

[RoboFu]

Idk who any of the people are ..

 

[//DEVIL//]

Here is hoping that woke people got mad and left and hope to never land a job ever

Cheers !

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Here is hoping that woke people got mad and left and hope to never land a job ever

Cheers !

Only woke people can make the game. You don't do shit if you are sleeping all the time.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Hopefully the finished product, assuming it doesn't end up like Fable Legends or Scalebound, will be good inspite of these issues.

I would be worse if ends up like CrackDown 3?

 

[C2brixx]

I don't understand why folks care so much about this soup oprea stuff. I just hope its a good game when ever it comes out.

 

[GymWolf]

Seems like someone got caught with his pants down and his booty exposed...

Liar liar booty on fire.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I don't understand why folks care so much about this soup oprea stuff. I just hope its a good game when ever it comes out.

Xbox game studios management dosen't understand either.

 

[abacab driver]

All this surface level "cultural issues" and "problem with leadership" talk with zero details, nuance or context makes Andy come off like a gossip girl.

Crystal was brought on an entire year ago already..why even bring up any prior issues if you believe Crystal is a positive solution?
"They should be cool now, but my DM's though!!"

Gtfoh.

 

[C2brixx]

Xbox game studios management dosen't understand either.

That maybe the case, but as a gamer what am I suppose to do with this information? My only response to it is, "oh man that sucks I hope they get it together and make a great game".

 

[Punished Miku]

Where's that damn Matt Booty? lol

It's Labor Day. He's probably hanging out with Mrs. Booty, geez.

 

[Eddie-Griffin]

Idk who any of the people are ..

Andy did the Yooka Laylee game, which was trying to play like Banjo Kazooie.

I don't understand why folks care so much about this soup oprea stuff. I just hope its a good game when ever it comes out.

Would you care if Naughty Dog or Nintendo came out and lied to people about a game that's been in development for years with nothing to show for just as long?

Same here, one of the two is giving misinformation, it's either Indie developer of Yooka Laylee, or it's the head of Xbox Game Studios.

Meanwhile Phil is nowhere to be found, so you're trapped between a Booty and a hard place.

If Andy can get some others to add more credibility to his words, than it would immediately put Booty in a negative light and we would have to question everything he says. Assuming people weren't already doing that.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

That maybe the case, but as a gamer what am I suppose to do with this information? My only response to it is, "oh man that sucks I hope they get it together and make a great game".

As a gamer (strictly speaking) you shouldn't even be here or be aware of the news/drama around a game.

 

[Arenafighter]

Is it time to search bullshit about a Game Studio again.... Holy Fuck....
Stop blaming a Studio with no concrete Facts....

Some people came to me and say this and that.... That's a shame for Tweet....
I think he need some Attention

 

[AV]

soup opera

 

[Fuz]

“Cultural” Issues

Woke Vs normal people? Wonder who won.

 

[MOTM]

1. Being "multi-studio" and bringing in a bigger studio as a "partner" was always the plan
The Initiative must be the 1st studio I’ve heard of that operates this way. Wonder if other studios were short listed besides Crystal Dynamics

2. Most people moved to other Xbox studios. Well looks like it was an Initiative problem and not a MS problem

 

[Wandering Leopard]

"Cultural" issues can mean many different things.

(Although I don't have much interest in this story, or the game - until I see some real-time gameplay).

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

1. Being "multi-studio" and bringing in a bigger studio as a "partner" was always the plan
The Initiative must be the 1st studio I’ve heard of that operates this way. Wonder if other studios were short listed besides Crystal Dynamics

2. Most people moved to other Xbox studios. Well looks like it was an Initiative problem and not a MS problem

 

[Topher]

Pointing fingers at Xbox leadership? If true, that's a bit disturbing.

 

[Eddie-Griffin]

Pointing fingers at Xbox leadership? If true, that's a bit disturbing.

Pointing at Initiative leadership from what I read, not Xbox, although he did quote the news that Booty reported and pushed against it.

 

[Hobbygaming]

Most people moved to other Xbox studios. Well looks like it was an Initiative problem and not a MS problem

Well there were some Initiative devs that went back to Sony and other studios outside of Xbox

 

[Hobbygaming]

Pointing fingers at Xbox leadership? If true, that's a bit disturbing.

It seems like most of the rumblings we hear from their studios are negative, like how Avowed keeps losing leads

 

[Topher]

Pointing at Initiative leadership from what I read, not Xbox, although he did quote the news that Booty reported and pushed against it.

I'm talking about this part: "FTR few I spoke to directly blamed Xbox leadership, and I think it speaks volumes that many Initativie leads have moved to other Xbox studios"

Edit: Ah.....I'm reading that wrong. Few are blaming Xbox leadership. Got it.

It seems like most of the rumblings we hear from their studios are negative, like how Avowed keeps losing leads

Perhaps, but in this case it is The Initiative's leadership, specifically Gallagher. If this is true, that is. An employees perspective on things isn't necessarily 100% accurate, particularly if they are an ex-employee.

 

[Sosokrates]

At the end of the day, its up to the studios management, people like Booty can try and avoid disasters but they cant do to much otherwise they would end up micromanaging the project.
Weather its sony or Microsoft who pays the bills at the end of the day its depends on the teams ability to deliver.

Its a bit like picking players for a team, you get varrying quality of players.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

At the end of the day, its up to the studios management, people like Booty can try and avoid disasters but they cant do to much otherwise they would end up micromanaging the project.
Weather its sony or Microsoft who pays the bills at the end of the day its depends on the teams ability to deliver.

Its a bit like picking players for a team, you get varrying quality of players.

And what happens when those players don't deliver?

 

[Punished Miku]

I'm talking about this part: "FTR few I spoke to directly blamed Xbox leadership, and I think it speaks volumes that many Initativie leads have moved to other Xbox studios"

Edit: Ah.....I'm reading that wrong. Few are blaming Xbox leadership. Got it.



Perhaps, but in this case it is The Initiative's leadership, specifically Gallagher. If this is truth, that is.

This whole thread is really nothing new. It was widely reported in March with more details than this. Still listed as rumor, but discussed half of The Initiative staff leaving. Xbox went on a hiring spree hiring tons of senior level people and basically promising them leadership positions and more independence as developers. They may have even meant that since they seem to take an extremely hands off approach to their studios now in contrast to the 360 days. Then when it came time to actually make something, people saw the open structure as dysfunctional and not every single person was the leader of the vision.

Sounds like they tried a Valve style utopian development environment, and then people didn't like it when they tried to shift to a hierarchal structure to actually get something done. Who knows.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Of course

It is not NORMAL for a "Creative Director" of your project to leave less than mid-way through. Anytime that happens it seems like it's a recipe for disaster.

 

[Robb]

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

Probably half wokesters and half normal people. Seems an issue across lots of todays western companies.

Guy A - “I’ve got this awesome mechanic I’ve been experimenting with, we should add it to the game!”

Guy B - “Cool, but will it be inclusive of my gender?”

Guy A - “I’m going indie fuck this shit”

 

[Umbasaborne]

Wouldnt be a microsoft exclusive without years of development hell now would it?

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

They brought together so many high profile people who all probably had thier own vision. Seemed inevitable that that there was going to be issues.

 

[Bernd Lauert]

What is a "cultural issue"? When there are zero specifics, I tend to believe it's made up.

 

[Hobbygaming]

They brought together so many high profile people who all probably had thier own vision. Seemed inevitable that that there was going to be issues.

Yeah, it sounds like it coulda been a "too many cooks in the kitchen" kind of situation

 

[Punished Miku]

What is a "cultural issue"? When there are zero specifics, I tend to believe it's made up.

Work culture, development philosophy. Typical corporate speak. The social dynamics of how you organize a team and delegate work basically.

 

[Mr Moose]

What is a "cultural issue"? When there are zero specifics, I tend to believe it's made up.

They are trying to make Joanna blonde.

 

[Pelta88]

Matt's PR: "Everything is just great."

Matt's Studio:

 

[Kimahri]

I would be worse if ends up like CrackDown 3?

Did you play Crackdown 3,or are you another one of those who never played it but still think it's a piece of trash?

Will never understand the hate. Game is great fun.

 

[Markio128]

The most puzzling thing for me is why Rare aren’t working on the game?

 

[adamsapple]

ChorizoPicozo is on a roll here

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Did you play Crackdown 3,or are you another one of those who never played it but still think it's a piece of trash?

Will never understand the hate. Game is great fun.

Did I said it was a piece of trash?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

ChorizoPicozo is on a roll here

 

[Markio128]

Did you play Crackdown 3,or are you another one of those who never played it but still think it's a piece of trash?

Will never understand the hate. Game is great fun.

I played it….

I’d rather pay another £69.99 for a second copy of TLOU than have to suffer the indignity of experiencing Crackdown 3 again.

 

[Banjo64]

Did you play Crackdown 3,or are you another one of those who never played it but still think it's a piece of trash?

Will never understand the hate. Game is great fun.

I’m one of the poor souls that did after playing and enjoying crackdown 2, does that mean I’m qualified to say it’s a bag of wank?

As to this news, seems like MS only has a hope in hell if their studios are self demanding with high standards like Playground.

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

You mean another internal project from MS is having issues?
This isn't news.

They should spend some of the money they have on fixing their internal production already since they can't even manage that, instead of buying half the industry.

Gears of War is nowhere of what it was 10 years ago, Halo...let's not go there, Fable...that game was announced in 2020 or 2018 and it's still barely a game. This one they had to hire an entire studio...the same studio that gave us the latest Tomb Raider trilogy (which was basically every single idea from better 3rd person games crammed into one) to make a game that's not even theirs. What could possibly go wrong here?

Can't wait to see what they do once they have Activision, lmao.

 

[DaGwaphics]

It always seemed like it might take the studio a bit of time to gel. It was basically a who's who from various big studios, maybe that resulted in a bit of a tug of war internally.

 

[Kimahri]

I’m one of the poor souls that did after playing and enjoying crackdown 2, does that mean I’m qualified to say it’s a bag of wank?

As to this news, seems like MS only has a hope in hell if their studios are self demanding with high standards like Playground.

You enjoyed Crackdown 2?