It’s a little complicated really, probably more than it needs to be, but it seems that cashflow was at the heart of the Darkside collapse. That’s not all that unusual of a story really, as there are few other reasons for any business to fall apart, but this one goes a little deeper and is a little more interesting than just ‘we ran out of cash’.

Basically, right from the jump Microsoft started changing what they wanted and altering the plan when it comes to Phantom Dust. The game was announced at E3 to a surprising amount of interest from a public that apparently had fond memories of the Xbox original that the new title would be following up on.

It was not to be though, when the studio behind that game was announced to be closing and Phantom Dust’s development being put somewhat on ice. Website Kotaku wrote up the sad state of affairs, saying that the multiplayer title was dubbed not enough by Microsoft, who also wanted to have a single-player campaign. Here’s the catch though, they didn’t change the budget or the release window. Yep.

So to make a long story short, this ‘interference’ happened on a regular basis and caused Darkside’s first solo game project (they had contributed to development on a few other games) to be their last. With the studio now dead and buried, you might think that the game is too, but that’s not the case according to Microsoft who insists that the reboot is still on the way in some form.

As to when that might be, or what might changes might be enacted, that’s anyone’s guess. But sit tight Phantom Dusters, because this ride isn’t over quite yet. Maybe.

Source: Kotaku

The post Phantom Dust developer was finished off by Microsoft’s ever changing vision appeared first on BrutalGamer.

Phantom Dust is a bit of a niche title, even though it garnered a lot of attention at this past E3 when it was announced. So with that in mind I realize that what happens to the reboot is probably not the biggest care for a lot of people. Even so though, this is a pretty interesting piece of news as it’s flat-out confusing.

Basically, here’s the long and the short- Darkside Games (who’s the developer making the game) has been shuttered. After working on Sunset Overdrive and Borderlands, this was their first and last solo show. 50 people have been put out of work as a result, and the whole reason for it is that the game they were working on (Phantom Dust) has been cancelled. Or has it?

It might seem obvious as to the answer since the developer is dead and gone at this point and there’s been no replacement announced, but Microsoft was quick to say that no, it hasn’t bee crossed off the release list at all. The gaming (and everything else) giant says that the relationship between them and Darkside is over, but that has nothgin to do with the cancellation of Phantom Dust, and that development on the game continues.

Yeah, it’s just… weird. We’ll let you know if there’s anything further on Phantom Dust, but I’d have to imagine that, at the very least, this event pushes the title’s prospective launch back a bit.

Source: MCV

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