Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mefustae on April 01, 2011, 05:10:48 pm

Title: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Mefustae on April 01, 2011, 05:10:48 pm
Game Informer has just released an hour-long documentary on the history of Volition. Considering we have a dedicated smiley for  :v:, we should all check it out and learn some history behind our beloved developer.

The secret history of Volition. (http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/03/30/the-secret-history-of-volition.aspx)
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: General Battuta on April 01, 2011, 05:25:47 pm
Jason Scott is like O_O

and the Kotaku article is (as seems to be par for the course these days) using a Blue Planet screenshot (http://ca.kotaku.com/5787909/the-complete-history-of-an-under+appreciated-games-developer). *facepalm*
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: General Battuta on April 01, 2011, 05:28:15 pm
God

"We felt we'd done the best game we'd ever done, and it was...marginally profitable"

*huge Volition sadface*

poor bros
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: The E on April 01, 2011, 05:34:07 pm
Jason Scott is like O_O

and the Kotaku article is (as seems to be par for the course these days) using a Blue Planet screenshot (http://ca.kotaku.com/5787909/the-complete-history-of-an-under+appreciated-games-developer). *facepalm*

And not only that, it's an old, pre-3.6.10 BP screenie.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: JGZinv on April 01, 2011, 05:38:51 pm
Volition just had some layoffs too from what's been floating around the web.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: The E on April 01, 2011, 05:43:40 pm
Old news. They didn't have layoffs, THQ's QA department had, IIRC. Also IIRC, that was before Saint's Row 2. I think :v: (And it's called V O L I T I O N) doesn't really have cash flow problems at the moment.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: CKid on April 01, 2011, 05:53:31 pm
So that's where GameInformer used Dark Revenantx's scp youtube vids.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Stealth on April 01, 2011, 06:07:20 pm
Wow thanks man - hadn't seen this.  Very nice!
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Mefustae on April 01, 2011, 06:47:01 pm
You'll also notice they may have used some FSO footage of FS2 in the interviews. Specifically, I think that's an HTL Leviathan at around 4:45 on the second video when they're talking about FS2.

I'm glad we're getting all this free publicity, but it's kind of a bummer they only mention us hardcore fans in passing. :p
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: JGZinv on April 01, 2011, 06:50:53 pm
I didn't realize they were so close to me... only about a 4 hour drive away. I've probably been through Champaign on a couple of trips.

Very interesting history. Seems like a good work environment.

@ E - http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33856/THQ_Confirms_Volition_Kaos_Layoffs.php
Quote
The THQ rep was confirming an email from a source within the studio who said the layoffs at Volition happened on March 29, and that the cuts affected "both new and long-term employees."

Not trying the make fanboys freakout... it's normal. But it is confirmed news.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Thaeris on April 01, 2011, 10:50:01 pm
They definately use a lot of FS music in the interview - note part #3 where they use "Worlds Apart" (M4 I think...) from FS1.

:)
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: The E on April 02, 2011, 03:00:14 am
@ E - http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33856/THQ_Confirms_Volition_Kaos_Layoffs.php
Quote
The THQ rep was confirming an email from a source within the studio who said the layoffs at Volition happened on March 29, and that the cuts affected "both new and long-term employees."

Not trying the make fanboys freakout... it's normal. But it is confirmed news.

Ah, okay, didn't know about that. You're right, it's normal and confirmed, I just didn't know that they did it that recently.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Marcov on April 02, 2011, 04:32:31 am
They ARE using SCP. Look at the blue GTC Leviathan at 4:46.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: JCDNWarrior on April 02, 2011, 07:29:56 am
If only they recorded a more updated, widescreen FS2 after showing original FS1 and FS2. Too bad Volition didnt seem to actively mention the modding community, but rather say 'some people still play it'.

Interesting however was the focus in the #4th video, from one of the people, about 3rd games in series. "Making a third game is tough.. going from two to three is tough!"

Gameinformer didnt seem to ask about Freespace 3, though its good to hear about the fate of Descent 4. Interplay sure brought a lot of grief when they went down. Sequels never developed, rights to games still in their posession, and so on.

Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Dark RevenantX on April 02, 2011, 03:19:19 pm
You'll also notice they may have used some FSO footage of FS2 in the interviews. Specifically, I think that's an HTL Leviathan at around 4:45 on the second video when they're talking about FS2.

That actually IS an HTL Leviathan.  I know because I shot that footage a while ago.  And the stuff at 5:45.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: UnendingRequiem on April 02, 2011, 08:15:12 pm
Too bad Volition is just your stereotypical horrible game developer now :(

They were better when they were still with Parallax, imho.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Hades on April 02, 2011, 08:37:56 pm
No they're not. Their latest games, RF:G and especially Saints Row 2 were wonderful games.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Bobboau on April 02, 2011, 09:09:40 pm
No they're not. Their latest games, RF:G and especially Saints Row 2 were ok games.

fixt
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: The E on April 03, 2011, 03:01:22 am
Too bad Volition is just your stereotypical horrible game developer now :(

They were better when they were still with Parallax, imho.

Please cite proof. Are they treating their people bad? Are they actively horrible to their fans?
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: Nuclear1 on April 03, 2011, 03:03:47 am
Too bad Volition is just your stereotypical horrible game developer now :(

They were better when they were still with Parallax, imho.

I actually loved Saints Row and RF: G.  All the FS shoutouts were cool.
Title: Re: The secret history of Volition
Post by: The E on April 03, 2011, 03:06:16 am
Yeah, as Developers go, :v: has always been a name you can rely on. Not in the BioWare "have to buy everything they make" sense, but in the "Hey, :v: made a new game, let's check it out" sense.