They already passed on their pitch for ED2 that wound up turning into SotE. That being said, they were already trying to repair that bridge when they decided to do the Wii port of X-Men Destiny in-house, which I can't imagine helped out their production schedule.
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Denis Dyack on what happened to X-Men Destiny (New details from this month)
- Thread starter dancrane212
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They already passed on their pitch for ED2 that wound up turning into SotE. That being said, they were already trying to repair that bridge when they decided to do the Wii port of X-Men Destiny in-house, which I can't imagine helped out their production schedule.
weemadarthur
Member
Why he thinks four people knowing about the money flow couldn't possibly lead to everyone knowing about the money flow is rather confusing. I mean, is the accounting staff even included in the four people in his mind?
ProfessorMoran
Member
Didn't the project get sunk because his precursor founder buddy pled guilty to child porn and was in the slammer for 12 months?
Dyack's mismanagement and shitty gameplay designs sank his studio and everything else he touched, he has been making completely shit games for a LONG time, he needs to stop blaming everybody else.
AlphaTwo00
Member
Not entirely unheard of in smaller self funded studio, leaking that out can have a ripple effect on the staff that was still there. If their logic was that they can keep the place afloat, it would make sense. Remember at the time this happened, Ubisoft just announced opening a studio in Toronto, and it's very conceivable that they'd be worry about losing staff to a place an hour and a half away at a way more stable place and a bigger city. (And that definitely happened)
When you say passed, do you mean they refused to pitch it, or that Nintendo scoffed, and threw outva famously yamauchi quote? Knowing Dyaks rep, Nintendo likely used the one involving yellow balls.
BlastProcessing
Member
When I hear someone describe themselves as a Humanist or Egalitarian, my ears perk up. Those terms are often used to cloak discrimination. ("I don't care if he is black, white or green! I am an Egalitarian.") One of the things inherent to the word Feminist is an acknowledgement of the historical and ongoing inequalities in society. "Humanist" scrubs that away and paints a very neoliberal, every-person-for-themselves, sort of picture. It's the type of term often used by someone who has spent some brainpower constructing a justification for their pre-existing world view.
It's not always true, but like I said, my ears perk up.
Of course Dyack thinks there is something wrong with the press. They don't like him! They said bad things about him! It can't be his fault so there must be some sort of conspiracy. Dyack strikes me as the sort of flim flam man that flourished before the internet made information widely available. I don't think it's a coincidence that his downfall has closely mapped the rise of the web and that he has become obsessed with the toxic internet.
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
Declining first bait.
On the second I refer quite simply and without specifics to simply trying to promote your game. I don't really resent anyone for doing that, nor believe accusations posted on the web when they come from bitter ex-boyfriends, or bitter anonymous ex-employees.
Running a game development business is hard.
I was actually just having a chat about this with an author friend after he saw Mad Max the other day. I said to him:
BlastProcessing
Member
I am a dev myself, I am aware of the difficulties involved. Even in Dyack's version of events he looks like a terrible manager.
The difference is that Feminism attempts to acknowledge the current reality where Humanism can be used to obfuscate it. Feminism is a movement that has fought hard for equality for generations and it feels pretty patronizing to have a bunch of threatened men waltz in and claim that it should be renamed to something more palatable.
brianmcdoogle
Member
Is that why you call Dyack a "feminist" when referring to him and gamergate, as if to try and portray gamergate as inclusive and not a harassment campaign against females and feminists, despite feminism being a "bad brand name" (unlike gamergame)?
And, Mark calling Dyack fat and "dunkin donuts" is bad, but to bring it up every time Dyack and his handling of companies, games, employees, lawsuits, failed kickstarter campaigns, shady current companies, and hiring of child pornographers gets tiresome.
Um, what?!
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
Well I actually agree with you. Across all cultures, all types of humanity, objectification and exploitation of women is one of the hallmarks of our pre-consciousness, our lack of evolved intelligence. In almost any culture where prejudice, hatred, objectification, and exploitation of a type of people existed, it did so at first, or exclusively, or also with women.
So keeping the name as Feminism keep the core conflict front and center, and keeps the shorthand of it clear in people's minds. I agree with this. Yet it leads to so much easily avoided misunderstanding on the part of the uneducated, who have all these poorly formed distorted ideas of what "Feminazis" are out to accomplish.
I'd like to see some corroboration of his claims from someone who was at Disney, Marvel, or Activision regarding the budget.
If what he says is true then my opinion of him improves slightly, but it still doesn't excuse a lot of the other shitty stuff he's done.
He earned his reputation NeoGAF, with his "social experiments" and baiting people. He's like an author who can't stop reading the negative reviews of his book on Amazon and takes all criticism way too personally.
Then the really pointless legal battle with Epic over Unreal Engine.
And hell, I love Eternal Darkness. I think it's one of the best games from that generation. I also really liked their Metal Gear Solid remake.
But I feel like once they left Nintendo there was no one there to ensure the same level of quality.
I think he has some neat ideas, but Dyack trying to pass himself off as someone who's great at social media is hilarious.
If what he says is true then my opinion of him improves slightly, but it still doesn't excuse a lot of the other shitty stuff he's done.
He earned his reputation NeoGAF, with his "social experiments" and baiting people. He's like an author who can't stop reading the negative reviews of his book on Amazon and takes all criticism way too personally.
Then the really pointless legal battle with Epic over Unreal Engine.
And hell, I love Eternal Darkness. I think it's one of the best games from that generation. I also really liked their Metal Gear Solid remake.
But I feel like once they left Nintendo there was no one there to ensure the same level of quality.
I think he has some neat ideas, but Dyack trying to pass himself off as someone who's great at social media is hilarious.
That's true of any label though. And you don't even have to have one they'll just make one up for you. Environmentalist is a term with negative connotations now. You can't just give way to negative spin because that will always exist.
They didn't want to go forward with what SK was pitching, that's all. I can't imagine there was any animosity on their part with the decision, especially since they've been cool with SotE's temporal existence all this time.
Interesting read.
I don't believe Dyack on goodwill, though some of what he describes in details seems plausible when reflecting on the finished product. Not sure I buy the Marvel sale as being such a problem halfway though due to new "competition".
The truth lies somewhere inbetween I imagine.
I don't believe Dyack on goodwill, though some of what he describes in details seems plausible when reflecting on the finished product. Not sure I buy the Marvel sale as being such a problem halfway though due to new "competition".
The truth lies somewhere inbetween I imagine.
BlastProcessing
Member
No matter what you call a social movement, it's opponents are going to criticize it in an attempt to poison the debate. You just have to stand strong. No matter what feminists call themselves, Rush Limbaugh will find a cute Godwin-invoking nickname for it.
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
What do you do, run regular searches here for Dyack's name so you can slag any time a thread shows up with his name in it?
The crack about hiring child pornographers is pretty low. Do you hire people? Have you hired one? Do you even know for sure? Geez.
Fantastapotamus
Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
I like how much he loves IGN.
"That one outlet that talked about us in a positive way is really good! That other outlet that didn't, really is among the bad ones though!"
"That one outlet that talked about us in a positive way is really good! That other outlet that didn't, really is among the bad ones though!"
ShockingAlberto
Member
I for one am shocked that he would have an account that makes him look like a misunderstood victim.
Of course, he supplements that by immediately throwing in his lot with misogynists and thugs, so he's really aiming for the top here.
Of course, he supplements that by immediately throwing in his lot with misogynists and thugs, so he's really aiming for the top here.
GoodCoffeeJoey
Banned
Up next: 'Randy Pitchford on what really happened to Aliens: Colonial Marines'
Fantastapotamus
Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
Yeah, big shock right?
Voysa Reezun
Banned
I think your misunderstanding of what is inherent to the term "feminism" is that it simply means that the focus is the study of women and their roles, portrayals, etc. within society. Social equality is but one small part of what feminist thinkers are focused on (and that term, "social equality," is so broad as to be useless anyway). This sort of criticism is crucial, even if you don't agree with every single thing a feminist critic says (and feminism is such a big tent that feminists often don't agree with one another) because at the very least it exposes ideas and issues that need to be discussed. Quibbling over the label that someone chooses to wrap around these ideas and issues is missing the forest for the trees anyway.
Re: The use of terms such as "egalitarian" or "humanist" being used as dog whistles, that isn't necessarily true in my experience, but I can see how it could be used in such a way. Typically, the men and women that I know that have pointedly used those terms do it in a "please don't label me the way you want to/above the division" sort of way.
Disclaimer: I do use those terms for myself, personally, because that's how I would prefer to identify, but this doesn't mean that I don't see any inequities in the opportunities or rights of women across the world. I just prefer to build my identity differently than others.
Pie and Beans
Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
It sounds an awful lot like Dyack tried to out-politick the Marvel/Disney situation, but fell flat on his arse and no doubt burned more bridges while trying to look like a master tactician in the process -- all while keeping it secret from his company that should have been greatly concerned as to what the fuck was going on with finances.
I got one too, eh pre owned though. Ended up playing it in the end and it wasn't terrible.
Yeah it's actually somewhat fun. Reminded me of all those PS2 hack n slashers (which is not a bad thing for me because I have a soft spot for those). I just really wish they fixed the FPS, I really wanted to do a Hard run but the game becomes literally impossible to play at certain points when there are a lot of enemies on screen.
Yeah the whole thing with Marvel is quite fascinating. Never thought that would have been a factor in the game's development
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Very good interview. I don't care who he is blaming or not, it's good to know that there was a struggle when Disney took over.
i believe the website he is interviewing for here positioned themselves as a return to "real" journalism in the first days of gamergate
Yep. And KiA is currently promoting this interview via sticky.
So transparent lol
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
You know, before, I would have responded to this with:
"Randy Pitchford to Denis Dyack: How to Throw Another Studio Under the Publisher Bus Instead of your Own."
Now, I assume I don't really have the full picture of what went on with that game, and publisher, and set of studios, either. Maybe somebody can point me to a Randy Pitchford interview on the subject so I can get his side of it at least.
Say he's telling the truth here. Why did literally nobody from SK, nobody that worked with him, ever say "no, actually things weren't that poorly run and this is BS"? If a freelancer gets in contact with about 40 people you would think at least one member of that studio would want to at least defend their OWN work.
There is no reason to take what he says at face value at all.
There is no reason to take what he says at face value at all.
I am so glad that there are other great Canadian game developers. when I first heard about the company of silicon knights I would visit the site often but they really haven't done much. look at too human it was originally a PlayStation 1 game and during all that time it turned out to be a flop.
I am surprised that anyone would want to work with him. hes got such a bad reputation now he drags down potential games.
I am surprised that anyone would want to work with him. hes got such a bad reputation now he drags down potential games.
Toronto is on fire lately in particular.
Why do they need Dyack?
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Against.
D
Deleted member 80556
Unconfirmed Member
Oh God, why. This industry is so fucked. Developers can't be this blind. I didn't think I could think worse of this man.
I think he already had that moment lol.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Dyack was the original Gamergater. Remember his position on 1up yours was that people talking shit about his game on GAF was dangerous? He's the original "don't talk about certain things, it's unethical" nutter.
Really they need all of the 1/2 decent 2nd party devs they can muster. Notice the gaping whole in the normal lineup since Sk, Rare, F5, and others have left.
Do they soldier on? Yes.. But their current console is waay to plaformer heavy, and could use the variety those guys provide. I would even go out on a limb and say that with enough 2nd parties Nintendo wouldn't really Need 3rd parties.
Imbarkus
As Sartre noted in his contemplation on Hell in No Exit, the true horror is other members.
Okay Kotaku found 8 of them who were willing to anonymously attest to a lot of allegations about their ex-boss, and then slink away.
Dyack had 8 of them who were willing to stand with him in a new company and work with him again directing them creatively to make a new game.
The problem with technological representations of human opinions is the method of aggregation is all wrong. Like the Nielsen ratings, your evaluation of the testament of those 8 people gains more weight, total voice in fact, for everyone who worked there. Even the ones who claimed on video that the things said were not true.
Many favor only certain opinion aggregates when it comes to this man: Averages of Maximums (in Blame), is my closest estimation.
OK, but that doesn't really answer the question. Why do they need Dyack? What does he have that isn't being fulfilled by, I don't know, their ongoing relationship with Koei-Tecmo over the Fatal Frame series?
Brianimaniac
Banned
Activision released like three or four other Marvel games in the years after X-Men: Destiny, and development on those wouldn't have even started until after Disney bought Marvel.