Matrix
05-31-2003, 05:53 PM
May 30, 2003 - Argonaut Games today abruptly announced the cancellation of its PlayStation 2 and Xbox platformer Malice and its girl-powered, Xbox only action game Orchid.
The English developer explained its finances will be significantly impacted by the cancellations. And as a result of the cancellations, the company's cash flow will be less than expected in 2003, since final payments from both publishers would have been paid upon completion of the products.
VU Games has cancelled the Malice development contract and has returned all rights to Argonaut. Vivendi Universal Games was previously in negotiations with Argonaut to find another publisher for Malice, but the possibility is unlikely, said Argonaut's executives, given the financial value the company requires at this point. Malice and its giant hammer swinging action have been in development for three years and was the demo software at the Xbox's unveiling in early 2001. Once envisioned as the Xbox's platformer answer to Mario or Crash Bandicoot, Malice is now no more.
Argonaut also has terminated its agreement with Namco Hometek Inc. for Orchid. Namco decided that the potential returns would not justify the additional investment required to complete it in its new form.
"These developments are very disappointing for Argonaut," said Chairman Julian Paul. "Malice and Orchid are heavy blows and the unfortunate delay of Powerdrome is very frustrating."
Lastly, sales of the recently released Kung Fu Chaos have been disappointing. As a result, Microsoft has decided not to commission a sequel as was believed.
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/421/421739p1.html
Man, this sucks. Many people guessed that Malice aint coming, because of this huge latency, but orchid! And its a good thing that they are not making any Kung Fu Chasos sequal :D...because the first one sucked :D
The English developer explained its finances will be significantly impacted by the cancellations. And as a result of the cancellations, the company's cash flow will be less than expected in 2003, since final payments from both publishers would have been paid upon completion of the products.
VU Games has cancelled the Malice development contract and has returned all rights to Argonaut. Vivendi Universal Games was previously in negotiations with Argonaut to find another publisher for Malice, but the possibility is unlikely, said Argonaut's executives, given the financial value the company requires at this point. Malice and its giant hammer swinging action have been in development for three years and was the demo software at the Xbox's unveiling in early 2001. Once envisioned as the Xbox's platformer answer to Mario or Crash Bandicoot, Malice is now no more.
Argonaut also has terminated its agreement with Namco Hometek Inc. for Orchid. Namco decided that the potential returns would not justify the additional investment required to complete it in its new form.
"These developments are very disappointing for Argonaut," said Chairman Julian Paul. "Malice and Orchid are heavy blows and the unfortunate delay of Powerdrome is very frustrating."
Lastly, sales of the recently released Kung Fu Chaos have been disappointing. As a result, Microsoft has decided not to commission a sequel as was believed.
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/421/421739p1.html
Man, this sucks. Many people guessed that Malice aint coming, because of this huge latency, but orchid! And its a good thing that they are not making any Kung Fu Chasos sequal :D...because the first one sucked :D