OddBlog seems to be host to two separate, but equally bemusing news stories. See if you can get your heads around these:
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In its annual 10-K form, recently filed with the American Securities and Exchange Commission, Atari has revealed that they no longer have any investment with Oddworld Inhabitants, as of the end of 2003. The news comes just months after hearing how Microsoft has ditched publishing of the next game. Atari sold their 50% stake in the developer to Microsoft for $1.8 million in publishing royalties, some eight years after investing $7.1 million in Oddworld when still GT Interactive (later Infogrames).
Atari was responcible for the publishing of Munch's Oddysee in Europe, but in Spring 2002, they cut their investment down to less than half, just $3.5 million. The move seemingly leaves Oddworld Inhabitants, Inc. with no publisher, but half owned by Microsoft.
Sources: gamesindustry.biz | 1UP | G4TechTV |
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The second astounding news item on Oddworld today, and the third in the last few days, it now seems possible that Oddworld Inhabitants have found a new publisher: EA Games. Although not yet officially confirmed, Computer and Video Games claims that a senior developer contact reports the deal has been signed and the game has gone alpha, with an official announcement to be made at the end of June. The article also claims the gameplay "will encompass a first-person shooter control and view style, with third-person melee combat," and that controls may be based on Halo's, a game of which Oddworld Inhabitants are reputedly fans of.
Many thanks to Worship for finding this article and appearing in OddChat with news of it. Read TeamXbox's reaction to this story, as well as their thoughts on Microsoft purchasing a 50% stake in Oddworld Inhabitants. Note that member The GiB claims that CVG are "notorious" for posting rumours as facts, so remember this news is currently stands as unofficial and unconfirmed. |
Assuming Computer and Video Games aren't Elumsheeting us about, it now seems that Atari have severed all ties with OWI, Microsoft refuse to publish the game but invest in half the company, and Oddworld Inhabitants have leapt onto the Electonic Arts Games bandwagon. It's all rather perculiar! *avoids puns like the Plague*