Atari ditches OWI, who've signed up with EA??

[Abe's son]

...did...did OWI just sell out?

[Alcar]

No. There are two versions, the more commonly accepted version is that Oddworld Inhabitants are half owned by Microsoft. The article I just quoted from, seems to believe that Oddworld became fully independant, and then sought out another publisher.

It's a shame, because we still haven't any proper confirmation on the exact status of the Oddworld / Microsoft / Atari situation. We only have conflicting news reports.

Alcar...

[Sekto Springs]

The chaos of clashing game industries will never end.

[Wil]

OWI did say on the X-factor the game might be realased Dececember 2004.

No. The footage supposedly was shot in September 2003, and one caption reads "20 months before delivery," suggesting a May 2004 release. I think it was Oddworld.com that suggested a December 2004 release would be feasable.

It would be great if OWI did have their own independance. It'd allow them the control over the Oddworld IP we've all been saying they should have. And while Gamesbusiness.biz is highly respectable, I wasn't impressed on their reporting of Microsoft dropping OW4 from their publishing lineup, I recall.

[Nate]

I think OWI said they were hoping fo a late 2004 release. It was on their list of resolutions for 2004 in the january update. But games are famous for being postponed and this seems to be a minor change compared to some of the other stories you hear.

[oddguy]

We only have conflicting news reports.

Yeah...I'm getting tired of these inaccurate articles. Check this one out. It says we've allready played Stranger!

Players will once again take on the role of the Stranger, a western-style bounty hunter, who chases outlaws in the new frontier of the Oddworld universe.

http://www.gamepro.com/gamepro/domes...ws/36189.shtml

And these guys are supposed to be professionals!

Dude, that just kills me!

-oddguy

[Alcar]

As for the date that OWI are planning to release the game, I don't think it is really a big issue. If they were planning a December 2004 release, they were obviously hoping for it ro be finished for Christmas. It sounds just like the Xbox Launch deadline. Only this time, OWI have decided to delay the game, and finish it properly. As I've been saying for a long time, let Oddworld Inhabitants take their sweet time. In the end, it benefits both the fans and OWI. Again, I'll remind you that Munch's Oddysee took around three to four years.

Alcar...

[Cloverfield]

Publishers generally like to have games released before Christmas, because that is the biggest selling time for games. Hopefully though if EA pushes OW for this release date, it won't be at the comprimise of the game like it was with MO and the Xbox launch. However I don't think it will be seeing the game is already so far in the development stage.

Abe Babe...

[Jacob]

Well, on gamecentral [a text page on C4 - 375] it says that 'Stranger' is due out early 2005...

Then again, they did once call it 'Steefs Oddysee'...

[oddguy]

I'll let OWI take their time. The final result will be much better in that case...I'm sure.

-oddguy

[Wil]

Ooh, I keep meaning to keep an eye on Gamecentral to see if they have anything to say. Thanks for the hint, Jacob.

OWI should take as long as they want, for all the reasons everyone has already said. A 2005 release also means we'll be getting another Stranger Holiday card.

[oddguy]

A 2005 release also means we'll be getting another Stranger Holiday card.

Or...those Stranger Trading Cards! Eh...maybe a greeting card and trading cards for FOM's.

I really want those trading cards!

-oddguy

[Xavier]

hmmm, a new holliday card sounds good, but I don't think it will be as special as the last one was, cause I expect we will have some infos before, and that this card wont be our only info bit it in months