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NWR Interactive => TalkBack => Topic started by: NWR_DrewMG on March 04, 2010, 03:50:42 AM

Title: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: NWR_DrewMG on March 04, 2010, 03:50:42 AM

The Los Angeles-based development studio shrinks by 14 members.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22687

 Publishing giant Electronic Arts has let go of 14 members of EALA, the development studio behind Wii-exclusive titles Boom Blox and its sequel Boom Blox Bash Party.      

Former EALA employee Jeff Dixon said that the developer had been working on a game for Xbox 360's upcoming Project Natal add-on.    

A representative from Electronic Arts released the following statement: "EA remains fully committed to maintaining its EALA studio which is the headquarters for the mobile division as well as for development of franchises like Medal Of Honor, Command & Conquer and others."    

When asked by Kotaku what prompted the layoffs, the representative said, "Moving projects to leverage development strengths is common in global studio organisations.  In this case, a small project has been moved from EA Los Angeles, to the EA Bright Light Studio in Guildford, UK, where the Harry Potter franchise and several of the Hasbro properties are developed.  A small number of employees were impacted by the decision.  All eligible employees will receive severance and outplacement assistance."    

No new titles in the Boom Blox series were believed to be under development.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Peachylala on March 04, 2010, 01:06:01 PM

This is what you get for ****-canning the sequal into Party status, EA Games.
 
May we hope those employees find better places to work.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: TJ Spyke on March 04, 2010, 03:38:30 PM

Peach, what makes you think this has to do with Boom Blox? They were working on other stuff too.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Ymeegod on March 05, 2010, 12:32:09 AM

Boom Box Bash Party didn't sell so hot 1/4 of the sales of the orginal.  Kinda sad though because I thought they were working on a sequel with motion plus controls which is what the series needed.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on March 05, 2010, 12:52:29 AM

Quote from: Ymeegod on March 05, 2010, 12:32:09 AM

Boom Box Bash Party didn't sell so hot 1/4 of the sales of the orginal.  Kinda sad though because I thought they were working on a sequel with motion plus controls which is what the series needed.

How so? Boom Blox has no need for motion plus, the accelerometer is the only motion used, the rest involved pointing.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Ymeegod on March 05, 2010, 01:23:51 AM

And that what M+ fixes though, the accelermeter. 

The game quite challenging in some levels (especially if you're going for gold) so you might pull out your hair when the game requires you to throw a soft toss.  Either it was reading to fast or didn't pick up on the movement at all. 

Not sure why peaches didn't like Bash Party though?  Had tons of levels, map editor, and DLC to boot?  The only thing they ditch was the silly litttle single player story from the first game but I thought the sequel was great.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 05, 2010, 01:27:52 AM

Quote from: Ymeegod on March 05, 2010, 01:23:51 AM

And that what M+ fixes though, the accelermeter. 

The game quite challenging in some levels (especially if you're going for gold) so you might pull out your hair when the game requires you to throw a soft toss.  Either it was reading to fast or didn't pick up on the movement at all. 

Not sure why peaches didn't like Bash Party though?  Had tons of levels, map editor, and DLC to boot?  The only thing they ditch was the silly litttle single player story from the first game but I thought the sequel was great.

The MotionPlus doesn't do anything to the accelerometer, though. It allows the remote to pick up rotation via the gyroscope in it, which I doubt would help in the situation you brought up.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Ymeegod on March 05, 2010, 02:42:40 AM

It adds another sensor so instead of just two points of reference you have three.  Kinda like a XYZ point. 

You can see the difference in some of Resort minigames like the 3 point basketball game since it's similar to boom blox pitching motion.  If you throw it with the same force you get the same result each time.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Stratos on March 05, 2010, 05:19:02 AM

Boom Blox Bash Party is what happens when EA tries to annualize (sp?) a series like Boom Blox. Plus BBBP just felt uninspired compared to the original for some reason. It didn't quite draw me and others in like the first. Though maybe playing it a bit more will rectify that.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 05, 2010, 07:13:45 AM

This is what happens when you "Harry Potterize" a franchise. Consumers want to buy something and then that be the end of it. They don't want it to be dragged out for decades until the child actors are all in their 30s..

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Peachylala on March 06, 2010, 02:05:16 AM

Quote

Not sure why peaches didn't like Bash Party though?

Did I hate the game? No.

Did I hate the horrid name and the fact it came out only a year (A YEAR) after the first game? Yes. Two year period would've been fine, one year is a bit overkill.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: ejamer on March 07, 2010, 05:01:47 PM

Sad to hear, since both Boom Blox games were very good... but I agree with comments above.  Wii games need to be done right the first time to have impact.  Releasing a sequel with minor improvements and minimal advertising just one year after the original really isn't a great idea.  The original Boom Blox was a solid game and didn't need to be replaced so soon (even though Bash Party did improve on the formula).
 
Also, relying on the party moniker to sell was lame.

Title: Re: EA Cuts Boom Blox Team
Post by: Stratos on March 07, 2010, 05:45:55 PM

Quote from: ejamer on March 07, 2010, 05:01:47 PM

Sad to hear, since both Boom Blox games were very good... but I agree with comments above.  Wii games need to be done right the first time to have impact.  Releasing a sequel with minor improvements and minimal advertising just one year after the original really isn't a great idea.  The original Boom Blox was a solid game and didn't need to be replaced so soon (even though Bash Party did improve on the formula).
 
Also, relying on the party moniker to sell was lame.

Plus from what I heard the 1st game was still selling moderately well. I had gotten the impression that it was almost an Evergreen title and then EA drug it out back and shot it in favor of its younger brother.