Holy crap! Darrell Rodriguez has left LucasArts!

Yep, you read right. The pres of LucasArts has resigned from LucasArts. Does this mean back to more stupid Star Wars ripoffs, and no more Monkey Island again?

Read more here:http://www.incgamers.com/News/22469/president-of-lucasarts-makes-abrupt-resignation
I'm so shocked, and worried about the future of the company.

Comments

  • edited May 2010
    Yeah, there's lots of concern going around over this. All we can do is hope for a decent replacement.
  • edited May 2010
    If they do ANYTHING to hurt Monkey Island 2: Special Edition's development then this is the end of the line...

    From 2000 to 2009 they were all sucky with Star Wars stuff, letting Telltale have the Sam & Max license all for themselves so that they could focus more on Star Wars (that's my understanding anyway). But when Darrell took over, Telltale and LucasArts worked collaboratively on TMI, and made Monkey Island: Special Edition. Here I thought, maybe we should give them another chance, if they do MI2:SE, no more boundaries, no matter how bad their other games may be, I'll love them forever! I really hope they've learnt from these last few years about Monkey Island being a huge part of their income, and I hope their love for these type of games continues as opposed to reverting to their old ways.

    Of course, it may not affect it at all and I could just be making a fuss about nothing. There are many signs (XBox deal of the week, release on PSN, Telltale's site, Mac, and the rating by the ESRB) that it could be here within the month...
  • edited May 2010
    there still relesing pics on there fb like normal
  • edited May 2010
    I don't think we should be too worried about this. I think LucasArts realizes how much going back to their star wars ways would hurt the fans, and they would make sure to get a point and click fan as the new pres, plus they know their is a lot of market out there for Monkey Island, and adventure games in general. As for MI2SE, they're still doing marketing and stuff for it, so I don't think it's gonna get cancelled any time soon.

    EDIT: I commented on Facebook, asking for someone at LucasArts to confirm that this isn't putting adventure games in jepoardy, and I am anxiously awaiting a reply. I'll keep you posted on what gets said to that. Hopefully our fears will be put to rest.
  • edited May 2010
    I wouldn't worry about this affecting MI2: SE.
    LucasArts revealed that this event won't impact any of the company's current projects.
  • edited May 2010
    Yeah, until certain "marketplace realities" crawl back in...
  • edited May 2010
    Yeah, until certain "marketplace realities" crawl back in...
    Luckily the current "marketplace realities" are that the Special Edition of MI 1 sold pretty well, as far as I know, and people are interested in the Special Edition of MI2.
  • edited May 2010
    People were interested in "Sam & Max 2" as well... I think those "realities" were just valid inside of the Lucasfilm empire.
  • edited May 2010
    From 2000 to 2009 they were all sucky with Star Wars stuff, letting Telltale have the Sam & Max license all for themselves so that they could focus more on Star Wars (that's my understanding anyway).

    They didn't really let Telltale get the license. Fact is, they lost the rights because they didn't renew the license when it expired. Rights reverted back to Purcell. TTG got the rights from Purcell.
  • edited May 2010
    I'm not worried about MI2:SE... I'm pretty sure it's going to be released anyway... What I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY worried is about the possibility of a 2nd season of tales... What if the next pres thinks they shouldn't allow TTG to use the license?!?! What if they think they could make a better MI than TTG and ruin it?!?! I'm scared....
  • edited May 2010
    Yeah, until certain "marketplace realities" crawl back in...

    ME2: SE is scheduled for a Summer release (some speculate E3 which is about a month away), it's already May. We've seen the work that's been done on the game. We know the dialog has been recorded. They've been hyping the crap out of it.

    It seems to me that the "marketplace reality" is that they already sunk a bunch of money into the project it would be stupid to cancel it at this late date.

    Also, the main difference between now and then is that when Sam & Max were canceled adventure games were assumed to be on the decline, and they were pretty much only released for the PC (I know there are exceptions). Now, there has been a resurgence of interest in adventure games, there are a bunch of platforms on which they can be released, and as stated already the first SE did well.

    I personally see no reason to worry, not about MI2:SE anyway.
  • edited May 2010
    MixN'Mojo have given some more info on the situation. Apparently Jerry Bowerman is the current replacement...

    I already want someone to conduct an interview with him.
  • edited May 2010
    Thespis wrote: »
    It seems to me that the "marketplace reality" is that they already sunk a bunch of money into the project it would be stupid to cancel it at this late date.
    Wasn't Duke Nukem Forever always at "a late date" too?
  • edited May 2010
    Thespis wrote: »
    It seems to me that the "marketplace reality" is that they already sunk a bunch of money into the project it would be stupid to cancel it at this late date.
    Yeah, it doesn't quite work that way though. Otherwise I would be looking forward to Obsidian's Alien RPG right now.

    So, *finger's crossed*
  • edited May 2010
    Wasn't Duke Nukem Forever always at "a late date" too?

    Duke Nukem Forever wasn't an update to an already finished game.

    I don't think comparing a new game in development to an updated edition of an already existing game is an accurate comparison.
  • edited May 2010
    Here's something that will (hopefully) put your fears to rest as far as Monkey Island is concerned.

    http://talesofmi.net/?p=924#comments
  • edited May 2010
    Thespis wrote: »
    It seems to me that the "marketplace reality" is that they already sunk a bunch of money into the project it would be stupid to cancel it at this late date.

    Sam & Max: Freelance Police was all but finished when they canned that. The game was complete.
    Wasn't Duke Nukem Forever always at "a late date" too?

    Well, the people in charge of making Duke Nukem Forever had no idea what they were doing. They didn't know how to make a proper game (I'm talking more about George Broussard then the whole dev team). They had basically nothing for years because George kept reviewing what people were working on for weeks and then telling them to start over. It was very disorganised.
  • edited May 2010
    Here's an idea. How about someone makes a Hitler reacts to Darrell Rodriguez leaving LucasArts? Kind of a follow-up to the reaction of Monkey Island 5 (or whatever you prefer to call it, I'm not starting that argument again)
  • edited May 2010
    This is disappointing news, but I wouldn't let it worry anyone too much in regards to Monkey Island. The second special edition’s production seems to still be in full swing and I think whoever will replace Darrell will notice just how well Monkey Island did in Telltale's hands. I can't imagine them wanting to risk doing it themselves when you have all those Monkey Island veterans working at Telltale. I know that Lucasarts has made decisions in the past that haven’t helped Monkey Island, but they were logical decisions on their parts considering adventure game were not doing so well at the time. I'm just going to give them the benefit of the doubt this time.
  • edited May 2010
    Sam & Max: Freelance Police was all but finished when they canned that. The game was complete.

    Do you have a source to back that up?
  • edited May 2010
    I read in an interview with Steve Purcell that the game was 2/3 done when they cancelled it. Don't know where it is, though.
  • edited May 2010
    Here's an idea. How about someone makes a Hitler reacts to Darrell Rodriguez leaving LucasArts?

    Constantin Film has filed a copyright claim. Good luck using Downfall clips on YouTube.
  • edited May 2010
    Brainiac wrote: »
    Constantin Film has filed a copyright claim. Good luck using Downfall clips on YouTube.

    Really? I didn't know that. Oh well, I was planning for it to be me posting the video anyway.
  • edited May 2010
    Here's a thought: He could perhaps do the opposite of everything we wanted them to do with our beloved franchises. Someone at the top saw the sales and interest for their old games and they said "HEY, this stuff is pretty hot!". And then we'll have every single classic in their catalogue milked to death. Prepare yourself for Monkey Island Kart Racing, Grim Fandango Snowboarding and Day of the Tentacle Bungie Jumping.

    Of course, if they want to make sense, Outlaws 2 or even an updated version of the first with online gameplay - considering the huge interest in Red Dead Redemption. But that would make too much sense.
  • edited May 2010
    Sad news really. Just as I started to like LucasArts Games again.
    Well, all that can be said is, let's hope the new guy will have a similar way of running things.
    I liked the Special Edition quite a lot really (bought in on the 360) and would be sad if they would really bin MI2SE, but I really can't think that it will happen (main difference to S&M2 is that this time they know they will make some money).
    I just bought Tales of MI now (as I didn't have a PC for quite a while), so I can't really say much about it yet, but I heard that it's very good.
    It would be a shame if they didn't give Telltale a chance for a second season.
  • edited May 2010
    StarEye wrote: »
    Of course, if they want to make sense, Outlaws 2

    Oh boy. Best. Sequel. Ever. But don't do it without Clint Bajakian

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRiiCegL9GI
  • edited May 2010
    I honestly think that the future of adventure games and Monkey Island in particular completely depends on the sales of Monkey Island 2 SE. If they can make a lot of money off of it they'll look into continuing SEs and possibly beginning new franchises. If it sells poorly then we're back in the dark ages again. So everyone buy it right away! D:
  • edited May 2010
    It was nice while it lasted. Back to pumping out the same old Star Wars games over and over and over.
  • edited May 2010
    Sam & Max: Freelance Police was all but finished when they canned that. The game was complete.

    The other main difference between the Sam & Max cancellation and what people are worried about happening now is at the time S&M was canceled digital distribution didn't exist. LucasArts would have had to put money into printing and shipping discs. With MI2: SE pretty much all the money that was going to go into it has already gone into it. Since it's being distributed electronically there are no additional costs.

    S&M was canceled because of a business decision (right or wrong), LA thought they would lose money on the game. With MI2:SE they're at the point where they can only make money, why would any company throw away profits?

    Really, times have changed, the industry has changed. Sam & Max and MI2:SE are two completely different animals.
  • edited May 2010
    Thespis wrote: »
    With MI2:SE they're at the point where they can only make money, why would any company throw away profits?
    I have no idea, but sometimes (more regularly than seems "common sense") they do that.
    For example because they think that time spend by the devs could be spend on a more profitable game. Sacrificing $5M for $50M isn't that hard a decision now, ain't it?

    So yeah, it's a dangerous time. Let's hope for the best.
  • edited May 2010
    Well DAMN... does this mean more SE are unlikely? I hope they get a replacement with as much, if not MORE love of the old adventure games that made Lucasarts games the huge thing they are today.

    Eugh... let's hope Lucasarts don't pull another retard moron moment and decide there's "No market for adventure games" again. Imbeciles.
  • edited May 2010
    Oh no!!!! Worsest news of the year... :(

    I hope It doesn't hurt the adventure remakes or Tales of Monkey Island Season 2...

    Thanks for bringing back the adventure legacy to LucasArts, Darrell! We will miss you...
  • edited May 2010
    well even if they focas on star wars they can still licence out a a new series cos they wont be doing any work on it TTG will be doing it all.
  • edited May 2010
    Yeah its sad what has become of Lucas Arts, they might redeem themselves someday, but i doubt it.

    Surely they must soon become tired of doing mediocre starwars games?, even the new movies sucks in comparison to the old.

    Go back and do more adventure games, its kinda scary to think about then, its all by chance the Sam & max licens expired, who knows we might never have gotten to play Sam & max or telltale might just have never become anything special.

    Crazy world.

    Hopefully if they havent lost all their talented people, they will learn something from these HD remakes, enough to maybe take a shot at a new adventure game.

    First 2 games i got for my first PC was Day Of The Tentacle follow by Sam & max, those games holds a specielt place above all else :)

    Would just be so nice if Telltale could aquire the right to do more DOTT. /dream.
  • edited May 2010
    RMJ1984 wrote: »
    Hopefully if they havent lost all their talented people, they will learn something from these HD remakes, enough to maybe take a shot at a new adventure game.
    They did. Most of them ended up at TTG though.
    Sure, they might have new talent, but that's hard to tell without a new title.
  • edited May 2010
    I think chances of a season 2 of TOMI just got smaller!
  • edited May 2010
    StarEye wrote: »
    Prepare yourself for Monkey Island Kart Racing, Grim Fandango Snowboarding and Day of the Tentacle Bungie Jumping.

    Sadly, I'd probably buy all three.
  • edited May 2010
    Everlast wrote: »
    I think chances of a season 2 of TOMI just got smaller!

    From 98% to 97.99%?
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