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Next Gen Indy game scrapped? 13 Jan, 2009 / Comments: 45

By jp-30


That's the rumor doing the rounds. Here's IGN's take on it.
IGN has heard from multiple sources (both internally at LucasArts and elsewhere) involved in the long-in-development Indiana Jones title for Xbox 360 and PS3 that the game has been cancelled. Unofficially we've heard that developers are being reallocated to other projects and that the new Indiana Jones project that we last reported on in April 2006 is dead in the water.
If it does turn out to be true, maybe the handheld version that LucasArts has had in the can for a year or so (allegedly) might get a release?

TINGLER UPDATES: Joystiq has the response from LucasArts. And it's a bit strange.
"LucasArts remains absolutely committed to the Indiana Jones franchise. While we are aware that fans have been eagerly awaiting additional information on the upcoming game, they can rest assured that details are forthcoming."
This doesn't exactly say yes or no does it? We're getting an Indiana Jones game, but when and developed by whom is still another matter.

Source: IGN

45

45 Comments

  • Jake on 14 Jan, 2009, 10:10…
    Mojo defies rational sense by seemingly covering more game cancellations than announcements.
  • jp-30 on 14 Jan, 2009, 11:02…
    Well, I guess it's up to you guys at Telltale to restore balance to the...




  • The Tingler on 14 Jan, 2009, 16:22…
    ... hat.
  • GhostPirateLeChuck on 14 Jan, 2009, 05:06…
    Clearly they're all being allocated to work on Monkey Island 5...>_>
  • Capn_Nacho on 14 Jan, 2009, 16:11…
    Please, god, no.
  • Ascovel on 14 Jan, 2009, 17:44…
    Then Grim Fandango 2 :)
  • Udvarnoky on 14 Jan, 2009, 15:30…
    One does have to wonder what these "projects" are that the team supposedly is being allocated to. All other LEC projects we know about, announced or rumored, are 3rd party.
  • jp-30 on 14 Jan, 2009, 19:48…
    Fracture 2
  • The Tingler on 14 Jan, 2009, 16:23…
    Team?
  • ATMachine on 14 Jan, 2009, 00:07…
    Forget the game, I'm wondering what's going to happen with the novel. Rob MacGregor (who wrote a bunch of Indy novels in the 90's) was called back by Lucasfilm specifically to write a novelization of Staff of Kings. It's apparently finished and was being delayed so it could be released simultaneously with the console game...
  • The Tingler on 14 Jan, 2009, 09:17…
    The novel is down (according to the author) for publication Fall 2009. Hell, for all we know the game's still coming then.
  • Diduz on 13 Jan, 2009, 15:51…
    Seems to me they're moving the game to an external developer. We'll see.
  • The Tingler on 13 Jan, 2009, 16:34…
    I think that's really likely.

    So were they lying about the game looking really great a few months ago?
  • Bad Asp! on 13 Jan, 2009, 13:56…
    Somebody INVESTIGATE this company, NOW! I'll probably get the same excuse in 2010, in 2011, in 2012, in 2013, in 2014, in 2015, in 2016... it's annoying, I tell you!
  • Kroms on 13 Jan, 2009, 17:19…
    Don't worry. I'm sure you can resurrect it from the dead.
  • Bad Asp! on 13 Jan, 2009, 17:30…
    That's right, because unlike humans, games CAN be resurrected from the dead! You know, like Mother 3 or Duke Nukem Forever (possibly called that because it's like TAKING forever to get finished).
  • Udvarnoky on 13 Jan, 2009, 19:23…
    Oh man, it's called Duke Nukem Forever and it's TAKING forever. I can't believe I'm only just now seeing the irony.
  • Ascovel on 13 Jan, 2009, 19:02…
    One game that got resurrected and release was Heart of Darkness
  • The Tingler on 13 Jan, 2009, 23:02…
    Shouldn't have bothered with that one.

    Prey was quite good though.
  • Ascovel on 13 Jan, 2009, 23:46…
    Really? From the screenies it looks just flashy and messy.
  • The Tingler on 14 Jan, 2009, 09:18…
    I thought it was quite fun, and it got good reviews.
  • Udvarnoky on 13 Jan, 2009, 13:49…
    Their "response" is merely a regurgitation of what they said last time.
  • The Tingler on 13 Jan, 2009, 14:47…
    Yeah, I noticed that too, and it answers nothing as well.
  • PirateKingChris on 13 Jan, 2009, 05:50…
    Not surprised. Expecting them to mess up creating a new game anyway.
  • Udvarnoky on 13 Jan, 2009, 04:45…
    Sounds like "we remain committed to internal development" was about as sincere as "there are currently no plans to reduce staff."
  • jp-30 on 13 Jan, 2009, 05:28…
    Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
  • Kroms on 13 Jan, 2009, 05:24…
    I just have to wonder who keeps on calling all these shots. :/
  • Udvarnoky on 13 Jan, 2009, 05:47…
    The truth probably lies in this old article. The key line: There are some that believe that more money can be made by licensing the SW and Indiana Jones IP to third party developers than through in-house development.
  • Sven_Q45 on 13 Jan, 2009, 23:04…
    And original titles can developed in-house?
    Btw I think not.
  • jp-30 on 13 Jan, 2009, 07:12…
    Ha. The pre-X-Wing LucasArts Star Wars philosophy.

    But back then they had a crack internal team who were breaking new ground with every release all original IP (except Indy, of course).
  • jp-30 on 13 Jan, 2009, 05:43…
    Rick McCallum.
  • The Tingler on 13 Jan, 2009, 00:05…
    If this is true, then it's pretty obvious that LucasArts as a development company is completely dead.

    I expected Indy to come out and THEN they fire all of their staff and go publishing only, but if this is true it will be a sad day.

    Nevertheless, I do NOT believe LucasArts will just let the game go - they'll give it to another developer, surely.
  • Kroms on 13 Jan, 2009, 01:41…
    Sa Sa Sa Sa Sa Saaaaaaam and Maxxxxxx, Freelance Poliiiiiiiiice.
  • tabacco on 14 Jan, 2009, 01:09…
    LucasArts didn't give us the rights to that one, Steve did :)
  • The Tingler on 13 Jan, 2009, 17:46…
    That was different - this is Indy!
  • Capn_Nacho on 12 Jan, 2009, 23:51…
    A real shame, if not any kind of surprise. I would've loved to check out a new Indy adventure.

    Though I kind of agree with Ascovel-- perhaps it's for the best. I'd rather not end up buying an awful game that's just a bloated tech demo, anyway. Bring on Fracture® 2 and Thrillville® 3!
  • Diduz on 12 Jan, 2009, 23:37…
    Ouch, damn.
    Come on, TFU has been a hit, what the hell could be wrong with an Indy game with the same engine & hype?

    Oh well... let's hope they scrapped the game to make a a graphic adventure.

    :-P
  • The Tingler on 13 Jan, 2009, 00:03…
    Because they fired all their staff, that's why.
  • Sven_Q45 on 12 Jan, 2009, 23:16…
    I dream for a really realistic Indy adventure...

    But this action game were ok. Indy 6 was ok too. One of my favorite games!
    Why only SW? Indy 6 is btw a big licence too, I´d say!

    I hope it comes out. And I really hope for a PC version of this game!
  • Capn_Nacho on 12 Jan, 2009, 23:47…
    Hey, now, we all know no PC could POSSIBLY handle the incredible physics engine under the hoods of these games.
  • Sven_Q45 on 13 Jan, 2009, 23:03…
    Damned consoles! I still play PC. :)
  • Ascovel on 12 Jan, 2009, 22:08…
    I didn't like how they were advertising it with that physics engine anyway. Maybe there wasn't even any story ready yet.
  • jp-30 on 13 Jan, 2009, 23:50…
    Except the handheld version (which usually follows the general plot of the console versions) was allegedly finished and handed to LucasArts a year ago.
  • Remi O on 12 Jan, 2009, 21:49…
    That makes this, what? 3 or 4 canceled "official" Indy projects at LEC?
  • Lagomorph on 12 Jan, 2009, 21:20…
    It's just logical that this would happen.
    It's Lucas Arts remember. They only do STAR WARS games...

    Not that I was really looking forward to that game. If only it would've been a new Indy point 'n clicker...