195
rate

Factor 5. And another one is gone.

December 23, 2008 in Rumor comments 15

First word was spreading of the company in troubles, then rumors came that the company is closed have now been confirmed. It seems company after company is closing down in the worst possible time, the holiday season.

The Christmas period continues to be a trying time for one or two independent developers - and now a new report this week claims that US independent Factor 5 has closed.

According to a source speaking with IGN's Matt Cassamassina, the studio has shut its doors.

The developer, which worked on games such as Star Wars: Rogue Leader and PS3 game Lair - and was rumoured to be developing a Superman title for now-defunct publisher Brash - was just last week rumoured to have laid off a number of staff.
Sayyed via developmag.com »
Favourite this article Add source
| More
Report!
News story attached to:

Comments

Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 0
    Existence Dec 23, 08
    Ah, damn. I was looking forward to seeing a Superman game which actually didn't stink.

    'Tis a sad time for game companies. Sad to see them shutting down on Christmas.
  • 0
    The Omega Dec 23, 08
    NNNNNOOOOOOOO!!! I love the Rogue Squadron games, and I believe they made all of the console ones.

    And did we need two news items in about 24 items on the closing of the same company by the same member? Couldn't the first article just be edited by the GG staff?
  • 0
    Daigoji_Gai Dec 23, 08
    Unfortunate. Very unfortunate, especially as Z-fighter said over the holidays. Did Lair break the camel's back? If so, unfortunate.
    • 3
      BlackLabel Dec 23, 08
      I doubt it both Factor 5 and Free Radical both knew what they were doing by staying independant. They knew the risks of making exclusives games as developers with a very limited budget, they carried on doing that and right now they have paid the ultimate price.
      • 0
        Daigoji_Gai Dec 23, 08
        Very well said. Thumbs up!
      • 0
        chautemoc* Dec 23, 08
        You seem to be discouraging these choices..I think we should applaud them. =/
        From what I understand anyway it was poor management that essentially caused things to fold. Could have been prevented, former employees are saying.
  • 1
    Nagare* Dec 23, 08
    I heard that the RS games were great, I only tried the PSP version on a friend's console and wasn't that impressed initially.

    Sadly, I have to say Lair would be the primary cause.
    • 1
      Daigoji_Gai Dec 23, 08
      The original RS on the N64 and the eventual cube sequels were fantastic, and showed a nice evolution from the thinking that spawned Rebel Assault back in the day. They were no X-Wing or TIE-Fighter, the classic PC space sims that had more depth than anything we've seen in a Star Wars game to date... but RS was nice fix for us old school PC gamers that *still* long for a return of the classic X-Wing/TIE Fighter games.
      • 0
        Nagare* Dec 23, 08
        Would you still recommend the titles for PC, even if they are outdated?

        If so, which in particular? I might consider picking one up.
  • 0
    redneonfish Dec 23, 08
    Ah that's shit. I feel sorry for the people that have lost their jobs over Christmas. Here's to hoping that they can get something new soon =]
  • 0
    Bale Fire Dec 23, 08
    Considering Lair really wasn't that bad, just overhyped I feel sorry for these guys, they had potenial.
    • 0
      BlackLabel Dec 23, 08
      LAIR was a supermodel, it had a whole heap of good looks but didn't perform well. By the time they got round to perfecting the gameplay it was too late, bad press had slaughtered the game beyond repair.
  • 0
    Team Xtreme Dec 23, 08
    Damn, no more Rogue Squadron.
  • 0
    Capn Droid Dec 24, 08
    No way? Rogue Squadron was my favorite game as a kid.
  • 0
    Sayyed Dec 24, 08
    Most of the problem was with mangement and not because of LAIR. even though that probably knocked them down a knoch or two. Shame though, LAIR was not that bad and shouldn't have contributed if it wasn't for shitty media outlets.

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.