The Newcastle-based developer founded back in 2003 is set to close down at the end of the month, CVG has learned. Looks like another nail in the UK games industry's coffin.
The developer is owned by 2K Games and has recently been responsible for the likes of Rocky: Legends on Xbox and PS2 and the Xbox 360 version of Prey. The studio was formed following the closure of Rage Newcastle's studio. Take 2 acquired the developer in September 2004 for a reported $1.295m.
Official blurb about the dev reads: "Venom Games was founded in January 2003 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England from core members of a well-established development team. Its first title was Rocky: Legends for Ubisoft. In September 2004 it became part of Take 2 Interactive Software, Inc. Since the acquisition, it has relocated into new custom-designed offices and increased headcount by more than 60% to develop games for next generation consoles."
CVG has received word that the studio is to close at the end of the month and that all employees were told earlier today. Interestingly, we've also learnt that Venom Games was originally asked to handle the PS3 version of BioShock (to be released at the same time as the 360 version) but its coders said it wasn't possible. The PS3 version is now in development at 2K's Marin studio.
We contacted 2K about the report but the company would only offer us a 'no comment'.
Venom Games recently finished up work on the 360 version of Don King's Prizefighter. As far as we know the developer hadn't announced what it was working on next. More soon, we reckon.
When they say that Bioshock was "Not possible" on the PS3, do they mean technically or in the required timescale that was asked of them?
I'm no great fan of the PS3 but it's utter bulls**t to say that the game couldn't be written to run on it...sounds more like they favoured the 360 as a development platform and struggled with getting to grips with the PS3, which may ultimately have cost them their jobs!
actually i thought prize fighter seemed like a pretty well made game.
i hate to hear about studios closing, but im sure the talent wont go to waste. plus they can make 'that indie game' all developers say they will make one day.
It's not fair to say that they were a rubbish developer. Prey was a brilliant game, excellently ported to the 360. Shame they wont be doing the sequel!
its a shame to any developer go out of business/close with the work they put into a game, certainly a UK developer, just worsening the situation of game development for UK in general, and doesn't hold much well for future people in the industry (i'm studying for game design now).
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