Ritual Aquired: Sin Episodes Effectively Dead
Undead Scottsman
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Looks like the small exodus from Ritual studios was the herald of bad news; Ritual Entertainment (Makers of SiN, SiN Episodes, Heavy Metal: FAKK2, Elite Force 2 and others) has been bought out by casual game studio Mumbo Jumbo. Mumbo Jumbo, ironic, was originally a split off company from Ritual, founded by it's then CEO (Ron Dimant) and President (Mark Dochtermann).
Here's the press release
So from that alone it sounds like Ritual is being shuffled onto more casual orientated projects, but this more recent statement clinched SiN Episodes death.
Oh well, the first episode didn't set the world on fire and I was only moderately interested in the follow-ups.
Here's the press release
Source: http://www.ritualistic.com/content.php/articles/press/070124.phpMumboJumbo Acquires Game Development Studio Ritual Entertainment
Migration of Mainstream Development House to Casual Publisher Creates New Chapter in Gaming History
DALLAS, TX – January 24, 2007 – MumboJumbo™, a leading developer of premium casual games, today announced it has acquired Ritual Entertainment™, a veteran game development studio with expertise in game design and artistic quality. In addition to the strategic importance of the deal, which strengthens MumboJumbo’s™ ability to deliver the best games to the casual gaming audience, the acquisition further solidifies the company’s presence as one of the largest casual game studios in the industry.
“MumboJumboâ„¢ established the casual games category at retail, and the purchase of Ritual Entertainmentâ„¢ is consistent with our strategy to bring high-quality casual game content to the major platforms,†said Ron Dimant, who left his post as chief executive officer of Ritual Entertainmentâ„¢ in 2001 to found MumboJumboâ„¢. “The combination of Ritual’sâ„¢ high-end, multi-platform expertise and our own industry-leading publishing model will set the bar for quality and sophistication in casual games and create a major industry powerhouse. The casual games market is beginning to mature as evidenced by an increase in consumer expectations. Ultimately, the companies providing the best content will win, which is why we are investing so heavily in the development of technology and original IP.â€
“The disciplined structure of high end game development requires an in depth understanding of sophisticated tools and design techniques,†said Robert Atkins of Ritual Entertainmentâ„¢. “Ritual’sâ„¢ expertise in these areas complements MumboJumbo’sâ„¢ mass market approach to casual game development and gives us a true competitive advantage.â€
So from that alone it sounds like Ritual is being shuffled onto more casual orientated projects, but this more recent statement clinched SiN Episodes death.
Source: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=15054Alas, what this means for Ritual and its fans is a new era. In fact, it would appear that new games in the SiN series and others won't be happening anytime soon now that Ritual is owned by MumboJumbo. "The idea of acquiring Ritual was to have them strengthen our development in the casual genre and not to have them involved at all in the action style games," Cottam explained. "If there's an opportunity to have them do something on the SiN episodes, we would look at that, but that will not be the focus of the company. The combined companies will focus exclusively on casual, unless opportunities present themselves that we think are strategic from a business standpoint... Again, I wouldn't close the door on [traditional games] but that's not the primary focus."
Oh well, the first episode didn't set the world on fire and I was only moderately interested in the follow-ups.
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Or at least on PC or online. Those games never have as much content and polish as the portable titles (or even the XBLA ones). Plus, I can't imagine Ritual making some half-assed flash puzzle game.
I thought Valve might buy them, keep the team together and the episodes going.
Oh well. Perils of episodic games I guess.
Seriously, this is a commonly used phrase around here, but it fits this so well that it can't be helped.
"It's not FOR you."
I really can't imagine Levellord making maps for cutesy puzzlers and platformers. I'm willing to bet dollars to pesos that he'll be up for hire soon.
also there's little bits saying "LEVELLORD WAS HERE", etc.
As far as I can see, the parting was ambicable. Just a couple of the higher up wanting to do something different and handing the reigns over to other people.
I don't think it was like when the Ritual guys left 3D Realms by just walking out on a project without warning, shortly before it was due to be released.
Will there be at least some kind of conclusion to SiN episodes?
As of this moment, no plans to continue SiN episodes.
EDIT (in response to Scotman's post below me since): Well shit....
At least it was only $10.
CD-ROM drive.
What happend to the New SiN multiplayer?
Um so yeah fuck this.
And fuck, I wanted more SiN. Sure, it wasn't OMG REVOLUTION, but sometimes all you want is some mindless shooting.
They are THE most consistently profitable segment of the gaming industry. So many misses in the gaming industry with millions in losses. Casual games are often not made at a loss and can begin making profit rather quickly.
Mumbo jumbo? MUMBO JUMBO?! CASUAL FUCKING GAMEMSAKLDJLAKSJFL:SDJFHKLSHFVKASFLKSHCLKKJFWAS
Myth 3
I haven't liked Mumbo Jumbo ever since the atrocity that was Myth 3. I understand it was a big fuck up by Take 2 in that as well, but Mumbo Jumbo had a part of it and I will not forgive them for destroying my favorite PC series.
The gameplay wasn't anything new, but it was a pretty solid shooter, and the plot was fairly interesting.
I am a freaking nerd.
It also really seemed like they knew what to do to improve the next episode(s). I was looking forward to it. Bah!
> turn on light
Good start to the day. Pity it's going to be the worst one of your life. The light is now on.
Call me paranoid... But I just get this feeling, you know? Like these two high-ups left once Sin was released and kind of died on the branch, thinking it wouldn't amount to much, or they weren't happy with the IP. Then, when something DID start happening with the IP, they decided to move in and put a stop to it, once and for all. The exodus of people from Ritual hints at this possibility.
It's not altogether that far fetched, especially considering that even amongst the flash/"casual" game market, I've never heard of MumboJumbo.. and the acquisition is just too... Weird to make sense as anything else.
I thought so. Plus the fact that once you have the first episode done, I would think that its less expensive to make another episode then it is to make a new game. (Not that its not still expensive, just less so, and you sell the finished product for the same amount.)
I am a freaking nerd.
*Discretely touches finger to nose and looks around at everyone else*
I hope this isn't the case, but if you have been reading the 'things you didn't know about the games you play' thread, about how that sonic game was killed you never know if someones ego got brushed the wrong way.
I am a freaking nerd.
Hey, Lockecole, I've seen you around the ASOIAF forums. I love your book