New Oddworld game in the works, may be 'years' off

by Jason Dobson { May 22nd 2008 at 10:00PM }

It's been more than three years since we last frolicked about in Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, but according to Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun a new game set in Lorne Lanning's Oddworld universe is currently in the works. According to Wilfrid Laurier University student newspaper The Cord Weekly, Braun confirmed his involvement with developers Oddworld Inhabitants on the project during a presentation at the school earlier this week.

Few details were revealed about the upcoming game, though Braun noted that the title will feature a "revolutionary new 3-D animation system" and "cinematic quality on a '1 to 1 scale' to that of computer-generated motion pictures," adding that the same assets could be used to create both a video game and film version in parallel.

This isn't the first time talk of CG features and Oddworld have been mentioned in the same breath, with Lorne Lanning himself refocusing his company in 2005 to create both games and accompanying CG movies, the first of which was announced a year later as Citizen Siege. However, as that title has yet to see the light of day, it doesn't exactly surprise us that Braun admits that the next Oddworld release could be "years" away from seeing retail shelves, and may even be released in an episodic format when it's all said and done.

Tags: jeff-braun, jeffbraun, lorne-lanning, lornelanning, maxis, oddworld

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kujel @ May 22nd 2008 10:07PM

I'd buy it I loved the last two Oddworld games, I never did get to try the others though.

brandon_r87 @ May 22nd 2008 10:27PM

I never played Stranger's Wrath, but I loved Munch's Odyssey. It was great because it was so different than anything else. It was also one of those few games that are actually funny.

Kujel @ May 22nd 2008 10:28PM

Munch's Odyssey was great and Stranger's Wrath was better.

Kspraydad @ May 22nd 2008 10:13PM

And from the same article:

When asked what the future of games press is, Braun replied "I think the future is [blogging]. I don't read any trade, I do the blogs. I don't care anymore about these game magazines. I don't care what they have to say."

"The only reason why I go to IGN or Gamespot is when I've just bought a game and I need to know the walkthrough, or I want to see if I want to buy it and I read what they're saying," continued Braun. "For industry inside information, the blogs have it all. I'm sure the industry is not happy. I'm sure the [Electronic Arts's] of the world are flipped about how stuff gets out so quickly and so easily."

He argued that subjective voice brings readers to blogs like K****ku and Joystiq. "I like the idea of how there's attitude behind the blogs. They call the shots. The video games magazines never used to call the hard shots - because they're advertisers and they would piss everyone off. The blogs, they don't care - they will just trash anybody and say anything."

chez @ May 23rd 2008 9:22AM

I disagree, I find blogs to be of lower quality than magazine articles. Or at least compared to the decent mags like Edge.
The only thing I don't like about mags is paying for them but hey you get what you pay for.

Mr.ESC @ May 23rd 2008 12:00PM

Note:CHEZ WAS BANNED FOR THAT POST.

Mr.ESC @ May 23rd 2008 12:06PM

Well I agree with him.

I normally go to Gamespot and IGN for hints and walkthroughs.

Magazines are pretty much dead since you can get more informtion in the internet.The only appeal was the exclusive content included in CDs or DVDs but some magazines stopped including this content and why are you going to buy a magazine with news you already read in Joystiq?

KingOfGods @ May 22nd 2008 10:25PM

I would love Abe's Oddysee on XBLA and Strangers Wrath on originals and BC

mrfong @ May 22nd 2008 10:45PM

Aw man, Stranger's Wrath isn't compatible on 360. That's the one I never got a chance to play through :( Looking forward to future installments for sure.

Dangerdork @ May 22nd 2008 10:50PM

All apologies to Francisco or whoever that Nintendo fanboy is, but I think Abe's Oddyssey is my favorite and the best platformer ever, even counting Mario...

Farseer (GDI) @ May 22nd 2008 11:08PM

Don't apologize to Fernando... no need. :) If you prefered the Oddworld 2d platformers to many of the Nintendo platformers, then you simply have good taste.

I agree with you - the first two "Abe" Oddworld games were two of the most fun and compelling platformers to ever grace a console.

(granted, I love Nintendo platformers as well, but they never came as close to "art" IMHO)

chez @ May 23rd 2008 9:25AM

You've been a member here for 2 months and you don't know his name? Calling BS.

Also it's a good idea to make out that Oddworld is the best platformer. Not only because it's a terrible series but because they ripped the gameplay completely from Flashback and Another world.

Farseer (GDI) @ May 23rd 2008 10:36AM

You don't really think that the Oddworld series was a terrible series, do you?

Regarding the first two installments, I totally give the devs credit for emulating the gameplay style of PoP and Out of This World because every other platformer - seriously, every other platformer at the time - was working off of the Nintendo style in one way or another.

They also took the time to render some beautiful environments - both industrial and natural - and formed a story around the world that wonderfully critical of Western Civilization. No other platfomer at the time looked as good, has as compelling a story, and featured gameplay that made you sit back and think instead of blindly rushing through stage after stage.

Needless to say, I am really looking forward to a new Oddworld installment.

Dangerdork @ May 23rd 2008 11:57AM

I pretended to not know his name so I didn't have to resort to insulting Nintendo products, AKA dissing what he loves, AKA being an ass over the internet.

Which you did.

Notice I said "I think" instead of "it is" the best.. whatever. *dries newb tears*

why not the LS2LS7? @ May 22nd 2008 11:04PM

Here they go again? Anyone remember the early preview trailers for the Xbox Oddworld game?

They defined "bullshot". The consisted of footage that didn't show any gameplay and bore no relationship to the final product.

Farseer (GDI) @ May 22nd 2008 11:10PM

Yeah, Munch was a bit of a disappointment, but they more than made up for it with Stranger.

EMOruffino @ May 23rd 2008 12:02AM

memories.....

Residentevil72501 @ May 23rd 2008 12:31AM

Strangers Wrath wasnt just a good game, it was a GREAT game, its one of those games that you just never forget. Seriously any of you guys who havent played it well if at all possible you should, its FANTASTIC plain and simple.

Styki @ May 23rd 2008 2:20AM

I believe the first two Oddworld games were by far the best. Strangers Wrath was a pretty good game. It was unique and quirky or whatever but it didn't feature Abe and in my opinion. Munch got into the 3d realm and to me Oddworld will always be 2d platforming at its greatest.Abe is was made these games fun. That and the fact that Abes Oddyssy was unlike anything we had seen before on the playstation. The voice work was superb and I would say that those graphics 10 years ago still look great even by today's standards. 4 outstanding games. I just think that the first one in particular is a timeless classic.