Insomniac plans North Carolina studio

by Randy Nelson { Jun 3rd 2008 at 11:05PM }

Raleigh, NC had better stock up on Ambien. GameDaily reports that Burbank, CA based Insomniac Games – creator of Resistance and Ratchet & Clank – plans to have a North Carolina office open for business by January 2009. Insomniac art director Chad Dezern will head the studio, with gameplay lead Shaun McCabe taking on the role of production director. Both Insomniac veterans will head east once development wraps on Resistance 2.

The studio, situated in the same "Research Triangle" area of Raleigh-Durham as Gears of War developer Epic Games (no peeking, guys!) will be home to roughly 30 new Insomniacs working on current and all-new franchises for PS3. In his interview with GameDaily, Insomniac president Ted Price points out that a team of 30 should be just the right size for creating a big-time PS3 title using the company's refined tools and technology. PS3 fans should be (rightfully) excited by the prospect of Insomniac likely bringing another all-new franchise to the system by way of the new studio, as the Burbank home base continues to develop future Ratchet and Resistance installments.

Tags: epic-games, gearsofwar, insomniac, ps3, ratchet-and-clank, resistance, resistance-2, sony, ted-price

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Rob Accomando @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:23PM

YES! Ratchet and Clank 9??!!

el serpiente @ Jun 4th 2008 1:19AM

Are you really a commando?

Noshino @ Jun 4th 2008 4:34AM

nah, 8th actually...(Handheld games included)

Burnt Meatloaf @ Jun 4th 2008 5:51AM

I don't count R&C games made by other developers.

xFenixKnightx @ Jun 4th 2008 9:21AM

R&C games = good but way overrated.

If R&C was multiplatform it would be just another platformer like Crash is now. The only thing that gets it hyped is that its an *exclusive*

It's solid don't get me wrong I have ToD but it doesn't even compare to Mario Galaxy. Same thing can be said about Resistance. Insomniac is wise to stay Sony exclusive. They always have the Sony fanboys blowing them up to be this revolutionary dev. Pfft!

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 4th 2008 9:43AM

I gotta disagree, Fenix. Aside from the handheld Mario RPGs, Ratchet & Clank is one of the few series that's consistantly funny. The villians and wacky characters shown downright Pixar or Disney level of personality. Even some of the random quotes and quips are hilarious. Such as the two robots in ToD. In any mission where you fight alongside them, pay close attention. Their banter is often clever quips at Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360. The kind of jokes only gamers really get but are well enough written that they're a blast.

The gameplay in R&C is a constant state of evolution, not revolution. Tiny balance changes, new minigames, new ways to modify your guns, etc. But the core gameplay is solid especially considering how many gunning platformers have been attempted and failed (Death Jr being one of the most recent attempts).

But seriously, who doesn't laugh at Captain Quark, Dr. Nefarious, Courtney Gears, or even Percival.

Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 4th 2008 10:06AM

Fenix,

WTF? Comparing R&C to recent Crash games? That's absurd. And I personally loved Resistance. I didn't really bother with the MP side, but as a single player game it is better than most. I find it odd that you can be so high on a game like Dark Sector but down on Resistance when the latter is better in every way... and by a large margin. Did you every get to play through it in co-op? That's where it really shines.

PojoMofo @ Jun 4th 2008 10:19AM

R&C overrated?????

Name a better platformer franchise that exists today thats not named Mario??

R&C FTOD was a great game.

Jacksons @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:26PM

Those guys are awesome. Looking forward to whatever they cook up!

Joe @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:42PM

I hope this has no thing to do with the rumors that in 2009 Insomniac is going to become a third party member over a second party member. I love Insomniac and if this means that other people get to play the great games that Insomniac makes then good news for every one.

Also I can't wait to see what new IP will come out of this.

Noshino @ Jun 4th 2008 4:37AM

Price mentions Sony so many times throughout the interview that I think they ll still be developing exclusively for PS

The Sound @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:45PM

Now we can expect 2AAA type titles every year =D

*Sigh* a man can dream, can't he?

David @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:58PM

Wow- Epic, Red Storm, and Insomniac all within a few miles from my house.

1UPMASTER @ Jun 4th 2008 12:47AM

woah...i live near them too.

hahaha, still in high school. ill trying getting an internship there for school. its a huge stretch, but hey, better than not asking at all, no?

xGeneral DEATHx @ Jun 4th 2008 7:44AM

South Cak here...wishing I was working in the industry now. :-\

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 4th 2008 8:28AM

Do me a favor then, let me know once they start hiring. I wouldn't mind moving to North Carolina.

xGeneral DEATHx @ Jun 4th 2008 12:28PM

Wong, are you currently located in SC?

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 4th 2008 12:49PM

Nope, in central illinois. But now that I have my 4+ years of experience, I'm looking to enter the actual industry but under a quality developer... and I don't want to head out to cali.

Wii60Warrior @ Jun 4th 2008 12:11AM

Ill please keep this company out of North Carolina...

Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 4th 2008 2:13AM

Say what?

derf @ Jun 4th 2008 4:45AM

You best pick your next words very carefully.

Wii60Warrior @ Jun 4th 2008 8:27AM

I dont want the taint of anythong son related fucking up the greatness that is NC

Now go ahead and bitch

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 4th 2008 9:36AM

Wii60Warrior, a simple question. Is it too early in the morning to fantasize about you being eviscerated by a koala bear?

Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 4th 2008 10:00AM

Son related?

PojoMofo @ Jun 4th 2008 10:31AM

ahhh Wii60warrior, feel threatened much??

BTW: you are the worst. troll. ever.

xGeneral DEATHx @ Jun 4th 2008 12:30PM

Wong,

It's never too early for such a thing. Might I suggest adding the Kool-Aid man in there, since this is obviously a kid-slaughter.

thegears @ Jun 4th 2008 2:41AM

i live in raleigh and have actually met one of the insomniac guys when he was over here visiting his mom for xmas. apparently he must have REALLY enjoyed his stay.

Burnt Meatloaf @ Jun 4th 2008 5:48AM

New R&C *and* new IP? Sounds good to me.

It saddens me that many developers are just making 360 ports. Insomniac is actually interested in putting real effort into coding for the Cell chip, and effort is what really counts.

JAmerican @ Jun 4th 2008 5:52AM

I really wish this exclusivity business would just end. It is really annoying to see games split amongst consoles. Why not just make games available for all (the devs make more money that way!). Look at GTA IV vs. Halo 3 sales. Doesn't that say enough.