Crystal Dynamics hiring for an 'AAA' game

by JC Fletcher { Jun 16th 2009 at 9:40AM }

Current Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics hasn't had much good news to report, with much of its workforce laid off, and disappointing sales of Tomb Raider Underworld. However, a job listing posted on Gamasutra's job search site reveals that the company is still at work, bringing in at least one new hire for something big.

"Crystal Dynamics has a rare opening for a Senior Art Director on one of the most prestigious AAA franchises in the industry," the listing opens. The obvious, exciting conclusion to be inferred from the fact that Crystal Dynamics is working on a new big-budget franchise game: Gex is coming back. We suppose there's also the remote possibility that it could beTomb Raider.

[Via Develop]

Tags: crystal-dynamics, eidos, gex, job-listing, square-enix, tomb-raider

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Storm Eagle @ Jun 16th 2009 9:47AM

I wonder if they'll bring back Dana Gould to voice him. lol.

Jrinswand @ Jun 16th 2009 9:48AM

You bastards. The first thought that popped into my head when I saw Crystal Dynamics was making a new game was Gex 4.

I then read through the rest of the article and realized that I couldn't scream "GEX 4!" for the lulz cause you guys already beat me to it.

Judd @ Jun 16th 2009 9:51AM

Sorry to be the grammar police, but would you read "AAA" as "A-A-A" or "triple-A"? If it is the latter, shouldn't the headline be "Crystal Dynamics hiring for a 'AAA' game"?

I'm really not trying to be an ass, I just like talking about grammar. Yes, I'm serious.

Jrinswand @ Jun 16th 2009 9:54AM

No. Their usage of AAA is fine. Let's look at another example: the PS3. Now, when people see the acronym PS3, they don't actually think "PS3"; they think "PS Triple." It's just one of those things.

Judd @ Jun 16th 2009 9:59AM

Who the hell says or thinks "PS triple"? Also, "triple-A" is a phrase. As in triple-A baseball. Or to refer to the American Automobile Association.

Jrinswand @ Jun 16th 2009 10:04AM

This guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm4drxAiwLc

Levi @ Jun 16th 2009 10:12AM

Yeah, you never hear people saying "A A A," it's "triple A". This isn't like FPS, where you can say "an eff pee ess" or "a first person shooter."

And no. Nobody says Playstation Triple. I won't click that link.

LaughingTarget @ Jun 16th 2009 10:29AM

The American Automotive Association is written as AAA and verbally as triple A. The usage is fine, common usage trumps grammar Nazi.

Vidikron @ Jun 16th 2009 11:19AM

NCAA is another example. People say it as "N-C-Double A".

Richard 2.5 @ Jun 17th 2009 12:57AM

I'd just like to chime in and show how smart I am by pointing out that Judd's point is that they should have preceded "AAA" with "a" not "an." Usage between the two is dependent on the first sound, not letter (e.g. "a unicycle," "an hour," etc.).

And as a side note, I actually checked out the comments for this article for the sole reason of seeing if anyone already noted this. I like talking grammar, too. But conversely, I wanna be an ass, so I'll mention that even if you didn't know what Judd was talking about, it should've been obvious he wasn't suggesting that the use of "AAA" was the problem.

The Dark Wayne @ Jun 16th 2009 9:52AM

I mean, it'd be pretty ballsy to say they're hiring for a shitty game wouldnt it?

The Baron @ Jun 16th 2009 9:52AM

It almost feels like Tomb Raider has been going on for too long. And the sad fact is that none of the games since the first one have been amazing, just quite good.

It would have made much more sense for Eidos to have put a lot of resources into starting a new franchise and ensuring that it was top-quality (before they got bought out by Square). Of course, the fact that Square bought Eidos for control of its existing franchises makes the whole situation a lot more bizarre.

Crystal Dynamics are a good dev, they just need to be given their own space.

Caenicus @ Jun 16th 2009 10:16AM

What do you mean it "almost feels like" Tomb Raider has been going on for too long. It's been going on for 6 games too long, now. Croft hasn't done anything worthwhile since Tomb Raider II, and even that's questionable.

For me, Tomb Raider was never anything special. Laura Croft came into existence when 3D graphics were still being pioneered. The only reason it ever got popular was because Eidos successfully pulled off a platform adventure featuring a lass with big tits. Beyond that, it was never anything special. Game mechanics have evolved far beyond what Tomb Raider did in it's first iteration, and yet Eidos can't figure out why it doesn't sell. They don't realize that Laura Croft is an unlikeable character and will never wow us the way she did during mid-90's, no matter how many times they give her a make-over.

I don't understand why these studios continue to spit out sequel after sequel, then seem disappointed by sales. Team Sonic has been doing that since Sonic Adventures on the Dreamcast, and before that, Sonic 2 on Genesis. Well no shit, I say; we could have told them that and we're not getting paid. Fire the businessmen, I say. They're like politicians, the come in fuck everything up.

I remember a time when the industry was a much more casual environment, when companies focused on quality rather than big business. If this recession has done anything good, I hope it has bankrupt companies like Eidos who continue to slap Laura Croft on the box and call it a day.

Caenicus @ Jun 16th 2009 9:55AM

Crystal Dynamics need to stop dry humping the Tomb Raider franchise to death and revive the Legacy of Kain series. That is, if they can get Amy Hennig on board. Otherwise, forget I said anything.

lazykindaguy @ Jun 16th 2009 10:04AM

Legacy of Kain, please for the love of any remaining Old Gods this.

Louis @ Jun 16th 2009 11:28AM

Yes! Please bring back LoK! Ever since Defiance, I've been itching to play more as Kain with his Raziel sword!

Mr Freeze (Rehabilitation FTW) @ Jun 16th 2009 11:29AM

I would LOVE to see a new Legacy Of Kain. Kain needs to fulfill his duty as the Pillar of Balance. Raziel has to be released from the sword that binds him and call it a day. I am very much sick and tired of Laura Croft.

MarioSpitza @ Jun 16th 2009 9:57AM

"Crystal Dynamics has a rare opening for a Senior Art Director on one of the most prestigious AAA franchises in the industry."

I'm sure the question is on everyone's mind: Exactly what franchise is CD referring to? They have a few notable franchises, but none of them are particularly prestigious as far as I know.

Lucas @ Jun 16th 2009 10:04AM

Could be Pandemonium 3?

Maulok @ Jun 16th 2009 10:06AM

I would love to see what Crystal Dynamics given the budget to bring Uncharted to the PSP or PS2 in some capacity.

Burns11 @ Jun 16th 2009 10:18AM

Why the hell would Crystal Dynamic be given the job of making a PSP or PS2 Uncharted?

Maulok @ Jun 16th 2009 1:35PM

Because I like Crystal Dynamics, and I like Uncharted, and I would like to play Uncharted on the subway.

Burns11 @ Jun 16th 2009 4:23PM

So your hope is that a third party developer be given a budget and somehow pull the rights (they would never get in a million years) to make a game out of nowhere so they can develop a game for a system they have never done anything on before?

Maulok @ Jun 17th 2009 9:57AM

I would like Uncharted on PSP, and if regular first party devs are too busy, I wouldn't mind seeing CD make it. I liked their Tomb Raider games.

Sheesh, nevermind, it's not worth the hostility and flaming.

Cj @ Jun 16th 2009 10:11AM

Legacy of Kain!!!!!! Or Soul Reaver. Raziel was too cool to just be put down like that,.

Caenicus @ Jun 16th 2009 10:23AM

Part of me agrees, part of me says let him die with dignity. Legacy of Kain one of the only series, with the possible exception of God of War, that has actually gotten better as the series moved forward. I would hate to see them fuck that up in a ditch effort to turn profit.

George @ Jun 16th 2009 10:26AM

The only thing CD better be reviving is our Beloved Legacy of Kain series. After the cliffhanger ending in Defiance we need a next Gen LOK game about Raziel & Kain AFTER he was absorbed into the Soul Reaver. Amy Henning or not hell I could write the next chapter in the LoK franchise.

Reuben @ Jun 16th 2009 10:55AM

Unless this is about The legacy of Kain, I couldn't care less. I yearn to take a brutal, bloodthirsty Kain through Nosgoth once again.

Gexus @ Jun 16th 2009 11:07AM

Oh GOD! Please! Let it be!

Gex IV for PS3 :D:D:D

Mr Freeze (Rehabilitation FTW) @ Jun 16th 2009 11:30AM

Amy Henig words for Naughty Dog right? She is the ONLY one that knows the franchise

elvor0 @ Jun 16th 2009 12:42PM

Legacy of Kain! That tale needs finishing, especially after the kick ass ending that was Defiance.

rubAdub72 @ Jun 16th 2009 12:56PM

it has to be a new KAIN game!! *dances with joy*

what other Crystal Dynamics IP could be this AAA? Gex? Pandemonium? You gotta be kidding me... Legacy Of Kain: Defiance was freaking awesome, this is CD`s best series since the PsOne.

but since the application is for an art director, it seems the game will probaby surface on 2011...