Joystiq

Report: Black Rock's final game was a freemium DOTA-style RTS

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST

"Champions Alliance" was allegedly the title of the last project the soon-to-be shuttered Black Rock Studios was working on, according to a Eurogamer report. The game was allegedly a DOTA-style RTS, starring teenagers flung into an alternate dimension (okay ...). The project was said to be quite far along, with pre-production wrapping and a free-to-play business model set in place before Disney made its decision to close the dev house.

"The game was intended to be released quite quickly, in beta anyway, in about six months or so," an anonymous source tells Eurogamer. "The idea was that you had to do PVP and PVE to gain XP to somehow escape." According to the source, "Disney seemed unable to work out what to do with the studio and didn't trust us to do anything other than racing, really."

Since Disney is prepared to close the studio now, we wouldn't be surprised if footage of the unannounced project starts popping up in the near future.

Report: Black Rock's final game was a freemium DOTA-style RTS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney moves to close Split/Second developer Black Rock

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:04:00 EST

Black Rock Studio, developer of Split/Second and Pure, will soon be blasted out of existence by the House of Mouse. In a statement provided to Eurogamer, Disney confirmed that none of the current projects at the studio were given the greenlight, and that employees had been told of an impending "consultation process" -- a 90-day phase under UK law warning of potential closure.

It's a sad end for a developer that deserved better. Pure and Split/Second were both critically acclaimed racing games that had a rough time finding an audience. Layoffs began at the studio several months back and a few of the top brass have already formed new outfits. Black Rock Studio's General Manager Tony Beckwith tells Joystiq he can't "comment at the moment" on the situation.

Disney moves to close Split/Second developer Black Rock originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnLive gets Disney Interactive support, universal controller, heading to UK this fall

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:40:00 EST

Black Rock Studios' excellent racers, Pure and Split/Second, are sliding to OnLive, the streaming game service announced today. The duo of arcade racing titles will lead the charge for Disney Interactive titles on the service, with LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean up next on the list. And that's not all -- OnLive had a bunch of news to drop just before E3 begins next week.

For starters, the service will be officially launching in the UK at some point this fall. As with the company's North American debut, UK residents are encouraged to sign up for early "Founding Members" access -- the official UK site goes live in the coming days. Additionally, OnLive revealed intentions to make its way to a variety of "Intel-based consumer TVs, Blu-ray players, and set-top boxes" later this year. The first such devices will begin arriving this fall, and will reportedly stretch beyond the company's currently deal with consumer electronics manufacturer Vizio.

Alongside the Intel deal, OnLive plans on launching a "universal wireless controller" that will work with said Intel-based devices. It looks and operates very much like the OnLive MicroConsole controller, and will come with a USB dongle for non-wireless devices. It's said to contain several different radio signals for working with a multitude of devices.

You'll be able to brag to your friends all about how you're playing high-end PC games on your Intel-based TV on a wireless controller right from within games, pushing brag clips to Facebook. Which is to say, yes, OnLive is getting Facebook integration as well, starting June 7. Now, you'll excuse us if we take a moment to catch our breath.

Gallery: OnLive (E3 2011)

Continue reading OnLive gets Disney Interactive support, universal controller, heading to UK this fall

OnLive gets Disney Interactive support, universal controller, heading to UK this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney Interactive implements mass layoffs; status of Junction Point, Black Rock currently unknown

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:08:00 EST

Beyond Disney Interactive's layoffs today at Junction Point and last week's closure of Propaganda Games, sources tell Joystiq that the division's job cuts go much deeper. We've been informed in this "first round" of layoffs that 250 people have been let go.

Numerous attempts to obtain an official statement from Disney have gone unanswered. There is currently no word on the overall status of Split/Second developer Black Rock Studios nor Warren Spector's Junction Point, which recently released Disney Epic Mickey, a title we've been told has not sold as well as expected. Sources also tell us that the fate of Spector could be separate from that of the studio.

Massive changes at the division have come at a steady clip ever since Disney bought social game developer Playdom for upwards of $563.2 million. Then there was the double-barreled resignation of longtime boss Graham Hopper and bigwig Steve Wadsworth. It is currently the era of James Pitaro and former Playdom CEO John Pleasants, who are seeking not to repeat the division's $234 million loss this fiscal year.

Update: Disney's terse official statement: "As part of setting a strategic direction for future success in the digital media space, the Disney Interactive Media Group today began a restructuring process"

Disney Interactive implements mass layoffs; status of Junction Point, Black Rock currently unknown originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Additional Split/Second DLC revealed; 'Survival at the Rock' out now

David Hinkle — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Some Split/Second DLC is pulling into the left lane -- wait, we can't do this. It's not fair to you and it's not fair to us. We're better and more capable than pulling these types of shenanigans. Let's put it in park, take a second to collect ourselves and take another lap around the track.

...

Okay, now that we've got that out of our system: today, fans of Black Rock Studio's racer can download some additional content with the Survival at the Rock DLC pack. Within you'll find the Minepit Park track and a new game mode called Survival Race -- it's a take on Survival mode where instead of lapping semis beneath the shadow of the looming clock 'o doom, players will be tasked with simply completing a set number of laps. Survival at the Rock is available for download right now on Xbox Live and PSN for 400 MS Points and $4.99, respectively.

Throughout the next month, however, Disney will also be dishing out two more DLC packs. On October 19 you can download the Deadline pack, which adds four new vehicles -- the Ryback Coyote Special, Cobretti Centaur, Ryback Javelin and Hanzo Kanobo -- and Deadline mode, a clock-based race mode where players can freeze the timer by picking up items on the track. Finally, on November 2, you can snag the Quarry Onslaught pack, adding the titular Quarry track and a new game mode, Onslaught -- a single player and multiplayer-compatible mode where drivers dodge "waves of missiles from a circling helicopter." This game mode will be compatible across nine different tracks in the game, including Deadline. These packs will join the currently available Elite Vehicle Livery and the High Octane Supercar packs.

The Deadline pack will set you back 400 MS Points ($4.99), while Quarry Onslaught will cost a bit more: 800 MS Points ($9.99). Head past the break for a trailer showcasing Survival at the Rock. Heads-up: it in no way involves Sean Connery. Yeah, we were kinda bummed about that too.

Continue reading Additional Split/Second DLC revealed; 'Survival at the Rock' out now

Additional Split/Second DLC revealed; 'Survival at the Rock' out now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Split/Second getting three DLC packs in August, 'major DLC pack' in September

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If you're still racing around the structurally unsound tracks in Split/Second, you'll be pleased to note that developer Black Rock Studios plans to release three DLC packs "in the next couple of weeks," as well as a fourth in September. The first three packs will introduce new cars, while the pack coming next month is said to be "major" and will come packed with an entirely new environment (we're hoping that means new powerplays as well).

No pricing has been offered for any of the packs, but the game's Facebook page (where all of this was announced) says that the third DLC pack will be free "as a way of saying thanks to our awesome community," and will contain a "special edition vehicle based on the original classic Ryback Cyclone." Solid launch dates weren't given either, and nothing's showing up on XBLM or PSN just yet, but we do have this one screenshot above from the second DLC pack of a "High Octane Supercar." Don't say we never gave you nothin'!

Split/Second getting three DLC packs in August, 'major DLC pack' in September originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Split/Second down to $40 on Amazon today

David Hinkle — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:15:00 EST

How would you like to feel like Lando Calrissian all of the time? It's pretty easy -- and you don't even need to betray your friends or star in a Colt 45 commercial, either. Simply head on over to Amazon and pick up Split/Second at a reduced price of $40.

Feeling lost? Well, then you didn't read our review. Don't worry, we won't hold it against you, so long as you promise you'll read it right now. Please, don't make us turn this into a thing. Thaaaaaanks!

Split/Second down to $40 on Amazon today originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 May 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Split/Second is $40 at Best Buy next week

David Hinkle — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:30:00 EST

Click image for more potential savings

If you've been thinking about picking up Black Rock's fresh-out-of-the-garage racer, Split/Second, then you may want to keep Best Buy in mind. A tipster sent in a shot of next week's circular, which highlights the game's $20 savings. On top of the savings, you'll also net three Best Buy-exclusive cars -- not a bad deal, if we may say so.

The sale runs from May 30 until June 5. Click the image above for a shot of the full page ad.

Split/Second is $40 at Best Buy next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 May 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Split/Second demo now on Xbox Live, races to PSN May 11

David Hinkle — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST

The just-released single-player Split/Second demo, now available on Xbox Live to all subscribers, teaches you the most important thing about driving a race car through America: how to dodge massive explosions. One in 253 race car drivers meets their maker like that every year, you know.

PS3 owners will be able to join in on May 11th and hurtle through the Airport Terminal level in race mode, triggering environmental destruction and aeronautical disaster on the way to the finish line. Split/Second hits retail on May 18.

Split/Second demo now on Xbox Live, races to PSN May 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney: Split/Second coming to PC retail and digital distribution (plus: new GDC trailers!)

David Hinkle — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:30:00 EST

Earlier today, we noticed a report over on That Video Game Blog that stated Black Rock's upcoming racer, Split/Second, would only be available on the PC as "a limited online release." Turns out, that isn't the case, as a Disney spokesperson has confirmed to Joystiq that the game will be available on the PC both via retail and digital distribution on May 18, alongside its console cousins.

When questioned about which digital distribution services the game would release on, Disney couldn't say. So, as a peace offering, we were given a pair of new trailers: the first you can see above this chunk of text, while you'll need to click past the break for the other. We know, we push you guys too hard!

Continue reading Disney: Split/Second coming to PC retail and digital distribution (plus: new GDC trailers!)

Disney: Split/Second coming to PC retail and digital distribution (plus: new GDC trailers!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pure flips onto Games on Demand

David Hinkle — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST

Black Rock's stuntastic, straight out the plastic (NSFW) ATV racer Pure has vaulted onto the Games on Demand service. The price of admission into Pure's amusement park of big ramps and bigger air will set you back $19.99. Not sure if that's worth it. Check out the demo through Xbox Live.

And, now that we're on the subject, could someone undo the supposed cancellation of Pure 2? Thanks!

Shortcut: Add Pure to your download queue [Xbox.com]

Pure flips onto Games on Demand originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Split/Second destroys the track in May 2010

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

Split/Second now has a much narrower release window, having been winnowed from a vague '2010' to a much more manageable 'May 2010,' according to CVG (and confirmed by Joystiq with Disney Interactive).

For those who haven't been keeping up with it, Split/Second is a racing game that lets players use the environment against their opponents. For example, you can cause a whole building to topple directly onto the road, thus changing the course of the race -- and possibly crushing a few opponents in the process. In short, it's great fun, to which our E3 hands-on can attest. Fans of racing and big explosions may want to mark their Michael Bay Swimsuit calendars pronto.

Split/Second destroys the track in May 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Split/Second trailer blows up buildings, gigantic boats

David Hinkle — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST

Split/Second isn't like most racing games -- this much you already know. Like most racers, it has the super-fast cars, tight turns and limited slip differentials, but you can't take down whole buildings mid-race in most games in the genre. In fact, you can't blow up huge boats, either. Basically, it's like Burnout, except the world around you is the thing that gets smashed into bits.

All of that (and more) happens in the very brief glimpse of gameplay above. Enjoy!

Latest Split/Second trailer blows up buildings, gigantic boats originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Artist lists work on Pure 2, now canceled

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:45:00 EST

Professional artist Young s. Ko. has numerous video games under his belt, all listed on his blog and all likely to be very familiar to you. Why, he's done vehicle art for games such as Need For Speed Shift, Burnout Revenge, Pure and even Pure 2. "But wait!" you exclaim. "One of those hasn't come out!" You're right -- Need For Speed Shift hasn't been released yet -- but please, you really need to concentrate on the "Pure 2" thing. That's what this whole post is about.

According to the project's description, a sequel to last year's thrilling off-road racer has not only failed to materialize, but may have been sent to the scrap heap altogether. The publishing contract was allegedly canceled (not entirely surprising considering Disney's rough year), dashing our hopes of ever seeing Young's ATV displays, uh, displayed on a TV. Well, maybe not ever. One can hope that developer Black Rock Studios will revisit the four-wheeled franchise after it completes 2010's Split/Second ... provided we don't immediately start clamoring for a sequel to that first.

Disney Interactive Studios had no comment to offer at the time of publishing.

[Via superannuation]

Artist lists work on Pure 2, now canceled originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on: Split/Second

Xav de Matos — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST

If you asked us to sum up Split/Second in one simple sentence it would be: Split/Second is like Burnout, except the world around you is the thing that gets smashed into bits.

Going into the racing-heavy E3, with showings of Forza Motorsport 3, Need for Speed: Shift and Blur (to name a few), we didn't know what to expect from Black Rock Studio (the team behind 2008's Pure). In the end we walked away with more anticipation we've had for a racing game since Burnout Paradise was first revealed. Forgetting some of the hang-ups we had with the demo, Split/Second is one of the most intense racing experiences we've had in ages.

Gallery: Split/Second

Continue reading Hands-on: Split/Second

Hands-on: Split/Second originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Split/Second developer Black Rock disses Jerry Bruckheimer

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:59:00 EST

When we spoke with Split/Second developer Black Rock Studio (a fully-owned subsidiary of Disney Interactive) at E3, we asked if they felt like they'd stolen Jerry Bruckheimer's thunder, because the game looks like something we'd expect out of Jerry Bruckheimer game. Which is ironic, since Jerry Bruckheimer recently confirmed (after only a year and a half wait) that he's forming Jerry Bruckheimer Games at MTV, not Disney.

Paul Glancey at Black Rock told us, "Well, we used to say our inspirations were Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer movies ... now we just say Michael Bay movies. Good luck to him, whatever he does. Hopefully he'll be using us as inspiration." Ba-ZING! Take that, Bruckheimer! We're sure you'll feel that sting as you swim around Scrooge McDuck-style in your giant pool full of gold coins.

Split/Second developer Black Rock disses Jerry Bruckheimer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIS officially announces Split/Second for PC, PS3, Xbox 360

David Hinkle — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:49:00 EST

click to make bigger, more explode-y

If you only take your octane in high, then this bit of news is likely to put your pedal right down to the metal, as Disney Interactive Studios has officially unveiled Split/Second. Set for release early next year on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, Split/Second is described as an "action-racing game where speed meets strategy in a city rigged for destruction."

The press release also mentions a new site for the game, although that doesn't seem to have gone live yet. And, as suspected, Black Rock has created a world where "competitors vie to be the first across the finish line in a made-for-TV city built for destruction," so expect plenty of Running Man jokes on our end as we write about the game in the future.

Gallery: Split/Second

DIS officially announces Split/Second for PC, PS3, Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pure demo pops onto the XBLM this Thursday

Dustin Burg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Xbox Live Marketplace

As promised, Disney and Black Rock Studios have just sent us press release love to inform us that a PURE demo will be releasing to the Xbox Live Marketplace this Thursday, September 3rd. Along with a quick tutorial mode, the demo will include one racing location, the Italian Mount Garda track, but we don't believe there to be any online support. Then again, that's PURE'ly speculation (you see what we did there, eh?) Presser after the break.

Continue reading Pure demo pops onto the XBLM this Thursday

Pure demo pops onto the XBLM this Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A dirty PURE demo to release to the XBLM in Sept.

Dustin Burg — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Disney just revealed that their off-road, high-flying ATV racer PURE will be spawning a downloadable demo onto the Xbox Live Marketplace sometime in September. The demo is said to include a tutorial mode as well as a complete racing track based in Italy where there is "a lake seen in the distance" ... huzzah! Not patient enough to wait until September for your PURE demo experience? Then simply pre-order PURE at your local participating retailer and you'll be given the demo on a convenient DVD. It's nice. It's PURE. We're thirsty.

[Via CVG]

A dirty PURE demo to release to the XBLM in Sept. originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pure ingame trailer vs. CG teaser

Xav de Matos — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

Earlier today Black Rock Studio released the first ingame footage of their recently announced off-road racer, Pure. Considering the teaser trailer was shown a few days before today's ingame release, we thought the loyal X3F army would want to compare both videos. Our impressions of the ingame footage? It looks like a lot of fun and if all the pieces fall together correctly it could be the closest thing Xbox 360 owners will have in the same vein as Sony's PS3 exclusive Motorstorm. Check out the CG teaser after the jump and let us know how close you think Disney's dev team at Black Rock got to the game itself.

Continue reading Pure ingame trailer vs. CG teaser

Pure ingame trailer vs. CG teaser originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney announces off-road racer Pure

Xav de Matos — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game announcements

Racing games are broken up into various sub-genres to help differentiate the appeal they'll have to different demographics of gamers. Simulation, arcade, kart, destruction, clown-car and off-road are all standard in the racing world and Disney has just announced plans to jump into the fray. Introducing Pure, an off-road experience that's promised to "redefine" the off-road sub-genre. However, with the recent releases of Dirt and the PS3 exclusive Motorstorm off-road racing has been getting a strong push for quality releases.

While the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC title isn't slated to hit shelves until late 2008 it's unclear how Disney's Brighton, England studio Black Rock, formerly known as Climax Racing, is going to wow audiences. While we're sure the studio is passionate about the possibilities new hardware offers, the buzz-word promises they threw at GI.biz of "breakneck racing" and "jaw-dropping aerial tricks," just invoke memories of Black Rock's previous franchise ATV Off-Road Fury. But hey, here's hoping they'll prove us wrong.

[Via Joystiq]

Disney announces off-road racer Pure originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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