Joystiq

Prey 2 countdown ends at fan site, Bethesda has 'nothing to do with that site'

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST

The "Alien Noire" website counting down to a Prey 2 reveal has concluded with a fan site that's apparently designed to host a petition to finish the game. Despite featuring logos for Bethesda Softworks and Human Head Studios, Prey 2's publisher and developer, respectively, the studios aren't involved in the site.

"It appears to be a fan site. We have nothing to do with that site," Bethesda's VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines tells Joystiq.

Hines previously told us, "I don't know what that is or who is doing it. It's not something we're doing."

Bethesda removed Prey 2 from its company website late last year, reiterating the game was delayed and not canceled.

Prey 2 countdown ends at fan site, Bethesda has 'nothing to do with that site' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bethesda: Prey 2 teaser site is 'not something we're doing'

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:30:00 EST

Remember the "Alien Noire" website supposedly counting down to a revelation about Prey 2? A recent update added a Prey 2 logo and more to the site. The site now also features logos for both Bethesda Softworks and Human Head Studios, Prey 2's publisher and developer, respectively.

Furthermore, the hidden message in the site's source code has been expanded. Previously reading "Tommy needs your help," it now reads "Tommy needs your help with a stranded human who wants to go home." The message refers to Tommy, the protagonist from the original Prey, who plays an important role in the sequel.

You might think that using official logos would substantiate the site's legitimacy, but apparently that's not so, according to Bethesda. A spokesperson tells Joystiq, "I don't know what that is or who is doing it. It's not something we're doing." So there you have it.

Bethesda: Prey 2 teaser site is 'not something we're doing' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Countdown site hints at Prey 2 reveal on March 1

Mike Suszek — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST

The last time Bethesda said anything about Prey 2, it deemed the game as having "not been canceled," though it was no longer listed on the publisher's site. A recent teaser site sprang up with the URL "aliennoire.com" however, and much like any conspiracy theory, all signs from it point to whatever we want them to point to, such as the revival of Prey 2.

NeoGAF users grabbed supposed screens of the site's previous source code that flat-out had the key words "Prey 2" and "Human Head Studios" in it, though the teaser site has seemingly been edited since then to remove those phrases. The cryptic countdown timer (which uses a "South Venusian" font, by the way) is ticking down to March 1. WhoIs registration info on the domain owner lists a private registrant by the name of "The Collective," with a Tahlequah, Oklahoma address, which happens to be next door to the Cherokee Tribal Administration. Coupled with the phrase "Tommy needs your help," which is still in the teaser site's source code, these two clues would certainly hint at the main character of Prey, a Cherokee mechanic and former soldier.

The teaser site might not be associated with Bethesda or Human Head Studios in any way, even if the logo at the top of the page looks strikingly similar to signs from previous Prey 2 screens. We reached out to Bethesda just to make sure we're not too crazy, as there's still no definitive sign that this is entirely legit.

Rumor: Countdown site hints at Prey 2 reveal on March 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 no longer listed on Bethesda site, company focusing on games it's 'talking about'

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST

Bethesda's recent website revamp is lacking a listing for its delayed (but not canceled) game, Prey 2.

"Since we had already announced it wasn't coming out this year and we don't have anything new to say on the game at this time, we simply didn't think it'd be appropriate to include it on the new site launch," Bethesda VP of marketing and PR Pete Hines told IGN. "We chose instead to focus on the upcoming titles we are talking about."

As Eurogamer points out, the current docket of featured games on the site runs through 2013. Bethesda announced in April that Prey 2 had "not been canceled," though said The Human Head developed project didn't its "quality standards."

Prey 2 no longer listed on Bethesda site, company focusing on games it's 'talking about' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Prey 2 development suspended since November

David Hinkle — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST

Bethesda announced earlier today that Prey 2 would not launch in 2012. Rumors suggest development is troubled, with Human Head Studios having suspended work on the FPS since November 2011.

Word comes from a source close to Shacknews, who claims work was intentionally stopped in the hopes of negotiating better contract terms with Bethesda owner Zenimax. Many employees were reportedly laid off as a result, with Human Head aiming to rehire them once the contract was satisfactory. According to the source, the game was in limbo until March, when things finally "soured."

Bethesda claimed the delay was "due to the fact that game development has not progressed satisfactorily this past year." Beyond that, the company wouldn't comment on the future or in what shape Prey 2 is in.

Rumor: Prey 2 development suspended since November originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 delayed beyond 2012, has 'not been canceled'

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:07:00 EST

Prey 2 "will not be released in 2012," Bethesda Softworks announced this morning. The game has apparently "not been canceled," but at this point doesn't match Bethesda's "quality standards."

Bethesda released a statement this morning revealing the delay. "The delay is due to the fact that game development has not progressed satisfactorily this past year," it reads. Despite the game showing "great promise," the publisher is "unwilling to compromise our quality standards to meet a release schedule."

The Human Head-developed sequel to 2006's Prey suffered rumors regarding its cancellation earlier this year - rumors which Bethesda refused to engage at the time. Given Bethesda's track record with shooting down cancellation rumors, that put Prey 2 in a nebulous place for the past month.

Update: Bethesda declined to comment "beyond anything that's in the statement."

Continue reading Prey 2 delayed beyond 2012, has 'not been canceled'

Prey 2 delayed beyond 2012, has 'not been canceled' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bethesda has no comment on Prey 2 cancellation rumor

Alexander Sliwinski — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Publisher Bethesda has no statement on the rumor that Prey 2 has been canceled, a story which gained significant traction yesterday. Dutch site PSFocus reported that the game, in development at Human Head Studios, was kaput and that an official announcement would be made next week.

The last time Prey 2 showed up on our radar in a significant capacity was around GamesCom last August. As IGN notes, GDC talks planned for the game were cut a few weeks before the show.

This isn't the first time this year a high-profile Bethesda title made its way into the rumored cancellation mill, as DOOM 4 went through the experience twice in six month. The difference? Bethesda flat-out stated "DOOM 4 isn't cancelled."

Gallery: Prey 2 (Gamescom 2011)

Bethesda has no comment on Prey 2 cancellation rumor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tommy will play an 'integral' role in Prey 2's story

David Hinkle — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST

While Prey 2 has players running, sliding and jumping around in the shoes of a new protagonist, one Killian Samuels, it doesn't mean the star of the first game, Tommy, has been taken out back to the space shed and put down, Old Yeller style. Chris Rhinehart from Human Head Studios has told IGN that Tommy will actually play an "integral" role in the story.

"He's a character that you encounter many times throughout the game," Rhinehart said. "It's not just a single cameo where he shows up and takes off. He's integral to the story and events on Exodus. One of the big things is, the unique abilities that Tommy has, specifically spirit walk and death walk, are integral to his role and how he actually fits into the story."

In the first game, Tommy was visited by the spirit of his grandfather, who taught him abilities which helped to propel the story forward. Could Tommy play a similar role for Killian in the sequel? Let's see if we wait until next year before finding out.

Tommy will play an 'integral' role in Prey 2's story originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 screens make Earth look bad

David Hinkle — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:30:00 EST

If there's a single takeaway from these new screens of Prey 2 straight outta Quakecon, it's that, man, where we live sucks. These screens are chock full of aliens and flamethrowers and exciting extraterrestrial-type stuff. Where are our holographic dancers?

Continue reading Prey 2 screens make Earth look bad

Prey 2 screens make Earth look bad originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 live-action trailers get developer commentary

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST

Bethesda has released a new developer commentary video discussing the two live-action trailers for Prey 2. The video does a good job of explaining Human Head's inspirations for Prey 2 and exactly how it ties into the original Prey. Another video, discussing Prey 2's CG trailer, is coming soon.

Prey 2 live-action trailers get developer commentary originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 cinematic teases parkour-fueled, bounty-grabbing mayhem

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST

The latest trailer for Prey 2 doesn't feature any actual gameplay (see our preview for that), but it does feature Johnny Cash's cover of Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage." Perhaps we'd feel duped if it weren't such a thrilling clip.

Continue reading Prey 2 cinematic teases parkour-fueled, bounty-grabbing mayhem

Prey 2 cinematic teases parkour-fueled, bounty-grabbing mayhem originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 creative director sets the scene for an 'alien noir'

Jonathan D Deesing — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST

Prey 2 drew a lot of quick comparisons to games like Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect following Human Head's gameplay presentation at Bethesda's "BFG 2011" media event last week. Afterwards, I talked with Human Head co-founder Jim Sumwalt, creative director of Prey 2, about another big influence on the game -- film noir.

Set in a futuristic, hyper-vertical alien city, Prey 2 features some essential nods to the kind of classic Hollywood film noir that was inspired by German Expressionism. "The obvious is the use of light to create dramatic, long shadows," Sumwalt pointed out. "There's a really awesome use of color and reflective surfaces and distorted images." He cited newer neo-noir films, such as Sin City, as the inspiration for Prey 2's use of shadows. In an alien city, with a confused protagonist (he's got amnesia!), this effect almost guarantees a frantic, stressful tone, which is exactly what Sumwalt and company hope to achieve.

Continue reading Prey 2 creative director sets the scene for an 'alien noir'

Prey 2 creative director sets the scene for an 'alien noir' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 producer on taking new direction, with 'capable' id Tech 4

Jonathan D Deesing — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST

Prey 2 raised eyebrows at Bethesda's "BFG 2011" media event last week for its almost total lack of resemblance to the original game. Following the gameplay presentation, I picked the brain of associate producer Matt Bisenius to find out more about this startling sequel.

Because Prey 2 is such a clear departure from the first game, I wondered if the developers at Human Head were trying to fix some perceived problems. "We didn't look at Prey 1 and pick out mistakes as much as look at it and pick out the core themes of Prey," Bisenius clarified. "So we kept the alien abduction, 'Keepers' as the main race, one man versus many aliens, and then the predator/prey relationship."

He made it clear that Prey 2's new direction is not an effort to address any flaws in Prey 1, but instead reflects the natural progression of the overarching Prey story. Whereas the first game was contained within The Sphere, an organic ship that sustained itself on species from across the galaxy, Prey 2 will open players up to the franchise's universe at-large, which, in a way, revolves around the still-mysterious Sphere.

Continue reading Prey 2 producer on taking new direction, with 'capable' id Tech 4

Prey 2 producer on taking new direction, with 'capable' id Tech 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 preview: Alien sequel

Jonathan D Deesing — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:15:00 EST

Prey 2 is so radically different from the first game in terms of look, gameplay and feel that it should really be approached with entirely different expectations. Though the universe may be the same and is set to include an appearance from Prey's former protagonist, Tommy, this isn't the straightforward sequel you may have expected from Human Head Studios.

The hands-off demonstration at Bethesda's BFG 2011 event emerged from a downed airplane on an alien world. From there, you -- playing as US Air Marshall Killian Samuels -- begin a frantic battle with strange aliens amid the wreckage of his plane, using only your standard issue pistol. After you're knocked out by one of the aliens, the preview jumps forward a few years to a point where Killian is a talented bounty hunter in an open, alien city. In an interesting turn of events, neither you nor Killian have any idea of what transpired during the interim. Killian is aware of his profession and has retained his skills, but beyond that it's up to you to piece together the missing years.

Gallery: Prey 2 (BFG 2011)

Continue reading Prey 2 preview: Alien sequel

Prey 2 preview: Alien sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Prey 2 images arrive

Justin McElroy — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:40:00 EST

Believe it or not, it's possible to make judgments too quickly. For example, the last time we wrote about Prey 2 we were dismissing it for excluding the gameplay elements that distinguished the first game.

Now, with the debut concept art and screenshot of the game ... well, we honestly don't know what we're looking at any more. Check out at this neon-drenched alien city. It's crazy, right? And why's this guy dressed like David Carradine in Kill Bill?

Okay, so we're holding out hope for you, Prey 2. But you take the vaguely vaginal doors away from us and we walk.

Gallery: Prey 2

First Prey 2 images arrive originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 ditches portal and gravity gameplay

Justin McElroy — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST

Ask most who played the first Prey what they thought of it and you'll invariably get some variation on: "It was just okay, but I really liked the stuff with gravity manipulation (à la Kineticarnage) and portals (à la ... well, Portal)." Well, friends, it appears developer Human Head has been listening to you. Well, listening to you and hating you, because it's done away with both of those things for Prey 2.

Speaking with PS3M Magazine (via Beefjack), lead designer Chris Reinhart said, "We explored a lot of the ways you could use portals and gravity in combat, and I really wanted to shift away from making it too much of a puzzle game."

We're glad to hear the brainy "puzzle game" bits have been left to rot, and we think we join in a chorus of gamers here when we say, "Finally, a shooting game."

Prey 2 ditches portal and gravity gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 has parkour-style movement, new main character

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST

We already met Killian Samuels -- Prey 2's notorious "sky cop" and main character -- in the game's first teaser, we just didn't know it at the time. According to the newest issue of Game Reactor (via NeoGAF), Samuels is a sheriff and prison guard, though neither title explains the bizarre glowing electronics in the middle of his forehead.

Anyway, Samuels will apparently be employing free-running ("parkour") as he bounds away from enemies in chase scenes, and will otherwise use the game's large areas for shadow-sneaking (as well as shadow-murdering enemies, of course). The game supposedly won't have any multiplayer, motion, or 3D support, and is said to be open-ended in terms of structure. Also, crucially, Game Reactor's interview with developer Human Head promises a wide variety of the game's iconic door ... things. And no, we refuse to explain that last bit any further.

[Image credit: Game Reactor]

Prey 2 has parkour-style movement, new main character originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 teaser leaves us scratching our Human Heads

Justin McElroy — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST

Gameplay rarely lives up to the trailers that precede it, and we certainly hope that's the case with the Prey 2 teaser Bethesda sent out this morning. If the Prey franchise is passed from a disenfranchised Native American and his spirit grandpa to a whiny bro and his pistol-wielding air marshal pal, we don't think we can count it as anything other than a downgrade.

See for yourself just after the jump.

[Update: Bethesda has clarified for us that our new hit character "whiny bro" was tragically killed in this video. However, sky cop survives to head up Prey 2.]

Continue reading Prey 2 teaser leaves us scratching our Human Heads

Prey 2 teaser leaves us scratching our Human Heads originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 announced for 2012, in development at Human Head Studios

David Hinkle — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:38:00 EST

Back in 2009, Bethesda parent company Zenimax picked up the Prey trademark. Since then, we'd heard nothing -- until just now, of course. A sequel is confirmed to be in the works at Human Head Studios, developers of the first game, and is being built on the id Tech game engine. Prey 2 is slated to launch some time in 2012.

The press release (in full after the break) offers few additional details about the game, other than that it's in development for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC; though Bethesda did toss out one small, barely satisfying bone: More details will be in the May issues of OXM and PlayStation: The Official Magazine, in addition to unnamed European publications. With E3 coming up in June, we bet there will be more info there, as well.

Continue reading Prey 2 announced for 2012, in development at Human Head Studios

Prey 2 announced for 2012, in development at Human Head Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zenimax picks up 'Prey' trademark

Justin McElroy — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST

Though we heard about a planned follow-up to the gravity-twisting Prey way back in March of 2008, things have been quiet on the game ever since. Now, according to filings found by superannuation, Bethesda parent company Zenimax has acquired the rights to the series.

Does this mean that id Software, which was recently acquired by Bethesda, is collaborating with the publisher on an incredible, post-apocalyptic open-world game filled with Native Americans and disturbingly vaginal doors? Yes. Yes, that's exactly what it means. But you didn't hear it from us.

Zenimax picks up 'Prey' trademark originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radar Group crafting Prey 2, others

Justin McElroy — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360

A website for the Radar Group appeared and then disappeared last week, offering tantalizing hints about the next game in the Prey series. Now, that game has been officially confirmed along with other projects like Earth No More, in which a chemical weapons specialist attempts to save the world and Incarnate, where the reincarnated souls of history's most evil people converge on Chicago.

You may be wondering "What is the Radar Group?" Well, they don't develop games and they don't publish games. Basically, they're a middleman of sorts, focusing on games that could translate well to films, a task handled by sister company Depth Entertainment (which is currently focused on the Max Payne film). In short: You know all those logos and brands you see before you start your game? Radar's another one of those.

Radar Group crafting Prey 2, others originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prey 2 is in development, first details revealed

Dustin Burg — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Over the weekend, Shacknews broke news that 3D Realms' mind-mending, shape shifting shooter Prey that released nearly two years ago will indeed be getting a sequel.

According to information found on Radar Group's website (all of which has since been removed), we learn first off that Prey 2 is real and that that the game was listed for release on the 360 and PC. We also get a tiny bit of information regarding Prey 2's plot with the release of one piece of concept art (as seen above) and a description that reads; "this time, abandoned and framed for the disappearance of his family, Tommy escapes an Earth that no longer wants him for a future that cannot survive without him."

We'll be the first to say that we wouldn't mind seeing a sequel to a game that was rather enjoyable, but we have a hard time believing 3D Realms can juggle the simple task of overseeing the development of Prey 2 and Duke Nukem Forever. One will suffer ... and we're sure you can already guess which of the two that will be. ZING!

[Via Joystiq]

Prey 2 is in development, first details revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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