Developer Switcheroo
File this one in the strange and unusual category.  Last week I read that Ripcord Games has decided to switch developers on Fading Suns: Noble Armada, a real-time space strategy game due for release later this year.  While I don't know anything about the game, I find it truly unique that a publisher has actually decided to fire one developer (Holistic Design Inc.) and hire another (yet to be announced) design house to finish the game.  I've heard of publishers losing confidence in the developer, but I've never heard of a publisher trying to switch developers this late into the project. 

What I love about this story is the quote from a Ripcord Game representative.  He says, "In order to feel fully confident that Fading Suns: Noble Armada will be released in the fourth quarter, we had to take a more aggressive stance with the development process."  I don't profess to be a programming wizard, but I would think that switching developers would have a major (and negative) impact on the release date.  Just think about it: Once the new developer is selected, it will likely take the company months to even begin to understand the initial design and programming logic that went into the game.   Switching developers six months before a game is supposed to come out really seems like a stretch of reality.  I'm going to be tracking this game.  It will be interesting to see what really does end up happening. If I had to guess, look for this game to get cancelled or completely re-done from the ground up by a new developer.

Next Week: E3 Preview
The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is less than two weeks away.  Join me next Monday as I unveil the six hottest games that will be on display next week in Los Angeles!

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