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Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Won’t be 200 Hours Long or Use Generative AI
Casey Hudson, director of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, stated the upcoming RPG will not be excessively long, aiming for completion rather than hundreds of hours of gameplay. He also confirmed the game will not utilize generative AI, which he described as "creatively soulless." The project is being funded by Simon Zhu's GreaterThan Group, which has raised $40 million and secured commitments for nearly $60 million more, with a goal of publishing innovative projects.
Former NetEase exec Simon Zhu secures $100m to launch GreaterThan Group
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group (GTG), a new holding company that has secured $100 million in funding. GTG will support three newly formed studios: Arcanaut Studios, led by Casey Hudson; BulletFarm, led by David Vonderhaar; and MAGship, led by Masato Saki. The company aims to provide full funding and support to game development studios, allowing creators to focus on making games.
"If David Lynch made shooters" is Black Ops veteran David Vondehaar's catchphrase for his new game that isn't a "Call of Duty killer"
Former Call of Duty: Black Ops designer David Vondehaar is developing a new shooter with his studio BulletFarm, funded by GreaterThan Group. Vondehaar described the game as being in the vein of "if David Lynch made shooters," emphasizing it will not be a military simulation or a "Call of Duty killer." The project aims for a three-year development cycle with a team of around 50 people.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic secures large investment as director Casey Hudson seems to reject the use of gen-AI
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, the spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, has secured significant investment through GreaterThan Group, founded by former NetEase executive Simon Zhu. Director Casey Hudson expressed his aversion to using generative AI in development, citing it as creatively soulless. Hudson also indicated a preference for a more focused game length, aiming for completion before 2030.
Call of Duty legend returns after losing NetEase funding with plans for a new FPS game that isn't a CoD "killer," but more like "if David Lynch made shooters"
David Vonderhaar, a veteran developer known for the Call of Duty: Black Ops series, has confirmed his studio BulletFarm is developing a new first-person multiplayer/co-operative shooter. Despite previously losing funding from NetEase, the studio has secured new backing from GreaterThan Group. Vonderhaar described the project as a creative experience, likening it to 'if David Lynch made shooters,' and aims for a three-year development cycle.
Former NetEase exec's new investment group is funding Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic because 'everyone wins' if you 'give the best creator the opportunity to work on a dream project'
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a successor to Knights of the Old Republic being developed by original director Casey Hudson, is being funded by GreaterThan Group, a new investment company founded by former NetEase executive Simon Zhu. Zhu aims to support developers impacted by industry turmoil, stating that giving creators the opportunity to work on their dream projects benefits everyone involved. GreaterThan Group has also invested in BulletFarm, a studio founded by David Vonderhaar.
New Star Wars RPG led by Mass Effect boss backed by $100 million fund "bringing common sense back to the games industry" as it "treats developers so badly"
GreaterThan Group, a new holding company founded by former NetEase president Simon Zhu, has secured $100 million to fund game development. Among its initial projects is Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, led by Arcanaut Studios co-founder Casey Hudson. Zhu aims to create better conditions for developers, stating the industry currently treats them poorly.
Business and Finance
Industry veteran Simon Zhu has established GreaterThan Group, a new company designed to build, empower, and fund creative studios. Katsuhiro Harada, formerly of Bandai Namco, will lead a new SNK studio under this initiative.
CoD Veteran's New Shooter Is "Not A Call Of Duty Killer," Inspired By David Lynch
David Vonderhaar, a veteran Call of Duty developer, is creating a new shooter at his studio BulletFarm, funded by GreaterThan Group. He stated the game is not intended to compete with Call of Duty but is inspired by David Lynch's surreal style, featuring cooperative and player-vs-player elements. Vonderhaar aims for a three-year development cycle with a small team.
Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic Boss Says AI Is "Creatively Soulless"
Casey Hudson, the lead developer for Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic, has expressed strong reservations about artificial intelligence in game development, calling it "creatively soulless." His studio, Arcanaut, is funded in part by GreaterThan Group and aims to avoid excessive game length and large staffing numbers for the narrative-driven single-player action RPG.
Former NetEase Exec’s New Company is Funding Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, BulletFarm
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group, a new holding company aiming to invest $40 million in global video game development. The company is funding Arcanaut Studios' Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic and BulletFarm, a shooter project led by industry veteran David Vonderhaar. Zhu expressed optimism about balancing artistic achievement with commercial success, noting a shift in investment focus from gaming to AI.
