The Rise and Fall of Hyenas: Sega’s Ambitious Loot Shooter
A new report has shed light on the recent cancellation of Hyenas, a space-set loot shooter developed by Creative Assembly. According to the report, Hyenas was Sega’s “biggest budget game ever.” The cancellation was met with disappointment from fans, but anonymous developers involved with the project revealed a lack of direction and poor internal feedback as key factors in its demise.
A Lack of Direction and Uncertain Development
The anonymous developers disclosed that Hyenas suffered from a “total lack of direction” throughout its development. Many members of the leadership team were criticized for being “asleep at the wheel,” yet they retained their positions. The game also underwent an engine change and failed to take any risks or innovate, ultimately leading to its cancellation. These claims have been corroborated by VGC.
Transition to Free-to-Play and Disappointing Characters
As the project progressed, Hyenas transitioned from a premium game to a free-to-play model with microtransactions, further disappointing fans. Additionally, the original concept of drawing inspiration from popular “looter shooters like Tarkov” was watered down repeatedly, as the developers felt it was too hardcore for a wider audience. The characters in the game also underwent changes, as the developers’ vision of “lovable rogues” was replaced by a direction that focused on “gleeful audacity.” This decision resulted in unmemorable and unrecognizable characters.
Feedback from Film Director Neill Blomkamp
One of the sources revealed that film director Neill Blomkamp visited the studio in 2019 and provided feedback on the game’s overall direction. Blomkamp suggested a new direction where physical media, such as DVD box sets, music, and games, became highly valuable in a world where digital platforms like Netflix and Steam no longer exist. His input injected much-needed direction into the project, which had previously felt rudderless.
Sega’s Biggest Budget Game
According to multiple sources, Hyenas was Sega’s biggest budget game to date. The game’s development had significant involvement from Sega Japan, with representatives permanently stationed at the UK office. This level of involvement was unprecedented for Creative Assembly, demonstrating the high stakes and expectations surrounding the project. In fact, Hyenas’ budget even surpassed that of Shenmue, a game known for its record-breaking development costs in 1999.
The Fallout and Moving Forward
Despite the cancellation of Hyenas, one source expressed understanding and even relief, believing that the game would have incurred even greater losses had it been released. However, they expressed frustration with the leadership and the lack of accountability for their actions. The developer also expressed concern for the employees who were not involved in Hyenas’ development but may still face redundancy as a result.
As the gaming community processes the news of Hyenas’ cancellation, it remains to be seen how Sega will address the situation. Fans and industry insiders eagerly await further updates from the company. In the meantime, let’s remember that setbacks in game development are not uncommon. It’s through these experiences that developers learn and evolve, ultimately delivering unforgettable gaming experiences.
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