EIDOS Montreal, creators of Deus Ex & Tomb Raider games, will now emphasize on online experiences

EIDOS Montreal has created some truly amazing single-player games. However, all of this is about to change. David Anfossi, head of studio at EIDOS Montreal, has revealed that the studio will now emphasize on online experiences. And we are pretty sure that Tomb Raider and Deus Ex fans did not ask for this.

[gangsta_red]

I wonder if it has anything to do with providing a longer lasting gaming experience as well as a more steady stream of revenue?

[PraxxtorCruel]

Online focus? Goodbye Eidos Montreal.

[mochachino]

We only have ourselves to blame. All people did was complain about Deus Ex MD for allegedly ended too quickly. I passed it and got 40 hrs in my first play through with all of the side missions. The ending clearly set up a sequel but wasn't truncated at all. The complaints, in my opinion, were unfounded. Gamers ignored (and worse, pilloried) a great game over one issue that arguably didn't exist and in doing so, convinced others not to buy a great game.

Truth is, if Deus MD sold more it would get another SP focused sequel. Gamers didn't buy it despite being a great game. Gamers can't now complain that the dev is changing course and no trying to appeal to a market that so clearly didn't appreciate their SP efforts.

[ULTp0ltergeist]

I don't think it has anything to do with gamers not buying it, their games sold more than enough. If anything I think it has more to do with them ditching SP for more money. They didn't have to do this but when you're running a business and there is huge revenue stream elsewhere well you gotta pursue it, unfortunately.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Exactly, and this team did this type of development when?

No.

Just no, nothing wrong with MP gaming, but leave that to teams that actually REALLY do that, vs forcing a team to make a concept they are not good at.

[brando008]

@mochachino Agreed. I was fortunate to play it before any real online exposure, and I was amazed. Every gameplay element of Human Revolution was expanded upon, in addition to the already great audio design and atmosphere. While the plot might not have seemed as vast in scope to many, it still had a central theme applicable to the world, which was expressed in a more refined setting. It really baffles me how much hate MD gets.

[FullmetalRoyale]

And a sense of accomplishment.

[UCForce]

You are seriously don’t have faith on SP games. This is going to hurt them in long run.

[gangsta_red]

You need to respect MP games.

How will it hurt them? They'll still have a sp campaign.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@gred-except you're talking about a development team that has never made a successful multiplayer game in the first place.

This is basically Square literally trying to force a developer to make a game they've never actually made before.

We are not talking about DICE or Respawn or anything like that. This is Square Enix simply trying to jump on a trend with a team that has no business even trying to do such a concept.

It's not even saying those type of games are bad simply that this team doesn't even make those games in the first place.

[UCForce]

Because they will lose identity for what they good at it. I respect MP, but I don’t like developers put too far on it. It just unbalanced. They still making Single players, but it will be no longer priority for them. I can bet it will be just poor effort. Remember Sleeping Dogs ? I love that game and I wish it has a sequel, but instead SE killed it with focusing online game that killed United Fronts Game. I say it again, you don’t have faith. This will be nothing but more about profit than passion for them.

[gangsta_red]

Did Uncharted lose their identity, did Mass Effect lose their identity, I really don't know what identity even means.

Why wouldn't the sp portion be the priority...where are you getting this information from?

Maybe their passion is to provide a great experience in single and multiplayer gameplay. Maybe the profits they earn through mp will help them achieve their dreams to make more games and drive their passion even further.

It's the spring of their youth and you have already decided to crush their spirit without actually trying it. That is very disrespectful.

[UCForce]

@gangsta_red Oh really ? Uncharted series have multiplayer, but it wasn’t ND main focus. Their main focus is strong single player and multiplayer is just pure fun without being super serious and competitive in first place. Mass Effect series have lost identity after Mass Effect 3 and MEA by cutting the main focus on SP games. This is not causing their game. It’s just that they don’t know where they are going.

[gangsta_red]

I seriously don't understand your definition of identity. No game has lost an identity due to multiplayer being added.

Not to mention you keep saying that the developers will lose focus, exactly how will they lose focus and based on what? What examples or proof do you have that this team will loose focus?

I a positive ND's focus was competitive to get them to where they are today and their mp implementation didn't stop their sp from being any less.

So why do you think this will lose focus?

[RememberThe357]

Seems to me it's an issue of time. If you're putting your effort into one thing you don't have time for other things. I think having Bungie help ND with Uncharted 2 MP was a pretty big deal and set the ground work for MP in the following ND games. Maybe Edios will have a similar level of help, but if they're trying to build online on their own I'm hoping Square gives them some leeway.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@gred-sorry but it's not sounding like Square Enix is simply saying they're going to Add a multiplayer portion in a single player game like Uncharted it's literally sounding like they're going to make these games into multiplayer Focus titles similar to MMOs.

I don't even think they would ever be a reason to even announce something like that the way they've just worded this if that was even the case.

[-Foxtrot]

Considering they tried this with the first Tomb Raider in the reboot and failed...yeah good luck p***** fans off.

Mt's and Lootboxes here we come...

[_-EDMIX-_]

Lol Agreed.

Square Enix is only doing this so they could take advantage of the money they know they could make from games as a service. There's nowhere inside the universe is of any of these games that even justifies any type of multiplayer component, this is nothing to do with the natural progression of any of these games this has everything to do with Square Enix looking to turn a quick buck.

I mean I might play multiplayer games but majority of them are by teams that are actually proficient at multiplayer games in the first place neither of these teams that square has any real experience making these type of games in the first place this is nothing but a cash grab and it's probably going to result in Square Enix closing down one of these teams.

They should have just legitimately left those teams to create single player games as opposed to trying to force them to create concept that just don't make any sense and is just out of the realm of their expertise.

Just like I said many times on this website I don't see a company like DICE making a single player game that wins a bunch of Game of the Year Awards anymore then I see naughty dog making a multiplayer game that wins a bunch of awards.

They are development teams that only make multiplayer games that's still chase after some of these Ace development teams that have literally had decades at the very top of multiplayer game development.

A team that has no experience in this concept is just not going to beat out the top multiplayer development teams like DICE Respawn Sledgehammer Games etc. This is nothing more than Square Enix trying to chase after a fad

[SoulWarrior]

Pls no, the MP sucked in the TR reboot and Breach mode did nothing for Mankind Divided.

[-Foxtrot]

Breach mode was awful, it offered nothing and you could see the inclusion dumbed down the lacking single player...even the DLC updates that came after was stuff which should have been in the main game. For example a DLC on Pritchard who was in the first game and you never heard about in the second game despite being one of the main characters...come on.

You could see what a small mode like that did with the development so god knows what would happen if they tried to do something bigger.

Some developers just aren't cut out for both

[_FantasmA_]

The multiplayer in TR actually felt smooth and it was fun killing people. They just needed more game modes and maps. It was much better than Uncharted 3's multiplayer. Still, even though I enjoyed it, I don't think they need to add it in because I would rather have a longer campaign. If they do add it in, they need to take it seriously and make it a fully fleshed out experience and promote it.

[yumi76]

No thanks. You can keep your MT storefronts. I pass.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

MT And lootboxes I pass

[lociefer]

Yeah sure, lets all hope on the " game as a service" express. F that, im outskys

[Dixiedevil]

Gay

[jay2]

get fing lost, won't buy them then

[quent]

RIP Deus Ex franchise

[Heavenly King]

the last Deus Ex was horrible :(

[Zabatsu]

No Idea why companies try pulling this shit when liberally nobody asks for it. Waste your resources on something better instead of this bullshit. I was looking forward to another TR, this will make me buy it from the binge like last time.

[gamer7804]

It's easier to just churn out multiplayer maps and keep people playing and earn money. good luck competing with all the other online games

[PapaBop]

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, these sort of announcements make me appreciate Sony even more. While all these third party publishers move towards online experiences thinking it'll bring them in more money, at least Sony will be focusing on providing amazing single player experiences.

[ninsigma]

I agree with you but let's not forget the new head guy has talked about looking into MTs and such as a possibility in the future. Doesn't necessarily mean it WILL effect their studios games in any dramatic way, it's just a good idea to keep it mind and make sure to keep letting them know that's not what we want. Especially because their output has just been fantastic and the up coming games are freaking awesome looking so we don't want that to change 😊

[UCForce]

And you have to remember John Kodera have been worked closely with House for decades. So i’m hope he does have some dignity and respect to PS community and its brand.

[ninsigma]

Yes hopefully he continues what House has been doing but I'm sure he'll have his own ideas as well. Hopefully those ideas align with what we've come to expect from PlayStation at this point.

[Stogz]

Well damn this sucks, there's plenty of others doing this crap now. Not enough making great single player games anymore...

[UCForce]

I’m so disappointed, SE.

[Summons75]

Did someone at Eidos Montreal look at all the hate and backlash EA is getting from doing the same thing on top of the lootboxes and think "Boy, this is a great idea! Nobody will ever be mad."

[Swiftfox]

No, I'm sure their parent company took a look at EA's stock being back on the rise along with EA stock still being at a record high this year in spite of it said to themselves, "Yeah, people will get mad but then they'll get over it pretty fast."

We are nothing more than cattle to be milked by these companies now, but first they have to make a barn (game as service) to funnel us into. Once we're being milked at their farm it becomes a lot harder for those other farmers (Activision-Blizzard, WB, Take2) to get what they need from us.

[2cents]

The end is nigh...

[akaFullMetal]

That's how you start to lose your core base, when you pander outside your core base.

[2cents]

Ass effect Andromeda is perfect example of this ^^

[MasterCornholio]

Screw GaaS.

[UCForce]

I agree with you.

[Kumakai]

Time to start looking for new jobs, Eidos people. That probably means they weren’t making money and are looking to new revenue generators to turn things around. It’s never a good sign when your core business changes. This is like a sitcom getting moved to Friday night instead of Monday night.

[mochachino]

We're to blame for the death of another great SP focused game developer.

Just passed Deus Ex MD last night. The game was amazing but no one bought it because all people did was complain that it ended too quickly and ran poorly. It took me over 40 hrs doing all of the side missions and not running everywhere. Obviously the ending set up a sequel but it wasn't truncated in any way. The complaints were completely exaggerated or unfounded and now sadly, a needed sequel will never come. Performance was also pretty great, much better than the in game benchmark.

It' a huge shame the series, as we know it, is done.

[SuperRaccoon]

It was mediocre compared to HR, and the ending was ridiculously bad. Just because a developer focuses on single player games doesn't mean they make good games.

[slavish0]

Games as a service baby

[Cajun Chicken]

This is a bit s**t. Are companies TRYING to make me give up gaming as a hobby and source of entertainment?

[Tru_Blu]

I'm in the same boat, just getting offensive at this point.

[TheColbertinator]

Which lootbox will contain the rope Lara Croft needs to climb this mountain? Pay $5.99 to try a spin.

[DillyDilly]

Another Gaming Crash here we come

[BlaqMagiq1]

And if they do this for Shadow of the Tomb Raider not only will I pass but I will no longer buy any of Eidos Montreal's games.

[bluefox755]

That's a shame.

[2ndhandcorn]

Nice i may take a look as single player games i usually skip, more Battlestations eidos please that is some great news recently traded Deus ex could not be bothered . I like the new tomb raider but never finished em either rather play co op , sick of solitary gaming would rather be laughing doing silly things online .

[_-EDMIX-_]

"Tomb Raider and Deus Ex fans did not ask for this" Pretty much

Nothing wrong with Square having some variety, but....I want something like this, NEXT TO Deus Ex SP, NOT IN PLACE OF IT!

[Profchaos]

Remember playing the tomb raider reboot online. Remember how easy it was too find a match and how much fun it was.... Yeah neither do i

[2ndhandcorn]

It must be hard making these single player games that are forgotten the same week of release though. Single player gamers should read more books Sony should get into making novels .

[Elda]

It's a single player experience & should be kept as such though imo some local co op wouldn't hurt.

[WelkinCole]

I think its time for a gamers revolt if this is where gaming is heading.

Sad but it looks like this might be the future of gaming. If it is then it will be time to bow out. Its been a great 34 years gaming for me.

[Tototot]

its gonna be an online sp campaign, when u lost the connection, ur gonna have to return to the last checkpoint, or better yet, restart the mission all over again.

Ur gonna love it, when ur aiming someone's head with a bow in tomb raider, suddenly a connecting to server message pop up, out of nowhere.

Or

When u can't get better weapon arsenal or gadgets in campaign, just because u played it offline, just like hitman

Very nice

[_FantasmA_]

I loved Mankind Divided. I heard alot of complaining and moaning from people when it first came out but I had already pre-ordered and got it Day 1 and never understood what they were talking about. I love both of the newer Dues Ex's and the old ones too. I honestly can't choose between HR and MD, I like them both but I do think MD was too easy. I felt like a boss and upgraded everything I wanted pretty quickly and didn't really need anymore Praxis when I was about 2/3 done with the game. The music was the best part in both of them though. I love futuristic/dystopian/cyberpunk settings and I'm really looking forward to the next game in the series but really hope they don't do lootcrates, pay to win crap, or this season pass BS.

[opinionated]

“And we are pretty sure that Tomb Raider and Deus Ex fans did not ask for this.”

There aren’t enough fans to get what we want. I’m one of the few that bought mankind divided at launch, it’s not my fault. Plenty of good ideas could come from an “emphasis online”, we’ll just have to wait and see. Focused online or monetization arent inherently bad. If it’s good it’s good, if it sucks then skip it.

[Gamist2dot0]

It’s a shame. Turned my favorite Hitman franchise to an episode series. Now this. Was looking forward to the next TR. Now that’s off my radar.

[Jayszen]

It seems Square Enix is determined to run Tomb Raider into the ground. It was bad enough with the last game that the company lost so many sales and the goodwill of most Playstation gamers with the greed-backed decision to make the game a timed exclusive for Xbox One (the game did not sell as well as was expected at all on that platform and by the time it was released a year later on the PS4, the game had lost much of the appeal a brand new game would have). Both games have been popular in the past because of the SP campaigns. Forthcoming failures.

[QUIMICOMORTAL]

Sad thing indeed! I loved those games, I will miss them.

Don't know of think they'll miss my money, but they sure won't get it.

[DaNineTwo]

Gtfo. Goodbye Square.