May 2008
Lorne confirms working with Braun
Lorne Lanning has confirmed to various sources that Oddworld Inhabitants are working with Jeff Braun, but has not gone on to clarify what they are working on together.
Lorne acknowledges that Braun ‘let slip some comments’ during his talk to Wilfrid Laurier University while they are not ready to make any official announcement. There has been no confirmation over whether the game is set on Oddworld, in the Citizen Siege universe, or a separate world.
Meanwhile, online student newspaper Cordweekly.com has published its interview with Jeff Braun, conducted by Daniel Joseph prior to Braun’s speech, where Braun says he has been helping with the business side of things, guiding Oddworld though the ‘tricky minefield’ of ‘“gotchas” in the game industry.’
Sources: GamesIndustry.biz, ComputerAndVideoGames.com, Cordweekly.com
Maxis co‐founder working on new Oddworld game
Speaking at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, the co‐founder of video game developer Maxis, Jeff Braun, has revealed that he is involved in the production of a new Oddworld game. No details were given on any setting or story, nor did the report on Braun’s address by stuent newspaper The Cord Weekly make certain that Maxis itself was involved, but a slow production schedule is said to mean it will be years before the game ships.
Apparently, the game will feature ‘a revolutionary new 3‐D animation system allowing videogame players to experience a cinematic quality on a “1 to 1 scale” to that of computer‐generated motion pictures.’ This means that the game will be built out of the same digital backlot used to create any films relating to the game. This is the production model Lorne has been describing in interviews since it was announced he was shutting down Oddworld Inhabitants’ internal game development studio in favour of outsourcing programming and animation to other companies.
‘The rendering tools are getting so good now for 3D animation that you can literally create a linear animation and create a video game using the exact same objects. The tools are finally getting to the level where we can come out with a show and we can come up with a game,’ Braun says about this method, adding that players of the game would be ‘literally on the set.’ Braun hints that this new Oddworld project will be released episodically.
This should not be seen as news that Oddworld Inhabitants has stopped working towards releasing the Citizen Siege games and feature film. Lorne has stated that there are currently four projects he is working on.
Sources: The Cord Weekly
Limited edition Stranger’s Wrath soundtrack
A limited collector’s edition version of Oddworld music composor Michael Bross’s soundtrack to Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath is now available from Russian label KeepMoving Records. ‘Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath’ Original Soundtrack: Volume 1 contains the same music as the original release, but includes alternative packaging and CD art, and a 24‐page, full‐colour insert featuring track descriptions, Michael’s interview with Game‐OST, and reportedly‐never‐before‐seen Stranger’s Wrath CG and concept art. This release has only 500 copies, each available for USD7·99 plus shipping costs.
Michael’s latest album is the three‐track EP Dogs and Their Stars, released 29 April, and his upcoming three‐track EP Nomad will be released on 27 May. Preview tracks for both albums are available on Michael’s site.
Sources: KeepMoving Records, Soundtracks
EXPOSÉ 6 released
EXPOSÉ 6 is now available to pre‐order from Ballistic Publishing—publishers of The Art of Oddworld Inhabitants—and will start shipping in early June. Lorne Lanning sits on the book’s Awards Committee.
This year, five pieces by Oddworld artist Raymond Swanland have ben included in the digital art yearbook:
- ‘Fomori Nomad’ – selected for the ‘Fantasy’ category
- ‘Of What’s to Come’ and
- ‘Brothers of the Wind’ – both ‘Excellence’ in the ‘Creatures’ category
- ‘Books of the South’ – ‘Excellence’ in the ‘Warriors’ category, and available as a 220 × 297 mm bonus print with the limited edition of the book
- ‘Sea of Death’ – ‘Excellence’ in the ‘Conflict’ category