Facts about Cancelled Remake/video, and CORE

[Lone Raider]

*edit* trlonline, could you make this a sticky, please?

I have read the "Never Guess what I've found" thread and extracted the facts, as posted by various Core members, about the Cancelled Remake, the video of it, and CORE itself.
Please do not reply immediately, as there is quite a bit more to come yet!

Facts about Remake

Originally Posted by blunted

This thread is great!

But a few facts

This game is by Core.
The video is from the PSP.
It has been cancelled, and will not be released.
It was a tenth anniversary product - there was no point otherwise.

Originally Posted by Taohl

Hi all, you'll have a few people from Core online tonight and tomorrow morning with their feelings on this thread but don't expect anything concrete about the trailer.

We have (as the Core team) been asked not to divulge too much or enter into a protracted debate about the topic of this thread until an official statement is made. This is due tomorrow or possibly Monday and is to be arranged by our new owners / bosses as we are not under eidos' supervision anymore.

The facts will be made clear (or are there within this thread on previous entries if you can just believe them). Please be patient and appreciate that a particular small Core team (of the 60 development staff at the Derby office which has not been disbanded or closed down and is still making games) is very annoyed with the way this trailer has been dealt with.

If you want to know the truth then please wait and avoid the massive and unfounded speculation that has been circling and becoming increasingly grandiose and is more of a conspiracy theory now than a serious debate.

Thank you for your interest in the trailer, some of your comments have made us smile, some have down right annoyed us and some are simply bizarre.

I work for Core and turn in five days a week and the windows are not boarded up as far as I know.

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

Hi all, Although we can access the internet from work but we are generally busy all day I also think people are a little worried about saying the wrong thing so they dont want to log on from work. At home we can remain anonymous.

As for all the PSP games, 1) we are good at it and 2) its an interesting platform to work on and last but not least 3) the publisher gets what the publisher wants

I'll let you into an industry secret. Most games use a multi-platform engine that will work on PC, PSP, PS2 and Xbox (and now PS2 and 360) The most common way of working is to develop on PC (its quick and easy. Plus development kits are expensive so not everyone can have one on their desk) We then add all the platform specific graphical touches to the lead platforms (i.e. PSP, PS2) Therefore you almost always have a PC version for free of all the games you develop, even if a PC version is never released! (See point 3 above)

Originally Posted by Taohl

Latest News
15th June 2006, 11:02:06
Following speculation on the internet, we would like to offer the following clarification.

The video of Tomb Raider: 10th Anniversary Edition that appeared on certain sites was an unauthorised release of an internal presentation of a game that was being developed by Core Design until very recently. It was running on PSP and used a Core-developed engine. However, following a recent review this project has been officially cancelled by SCi.

Core is alive and well and working on some great new projects, and we are still planning to announce some exciting news very soon!

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

Shhh, dont tell them it was also running on PC

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

Hmmm, interesting. Ok, here's my take on the situation. (without telling any confidential info)

I dont think the cancellation of the project and the sale were specifically related. Remember, the sale of a company isnt an overnight thing. It takes months or even years. Its my opinion that the sale had nothing to do with the cancellation. Beyond that you will have to ask Eidos.

As for another studio finishing our work? I very much doubt it.

Originally Posted by Bandit

There's plenty we could have done.
Everything else we'd done was an improvement on the original, but at the same time staying as true to TR1 as possible.

I'm a programmy person myself, but Mr. C. and Mr. M. the leads of the creative side had quite a few nasty suprises in store for any players who knew TR1 well. 'Mr. Evil' as I've heard him called in the net is a very malicious person and didn't want any of you to get Lara out alive!

Back to your question though, personally I would have used ragdoll physics so you could have seen her bouncing off every lump and bump.

You all must hate the TR team here. They spend all day thinking up ways to Kill Lara.

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

Hi Guys,

Just to confirm. Our game has stopped development. We own it, and as far as i am aware do not intend to give the "assets" to anyone for completion. I cant speculate (actually cant say) on CD's version but it is not a continuation of ours, it will be of their own creation. I'm sure it will be a great game too.

Assets: noun, games development term refering to code (C++, assembler etc) art, animations, textures, paper design and so on. i.e. all of the work that is produced during the produciton of a game

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

Thats it!!!

Usually the developer keeps rights to the code and source graphics and dont give them to the publisher. Otherwise the publisher could give the code engine to someone else who could make another game with it!
As for the source graphics (the ones used to make the ones that go in the game) the developer still keeps them but cant do a thing with them in the real world becuase they are images of copyrite material.

I.e., its our all ours!!! But we cant publish without the copyrite holders permission.

So, and this is pure speculation of course (personal opinion, not that of Core etc.) I guess they would use the legend engine.

BTW, whoever asked, it was cancelled about a month ago (or so someone from Core previously posted )

[Lone Raider]

Facts about video

Originally Posted by tlr online

The video "Cancelled PSP Tomb Raider Project" has not been authorized for release by Core Design or Eidos. Copyright in the video and trademarks in the video are owned by Core Design Ltd and Sony Computer Entertainment. The video should be withdrawn from any website showing it immediately and any copies of the video should be deleted.

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

I think i'm ok to say this. We have no idea who posted the video or why.

Originally Posted by blunted

The stuff you see on the video is all Core's work, no-one else's, no collaborations, no conversions of other versions - engine, artwork all our own.

Still, despite it being 80% complete, and only having taken 9 months up till this point it's been cancelled so that's that. If any kind of anniversary game does appear, it won't have anything to do with the one we were working on.
Thank you for your kind words - we really appreciate it, and hope you look out for and enjoy what we produce in the future.

Oh yeah, we did a PS2 version too.

The next answer refers to the question whether at least a hi-res video could be released.

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

'll ask our studio head about this. The copyrite of the video, even of a game we wrote, may be with Eidos.
.

Damn, I lost an interesting comment by Bandit about this subject now. Please don’t make me search for it again…
*edit*
found it!

Originally Posted by Bandit

The problem with that is, we (the Core employees) are posting on this forum is individuals. We work for Core, but that doesn't mean we have exclusive rights to publish thier material on t'internet. We could get into serious trouble for that.

Equally, any opinions we offer are our own and don't necessarily reflect those of Core Design. (boring but true)

We could however, ask our bosses if they would show some examples of Core's work on our website.

Somebody remind me about this tomorrow when I'm at work.

Don't get too excited though. It might not happen. There might be concerns about upsetting SCi.

Personally, I'd love for our work to be shown off. It's harsh that you guys spend so much time debating a video when we can sit at work playing the game.

Facts about Core

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

Hi all,

Here it is, the photo you have all been waiting for Here is the Core offices as of 6.10 this evening (Yes it rained in Derby despite what the forcasts said!)
Notice the not barred up windows and the general open for buisness-ness of the place.
I would show you in side, but its so secret that we would have to kill you

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

Now thats just not nice!

There are lots of TR people still here. We are, and always have been a cutting edge studio with a lot of extremely talented people!

I couldnt possibly comment on AOD though

Originally Posted by Bandit

Hi all.

We at Core, especially people who's work you have been viewing are glad that the speculation has finally been put to rest. As MellowYellow said, it's a shame the video that appeared on the net was of such a poor quallity. It didn't do our work justice. It sure looks stunning on a real PSP or PS2.

It's certainly been gripping watching your discussions over the last week.

It's bee interesting to read all of your opinions, good or bad. What had been annoying us though were the people who made up thier own 'facts' and posted them on your forum as if they were stating the truth. Especially as these 'facts' were then taken from your forum and quoted elsewhere on the net as 'proof'.

Although we did feel quite proud when so many people stated 'as fact' that the video definately wasn't PSP footage because the PSP isn't capable of graphics like that.

But I'm afraid there's no more anyone from Core can tell you about current or future Tomb Raider projects. As you know, the Anniversary edition we were working on was cancelled. Only SCi can tell you now what they have planned for the future or why they've made this decission. It's them you'll have to pester now.

Rivendell. Just so you don't think you're being ignored, I thought the spinning targets spoiled the atmos, just as most other on-screen info does. But a lot of people prefer helpers like this. Had we continued, it could have been a switchable option.

While I'm here though, I would like to dispel just one more myth that I've seen mentioned a lot. We glad you all know now that we're not all dead/disbanded etc. But it has been stated that none of the Tomb Raider team work at Core anymore as they all went to Circle. This is quite simply, untrue. Some did go to Circle, But Gav is still here, as Studio Manager, running the show. Phil Chapman heads up the Art dept. Rich Morton is our lead designer. Tom Scutt is the company's Creative Director. Gaz Tonge, Art Director. If you enjoy studying game credits, as I'm sure you all do, you'll also recognise Alex Davis, John Lilley, Phil Callaghan, Peter Barnard, Andy Sandham, David Reading, Darren Wakeman, Jamie Morton, Hayos Fatunmbi, Paul Field, Darren Price, Damon Godley, Benjamin Twose (Benny to you), Duncan Hopkins, Stéphane Denis, Wayne Elliott, James Kenny, Andrew Gibson & Jeremy Oldreive. So a lot of the people who brought you your favorite games are not just here, they form the backbone of the company.

Jebus. Have I filled a page yet?

I can say we are all looking forward to working with Rebellion and bringing you more great games in the future. (Just not the one you wanted)

Anyway, I'll leave you now and make way for people to say 'how do we know you are who you say you are?'

Well I never said who I am, so you can say it as much as you like.

[Lone Raider]

Facts about Eidos/SCi/Core relations, names and copyrights

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

That is such a loaded question I cant really answer it would breaking my promise not to talk about the current situation.

As far as TR goes, Eidos own the IP and any games that are written with that IP will be commisioned as Eidos sees fit. Therefore, theoretically any games company in the world could write one. Eidos does also own several development studios (Core used to be one). This is all common knowledge of course.

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

(The sale etc. has been reported by news agencys on the net so i guess i'm OK to say this)
Yes, Core Design Ltd. is just a company name owned by Eidos. All the copywrites are owned by Core Design Ltd. (You can check with the patent office) but since Eidos own Core Design Ltd they own all the copywrites by default. The "assets" of Core Design Ltd have been sold to Rebellion (as reported by MCV) "assets" in this case mean the entire buisness except for the peice of paper saying "Core Design Ltd". So, we can deduce from this that our studio will have to change its name.

I'm not sure i understand it completely, all i know is that i go to work at the same place, with the same people, working on the same projects as i did before the sale. And at the moment nothing much has changed. Except there are a few more happy faces around these days

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

OK, and for the last time i hope. Rebellion buy Core. Eidos say "we want to keep the Core Design ltd name to make it easier because loads of official documents use that name and it would be a pain to change everything. Rebellion say "Ok i suppose" NOTHING at work changes. Same projects, same people, same office, same EVERYTHING (apart from our actual legal owners)

Yes, name will eventually change but as you saw in the photo, no one has taken the sign down and i doubt they will for a long time.

Theoretical quesiton for you......

If Eidos would have said "Yes, keep the Core Design name, we'll get all the copyrite documents changed" would that mean we would actually still be around instead of "giving false hope to members"??????

Whats in a name???????

BTW, we were thinking of renaming the studio Cordie Sine, or Kore Dezine Do you think Eidos would mind?

I’ve extracted this from another of Mellow’s comments:
“BTW, just to avoid confusion. Sci and Eidos are the same. [...] When we say one, assume the other and vice versa.”


Links to related news
http://www.mcvuk.com/newsitem.php?id=1072
http://www.core-design.com/coreforum/
http://psp.ign.com/objects/794/794423.html
http://www.gamingtarget.com/article....32&gameid=2912
http://www.tombraiderchronicles.com/headlines2747.html
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/t...d=m-1-28520450
http://pspupdates.qj.net/New-Info-On...g/49/aid/53019
http://www.mcvuk.com/newsitem.php?id=1019

[Rivendell]

I'm glad someone did this MAKE IT STICKY!!!

It's making me sad though!!
Gahhh I'll go revise, take my mind off it

[Lone Raider]

Core Trivia

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

We work at the Core Studio in Derby.

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

Thats very kind, and I hope we provide at least another 10 years of pleasure. Whatever our name may be in the future, we are still the same guys with the same dedication to games.

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

Hi Sweet Pea,

Yeah the whole office is pretty relaxed. The whole games industry is. I've never seen a suite the whole time i've worked here! The pub is usualy either Friday lunch or Friday evening, or both. No one realy drinks during the day as far as i am aware but after work is another story



Everyone knows everyone else quite well and a lot of us socialise together, even if it is just in the kitchen during tea breaks. There are no real divisions like you get in a lot of other companies. The guy at the top is an ex programmer which makes a change and means he knows how games are made. you often get buisness types running games companies which doesn't really work.

We've had some rough times like any company, but at the moment things are looking up and people seem quite happy.

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

I couldn't possibly say as that would constitute revealing confidential information

I can tell you though that we have a collection of photo's from the web and other sources of people dressed as Lara. Some are excellent (Becks for instance) and some are down right scary. (usually the men!)

Originally Posted by toiletroll66

Was it? Maybe. I'll have to check the TR style guide.

The outfit in the glass case worn by the original Lara model is more of a teal colour, and the poseable one in reception is the same........

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

I started at Core after AOD so I cant answer that question.

I can tell you though that AOD was the best game ever which sold a billion copies and was developed in a field of dafodills by the sea. Or at least thats what they told me at my interview

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

StranglyBrown is indeed one of us. In fact he's round my house atm for our wednesday tv evening. A traditional evening of catching up with all the crappy US tv shows.

His slippers are very nice and its actually Ovaltine he's drinking

We've finished Hells Kitchen and the 4400s and we've now resorted to The Rock on BBC3, a Jerry Bruckhimer classic.

Oh the glamorous life of a games programmer eh!

I have noticed its mainly programmers who've joined in the forums so far. I guess artists and designers etc. have one of those "life" things ive read so much about.

And some really inspired question from the forum

Originally Posted by Twiin

Core employees, your presence here seems to lean towards the real possibility that TR:AE is not cancelled.
Anyway, I'll ask my question in secret code, if you'll be able to answer in code, too!
Is my anniversary going to do a number 2 as well as be portable?

And the Answer.

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

My hovercraft is full of eels. My carpet is eating ham.

...
I’ll leave you with this inspiring comment from Mellow Yellow, who drives a manly car:

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

Well, if you just happen to be a multi-millionare who secretly owns the TombRaider IP we'll finish the game for you

…and who the hell is alcryst? It was him who stated that the video was using parts from CD’s project, too. However, that particular post seems to have vanished, in any case, its not on page 22 anymore. But I’ll leave the speculation up to you.

Done now.

[AdamTheInept]

Good job! thanks ^__^

[sweet_pea]

Originally Posted by Lone Raider

…and who the hell is alcryst? It was him who stated that the video was using parts from CD’s project, too. However, that particular post seems to have vanished, in any case, its not on page 22 anymore. But I’ll leave the speculation up to you.

Well guess I was not crazy after all... someone did say the trailer had Core and Crystal work in it, I just could not find it. But I guess it was not true.

[Bandit]

Well done Lone Raider. That's a fine job you've done there.

[Jamie18]

Thanks very much

Here is a smaller version of the Core image if that helps, to stop the screen being too wide.

[Lone Raider]

Thanks Bandit - nowhere near as much work as you lot put into pleasing us.