Retro Studios taking a Metroid break

by Justin McElroy { Aug 31st 2007 at 8:15AM }

We hope you forgive us for wondering aloud about this exact subject during the podcast going up today, we're going to seem positively out of the loop. Despite our pride, we wanted to tell you that Retro Studios, which just finished up the excellent Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, is taking a break from the series.

As the game's director Mark Pacini told Yahoo in this video interview, "We are taking a break from the Metroid series and from Samus, I'm sure there will be other titles created, but, as far as Retro Studios is concerned, we're taking a break for a little bit." Listen Retro, we're sad to hear it, but you just made three games, we understand. In slightly more chuckle-inducing news, can you believe the team didn't know about the Wii control scheme until they were 9 months into development? Oh, what we would have given to be a fly on that wall.

Tags: metroidprime3, nintendo, retrostudios

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

BadBoy4Life @ Aug 31st 2007 8:21AM

They deserve it....

Hopefully they'll come up with some more fantastic ideas for new Nintendo games.

shivr @ Aug 31st 2007 8:28AM

hmmm origional IP by Retro... would be nice...

Man I wish I had the money/time for Prime 3... where is my student refund check already?? ;_;

Jerk Face @ Aug 31st 2007 11:27AM

If you haven't played it yet, you have no idea how true that statement you just made is. I would marry Samus Aran without even thinking once about it.

Best game I've played all year, hands down.

Jerk Face @ Aug 31st 2007 11:29AM

Then again, I am kind of a Metroid fanboy.

Jake @ Aug 31st 2007 8:34AM

It is pretty common for a developer to quit making a franchise, at least for a while, even though it is still successful. Your team just gets burnt out. I'm pretty sure that is why Bungie maintains their next game(s) will be different. 8 years of Metroid or Halo will burn a guy out.

Phazon @ Sep 6th 2007 3:47AM

I'm glad they're taking a break. I'm a big Metroid fan, but I think a break is needed to keep the franchise from going stale.

Mikeo @ Aug 31st 2007 9:19AM

Quite a nice break- new IPs are definitely better chances, but they REALLY should get someone else to give their games story substance (less sappy, cheezy and the like), no matter how kiddies don't want to listen to it. =D

I pity Silicon Knights (Too Human Finale in 2030 ;))

Jake @ Aug 31st 2007 10:36AM

I hope Too Human comes out next year and rocks and makes all you haters eat your words. I think the game looks really fun.

Problem is, I also think the game won't be out next year.

john @ Aug 31st 2007 11:02AM

Oh man. The first time I even heard about Too Human was when Dennis went on some podcast and argued that they shouldn't have judged his game when it was running crappy at E3. He talked a lot, and I learned a lot about what goes into showing off a game, but his argument was so pathetic and whiny. Classic foot in mouth, for a full 1/2 hour.

Word of the street. @ Aug 31st 2007 12:46PM

Yes Too human and Duke Nukem Forever are so going to own the haters...

Someone should go ahead and tell this kid Santa claus doesn't exist alright.

samfish @ Aug 31st 2007 9:05AM

Good job, Retro.

Now get to work on Kid Icarus!

Mr Khan @ Aug 31st 2007 4:33PM

Well, they've got a shitton of back projects that were canceled in the early GC days. Mario Football (american), raven blade (which was supposed to have some MMO elements), and some kind of racing title

While the end of Metroid Prime (for now) is a big closed door, it opens up some pretty awesome windows

samfish @ Aug 31st 2007 4:56PM

None quite as awesome, though, as a new Kid Icarus could be, in my opinion.

Mr. P @ Aug 31st 2007 9:21AM

Creating rehash after rehash will do that to you. Look at Bungie. MS has them by the walls.

Mr. P @ Aug 31st 2007 9:22AM

Wow, the "w" key isn't even close to the "b" key. I need some sleep.

Captain Jody Anthony XVIII @ Aug 31st 2007 9:36AM

but you have a cool avatar, so its ok

megaStryke @ Aug 31st 2007 9:46AM

Funny you should mention Halo when talking about rehashes.

megaStryke @ Aug 31st 2007 11:16AM

Ya know, on second thought, I think I may have misread your comment. Are you comparing Metroid rehashes to Halo rehashes or are you saying that Metroid gets rehashed unlike Halo which is original? I am starting to lean toward the latter.

bighit24 @ Aug 31st 2007 11:34AM

You are accusing Microsoft of being bad about rehashes? Are you insane? 3 Halo games, Halo Wars, and an untitled Halo project from Peter Jackson. Nintendo:

Mario Brothers
Super Mario Brothers 2
Super Mario Brothers 2 (USA)
Super Mario Brothers 3
Super Mario World
Super Mario All Stars
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Galaxy
Mario Party 1-8
Mario Kart/64/Double Dash/Wii
Mario Paint
Mario Strikers
Mario Baseball
Dr. Mario
Mario DDR
Mario Tennis (2 games)

Legend of Zelda
Zelda 2
Link to the Past
Ocarina of Time
Majora's Mask
Wind Waker
Twilight Princess
2 crappy panasonic Zelda games cuz Nintendo whores their brands
Phantom Hour Glass
Oracle of Ages
Oracle of Seasons
The first crappy Zelda gameboy game
Four Swords (Gameboy and Game Cube)

Metroid
Metroid II
Super Metroid
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Zero Mission
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime 2
Metroid Prime 3
Metroid Dread

Oh....let's not forget the Smash Series...specifically made as a showcase to show off ALL of the Nintendo franchises that Nintendo makes sequel after sequel for...these are just their top 3 franchises but I left out games and could put in many other franchises by Nintendo with this pattern or games with cameos...ya so who is worse at whoring their brands on people now, Nintendo or Microsoft? Owned.

James @ Aug 31st 2007 11:43AM

BigHit24: Nintendo has been making console games for almost 20 years while Microsoft has been in the console business for only 2 generations. Do you honestly think that Microsoft won't have a ton of Halo branded games out after they've been around for 20 years? I guess you've also forgotten that before they were in the console business that they were pushing out PC games like Flight Simulator and the Age of Empires/Mythology series. Microsoft is just as bad, just not in console gaming yet.

Doesn't matter anyways, as long as those franchises continue to make that money we'll see them for a long while.

NintendoFanbot @ Aug 31st 2007 11:47AM

To Bighit24's chagrine nearly every game he's listed (with the exception of CD-i Zelda and Mario Party) is better than anything MS could ever put out. Actually, Mario Party is better than Fuzion Frenzy, so it does apply.

Chew on THAT broad-reaching euphemism.

P.S. I'm sorry MS, Bighit24 made me do it.

Doug Kaplan @ Aug 31st 2007 12:45PM

D@mn you James, you literally took the words out of my mouth. Actually, you probably said it better than I did but you are 110% correct and well done mentioning the endless amount of Flight Simulator games that MS made for the PC. Funny how bighits doesn't mind the 4 Project Gotham Racing titles since the original Xbox came out.

TWiNKiE @ Aug 31st 2007 11:31PM

To Bighit:

I would only use Mario as an example, because the Metroid/Zelda games are all part of a timeline, that tell one real big story. It isn't rehashes.On the other hand, Mario has nothing to do with timelines. He just has a lot of better stuff to do besides plumbing.

The only thing that is keeping Mario games alive is the title he carries.

t_m @ Sep 1st 2007 11:53AM

People don't understand the concept of mario. Nintendo's whole business model is based around creating genres..

Then other companies come along and improve the genre to AA titles. This means nintendo gets to spend way less on development.. cos it cost very little to throw out an inovative, new-idea game. Then it get progressively more expensive to develop each iteration, until the "genre king" comes along and makes it almost impossible to continue to develop the genre.

Therefore nintendo doesn't have to spend half as much money... but it has to keep throwing out new ideas and hope people will take to them.

This is where Mario comes in... he isn't a character, he has no real character, backstory, skills or anything. But he IS a recognisable and easily transferable name/face.

They can stick him on almost any game, from puzzle to sports to dance to music to whatever.. and he'll work. ANd people will regognise his name and face and it will get people to try the new idea.

that wouldnt work with characters like Master Chief, for example. It'd be pretty hard t shohorn him into a music or golf game.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 31st 2007 9:25AM

There are 4 canceled projects that Retro worked on. Raven Blade, Action Adventure, Car Combat, and Retro (Mario) NFL Football.
http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=423

Crono @ Aug 31st 2007 10:16AM

I would kill for mario NFL.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 31st 2007 12:07PM

Image for Mario football found on page 6:
http://www.n-sider.com/features/050217_a_retrospective_nfl_02.jpg

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 31st 2007 12:24PM

Redundant Mario football avatar
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa81/hvnlysoldr/d30d56a9.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa81/hvnlysoldr/85f06c6b.jpg

James @ Aug 31st 2007 9:29AM

Confirmed that Retro will be working on another Metroid game in the future? Probably to be expected I suppose.

Retro had many IP's going before working on Metroid. Some racing game, 2 Metroid Prime-esque adventure games, think there was an american Football game too.

Ryan Smith @ Aug 31st 2007 10:13AM

You guys do know why they are taking a break don't you? Because Nintendo doesn't want them making hard core games anymore. They are probably working on a Metroid minigame collection next. I'm a Nintendo and huge Metroid fan, but I seriously doubt there will ever be a true Metroid game again.

mo @ Aug 31st 2007 11:10AM

ur n0t vry g00d at teh acc0unting r u?

Crono @ Aug 31st 2007 10:19AM

Anybody can make casual games. You don't acquire a huge studio with the experience retro and Monolith has and tell them to make mah-jong.

I really don't see how people have a problem realizing that there are parts of nintendo that will work on Wii Fit and Wii Music and all that jazz, and a completely different part that will work on Metroid, Mario, and Zelda. Nintendo owns or has huge stakes in a great many companies. They have enough resources to diversify.

Jerk Face @ Aug 31st 2007 11:31AM

Well said, my Favorite-Game-Ever-Monikered friend. It doesn't take an army of programmers to make Wario Ware.

Jonny @ Aug 31st 2007 10:47AM

Word on the street is that Retro will be getting heavily involved in a slew of Metroid prequels such as:

Metroid Prime Rib- Follow Samus' early years as a sous-chef in the competitive world of Metroid barbecuing!

Metroid Prime Minister- In this taut political thrill-ride, ripped from today's headlines, help Samus deal with political pressure at home, an unpopular war against the Metroids, and a failing health care system (read: little balls of phazon that replenish health)!

Metroid Prime Numbers- Use Baby Samus' arm cannon to blast anything that's divisable by more than itself and 1!

Crono @ Aug 31st 2007 10:56AM

I LOL'd at that last one. Metroid Prime Numbers. Hilarious.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 31st 2007 11:43AM

Those blasted Space Pirates are out to get us. Save us heroine who has taken out entire planets.

WiNG @ Aug 31st 2007 10:47AM

CONFIRMED: Retro to develop Project HAMMER!

Word of the street. @ Aug 31st 2007 12:51PM

That would be so sweet but I'm afraid that is not going to happen since it wouldn't be casual enough.

Slvrgun @ Aug 31st 2007 11:20AM

What happened to the Wii dvd dongle?

doogles @ Aug 31st 2007 11:50AM

They deserve a break. I'm going back to Elysia after getting a certain upgrade back on Bryyo and they've made a wonderful game.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 31st 2007 11:50AM

All hail the hypnotoad. Sin and Punishment is coming to the Japanese VC!
http://www.vc-reviews.com/news/153/japanese-virtual-console-list-september-2007.php

NintendoFanbot @ Aug 31st 2007 11:50AM

And this break is well deserved, good work Retro. Can't wait to see your future projects. :)

Kasey @ Aug 31st 2007 12:32PM

I work in the building behind Retro's now. It takes all of my strength everyday not to go in and drool all over their Metroid figurines and reception desk.

EdZ @ Aug 31st 2007 1:22PM

Anyone notice the 'face' on Samus' chest looks criously like Enki (of Gurren-Lagann fame)? Add the circular helm and a pair of swords and you're all set.

Lord Chako @ Aug 31st 2007 3:18PM

A follow up to Uniracers would be nice.

I think the wii controller would suit it nicely.

Sean @ Aug 31st 2007 5:17PM

Wii Uniracers would be the stones (hopefully).

ThornedVenom @ Aug 31st 2007 3:35PM

Change is good. =) Helps them get fresh new ideas instead of "constantly perfecting what is divine".

Ike @ Aug 31st 2007 5:31PM

You guys always have at least one image or sarcastic comment a day that cracks me up.

Staggs @ Aug 31st 2007 6:54PM

As long as they keep their same art director, I'm happy. It took me almost an hour to get anything done on Elysia because I was busy gawking at all the amazing architecture.

I'm confident that whatever move they choose to make next, it will undoubtedly lead to a great game.

Bangbang... @ Aug 31st 2007 11:05PM

Please dont flame me, this is an honest question.

Does anyone else feel that Metroid Prime 3 isnt all that good? Seriously, did anyone play the other 2 Prime games and think "You know what the next Metroid game needs? More back tracking, but across multiple planets and above all else, more ball puzzles!"

Also after playing with the vastly superior controls in Resident Evil 4 Wii edition, Primes "move the wii remote to the far left or right to turn" feel like a huge step backwards.

Dont get me wrong, there is a lot of "cool" to be found in Prime (ripping the shields from space priates and Huge boss fights are at the top of the list) but the fights are over too fast and your back playing your glorified platformer with too much back tracking and poor pacing.

Sorry, I just had to vent out 50 bucks of frustration ;)

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments