It’s no secret that LucasArts is approaching new IP differently -- the studio has made that plain since CEO Darrel Rodriguez joined. But it’s the way they’re doing it, in a post-
Fracture world, that makes it interesting: the studio is looking forward with an internal approach.
Lucidity, as I’ve learned, is an example of that.
In a recent interview with the studios’ David Nottingham, in which we covered
Lucidity extensively, I commented that the colorful downloadable title was quite the departure from
Fracture, and then asked if
Lucidity was an example of how LucasArts was planning to do new IP in the future. Nottingham replied in the affirmative, adding that it was part of the effort of LucasArts to ‘get back to its roots.’
“
Lucidity is part of a real attempt by the company to do something different with respect to its original IP strategy,” said Nottingham. “Although Fracture was a new IP from LucasArts it was developed by an external developer, so Lucidity is really the first New IP we’ve developed internally in a while. This plus the
Monkey Island: SE release, is all part of LucasArts efforts to ‘get back to its roots’.“
Nottingham gave me a bit of a personal story. His point in doing so was to relate that the studio is attempting to capture the same spirit of old -- that creativity, energy, and originality that helped create titles like
Secret of MI. Hit the break for it.
"My whole reason for being here comes down to two things, watching Star Wars as a kid and playing those classic LucasArts games," Nottingham exclaimed. "Growing up, LucasArts (or Lucasfilm Games as it was then) was a brand I totally trusted. I would buy everything with the name on it and it just seemed like such a creatively fertile place. We’ve tried to instill some of that energy and originality with the team we have now and create a culture that really empowers people’s creativity and passion. If we can be successful with that model then we will keep doing what we are doing!"
This approach sounds good to us. What do you think?
Contest:
9:20 AM on 09.28.2009
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Everything is good and all, until the game is shipped and the team binned.
Put up or GTFO.
Yes, in the bad old Jim Ward days. Being a contributor to the classic LucasArts fansite Mixnmojo.com I think I can probably claim to know better than most people how the slow and sad decline of trust between the developer and its previously extremely loyal fanbase went. Most people still feel that LucasArts have a lot to prove if they really intend to get back to their roots.
And it's no mean feat - most of the staff that made those roots what they were have moved on (and the fans with them). So not only do they need to show a willingness and commitment to tell the sorts of original stories they used to, but they need to show that they have the talent to pull it off.
But I will say this from experience. - the attitude LEC has had towards its fanbase since e3 is markedly different and much, much better. Not hard when previously their policy was to maintain radio silence. So things are looking up - but let's take it one step at a time.
Lately? What about the Republic Commando lay offs?