If you have been keeping up with the many different Star Wars videogames that have been in development in recent years then you might recall the news last October of publisher Electronic Arts (EA) closing down developer Visceral Games. This news meant that the studios Star Wars project led by Uncharted creator Amy Hennig – codenamed Ragtag – was in a state of limbo along with the staff who had were now without a job. Speaking recently with Eurogamer, Amy Hennig has revealed more on the events of last October along with what she plans to do next.
Hennig reveals in the interview that she had in fact left the company back in January of this year and is in the process of starting up her own, independent studio with a strong interest in developing virtual reality (VR) content. “I’m working independently and staying independent.” Hennig explains: “I just started my own small little independent studio and am consulting with some people. I’m hoping to bring some people on board, I would love to have a little company of about six to eight people, 15 at the most, and do some more projects, do some VR stuff – I’m consulting with some VR companies and doing a ton of research because I haven’t played a lot to immerse myself in it.”
Though she has nothing to announce at the minute in regards to this new studio, it is exciting to know that Hennig is looking to explore creative possibilities within virtual space. Having a long and successful career in the videogame industry working on titles such as the Uncharted and Legacy of Kain series’s, her talent will be interesting to see within VR.
Of course, the news of Hennig leaving EA does not hold well for Ragtag which after the closure of Visceral Games show the project being moved to EA Vancouver. Many have questioned if the title will still make it to see the light of day and if so, will it be in the same style that Hennig was hoping for. Sadly, it is bad news as Hennig explains: “The Vancouver studio is working on something pretty different. It’s really not… Y’know, once you go more open world it’s such a different game to the one we were making. Everybody loved what we were doing and I’d love to see us resurrect that somehow, but it’s complicated.”
As EA continue to keep a tight lid on Ragtag, whatever state or form it is in, it seems that it won’t be the same now that Hennig has left the company altogether. As she continues to set up her own company and explore the creative reaches of VR, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest so stay tuned for more. You can see and hear a bit more about Ragtag in the below video.
via Mint VR