Crytek Opens New Austin Studio, Saves a Number of Vigil Staff

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Richard Walker

Following THQ's demise and the auctioning off of its assets to various parties, Darksider II developer Vigil Games' future looked uncertain, but it looks as though most of the staff from the doomed studio have found a home at Crytek's newly founded studio in Austin, Texas.

Crytek's ninth worldwide studio, Crytek USA is headed up by former GM and co-owner of Vigil Games, David Adams, with a team of "35 experienced developers" consisting of "some of the brightest development talent in the industry."

Apparently a number of these are thought to be former Vigil staff, which has led to the question of whether this is in essence a purchase of Vigil Games by Crytek.

Crytek representative Jens Schafer told Gamasutra that Crytek USA is "more like a new start for [the team at Vigil]," rather than an outright acquisition of the Darksiders dev.

Of course, Vigil's core team isn't Crytek's only THQ-based acquisition, with the developer also snapping up the rights to Homefront 2. This could also mean a light at the end of the tunnel for Vigil's 'Crawler', which had also been in the pipeline before THQ folded. It's uncertain whether the Darksiders series will live on however.

Former THQ boss Jason Rubin expressed his relief at the fresh start for the core Vigil team, stating on Twitter: "Great news for Vigil, at least the core team... Thanks to Crytek for saving as much as they could of a fantastic team."

Comments
42
  • Thank fuck.
  • This is good news to hear that they've got jobs. But it's also a sad day, because they just got the staff not the Darksiders IP. R.I.P. Darksiders.
  • That's one awesome move by Crytek. I'm glad they realise how talented the people from Vigil are.
  • @2 The Darksiders IP is still up for sale. It'd be stupid for crytek not to pick it up too.
  • @2 the remaining IPs are being sold off peicemeal so its possible Crytek will pick it up cheap now.
  • Cevat Yerli made me hate Crytek for the bullshit they're putting us through with TimeSplitters 4, but after reading this I've gained a lot of respect for them. It's a really nice thing they've done and I hope it shows positive for results in the future.
  • What bullshit, the CEO of Crytek won't make Darksiders 3 if they get the rights. He'll state there isn't enough demand...
  • @4 and 5 I really hope someone picks it up. I really wanted to follow this series right to the end.
  • Well played.
  • Nice! Good to see they got work so quickly.
  • I don't really care about there not being another Darksiders game, I just think it's great that Crytek threw these guys who didn't have a job a life line.
  • FANTASTIC NEWS! thank you Crytek - You have saved 1 guys small hope, that this will not be the end of the apocalypse! :)
  • Thanks Crytek for opening up a new AMERICAN studio.I'm tired of Publishers closing down american dev studios and outsourcing the jobs to Canada.Just for making this classy move i'm going to buy Crysis 3.
  • Good news for the Vigil guys. Now Crytek needs to save Darksiders. Start up a kickstarter if you have to! Done deal!
  • If Crytek start on Darksiders III... omg... Fury and Strife using the Crytek engine :D
  • @4 Personally i wouldn't want Crytek to pick the IP as well.
  • "some of the brightest development talent in the industry." then why the hell was darksiders 1 and 2 released ???
  • The way the industry is going I'm a little bit scared for crytek. don't get me wrong they've done fantastic so far but hopefully they can keep going where so many have stumbled. good luck guys
  • we'll never see another darksiders, juat like we'll never see another timesplitters :(
  • That's so great, such a talented team. It would have been a shame if they went out of work, especially since they're working in new IP. Thanks Crytek!
  • This is great to hear, such a shame that all those talented developers would have lost their jobs. I look forward to seeing what they will be working on underneath Crytek.
  • Vigil was a mediocre game studio. Darksiders was decent and Darksiders 2 was worse, but still decent. They're better than any other Crytek studio (because let's face it, Crytek is a collection of some of the least-talented game designers in the industry backed up by some programmers who know how to make effective graphics issues). So I guess Crytek's better off and maybe these guys will get enough experience to make a great game instead of just good ones. They have the potential, but they're not there yet. Darksiders needs to go ahead and die.
  • #22 No it is doesn't and I am disagreed with you. Darksiders is great game and 2nd one is good game. Darksiders series is no medicore or crap. D II might bit disappointed for some reasons but still game is good. First one is better series in my opinion. So everyone who enjoy Darksiders series and myself do too we want Darksiders III to coming future as we hoping for. :D I do hope Darksiders III is in developing one day. :D
  • YAY! This made a warm feeling inside me.
  • Does Crytek make games other than shooters?
  • Good move by Crytek. Maybe they are after the Darksiders franchise as well. What better way to test their new Free-to-play approach on another developer's game? If it fucks up, at least they haven't tarnished Crysis, in their eyes. :P
  • Darksiders is a great game. Some of you wouldn't know a good game if it bit you in the ass.
  • Im just playing Darksiders 2 now and it really good game. In my opinion is better than DMC and God of War. Still cant understand why no one bought that ip yet :/
  • @7: Because there isn't. See also: Timesplitters 4.
  • Good, now they just need to buy the rights to the Darksiders IP too when those sales happen. I think with the right support and with what the team learned from the first two games, the series could be something special. I already love the series but it could be truly great.
  • I've a feeling that nobody made a bid for Darksiders because the starting bid was too high. Now though, developers and publishers can step up and get it on the cheap, making it a risk-free venture, essentially guaranteeing it's release. Personally, I haven't played the games and they don't interest me, but I have the feeling that the market needs the series to continue. There are simply too few fresh IPs out there.
  • I am not too fused about darksiders 3 simply because i would rather play as famine and pestilence than fury or strife. On topic though i am glad the developers jobs have been saved. There is chance yet of a truly great game from them rather than just good games.
  • Good news, I do hope someone does buy the Darksiders franchise tho because it does have potential to be a great series, 1st was average, 2 im playing at the moment, its better but not mindblowing, but with the right team behind it could be awesome. Just glad the guys at Vigil got a break, too many companies going down these days.
  • It's great news that they've been thrown a raft... it's horrible news that it's Crytek though :/ they've shown multiple times that they care little for the gamers point of view over things :/
  • Good for the poeple who kept their jobs, probably more upsetting to those who didn't make the switch and keep their jobs. Hopefully they can convince Crytek to buy the Darksiders IP, I thought it was a good game. I haven't played Darksider 2 yet though. I'm curious, if any one knows, if Crytek buy the IP, and I buy some DLC for Darksiders or Darksiders 2, does that revenue then go to them, or to THQs creditors or some other financial path?
  • My boyfriend isn't unemployed anymore! :D
  • It's nice they have jobs, but they're under EA's umbrella now.
  • @37- Crytek aren't owned by EA, they just publish some of their games. Don't forget they've had partnerships with Ubisoft before.
  • @14 - Kickstarter's not the place for a game like Darksiders. That sort of game requires hefty investment.
  • darksiders and darksiders 2 were great games, you ppl make me sick
  • Thank you Crytek. Very sincerely.
  • Honestly I wasnt going to get the new Crysis game, but after hearing this I will support them. Glad to hear a great team got picked up!
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