New Hardlight Sega game for Vita put on hold

[ROJM]

Sega Puts New Action-Adventure Vita Project On "Hold".Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 10/11/2012 - 07:55
Posted in PlayStation VitaPost to Facebook WallSegaSega HardlightSony
 
Sony may not have finally hit the sweet spot with the PlayStation Vita as far as having a rich software library that has widespread appeal, though there are some quality games currently available for the system.  First party studios will obviously continue supporting the Vita in titles such as LittleBigPlanet Vita, but the situation with third party studios is in a state of near constant flux, as evident by the latest update from Sega.

There is 3rd party support for the Vita such as Rockstar Games who are prepping something for the Vita, at least as of now based on word around the street.  However, one Vita project that had some gamers interested, without ever knowing what it was, was the unannounced action-adventure project from Sega’s recently opened Hardlight studio based in the UK.  Announced early last year around the time the Vita was first announced, the new project from Sega Hardlight may now be faced with an unfortunate fate: it’s currently on hold.

Sega has been rather tight lipped about what plans it has for the Vita besides offering ports here and there such as Jet Set Radio.  The unrevealed Sega Hardlight game was the only publicly revealed project the company had for the Vita that was entirely new but now it’s fate is questionable based on the status of the Vita and Sega’s continued financial hardships.

In an interview with Develop Sega Hardlight Studio Manager Sion Lenton has revealed that the Vita project is currently on hold.  Lenton didn’t elaborate as to what the Vita project was as he only said the studio and Sega as a whole have opted to put it on hold while they figure out how to bring it to market. In layman's terms that basically means Sega is waiting for the Vita to gain some more traction amongst gamers so developing the game doesn’t become a major financial strain. 

For the foreseeable future Sega Hardlight will now focus on iOS/Android games which is yet another sign of where we may possibly see the game industry head towards.  The Develop interview with Lenton didn’t hint that the Vita game was effectively killed, but I think gamers shouldn’t have that game on their future wish lists for the foreseeable future.  I won’t entirely foresake Sega for putting the Vita project on “hold” as the studio needs to do what it can to stay afloat and not become the latest THQ.

http://www.shogungamer.com/news/14765/sega-puts-new-action-adventure-vita-project-hold

"On Hold" as in on its way to be cancelled. This was the game that they were raving about for being innovative in its use of the control scheme.  Shame.

[CrazyT]

The Vita is supposedly a flop (just recently sold a million in japan). Maybe that's got alot to do with it as well. Hardlight could be a great studio, but they may wanna concentrate on other platforms. Please don't let it be smartphones though -_-

[Nameless 24]

Why haven't they ported the game onto PSN/XBLA? It'd be a great start for the developers and would tell them that they are wanted by SEGA to make new games!

They can go back to the Vita Project later once they do well enough elsewhere.

[ROJM]

Bad news CT, Hardlight already said that they are concentrating on digital platforms and smartphones.

[max_cady]

@CrazyTails

Just like ROJM said, I expect that many of these smaller studios will likely invest their resources into smartphones. 'Cause that's where the money's at right now.

[Aki-at]

The Vita is supposedly a flop (just recently sold a million in japan). Maybe that's got alot to do with it as well. Hardlight could be a great studio, but they may wanna concentrate on other platforms. Please don't let it be smartphones though -_-

Viking PC is their first official release so don't worry there!!!

Except Sonic Jump will be their first official game!

[ROJM]

Viking PC is their first official release so don't worry there!!!

Except Sonic Jump will be their first official game!

I never count ports as part of their first release, it has to be a brand new game for me. but it makes sense for them to do it since some of the members of Hardlight was part of the team that helped support Creative assembly with VIKING's development when they were part of that Sega technology group.