World of Darkness Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 from Hardsuit Labs

[Eli_Havelock]

Just a reminder for what now passes as a Narrative Lead for this game.

I have read the original article about some Rooney Rule abd someorganization that want something from AB, but don't understand exactly who want what?
Can someone explain, please? In simple English.

It's not so much the article, it's the comments by the new Narrative Lead and her echo chamber.

Requiring talent and experience for positions that require those qualifications is dIsCrImInAtIoN to diversity hires. They really want an diversity to be equitably considered alongside anyone with proven experience.

That this may be why several key positions are still vacant, like Lead Game Designer and a couple of Producers. HSL absolutely NEEDS someone in those positions to ship the game. But unless there is an diversity hire with the required qualifications it would be dIsCrImInAtIoN to interview just anyone else qualified for the job. They can't afford to have a token diversity hire in the position and work around them, they can't hire on anyone qualified unless there is the diversity option.

Dev Hell achieved by quota bureaucracy. Well, one of many. This is probably why the Damsel character reveal was such a big thing for them.

 

[Semiurge]

Just a reminder for what now passes as a Narrative Lead for this game.

I have read the original article about some Rooney Rule abd someorganization that want something from AB, but don't understand exactly who want what?
Can someone explain, please? In simple English.

It's not so much the article, it's the comments by the new Narrative Lead and her echo chamber.

Requiring talent and experience for positions that require those qualifications is dIsCrImInAtIoN to diversity hires. They really want an diversity to be equitably considered alongside anyone with proven experience.

That this may be why several key positions are still vacant, like Lead Game Designer and a couple of Producers. HSL absolutely NEEDS someone in those positions to ship the game. But unless there is an diversity hire with the required qualifications it would be dIsCrImInAtIoN to interview just anyone else qualified for the job. They can't afford to have a token diversity hire in the position and work around them, they can't hire on anyone qualified unless there is the diversity option.

Dev Hell achieved by quota bureaucracy. Well, one of many. This is probably why the Damsel character reveal was such a big thing for them.

What are they afraid of? Without the diversity dogma the worst case is that they get "canceled" by the fringe elements, but make back the money they've already wasted. The ability of these lunatics to police themselves out of fear never ceases to amuse me. Look at them, destroying themselves! And they call themselves "Brave"...

 

[Flying Dutchman]

He wasn't management or project lead. He was narrative lead. This shit is not on him.

Agree. Players blaming Mitsoda for the obvious pipeline problems at Hardsuit and Paradox feels like their finger's pointing in the wrong direction.

Also, it's doubtful the Creative Director and the Paradox Producer would also have been given the boot if it was solely Mitsoda. The fact that Ellison quit not long after when there was obviously more writing to do also seems to confirm that at least she didn't think the problem was Mitsoda, quite the opposite.

I do think there's likely a management issue, the game's production and producers inspire negative confidence.

I would normally give Hardsuit an idiocy pass, but the Mitsoda-hype-then-fire and the other general fuckery turned "well, they're just idiots" into white hot "what a bunch of cunt-quivering rudderless parentfuckers sucking the blood from the Bloodlines franchise."

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Game development most of the time is a big shitshow, but you don't see any of it. You only see the product and it's either good or bad, but you don't know how fucked up the devs were in the end from the stess and lack of sleep. And if there was any drama before, you forget it after two years.

As for Avellone and Mitsoda: Let's be honest, he just wrote a concept or one or two quests and peaced out. He hasn't done anything else for years now, so there probably wasn't a big cut, when they fired him. And Mitsoda has a record for being a mess to work with, that's why they fired him from Alpha Protocol, so they should have probably done it earlier. It's speaks even against the guy that he got fired for the successor to the one project he got some acclaim.

Yeah, let's be honest... and be honest in that I'll echo what others put on your post: citations are needed for this.

LinkedIn refutes some of your comments, but to blame Mitsoda for Hardsuit's general bullshit and forcing him into a marketing-role-he-hated-then-fired-him is one clear example that directly speaks to how fucked up Hardsuit and Paradox are.

If the message here is "they were right to fire Mitsoda," ...maybe. After 3+ years? Did they vet him anymore than the other rapid-turnover hires? Or the new ones? Did they decide to fire him once they realized they'd gotten everything they needed? All good questions. Seriously doubt the answers are equally good.

But let's be honest... from all that can be seen of this dumpsterfire, it looks like being hired by Hardsuit often speaks indirectly of the quality of the applicant, and directly speaks to how Hardsuit must have some chimpanzee with a bananna up every orifice interviewing and approving prospective candidates.

Can't wait to see what that bastionia of shit from Mass Effect: Andromeda does to "improve" the narrative - talk about insult to injury and clear nepotism (thanks to quivering cunt and drafter-of-resumes-to-avoid "system designer" Erik Waaanamen).

Edit: Fuck Hardsuit Labs. Fuck Paradox. Fuck them both for what they're doing to Bloodlines 2. I hope the end result bends both companies over a table and then, a giant-sized Collector's Edition of Bloodlines 2 twisted and shaped into a giant spiked dildo is rolled in on a battering ram and jackhammers every hole in their screaming bodies.

Fuck them for giving hope for Bloodlines 2 and then torching that hope.

 

[Zombra]

If the message here is "they were right to fire Mitsoda," ...maybe. After 3+ years? Did they vet him anymore than the other rapid-turnover hires? Or the new ones? Did they decide to fire him once they realized they'd gotten everything they needed? All good questions. Seriously doubt the answers are equally good.

I don't have the citation handy, but when Ellison quit, there was some veiled shade thrown, something about "some controversial personnel changes that should have happened sooner," something like that.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

I don't have the citation handy, but when Ellison quit, there was some veiled shade thrown, something about "some controversial personnel changes that should have happened sooner," something like that.

Gimme them links

I find it hard to believe either Hardsuit or Paradox would throw shade at Mitsoda, tho*

* Sarcasm asterisk, but srsly, them links, gimme them

 

[Wunderbar]

And a Glass Door review from September, possibly written by Cara herself given the writing style and subject matter.

"Read the recent news, it’s all confusing for us too but good for design and story. just took too long to get rid of bad actors"

If that is Cara, quite the backstabbing of Mitsoda there, calling him and Cluney a couple of con men. Accurate, though, based on my assessment.

 

[Harthwain]

I don't have the citation handy, but when Ellison quit, there was some veiled shade thrown, something about "some controversial personnel changes that should have happened sooner," something like that.

This could mean anything though. Maybe she thought Mitsoda was an obstacle writing-wise and getting rid of him meant to pave an unrestricted access for her to do whatever she wanted with the story (and get in publisher/developer's good graces in the process)?

 

[Ol' Willy]

What are they afraid of? Without the diversity dogma the worst case is that they get "canceled" by the fringe elements, but make back the money they've already wasted. The ability of these lunatics to police themselves out of fear never ceases to amuse me. Look at them, destroying themselves! And they call themselves "Brave"...

The power of fringe elements is somewhat overrated, which is proven by success of KCD. Although, Vavra is Czech and Czechs are sane people - unlike Kwanzas

 

[Latelistener]

Personally I never wanted a sequel, but the problem is that even it wasn't, Paradox would still seek the old staff like Mitsoda and others to hype the new shit and people would still follow it to an inevitable disappointment.

I hope Mitsoda will get his shit together and join Inxile.

 

[whydoibother]

So is there any news on release?

 

[Wesp5]

Maybe she thought Mitsoda was an obstacle writing-wise and getting rid of him meant to pave an unrestricted access for her to do whatever she wanted with the story (and get in publisher/developer's good graces in the process)?

I don't believe that. I think in her first Twitter after she left she mentioned Mitsoda in a positive way!

 

[fantadomat]

So is there any news on release?

What release? Isn't this the place where we talk about old and forgotten vapourware?

 

[karoliner]

What kind of name is Waananen anyways? Sounds like a comic book super villain. Like Eobard Thawne.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

I don't believe that. I think in her first Twitter after she left she mentioned Mitsoda in a positive way!

What Wesp5 said, I thought she was complimentary of the creatives, and even by quitting, she's indirectly saying she supports them and does not like where the future of the company is going (plus, there was still writing to be done).

What kind of name is Waananen anyways? Sounds like a comic book super villain. Like Eobard Thawne.

Maybe it's based the sounds he makes, not only as a baby and throughout his career, to the point others thought it must be his last name?

Cannot wait to see what amazing system design Waaaa gifts the game with.

 

[Zombra]

What kind of name is Waananen anyways?

Maybe it's based the sounds he makes, not only as a baby and throughout his career, to the point others thought it must be his last name?

 

[Semiurge]

The power of fringe elements is somewhat overrated, which is proven by success of KCD. Although, Vavra is Czech and Czechs are sane people - unlike Kwanzas

"Protected classes" are the obstacle to those who have been conditioned to never criticize them.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Florian Schwarzer, ex-producer on Bloodlines 2 who moved off of it a while ago (many months), turns out to have resigned from Paradox in December.

I think Wesp5 mentioned positive interactions with Florian, which of course meant Florian wasn't long for Paradox:



This announcement is obviously more incredible "good news, everyone!" following the other "good news, everyone!" posts of the past year - all of which only promises good things from BL2 and Paradox.

New Paradox (and Hardsuit) Motto: Retention Isn't Everything

 

[deuxhero]

Do you think it will A: Release, but miss the console generation B: Be canceled or C: Have a product that only has art assets and name in common released just to claim it's finished

 

[Semiurge]

D: They repurpose concept art into a 2D interactive novel.

 

[Crane]

This game is not coming out.

 

[Wesp5]

Florian Schwarzer, ex-producer on Bloodlines 2 who moved off of it a while ago (many months), turns out to have resigned from Paradox in December.

I think Wesp5 mentioned positive interactions with Florian, which of course meant Florian wasn't long for Paradox:

Yes, I had some contact with Florian and he is a very nice guy, coming out of the modding scene and being a real fan of VtmB. You could probably see that in the clan revelation videos and his participation in the PnP game streams . He told me that he was already removed from Bloodlines before they fired Cluney and Mitsoda...

 

[Tao]

Just a reminder for what now passes as a Narrative Lead for this game.

I have read the original article about some Rooney Rule abd someorganization that want something from AB, but don't understand exactly who want what?
Can someone explain, please? In simple English.

As far as i know if you own a certain % of the company shares you can propose certain rules to be voted and passed. One SJW group want to pass that "diversity hires" thingy on all jobs levels and Blizz is saying that it is impractical, inviable and that it will hurt the company, so they want SEC to allow them (blizzard) to overule that proposal.

More or less.

 

[S.torch]

Just a reminder for what now passes as a Narrative Lead for this game.

I have read the original article about some Rooney Rule abd someorganization that want something from AB, but don't understand exactly who want what?
Can someone explain, please? In simple English.

As far as i know if you own a certain % of the company shares you can propose certain rules to be voted and passed. One SJW group want to pass that "diversity hires" thingy on all jobs levels and Blizz is saying that it is impractical, inviable and that it will hurt the company, so they want SEC to allow them (blizzard) to overule that proposal.

More or less.

They put themselves in the juicy "stock market" game. Who is now seeking to implement diversity quotas in all positions in the company is none other than a shareholder. Not only that, but they already have been implementing the aforementioned "quotas". The only difference now is that the shareholder wants to implement them for absolutely all positions, and they are concerned about a specific type of position.

They are reaping what they sowed.
They are getting just what they deserve.

 

[Roguey]

Not sure if this is a shill review or well-done sarcasm.

"Wonderful Company"
Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Seattle, WA
Recommends
Positive Outlook
Approves of CEO

I have been working at Hardsuit Labs full-time for more than a year

Pros

Amazing leadership who cares about the well-being of their employees. Friendly, compassionate and hard-working staff who build each other up. Very healthy work environment (little to no crunch, accessable, and devs stemming from seasoned developers who fresh young designers who all know how to work together, listen to each other and bring each other up.) Because of the mix of all this, the quality of work coming out from this team feels strong, innovative and refreshing. You can tell workers care deeply about their coworkers and the project they work on, which is not the case at most studios.

Cons

Any issues that arise, this team actively strives to fix and improve. Our current approaches to development work really well.

Advice to Management

Keep doing what you're doing and striving to build up an authentic studio with longevity. I'm consistently impressed with the studio you're building up while working here.

"Cons - we fix all the problems! "