Hey guys. Alex here, Creative Director for Depth. I wanted to fill you all in on a bit of news regarding the project : As of about a month ago, Depth was put on indefinite hiatus. The reason for this decision was a combination of things I won't get into too much detail about, but it boiled down to
(1.) Maintaining the project and its staff was becoming extremely costly
(2.) Aspects of the project weren't "clicking" and needed design love that we couldn't provide it after nearly 3 years of devotion and attachment.
Since all of this probably sounds quite dissapointing, I'd like to stop and mention that depth_isn't_dead. Nobody is throwing out any of the work that has been done, and the concept (as i'm sure you'll all agree) is one that kicks major ass and needs to get made. If depth can find the right kind of support and direction, I have no doubt that it will rise once more from the murky abyss and bite us all in half with its awesomeness.
P.S Thanks so much guys for all your encouragement and positive vibes :)
I recommend Indiefund. Not sure how much funding you guys are going for, but between indiefund and kickstarter, I am sure you can get what you need.
I appreciate the suggestion, but I want to emphasize that it's not strictly funding that is our problem. In its current design state, Depth is a more ambitious project than such a small team can cope with (especially factoring in remote management). I think the best chance we have is to streamline our design goals and try again with a more manageable scope. Trouble is at this point we're all pretty burned out - so we also need some time to work on other stuff, chill out and collect our thoughts.
I get exactly what you mean. As you are the lead game designer? Especially game format like this which is 2 unique sides that have almost nothing in common. Classes are divided for each side so its the only factor that connects those sides. Game complex like this can be so hard to make playable. Not even speaking of "fully" balancing the game but just playable is very hard process. Whit small designing team i can imagine that its PAIN IN THE *** trying to fit all the pieces together.
Take for example Unknown Worlds who are about to release NS 2. They at least have studio, which allows them interact whit each other constantly. And the lead designer Charlie Cleveland already wrote the original NS, which is the backbone of its sequel. So they had something to start whit. I can imagine that starting whit clean sheet and trying to force it to its final form doesn't just feel that right.
I could be wrong that your "kinda" stuck on the game designing, but considering that how hard it can be especially whit the remote management in play I completely understand why the production isnt flowing so good.
Sad sad news : ( it would be really sad to scrap the whole project, but we will support you what ever you decide!
[Edit]
I could be completely wrong and offtrack, its not just the designing it propably has more factors than just that, but i dont think that the tricky writing and overall working whit ut3 engine stops you. When considering what you have already done i dont think that you stopped (not completely) for some techical limitations or lack of art direction but the fundamentals.
@Sebu no you're pretty much on the money :)
I get what you mean. Well, please come back to it as soon as everyone is ready again!
One word... Kickstarter :D.
please this had such promise.
I agree with the other comments. Try out kickstarter to get some cash. You guys already have some gameplay footage to show off, and I remember when you streamed with destructoid, so that should be in their twitch archives. I'm sure that this would generate enough interest.
Kickstarter would probably help :)
By design love, do you mean re-design?
Oh god damn it, I was so hyped for this.
ill be waiting
Wake me when you need me.
they'll be back. thank god... all the best guys, hope to see you again soon. :)
Contact me. Maybe we can work something out. Me = Project Stealth Lead and having similar problems.
Are you freaking kidding!?!
This game already has incredible graphics, and it looks almost done. You have already shown videos of what looks like awesome, perfectly functional gameplay.
I have seen way to many games do this, many of them look almost finished, and then suddenly they make an announcement like this (they always make sure to say that they are not dead) and then they are never heard from again.
Maybe alphafund on Desura? At least people would get hands on the early release and provide feedback.
Man, that is not the news I wanted to hear...
But I understand getting burned out. Specially in the game development world. I can't imagine working for 3 years while having a full-time day job and still not having the complete game you envisioned.
I absolutely applaud the hard work put into Depth and hope one day it will be revived and completed.
I would definitely purchase Depth when that day comes.
Damn... i've been keeping an eye on this game ever since I saw your first trailer. Anyways, I understand you and the team need a break, and i'll keep fingers crossed that you'll start working on it again.
One things for sure though, if you do end up releasing, I'll buy it.
So in other words, the game is not dead, only postponed?
do a kickstarter, get some money, hire more team. You have done fantastic work, there is nothing else like this out there, so i would love to see you guys keep going.
I was really looking forward to playing this :(