For The Four People Who Care: No New Colony Wars Game
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 11:27AM 
Old news, I am a huge Colony Wars and Psygnosis fanboy. It was the Brog's best kept secret that I was hoping to get an interview with one of the designers of the old Colony Wars/Wipeout series. Thanks to a little help from Tim Wright [DJ ColdStorage and legendary composer for the aforementioned game franchises] I was able to track down some key individuals from the now fragmented Psygnosis team. It is incredibly unfortunate timing that as of this week, most of them have recently lost their jobs. Those who still remain at Studio Liverpool have lost a team that has had one of the longest running racing franchises in gaming.
Gamesindustry.biz reported that Sony Computer Entertainment was 'restructuring' [an industry term for 'firing'] the Studio Liverpool employees. Not in whole, but in part. The comments below reveal users possibly in the industry giving more detail as to how many would be getting let go. A user by the name Paul Ripley, Senior Programmer at SCEE, said "I would estimate about at least 50% of Studio Liverpool has jus been culled (myself included). Hard to work out exact numbers at the moment"
Personally, I had been trying to contact [via e-mail and pathetic facebook invites] the Psygnosis team on an individual basis prior to the news. It was just really unfortunate timing on my part. However, I noticed a user by the name of Nick Burcombe [Lead Designer at SCEE]. He commented on the life and [possible] death of the Wipeout franchise.
All the best for the future guys.... I'm guessing that's the end of Wipeout as a franchise...15 years - not many survive that long. At least we made a splash and to be honest F1CE is still a top notch product despite reviews not getting it. User reviews FTW.
For those who didn't know [including myself] F1CE was the Formula One Champion Edition franchise I clearly forgot was yet another quality title under this team's belt. Psygnosis always had a style about their products that you could clearly notice once a keen eye was pointed to the art. When Tim Wright pointed me in the direction of Evolution Studios and Bigbig Studios it was pretty evident that this was the same team [even if it may have been bits and pieces] that had worked on Demolition Derby, G-Police and of course Colony Wars.
When I asked Burcombe if there were any interest in making another Colony Wars game he responded with, "True - Wipeout could continue - but I doubt it would come from that studio. Colony Wars is something that really needs a 1080p/60hz relaunch. That would be truly spectaular on the PS3. Nice big co-op scifi shoot 'em up....."
I asked if this were a viable possibility and Burcombe states, "Again - probably not from that Studio."
My question to anyone involved in this matter would be, what happens next? What happens to Evolution and Bigbig Studios? I'm assuming the Motorstorm franchise will soldier on seeing as there seems to be quite the base for the series in the PSP and on the PSP. When I heard this news I was punched in the gut, because of the little interview I wanted to do with these creative people. I wanted to know the ins-and-outs of what it took to make a game like Wipeout and more specifically Colony Wars. And how were they able to execute such well developed games on 'the little console that could' in the PS One.
I still have so many questions, but with this news I think I'll keep them in my little notebook. I can only wish for the best for those layed off, as well as those who remain at Studio Liverpool. Any studio would be a lucky to have such a talented bunch.
Colony Wars, Psygnosis, Sony in Console Gaming, Gaming, Industry News 
Reader Comments (10)
Damn. Saddest news of the year already. Sadest news ever. Dont know what to say... Just hope I never come by a Sony executive.
That is sad news for sure. I can't express how much i would like to get a new game, but who knows duke nukem: forever still exists. Maybe we should just start the rumor mill up that its coming....just to keep the dream alive.
I'm currently trying to gather some of the remaining developers of Colony Wars to do an interview about what happened with Colony Wars and why there wasn't an iteration on the PS2, but I wouldn't hold out 'too much' hope for a future Colony Wars. I got off the facebooks with Noah Baumbach and the team has been separated [and recently fired] for years now.
This is sad news. The 3 Colony Wars games have been my favorites. I cant believe there was never a sequel for the PS2. A 1080p rebirth for Colony Wars on PS3 would be awesome. There are no good space shoot-em-ups at all for the PS3. The catalog for that console is severely lacking, particularly with the whole GT5 fiasco. Having a new Colony Wars would almost make my PS3 purchase worth it. Good luck to the developers... Love your game.
Damn, my favorite all time space shooter. How awesome would it be to see gas and fire leaks coming out of a destroyer you just strafed or huge capital ships going at it. I can't imagine what would be capable on the current console generation with a good team. I've got project silpheed but its just not quite right, it doesn't satisfy my space shooter lust like a new Colony wars or even a remake.
Exactly. I've even decided to double-back on 2D Shmups [recently played R-Type Final and Soldner-X] and I love my sidescrollers. I'd argue that there was only a very select few space shooters that lent themselves to the 3D space well. Tie Fighter and Colony Wars
this is a excellent way to see the future of the mankind in the space, just kidding but if this come true surely our future will be full of war, you know we're not the favorite race in the universe, many other race don't like the idea of our existence and want to turn us into a little piece of nothing.
Heartbreaking to not see CW for ps3, nor any worthy sci fi shooter for it either.
I have searched on and off over the years for any developments on a CW sequel or remake.I'm saddened that the Studio Liverpool guys have been shattered like this.I doubt an HD version of CW will ever see the light of day,unless some other studio manages to get permission or get the "eureka" moment and smack their head and say that it would be a great idea to see CW in 1080p HD glory.Until that day may happen,I'll just have to stick to using a PC emulator for the PS One and crank the res settings up to make it look as HD as possible.Not the same,but can be surprisingly clear and crisp,better than what the PS3's smoothing on an HD TV can do...
Over a year later and this is STILL one of my most commented on articles. Well, you'll be happy to know that the research and hunting down of defunct developers has bore fruit. Gamasutra will be putting up my interview based on what actually happened with Colony Wars in the coming weeks. I'll post a link on this site when it happens. It's been a long time coming indeed.