REACTION - The idea that Toys for Bob have potentially secured their independence by partnering with Microsoft is pretty great
Toys for Bob have had a tumultuous few years, riddled with uncertainty. After cranking out Skylanders titles and being given the opportunity to revitalise Crash, they were relegated to Call of Duty support studio status during the latter part of their time with Activision. The Microsoft buyout gave them an opportunity to be free of that, and once that was secure, they took things a step further by spinning off and going independent.
As exciting as that is, the industry is hardly a beacon of stability right now. Leaving the [relative] certainty of a Microsoft funded first party operation is both creatively freeing and inherently dangerous, especially during this time. However, according to Jez Corden of Windows Central, Toys for Bob have now struck a deal to fund their first title.
What form this deal takes, the nature of any potential exclusivity, and what the game actually is remains to be seen. It’s also important to acknowledge that until an official announcement is made, this remains in the take with a pinch of salt category. We’re always sceptical of this type of reporting, but we also feel that sharing our reaction in this instance is justified; Toys for Bob deserve the win, and I hope this turns out to be true.
Source: Windows Central
NOTE: This is a rumour, and unconfirmed by official sources.
TARPS?
At the bottom of some of our articles, you’ll see a series of absurd looking images (with equally stupid, in joke laden names). These are the TARP badges, which represent our ‘Totally Accurate Rating Platform’. They allow us to identify specific things, recognise positive or negative aspects of a games design, and generally indulge our consistent silliness with some visual tomfoolery.