Raven Software confirms staff cuts

Raven Software and studio owner Activision have confirmed with Shacknews that it has cut 30 - 50+ employees from its development studio in the post-development period following the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Wolfenstein. While this is typical behavior for studios who finish up big projects and have nothing to keep its employees busy there has been some speculation that the layoffs may be the result of lackluster Wolfenstein sales. Tom Chick’s Wolfenstein review may have the answers to those questions - to say he felt the game was lacking would be a major understatement.

Currently the company is working on Singularity, with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 set to ship on multiple platforms very soon.

Shipping out: August 18, 2009

Tuesday is release day in North America (for the most part) and today there are a number of (what we hope are) decent games hitting retail space this week including C.O.R.E. for DS, Wolfenstein for various platforms, Still Life 2 and the retail boxed version of Plants vs. Zombies. Check out the list below:

ATV Quad Kings
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Publisher: Zoo Games
Genre: Racing, Sports

C.O.R.E.
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Graffiti Entertainment
Genre: Shooter

Delta Force Xtreme 2 Limited Edition GameStop Exclusive
Platform: PC
Publisher: Navarre
Genre: Shooter

Joint Operations: Combined Arms
Platform: PC
Publisher: Navarre
Genre: Shooter

My Dress Up
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: O-Games
Genre: Simulation, Social

My Friends
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: O-Games
Genre: Simulation, Social

My Make Up
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: O-Games
Genre: Simulation, Social

Plants Vs. Zombies
Platform: PC
Publisher: PopCap Games
Genre: Casual, Puzzle & Cards, Strategic

Spectrobes: Origins
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Publisher: Disney Interactive
Genre: Role-Playing

Sudoku Ball: Detective
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Playlogic
Genre: Puzzle & Cards

Still Life 2
Platform: PC
Publisher: Encore Software
Genre: Action

Wolfenstein
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Shooter

Bill Brown Scores Wolfenstein

Activision Publishing and id Software announced that Wolfenstein will feature an original score by composer Bill Brown. Brown’s work has been featured in numerous feature films and television shows including Ali, Any Given Sunday, CSI: NY and Finding Forrester. He previously also scored id Software’s Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

“Bill was the natural choice to create a soundtrack that emphasizes the fast-paced action of Wolfenstein while enhancing the overall mood during key moments and getting players fully immersed in the adventure,” says Kevin Cloud, executive producer at id Software. “Bill crafted the perfect soundtrack when we previously worked together on Return to Castle Wolfenstein and his experience and passion for the franchise will once again allow him to deliver an incredible score that draws the player deeper into the Wolfenstein universe.”

Wolfenstein is scheduled for release later this year on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC and is not yet rated.

Endrant Studios Working On Wolfenstein

Endrant Studios, a brand new development studio startup located just outside London in Sevenoaks, Kent, is working on the new Wolfenstein game. Announced last night at Activision Blizzard’s non-e3 press conference, the game is being developed by Raven Software under the watchful eye of id Software. For Wolfenstein, Endrant is working in collaboration with Raven, focusing primarily on multiplayer development.

the company is currently fillings its ranks for other projects on the horizon and hope to swell its ranks to at least 18 developers by the end of the year, according to its web site..

Activision Blizzard’s Non-E3 Line-Up

Activision Blizzard revealed its non-E3 line-up that managed to make its way into just about every one of the big three’s press conferences this week. This line-up includes Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Call of Duty: World at War (which a colleague described as awesome - I’ll reserve judgment), Guitar Hero World Tour, Quantum of Solace (a new James Bond game) and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows.

The press conference did reveal a few surprises, like a new Wolfenstein game being developed by id Software, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, a new first person action game from Raven Software, a Luxoflux game based on the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen film, and a game based on Marvel’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine film.

Oddly enough, Activison Blizzard’s other studios - Sierra, VU Games, and Blizzard had no announcements tonight. Weird. Check out our E3 Hub Page for the latest.

The Return of Apogee Software

The name Apogee was synonymous with the shareware movement. In 1987 the company helped develop and foster the concept of “try before you buy” with some pretty impressive titles like Commander Keen series, Duke Nukem, Rise of the Triad, and Wolfenstein 3D.

Today it was announced that the company is back and has its eye on the episodic game and digital distribution market. With the rise of digital distribution, Apogee has picked the perfect time to return. Apogee Software plans to revive some of its legacy catalogue of 30+ releases as well as publishing all-new games.

The very first property to come from Apogee is Duke Nukem — the classic Duke, not the Duke that is stuck in the purgatory that is Duke Nukem Forever. The new Duke game will be developed for the handheld console market with three new missions, together called the Duke Nukem Trilogy. Apogee Software is producing the Trilogy under an exclusive license agreement with 3D Realms and MachineWorks Northwest LLC. The Trilogy is comprised of three episodes: Critical Mass, Chain Reaction, and Proving Grounds.

The company is headed by Terry Nagy, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer and its other co-founder - the irrepressible Scott Miller. Learn more at www.apogeesoftware.com.

Wolfenstein Film Director Arrested

Wolfenstein movie director and Pulp Fiction co-screen writer Roger Avary has been arrested on charges of manslaughter and DUI, following a car crash on Sunday in Ventura County, California. Avery was booked and released on $50,000 bail, according to an Associated Press report. More details from the report:

Killed in the accident was Andreas Zini, 34, a resident of Italy who was apparently visiting the couple. Firefighters cut Zini from the car with Jaws of Life, and he died several hours later at Ventura County Medical Center.

Avary’’s wife Gretchen, 40, was ejected from the car and found in the road by deputies, Bonfiglio said. She was hospitalized in stable condition.

Avery is best known for his Academy Award-winning work on the film Pulp Fiction, and most recently the screenplay for Beowulf.