Getting laid off is never fun, and I suspect that for most, making such a decision is almost as bad. We’re all only human after all. Yet that’s exactly what happened recently at the office of the Toki Tori 2 developer, Two Tribes. Darn shame if you ask me, but at least they’re not packing their stuff and calling it quits! Some changes simply had to be made, and the end result was a complete reboot of the studio.
Thirteen years is a long time to be in business as a game developer, so I guess this was inevitable. I doubt many have raced past the ten-year mark without major restructuring at some point. Fresh ideas often mean fresh blood, and according to this post, that is exactly what was needed here; hence the mass-layoff. And to make matters even worse, they go on to mention that “most of our natives spent between four and nine years of their lives at Two Tribes” – ouch. Here’s to hoping those guys and girls will be able to find work elsewhere sooner, rather than later.
When Toki Tori 2 ended up taking way longer than expected and not achieving the sales we needed, it basically took the company down with it.
As someone who has been following its development since the initial announcement, I knew trouble was brewing when the release got delayed (both on Steam and the Wii U eShop). But considering the amount of press, praise and general appreciation at its launch, I figured it was destined for great sales. As it turns out, that was not quite the case. Either that or as they put it, “the sales we needed” did not happen. Note: needed, not expected. There’s a huge difference.
Fortunately for the fans (hey, that’s me!), the biggest differences will be internal. Every Two Tribes product will still be for sale, as they have been. In case you need a reminder, their library includes the likes of 2D RTS Swords & Soldiers, the squared puzzlers RUSH and EDGE, as well as, Toki Tori 2, of course, I’m sure you’ve played at least one of those, right? RIGHT?
Anyway, as Queen put it back in 1991, the show must go on, and Two Tribes are not letting recent events slow them down at all. In fact, their next game, which is set to be a 2D side-scroller using the Toki Tori 2+ engine, is already in the planning stages; or maybe it’s even further along? Whatever the case, this new-old studio seems ready for whatever the future might hold, and rest assured that I’ll be right here writing about it.
