frontier-developments posts

The Outsider is a game that has been in development since 2005 at UK-based Frontier Developments. Little has been revealed about the game other than a few screenshots and the fact that it's a modern-day thriller game set in and around Washington DC. The gameplay itself was hyped up to give a new meaning of freedom to players rather than a traditional linear experience. Now it looks like the game development is, well, a bit confused.

Earlier this morning Rock Paper Shotgun reported via unnamed sources that the game's development was in fact canceled, claiming that a possible publishing deal with Electronic Arts fell through. However Frontier's head man David Braben told Develop later today, "The priority has been reduced, but we're still working on it." He added, "There is still publisher interest in the project." He did admit that Frontier had to lay off 17 team members, saying, "It's gutting, but one of those things you are forced to do sometimes." The developer still has 210 team members.

Last September, UK-based developer Frontier Developments launched a web site to celebrate the 25 anniversary of the release of the first game in the Elite series. The space trading-action game series remains one of the most influential game titles of all time and there's been speculation that a fourth game in the series is in the works.

Today Eurogamer is reporting that Elite IV is indeed in the works.While the web site states their sources have told them that the game has been put on hold recently after some pre-production work, Frontier's founder David Braben told the site, "There have been recent staff changes on the project, and our commitment to the game is as strong as ever."

Five years ago, The Outsider was first announce to much fanfare as UK-based creators Frontier Developments hyped the game up as a huge political thriller sent in an open world Washington DC. Since then news on the game's progress has been exactly slim to none. Eurogamer reached out to the developer's head man David Braben to get an update on its progress.

Braben replied, "It's very exciting and we're still working hard on it. I'm not talking about it yet but watch this space." Considering we have been waiting for news about this game for half a decade we have been, on the whole, extremely patient.We hope that we don't have to wait much longer for a true status report.

25 years ago this month, UK based Frontier Developments released Elite. the space trading-combat game became a classic in the PC genre with many fans even today. Today Frontier Developments has launched a new web site to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Elite.

The site has info about the game and its sequels, a video narrated by Elite creator David Braben and more. On September 23, Braben will participate in a Twitter chat about the game and if your question gets picked you will get a limited edition Elite t-shirt or perhaps the grand prize of Elite artwork signed by Braben. We will take a shot in the dark here and predict that one of the questions asked is if there will ever be any more Elite games made. Is it possible that this whole nostalgia trip is setting us up for an Elite revival?