Monolith scaring up new F.E.A.R.s

WBIE-owned studio announces sequels for PCs and "next-generation consoles." Sequel to lose F.E.A.R. name but continue storyline, keep character set, stay in existing universe.

Monolith Productions likes to scare people. The sadistic studio was responsible for two of last year's most frightening experiences with Condemned: Criminal Origins on the Xbox 360 and F.E.A.R. on the PC. Both games were produced with the same technology, which used dynamic lighting and realistic sound to give gamers goose bumps.

Today, Monolith announced it is continuing the story of F.E.A.R. on PCs and multiple next-generation consoles. However, due to Vivendi Universal Games owning the name F.E.A.R., the sequels from Monolith will carry a new, as-yet-unannounced title.

The sequel's publisher has not yet been announced, nor has any release date.

Though VU Games owns the series name, Monolith, which was purchased by Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment in 2004 after development of F.E.A.R. was under way, owns the rights to the game's characters. However, VU Games may not be done with the F.E.A.R. name, as the company was recently rumored to be working on an Xbox 360 port of the original. A release from Monolilth today made no mention of an Xbox 360 version of F.E.A.R.

Samantha Ryan, president of Monolith Productions, told GameSpot that the sequels "will not be called F.E.A.R., but the IP ownership rests with Monolith and Warner Bros. Fans should expect that the sequels will be set in the universes they know and love."

Monolith is tailoring the sequel's content between the PC and console iterations. The practice of releasing IP on PCs first, then giving console versions a console-specific overhaul is becoming more and more common, as evidenced by Infinity Ward's Call of Duty franchise and Ubisoft's Far Cry franchise. Developers can use each platform's strengths and control schemes to deliver different experiences.

Ryan said, "We believe that the PC audience is entirely viable and can support a game just as it did support F.E.A.R. To deliver the best quality title, the PC needs to be a focus. We believe that next-gen will also be awesome, but again, it has some differences and this is the approach that we're going to try."

The story, however, will remain consistent between different platforms and pick up where F.E.A.R. left off.

"It's an exciting and different universe, and when you have something you love, you want to continue it," said Ryan.

Ryan emphasized that Monolith is hiring staff to work on the new titles. "Talented people in the industry who are excited by this universe should apply," she said. "There are a lot of talented people floating around...and we have a lot of positions to fill."

155 Comments

  • harshahorizon

    Posted Mar 9, 2008 12:02 am PT

    it's to much long they need end the stroy

  • NukeU

    Posted Nov 2, 2007 7:18 pm PT

    finally a sequal to F.E.A.R.

  • SeriousSean

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 11:18 pm PT

    Huh, I can't help but wonder if they can pull that same name trick with NOLF. I love both of monoliths more recent titles, but I'm getting tired of this horror theme popping up every where. With planet moon focusing on the psp and monolith doing all these dark/horror games us pc gamers aren't getting any good laughs anymore. And I don't mean GTA humor, thats been beat over the head far too much.

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Jun 6, 2007 10:16 am PT

    It's a good game for a PC but for consoles it needs to be waaay better.

  • doom_nightmare

    Posted Jun 5, 2007 10:44 am PT

    FEAR 2 will destroy Crysis, not only in graphics but also gameplay. FEAR is the best game to date since Jedi Knight. Im sorry if I am not impartial, but is impossible.

  • Markner

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 7:42 am PT

    GREAT FEAR 2, can't wait

  • juggong

    Posted May 31, 2007 7:59 pm PT

    Extraction Point picked up where the first game left off, so it's kinda obvious that the sequel continues the story in the expansion pack.

    To be honest, i think somebody should make a mod that removes the horror theme and makes a new story.

  • tim_kkhanna

    Posted May 5, 2007 3:18 pm PT

    They say the story will pick up from where F.E.A.R. left off. Does that mean it will pick up from the end of "Extraction Point" or the original game?

  • Christoffer112

    Posted May 5, 2007 1:15 pm PT

    Awsome F.E.A.R. 2

  • Edgemaster666

    Posted Apr 11, 2007 4:12 pm PT

    Didn't even know this article existed...

    But anyways, FEAR 2 or whatever it will be called should be awesome.

  • Vasya7

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 12:40 pm PT

    I can not wait until the game comes out. I really want it to stay in market through 2008.

  • mrdrx

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 12:03 am PT

    alright, second part sounds good!. Hope they bring it out this year cant wait until next!

  • Tomdogg

    Posted Mar 10, 2007 3:43 pm PT

    Just hurry up with the game

  • Ferto_89

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 8:33 pm PT

    i cant wait till this come out!

  • gandalf2004

    Posted Nov 22, 2006 9:08 am PT

    If they really are going to make a next one they DEFINATELY NEED TO VARY THE ENVIRONMENT. I was getting sick and tired of empty office after empty office.

  • Wej_accept_it

    Posted Apr 18, 2006 6:37 am PT

    will the new game be D.R.E.A.D., or P.A.I.N., or maybe even D.E.A.T.H. Funny to see what the initials actualy stand for of course...

  • PramilaInc

    Posted Apr 17, 2006 10:16 pm PT

    F.E.A.R is decent, but AvP2/N.O.LFs were awesome. I say we demand they give sequels to AvP2 and N.O.L.F 2 before they start on F.E.A.R.

  • Traitor_13

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:59 pm PT

    I got an E-mail from monolith themself saying that they do have plans for next gen systems I'm so excited

  • Dremun

    Posted Apr 10, 2006 2:35 am PT

    HoooRaaaa,,, Yeah Baby MORE MORE!!! and I fer sure would love to get in on the Beta testing when the time comes. But one thing does kinda concern me, NEW People to create the Sequel(s) I don't know some times that can be a good thing and more often than not it is NOT a good thing. When you have to many cooks making the soup it just does not come out right, and as F.E.A.R. Is A great game now. I just hope they don't ruin it by trying to make to many changes to the game and worst of all really bad voice acting. Well just my 3 cents here, and me be watching

  • Jd1680a

    Posted Apr 7, 2006 6:51 am PT

    why dont monolith just go with F.E.A.R. 2 and be happy with the publish they have? if they change the name it wouldnt be seen as the same game. either they will have to make a whole new game with a new storyline or they just go with VU games and make a sequel.

  • mastercleft

    Posted Mar 31, 2006 4:38 am PT

    Uh-rah, a new fear baby

  • smokum92

    Posted Mar 24, 2006 11:05 pm PT

    also i have a above average set up,,,,,3.2 gig ht,,,,with a 6800gt gig of ram,,,,,runs fear just fine,,,,,,,,,,hope it runs the new fear or raef ok

  • smokum92

    Posted Mar 24, 2006 11:02 pm PT

    what the heck is a focus,,,,,,she said we need to be running a focus pc,,,to get the best out of this new fear game,,,,,,,,madmax,,

  • spiritofcows

    Posted Mar 22, 2006 4:22 pm PT

    WOOOTTTT!!!

  • monkey_monger

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 4:07 pm PT

    what about the first 1on the next gen, ma comp can run it but i have a crap card ( x300 ) so there is no point playing it

  • sumshi1

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 7:38 am PT

    takachon
    Hope they put more than 3 diferent enemies this time

    Yeagh me too needs a little more variety..still great game though..mmm and multiplayer needs work too

  • neoand12

    Posted Feb 27, 2006 8:00 am PT

    sweet!

  • RAFDOG

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 10:28 pm PT

    I SHALL BUY THEM!!!!!

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 9:08 pm PT

    i hope they put it on revolution i want to see wat a fps will be like using the unique controllers abilities

  • point_vector

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 1:06 pm PT

    the new fear title is going to be " The Ring 3 , Samara Lives"

  • MasterNess

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 6:32 pm PT

    Sweet, can't wait

  • SQFrazier

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 8:19 pm PT

    need to port it to xbox 360noW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • nalyad

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 8:06 pm PT

    OMG

  • shotokan_42

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 6:10 pm PT

    I've never got a chance to play F.E.A.R. on the PC. However, I've heard it's a good and solid game, yet challenging.

  • DryvBy

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 4:35 pm PT

    Please add more gore!!

  • takachon

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 8:29 pm PT

    Hope they put more than 3 diferent enemies this time

  • soulessjay

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:47 pm PT

    I can't wait for the sequel to come out.

  • de_eyespy

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 12:38 pm PT

    it''ll be interesting to see how they continue the story, it's surely to be one of the most anticipating games to come

  • samwel0

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 11:44 am PT

    cool, if its even better than the first one it could be contender for best first person shooter ever!

  • SmallPox91

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 10:34 am PT

    YEEEESSS!!!!! FINALLY I CAN SOON RETURN TO PARADISE, ehum, hell =)

  • mange_swe

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 10:10 am PT

    Yes very good physics, the loooooong office sequence got a bit tiring though.

  • CleptoPots

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 7:45 am PT

    Yay! 360 F.E.A.R.!!!

  • greengloop

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 7:17 am PT

    If the sequel is as good as the first or better and has more forgiving requirements then it will surely be more popular.

  • cikame

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 2:51 am PT

    hopefully they wont ruin it like the first one

  • Dshenlong

    Posted Feb 22, 2006 7:18 pm PT

    yeah we get to find out what happened when that crazy ring like thing climbed on board, whoohoo

  • mike04

    Posted Feb 22, 2006 6:27 pm PT

    great can't wait to see it!!

  • malaciousrussia

    Posted Feb 22, 2006 5:46 pm PT

    10 bucks says this new FEAR will run an engine that makes everything else look like childs play

  • ExcAREentric

    Posted Feb 22, 2006 5:25 pm PT

    Im definitely not fearing this.

  • Zorak000

    Posted Feb 22, 2006 5:21 pm PT

    Im scared... F.E.A.R. has gotten to me!!!

  • Decessus

    Posted Feb 22, 2006 2:43 pm PT

    If I read the article right, then things might get a little confusing once these games come out. VU owns the name, but not the IP. Monolith owns the IP, but not the name. They are both making games. VU makes a game using the F.E.A.R. name, but it is not actually a sequel to the original game. Monolith makes a sequel to the game, but they don't use F.E.A.R. Talk about a headache waiting to happen.

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