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."
Content you might like…
-
VRcade Sets Its Sights on the Next Leap in Immersive Gaming

Using the Oculus Rift, VRcade's engineers are designing what they believe will become the future of virtual entertainment.
- May 8, 2013
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Xbox One has preowned fee - Report
Microsoft confirms all discs must be installed to HDD to play; secondhand owners required to pay an unspecified fee. Full Story
- Posted May 21, 2013 11:44 am PT
-
Xbox One will launch this year
Microsoft formally announces Xbox 360 successor during media event; will support live TV and Skype; features 500GB hard drive, 8GB RAM, Blu-ray drive; 64-bit architecture. Full Story
- Posted May 21, 2013 10:09 am PT
Featured Stories
-
The Simpsons writer signs on for Angry Birds movie
Emmy-winning writer Jon Vitti, who penned "Mr. Plow" episode of The Simpsons, working on 2016 film based on Rovio's game. Full Story
- Posted May 20, 2013 12:23 pm PT
-
Grand Theft Auto V premium bundles revealed
$150 Collector's Edition includes money bag, snapback hat, blueprint map, artwork, and various in-game items and bonuses; all preorders receive access to pilot atomic blimp vehicle. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2013 5:44 am PT
-
Atari to sell RollerCoaster Tycoon, Test Drive franchises at auction
Bankrupt publisher hoping to bring in at least $22 million from upcoming asset auctions. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2013 9:43 am PT
-
38 Studios court case begins
Arguments in legal battle between defunct Amalur developer and Rhode Island presented in court today; state claims it has "avalanche" of evidence against 38 Studios. Full Story
- Posted May 22, 2013 1:51 pm PT
-
Katie Couric acknowledges one-sided violent video games report
Network journalist acknowledges one-sided violent video game report; invitations to Bungie and the Entertainment Software Association were declined. Full Story
- Posted May 20, 2013 10:45 pm PT
Related Game
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
- Publisher(s): Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Developer(s): Monolith Productions
- Genre: Action
- Release:
- ESRB: M





