Earlier this year, Deep Silver announced that it would be parting ways with developer Yager, who was assigned to work on Dead Island 2, the current gen sequel to the undead action adventure series. Though the split was amicable, Yager managing director Timo Ullmann told Games Industry International that the effect on the company was far from pleasant. The project’s loss resulting in the closure of Yager Productions, a division which was created specifically for developing Dead Island 2.
“Having a project cancelled in such a late state is a catastrophic event on so many different levels. It really is the worst possible outcome. Everybody involved loses.”
Though a number of jobs were lost, employees were somewhat protected thanks to a provision in Germany which offers three months of guaranteed pay. Ullmann isn’t hating on Deep Silver though and such cancellations aren’t out of place in the industry.
“I really don’t blame them, and we wish them all the best. It’s tough, and not being given the chance to finish Dead Island 2, that… that hurts, you know? Right after the announcement a part of the team was a bit shell-shocked, of course, but you have to motivate yourself to keep going. Cancellation of projects, especially if the stakes are so high, is not unheard of. It hurt us, yes, but it happens.”
