Before its recent acquisition by Activision, Bizarre Creations had already been told by Microsoft that it would no longer be used for the development of future installments of the microsoft-owned PGR series - thus ending a close working relationship and presumably prompting Bizarre's eventual sale.
According to an inside source who cannot be named (such is the way with these things), Microsoft had informed Bizarre that it would be taking development of future Gotham games in-house, before Bizarre had decided to put itself up for sale.
No reason was given for why Microsoft decided to do this, but if it’s true – and bear in mind that neither Microsoft nor Bizarre have commented on this in an official capacity – it certainly adds an interesting twist to the unfolding saga, which has dominated the gaming headlines since it was announced on Tuesday.
With a vast deal of Gotham’s appeal coming from its unique gameplay style, to say this move is risky on Microsoft’s part would be something of an understatement.
Although we can't know whether Microsoft's decision was brave or foolhardy until we see Microsoft's in-house PGR5 sitting beside Bizarre’s Activision racer, it’s unlikely that Gotham’s large and loyal fanbase will forgive any compromises in style or quality – something that could prove tricky, given how awesome PGR4 is.
How much of a factor this really played in Bizarre’s decision to sell up is also unknown. Although the likes of The Club and Geometry Wars have ensured that PGR isn’t the developer’s only game of note, losing the PGR series would have been a sizeable blow to an independent studio. However, we’d like to stress that the source made no suggestion that this triggered the decision to sell.
Either way, it seems that Bizarre is now in safe hands at Activision – and of course, there’s still PGR4 to enjoy in two week’s time.
