Eurogamer

Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe has confirmed and explained his surprise exit from Eat Sleep Play, the studio he founded in 2007.

In a series of posts on his Twitter page, the outspoken developer described the struggle of making games remotely, and revealed his desire to work directly with a team again at a new studio, which he plans to set up.

News of his exit emerged this afternoon in a Salt Lake Tribune report that revealed ESP layoffs and claimed Jaffe intended to make casual games.

Jaffe took issue with the term casual, however.

"I have zero plans to make games like FARMVILLE and ANGRY BIRDS," he said.

"I never said what I was doing post TM (and I'm still on TM along with ESP for the next months as we launch it and balance it in real-time and make sure it's a perfect game and continue to support it).

"At the same time I will be opening a game studio here in San Diego because I really miss internal game development.

"But if I may clear this up: I was not laid off. I co-own the company. There were a few lay-offs and they were very painful to do for all involved. I'm leaving because - again - games are just getting 2 big to direct from 300 miles away & I miss the day 2 day of working direct w/team."

Jaffe vowed not to leave Twisted Metal in the lurch, and promised to "stick around 2 balance & bug fix & tune" for up to three months. The PlayStation 3 exclusive remains "the priority" - for now.

So what's next? Jaffe is already talking to developers about joining his new studio, which he has high ambitions for.

"Talking 2 peeps about some big, huge next gen game ideas I'd love for us 2 make, as well as cool stuff in the browser space (action oriented, gamer centric) & a few things in between," he said.

But don't hold your breath - sounds like Jaffe's next is a long way off.

"I have no idea what game we'll make yet," he said. "Could be iPhone, could be next-gen console. Have barely done ANYTHING w/new co yet."

Twisted Metal, which has been in development for over three years, launches in Europe next month.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-07-twisted-metal-developer-jaffe-starting-new-studio-has-huge-next-gen-game-ideas

Me too... and it blew my mind that he considered God of War a story based game.

Let him do what he thinks is best!

wonder what davids going to do now?

The news has been updated here is the new part...

Update: Jaffe has responded to today's news, confirming that layoffs were had, but addressing talk of casual development by saying, "I have zero plans to make games like FARMVILLE and ANGRY BIRDS. I never said what I was doing post TM ... I will be opening a game studio here in San Diego because I really miss internal game development. Happy to share more details later."]

Well it certainly is a story based game compmpared to NES generation he grew up on and the ps1 gen were he started making his own games. Though when I look at it by todays standards the story is only a small part.

Too bad then.

Well that comes as a surprise to me at least :/

Man just tweeted him, amazing developer Sony has been holding him back for years. I hope Nintendo is smart and approaches his new studio to develop a WiiU title. I hope his new studio is not a platform owner exclusive studio like his last one. Or if it is that it goes to Nintendo, Sony doesn't give him the freedom he requires to make amazing titles and Microsoft while better still meddles far to much. Nintendo on the other hand gives its studios and developers a lot more freedom.

This would be Nintendo's chance to secure a first rate western studio. But I have doubts Affect wants to work for any of the big three if he doesn't return to Sony. If his studio is third party I would say THQ should take a gamble get the exclusive rights to publish his first game and then look at acquiring his studio.

David Jaffe is a creative genius and considering his past games he would he the perfect addition to any publishers roster of developers. Then again he might want to be in dependant in which case if your a publisher you should be watching like a hawk to swoop in on his next big game.

PS he said he is eying a next generation game and his comments against casual software lead me to think he is probably just headed in a new direction with next generation consoles.