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Yea, you read that title right: Team Bondi, both the developer of one of the year's finest games and the source of this year's biggest controversy, is no more after filing for "administration" which is a fancy term for having an attorney come in and begin to sell off and redistribute company assets to potential buyers. This comes on the heels of rumors that the rights to the LA Noire franchise were sold off last month to Kennedy Miller Mitchell, a media production firm in Sydney. According to a notation by Australia's Securities and Investment Commission, which you can read here, an administrator was assigned to the company on August 30th.
It's sad to see a developer like Team Bondi, just a couple of months after releasing a best-selling title, being canned. It's always confused me as to why Rockstar finds itself in some kind of snafu after every single game they publish launches. Any hope we had for additional DLC like the rumored Burglary and Bunco case desks that were cut from the game late in production are gone but you can still relive the memory of busting punks on the mean streets of LA whenever you feel like it by simply picking up the controller.
See ya Team Bondi, it was fun while it lasted.
Comments
12 years, 8 months ago
I am still confused as to why they went belly up.
12 years, 8 months ago
While this news is sad and disappointing, I can't really say I am surprised. LA Noire came with a massive upfront investment on their part to develop the facial capture technology used in the game. Considering that Team Bondi only got a portion of the sales it would seem that regardless of the title's popularity, the money coming in simply wasn't enough. Throw on all of the employee abuse allegations and you really have a situation that can only end one way. However I believe that Team Bondi can take some solace knowing that the one title they managed to produce is one beloved by so many people.
Great article Chris. Just a quick question, did you encounter any news on the company responsible for actually developing the facial animation software? I know they do not have anything to do with Team Bondi, but last I heard they were not doing so well either.
12 years, 8 months ago
BioWare should pick some of these guys up, they'd definitely benefit from it.
12 years, 8 months ago
I was not fan of LA Noire at all, but still. It's never a good thing to see a developer go belly up.
12 years, 8 months ago
Damn, dude.
12 years, 8 months ago
(Sniggers at the Hitchhikers Guide ref)
This is such a shame though, I adored LA Noire but I guess we knew something like this was coming.
12 years, 8 months ago
Well.....this REALLY sucks.
12 years, 8 months ago
Well.. that was quick.
12 years, 8 months ago
What a shame. I'm really hoping we haven't seen the last of the LA Noire franchise.
12 years, 8 months ago
so...no more Getaway? :(
12 years, 8 months ago
I wasn't a fan of L.A. Noire. But, I thought Team Bondi did a good job. Too bad we probably won't be seeing anything else from them.
12 years, 8 months ago
Tis a pity indeed. So far L.A. Noire is my favorite game this year. Would have loved to see it sprout into a franchise. Maybe Rockstar will continue it since they're the ones who own the rights.
Hopefully the really talented people from Team Bondi will continue on.
12 years, 8 months ago
That sucks, I hope they find work elsewhere
12 years, 8 months ago
Not another Australian studio
12 years, 8 months ago
Do you think we will we see the facial tech in any other Rockstar games? Or do you think they are so far in developing GTA V that they already have a possibly better facial tech?
12 years, 8 months ago
Alas, poor Bondi. We hardly knew ye!
12 years, 8 months ago
WTF rockstar!?
12 years, 8 months ago
Good riddance! That game was all looks and atmosphere, no gameplay. If someone wants to make a movie, go ahead, but don't add a bit movement and call it a game.