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Pre-Release Metroid Prime 4: Pre-Release Discussion Thread

Trust. The. Process. This year, for sure. We're seeing it at the next Direct and it will be in our hands before the year is over.
 
Our sequel, which art in development, anticipated be thy release. Thy street date come, thy gameplay be done, in homes as it is at Retro. Give us this day our daily cope, and forgive us our impatience, as we forgive those with pessimism against us. And lead us not into flame wars, as the process delivers us from moderation. For a delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is bad, for ever and ever.
 
Dark Cloud said:
Are we going to start discussing employees are leaving Retro? One contract writer just left. There was another contract person who recently left.
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A contract worker finishing their contract isn't leaving, unless I missed something about the context of their departure.

Either way it's nothing to worry about. In fact it could be a good sign if they completed their contracts.
 
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lattjeful said:
Trust. The. Process.
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Tyrien said:
Not that it really tells us anything, but anyone know what the quality of her writing is like based on her previous works? lol

It's especially weird that they only started writing the story in 2022.
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Prime 4 had many writers. The initial writer left in like 2021 and she was brought in to write and edit the script into final draft form.
 
I just saw Retro hired a Cinematics and Narrative Producer. They’ve really jumped on the writers, producers, cinematics for hiring. This is great to see. LinkedIn says they’re at 200 people now. It’s gonna be give or take since there’s people listed who don’t work at Retro Studios. They’ve hired from Marvel and Dreamworks. All these other gaming studios like 343 or Naughty Dog.
 
Tyrien said:
Not that it really tells us anything, but anyone know what the quality of her writing is like based on her previous works? lol

It's especially weird that they only started writing the story in 2022.
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She has some examples of her work on the website. Most of it was for a reboot of Thomas the Tank Engine, which wasn't very well received... though at least her episodes seem to be alright for what it's worth.

Also some episode pitches for tv shows. I won't lie: It doesn't inspire huge confidence in me 👀
 
oomoepoo said:
She has some examples of her work on the website. Most of it was for a reboot of Thomas the Tank Engine, which wasn't very well received... though at least her episodes seem to be alright for what it's worth.

Also some episode pitches for tv shows. I won't lie: It doesn't inspire huge confidence in me 👀
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yeah, this seems weird to me. Wouldn't you hire Sci-Fi Fantasy writers..? books/novels/tv/drama.
 
oomoepoo said:
She has some examples of her work on the website. Most of it was for a reboot of Thomas the Tank Engine, which wasn't very well received... though at least her episodes seem to be alright for what it's worth.

Also some episode pitches for tv shows. I won't lie: It doesn't inspire huge confidence in me 👀
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Oh no Metroid Prime 4 is going to be a kiddy game to expand the consumer base 😭
 
Tyrien said:
yeah, this seems weird to me. Wouldn't you hire Sci-Fi Fantasy writers..? books/novels/tv/drama.
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It's hard to say what exactly she was writing, I assume there's multiple people involved in the process, for stuff like dialogues and lore bits and whatnot. She seems to have a knack for mystery at least, judging by the episode and show pitches. It does strike me as a bit weird too.

Dark Cloud said:
Oh no Metroid Prime 4 is going to be a kiddy game to expand the consumer base 😭
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I know you're joking but there'll absolutely be people coming to this conclusion.
 
ItWasMeantToBe19 said:
Well it’s a sign that the final draft of the script (and more) is probably done. It’s probably less good to hire a writer to start writing the story and another writer to finish it, but it can be fine.
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yeah, I feel like it suggests a bit of controversy/issues if they didn't see the story through.

Upending the proverbial tea table or whatever.
 
Tyrien said:
yeah, I feel like it suggests a bit of controversy/issues if they didn't see the story through.

Upending the proverbial tea table or whatever.
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I mean, the first writer may just be someone who does the initial pitches for stories, this seems like too much jumping to conclusions. I prefer a singular consistent lead writer (though that may actually be Tanabe in this case, lol) but this can be fine.
 
ItWasMeantToBe19 said:
I mean, the first writer may just be someone who does the initial pitches for stories, this seems like too much jumping to conclusions. I prefer a singular consistent lead writer (though that may actually be Tanabe in this case, lol) but this can be fine.
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Yeah I have no clue. It'd be wonderful if we had more insight into the development process of these games.
 
Tyrien said:
Yeah I have no clue. It'd be wonderful if we had more insight into the development process of these games.
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I just hope we get a developer from Retro who can speak on a Treehouse on their development of the game. We won’t get the nitty gritty stuff, but I like hearing their thought process and timeline.
 
Joe said:
I'm genuinely surprised that nothing about Metroid Prime 4 has leaked as far as I know. I haven't even heard any "I've seen it, looks good" type statements.
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Nate has said he has info on the game. He’s just not talking. We joked about paying him to give us the info lol.
 
If Nate reads, please just give us some small innocuous detail. We've waited 7 years man, we're starving. Like at least give us a guarantee that it will be in the next Direct.
 
AranPrime said:
If Nate reads, please just give us some small innocuous detail. We've waited 7 years man, we're starving. Like at least give us a guarantee that it will be in the next Direct.
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After all we’ve been through with him. After all the defending we’ve done for him. You’d think he’d throw us a bone on Prime 4.

/s
 
Tyrien said:
yeah, this seems weird to me. Wouldn't you hire Sci-Fi Fantasy writers..? books/novels/tv/drama.
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what writers can publically say theyve worked on thats been released and what they've worked on in development or their own projects is often completely different...
 
oomoepoo said:
She has some examples of her work on the website. Most of it was for a reboot of Thomas the Tank Engine, which wasn't very well received... though at least her episodes seem to be alright for what it's worth.

Also some episode pitches for tv shows. I won't lie: It doesn't inspire huge confidence in me 👀
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Oh fuck goo goo gaa gaa game incoming
 
It seems like Metroid Prime 4 is going for a really wide scale and possibly a cinematic quality. I hope it doesn't get too far away from what Metroid is. Prime 3 already pushed it a bit in my opinion.
 
Joe said:
It seems like Metroid Prime 4 is going for a really wide scale and possibly a cinematic quality. I hope it doesn't get too far away from what Metroid is. Prime 3 already pushed it a bit in my opinion.
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I hear you. I think what could solidify MP4 as a bona fide classic will be dependent on the exploration and worldbuilding, of course, but also the movement/traversal options and music.
 
aus89 said:
what writers can publically say theyve worked on thats been released and what they've worked on in development or their own projects is often completely different...
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I'm sure whatever she wrote for her resume/whatever was shown from her personal portfolio was in line with what they wanted then.

Again I'm just here analyzing, speculating and asking questions to get caught up lol.
 
Tyrien said:
I'm sure whatever she wrote for her resume/whatever was shown from her personal portfolio was in line with what they wanted then.

Again I'm just here analyzing, speculating and asking questions to get caught up lol.
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yeah a Thomas The Tank Engine script isn't gonna get you hired on Metroid Prime 4 (but it is valuable experience in working to tight deadlines in established IP), she may have had a portfolio (game writing is different to film/tv writing obviously) or she may have applied with a resume and had an interview... but yeah so much of writers lives is stuff that never sees release, so I wouldn't worry on that front.
 
I don't know if I've shared this bit of Joe lore with Famiboards before:

In mid-2020, I actually applied to the contract writer position for Metroid Prime 4. I didn't have much of a portfolio and had no professional writing experience, but I submitted some things I wrote back in university that got good grades and fit the sci-fi theme.

Needless to say, my application was rejected. I'm kind of glad I didn't get the position just because it allows me to approach Metroid Prime 4 as a fan and not someone from behind the scenes, but it will always be in the back of my mind as a "dang, I wish that could have happened" moment. In retrospect, I wish I had at least built up a better portfolio.
 
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Joe said:
I don't know if I've shared this bit of Joe lore with Famiboards before:

In mid-2020, I actually applied to the contract writer position for Metroid Prime 4. I didn't have much of a portfolio and no professional writing experience, but I submitted some things I wrote back in university that got good grades and fit the sci-fi theme.

Needless to say, my application was rejected. I'm kind of glad I didn't get the position just because it allows me to approach Metroid Prime 4 as a fan and not someone from behind the scenes, but it will always be in the back of my mind as a "dang, I wish that could have happened" moment. In retrospect, I wish I had at least built up a better portfolio.
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While doing shameless Linkedin creeping I came across a young engineer the got hired by Retro a few years back. On his profile it said that Prime 1 is his favorite game of all time that he played as a kid and was the sole reason for becoming a software engineer. He had no prior video game experience that I saw but Retro still hired him, and he's credited on Prime R and surely working on Prime 4 now. Don't give up on your dream if that's really what you want to do!
 
Dark Cloud said:
I just saw Retro hired a Cinematics and Narrative Producer. They’ve really jumped on the writers, producers, cinematics for hiring. This is great to see. LinkedIn says they’re at 200 people now. It’s gonna be give or take since there’s people listed who don’t work at Retro Studios. They’ve hired from Marvel and Dreamworks. All these other gaming studios like 343 or Naughty Dog.
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That does include the contractors and stuff as well, but it is crazy how much they've grown since Tropical Freeze. Including contractors TF had about 100 staff on in, while the core Retro team was about 70-80. Great to see the team growing like that. Definitely was advantageous to have it public knowledge that Prime 4 was their project from the getgo to attract top tier talent.
Tyrien said:
Not that it really tells us anything, but anyone know what the quality of her writing is like based on her previous works? lol

It's especially weird that they only started writing the story in 2022.
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They have had tons of writers on Prime 4. People come and go at all times of game development, especially if they're contractors. It'd be more concerning if for example, the design director or the art director left mid project. That has not happened here. It's especially encouraging that a lot of the old guard at Retro who have worked on Prime games in the past hold high level positions at Retro currently.
 
oomoepoo said:
She has some examples of her work on the website. Most of it was for a reboot of Thomas the Tank Engine, which wasn't very well received... though at least her episodes seem to be alright for what it's worth.

Also some episode pitches for tv shows. I won't lie: It doesn't inspire huge confidence in me 👀
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The 2D animated one? I remember backlash over that. Wikipedia has a funny anecdote:

The show, trailers, and other promotional materials posted on social media have been met with backlash from parents, with some saying their kids cried at the redesigns of the characters.
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Joe said:
I don't know if I've shared this bit of Joe lore with Famiboards before:

In mid-2020, I actually applied to the contract writer position for Metroid Prime 4. I didn't have much of a portfolio and no professional writing experience, but I submitted some things I wrote back in university that got good grades and fit the sci-fi theme.
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I also applied for that job! It obviously didn't work out. The only other game studio that has expressed serious interest in me as a writer had Former Metroid Prime Staff as the Senior Producer at the time. It also didn't work out. Ah well
 
Joe said:
I'm genuinely surprised that nothing about Metroid Prime 4 has leaked as far as I know. I haven't even heard any "I've seen it, looks good" type statements.
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There's sooooo many rando support studios working on this game and no one will leak from there, it's frustrating and a little weird.
 
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