It’s been a wild week for Human Head Studios. They lastly launched Rune 2, the oft-delayed sequel to their third-person Viking assassin from means again within the yr 2000, then shut down and immediately reformed beneath Bethesda as Roundhouse Studios. I used to be shocked by this, however my shock is nothing in comparison with what Rune 2’s publishers felt. “We found out about this news when you did,” they stated yesterday, and so they’d been relying on Human Head being round for ongoing assist. They guarantee they’re working to repair bugs and can proceed their post-launch content material plans however sheesh, that’s a shock alright.
The Rune 2 group stated in a statement yesterday:
“Today, developer Human Head Studios introduced that they closed their doorways and can be beginning a brand new studio. This is stunning information to us, as there are a number of entities engaged on Rune II – we discovered about this information if you did. Human Head had a longstanding settlement with Rune II’s writer, Ragnarok Game, LLC, to supply ongoing assist for the game. We are working rapidly to resolve any present technical points whereas we construct the group that may execute the thrilling deliberate way forward for Rune II’s post-launch content material technique. We admire your persistence and understanding whereas we work via any launch points.
“Our plan remains to continue working on Rune II and launch onto other PC platforms in 2020.”
That’s a heck of an settlement to explode with no warning. Human Head stated yesterday that their “entire staff” had been provided roles at Bethesda and the group lives on, so it is just the corporate that’s gone. But I suppose it’s Human Head Studios the corporate that signed the settlement.
Rune 2 is at present an Epic Games Store exclusive, with the Steam release to comply with. As for post-launch content material plans, the gang say they’re trying ahead to speaking about them. I’d guess their schedule could also be in want of readjustment.
It’s nonetheless wild to me that Human Head joined Bethesda, the corporate which quietly killed their Prey 2. The full story of that was by no means recognized publicly, however it sounded messy between rumours of Human Head halting work to get a better contract and Bethesda curtly saying the game wasn’t as much as scratch. Maybe the precise fact is much less bitter. Either means, Human Head stated that “economic realities” pressured their shutdown and becoming a member of Bethesda did allow them to preserve everybody employed. There are definitely worse outcomes.
