RealTime Worlds Confirms “Ongoing” Discussions With Microsoft Regarding Crackdown 2

RealTime Worlds studio head Colin MacDonald has confirmed today that they are having “ongoing” discussions with Microsoft regarding Crackdown 2.

MacDonald’s comments came right after a rumor stating that Microsoft was funding Ruffian, a new studio formed of former Crackdown developers, to create Crackdown 2.

Microsoft had not yet made an offer to RealTime Worlds to develop a second Crackdown, but he “very much” doubts “that Microsoft would harm an otherwise fruitful existing development relationship by gambling on funding Crackdown 2 with a startup on RTW’s doorstep, for obvious reasons.”

RealTime Worlds boss Dave Jones stated that he wants to see Crackdown 2 done justice “by an established, renowned developer that had the track record of delivering the quality gaming experience Crackdown players would demand.”

MacDonald was able to confirm that only six of their staff members left RealTime Worlds to join Ruffian, but the “vast” majority of the Crackdown team was still at their home at RealTime Worlds. They are currently working on APB and an “unannounced project that will cause quite a stir when unveiled.”

The full statement can be seen below.

I just wanted to correct the rumours today surrounding Crackdown. Although to date we haven’t had an offer from Microsoft for the Crackdown sequel rumoured, we continue to have ongoing discussions with them. In the unfortunate event that there isn’t an agreement with RTW reached, Dave said he would “be gutted not to be involved, but if it had to be that way, I would want to see it done justice – by an established, renowned developer that had the track record of delivering the quality gaming experience Crackdown players would demand.”

In any event, I also very much doubt that Microsoft would harm an otherwise fruitful existing development relationship by gambling on funding Crackdown 2 with a startup on RTW’s doorstep, for obvious reasons.

Regarding the rumoured RTW departures, we believe that maybe five or six ex-Realtime Worlds staff have been employed by Ruffian in recent weeks. Whilst we’re always sad to lose any member of the RTW family, fans should rest assured that the vast majority of the Crackdown team remain at RTW, and our 200+ talented individuals are working hard towards APB being one of the biggest launches of 2009, as well as on an unannounced project that will cause quite a stir when unveiled.

Exclusive: Realtime Worlds confirms “ongoing” Crackdown 2 discussions with Microsoft [VG247]