As far as I go, I work for Human Head Studios, which is a small (30-something) independent video game developer. Since we’re not associated with any particular publisher such as EA, Ubisoft, etc. we have to develop game ideas, demos, etc. in an attempt to woo said publishers into making our game. So, at this point, we’re close to getting a contract signed with a publisher for one if not two new titles. But in the meantime with the recession and all, its a bit tight, so we’re being required to take a one week furlough at the end of this month. Which means, vacation without pay, basically. This is, so I’m told, simply an attempt to maintain our cash flow long enought to get a contract signed. Which again, should be soon.

http://animandmel.blogspot.com/2009/03/economic-scariness.html

So, they are not working on Prey 2 or the Ecko game anymore? I liked the last Ecko game, so that saddens me.

We finally signed a contract for a major title at [Human Head Studios]. I can’t go into many details yet, but its a good thing. It is going to be an awesome project and should be completed in about two years. Everyone here is really excited about it, and grateful for the work. Our owners have made some incredible sacrifices to keep the team together and not have to lay anyone off. So much thanks goes out to them. I love this company.

Any way, we were temporarily working on developing a title too for the iPhone, but that publisher recently had to stop funding for their own reasons. But, they gave us the funds we needed when we really needed them. So it got us by. The project itself isn’t dead, just placed on the back burner and may be something we try to hit up every once and a while during departmental down time. I’m going to finish up the first round of animation work for it by the end of this week, then its on to our AAA title.

http://animandmel.blogspot.com/2009/07/gratitude.html

I guess not.