Rumor: Zipper Interactive To Close
MAGWe never like to hear news that a developer is shutting down. It's just depressing.
According to Kotaku, the studio responsible for the creation of the SOCOM series, Zipper Interactive, "is in the process of being shut down."
Zipper was also known for the the PlayStation 3 exclusive shooter, MAG, one of those online multiplayer efforts that just got a lot better as time went on. Sony won't confirm anything about the potential closing of the developer, but there appears to be some talk about major layoffs and project cancellation, so the team seems to be in some trouble. As a bit of history, don't forget that Zipper Interactive was responsible for MechWarrior 3 and Crimson Skies in the past. But their biggest contribution to gaming was undoubtedly SOCOM, the tactical military third-person shooter that flourished during the PS2 generation.
Nothing is official right now so we're allowed to hope that Zipper stays in business. But don't be surprised if this is the end...
Tags: zipper interactive, socom, mag, mag developer, socom developer
3/23/2012 8:23:20 PM John Shepard
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Comments (29 posts)
bigrailer19
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 11:20:17 AM
I'd really like (if this is true and Hopefully not) if as one last effort to the fans, release a Socom 2 HD with updated graphics, and mechanics. As a Socom fan that's what I know I want.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 10:31:56 PM
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4 up, 1 down
xenris
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 10:37:37 PM
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Its a shame.
8 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 10:46:27 PM
4 up, 1 down
Geobaldi
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 11:06:36 PM
2 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 12:30:20 AM
1 up, 0 down
Qubex
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 12:43:33 AM
Really looking forward to that!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
0 up, 0 down
Rogueagent01
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 10:54:06 PM
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And I'm sorry Ben, but MAG did not get better as time went on it actually got worse. They did nothing but cater to those who complained of every little thing. "The machine guns are overpowered", "The shotguns are overpowered", "the knife is overpowered", "SVER is overpowered", so then they just nerfed it all. Those who complained were a lot of the players who would just run down the middle of the street and get killed, others wouldn't try to join up with clans, and others also just didn't want to learn how to play what was a great freaking game. 2.0 was pretty much the nail in the coffin and that is also where they pretty much stopped supporting it altogether.
Zipper made bad decisions when it came to MAG and now they get to lay in the bed they made. I also talk frequently with a member of the team who was laid off last year and they can't stand how they treated MAG either, granted they are a former employer so it is hard to take that person seriously, as I am sure they are a little mad at being laid off.
2 up, 1 down
maxpontiac
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 12:09:07 AM
2 up, 3 down
Rogueagent01
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 3:28:09 AM
0 up, 1 down
ThePoetRazel
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 5:23:26 AM
There are constant rumours of a MAG 2 within the MAG community, not from any evidence of a MAG 2 but from the begging hope that it could happen. Hell much of the buzz around Dust 514 i've heard is due to it's comparisons to MAG.
If Zipper does disappear, i really hope their people and ideas do not.
1 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 10:51:08 AM
You sit here and wish negativity on Zipper as if what they did to was serious. People will lose jobs, lives will be changed, and families will be impacted.
But hey, as long as you have justice over how they treated "your" video game, right?
In regards to MAG, I happen to like the changes they made. That games main issue was connection speeds as if you had a higher internet speed, you could dominate. Dark Flock was a perfect example of this, as one of their requirements were ridiculous speeds.
Yes, Zipper's way of handling the situation was far from perfect, but to wish a corporate failure on them is cold and rather ignorant of you.
Especially over entertainment.
Last edited by maxpontiac on 3/24/2012 10:52:20 AM
2 up, 1 down
Rogueagent01
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 1:01:35 PM
Dark Flock also had several major killers in their clan who did not meet the high internet speed requirements you talk about. We have been friends with them for a long time. They were/are a good clan.
Zippers mistakes were not only limited to MAG either, talk to most Socom fans and they will say they hated the decision to let SlantSix handle Confrontation.
And just because I want the company to shutdown doesn't mean I wish ill will towards the families of the former employees. One thing you seem to be missing is that not all companies are meant to survive, it's the nature of business, a large portion of companies will eventually fail. The line you used is basically a welcome mat to adulthood, yes people will lose jobs, lives will be changed, and families will be impacted, I agree completely but I also believe that that is not necessarily a bad thing. For those that were good at what they did they may now have the opportunity to find better employment. Losing a job isn't always a bad thing.
1 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 7:10:46 PM
I came to terms with that, and accepted that latency issues were going to be an issue even in a 32 v 32 Sabotage game. I played MAG for about a year or so after launch and moved on as I always do with online shooters.
Yes, I understand the nature of business as I have managed my own residential design company since 2002. I never wish another company to fail, competitor or not, for it isn't healthy for any industry to have companies fold.
This thread is loaded with gloating and condescending remarks over Zipper's demise when some compassion should be shown. Such is life and I am positive the talented ones will indeed move on and unhappy gamers everwhere will say "I told you so".
0 up, 3 down
maxpontiac
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 12:07:32 AM
Reply
4 up, 1 down
Rogueagent01
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 3:31:19 AM
0 up, 1 down
Quincho
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 12:14:17 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Quincho
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 12:14:18 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Axe99
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 2:16:30 AM
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0 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 2:50:11 AM
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MAG was ok, nothing special but had some serious LAG issues!
SOCOM 4 was the biggest pile of tripe ive played in a long time!
unit 13 is extremely uninspired!
the whole game is like a training level, its just got no excitement no purpose behind it.
so sorry to sound harsh but they deserve to be shut down.
in this time and days you either bring your A game or you go home.
no space for mediocre lazy developers!
3 up, 5 down
maxpontiac
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 10:54:59 AM
5 up, 2 down
___________
Sunday, March 25, 2012 @ 7:19:18 AM
thank you zipper for giving us really crap games?
better?
1 up, 1 down
sha4dowknight05
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 10:53:12 AM
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Socom 4 was okay nothing super the multiplayer is fun I justt need more people to play it with!!
0 up, 1 down
Qubex
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 12:44:54 AM
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
0 up, 0 down
Tanker9111
Sunday, March 25, 2012 @ 11:13:19 AM
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Zipper wont do a remake of the games that GOT THEM WHERE THEY ARE and come up with bs lies by saying the PS3 cant work with a Socom 2 Remake. And frankly, That's what they have to do to save their asses
1 up, 0 down
saintaqua
Sunday, March 25, 2012 @ 11:41:46 AM
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Every game is suffering. I can't wait till this stupid fad dies out and we can move on to real games again.
I have no problem with COD for what it is but people treat it like it's the best thing ever.
0 up, 0 down
flamefury42
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 9:39:56 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Tanker9111
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 11:43:37 AM
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0 up, 0 down
archs13
Reply
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 9:35:27 PM