SCE London: Eight Days and Getaway only put on hold

In a new interview with GameKult, the French sister-site of GameSpot, Sony Computer Entertainment Studios London reveals that Eight Days and The Getaway for PlayStation 3 were not cancelled, but “put to one side.”

According to Sony London’s Nicolas Doucet, both games were “just over halfway [complete]”. He says that both games “are still there” and as for the game’s futures, they “aren’t dead yet.”

Sony London also has another game in development that we don’t yet know of, Doucet told the site.

The full segment about Eight Days and The Getaway 3 can be read below.

GK: Before EyePet, the teams at Sony London were working on two projects that have since fallen by the wayside: Eight Days and The Getaway 3. Can you confirm that both of these have indeed been abandoned?

ND: I would not say they have been abandoned, just put to one side. Much work had been done. The studio just wanted to focus on its strengths, EyeToy and SingStar. Given the potential of EyePet, priorities have been changed, but the other projects aren’t dead yet. Ultimately, the decision [to put those games to one side] has benefited everyone.

GK: How far through production were they?

ND: It depends. I think they were just over halfway through. They had a plan, everything was ready…

GK: How have you dealt internally with these strategic decisions from Sony?

ND: Many recruits to the EyePet team came from these projects, and contrary to popular belief, they are rather popular. First, because it was a much smaller team, they were able to integrate differently, but also with a different challenge.

Most importantly, The Getaway and Eight Days are still there. So, no, there haven’t really been any regrets. This decision was welcome. And then everyone likes change, as is the culture of this community. There were no bad feelings.

GK: I guess you have another game currently under development…

ND: (Smiling) Yes.

GK: Is it linked to EyePet or is it unrelated to this franchise?

ND: No, it’s a different concept, in addition to EyePet.

GK: So will you continue to be Sony’s brand ambassador for social and casual gaming?

ND: While the whole studio won’t, our group will, I think. There is a lot of interest around augmented reality. It surprised me to come to the Festival du Jeu Video (a gaming show held Paris in September) and see the number of magazines that want to do an article on this subject, as I thought it was too geeky. It is now very much part of the casual gaming space.

Sony London reveals new IP; Getaway 3, Eight Days ‘not abandoned’ [GameSpot]