Namco explains BottleRocket ousting

Namco Bandai Games America exec Makoto Iwai has explained that the publisher pulled its Splatterhouse remake from developer BottleRocket last month due to "a performance issue".

"So, basically, the only reason why publishers pull the project out from the developer is when the developer isn't really meeting the requirements. So, unfortunately, this was the case," Iwai told Gamasutra.

"I have to be very careful so we don't make any direct comment on it because whatever we say, people will try to be on the developer side. You know, 'The developer is an independent developer trying hard, and evil publishers are trying to get rid of the business by doing whatever they feel like,'" he continued.

"That's not the case. I just want to be 100 per cent clear. There was a performance issue."

Iwai's comments back up speculation that BottleRocket was not meeting its deadlines on the project. Splatterhouse had been due for release this spring.

Elsewhere in the interview, Iwai speaks about Namco's recent in-house US development, Afro Samurai. The Afro Samurai team is rumoured to have taken over work on Splatterhouse.

"The team did a great job with the limited amount of time," Iwai said. "And, so, the result is that it's not really a 100 per cent achievement, but it's still receiving repeat orders. I was not really happy to see some brutal reviews."

You can't have it both ways, Iwai-san. Time may be money, but it's also quality.