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Whore Of The Orient Complaint Focuses On The “Orient” Part

Ben-Dutka 19 Comments

You had to assume the title would cause problems. Only, you might not have guessed that the word "whore" wasn't the crux of the complaint.

L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi is currently working on Whore of the Orient , an exotic, open-world action game that is set for next-generation consoles. However, City of Monash Deputy Mayor Jieh-Yung Lo has claimed that it's "an attempt to disgrace Chinese culture, history, and traditions," and he plans to issue a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Basically, he believes the game's title is an example of "racial vilification."

According to a report at The Age , Lo says the offensive title "does a disservice to cultural relations."

"It's the use of the word 'Orient', more even than the word 'whore', that is the issue. The O-word is very similar to the N-word for African-American communities. It's a 19th-century racial-colonial conception, and it's especially painful for older people in the communities. That was a very bad time in China, and people don't want or need to have that dragged up."

He added that "the most shocking revelation" was that Team Bondi had received A$200,000 in funding from Screen New South Wales. Lo believes that Australian institutions should be encouraged to fund projects that cultivate "mutual understanding and prosperity in the Australia-China relationship." However, responding to that sentiment, Screen NSW stated:

"Screen NSW does not proscribe subject matter to content creators, including titles, but makes its funding decisions based on the creative integrity of a project and the expertise of the funding applicants. 'Whore of the Orient' is an historical nickname for the city of Shanghai."

Well, that sounds logical. Lo has said the ideal solution would simply be a "change of title," but do you see that as necessary? Or is this just another example of overly politically sensitive hoopla? I have to admit, I had no idea the word "Orient" had such negative connotations for Asian individuals.

Related Game(s): Whore of the Orient

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Team Bondi Secures Necessary Funding For Whore Of The Orient

Ben-Dutka 8 Comments

Hopefully, things are back on track now.

According to Game Informer , production company KMM Interactive has received $200,000 in new funding from the Australian government. The money was necessary to help finance Team Bondi's ambitious new next-gen game, Whore of the Orient .

The premise sounds great: We explore 1936 Shanghai, "the most corrupt and decadent city on the planet." It's also a "boiling pot of Chinese nationalism," with Kuomintang forces trying to halt the spread of communism. This seems like the perfect idea for the L.A. Noire developer; right up their alley, wouldn't you say? Don't forget that after the unfortunate saga surrounding Team Bondi (poor work environment, numerous complaints, etc.), KMM Interactive bought the assets and IP rights to the developer's work. That includes Whore of the Orient , of course.

The title is tentatively slated for 2015 but at least now we know development will proceed.

Related Game(s): Whore of the Orient

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Whore Of The Orient On Hold As Team Bondi Needs A Publisher

Ben-Dutka 9 Comments

Trouble just seems to follow this developer around.

It was quite the saga after L.A. Noire released: Team Bondi was under investigation for creating a terrible work environment, and multiple reports from departed employees were eye-opening. Then the team reportedly went under, as most employees passed over to Aussie company KMM Interactive.

It was a pretty big mess. But lo and behold, a year or so later, we hear that the developer is somehow back on its feet and working on a new game called Whore of the Orient . It wouldn't be due out until 2015 but the game sounded like it had promise (set in 1936 Shanghai). Unfortunately, as Superannuation reports , they weren't able to nail down a publisher.

It seems Warner Bros. Interactive had tentatively signed on but they backed out "right before last Christmas." So now development is on hold and members of the staff have been laid off. That all being said, Team Bondi owner KMM's Doug Mitchell said they still want to pursue the project:

"Whore of the Orient is a unique and extraordinary story and game, and we are still actively pursuing the right investor to partner with."

Just a thought, Doug- That title might be giving a lot of potential publishers pause. It catches one's attention, certainly, but many could have a problem with it. And I really do hope they find a publisher because if the new game is anything like L.A. Noire , I'm on board.

Related Game(s): Whore of the Orient

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Whore Of The Orient “Similar To L.A. Noire,” Hits In 2015?

Ben-Dutka 19 Comments

It was sad to see Team Bondi's apparent demise after the fantastic success of L.A. Noire .

But amazingly, the studio is back and currently working on a next-generation project entitled Whore of the Orient . Everyone is wondering when it might finally arrive…well, not for a while, unfortunately.

According to some new job listings (as cited by GameSpot ), the anticipated title won't be ready until 2015. The listings are for KMM Interactive, which acquired the rights to the game last year, and they're looking to fill a variety of positions. As for the upcoming new IP, it's described as a "narrative action adventure title" that is similar to L.A. Noire . Set in 1936, players will explore the "most corrupt and decadent city on the planet," although we're not sure yet of our role; the main character has yet to be revealed.

Okay, so 2015 is a long ways off but even so, it's great to see something along the lines of L.A. Noire . We'll be patient.

Related Game(s): Whore of the Orient

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Team Bondi Working On Next-Gen Title: Whore Of The Orient

Ben-Dutka 14 Comments

Team Bondi's implosion after the successful release of L.A. Noire was well-documented. It got so bad that most employees disappeared and there was even an official investigation into the working environment, which had been described as downright awful by certain ex-staffers.

And yet…despite all that…they're back.

The developer's website has been updated with information on their new project, Whore of the Orient , which is being prepped for next-generation consoles and PC.

Now, we knew KMM Interactive Productions, the Australia-based multimedia firm to which many ex-Team Bondi employees fled, had picked up the rights to Whore of the Orient and now, it seems Warner Bros. is involved, too. Their logo can be seen on the Team Bondi website…so does that mean Rockstar/Take-Two won't be publishing this game (as they did with L.A. Noire )? Will it be handled by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment?

We can't be sure just yet but we do know the developers are hiring, so that's good news. The title will put players into 1936 Shanghai, which is "the most corrupt and decadent city on the planet" during that time period. Kuomintang forces are trying to stop the spread of communism while a group of Western authorities are attempting to keep the peace. We're not sure what role we'll play, but it certainly sounds intriguing.

And will we see that awesome MotionScan technology that was on display in L.A. Noire ? Or is that Rockstar's property somehow? Oh, we have lots of questions…let's hope more info arrives soon.

Related Game(s): Whore of the Orient

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L.A. Noire Director’s New Project Finds A New Home

Ben-Dutka 4 Comments

Earlier this year, L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi basically imploded after complaints of a poor working environment.

Most employees left for other gigs, including new positions at Sydney-based multimedia production firm Kennedy Miller Mitchell. KMM was co-founded by "Mad Max" director George Miller and producing partner Doug Mitchell; they've recently worked on "Happy Feet 2" and the company's game creation branch produced Happy Feet 2 .

In more interesting news, in a Financial Review interview, Miller and Mitchell have revealed that they've acquired the rights to Team Bondi founder Brendan McNamara's next game: Whore of the Orient . We've heard the game will be "one of the great untold stories of the 20th century," but there are no further details at this time.

So, will this be in development at KMM Games? …is it too big of a project for them? If it's as ambitious as L.A. Noire , you're gonna need a lot of time, a lot of talent, and a lot of resources, right? Well, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

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