We haven’t heard of this Siren in the Maelstorm. What the heck is it? “Silicon Knights is busy working on several exciting projects,” a spokesperson told game site Eurogamer. “Unfortunately, it is too early to disclose any details.”

Then, we shall wait.

Besides Too Human, Silicon Knights has also developed Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Eternal Darkness and now “several exciting projects”.

Silicon Knights quiet on Siren name News [Eurogamer]

Rob DePetris, vice-president of finance for Canadian developer Silicon Knights, has left the company. His reason?

According to DePetris, “I’m just looking for something different.” What exactly that is, DePetris does not yet know, adding, That’s something I am going to worry about in the new year,” he said. “But I am going to stay involved in the community, and I am not planning on leaving.”

The exec was instrumental in collaborating with the Ontario government on various game initiatives that helped fuel the company. DePetris is not severing ties as he will continue to work “closely” with SK president Denis Dyack (pictured), Silicon Knights stated.

Silicon Knights exec calls it quits [St. Catherine Standard via ENDSIGHTS]

Wired’s writers came up with a list of ten and I’m not surprised to see any of them on this list, even Dead Space, which I touted relentlessly in the run-up to its release. Truth is, I never heard anything to make me overcome my fear of it. Naturally, the write-up beats on Too Human some more, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed should have been number one on this list, in my opinion. What was? What else should have been? Check the link, and continue the argument over here.

The 10 Most Disappointing Games of 2008 [Wired]

The soundtrack, which was originally scored by Steve Henifin and performed by the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague, is selling for $US10 to $US17 through Amazon.com, Best Buy, iTunes and CD label’s Sumthing Distribution’s website.

I can dig listening to a bit of Too Human when relaxing, maybe as ambient sound. But the write for the soundtrack’s release totally lost me.

The music ranges by location and scenario. There are moments of long beds of orchestral music, followed by electronic/metal sounding tracks that put the listener into a different space altogether. There are also vast ambient tracks that are made of layers upon layers of sample-based sounds and evolving electronic sounding textures as well.

OK, I’ve got you so far…

So while the music and audio is Norse in its presentation, it is not exclusively Norse in its sound. It branches out quite a bit, but still stays in the realm of an ancient lost world of technology. It also has its moments using a more aggressive contemporary sound. In places, the Silicon Knights audio team brought in layers of electronic elements, but in a more subtle way. The cyber elements are more elegant and organic in style. In some cases the song style was influenced by the style of the instrument itself, whether that be a Balaban, Bone flute, Frame Drum, Bagpipe or something else, making the phrasing and general feel of a song constructed around the characteristic of that one instrument.

Annnnnnd, I’m lost.

Silicon Knights was reported to be working on a “third-person action/psychological thriller” and enjoying a long term relationship with Sega. It is also not ruling out revisiting Eternal Darkness.

We were told by Sega reps back in June to expect the unveiling of the Silicon Knights project “in the coming months” after a video, incorrectly identified to be that project, was leaked from market research firm Intellisponse.

We’ve contacted Sega reps to get confirmation on the rumoured change in plans.

An anonymous reader contacted us this afternoon to let us know the Canadian-based developer behind Too Human has let us know that about 10:30 a .m. today 25 to 30 employees were brought into the lecture theatre inside the office and told they were being laid off.

“It seemed as though most of those laid off were people who had been hired to work for the company within the last year or so, however many had been heavily involved in the production of Too Human.”

Reached for comment Monday Silicon Knights officials had this to say:

After any big game ships, there is often some attrition. Teams are lean and mean in the beginning, grow toward the end of the project, and then whittle down once the project is finished. To that end, Silicon Knights temporarily laid-off 26 employees today while they ramp up on other projects. All the company’s directors and leads are still at Silicon Knights and working on its next projects.

The slight cutback comes after four years of unprecedented growth for the St. Catharines’, Ontario (Canada) company, during which its headcount had expanded to more than 180 employees.

Denis Dyack, President and founder of the company, stated, “Silicon Knights is currently working on several new and exciting games that will be announced to the public in the coming months. In addition to those projects, Silicon Knights continues to develop and promote other new and original ideas, which will become the innovative games of tomorrow. These 26 individuals are hard-working and valued team members that we hope to bring back as we ramp up on our future projects.”

So, Logan was too lazy in his final days to tell you who won some Too Human action. But winners were indeed picked and I’ve been passed the conch of knowledge to share the names amongst names. Did that make sense? What I meant was… winners after the jump!

Travis Young
Two Humans: A girl and a Pizza Place

Arbee
Too Human: Oh the humanity!

DONAR
[Quoth Logan: "Just did a bunch of great ones"]

DeanoTron
Too Human 2: Human

Andrew
Two Human: Better Than One Human

Tops work, team. Copies are on their way.

Win A Copy Of Too Human, Too Easy

Too Human 2: Even More Human

Do this, and you’re in with a chance. It’s simple, see!

Be sure to include your email address in the provided field when you comment so we can contact you if you win. And yes, you can enter as many times as you like, but you’re only eligible for a single copy. Also note this competition is open to residents of Australia and NZ only. Winners will be announced this time next week.

Now, let me hear your ideas! Note that any comments that are not competition entries will be deleted to prevent confusion.

Oh, and even if it is a Sims game, it’s lovely seeing a PC title anywhere on these charts. [Individual format sales charts courtesy of ChartTrack] [Image]