- 80,231
- Rule 12
- GTP_Famine
This is the discussion thread for an article on GTPlanet:
Ian Bell Leaves Slightly Mad Studios
- Thread starter Famine
- 42 comments
- 9,869 views
- 8,233
- The Black Lodge
End of an era. Many of us here stepped on the (not so slightly 
) mad rollercoaster of Project CARS all the way back in 2011. One of the few CEOs who would actually interact and engage with the community directly, regardless of whether they loved or hated him. The community part of PC1 and PC2 was absolutely an amazing experience. I don't particularly like his later work, e.g. PC3 and that F&F game, or the way he engaged the community later on (which was completely insane). Still, thanks for all the great memories and thanks for taking us on the mad ride that was PC1 and PC2. 👍
) mad rollercoaster of Project CARS all the way back in 2011. One of the few CEOs who would actually interact and engage with the community directly, regardless of whether they loved or hated him. The community part of PC1 and PC2 was absolutely an amazing experience. I don't particularly like his later work, e.g. PC3 and that F&F game, or the way he engaged the community later on (which was completely insane). Still, thanks for all the great memories and thanks for taking us on the mad ride that was PC1 and PC2. 👍
- 1,534
- United Kingdom
- jdeviant1983
So is he taking PC with him? I'm confused, I thought it was going to be the greatest sim of all time...
I never think we should be too tough on characters like this, they give us entertainment alongside their products, and I got a lot out of Pc2, limited as it was.
Running Indycars under the lights at the old Monza oval, I mean come on, where else can you find that kind of madness.
I never think we should be too tough on characters like this, they give us entertainment alongside their products, and I got a lot out of Pc2, limited as it was.
Running Indycars under the lights at the old Monza oval, I mean come on, where else can you find that kind of madness.
- 619
- Croatia
- NekoPuffer_PPP
Well... Goodbye and good luck, Ian.
Now, where's that PC4 teaser?...
Now, where's that PC4 teaser?...
- 1,840
- valencia
- Donnced
Was something that could be expected once Codemasters was buyed by EA.
Ian Bell doesn't like EA at all as he explained once with a bottle of wine in an Australian citizen streaming at Project cars 2 launch.
R.I.P Project C.A.R.S ..SMS should not have joined Codemasters in first instance.
Still have to say thanks to him and his slightly mad team for the two first project cars that brought more kind of "hardcore" racing sim aspects to consoles like V.o.F, button mapping , ability to personalise player camera,HUD options , UDP compatibility wich weren't seen in consoles before.
Ian Bell doesn't like EA at all as he explained once with a bottle of wine in an Australian citizen streaming at Project cars 2 launch.
R.I.P Project C.A.R.S ..SMS should not have joined Codemasters in first instance.
Still have to say thanks to him and his slightly mad team for the two first project cars that brought more kind of "hardcore" racing sim aspects to consoles like V.o.F, button mapping , ability to personalise player camera,HUD options , UDP compatibility wich weren't seen in consoles before.
- 3,230
- Null Island
- 619
- Croatia
- NekoPuffer_PPP
- 1,840
- valencia
- Donnced
SMS is now from Codemasters which is now from EA, Ian Bell already ranted about EA when SMS was part of EA doing the NFS shift's that they couldn't do what they wanted and planned for the game...
They will keep working on racing games for sure.. but that pcars4 will be follow the path off the first two pcars and going really sim way I really doubt that.
EA is maybe the reason why he left SMS, but that is something we never will know
- 619
- Croatia
- NekoPuffer_PPP
...he already said PC4 aims to be "the most realistic sim ever", with that set, I don't see it suddenly changing and becoming arcade. If it's still in development, it should end up being what it was intended to be.
The fact that Ian left doesn't change that. It's still the same team working on it.
- 964
- United Kingdom
I mean, when a company like EA looks at controversies and dramas around him it's inevitable he's going to get the boot at some point.
- 12,933
- GTPlanet
- Street-King-07
- Quattro Saltire
- 2,212
- Michigan
- FuriousDemon
Definitely an end of an era. Lots of fond memories, starting a decade ago for me. Following along (and helping) with the development of pCARS was exciting and even addictive. Even a bit of cash was made by all involved.
- 260
- Bolton
- Storm--Trooper-
I wish him well in whatever he decides to do next. I had some of my best console racing on Pcars 1 and 2. Yes they had flaws but coming from a small team compared to the big studios they did well.
- 4,004
- Croatia
I am sorry that I never actually had a chance to get to know him in person. He is, without any doubt, the uncrowned shadow king of the genre.
He is the most controversial head of any racing studios to date. I have written an article about him in Croatian Reboot magazine last year, and I was following his career through last 2 decades, with great focus during the initial WMD era.
Guy waa the dancer on the rope, but he always executed the final step flawlessly. Since the foreclosure of the original Simbin, his legal pinata to close and then obtain Blimey, his UNPHANTOMABLE succes where his company actually had Ferrari licence when nobody could ..
What he did with WMD, fight against British IRS, move to Singapore and Hong Kong ("move" is a nice word...), that CRAZY episode with Russian investors, his success with convincing NamcoBandai to publish PS2, than Codemasters aqusision and in the crazy turn of events, EA buyout.
If anyone could make a biopic of him it would be crazy, especially if some guys that knows the story in full would provide juicy bits. Man..
I could write 5000 words essay thriller from facts and bits I have gathered in past decades, and it would still miss the juiciest bits.
Goodspeed Ian. You will be missed. Thank you for the Ferrari Racing Legends, my favorite racing game after Gran Turismo, thank you for the WMD and opportunity to be a part of original PC story.
He is the most controversial head of any racing studios to date. I have written an article about him in Croatian Reboot magazine last year, and I was following his career through last 2 decades, with great focus during the initial WMD era.
Guy waa the dancer on the rope, but he always executed the final step flawlessly. Since the foreclosure of the original Simbin, his legal pinata to close and then obtain Blimey, his UNPHANTOMABLE succes where his company actually had Ferrari licence when nobody could ..
What he did with WMD, fight against British IRS, move to Singapore and Hong Kong ("move" is a nice word...), that CRAZY episode with Russian investors, his success with convincing NamcoBandai to publish PS2, than Codemasters aqusision and in the crazy turn of events, EA buyout.
If anyone could make a biopic of him it would be crazy, especially if some guys that knows the story in full would provide juicy bits. Man..
I could write 5000 words essay thriller from facts and bits I have gathered in past decades, and it would still miss the juiciest bits.
Goodspeed Ian. You will be missed. Thank you for the Ferrari Racing Legends, my favorite racing game after Gran Turismo, thank you for the WMD and opportunity to be a part of original PC story.
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- 1,135
- Far North.
- Bloodytears1666
Wonder who will going to lie about next Project Cars for us
.
Jokes aside, are pretty sad news, his younger days visions were amazing and still inspire me and a lot of motorsport fans. Take any their game before PC3 and it is worth.
. Jokes aside, are pretty sad news, his younger days visions were amazing and still inspire me and a lot of motorsport fans. Take any their game before PC3 and it is worth.
We have no idea how much influence EA bigwigs are going to be having on SMS though. They're not directly under them like they were in the old days, they're still under Codemasters. Yes, obviously CM are in turn a subsidiary of EA now but that level of abstraction may make a difference in how things are managed. The bean counters will be going to CM, not SMS. It's up to CM to keep SMS profitable and under control, and if they think that will happen by continuing to make sims, then that's what they'll do.
- 44,843
- Australia
Playing PC2 and saw this article. Still one of the all time greatest racing games. Really cool Ian set aside time to answer many of our question on GTPlanrt. Whatever hate and love he got from this community, was cool to actually communicate with the face of a developer and their team. Thanks to Jordan/gtp staff and Ian, The American and all.
- 2,512
- Australia
- Decepticon 47
I enjoyed Project Cars 1 and 2. Still play them from time to time.
Thanks Mr Bell for a great Motorsport game despite its flaws no game was like Project Cars.
Thanks Mr Bell for a great Motorsport game despite its flaws no game was like Project Cars.
- 137
- Ireland
- Hamisxa
It's sad because he saved the company from death back in Shift 2 times. Brought it back to life. Trusted Codemasters, and Codemasters basically said cya mate.
If anyone doesn't know the story, basically EA tried to destroy SMS after Shift 2 and steal their engine technology but Ian put this technology under a different company name before EA tried to kill them so they wouldn't get it. And basically said he will never trust EA and urged others not to either. And it's almost like he came back to square one. Not surprised he gave up. Rip his mortgaged house.
If anyone doesn't know the story, basically EA tried to destroy SMS after Shift 2 and steal their engine technology but Ian put this technology under a different company name before EA tried to kill them so they wouldn't get it. And basically said he will never trust EA and urged others not to either. And it's almost like he came back to square one. Not surprised he gave up. Rip his mortgaged house.
- 174
- Halle
- soltonatural
He got me with PC3, but thanks to Amazon's refund policy I didn't lost a penny. No harm, no foul I guess...
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- 131
- Gijon
- Coquico
An controversial guy, indeed. I was one of the ones who fell in love with the promises behind PC 1 and 2. Both were amazing sim games, with maybe too much ambitions, at least in ps4. I was amazed by having Ian here, in the forums. But he promises too much, and the wonderful produts he sell, were full of bugs, and with the feeling if unfinished products. And that kills you when yiu want to sell videogames. Thanks anyways to him