Jaffe to start new game studio, will remain with Eat Sleep Play for Twisted Metal launch

With news of Eat Sleep Play co-founder David Jaffe leaving the studio, the always open Jaffe took to Twitter to give a brief statement on the entire situation and the rumors of him going the casual game route.

Jaffe first set the record straight that he has "zero plans to make games like Farmville and Angry Birds."

Of course, the next question on everyone's minds is his plans for the upcoming launch of Twisted Metal.  After months of developing and all of the hard work he has put into the game, would he really be leaving it a week before it launches for PlayStation 3.  Thankfully, no, he is not leaving yet.  Jaffe confirmed plans to stay with ESP and continue to support for Twisted Metal.

"I'm still on TM along with ESP for the next months as we launch it and balance it in real time and make sure it's a perfect game and continue to support it," Jaffe explained.

He added: "I'm still with ESP and have not left and will not leave until we get TM launched and stick around to balance and bug fix and tune."  He estimated that could take up to one and a half to three months.  He did, however, confirm plans to start a new game studio.

"At the same time I will be opening a game studio here in San Diego because I really miss internal game development," he clarified.  "But if I may clear this up: I was not laid off.  I co-own the company.  There were a few lay offs and they were very painful to do for all involved."

Speaking of his upcoming departure, "I'm leaving because – again – games are just getting too big to direct from 300 miles away and I miss the day to day of working direct with the team."

As for what his new studio will focus on, Jaffe said he's been "talking" about some "big, huge next gen game ideas".  He didn't rule out browser-based, "action oriented, gamer centric" games and a "few things in between".

"I have no idea what game we'll make yet," he admitted.  "Could be iPhone, could be next gen console.  Have barely done anything with the new company yet."

Despite the excitement, we probably won't hear much about the new company until after DICE wraps and Twisted Metal launches.  After that, Jaffe did say it's "company building time".

Twisted Metal is set to release exclusively for PlayStation 3 on February 14th.  The demo is currently available, but has been plagued by constant "Matchmaking errors".  While they say these problems "should" be fixed at launch, this could be one of the things Jaffe is hanging around to help solve.