Indies Take the Cake at Game Developers Conference By Chris Kohler Email 02.19.08 | 6:45 PM You've probably never heard of Narbacular Drop, but you might have played it. The videogame was the earliest version of 2007's sleeper hit Portal, developed by undergrads at game-design school DigiPen Institute of Technology and turned into a phenomenon by Valve. After a year defined as much by breakout hits like Portal as it was by blockbuster titles, 2008 is shaping up to be the year that indie games take off. The makers of the big three gaming platforms are eyeing inexpensive, downloadable games as the next big thing, with Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all using this year's Game Developers Conference as a launch pad for indie titles they've snapped up. "Customers have shown us that there's plenty of room for going out and buying $60 epics at retail, but there's also interest in downloading a $10 game. They're like hors d'oeuvres," says John Hight, director of product development at Sony. Game Developers Conference, the world's largest event for game-industry professionals, is expected to draw more than 16,000 people to San Francisco's Moscone Center this week. It's an excellent place for publishers to spot new talent, mostly because of the Independent Games Festival that runs concurrently with GDC. Titles that make a splash at the indie fest, like Narbacular Drop did when it won a student showcase award in 2006, stand a good chance of capturing major publishers' attention. (Read Wired.com's continuing coverage of GDC all this week on Game|Life.) Keynoting GDC will be Microsoft Vice President John Schappert, who is expected to make big announcements about the future of the Xbox 360 business. It's more than likely he will discuss how Microsoft plans to court independent developers with the platform's Live Arcade downloadable games service. Nintendo will use GDC to launch its WiiWare service, which will enable original downloadable games on Wii, according to the company. The emphasis on simple, downloadable games makes indie developers' creations more desirable than ever. "All three console manufacturers need content to help differentiate their consoles, and indie games can be an important part of that content," Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities, says in an e-mail interview. Another attractive element: Hungry indie developers are also likely to cut exclusive deals that could translate into a hit that draws gamers to a particular platform. "Most independent developers are grateful for an outlet for their creations ... and would sign an exclusive if asked," Pachter says. "I do think you'll see more exclusives with independent developers, as there are fewer and fewer of them every year." Establishing relationships with indie developers can also pay off in the creativity department. Sony's Hight calls indie game creation "a great training ground for fresh new talent." "New ideas tend to come from people who have some grasp of the whole picture: technology, design, art, sound," he says. Gamemakers working on massive games like God of War aren't able to get their fingers into every pie, says Hight, because on such huge projects, jobs become "very specialized." Hight, who teaches a seminar on game production at the University of Southern California, introduced Sony to two students who had created a game called fl0w as their master's thesis. Sony helped them port fl0w to the PlayStation 3, where the game sells for $10 as a download. It's "very profitable," Hight says -- the game's creators are already raking in royalties. Not all games are as successful as fl0w. Hight says that most of the indie games produced by Sony's Santa Monica, California, studio are merely breaking even. But for a company currently taking it on the chin as Xbox 360 and Wii outsell PlayStation 3, having cool indie games on its system gives Sony boutique street cred. While Microsoft's and Nintendo's services have been much more walled off to smaller developers, PS3 has become a hotbed of indie content. For example, 2007 Independent Games Festival winner Everyday Shooter, a one-man project, was picked up by Sony for PlayStation 3. Its designer, 25-year-old prodigy Jonathan Mak, ported the PC game to PS3 himself, with support from Sony's engineers. "We try to find people with great ideas and work closely with them," Hight says. "We have seasoned producers and engineers who will give feedback. "They're the editors to these young authors," he says. http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2008/02/gdc_walkup
Apparently a press release about Microsoft's keynote got leaked, although it is in Italian. I think it is still getting translated, but Gears 2 is confirmed for release in November. Don't think there was anything else of note, but I'll add anything else I find if I can. Here's a link to NeoGAF covering it BTW: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242134 Just read some more: Something about a XBLA release of Fable 2 that will release early, allowing you to raise money for you character...whatever that means. Ninja Gaiden 2 in June with saved films.
PS3 HAS NO GAMES that I cant get on the 360. PS3 was and is a waste of time. Xbox may have the Red Rings but its not like the PS2 didnt have its hardware failures. Its a shame for PlayStation fans to laugh at the Xbox for its hardware problems when you Station fans went though the same crap 6 years ago. All you PS3 lovers constantly look for excuses to justify your 600 dollar waste because you supported a BRAND and COMPANY rather than looking at what offers the better product.
There's really no comparison between the PS2's hardware issues and the issues the 360 has had. If anything, the 360 has had similar DRE issues that the PS2 had, and then you throw in all the RRoD stuff that bricks 20%-30% of all systems (as opposed to say 5% or so). In any case, neither are a good example of how to properly build a system. Pretty simple mistakes that should have never been made.
I read online how to cure the DRE. I unscrewed the top, which is scary because it will void your warranty (not for me because I bought mine on the cheap from a friend), and cleaned the disk lens with alchohol. Reassemble and 'OILA! I'm not a handyman at all so I felt like a complete badass after that.
Why do you care what other people choose. Do you feel like a better person because you made what YOU think is the "right" choice. Do you have to dump on others so that you can feel better about yourself? Get over yourself. You come off as a pompous jackass.
Again: Uncharted (best game I've played in years), Ratchet and Clank, Warhawk, the upcoming Tekken 6, FF13, MGS4... And that's beside my point, anyway. My point is that most people only want to buy one of these systems, and MOST games are not exclusives (see the long list I posted). Then you add in the fact that the PS3 is a Blu-Ray player, it doesn't break nearly as often, and that BC is WAY better than the 360, and there's no way it's a "waste of time." Perhaps if you own BOTH systems and decide that you like the 360's controller better, then you might think the PS3 is a "waste of time." But most people aren't so obsessive about games, and have so much time on their hands that they feel the need to buy both systems. Heck, I would've bought a 360 if it was the only way I could play Gears of War. That could've been a system-seller to me right there. But it came out for the PC, so I don't need a 360 to play it. The end. Lost Odyssey is the ONLY exclusive the 360 has right now that I really want to play. By your logic, that makes the 360 a "waste of time." Why would I buy an entire system to play ONE game? Why in the world should I care about the PS2's problems? Why should I care? I don't defend Sony's products for the sake of defending Sony, out of some r****ded sense of brand-loyalty. I don't. Which is evidenced when I say all these things: 1. The PS2 was poorly built. It failed all the time. I went through 3 in 6 years. It sucked. Oh, and let's not forget it was a crappy DVD player. Sony should be ashamed. 2. 360 controllers are FAR superior for shooters. They just are. And in fact, I find it pitiful that Sony tried to make their L2/R2 buttons "triggers" in response. It's like they were admitting defeat. 360 controller is also better for NBA 2K, which I play all the time, so that's a big deal to me. 3. Online play is way better for the 360. Way better. The only argument you could make for Sony's network is that you don't have to pay for it... but hey, I'd rather pay for something better than take something crappy for free. 4. Generally, the frame rates on identical titles are slightly better on the 360, though this is becoming less prevalent. I have nooooooo problem saying any of the above things. I accept them as fact/truth. Those are the 360's major advantages. And I have noooooo problem with someone saying they think the 360 is the superior system because of those advantages. But when people make statements like "the PS3 has no games" or "the PS3 is a waste of time" or "why buy a PS3 for the Blu-Ray player, because it's better to wait for a standalone player," well... those are dumb, fanboy-ish statements. The PS3 does have obvious advantages of its own. And if you can't see those and admit to them, YOU are the blind fanboy, not me. And hey, I'll even spell them out for you: 1. PS3 not only has a built-in Blu-Ray player, but it's the best Blu-Ray player around. And while the PS2 was a crappy DVD player, the PS3 is a top DVD upscaler. Obviously Sony learned something from their past blunders. 2. Excluding the cheapie 40GB model, the BC is way better on the PS3. I can play every single PS2/PS1 game I own, and I can upscale them to boot. 3. The PS3 has a low hardware failure rate. The PS2 was terrible for this... like I said, I went through 3 in 6 years. Meanwhile, my brother has gone through 3 360s in 2.5 years. While I've only had my PS3 for... ehh... 8 or 9 months I think, it hasn't given me crap of any kind. It took my brother's 360 4 months to fail the first time. 4. The controller does have merits, though fewer than the 360. It's superior for playing driving games, because while the "triggers" fail miserably as triggers, they do very well as "pedals." Of course, I don't like driving games much, so I don't care a whole lot. The controllers are also much nicer for NBA Street and Tony Hawk, because the uniformity of the top buttons makes tricks easier. And I like the PS3 controllers better for Fight Night. Not sure why. I think the concavity of the 360 analogs just doesn't feel quite right for making the punching motions. So why is it that I'm constantly defending the PS3? Hmmm... maybe because 360 fanboys like you keep saying crap like "PS3 has no games/is a waste of time." I don't see people accusing the 360's online services of sucking, or that their controllers suck, or that it's a "waste of time" in general. If I DID see that going on, I'd jump on THEM just as quick. But I never seem to see that. All I ever seem to see is 360 fanboys screaming "PS3 SUX! LOLZ!" without any prompting.
Guessing it is like Halo 3. Anyway, I think the conference is over. I'm a bit too busy to collect all the info and media, but it seems like the usual sites have them. There is a Gears 2 trailer, some video of Fable 2, some video of Too Human, and more. Forgot to mention earlier they also have a service for user-created games (part of the XNA stuff IIRC). I haven't really read up on the specifics yet, but I think it is ready to go on the 360. PR:
Man, can't wait. If Gears 2 isn't eventually released for the PC, that and Lost Odyssey would probably finally convince me to buy a 360. But I'm guessing it will be released for the PC eventually...
It's truly amazing how far Too Human has come. It's been in development for like 9 years. I first heard of this game when it was on the PlayStation 1. Here's a screenshot of Too Human from 1999 when it was on PSX. http://psx.ign.com/dor/too-human/11627/images/toohumanss1.html?page=mediaFull Then it was moved to the GameCube http://cube.ign.com/dor/too-human/15333/images/overhuman4.html?page=mediaFull And here's how it's looking now nearing its release. http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/too-human/748783/images/too-human-20080219071404910.html?page=mediaFull
OK, let's see if I can recap some of the highlights of the week...although it was kind of boring outside of the MS keynote. I think I'll try to put game specific stuff first, while some of the more technical things will be near the end (like showing off new features in an engine, or news about new tools, etc.). Start off with some videos from the MS conference: Ninja Gaiden 2: Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30840"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30840" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> Fable 2 Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30975"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30975" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30971"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30971" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30973"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30973" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> Too Human has a ton of new videos I think, so I'll just post one of the gameplay videos for now (check Gametrailers or whatever for more): Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30752"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30752" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> Some stuff that MS had to say about GTAIV DLC: http://www.thebitbag.com/2008/02/21/microsoft-blogger-breakfast-bullets/ More at the link regarding other 360 stuff. Some random game stuff: Prototype gameplay (6 months old build though): Spoiler <object width="480" height="292"><param name="movie" value="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6309_en"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6309_en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="292" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> Go to Gamersyde for part 2, an interview, and download links for HQ video (plus for other games). Bionic Commando: Spoiler <object width="480" height="292"><param name="movie" value="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6291_en"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6291_en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="292" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> Go to Gamersyde for more, like Prototype. Gametrailers has a few videos too I believe (also have videos for the XBLA/PSN game IIRC). Star Wars The Force Unleashed Spoiler <object width="480" height="292"><param name="movie" value="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6304_en"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6304_en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="292" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> More at Gamersyde (including interview). Wipeout HD Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=31035"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=31035" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> Street Fighter IV Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30989"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30989" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> Gametrailers has a lot of gameplay videos which I recommend checking out if you're interested in the game. I was a little worried about the development of the game, but it does look pretty good in motion IMO. Fez (nice looking indie game) Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30850"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30850" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> Alone in the Dark 5 Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30714"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30714" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> Some PS Eye tank game: Spoiler <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/denLFS2SxXE&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/denLFS2SxXE&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> APB: Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" width="420" height="405" id="gamevideos6" align="middle"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="play" value="true"><param name="loop" value="true"><param name="scale" value="showall"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="devicefont" value="false"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><param name="menu" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="salign" value=""><param name="movie" value="http://www.gamevideos.com:80/swf/gamevideos11.swf?embedded=1&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&src=http://www.gamevideos.com:80/video/videoListXML%3Fid%3D17694%26ordinal%3D1203801591119%26adPlay%3Dfalse" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /> <embed src="http://www.gamevideos.com:80/swf/gamevideos11.swf?embedded=1&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&src=http://www.gamevideos.com:80/video/videoListXML%3Fid%3D17694%26ordinal%3D1203801591119%26adPlay%3Dfalse" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" play="true" loop="true" scale="showall" wmode="window" devicefont="false" id="gamevideos6" bgcolor="#000000" name="gamevideos6" menu="true" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="405" width="420"/></object> More at Gamevideos, and previews at IGN, Gamespot, and maybe some other places (not sure). Epic showing of some new tech for UE3.0 (using Gears of War): Spoiler <object width="480" height="292"><param name="movie" value="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6268_en"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.gamersyde.com/extstream_6268_en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="292" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> Crytek showing off more of their engine. Reality vs Realtime: Spoiler <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=31022"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=31022" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object> More at Gametrailers. I don't know how easy it is to use the engine, how well it scales to different hardware, etc., but it is an incredible piece of technology, at least in the right hands. Some jaw-dropping stuff IMO. Nintendo apparently planning DLC for the Wii, as well as for some "pay for play" online service for select games (MMOs?): http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/02/nintendo-will-b.html http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/02/nintendo-to-beg.html Intel acquired the Project Offset team: http://www.projectoffset.com/news.php The team and their engine seemed pretty impressive, so it will be interesting to see where this leads. Sony's Phil Harrison not happy with the Japanese branch of SCEI: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33412 SCEJ hasn't really done much in recent times actually, compared to SCEA and SCEE. Home info is a bit spread out, but this NeoGAF thread is an OK source for any new info from GDC (not much unfortunately, mostly for developers): http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243451 Square-Enix renamed the White Engine to Crystal Tools and extended support to the Wii: http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/02/finalfantasy.html Some new PS3 tools, the first set was released by Insomniac (The Nocturnal initiative): http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-21-2008/0004760453&EDATE= http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-phyreengine-sonys-new-free-cross-platform-engine/ The 2nd one involves an engine/tools that should help with multiplatform support. Supposedly, if you develop a game using this on the PC, you can simply recompile it for the PS3. I've noticed Sony has made an effort in creating tools that work well with not just the PS3, but multiple platforms. Hopefully these both lead to better results on the PS3 and other platforms (hopefully Valve, EA, etc., check it out ). LucasArts realizing with The Force Unleashed that they should have developed primarily on the PS3, and they will do so with future titles: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6186606.html *marks TFU off of wanted list* I'm sure I missed some things, but I think I covered most of the highlights.
Fable 2 looks pretty sick. That should be good. RC... is there ANY word at all on SF2 HD Remix? Not hearing a peep about it for months is killing me.
There was some news about it a couple of weeks ago, although it wasn't very positive. IIRC, they were struggling to get the game to fit under the 150MB size restriction for XBLA titles. Not sure if this is the cause for any delays or just causing them to work a little harder. I think one of the devs for the PSN/XBLA Bionic Commando game said something similar this week actually. Fable 2 looks OK as far as the combat, graphics, gameplay, etc., but I can see myself having way too much fun with the whole family thing. Really cool what they're doing there. I wish Bethesda would do something similar in the nex Elder Scrolls game (you could always buy houses/property in previous games, but not much point to them IMO).
Man, that kinda sucks. I wish they wouldn't worry so much about the size restrictions and just get 'er out. And yeah, I'm just like you on the Fable 2 stuff: I'm sure the combat etc. is fine, but the family aspects are what make it look so cool. Definitely agree that the next Elder Scrolls game needs to do something similar. The next Elder Scrolls game also needs to make an effort to be a little more creative with their game world than they were in Oblivion. Morrowind was imaginative, Oblivion was detailed but dull. Then it seemed like they finally realized that with the Shivering Isles expansion, and they almost overdid it. If I could have Morrowind's game world with Oblivion's gameplay and Fable 2's family dynamics, I don't think I'd ever leave home.
Maybe MS will get enough complaints from developers so that they'll raise the limit again, or just get rid of it completely. The limits don't really make sense to me. PSN games are going over 2GB, and yet XBLA games can't exceed 150MB.
they are doing that for the people who have xboxes without harddrives and memory cards only. yeah its dumb.
It sort of made sense when all they had were 64MB memory cards and the limit was 64MB. But the Arcade SKU is packaged with a 256MB memory card IIRC, and there is a 512MB memory card for sale. At least up the limit to 256MB or 512MB. I don't see why they couldn't just reclassify certain XBLA games, maybe casual vs hardcore...although not by those names. Demos are sometimes a GB or more, and I think Shivering Isles was delivered on XBL at over the limit (can't remember how big it was though). Or better yet, just scrap the SKU w/o a HDD and start requiring it for future projects. Considering how much they've done right (especially on the online stuff), it is weird how they stick to these weird limits that don't really do any good IMO.
