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Report: Sony closing BigBig Studio, linking Cambridge with Guerrilla
Sony is closing the UK's BigBig Studio right after it finished work on Vita launch title Little Deviants, following a regular review of SCE Worldwide Studios, Develop reports. The review also led to a restructuring of Sony's Cambridge studio, which will now work closely with Guerrilla Games to release a Killzone title on Vita. Sony issued a statement to GamesIndustry about the closure: "It has also been proposed that BigBig Studio should be closed. BigBig have been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since joining in 2007. However, it was felt that by focusing on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers." The number of people affected by BigBig's closure or the restructuring of Cambridge is unknown, but we hope it's tiny(tiny).
Motorstorm: Arctic Edge dev diary is cold as ice
Here's the takeaway message from the first installment in a series of four developer diaries for Motorstom: Arctic Edge: It's a lot like Motorstorm, only smaller, and covered in snow.However, this omnipresent precipitation introduces several subtle nuances to the gameplay, including avalanches, crumbling ice bridges and vehicular bobsledding. If you're now looking forward to feeling de rhythm and feeling de rhyme, check out the video diary after the jump.
Motorstorm: Arctic Edge races to retail Sept. 29, download Oct. 1
If you're looking to get downright chilly in Sony's upcoming Motorstorm: Arctic Edge, know that you won't have to sweat the summer heat much longer, because PlayStation Blog has confirmed that the PSP version of the game will slide into retail September 29 and become available as a PSP Go launch download on October 1. Both releases are priced at $39.99 and include 12 reversible tracks and eight vehicle classes. If, however, you were hoping for yet another excuse not to upgrade your console hardware (but how can you resist?), you're going to have to a wait a bit longer for the PS2 version of Artic Edge, which will release "later this fall." The console port features everything in the PSP game, plus an old-school, in-your-face, split-screen multiplayer mode.
Hands-on: MotorStorm Arctic Edge (PSP)
It's a rare thing for a portable game to best its console predecessor, but that's what might be happening in MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. BigBig, the team behind the cult PSP Pursuit Force games, know how to work the handheld and they've crafted an experience that handles far better than the console games. MotorStorm is known for its visceral races, but the juxtaposition of more "sim-like" controls in such an arcadey game didn't jive with us fully. Arctic Edge adopts the game a bit, by tweaking the controls to be a bit more responsive.The end result is a game that's a bit more accessible, but no less fun and intense. Obviously, the PSP isn't capable of producing the visuals of a PS3, but BigBig has developed a brand new engine for Arctic Edge and it shows. This new generation engine far surpasses the last Pursuit Force game, by throwing an impressive amount of particles in fast, detailed levels. The animation on the vehicles is particularly terrific as each of the wheels respond to the various bumps on the ground.While the controls are slightly tweaked, the overall gameplay should remain largely familiar to those that have played the previous two games. Once again, players will want to effectively manage boost and navigate a dynamic branching race course. Racing against a multitude of vehicle types is one of the highlights of the console games, and we're glad to see BigBig has expanded the garage with two new vehicles: the Snow Cat and the Snow Plow. Those of you that like the Monster Truck will get a blast out of this. The monstrous vehicle races at a surprising speed, and it's quite the intimidating vehicle to race against.%Gallery-64991%
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge supports 8-person online multiplayer
Game director Richard Ogden recently spoke with Pocket Gamer regarding the upcoming PSP installment in the MotorStorm franchise, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. Ogden talked about transitioning from BigBig Studios' previous PSP game, Pursuit Force, but, more importantly, dropped some tasty details concerning multiplayer. He said folks will be able to break up the monotony of racing against CPU players with some racing against actual people in the form of 8-person multiplayer through Ad Hoc and Infrastructure Mode. Ogden also went on to talk about the new engine created just for Arctic Edge, as well as the environmental hazards players can expect to encounter traversing the game's icy tundras, so give the interview a read here.%Gallery-45751%
Dev speak: MotorStorm will push PSP over (arctic) edge
According to game director Richard Ogden, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is pushing the PSP harder than any other game before it. Ogden told NowGamer that Arctic Edge is squeezing all it can from the portable system, claiming it has more "physics, damage and destruction" going on than other PSP titles. Arctic Edge will be a "full MotorStorm experience," said Ogden, though he does note that there will be an obvious downgrade in graphics and visuals. "As long as you take a sensible view on what you're trying to achieve then there aren't really any major constraints when translating a PS3 game to PSP." Considering we still haven't seen much of the title yet, save for pre-rendered screenshots and a trailer, we're interested to see if BigBig Studios' work lives up to Ogden's big claims.
MotorStorm Arctic Edge races onto PS2, PSP
If your one big complaint with the MotorStorm series is that your caveman brain is frightened by the nigh-photorealistic graphics, you're in luck. Sony just announced at Destination PlayStation that the franchise would be headed to the PS2 and PSP with MotorStorm Arctic Edge, which brings the series to the "breathtaking yet lethal and unpredictable setting of Alaska."Developed by Bigbig Studios (the house behind the perfectly entertaining Pursuit Force), look for Arctic Edge in fall of this year.[Update: We just added the above trailer but, lest you be confused, there's no way on Earth that's gameplay footage.]%Gallery-45751%
Pursuit Force sequel: making it easier, more accessible
The original Pursuit Force did quite well, considering it came from a rather inexperienced development team. Now, BigBig Studios is putting the final touches on the PS2/PSP sequel, Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice. In spite of its extreme title, the game is going for an easier, more accessible approach as many had complained the original was simply too hard. In order to do that, the development team separated the levels so you won't have to multitask as much."We want to give the player more time to strategize," Chris Whiteside told Pocket Gamer. "Hopefully you won't notice it but we've segmented the game up so at one point, you'll be focused on shooting at a vehicle from range and won't be too concerned about your driving. At other times, you'll have to concentrate more on your driving style."Gone are the notorious 90 degree hairpin turns that caught players off guard. The tracks are now wider, to make it easier to drive and shoot. Interestingly, the difficulty has been toned down so much that one must play in "Iron Man" mode to reach the same difficulty that the original Pursuit Force provided. Hopefully, BigBig hasn't gone too far in watering down the game, though -- it's something we'll be focusing on when the game releases early next year.%Gallery-3216%
PS2 still has life for certain markets, PS3 doesn't mind
This is bittersweet news, actually. While we'd love to say that the PS2 is winding down and the PS3 is going to start steamrolling ahead (steamrollers go slow, but they get the job done), it seems developers disagree. While we'd love to rant about Ar Tonelico 2 and how we hope it comes to the US, the very prospect that PS2 games getting released into 2008 is boggling to many. Developer bigBIG disagrees, saying the PS2 is just catering to a different market. To us, that means "niche RPG market" and we smile.So they feel there's a lot of life left in the PS2, but not for new gamers. Sure, there's a huge library of games to choose from, but if you want to get new experiences, the PS3 is the safest bet for Sony consoles. Developers are going to turn their mainstream franchises or big-budget games to the new systems, obviously, but for those of us who like the more unique gaming experiences, niche or just a little different, seems the PS2 is going to continue that trend. We don't mind. In fact, we'd ask Nippon Ichi: "Please bring us Ar Tonelico 2!" but that would be selfish. What do you guys think? Should the PS2 be abandoned sooner or later?
Pursuit Force sequel: Extreme Justice on PSP & PS2
Bigbig Studios is giving it another shot. Despite the original Pursuit Force falling short of expectations (the North American release was admittedly better tuned), SCEE is giving the developer another chance, announcing Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice for PSP -- and PlayStation 2. Both versions are tentatively planned for release in Europe this summer; apparently giving the PSP version no lead-time.Extreme Justice looks to build off of the same over-the-top action featured in the original. Tanks, trains, and airplanes will be added to the mix of vehicles you can jump between, along with a bike and sidecar, jet skis, helicopter, and hovercraft. In addition, players will be assisted by an AI-controlled task force with characters who specialize in air support, high-speed support, special ops, and heavy assault. The "Justice Bar" will also be added to the playing field, a crutch of sorts, granting rookie super-cops the ability to regain strength and prolong missions.The PSP version will ship with a 4-player ad hoc mode. For PS2, 2-player split-screen multiplayer will be added.[Via PSP Fanboy]
