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God of War to go beyond a trilogy?
Holy crap. Having just finished reading this interview (it's about noon, not that it matters), I've got to keep myself from laughing out loud (LOLing, if we may) because I'm in a study... area. Anyway, David Jaffe was interviewed way back during GDC about a number of things, but we're going to concentrate on his talk about God of War and where that franchise will go. But we're also going to make a quick list of our favorite quotes from the interview. Because it's hilarious. Jaffe on Nintendo and the Wii: "I love Nintendo. I can't get my hands on a f***ing Wii." Jaffe on asking Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime for a Wii: "I don't know, it's not like he's carrying them around like Santa Claus..." Jaffe on Microsoft responding to HOME: "I think it's a good attempt at spin. Good for them for trying to spin their way out of a pretty bad situation." Jaffe about missing the rumble feature: "No one would say, "Yeah rumble sucks, nobody cares about it." It's a nice feature... but let's put it this way: when I heard we weren't going to have rumble I wasn't like, "Oh my god we're f***ed." All right, whatever. The meat of the God of War stuff is on the third page of the interview. To summarize, Jaffe explains that he knows exactly where the story of Kratos is going and where it will end, but he thinks it may take two or three more games to tell the tale completely (sales dependent, sure). Also, Sony will probably release some mini-stories to tie up other loose ends. The third title is rumored to be coming to the PS3 (duh), will support 1080p and some nifty SIXAXIS ideas. Good stuff, funny guy. Curses like a sailor. We at PS3Fanboy always respect men of the sea, because they're like pirates and pirates are pleasant and cordial.
Calling All Cars on the run from March release date
We'd been expecting Calling All Cars, David Jaffe's PlayStation Network followup to God of War, to hit the service in March. Actually, we were looking forward to it, anxious to spend some serious time with another e-distributed title. Unfortunately the title, outfitted with prison stripes an awkward fetters, is running from its March release date. According to IGN, we won't catch up with the perp until "mid-April." While it's not an extension of Castle Crashers proportions, we ain't overjoyed about holding out another couple weeks. We'll just go back to carving the days out on our wall ... [Via PS3 Fanboy]
The truth behind David Jaffe's HL
David Jaffe wanted to make gamers cry with his PSP game Heartland. Well when the game was cancelled he accomplished that goal as many gamers faced incredible disappointment at its loss. Just as that wound was starting to heal, 1UP re-opens the wound and pours salt in it by getting details on the game. Of course, no matter how much it hurts, the curiousity factor makes it so we can't ignore the info David Jaffe cleared the air by saying "Heartland was the story of China invading America. It was a first-person-shooter where you played a soldier debating whether to stay and fight for America or go AWOL to meet up with your family. We were trying to put in a lot of gameplay that would evoke emotion. You had sequences where you'd go into homes and your commanding officer would tell you to shoot innocent Chinese-Americans. It was very dark and was meant to cause players to consider what it's like to live in America and be an American today." Sounds like it could be a deeply meaningful game, so why did Jaffe step away from the project? "Hearing myself talk about it now makes me a bit sad (that we didn't finish it). But I wasn't incentivized to make it, in a way I could go to my family and say 'You're not going to see me for 90% of the time, but there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.' There isn't a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, at least the current way the industry is set up." Maybe Cory Barlog can continue this project too?.
GDC 07: Calling All Cars impressions
Calling All Cars, David Jaffe's upcoming PlayStation Store-exclusive game, was available for play on the GDC show floor. The game, which has you competing against up to three other players, has you controlling wacky cop cars trying to catch criminals. The game is easy to pick up, fast, and most importantly, totally fun.Playing with three other players resulted in a game of total chaos and mayhem. The cars were incredibly responsive, and the various weapons created constant clashes. The levels were highly destructible, encouraging players to enter total rampages.Be sure to check out Calling All Cars when it hits the PlayStation Store later this week.
Pajitnov, with needle and thread, wins Game Design Challenge
The game design challenge is an honored tradition four years in the running at the Game Developers Conference, pushing creativity in a competitive, humorous environment. This year's winner was Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov who managed to create a viable action-puzzler using needle, thread and cloth. He bested both David Jaffe (Calling All Cars, God of War) and last year's winner Harvey Smith. The following is a pseudo-live blog of the event from earlier this afternoon. Read on for a full description of each game proposed.
Today's hottest game video: Calling All Cars
The most-watched GameTrailers video, a trailer for Calling All Cars, is our pick for today. We've been wanting this title ever since we saw a tiny glimpse of it at Sonys Gamer's Day back when it was called Criminal Crackdown. The trailer shows some of the party title's fast, overhead racing gameplay.Look for the downloadable PS3 game soon, and watch the trailer after the break.
David Jaffe hates focus testing
Designer David Jaffe's latest blog entry, as vulgar-laden as usual, was a liveblog of his day at a focus test for Calling All Cars (previously Criminal Crackdown), an upcoming PlayStation 3 downloadable title. You won't find much in terms of new game details, but aspiring game developers could learn a lot from this manic entry. We know that some of you out there don't appreciate Jaffe's verbose language or feel like the designer, who's probably known best for God of War, hasn't "earned" his street cred yet, but naysayers can still walk away from this transcript with an understanding of the inordinate amount of anxiety put on game makers when they watch their projects get critiqued and criticized by various demographic representative, for better and worse, and how technical issues will vastly affect the situation.Calling All Cars is planned for a release next month in the range of $5 to $10.
Calling All Cars preview overview... that works, right?
Well, we last spoke of David Jaffe's Calling All Cars game sometime last week. He was going to show the build to 1UP and like someone who keeps his word, he did just that. What did they think? What did they learn? We're going to talk about just that. But we'll say this: they had fun and that's a good sign.The premise of the game is fairly simple: choose a car, knock other cars out of your way (either bumping or weaponry works -- more on that in a bit), nab the criminal and port him off to the nearest prison drop-off. Bam! You receive points. There are other ways to get points, like nailing a helicopter or a paddy wagon instead of the regular prison drop-off point. Most points at the end of the game wins, just like golf! I always win at golf.Weaponry is a good assist when it comes to knocking your rivals out of commission. They're one-time use items, but they get the job done. First up is the Hammer: it's short-range and you can imagine what it does. If the car subject to your attack has a criminal inside, he'll pop right out. Next is the Magnet: it's medium-range and seems to suck the criminal right out of a car nearby. Handy. Lastly is the Missile: you can figure it out. Jaffe claims each weapon has defensive abilities too, but the 1UP staff didn't understand his hints. Like we said earlier: there's probably a rock-paper-scissors effect (magnet attracts missile, missile stops hammer, hammer crushes magnet is what this clever blogger is assuming). There's a bit more coverage about the game, but it's just the control scheme and their final impressions -- all positive. We're looking forward to this one![via 1UP.com]
The name of Jaffe's "sucky" game revealed
Project HL, David Jaffe's canceled PSP game was supposed to make you cry. And with a name like Heartland, it might have succeeded. Jaffe's gone off to bigger and badder things. Like God of War III. Too bad we'll never see what Heartland could've been ... if it didn't suck so much.[Via IGN]
God of War 2 demo soon
God of War 2 director Cory Barlog, using gentler language than tends his predecessor David Jaffe, has revealed that the game demo is nearly complete. "We are going to be breaking off the demo code pretty soon and tuning the final tuning pass on the demo level so that is pretty damn exciting. It means that those of you who emailed earlier about the demo will soon be holding your sweet copy of the God of War 2 Demo," Barlog wrote on his blog Wednesday.Barlog failed to cite an exact release date or means of distribution for the demo, which will feature a single level. By his own declaration, the entire game will be finished 60 days from now, suggesting a late-March to early-April release window for God of War 2. Our guess: demo in February. Will a version land on PlayStation 3's PlayStation Store?[Via 1UP]
David Jaffe admits drunkenly that his PSP game sucked
David Jaffe **BLEEP**ing talked to GameTrailers.com in the Playboy Mansion about developing on the PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP. He reveals that he'd love to make God of War III on the PLAYSTATION 3, if given the chance. He also makes note of the mistakes he's made. Firstly, he states that God of War's battle system is not as good as Devil May Cry's (agreed). And he also admits that his canceled PSP project, "Project HL," was really axed not because of the PS3, but because it wasn't progressing very well:"I just **BLEEP**ed up my game on the PSP, it wasn't any good! That's true! There wasn't a **BLEEP** rumor!"The full video interview is available, after the break. Obviously, if you didn't **BLEEP**ing notice, it features some profanity.[Via Joystiq]
Drunk David Jaffe desires God of War 3
At a party at the PlayBoy mansion, outspoken developer David Jaffe (Twisted Metal, God of War) gave GameTrailers one of the most entertaining interviews we've seen in awhile. Under the heavy influence of alcohol (his claim, not ours), Jaffe explains that he has started preliminary work on God of War 3 as of November 10. "We're dying to make a new one, we're dying to make one on PS3," he announces.Though Sony has not yet given Jaffe the greenlight to go ahead and work on a third iteration, he has already started figuring out how to progress the story and has started to fill up a notebook and peruse what we assume are texts on Greek Mythology. Standing to his side is Jeff Reese from Sony Marketing, who may also be as drunk as Jaffe. He chimes in to explain how he envisions God of War as a story that continues on all platforms, culminating as a "classic battle-rama on the PS3." We would love to see that descriptor on the back of the game box.Other tidbits from the interview: Jaffe, in response to EGM that his tearjerker PSP game was just a ruse while he tackled other projects, said "I just ***ed up my game on the PSP, it wasn't any good!" There are "a lot of ideas" on how to use the SIXAXIS' motion sensor controls "in every aspect of [God of War 3's] game design." Jaffe has some kind words to say about Microsoft's Xbox Live, noting that "we will always be thankful [for Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade]." He adds, "I'd like to think Sony is going to surpass on Xbox Live on all that they're doing, but I think there's room for all of us to play in that space" before making a Freudian slip with "Play Connected." In regards to online discussing that he has an ego problem, Jaffe admits that he is a B-level game designer ("C-level," Reese retorts). To prove his point, he negatively compares God of War's fighting system to that of Devil May Cry. Despite the frequent use of bleeps to cover up Jaffe's foul language, we're going to say this video is NSFW. For those of us with the maturity to handle such filthy language, this is a great video interview to watch. Continue reading for the embedded video.[Via Gamesblog]
David Jaffe, God of War 3, and other stuff too
Someone decided to interrupt David Jaffe, man behind classics like Twisted Metal and a little game called God of War, at the Playboy Mansion. They had the balls (pun definitely intended) to ask him about God of War 3, which is funny since the second game isn't even out yet. Expectedly, Jaffe said that he started scribbling down design notes four days ago -- no development, no decision to even create the game. All focus is still on number 2.Jaffe also takes a moment to call out EGM, who named Jaffe the "God of Bulls...tuff" because they thought his PSP game was a giant publicity rumor. Jaffe says he just fudged it up and cancelled it -- there was no rumor, it just ended up sucking. That's cool.A few more highlights before we tell you to watch the video yourself: narrative will be laced between all three games (if they decide to make it). Also, Jaffe would love to make this game on the PS3 -- he just needs the go-ahead from Sony and some cash money money. As for the SIXAXIS, he has some ideas for implementation but he doesn't go into too much detail. It's a very cool, informative, honest interview. Check it out.
Street Trace NYC devs speak
GamerTag Radio interviews some guys from Gaia Industries about their original Xbox Live Arcade title, Street Trace NYC. This game was playable at Digital LIfe, but hasn't gotten much press, despite 3D enviroments, split-screen/online multiplayer and a Michael J. Fox-friendly concept (hoverboards). You can visit the game's official site here. While they're doing their alternative media tour, maybe these hard-working indie developers should grab some toilet paper and remind Sony's snobbish Sgt. Pepper that XBLA has plenty of new IP on the way.
David Jaffe compares Xbox Live to Ashlee Simpson
David Jaffe is a fiery voice who's not afraid to speak his mind. Speaking to Newsweek's N'Gai Croal, Jaffe took some jabs at Microsoft's Xbox Live service and its penchant for retro material.While discussing Jaffe's upcoming PS3 download title Criminal Crackdown, he and Croal entered an extended metaphor comparing game format to music. It is at this point where Jaffe, under the guise that God of War is Opera in this analogy, remarked that Xbox Live is more like the pop stylings of Ashlee Simpson, or of an oldies station (hence Pac Man and XBLA's other retro titles). Criminal Crackdown, on the other hand, is closer to the Beatles. We're assuming post-Revolver era, as "I wanna hold your hand" really isn't much better than the bubblegum pop of today.While we love to see Jaffe take part in inane allegories that are usually reserved for Iwata and Kojima, we can't help but want to extend this metaphor further, throwing in some Mizuguchi and Guitar Hero -- we'll save it for the comments. As all of Jaffe's titles have been published by Sony, we're not surprised he's supportive of his financial backer and antagonized by their competitor. But invoking Ashlee Simpson? That's just cruel.Jaffe also used his interview time to discuss his feelings on God of War sequels, noting that if "it was up to me , he would have fallen off the mountain in the first game and actually died."See Also:Jaffe abandons PSP, releasing quick-turnaround PS3 title
Jaffe's Criminal Crackdown could be a hit for PS3 download service
David Jaffe and Incognito's secret PlayStation 3 project has been revealed as Criminal Crackdown, a downloadable action/party game running at 60 fps in 1080p. With big names on board and "the right" numbers, could this be the first in a series of Xbox Live Arcade killers?Jaffe has suggested that Criminal Crackdown will lead a wave of "shorter, less expensive" titles (developed in under a year, and presumably distributed digitally) created by established development studios -- the future of the industry, he supposes. But is a throwback arcade romp (with just four levels) what the PS3 was built for?See also:Sony's Geometry Wars (and other e-Distributed titles) leaked
Details on David Jaffe's "casual" game
God of War's David Jaffe had dropped hints on his blog a long time ago about not wanting to make just epic titles, expressing also his desire to make more casual games. What he meant, nobody knew. Initially, he had a game titled HL in work for the PSP, but it got shelved for now. Jaffe expertly drops a few hints on the new casual title he's working on: "It's totally NOT a game like HL was going to be, or God of War for that matter. It has stuff in common with Twisted Metal, Bomberman, and...well, a few other things that I ain't gonna talk about yet!" So... it's like a destructive party game?The game wasn't at TGS, but it's supposed to be floating around the "air waves" in the next couple of months. Let's piece this together. It's a smaller, casual title. It's like Bomberman and Twisted Metal meets "other things". It'll be floating around the "air waves" this holiday season. Jaffe is a Sony employee. The game runs in 1080i. Can you say: launch title for Sony's e-distribution? Let's hope so, since we've seen very little on the online experience from Sony.
Jaffe abandons PSP, releasing quick-turnaround PS3 title
David Jaffe didn't have to make a game to "make you cry," he just had to cancel it. After boisterous claims that he was working on a game that would bring tears to our eyes, Jaffe blogs -- yep, back from his hiatus -- that this mysterious Project HL is now "on the shelf." For you optimists, the foul-mouthed designer adds, "fuck it. We'll do HL later ... maybe."As it turns out, Jaffe has focused his spastic energy on an unannounced PlayStation 3 project, which apparently shares characteristics with Twisted Metal and Bomberman and, well, Jaffe's not ready to say much else ... Interestingly, the game has only been in development for 6–7 months, but being on the verge of goin' Alpha, Jaffe expects the final version to hit retail between November and January. A surprise launch title? Perhaps.In typical Jaffe fashion, the post explodes, in ALL CAPS, into an excited ramble, envisioning the future of games as "SHORTER, LESS EXPENSIVE" projects, akin to the churn'em-out-style of old Warner Bros. cartoons. "...just knocking them out," blogs Jaffe, "and some are -- worst case -- just average, while some are amazing ... but it adds up to a hell of a batting average over time and lots of fun games." You have our attention. Now please deliver.[Via PSP Fanboy]
David Jaffe no longer wants to make you cry
David Jaffe, prominent game designer behind the smash God of War, was supposed to bring PSP owners a mysterious "Project HL." This maybe-episodic game was going to make you cry...Well, no more! The game's not coming out. No more PSP game. Boo!!!!! Like the Gran Turismo team, he now seems more interested in that shiny $600 box called the "PlayStation 3." Crazy.[Via 1UP]
Will Wright is a pr0n star, blogs lowly game designer
Derek Daniels, a low-ranking designer on the God of War team, recently broke the industry down like this:"In the videogame design world you have Miyamoto, Kojima, Will Wright, David Jaffe, and a handful of others that have risen to the top that have a little more control of their future. Then you have the other faceless designers that no one knows working on games doing some downright nasty things that I'm sure their mothers do not want to hear."Sounds like the porn industry, right? Well, that's Daniels' point at least. He reckons that videogame design is a young man's gamble, with a lifespan about as long as a girl doing porn. And when you finally burn out and leave the game behind, you're left with "a skillset that cannot be applied to anything else in life." [Thanks, Art]
