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Twisted Metal trailer is more than meets the eye
We always thought that Twisted Metal was about cars stuffed with missiles and machine guns, along with other various and sundry implements of death. Nope, turns out it's about robots. Giant robots stuffed with jet packs, gatling guns, exploding clown heads and ... pigtails. Go figure.
Twisted Metal pre-order to include Axel 'early access'
If you just can't wait to cram your Twisted Metal guy between two gigantic tires and send him barreling into the streets like it was 1996, well, you've probably already pre-ordered the upcoming sequel. Good news, then, as producer Chad Cox has announced on PlayStation Blog that pre-orders for the new Twisted Metal -- from "any participating retailer" -- will include "early access" to the iconic Axel character and, more specifically, his two-wheeled contraption, which are ordinarily locked at the start of the game. During a recent preview event for the game, we learned that characters and vehicles will be interchangeable (as seen in the screenshot above, featuring Sweet Tooth in place of Axel). It's a brave new Twisted Metal, people! Don't be shy, now -- check it out in the extended cut of the new trailer after the break.
Twisted Metal preview: Something old, something new
Playing the new Twisted Metal for my first time (I didn't personally cover last year's E3 build), I was surprised by just how powerful the feelings of nostalgia were that swept over me. The old characters and vehicles, the old environments, and the old power-ups and weapons -- though updated by the current technology and featuring new elements -- bring back fond memories of many long nights playing split-screen with friends on the original PlayStation. "The essence or the fantasy of it that inspires me and Scott [Campbell] -- that hasn't changed since the very first one," game director David Jaffe said at a preview event this week, but it's not just about taking players back to the mid-90s. "We've added stuff -- we wanted to build a deeper more relevant game in multiplayer, online, things like that." Still, the "fantasy" that inspired the original game -- an over-the-top demolition derby set loose in the streets -- "is still just as relevant today," Jaffe suggested, "and we can bring it to next-gen gamers using next-gen artwork."
Twisted Metal to darken the holiday season with Oct. 4 launch
Buried deep within the latest world exclusive trailer of Twisted Metal that aired during this week's GameTrailers TV episode was a launch date for the Eat Sleep Play-developed title: October 4. Unsurprisingly, the game will be tearing into retail outlets ahead of Halloween. Additionally, the trailer is rife with the usual cast of vehicular homicidal maniacs. Marvel as Sweet Tooth corrupts a rural farm house simply by driving past it! Stare in disbelief as Axel pilots his physics-defying two-wheel death trap! And, ya know, there are some explosions too. Head past the break and see for yourself.
Interview: David Jaffe on Twisted Metal, E3 and ... lying to us
Just before E3 2010, we asked Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe to confirm that he wasn't working on a new entry in the long-dormant car combat franchise, per a series of messages he released via Twitter. And confirm that he did. Unfortunately for us -- though perhaps not for gamers -- it turns out that his words to us were actually part of a larger plan of "misdirection," as he told us in an interview one day after last week's big reveal. Aside from our initial harassment about what he told us in the past, we spoke with him about what he wants out of E3, what he's most excited about in his forthcoming game, the current trend of series reboots in the game industry, and what else is going on at Eat Sleep Play (the studio he co-heads with Scott Campbell) -- among many other things. And though we were initially hurt by his "misdirection," the fact that he was a perfect gentleman during the interview helped to mend those wounds. Continue after the break for our conversation. %Gallery-95377%
Preview: Twisted Metal
David Jaffe is a big fat liar. He's a liarface. But at E3, he was finally able to tell the truth: Twisted Metal for PS3. The return of this beloved demolition murder derby series isn't so much a surprise as it is a relief for dedicated fans, fingers sore from begging for an original console sequel on any forum that will listen. Still in pre-alpha (and in the garage until 2011), Twisted Metal is up and running at Sony's E3 booth. A 15-player demo (the game does support up to 16 players) staged in the "Slaughterdale" map showcased what Santa Monica Studios producer Chad Cox called the key feature of the new Twisted Metal: "online factions." While there will be free-for-all gametypes, the team-based matches appear to be the feature modes. You pick a side: in the demo, Clowns or Dolls (though more factions are to be revealed), and then you're free to choose and change your vehicle throughout a match; much like you might change up your character class or loadout in an online shooter before you respawn. %Gallery-95377%
David Jaffe not working on new Twisted Metal [update: yes he is]
Aside from answering questions about the current state of documentary film and divulging his current love affair with Black Rock Studios' Split/Second, Eat Sleep Play head David Jaffe is busy bustin' through speculation about his current game project. "By the way, I WISH we were making a new Twisted Metal. Making [a] game you've already worked on is tons easier cuz your core blueprint is already there. This new game design stuff tho? Man, that is hard ... reason I'm so stressed these days!" Jaffe recently tweeted. Jaffe also suggested that his studio's current project is unlikely to be revealed during E3. "Sony has not asked us and given it's 3 weeks away, my guess is u r correct: no Eat Sleep Play game at E3," he tweeted, busting through his own expectations from last year. So, he's presumably working on a car-based game, but it's not Twisted Metal ... uh, the Indiana Jones (mine) kart racer we've all been waiting for, perhaps? Update: David Jaffe told Joystiq via email this morning, "As for my Twitter, I stand by what I said: we are not making a new Twisted Metal altho [sic] I think doing one WOULD be fun...but we simply are not. Also a game by Eat Sleep Play will NOT be at E3 2010. I can't speak to what we ARE working on because it's not my place to." Update from E3 2010: What David Jaffe meant to say was, "We are making a new Twisted Metal. A game by Eat Sleep Play WILL be at E3 2010." [Via CVG]
David Jaffe talks death of Calling All Cars as servers go offline
This week heralded the end of the Calling All Cars saga, as David Jaffe finally saw the lights go out on his PSN baby. He's got a set of final thoughts over on his blog -- he says that as his first online game, it was definitely a learning experience, and while there were good times, it wasn't the most fun he'd ever had. He's suprisingly regretful about the whole thing: He says that he seriously thinks he probably should have "made it war themed and ['ditched'] the cartoony stuff," and that it was really a problem of expectation. At $10, he says, they were expecting gamers buying downloadable titles to just be "sampling them like candy," not looking for a full game experience. But we wouldn't worry too much about Jaffe -- while he jokes that the CAC server shutdown "marks the beginning of the end of my career," we're sure there's still more fun to be had from that mind of his. We're hoping to see what he's got planned next by the time E3 rolls around this year.
Jaffe 'not showing anything' at E3, definitely next year
David Jaffe will be roaming the halls at next week's E3. His mysterious new project, however, "absolutely" won't make an appearance. In fact, the Twisted Metal creator noted on his latest video blog that he's "not showing anything" at the big show. Commented Jaffe, "Part of me would love to announce at E3, and so you walk into the Sony booth and bam -- there's our game." Next year, however, is another story. The Eat Sleep Play co-founder says that he "fully expects" the presumably car-heavy game to be on the show floor in 2010. Certainly no later than that.
Rumor: David Jaffe's next game will feature cars
Oh, Jaffe. You really shouldn't be posting images of secret internal emails on your blog, even if you have applied heavy blurring to some of the more pertinent sections. Now we know your dark secret: your next game will involve cars. That's right, some photoshop whizz managed to see through the image's blurred section -- which probably explains why Jaffe has replaced the blurring with solid chunks of red, but the damage has already been done. The super secret information does indeed reveal that the game involves cars, as evident from the lines "dragging him behind your car" and "when he is launched out of a car." The email also states that character animation for the "human characters" needs improvement because "right now it's so dry, it needs to feel like an action movie." Cars and humans? This game is going to be awesome. All joking aside, this could indicate that Jaffe is currently working on a Twisted Metal sequel. Or it could not. It could be another car game entirely. With human characters. The blog post mentions a big milestone at the end of the month, which may mean we'll be seeing whatever game this is at E3 in early June. [Thanks, Brad]
Jaffe loves Indiana Jones, wants Lucas to toss him the whip
Known for his adoration of the Indiana Jones franchise, Eat Sleep Play developer David Jaffe recently admitted that the adventurous Indy was a huge inspiration for his God of War work, and that he'd be willing to partner with LucasArts on an Indiana Jones project."There was, and will always remain until I get to do it, a desire to work with Indiana Jones in the interactive medium," Jaffe said in an interview with 1UP. "I would still to this day love to do that." Though not much more than a dream at this point, the designer has a plan hidden under his own fedora. "I have a great idea for how LucasArts could really take that property and do cool things with it, and if they're reading this, they should give us a call at Eat Sleep Play. We'd love to talk to them." We'd just like to say that we're with you, Jaffe. Call up those LucasArts folks, demand a meeting and pitch your heart out. While you're at it, follow your dreams and go after the Metal Gear franchise too. We've got your back.
Jaffe: God of War 3 looks 'like nothing you've ever played'
"I ain't no fan boy but this mother f***ing game looks like nothing you've ever played...and you can hold me to that when this thing hits and when they start showing gameplay footage."Well, it probably looks a little bit like God of War II, since we imagine it still features the antics of world's angriest breakfast cereal Kratos. However, outspoken designer David Jaffe, currently tinkering away at an unannounced project with Eat Sleep Play, insists that an early glimpse of Sony's God of War III left him reeling. To quoth: "HOLY HOLY HOLY F***ING HELL!!!!"As if to prematurely defuse any cries of, "Well, you did design the original game, you know!" Jaffe adds that his favorite game this year isn't even on the PlayStation 3. "And unless I get blown away by POP or something else I missed, GEARS 2 is the SHIT....this year," he noted. But does it look "like a painting come to life," as God of War III allegedly does? We'll let the forthcoming battle between the GoWs decide that.
Jaffe explains why you don't see names on boxes
The issue of putting game designers' names on boxes is one that we've been exploring since we read this dazzling piece way back in 2005. But David Jaffe, playing off of a recent MTV post, is in a unique position to comment, as one of the few designers who have somehow been able to set themselves apart as a brand. His latest blog entry explores why more game designers don't make it on the box, and why it's in publishers' best interests to keep it that way.Brace yourself, because this next quote is probably the truest, most succinct encapsulation of the current state of the game industry that you'll ever hear: "Even the guys who make CALL OF DUTY, HALO, and GTA are not in a perfect position, as amazingly genius as they are," Jaffe writes. "Because All of those games- even if given to C+ level developers- can still make crazy cash for at least 2-4 more iterations before the public catches on and stops buying the series."This all goes to prove what we've expected all along: American McGee has to have blackmail pictures of somebody picking up a transvestite hooker, right?
Jaffe previews next Eat Sleep Play game
If you're not making sense of the mess that's leaked out of Jaffe's little red pen, don't worry, you're not alone. There's a reason why most developers choose to keep the uglier side of game design in house. But then, David Jaffe isn't most developers. If we squint hard enough, we can just barely see the outline of a Twisted Metal level (at least, that's the going theory) -- oh, and a Spider-Man head. Wow dude, if this Eat Sleep Play thing doesn't work out, you should totally try out for Marvel! (And yes, we actually dialed that 1-800 number...) Anyway, glad to hear Jaffe's getting his "core" computer back up to speed. We can't imagine what's it's been like to be stuck with Windows and Internet Explorer. Gross.
A 'sort of' look into David Jaffe's next game
There's a fine line between madness and genius. For better or for worse, we can't tell which side of that line God of War creator David Jaffe is on. He's updated his personal blog with what he says is a look into his next game ... "sort of." These are doodles for level design that haven't been sent off to the rest of the Eat, Sleep, Play team quite yet. Considering the strange shapes of the non-Spider-man figures, we'd postulate that this is a puzzle, or vehicular game of some sort. Of course, we could be very wrong -- what's your guess on what the heck is going on here?[Thanks, Gambit07!]
Twisted Metal PS3 revealed in hidden code
Sure enough, "buried deep" (well, not that deep) within Twisted Metal: Head On - Extra Twisted Edition is the answer to every Metal head's burning headache, er, desire: METAL IS COMING ON PSTHREE. The code, embedded in the game's "Dark Past" documentary as a series of numbers, ensures the franchise will take at least one more victory lap before puttering into uncertainty. Just how Jaffe and company plan to overhaul the oh-so-90s motif, remains the one, true secret. May we suggest going hybrid? [Via PS3 Fanboy]
David Jaffe's next project is not so small
Eat Sleep Play was supposed to be all about small games, like Calling All Cars. However, looks like Jaffe's having a change of heart. Jaffe spoke with MTV Multiplayer, and admitted that "what we learned in Calling All Cars is that right now on console we're not interested in doing what we thought we were going to be doing entirely as a company, which was doing PSN console-based small, $9.99 downloadable arcade games. We're definitely not exploring that." [emphasis ours]Jaffe points to games like Warhawk and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue: games that are available on the PS Store and in retail on Blu-ray disc. These games are unique in Sony's catalog, as they're smaller than traditional retail games, but feature much more depth than a typical downloadable title. It looks like Jaffe is looking at this comfortable middle, one that's larger than the confines of a typical arcade game, and smaller than a mega-budget retail game.[Via NeoGAF]
David Jaffe to present keynote at GDC Game Career Seminar
On the Friday of this year's Game Developers Conference, the Game Career Seminar will offer a series of speakers and roundtables aimed toward students hoping to break into the industry. Kicking off the event will be David Jaffe, who will be delivering a keynote speech entitled "From Grunt to God to Startup: Career Lessons from the Edge of Development."Jaffe will be discussing his own history in the industry, starting from his earliest projects and lowliest jobs, to his own indie studio, Eat Sleep Play, where he's working on several unannounced Playstation 3 titles. Though infamous for his matter-of-fact approach, Jaffe is also a dynamic and engaging speaker, having previously participated in GDC events like last year's Game Design Challenge. It will be interesting to see what advice he has to impart upon the wide-eyed developers of tomorrow.
David Jaffe comments again on state of consoles
Eat Sleep Play is David Jaffe's new development studio, which is independent from Sony and other such gaming conglomerates. More or less. Jaffe stuck his head out of the office where he's undoubtedly hard at work on something to comment about the console war, stating that "when the dust settles" the PS3 will be really close to passing or will pass the 360 in terms of market share.Jaffe made some more broad comments as well, stating how he likes the Wii but isn't moved as much as other journalists and such with Mario Galaxy. He's very excited to hear about Burnout -- how the true experience for playing the game is on the PS3. He feels this may be the beginning of a shift in power towards the PS3, making it the most powerful console or, as some may equate the two phrases, the best. Who knows. We'll find out over this year, we suppose, as a lot of multiplatform games will fall under our scrutiny for just that purpose.
See first gameplay footage from Twisted Metal: Head On ETE
We know, we know. We know this this looks, well, like a PS2 game. And we know that the metal/goth trappings are a little bit late 90s. But we can not help but be excited for Twisted Metal: Head On Extra Twisted Edition. And this new gameplay footage (posted by one Mr. David Jaffe) isn't doing anything to make us less pumped.What you're seeing is "Carnival of Darkness," a bonus level lifted from Twisted Metal Black 2, which never saw the light of day. We're particularly enthralled by the roller coaster section of the course, and the music, even the missile trails, which are distinctly Twisted Metal. But what about you? Is this doing anything thing for you?
