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Alone in the Dark creator hopes for an HD remake one day
HD remakes are becoming more prevalent in the video games industry, as a means of introducing a new generation of gamers to something they may have otherwise never played. Frédérick Raynal, designer of the original survival-horror game, Alone in the Dark, said he's totally on board with an HD remake."I would love an HD remake one day and I hope it will happen, one day," Raynal responded when asked about the possibility at the conclusion of his GDC postmortem. "I think Infogrames holds the rights; I'm not sure about that."Atari published the last entry in the Alone in the Dark series back in 2008. If someone wants to get a remake out in time for the 20th Anniversary of the original game, they'll have to get it out within the next nine months.
The 'bullshot' dates back to Alone in the Dark
In the games industry, a 'bullshot' is a screenshot that's been manipulated to appear prettier and more exciting than the actual game. It happens more commonly than our tag would have you believe. The thing is, scientists have been trying to determine the genesis of this heinous act for quite some time now -- and we think we've found a prominent example of one of the earliest bullshots in Alone in the Dark.During his GDC postmortem, designer Frédérick Raynal admitted that he drew the back-of-the-box face for Alone in the Dark's protagonist in MS Paint, back in 1992. The main character doesn't look like he does above in the actual game, though the original packaging still shows the hand-drawn visage."We were in September 1992, master state, but we still had no head for the hero." Raynal said that Infrogrames was looking for screens to share at the time, and so Raynal was in a tough spot. He decided he was just going to draw the head in."It is funny because if you still look on the first box for the game, you an see those pictures with the fake head on it." Raynal said the bullshot even made it into the game -- if you don't touch the keys in the main menu, a slideshow featuring the touched-up image will start up. Nobody ever bothered to fix it.
Original Alone in the Dark designer hints at new project for Ubisoft
On the website for French developer Ludoïd (the team headed up by designer Frédérick Raynal), a chalkboard image teases an upcoming project and features a rather conspicuous Ubisoft logo nearby. When translated, the image (pictured right) tells site visitors to check the "back" of the chalkboard for the name of Ludoïd's next project. Clicking the image flips the board, but only reveals rubbed out text. Tease! Frédérick Raynal is best known for co-designing the original Alone in the Dark (1992), a forebearer of the survival horror genre. Raynal is also responsible for the cult-hit Little Big Adventure series; however, Ludoïd has already said its upcoming project will not be a continuation of that franchise. So, all we have to go on is some French text and a chalkboard that looks suspiciously like an iPhone or iPad. Time Commando reboot anyone? [Via VG247]
Parisian studio popping out Soul Bubbles
It's not just many gamers who want to return to simpler times (and concepts) these days -- designers are feeling a little nostalgic as well, it seems, if the first DS project by new French studio Mekensleep is any indication. And you know what's simple? Bubbles. Specifically, Soul Bubbles.After struggling in the increasingly crowded and complicated world of MMOs, Mekensleep founder Olivier Lejade wanted a break. A return to days gone by ... perhaps even something childish and simplistic, and that's where the bubbles came in. It was a simple concept: blowing bubbles and moving them around. But how to turn such a simple concept into a fully-realized game? For that, Lejade turned to legendary French designer Frédérick Raynal. They worked along with Omar Cornut to produce something that was a little bit Loco Roco, a little bit Super Monkey Ball, and all DS. The game, which has been picked up by Eidos for a debut next year, features tiny spirits encased in bubbles, and players must navigate them through various levels. They can bounce, shrink, grow, and split their way through and around various obstacles. It may sound simple enough, but Lejade and the newly-formed Mekensleep have been working on the game for more than three years, all in an effort to make something fun that would stand out in a field dominated by training games and remakes.%Gallery-15036%
Miyamoto knighted in France
Today, Shigeru Miyamoto, along with Michel Ancel (Rayman, Beyond Good and Evil, King Kong) and Frederick Raynal (Alone in the Dark), became the first game creators to be knighted under France's Order of Arts and Letters. Technically, the accolade does not include the addition of "Sir" to one's name. But screw that. Three cheers for Sir Shiggy!Jeux-France has complete coverage.[Thanks, Tim; via GameBrink]
