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Interview with Real Time Worlds' David Jones
Back in April we were starting to worry about APB because we hadn't seen or heard anything new about the game in a while. Thankfully, the information is starting to flow again due to E3 and an impending "early 2010" release date. GamesIndustry recently caught up with Realtime Worlds' Creative Director, David Jones and he had a lot of interesting things to say.You won't learn anything earth-shattering about APB, but this interview gives us a good look at one of the leading forces behind the MMO (darn that pesky label). Given the global economic downturn, David feels his studio needs to focus now more than ever because there's not much chance of raising more venture capital. He's also very happy about the publishing partnership with EA because he feels they'll be able to help build APB a strong marketing presence at retail. Maybe the loaning of Paul Barnett is icing on the cake?For all of you hoping for closed beta, you might be waiting a little longer since APB is still in an internal testing phase. For all of you worrying about a F2P/RMT business model, your fears can probably be eased since David feels that an online distribution strategy is "maybe pushing the envelope too far" for APB.
Why APB's customization options might be a big deal (or not)
There's a clip over at GameVideos (embedded above) that depicts All Points Bulletin's character customization system. We say "customization" instead of "creation" because we doubt all the exhibited features will be available to new players. We learned at GDC (in the very same session this video originated from, actually) that visual customization options will be among players' rewards for successful play.Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Kieron Gillen was nevertheless impressed with all the options. He commented on the exhibit, and posited that APB has that Grand Theft Auto je ne sais quoi. The culprit: the art style, which when combined with creativity will give the game a human quality that transcends the mechanics of the game. Because of that, Gillen is looking forward to APB more than he is to any other MMO.He took a jab at World of Warcraft, saying that because each item of clothing in WoW has critical stats tied to it, no one expresses him or herself through clothing. Stats are more important than self-expression in WoW society, right? Gillen prefers the City of Heroes approach, which he believes APB shares. But does it? We don't really know yet, do we? Maybe your clothing style affects your skills. That's something to wonder about. We'll see.
X3F TV -- Points>Life: You So Flippin' Crazy
Each week, X3F tips gamers to the tricks of the trade of Achievement hoarding in Points>Life. Every week a new achievement is unlocked to help you continue your unhealthy obsession with the Xbox 360 meta-game. We heard the requests and have delivered! This week we bring you a tip for the Xbox 360 exclusive sand-box adventure, Crackdown. In Episode 3 of Points>Life we bring you tips on obtaining the Flippin' Crazy achievement in the best-selling action title. By driving your vehicle off a high rise tower you can grab an easy 30GP and if you're lucky you may be able to obtain a bonus achievement along the way! Music: "Chain Reaction" by 31Knots [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon). [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
Microsoft: Crackdown 2 still a possibility
Speaking to Wired, Microsoft Game Studios VP Shane Kim mentioned the possibility of a sequel to Crackdown. While Real Time Worlds -- creators of Crackdown -- stated last year that a sequel wasn't in the works (they're focusing on other projects), it seems Kim is still open to the idea. It seems that the folks at the Microsoft gang still "love" Crackdown, as Kim says, "We consider that a pretty successful title for us, high-quality, I think that customers would like to see more in that space. So that's an option for us." What remains unknown is whether Microsoft intends to ask Real Time Worlds to create the sequel or if the project will be given to a different developer. While the prospect of Crackdown 2 is definitely music to our ears, we can only hope the reins wind up in the right hands. The remainder of Kim's Wired interview comes out soon. Here's hoping we can learn more.
Top 10 MIA MMOs of 2007 - part 1
In the waning weeks of December, we've already started turning our eyes towards the new year. 2008 is already showing a great deal of promise for the MMO community, with the impending release of Pirates of the Burning Sea, Wrath of the Lich King, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Though most of these titles are still a good ways away from hitting retailer shelves, we've already got a pretty good idea of what's in store, not just in terms of assets and information that's already been released, but also from hands-on impressions and beta testing. In other words, as excited as we are, there probably won't be terribly many surprises as it concerns these titles. They're practically a given.As luck would have it, those aren't the only titles we'll be drooling over next year – this much we know. There are a number of games in development out there that have shown up on our collective radar screens over the past few months, but only as tiny blips. For the most part, they still represent riddles wrapped up in mysteries with a side of question mark. We've assembled a list of the top 10 MIA MMOs - those mysterious games that represent the future of the MMO... if only we knew what they were.In the first part of this feature, we'll take a look at the first half of the list.
Real Time Worlds has MS raise total Achievement limit
When David Jones of Real Time Worlds was looking at the ideas for Achievements for Crackdown, they had at around 200 or so to choose from. Jones said he wanted to just reward gamers for doing what they do best, having fun. When Microsoft told them they were allowing a total of 50, David felt that would cripple the whole concept of how they were going to approach the game's Achievements. So, when Microsoft recently altered their policy on Gamerscore, they also moved the total Achievements to 80 at Real Time Worlds' request. This gave Crackdown some breathing room with the upcoming 100 and potential 250 Gamerscore add-ons. Hopefully with proper feedback, their new content will be as fun and fulfilling as the current list. What Achievements would you want to see on top of the current set in Crackdown?
MS defends Crackdown/Halo 3 beta decision
Ever since it was first announced that Crackdown would contain an invite to the coveted Halo 3 multiplayer beta, comments have been flying around the intertubes. Some have said that the beta was added in order to push an otherwise lackluster product. That theory, more or less, has been quashed now that the Crackdown demo has won the hearts and minds of the people. Others have expressed outrage at being "forced" to buy Crackdown in order to get into the beta. Frankly, this argument doesn't really hold water, as a beta test is just that, a beta test. In a recent Reuters article, Microsoft's Craig Evans defends the choice. In response to the claim that Crackdown was virtually off the radar before the Halo 3 beta was announced, Evans says, "I can understand why people might think that, but the bottom line is that Crackdown is a game that stands on its own." Referring to the common joke that people are buying the Halo 3 beta and not Crackdown (see image), Evans notes, "People are definitely saying 'I'm getting a free beta with Crackdown', not the other way around," adding, "The Halo 3 beta isn't going to push the game's sales into the millions. Crackdown is going to push its sales into the millions."We certainly won't argue that Crackdown is a good game on its own merits, but it would be foolish to assume that the inclusion of the Halo 3 beta had nothing to do with its quick rise into the spotlight. In the end, it was a slick way for Microsoft to promote a good original game with no franchise history to exploit. Grand Theft Auto, for example, practically markets itself. Crackdown didn't have an obvious marketing hook. The beta put Crackdown in the public eye, and now that we've had a taste, we want more. Halo 3 beta or not, we're picking Crackdown up next week. Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes to become a million seller?[Via HBO]
Crackdown for sale south of the border
No, not "Crack for sale down south of the border", but Crackdown itself is. While you may be able to find both, we're really only reporting on the availability of the latter in Mexico. According to a wily reader of PlanetXbox360, Crackdown has been available at Mexican retailers as soon as it arrived at their doorstep. Some locations are even sold out of their initial shipment. Apparently, this isn't even out of the ordinary, and Mexican retailers tend to ignore street dates, as seen above. One thing we're curious about, is how many of the 3405 gamers who has played Crackdown on MyGamerCard.net has taken advantage of this, and 50 have Mexico as their locale. Another thing we're curious about is whether any of you fanboys near the US-Mexico border are going to try your luck south of the line or just wait patiently until the 20th?
Crackdown getting the patch treatment
IGN is reporting that next week, when you pop in Crackdown, you'll be prompted to download an auto-update via Xbox Live. Developer Realtime Worlds told IGN that they went back into the game's code and found a few things that needed tweaking that weren't caught before the game went gold. According to them, the patch will address issues that they discovered relating to lag in both online and sytem link co-op mode. We're just glad that we didn't have to discover this problem when we sat down to play a co-op match on launch day. Thanks again Realtime Worlds, at least you can own up to and fix your mistakes.[Via Joystiq]
Video: Crackdown's first 10 minutes
Xboxyde has a video showcasing the first 10 minutes of Crackdown. The opening cinematic takes a comic book style similar to XIII or Ultimate Spiderman did on the original Xbox. That makes sense, given that all three titles used a form of cel-shading. The video doesn't do much except show the difference in the rate your attributes level up from the demo. None the less, it's interesting enough for those who can't wait until the 20th. It is available as torrents in High Definition (346 MB WMV), Standard Definition (106 MB AVI), and Streaming. It looks to be a blast, and now you feel like you have to earn those 4 star attributes, rather than being spoon fed your skills. Speaking of, which attributes do you plan on power leveling, if any? We think that getting four stars for driving out of the way first, then grabbing agility orbs as you progress through the story seems like an interesting way to start.[Thanks, SoonerBill]
Crackdown meets the real world
You ever play a game so much it starts to intrude on your everyday thoughts? Maybe you spy a piece of driftwood and think to yourself, "that looks an awful lot like a brute shot." Maybe you see the side of a building and see tetrominos falling. Flickr user, AgentG must have Crackdown on the brain, because he sees agility orbs everywhere. From Mt. Rushmore to the Eiffel Tower to EPCOT, those agility orbs could be anywhere. AgentG has even gone to the trouble of locating some secret orbs, too. You'll have to look very carefully to spot them though. Halo 3 beta or not, the wait for Crackdown is becoming interminable. Hopefully these pictures will ease the pain a bit. Hit the "read" link to peruse some more.[Thanks, Jonah Falcon]
Crackdown creator's ego intact after Halo 3 boost
Buy the Halo 3 beta and receive a free copy of Crackdown! That was the joke that hurtled across the chattering landscape of the internet, as soon as it was revealed that Microsoft's supercop-in-a-sandbox game would ride the coattails of a ruthlessly marching Halo 3. But that's okay, according to Crackdown creator, David Jones. "It's really scary to think you could make a really great game that nobody has ever heard about," he notes in an insightful interview with Stephen Totilo of MTV News. The main problem, Jones states, is that Crackdown simply doesn't look good in screenshots. Perhaps a "snapshot" makes for a better word, as he feels that the game's qualities are conveyed far better when it's in motion -- the seamless world, the explosive physics and the player character's constant evolution. Since it takes a while for Crackdown's protagonist to build up his attributes and start leaping over buildings, the game can't be readily grasped in the first five minutes or indeed, in a snapshot. As Totilo aptly puts it, it's a "gradual sell." The Real Time Worlds developer goes on to explain how his desire to reward players resulted in a lifting of Microsoft's achievement limit from 50 to 80 per game, and that "90 percent of the fight is just getting people to try something." Though the Halo 3 beta business may have inadvertently made some gamers doubt the game's quality, the demo currently available on Xbox Live should do much to help allay any GTA fan fears.
Gamespy says good things about Crackdown
Crackdown seems to be the game everyone wants to figure out, leaving us to ask ourselves a bunch of questions. Can the game hold its own? Is the Halo 3 beta attached to it solely because it sucks so bad? Why is there no crack in Crackdown? We all got our hands on the demo and the truth is, we're thinking this game could be worth the $60 by itself. Now more good news comes from the Gamespy camp where they got to play a preview build of the game and it looks like they enjoy it. Gamespy says that the game isn't reinventing the wheel when it comes to sandbox games, but does things well enough to keep the experience fun, fresh and unique. Maybe it's leveling up of one's super powers or maybe it's just because we aren't forced to be thugs in the game. Whatever it may be, Gamespy goes out and says "this title is shaping up to be a solid purchase, Halo 3 beta invite or not" ... we really hope so. Read Gamespy's full preview after the jump.[Thanks, Jonah]
Video: Crackdown achievements
Xboxyde has posted a video of Crackdown's many achievements. The achievements in Crackdown are reflective of the game's sandbox nature (much like the achievements in Dead Rising). You'll get achievements for things like juggling people (or cars) with a rocket launcher or climbing to the top of the agency tower (and jumping back down). We particularly liked the driving achievements, and not just because the stunts were cool, but because we never thought of infiltrating an enemy HQ by jumping over the surrounding water. Nice.We are seriously jonesing for the retail version of this game. One hour of a demo is not enough, damn it! Hit the "read" link to watch the video.
Crackdown demo breaks records
It looks like Crackdown has massaged itself into your collective curiosities ... ours included. Microsoft told IGN that the recently released Crackdown demo has broken all previous download records to date. Previously, both Lost Planet and Fight Night Round 3 held top download honors, but Crackdown has taken the crown for most download in a 24 hour and seven day period. It's crazy to think that this game may actually be good, may actually be fun, and may actually prove all those Halo 3 beta jokesters wrong. We're enjoying the demo, but haven't decided on a purchase yet. Have you tried out the demo and has it persuaded you into a purchase?[Thanks, dpcough]
Halo 3 beta in every copy of Crackdown [update 1]
Update: Oops. It looks like IGN didn't quite get it right. Microsoft has contacted us and clarified that the Halo 3 beta will be included in every copy of the initial shipment of Crackdown and that the boxes will be specially marked. So if you want yours, you'd best pre-order. We say again, the Halo 3 beta will only be available in the initial shipment of Crackdown in specially marked boxes.It was revealed by IGN yesterday that the Halo 3 beta will be included with all copies of Crackdown. Previously, it was stated that the beta would be included in specially marked boxes only. Naturally, this means that the Halo 3 beta is much bigger than originally expected. In fact, one might call it huge. Given that the second wave of registration includes 13,333 available spots, the number of participants involved once Crackdown is thrown into the mix could be astronomical. Whatever happens, we say the more the merrier. And if it makes Halo 3 multiplayer that much better as a result, then that's just gravy. We have to wonder though, was the beta planned only to go with only specially marked copies? We get the feeling that someone realized they could sell a lot more Crackdown if the beta was in every box.So, you've got a kick ass demo up on Live and guaranteed access to the Halo 3 beta, is anyone still not interested in Crackdown?[Thanks, dpcough]
Crackdown glitches already found
The Crackdown demo has only been available since yesterday, and glitches are already popping up. Posted on the Flickr account of im_the_real_scooby are several images of glitchified Crackdown in action. It looks as though he managed to fall through the map and look at its undersides from the ocean below. We can't help but think of Saints Row (and its fabulous musical). With any game of this scale, glitches are bound to be discovered, but we never expected them to be found so quickly. Considering that Crackdown is already gold, it looks like the glitches are here to stay, too. Hit the "read" link to see more images.
Crackdown: more fun than a bag of grenades
We just spent the last 2 hours playing the Crackdown demo and so far we're impressed. Crackdown immediately offers players with several possible objectives, and multiple paths to complete them. We played through the demo twice and found new and different things each time, even with objectives that we had completed before. The gameplay is fairly simple, it's your job to take out local gang leaders and eventually each gang's kingpin. In what manner and in what order you do this is entirely up to you. There are multiple weapons and skills available to you, and each one of them is useful (though we were particularly fond of the agility and explosives skills). The demo tasks you with eliminating leaders of the Los Muertos gang.
Crackdown demo assaults Xbox Live
The day has finally arrived. Today is the day that all of us can finally try out that free game that comes with the Halo 3 beta. We keed, we keed. We're actually genuinely excited about Crackdown and even woke up early to get the demo downloaded. We'll be playing it as much as possible and updating you with our impressions later today. The demo is over 1 gig so you'll want to get started with the download as soon as you can. Anyone manage to play this already? What do you think?
Crackdown goes gold, demo not so much
Microsoft announced today that Crackdown, the much anticipated sandbox action game (and golden ticket to the Halo 3 beta) has gone gold. In other words, Crackdown has been certified and is ready for production. Microsoft notes that interest in the game is high, citing the game's significant number of pre-orders. While we don't doubt that the game will be a lot of fun, we imagine the high number of pre-orders has something to do with the Halo 3 beta invite. Maybe just a little. Still we're excited to get our hands on the demo, which 360 Fanboy readers will know is not certified yet, and should arrive some time this month. Crackdown is scheduled to hit shelves February 20.Full press release after the break.
