gamescom-2009
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ArenaNet announces first hands-on demo of Guild Wars 2
Convention season is well underway, but we've not seen a lot of ArenaNet on the convention floors this year. That's about to change, as ArenaNet has announced its plans for upcoming conventions -- as well as some extremely exciting news. Global Brand Director Chris Lye penned the latest blog post, and began by confirming that ArenaNet will not be at E3 this year. It's a great convention, but as he pointed out, it's "anti-fan," and ArenaNet is focusing on the fans at this point in time. So where will they be? You'll find ArenaNet at the San Diego Comic-Con, gamescom in Germany, and of course PAX Prime in Seattle. In the middle of all this, Chris dropped some extremely exciting news: "This is the big one folks! I'm happy to announce that we will unveil the first public hands-on demo of Guild Wars 2 at gamescom in Cologne, Germany! If you want to be the first in your guild to play GW2 (and you're in Europe), this is the show to attend." There will be hands-on demo stations at PAX in Seattle as well, so if you've been considering going to either of these, the first real look at Guild Wars 2 gameplay should be more than enough to tip the scales.
Building the LEGO Universe MMO
It's slowly coming together -- brick by brick. The LEGO Universe MMO is still on track, and it's still under control of NetDevil. While the company has gone quite quiet on the production of Jumpgate Evolution, GamesIndustry.biz was able to catch up with the company at GamesCom in Cologne to ask them some questions about the LEGO Universe MMO.This interview is with Ryan Seabury, the creative director on the project, and focuses in on the challenges behind making a directed gaming experience coupled with the creative power of a sandbox game, and then making it all accessible for kids and their families. It's really a great read if you're interested in how game design decisions are made, and how LEGO Universe will bridge the gap between an entirely open sandbox world and a more "theme park" experience.
Lost Planet film will have 'completely different' story, Inafune on board
It's been a while since we last heard about the Lost Planet movie, but G4 managed to get a couple of words about the flick out of Capcom's Jun Takeuchi back at Gamescom. The film likely won't reference Lost Planet 2, according to Takeuchi, who also noted that "as the story line goes, the movie is completely different from the game." Well, as long as they don't turn it into something about a planet that everyone knows intimately, we won't mind (and neither will EA's Alain Tascan). Takeuchi also confirmed the involvement of Capcom veteran and Mega Man creator, Keiji Inafune. The extent of his role in the production is still unknown, but we'll sleep a bit easier knowing that Inafune is there to help make sure none of that 200 million goes to waste.
All Points Bulletin video podcast a first look at gameplay
It's no secret that some of us at Massively are looking forward to playing All Points Bulletin, an urban crime title on the way from Realtime Worlds. We learned a bit more about the game at PAX 2009 but we're always hoping to find out more. Fortunately, the company released a new video podcast today filmed at GamesCom 2009 in Cologne that many of our readers have been waiting for -- one with actual gameplay.The series of videos released prior to this focused on the extensive customization options All Points Bulletin will offer. Although we see quite a bit of gameface from the audience in this latest video podcast, we also see a bit more of that attention to detail emphasized in the previous video footage playing out in the mean streets of the waterfront district. Among other things, the footage shows some very detailed gun animations w. shell ejects and, unsurprisingly, a lot of polish on the look of the vehicles. The user interface is also rather unobtrusive, particularly with the clear compass to guide players. Interested in checking it out? We've got an HD video embed of APB Video Podcast 9: Viva Cologne for you after the jump.
Cage: Multiple playthroughs of Heavy Rain could 'kill the magic of it'
In a recently posted excerpt from a GamesCom 2009 interview, Quantic Dream's David Cage told G4TV that multiple playthroughs of the upcoming Heavy Rain could "kill the magic of it." Cage's hope is that players approach the title as they do life -- with no second chances -- but the dev understands (and accepts) that players will eventually attempt to relive the experience. "The right way to enjoy Heavy Rain is really to make one thing because it's going to be your story. It's going to be unique to you. It's really the story you decided to write." While Cage is fine with players going back to experience the title multiple times, we have a sneaking suspicion that Quantic is working on an Inspector Gadget style self-destruction feature for Heavy Rain's retail release. %Gallery-30067%
Square Enix: FFXI players may be able to keep their names in FFXIV
Good news for Final Fantasy XI players looking to make the jump into Final Fantasy XIV in 2010 -- you may be able to keep your existing FFXI character names in the upcoming title. At least, you will if Square Enix Producer Hiromichi Tanaka has his way. Tanaka and FFXIV Producer Sage Sundi were interviewed by the PlayStation Blog's Chris Morell at GamesCom 2009, when they were asked if name transfers between the Final Fantasy MMOs will be possible. Tanaka said, "It hasn't been confirmed yet, but we would like to give incentives to the players. First of all, FFXI has 32 worlds, and they may have the same name across different worlds [...]. However, when we have FFXIV, we still don't know how many worlds there's going to be yet, but players might have the same name if they all move to the same world, so there may be conflicts."Square Enix's solution, if implemented, is to have a surname system where players can keep their original name but pair it with something else unique in a surname. While the ability to import character names into FFXIV isn't confirmed, it's still good news that Square Enix is considering offering this to their long-time fans in Final Fantasy XI. [Via Joystiq]
Star Wars: The Old Republic lead writer Daniel Erickson on scope of the project
If you've been following along with our coverage of Star Wars: The Old Republic you'll know that BioWare has placed incredible emphasis on writing for SWTOR. As the game is fully voiced, the complete script is roughly 40 novels in length. G4tv's The Feed has a GamesCom 2009 video interview with SWTOR Lead Writer Daniel Erickson that explains more about what a huge undertaking the game has been from a writing perspective. Erickson explains that BioWare's challenges aren't necessarily about having the ability to pull this off, it's more a matter of scale, particularly with the French and German localizations. He tells G4, "We think we've got the biggest voice over project in entertainment history."
Tanaka on bringing FFXI character names into Final Fantasy XIV
When it was announced at E3, Square Enix mentioned the development team was looking for a way to allow players to bring their existing Final Fantasy XI character names into Final Fantasy XIV. At the recent GamesCom event in Cologne, Final Fantasy XIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka wouldn't confirm the feature would be included, but noted Square Enix would like to give incentives for players of its first MMO outing.Tanaka notes the process of allowing names to carry over into a new Final Fantasy MMO could cause conflicts, but proposes one solution that could work: Force people to add a surname. "Players can keep their main name, but they can add something else to their surname -- that way players with overlapping names can keep their names from FFXI, but they can add something on to it to make it unique," Tanaka told the PlayStation Blog.Tanaka also discussed Final Fantasy XIV's combat system, which -- as already revealed -- will not be based on a job system. FFXIV's armory system will allow players to switch weapons and abilities within the game, to best suit players who prefer to go solo or as part of a team. As players use weapons and equipment more frequently, the statistics of those items grow, building a stronger class of character without grinding for experience points.While Tanaka was asked to name his biggest MMO-based inspiration, he quietly brushed the question aside, noting the community was his biggest influence. But clearly Tanaka's biggest MMO influence is Final Fantasy XI ... what else is out there?%Gallery-64870%
More DUST 514 info revealed in video interview with CCP Games CEO
The DUST 514 announcement from CCP Games pretty much lit up the internet during Gamescom. In case you missed it, the creators of the space-based MMO EVE Online announced that DUST 514 is a console MMO that combines a first person shooter with elements of a real time strategy game. Console gamers will play as mercenaries in DUST 514, hired guns that conquer territories, cities, even entire planets for the EVE Online players who employ them. These are the very same planets found in EVE Online. The ever-shifting solar system borders between player alliance (guild) territories in EVE means there will be an endless supply of lucrative contracts, and presumably military hardware, rolling in for DUST mercs. To simply call this intertwining of two separate MMOs "ambitious" would be an understatement. This is really new ground in the industry, and no one's certain how this is going to work out. Many are skeptical. Quite a number of people wonder about what DUST 514 is going to mean for MMOs and for FPS games. Can a console MMO really integrate with EVE Online? Will EVE players accept that gamers who've never flown a single day in their New Eden galaxy will be able to affect their control over solar systems? There are so many questions. Fortunately, a video interview with CCP Games CEO Hilmar Pétursson at Gamona sheds a little more light on the game and its integration with EVE Online. Stick with us after the jump for a video embed of Hilmar discussing DUST 514.
New The Secret World info at PAX to be 'biggest thing yet'
It looks like GamesCom won't be getting all the late summer glory this year, as PAX now has two large MMO events tied around its massive people-crushing finger. The first is of course the Star Wars: The Old Republic public demo in the main hall, but the second seems no less grand.Funcom's Erling Ellingsen has told VG247 that the reveal for The Secret World at PAX will be "the biggest thing on TSW yet." which is certainly a statement that delivers a lot of excitement. However, beyond the confirmation of new details being revealed in Seattle, WA on September 4th through the 6th, Erling's lips were sealed.Rest assured that Massively will be speaking with Funcom, potentially with a high amount of fervor. So if you're looking for that new info come the first weekend of September, it should be awaiting your acumen right here.
Video: a walkthrough of GamesCom
GamesCom is a ginormous show. Just to give you an idea, we took a brisk walk through the complex, which came out to a total of 26 minutes. What you won't see in the video (which moves at a much faster pace than we did!) is the business center, where many of our meetings were held, and the southern side of the complex where GDC Europe occurred. We've placed a map after the break, complete with a Family Circus-style map highlighting our route.
Rumor: GT5 listed for Q4 2009 release (update)
The time of arrival for Sony's gorgeous racer, Gran Turismo 5, has been one of gaming's greatest mysteries. However, if a recent pamphlet supposedly handed out at GamesCom 2009 is legit, this ancient riddle might just have a solution -- according to the leaflet, the game is coming in "4. Quartel 2009." Now, we don't exactly sprechen sie den Deutch, but we're fairly sure that translates to "Q4 2009."A bare bones version of the game was demoed at GamesCom 2009, and it will most certainly be the belle of the ball at Tokyo Game Show 2009 -- but we're an impatient lot. We've contacted Sony to see if they can shed some light on the rumored brochure, and the sweet, sweet GT5 release date details contained therein. Update: A SCEE representative confirmed the brochure is legitimate. However, considering recent trends, we still have our doubts on if Sony can deliver on such a (surprisingly) quick release.[Via GTPlanet, Thanks, Marius!]
GamesCom enters the ranks of E3 on its first year
With a bajillion gaming conventions going on this year, and the global economy being the way it is, you'd think gamers would need to pick and choose their events more carefully. You would actually think that if you decided to run your brand new gaming convention the exact same days as BlizzCon, you're in for some problems. Well, you'd be wrong.GamesCom in Cologne, Germany has just reported its attendance numbers and it blew away all expectations. 245,000 people attended the 5-day event that exhibited 458 companies from 31 countries. Quite a feat considering it was their first year. Our parent site, Joystiq, was on the ground at GamesCom and can provide more helpful statistics such as liters of Kölsch consumed and number of times they ran into champion boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Very important stuff.
RUSE VIP beta later this year, strategy is to sign up now
Ubisoft's RUSE will cunningly deploy a "VIP Beta" later this year. The beta is currently announced only for PC, and access to it can be attained by signing up on the game's official website (while some codes were also given out at GamesCom). An Ubisoft representative told us there's "a chance [the beta] will go public, based on how the VIP access testing goes first." Our hands-on time with RUSE at GamesCom was similar to our previous experience with the title, which is to say that it could be an impressive strategy game, so long as some serious work is put into making the console controls more intuitive. The game is still scheduled for Q1 2010, but with such an influx of high-profile titles during that time, we're wondering if that official release window is just a clever ruse. %Gallery-48492%
GamesCom 2009 attendance at 245,000
The inaugural year of GamesCom in Cologne, Germany, was a whopping success, reeling in 245,000 visitors according to the Koelnmesse. Event organizers reservedly noted that they were "very pleased with the result," but we're sure the Kölsch was flowing like the Rhein behind the scenes. The show is already scheduled to take place in 2010 from August 18-22. After the break, you'll find some "official" statistics and some random "unofficial statisticals" from our time at what some now call the third pillar (E3 and TGS being the other two) of video game trade events.
Cosplay record attempt fails at GamesCom, Guinness believes TGS attempt could 'smash' record
If we had a "sad panda" costume, we'd put it on right now for this post. The GamesCom attempt to break the Guinness world record for "The Largest Gathering of Games Characters" failed this weekend -- but it wasn't an "epic fail." Joystiq spoke with Gaz Deaves, Guinness' video games records manager, who told us 311 cosplayers were present, which was 65 short of the record set at London MCM Expo on May 23 of this year. Deaves explained that once the line was cleared, organizers didn't think it would be fair to keep the folks waiting while they went looking for more people on the show floor -- a good thing, considering the heat already caused our pity meter to go into overdrive for the folks hotboxing inside the Tetris blocks and full Yoshi costumes. The organizer's eleventh-hour change of venue from the South Hall entrance to a random location between two halls in the enormous complex probably didn't help costumed revelers attend the event either. The next attempt to break the record will likely be London Games Festival or MCM Expo, which have applied the last two years, successfully breaking the record on both occasions. Deaves tells us, "However, the big competitor who has yet to apply is TGS. I expect Tokyo could smash this record; however, until they've been officially counted they can't claim it." [Image: Koelnmesse] %Gallery-70732%
Tatsunoko vs Capcom's four new characters to be revealed at TGS 2009
Capcom have revealed it will announce four new characters for the US and European release of Tatsunoko vs Capcom at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show. The four characters -- two from Capcom and two from Tatsunoko -- were teased to Gamespot at GamesCom by producer Ryota Niitsuma, but the game's producer would not name the additions. We're still holding out hope for some Phoenix Wright love, even though the fighting game's dev team claimed the character was once added but removed due to balance issues.Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars adds an improved online mode, with skill level matchmaking allowing US and European players to face-off against gamers from around the world. A release date has yet to be revealed for the Wii-exclusive, but we're almost positive that whatever it is, it won't be soon enough.%Gallery-32421%
The Daily Grind: Guild Wars 2 for you?
For those folks who enjoyed (or still enjoy) the original Guild Wars, the news out of GamesCom this last week was nothing short of epic. A brand new trailer for the long anticipated Guild Wars 2 has finally come out of ArenaNet with an amazing vision of the future. With the beautiful, lush work that we've come to expect out of their studio, the flyovers and underwater areas have an attention to detail and a grand scape that makes us want to play Guild Wars 2 right now. Of course, we're but a tiny bunch of writers scattered across the world. This morning we wanted to ask you if you're interested in picking up GW2 as well? What is it that has fired up your interest? Is it the idea of the lore expanding from the previous games? The idea of battling hordes of Zhaitan's undead minions? Playing underwater? Something else? Perhaps you are completely new to the Guild Wars series, and are interested because it's something new. Or are you completely uninterested in Guild Wars 2, for whatever reason?
GamesCom 09: Frogster and Runewaker are up to something
Along with all the news coming out of GamesCom this last week is one interesting tidbit that may have been overlooked in some circles. It would appear that the partnership behind Runes of Magic - Runewaker Entertainment and Frogster Interactive - have decided that they're going to take another leap of faith together and develop an all new "next generation" MMO. According to the release this new title is "aimed to set new standards in design, technology, features and sheer dimension." What's it about? Where is it set? Will it be Free-to-Play like Runes of Magic is? Honestly, we haven't the vaguest idea, and they're not falling for our usual intelligence-gathering tricks either. All they've announced at this point is the partnership granting full worldwide publishing rights (except Taiwan) to Frogster Interactive, and that whatever this shiny new IP is will release in 2013. Let the speculation begin in 3, 2, 1...
Final Fantasy XIV release for 360 hindered by Xbox Live
When Final Fantasy XIV was announced by Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Jack Tretton at E3 2009, it was met with no small amount of elation from the crowd. But when he stated that it was a PlayStation 3 exclusive, this no doubt withered the hearts of Final Fantasy XI players the world over who play it on the Xbox. Fortunately, that statement wasn't quite the truth. Square Enix was quick to clarify that Final Fantasy XIV on console is not exclusive to PlayStation 3, just that it will be at launch. While FFXIV will be available for PS3 and PC in the beginning, there is a 360 version in the works as well. VG247 caught up with Final Fantasy XIV Producer Hiromichi Tanaka at GamesCom, who gave an update on FFXIV on the Xbox 360. Tanaka explained some of the hurdles involved with bringing their upcoming title to Microsoft's darling of the console world. He said,"... for FFXIV, because 360 has its own policy with Xbox Live that is different from [the] internet, that's something we're in discussions with Microsoft [about], to come to an agreement. That's one of the reasons it's not going to be launched at that point."
