alone in the dark
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Alone in the Dark pushed to June 24
At this point it's difficult even to make a joke about Alone in the Dark's constant delays. It's been delayed so much that we're losing track. First it was November. Then it was March. Then it was May (after Atari announced that it wasn't delayed until September). It's like one of those nightmares where the thing you desire is always just out of reach. The latest push, if you insist on keeping track, is to June 24 in the US and June 20 in Europe. The reason behind the delay is to allow developer Eden games some more time to polish the game to a mirror shine. For what it's worth, this is the first actual date we've seen attached to Alone in the Dark for some time (as opposed to a more nebulous release month).All we know is that if we don't get our horror fix soon, we may have to resort to something drastic like reading.[Via Joystiq]
Alone in the Dark delayed until June
Eurogamer reports that Atari's technically impressive horror, Alone in the Dark, will be missing its previously planned May release, instead creeping out of its dingy corner the following month. The Xbox 360, PC, Wii and PS2 versions are now scheduled to arrive in the US on June 24th, with Europe getting them a tad earlier on June 20th. The PlayStation 3 edition suffers no such delay, but that's one of the benefits of having a nebulous, "sometime in 2008" release date.Atari and developer Eden are reportedly utilizing the extra time to further polish the game, no doubt to match the shine emitted by one of Atari's new heads, Phil Harrison.
Run for the new Alone in the Dark CGI trailer
Whether you run "to" or "away from" this video is up to you, but Atari has given MTV a new CGI trailer for the oft-delayed Alone in the Dark game. Whereas we were impressed by the in-game trailer from late January, this footage left us feeling less enthused. We do wonder, however, if the protagonist is running from (a possibly demonic) Bugs Bunny. Video embedded after the break. Gallery: Alone in the Dark (2008)
Menacing new Alone in the Dark trailer
Alas, it's not another sticky tape laden tech demo. No, this one is a straight up CG trailer. No gameplay here folks, move along. That said, it is certainly one sexy CG trailer. Featuring one Edward Carnby seemingly running for his life and one nameless evil that is seemingly bent on taking it, the video -- at the very least -- gets us excited for the possibility that Alone in the Dark might actually be good. You know, if it ever comes out.
How's about an Alone in the Dark trailer?
Not much happens in this Alone in the Dark trailer other than a flame-filled chase in Central Park, although it is neat to finally see some true, moving in-game footage. Of course, most of it involves what appears to be Bugs Bunny on fire, burrowing towards our hero in the middle of the park, but hey. We won't be picky. We'll keep waiting for a firm release date, since this looks like it'll be really, really fun.
Alone in the Dark trailer drives into our fears
A lot has been said about Atari's latest foray into the Alone in the Dark series. From touting features like next-gen sticky tape and flammable everything, Alone in the Dark still looks like it has the potential to do the one thing it was always intended to do - scare us. While the above trailer does have a few "what the!" moments, it showcases another feature added to the series, vehicles. One thing we can say about the latest footage is the environments look fantastic. We're hopeful for this one and can't wait to play it when it finally scares up at retail this May. Oh and before you ask, Christian Slater is not an unlockable character.
Sing along with the chorus in this Alone in the Dark trailer
So we've got this new Alone in the Dark trailer for you to check out. It seems they went to the store and found the most epic chorus available to assist in the creepiness of the game's atmosphere. While we're upset the title has been delayed so very often and will undoubtedly arrive to the PS3 dead last, we still think it looks pretty cool. So long as you don't skip through the game instead of playing it.
Alone in the Dark developer dishes delightedly
Hervé Sliwa, lead designer on Alone in the Dark, released a developer diary in which he gushes over the chance to work on one of his favorite games, and who could blame him? Whether or not you happen to like this particular title, the idea of being in his shoes -- and working on a new vision of something you love -- has to be exciting. In fact, the entire diary entry reads like a fanboy's dream come true; Sliwa swears he applied to Infogrames because of Alone in the Dark, because of the game's innovation and narrative. If nothing else, this gives us some hope about the remake. Sure, some may not welcome the level-skip function, and maybe everyone's not happy with the screenshots, but it certainly sounds as though the game is in good hands. As far as actual information goes about development, this entry is a little on the light side. However, near the end, Sliwa does mention that the sight of Central Park at night inspired the project. The contrast between the brightly-lit city and a particularly dark patch in the park just struck a chord, and the first idea for the new game slithered forth from the depths of night. While we'd love to get some down and dirty details on the game, or perhaps a video or two, it's nice to see the beginning of the process, particularly when the mind behind it is so enthusiastic. It's contagious, as well; in honor of Sliwa's excitement, we tracked down some new artwork and Wii-specific screens, and have tucked them into the gallery below, along with the older shots.%Gallery-10200%
Listen to Phil Harrison talk about his big move
So a few days ago you read about Phil Harrison's big decision about going to Infogrames. Today, you get to listen to Phil speak about that very decision in this video. It appears that the freshly appointed Directeur Général Délégué is getting comfortable at his new post as he introduces Eden Studios' Alone in the Dark. While we don't get to see much about the game, Phil seems excited about pushing it forward. Anyway, we really should stop our babbling and just let the man himself give you the low down.
Alone in the Dark "Real World Rules"
In the hustle and bustle of GDC, it looks like we missed the beginning of a new series of videos about Alone in the Dark. Entitled "Real World Rules" the videos take a look at the environmental interactions that are possible in Alone in the Dark. It seems that the game is taking a different approach to survival horror. Rather than collecting more and more powerful weapons, emphasis is placed upon collecting and combining real world objects in order to solve puzzles and dispatch enemies. One of our favorite combos featured in the video: pierce a bottle of fuel, wrap it in tape, and toss it directly onto the back of an enemy (where it will stick, thanks to the tape). Since you pierced the bottle, you've not got a handy trail of gasoline leading from your feet to the enemy or, to put it more clearly, a fuse. Light the fuel trail on fire and BOOM, bad guy flambé. Episode one is embedded above. Find episode two after the break.
Atari lets some new screens loose from the dark [update]
For those of you looking forward to being confined in the dark, all alone-like, some fresh screens from Atari's upcoming survival-horror (slash firefighting) game have hit our gallery below. There you'll find a look at some of the game's environments, as well as ... more fire. What is it with this game and the fire? Maybe they should change the name to Fighting Fires Alone in the Dark.End boss: a possessed Smokey the Bear.%Gallery-10200%Update: No "the." Thanks, stinkbug![Via Go Nintendo]
Alone in the Dark -- skip chapters if you don't want to play
If you've been keeping up with Alone in the Dark news, this might not be anything particularly important to you. But for those who just want to know a little bit more, you may get a laugh out of this one. Apparently, if you get stuck over the course of the game, a DVD-like menu will allow you to actually skip that section of the game and move on. Yes, you can just skip through the game if you'd like.Call us crazy, but we've always derived a sense of joy from getting through a game. Figuring out a puzzle, conquering a particularly tricky boss, or just making it to the next cut-scene have always been motives for our continued love of gaming. Letting players skip through a game is fairly useless -- it defeats the idea of releasing a "game". Unless Alone in the Dark is nigh-impossible, we think this is a pretty strange idea.[via CVG]
Stuck on Alone in the Dark? Just skip a level
If you're the kind of person who crumples in front of games as challenging as, say, Yoshi's Story, then Atari's got your back. In a move that will no doubt encourage howls of protest from more hardcore players, Alone in the Dark producer Nour Polloni has revealed that the game will allow players to skip sections they find to be too difficult.Apparently, we'll be able to dodge any part of the game we like using a "DVD-style menu," though players who use this feature will do so "at a cost." Those last three words could well be the most crucial part of this -- while it would be easy to dismiss this idea (and we can only imagine it making the game less frightening), we'll have to wait and see just what kind of punishment is doled out to those who skip. %Gallery-10200%[Via NeoGAF]
Alone in the Dark tech demo shows off lighting, inventory system
While the last Alone in the Dark video seemed to focus less on actual gameplay and more on various methods of chair destruction, this new tech demo video is far more worthwhile. In fact, we'd go so far to say that our anticipation for this game has risen significantly. The lighting looks stunning and the mix-and-match inventory system looks like it could be great fun, especially with the abundant use of sticky tape. We love sticky tape. The inventory screen looks awesome and finally removes that "so where am I keeping all this junk?" question that pops up in the back of our mind during so many game. It's also nice to see some actual enemies, even if it is from a distance, along with multiple ways to splat them. Alone in the Dark is another game we're picking up from our "Don't Care" pile and sticking firmly on our radar.
Atari loses more money in Q3, reveals new games
Atari may have a new head honcho ready to turn the company's staggering misfortune around, but it ain't gonna happen overnight. Atari stated in its Q3 report that if it wasn't for the $3.7 million restructuring charge it would have posted a net income of $3.4 million this quarter. It's nice that the company "would have" made some income, but the simple fact is Atari has a net loss of $20 million for its first three quarters. But enough about the never-ending joke of Atari's financials, Eurogamer dug up some game information. Ignoring the scheduling mess which is Alone in the Dark, there are currently plans for another Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion, something called Airborne Rangers, and numerous other titles -- although we're sure everyone is super excited for My Horse & Me 2. Atari says it will be announcing more titles in the coming weeks "one by one." Atari's fiscal year ends in March, so expect the devastating financial results a few months later. Read: Atari posts Q3 loss following restructuring charges Read: Atari financials leak 2008/2009 line up
Don't fear the fire in these fresh Alone in the Dark screens
Atari's upcoming Alone in the Dark game will have lots of fire in it, apparently, as that's all we've had to look at from the game as of late. The game's website just updated with a trio of fresh screens from the Wii version of the game. And, as you might have guessed from the headline, they all involve fire in some way. Be sure to check them out in our gallery below.What do you guys think of Alone in the Dark? Are you excited for it?%Gallery-10200%
Alone in the Dark website is intentionally unsettling
Central Park is a place full of creepy things and pervs. At least, that's what the Alone in the Dark website would have you believe. Before yesterday, CentralDark was just a teaser site. In order to promote its upcoming game, though, Atari has recently added some rather disturbing stories about Central Park to the game's official website. The site is scheduled to be updated with articles every two weeks until the game's release in May.Also, on a personal note: This blogger grew up relatively close to Central Park, and it's a pretty nice place. Hear that, potential visitors? Don't let this marketing scare you. (This post was paid for by the New York Department of Tourism.*)*Not really.%Gallery-10200%
Latest Alone in the Dark trailer is impressive, empty
So, what's changed in the nearly two years since we first saw a trailer for Atari's oft-delayed update of Alone in the Dark? Well, in some ways, not much. Just like when IGN previewed the game last summer, it still looks more like a tech demo, showing off some of the fancier gameplay elements (what can't you light on fire?) than an action game due to be released in about three months. Where's the nasty monsters ... and can we light them on fire? You won't find the answer in the latest trailer, found after the break.%Gallery-14429%[Thanks, Marcus]
Alone in the Dark trailer reveals gameplay, inventory system
Even though Atari's latest stint into the survival-horror genre has been postponed until May, we're still anticipating a whole new way to experience fear in Alone in the Dark. Split into episodes to keep you on the edge of your seat, expect some major sit-down sessions with the game. From what we can tell in the new trailer, we'll probably need to play through this game as quickly as possible to get answers to our questions. We do like the inventory system and the gameplay is definitely looking sharper than the old-fashioned "tank" controls we saw in early Resident Evil games.
Finally, Alone in the Dark gameplay footage
After plenty of hype and numerous delays, Atari has at last seen fit to grace the gaming public with some actual gameplay footage from Alone in the Dark. It looks as though the game has taken some serious inspiration from Resident Evil 4 and added some new ideas into the mix as well. One of the big focuses of the trailer seems to be the level of interaction players have with various objects. Whether it be setting things on fire (be they random bits of wood or trails of gasoline), destroying innocent furniture with an axe, or knocking down doors with a fire extinguisher, it seems a heavy emphasis has been placed on the manipulation of environmental objects.But who cares about that? This is Alone in the Dark and we want to see monsters, right? Fortunately, there is a glimpse of some of the long-legged beasties you'll be fighting. Unfortunately, it's only a glimpse, so we'll have to wait for a future trailer to show us more. Oh, and just for the record, we hope the final version of the game maintains the creepy children's choir. Creepy stuff. Watch the video after the break.
