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Telling stories: Balancing gameplay v. narrative
As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.How important are stories? How about endings? Over the next week this diverse group of personalities sounds off on these and other story-driven topics, starting today as we open up by asking whether or not narrative shares an equal burden as gameplay in carrying the video game experience.
Grapple new Bionic Commando multiplayer footage
GameTrailers has released a new interview with Frank Filice, product marketing manager for Bionic Commando, concerning the game's multiplayer mode. Filice, while making sure to use the word "mayhem" as much as possible, notes that the game features online multiplayer for up to 8 players in deathmatch, team deathmatch, or capture the flag. There will be maps made specifically for CTF, says Filice, noting that players can cover a lot of ground very quickly (bionic arms are good for that, you see). The game is scheduled to release in "winter," according to Filice. So, in other words, around February, maybe January.GameTrailers has also cobbled together some multiplayer footage, which you can find after the break. If you'll excuse us, we have the sudden urge to play Bionic Commando Rearmed.
Capcom shares at their highest in 5 years
GamesIndustry.biz reports that Capcom shares have risen by 18 percent in Tokyo trading, closing at a five-year high of ¥1,938 ($20.30). The boost came after Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group increased its rating on the game company to "strong outperform." Why should you care? Well, barring discussion of the worldwide economic downturn, Capcom is one of the few publishers that didn't hurl all of its AAA material into this holiday's retail warzone. In fact, Tokyo-based analyst for Mitsubishi UFJ, Hirotoshi Murakami, is quoted as saying, "The three titles to watch out for in the [fiscal] second half are Biohazard 5, Street Fighter IV and Bionic Commando." We may not be super fancy analysts, but we reckon the first half of 2009 will be kind to Capcom.(Also, can we get Dead Rising 2 around then? Kthx.)
Revolutionary: Go Go Bionic!
"Let me tell you about the game I played when I was still young..." Growing up, I was familiar with the name Bionic Commando, although I'd never played it for myself. I've had lots of conversations with friends about old games, and they'd reminisced about some game with a guy that swung around on a grappling arm. Yet strangely enough, none of my friends could remember what the game was called. When it was announced that Bionic Commando was to receive a re-imagining, I finally was able to match that game my friends loved, with the title. With the hype for the new game, I caught my first glimpse of the old 8-bit classic in promotional videos, and I really felt like I'd missed out on something special. But my disappointment quickly turned to anticipation when it was later revealed that the game would also be remade in 2D for download on all the popular home consoles! (raucous cheering) But not the Wii! (sound of crickets) Long-time Nintendo fans love to remember the old times, but we don't hold dear the memories of being repeatedly snubbed out of multiplatform ports. With GlovePIE running and Wiimote in hand, I turned to the PC version of Bionic Commando: Rearmed.
Capcom shows us a Bionic figure we may never get
Today, Capcom decided to reveal the box art and this prototype figure for Bionic Commando through its community blog. Check out Nathan, all decked out in his Bionic logo tank-top and rad arm. Take a really good look though because Capcom hasn't decided if the figure will be made available let customers know when, how or if the product will be made available.Why would Capcom bother showing you then? Gauge customer interest of course! Looking to add another super solider to your wall of heroes? This might be the one you're missing.Let's say, for the sake of argument, that this six-inch tall prototype was included in a special edition of Bionic Commando priced to own for an extra $20. Interested now? What if we put Todd McFarlane's stamp of approval on it? Come on. Someone must want this thing kicking around.Ed. Note: This toy was not developed by McFarlane Toys. The reference was a joke.
Capcom shows off Bionic Commando prototype figurine
Today, the Capcom Blog decided to reveal the box art and a prototype figurine for Bionic Commando. The thing about the figurine, though, is that the company has no idea when, where, how or if the general consumer will be able to get one.OK, we have no idea what the point of showing off the six-inch tall prototype is other than to gauge consumer interest. So, fine, we'll bite. It's kinda sexy. What say y'all? Would you pay $20 more if it came in one of those "limited edition" packages these companies are so fond of?
Bionic Commando gets boxed up
This ain't your daddy's Bionic Commando. Actually, this really isn't even your Commando really, considering younger gamers have been reintroduced to the series with Bionic Commando Rearmed. Wait...who is this guy? The appropriately named action adventure features a dreaded-out Nathan Spencer as he battles a terrorist threat within the fictional Ascension City. Owners of Bionic Commando Rearmed also have the ability to play the game skinned as the original Nathan "Rad" Spencer using a code found within the game. Bionic Commando, from Swedish developer GRIN, is set to swing (pun!) into action this holiday season. Gallery: Bionic Commando
Look hard: Bionic Commando box art
Click. Make big. Not your '80s commando. Gone is the green jumpsuit, the All-American bravado. This tall, dark and handsomygawditsabionicarmedman is pure dude. Dreads. Suspenders. And one smoking hot robotic appendage. *Sizzle*.%Gallery-24249%
Bionic Commando Rearmed scores super first-week sales
Ben Judd, Capcom's Bionic Commando, er ... commander, reports in his latest blog entry that the PSN/XBLA/PC release, Bionic Commando Rearmed, saw combined first-week sales of 130,000 copies across the three platforms. The news prompted Judd to exclaim, "Holy fiddlesticks!" Judd qualified his excitement, saying, "That may not seem impressive compared to package titles that sell in the millions but compared to other digital titles that is a friggin juggernaut!" Seemingly very pleased with not only the reviews (which are averaging above 80%) and sales of his first game as producer, he made a point to let gamers know how they've impacted Capcom's digital strategy going forward. "Basically, we have set a standard in digital gaming," he said, adding, "The bar has been raised and you have let developers around the world know that if they invest the time, money, and heart into making (and remaking) some great games, you will support that initiative." We have a pretty good feeling that, following the success of BC:R, Judd's going to have a much easier time getting Capcom brass behind whatever project he chooses to tackle next.
BC Rearmed week one sales exceed 100K
Well good lord. After its first week of availability, Bionic Commando Rearmed has sold 130,000 copies. Capcom's own Ben Judd reported the news on the Bionic Commando blog with the appropriate fervor, saying, "Holy fiddlesticks!" He followed up his elation saying that while the sales pale in comparison to retail titles, 130,000 copies qualifies Rearmed as a "JUGGERNAUT." One of the important and overlooked elements of this story is that Rearmed was made available on Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and PC, so we're not sure exactly what percentage each service pulled. Regardless it's obvious that Rearmed has struck a chord and Judd notes that this proves that gamers do enjoy seeing the games of yesteryear made available again, so long as they are "done right" and for the right price. We couldn't agree more.
Expand your German vocabulary with the Bionic Commando developer walkthrough
The developer walkthrough provided for Capcom's upcoming swing-action retro remake, Bionic Commando, is one of the most educational videos yet to come out of the Leipzig Games Convention. Not only does the two-part sneak preview explain some of the game's core controls, but it also provides a valuable primer into the German language. For instance, we now know that the German word for "leap" is "sprung", "punch" is the phonetically pleasing "schlag", and "wenn dieser Entwickler hinunter sagt, und beschmutzt noch eine Zeit, werde ich ihn in Brand setzen" means "if this developer says 'down and dirty' one more time, I'm going to set him on fire."Both halves of the walkthrough are posted after the break. The first part focuses on a rough build of the game's training stage, while the second highlights one of Bionic's multiplayer levels. Auf was warten Sie? Klicken Sie die Verbindung!
Last chance: Win Bionic Commando Rearmed
Only a couple of hours to go before we put an end to our Bionic Commando Rearmed giveaway and pick some winners folks. You have until 12:00 Noon eastern time today to submit your entry, so hurry up and get to it if you haven't already. We can tell you from personal experience that Rearmed is a pretty sweet game. At least it' pretty sweet until you start trying to attain the Elite Commando achievement. Then it becomes an exercise in frustration. But hey, there are three whole difficulties below Super Hard, so there's bound to be one that's right for you! Head over to the official giveaway post and enter.
Bionic Commando and Rearmed comparison videos
GameTrailers has put together another one its "totally bias" videos comparing Bionic Commando Rearmed to Bionic Commando. We're sure the NES fanboys are already all in a twitter about how Capcom was too lazy to port Rearmed to the NES and how this is an unfair juxtaposition of the two games. Capcom totally should have made a port of Rearmed for the NES so GT could make a proper comparison video. Quick, someone start an online petition to rectify this! It's all so unjust! Check out Part 1 of the comparison video above and Part 2 after the break. Sweet mercy, look at the graphics on the NES! It's like two Atari 2600s duct-taped together.
Bionic Reminder: Win Bionic Commando Rearmed
It's high time we reminded everyone out there that we're giving away five copies of Bionic Commando Rearmed. We've got to give them away, and we figured we might as well give them to our favorite people, our dear readers. So, if you want a crack at winning your very own Bionic Commando Rearmed XBLA redemption code, head over to the official contest post and enter. Don't forget that you can enter once a day, so come back and enter tomorrow to increase your chances. Now get the heck out of here, you nerd!
GC 2008: Grappling with Bionic Commando multiplayer
click to enlarge Capcom is showing the first multiplayer map from its next-gen current-gen Bionic Commando at Leipzig Games Convention, but isn't making with any screens of the mode. What you see above (and in the gallery below) are the latest screens from the solo campaign, which, oddly, isn't on display. Oh well.From our experience with it thus far, the multiplayer mode is sheer mayhem -- four players swinging every which way in a confined area featuring buildings of various heights, trees, and overhead pipes to grapple. There are set spawn points for several weapons, including a shotgun, sniper rifle, sub-machine gun, and (our favorite) a grenade launcher. Mostly it's a mad dash for the latter in every match, but there are some interesting touches, such as getting extra points for killing other players while they're airborne, and the fact that you can grapple onto an opponent, slowing them down as they drag you along.It's certainly one of the more unique multiplayer experiences we've tried, if just for the grapple and swing mechanic. As it stands, though, we're not convinced it will have (bionic) legs as a lasting experience on Xbox Live and PSN.%Gallery-30011%
Fanswag Weekly: Bionic Commando Rearmed [update]
[Update: This giveaway is now closed and the winners have been notified via email. Check your spam boxes, kids!] You know what? Bionic Commando Rearmed is just swell. It's a great game and it deserves a good home. With just a simple comment donation, it could be part of your home. What we're trying to say here is that we've got five (count 'em, five) download codes for Bionic Commando Rearmed to giveaway. What do you have to do to snag one for your very own? Simple, just follow these instructions: The key feature in Bionic Commando Rearmed is, obviously, the bionic claw. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you would do if you had your own bionic claw. Only one comment can be left per calendar day eastern time. Posters of multiple comments during the same calendar day will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until 12:00PM Noon eastern time, Friday, August 22, 2008. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec). On Friday, we'll pick five winners via a random drawing. Five winners will receive an Xbox Live redemption code to download Bionic Commando Rearmed, worth $10 each. Complete giveaway rules can be found here
Bionic Command: Rearmed special challenge rooms codes
Back in February, Capcom held a contest for those of you who wanted to design your very own Bionic Commando: Rearmed challenge level. Now, Aaron Sedillo's design (shown above) has emerged victorious. Eurogamer, GamesRadar and IGN also have their own special challenge rooms. During the screen where you see only the logo and the words "Press START" are shown, that's when you must enter the code. You can access each room with the following codes, enjoy! Aaron Sedilo's room: Right, Down, Left, Up, L1, R1, triangle, triangle, square, square, Start Eurogamer room: Down, Up, Down, Up, Left, L1, square, L1, square, triangle, Start GamesRadar room: R1, triangle, square, square, Up, Down, L1, L1, Up, Down, Start IGN room: Up, Down, triangle, square, square, triangle, Down, Up, L1, L1, Start
PSN Thursday: Bionic Commando Rearmed, Street Fighter Alpha
This week's PSN update is just overflowing with machismo. We've got Bionic Commando Rearmed grappling against Hitler Master-D and the world warriors battling it out in Street Fighter Alpha. Just a note of warning, SFA does not support online play -- come to think of it, neither does Bionic Commando Rearmed. It's all old-school offline gaming up in this joint. There's plenty of new videos to check out this week and we're looking forward to seeing what this BioShock PS3 theme looks like. The grimps over at PS3 Fanboy have this week's European update hanging from a thread of silk over in their garden. Check out this week's NA PSN update after the break.
Bionic Commando Rearmed not on Steam tomorrow
Capcom's Christian Svensson informs on the company's site that Bionic Commando Rearmed won't be available tomorrow on Steam. Apparently, Capcom and Valve could not come to agreeable terms at "the last minute," meaning the game will have to be purchased through other outlets. BCR will be available tomorrow on Direct2Drive at 8AM Pacific and on other sites later in the day. Considering Steam has become many people's trusted go-to PC digital distribution source, it appears the group getting hurt most by Capcom and Valve's standoff is the consumer. It's worth pointing out that the game is available now and $5 cheaper on consoles ... just saying. [Thanks, AtomicPlayboy]
Reminder: Bionic Commando Rearmed works via Remote Play
Just in case you guys forgot, don't forget that the PSN version of Bionic Commando Rearmed features an exclusive feature that neither the XBLA or PC versions have: Remote Play. This will allow you to play Bionic Commando Rearmed on your PSP. Not bad, huh? Not only does Capcom's downloadable game have an extra challenge level for PS3 fans, but it will also have support for Trophies in the future. With the DualShock's superior D-Pad, it's clear that the PS3 version of Bionic Commando is superior to the XBLA version. We approve.
