God Of War 3
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The Digital Continuum: It won't be World of Warcraft 2
I love Blizzard, and not just for creating World of Warcraft. I've loved them since they were called Silicon & Synapse and created Rock 'n Roll Racing. But if there's one thing I've learned about the developer, it's that when making games they prefer to improve upon established models more than anything else. That statement may seem to run counter to my title, but stay with me here.When Jeff Kaplan announced his move to the company's next-gen MMO, I didn't wonder if World of Warcraft would suffer. I also didn't ponder why Blizzard and Jeff made that choice and if it would mean their second massively multiplayer online entry was going to effective be a sequel to their first. All I considered was which MMOs they were going to pluck ideas from this time, and how cleverly they'd could be implemented.
Joystiq interview: God of War 3's Ken Feldman, art director
Ken Feldman was one of the original three people who came up with the God of War concept and worked as a lead environment designer on the first game. David Jaffe and Tim Moss were the other members of that trinity. During the sequel's development, Feldman worked behind the scenes on future technology and is currently the art director of God of War III.We chatted with Ken at the God of War III preview event in Los Angeles this week, where he detailed the overhauled game engine, Kratos' new PS2-busting polygon count, and inspiration for the God of War style.%Gallery-44594%
Joystiq interview: God of War 3 director Stig Asmussen
After working on games like Dr. Muto and Gauntlet: Dark Legacy, Stig Asmussen worked as lead environmental artist on God of War before moving on to God of War II, where he was promoted to art director. He's now game director for God of War III, which means he's reached the pinnacle of Mount Olympus, so to speak. Despite shouldering an Altas-like workload, including organizing a team of more than 100 employees, Asmussen was in high spirits when we sat down with him this week at the God of War III preview event.Continue on to learn more about PlayStation Home and DLC plans, the handling of motion controls, and how the team's bringing newcomers up to speed on the story -- plus many more previously unknown details!%Gallery-44594%
The Titan-ic new God of War 3 trailer
Sony released this new God of War III trailer today, to go alongside our brand new preview. It's an extended version of the one shown during the VGAs in December and features some of Kratos' new abilities and the game's god-sized scale -- the ending camera shot turns Kratos into a flea! The video was rendered in-game, so cross your blades that it keeps on looking this good -- and angry -- as development continues. Okay, we'll stop writing now, so you can get to watching the darned thing already! Download God of War 3 Trailer 1080p HD (235 MB)
Joystiq impressions: God of War 3
click to Titan-size! Hold on to your loincloths, because we spent two hours with God of War III earlier this week and now – with the embargo's arms ripped clean off – we're finally allowed to tell you about it. Maybe we should be more specific: we spent two hours watching someone else play the game while we took notes, geeked out, and did our best to not shout out gameplay suggestions. Instead, game director Stig Asmussen took us through the major goals they've hit so far in the development process, while design director Todd Papy took the controls for the demo.Something to note: they did make a big point of telling us they would not be discussing a release date. They said they'd be announcing that at E3, which leads us to assume that they still have hurdles to overcome and aren't clear how those will affect their schedule. So will this game be out by the end of 2009? We doubt it. There were plenty of holes in what we were shown, including some fundamental gameplay/story ideas that weren't hammered down yet.However, what we were able to see looks like it could be worth the wait for PS3 owners. It's basically God of War II on steroids which, considering the popularity – and quality! – of the first two titles, isn't necessarily a bad thing. Read on for our impressions, chock full of tidbits and new info about everyone's favorite angry bald Greek guy. %Gallery-44594%
God of War 3 Game Informer cover story leaked
Game Informer's March 2009 effort is quite an issue: Resident Evil 5, GTA IV: The Lost and Damned, Brütal Legend, and, of course, God of War 3. Did you hear? (Spoiler alert!) It's kinda like the first two, only bigger, badder and more badass -- er, wait, maybe that's the description for the other G-to-the-W sequel ...But we digress, as is fated any juicy magazine preview, Game Informer's God of War 3 cover story has been scanned and posted in its digitized entirety; this time, on the PS3Chat.com forums (and elsewhere, we assume). If you want to dig through such compelling reveals as game director Stig Asmussen's progress report on God of War 3's obligatory sex minigame, then you're just a few clicks away. (Side note: has anyone else noticed that the designers' names get more ridiculous as this series progresses?) But, a word of advice, if we may: These are dire times for print, and, if you appreciate the work that Game Informer has put in for the new issue, then don't forget to show your support (read: buy the crinkly thing).<shameless plug> Besides, Joystiq will publish our "online-only" God of War 3 preview in just two days! (That's, uh, this Friday, by the way.) </shameless plug>[Thanks, Chris]
VGA 2008: See God of War 3, Brtal Legend, Uncharted 2 & Lost and Damned
If you missed the VGAs last night, you needn't worry, we've prepared the full virtual experience for you this morning. First, go read our liveblog of the event. Then, watch the delightful batch of trailers we've got for you after the break. Finally, imagine Jack Black is yelling at you in his underwear. You are there!Enjoy this first crop of media from Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned, God of War 3, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Brütal Legend. We'll have the rest of the media for you in a bit.
God of War III to make appearance at Spike VGAs
Oh really, Spike TV? You're really going out of your way to make sure we watch your Video Game Awards show this year. Not only are you debuting Uncharted 2, but you're also going to be giving us a look at God of War III? Really? The Gametrailers.com promo page for the VGAs lists Naughty Dog's upcoming sequel, Brutal Legend and the hotly anticipated GoW III. We can't wait.December 14th. 9PM. Mark it on your calendars.[Thanks, Hyams!]
Jaffe: God of War 3 looks 'like nothing you've ever played'
"I ain't no fan boy but this mother f***ing game looks like nothing you've ever played...and you can hold me to that when this thing hits and when they start showing gameplay footage."Well, it probably looks a little bit like God of War II, since we imagine it still features the antics of world's angriest breakfast cereal Kratos. However, outspoken designer David Jaffe, currently tinkering away at an unannounced project with Eat Sleep Play, insists that an early glimpse of Sony's God of War III left him reeling. To quoth: "HOLY HOLY HOLY F***ING HELL!!!!"As if to prematurely defuse any cries of, "Well, you did design the original game, you know!" Jaffe adds that his favorite game this year isn't even on the PlayStation 3. "And unless I get blown away by POP or something else I missed, GEARS 2 is the SHIT....this year," he noted. But does it look "like a painting come to life," as God of War III allegedly does? We'll let the forthcoming battle between the GoWs decide that.
God of War III's script could be loooooong
We know very little about God of War III, other than it's coming. The trailer shown at E3 did little more than confirm that (though it seems that Kratos looks extra angry in HD). Now we know a little more of what to expect from the game, thanks to writer Marianne Krawczyk revealing at the Austin GDC that the script for GOWIII might run up to 120 pages. That's a lot of words for a character who doesn't say a lot. Apparently the game will be a "very specific three-act experience," meaning we can look forward to a beginning, middle and an end. That's good to know, considering too many games seem to follow the "opening sequence, game, closing sequence" format. Thankfully it seems that the PS3 isn't just allowing for improved gameplay experiences, but improved storytelling, too. Fine by us, bring it on.
Devil May Cry director hearts God of War, Ninja Gaiden not so much
There was a time – when he was working at Capcom, creating the likes of Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry, and Viewtiful Joe – that Hideki Kamiya didn't say much. In fact, he hated doing interviews. Something's changed, because now that he's at Platinum Games, the historically low-key director is letting his true feelings out – about action games, at least.Speaking to EGM, Kamiya said that, "I've never played Ninja Gaiden, and to be honest, I'm not that interested." Itagaki could not be reached for comment on whether or not he felt that epic burn. So, what does the master designer actually like? God of War. "There's one game that I am paying really close attention to, that I think is a rival game, a good game, which is called God of War 3," he revealed, boasting, "I want to make a game that exceeds God of War's sequel." That game, he hopes, is his next: Bayonetta. In particular, Kamiya credits Sony's series with being "Very carefully made," saying, "Devil May Cry was a bit rough, but I think that there's no roughness in God of War." Pretty nice words, eh, Mr. Jaffe?
God of War III teaser trailer is in order
We always appreciate the sort of video game trailer that can take time out of its self-absorbed, snappily edited posturing to teach us something valuable. Take this brief God of War III announcement trailer, for instance, which handily sums up the entirety of history in just a few seconds, bookending thousands of years with sheer, unrelenting chaos. Thanks for the lesson, Kratos.
Sony announces God of War III
Kratos is going to kick some Ancient Greek ass on the PS3. Sony just showed a CGI trailer confirming that its popular action series is coming to the monolithic console. God of War 3 will be released sometime "after this holiday season," so don't expect it until at least next year.
Rumor: God of War III to be shown at E3
EuroGamer.pt (translation) reports that God of War III will be shown at E3 next month. The site was apparently informed of this by a Sony representative at the Interactive & Digital Entertainment Festival, currently being held in Paris.Don't get too excited -- even if the rumor is true, it doesn't mean GoW III will unleash bloody vengeance against the Titans this year. Although a release date is pure speculation at this point, some rumors report the launch to be next Christmas, while certain retailers have given it a placeholder release of next March.
Rumor: God of War 3 to be shown at E3?
We are going to take this with a grain of salt, but the French website JeuxActu.com claims they have confirmation from Sony at IDEF (Interactive & Digital Entertainment Festival) over in Cannes that God of War 3 will make "an appearance in high-definition" at next month's E3. The site then speculates the chance of any sort of gameplay being shown is almost non-existent. The first appearance of Kratos on the PS3 would be extremely exciting, even if it is just a teaser video. We'll find out when E3 rolls around next month! [Thanks, Noshino, Kspraydad and everyone else who sent this in!]
Amazon and Gamestop offering God of War III pre-orders, claim March 2 release
We know that a vast majority of the gaming media consumers out there have a fairly negative outlook when it comes to pre-orders for popular titles (did anyone really have a hard time finding Halo 3 last September?), but that's not why we're writing about the recent pre-order listings on Amazon and Gamestop for the next (Barlog-less) installment in the well-received God of War franchise. What we find intriguing is the March 2 release date listed on both websites -- three quarters earlier than the last rumored launch window for the title. Is this wishful thinking from these two gaming retailers, or could the further adventures of everyone's favorite ashy Spartan hit shelves much sooner than expected?
Rumor: God of War III waits until Christmas 2009
After flexing his muscle in last year's God of War 2, Kratos may need to take a little break. Games Radar is claiming (via Games World UK) that inside sources tell them God of War 3 won't be released until at the earliest Christmas 2009. That date seems to fall under common sense, given that two years passed between the first two God of War titles and the next iteration is taking a leap to the more technically-proficient PlayStation 3. An earlier rumor from EGM suggested the game would come out this Christmas alongside an also-rumored release of Gears of War 2. The third God of War, sans outgoing lead developer Cory Barlog, is expected to feature ultra-fancy graphics, motion controls and rumble.
Cory Barlog says Kratos is left in good hands
Cory Barlog was the man sent to guide the God of War series after David Jaffe moved to his own studio. He left Sony's Santa Monica Studio and left God of War 3. Sounds insane, right? People did panic a little, but Barlog assures us the game and Kratos are in good, loving hands via his personal blog.The important part to note is the story crafted in the first two games continues exactly as Barlog wanted: "When Sony and I finally did part ways the foundation of the game, along with story that completes the arc we began in God of War, was complete." So we'll still be getting Barlog and Jaffe's story instead of someone else. We're promised a big, epic bang though. Excellent.[via 1UP]
Cory Barlog leaves Sony; God of War 3 in development
Cory Barlog, director of Santa Monica Studio and of God of War II, will soon be leaving Sony in order to pursue other opportunities. In a statement to 1Up, Sony thanks Barlog for his work on one of their biggest PS2 franchises of the year as well as stating that they have faith in the team at Santa Monica Studio and in their future projects. Specifically, God of War: Chains of Olympus for PSP and God of War III for PS3. This marks the first time that a Sony representative has confirmed the development of God of War III and, while we all knew it was coming, it's nice to have the game officially on the cards. With no indication of how long development has been going on, there's no real way of knowing when the game will be released but we're willing to play our bets safe and guesstimate at some time during 2009.
God of War 3 has not begun production, other games take precedence
It seems the director of God of War II, Cory Barlog, wants to pay attention to other projects before the much-anticipated God of War III makes any sort of debut. On his blog, he talks about a lot of things, but he mentions how he's not paying attention to the trilogy and instead is working on his very own RPG opus -- A Family Ties game. Or something.So for those of you who were expecting some kind of surprise at E3 or Tokyo Game Show, we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but you'll be waiting a while to see Kratos and the Titans crushing the crap out of Olympus. Unless Sony pulls a Kojima and replaces Kratos with a different, less gruff and manly character. Possibly a Roman who likes to comb his hair and do cartwheels. That would be most unfortunate! We don't need another Raiden. Or ... do we?[via CVG]
