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Unearthed: Neversoft's lost Ghost Rider game
Long before they dominated the world with the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series and even before they proved that games based on comic books didn't have to suck something awful with Spider-Man, Neversoft toiled away at an adaptation of Ghost Rider. While the game never saw release, much less got into its first, legitimate step in development, Playstation Museum has received an ancient demo of the game. The results? A shame to behold.While 2K Game's Ghost Rider movie tie-in effort looks to be a God of War clone, Neversoft's take was a 2-D platformer in the vein of Castlevania. Presumably canned for being so, would-be publisher Crystal Dynamics passed it up for not sporting that extra third dimension. Judging from the recorded footage (embedded after the break), it only needed more in the way of time than anything else.
Ghost Rider, the flaming skull guy previewed
Could Ghost Rider be God of War with a comic license pasted on top? It's unlikely, but it sure would be amazing if Ghost Rider had even half the game of Kratos. While IGN's current preview does go over some of the game's features, it gives very little opinion on the title's quality. Here are some tidbits from the preview for those interested in Ghost Rider: Ghost Rider has light or heavy attacks he can use to create combos Once an enemy is injured enough, a variety of finishing moves can be used to defeat them Some levels involve riding the Hell Cycle The game has five chapters Between chapters there will be comic book style cut-scenes There will be cameos from other Marvel characters like Lilith and Scarecrow PSP owners will of course get exclusive content like multiplayer via adhoc for up to 4 players To read the preview in full, check out IGN.
Toying with God of War figures
With the God of War sequel arriving in mere months, now is the perfect time to unveil a pair of Kratos action figures. Neca plans to release these 7-inch-tall collectibles in March, coinciding with the debut of God of War II (March 13). One figure features Kratos in his snuggly Golden Fleece outfit (pictured above), and the other, sans Fleece. With a nod to Mr. Potato Head, the figures' heads, hands, and weapons will be interchangeable. You can pre-order the set from Corner Store Comics for $22.99.Neca has also hinted at the possibility of a towering 13-inch Kratos doll arriving this summer -- with push-button talkie-talkie action. And, not stopping there, Neca is considering a Kratos figure, decked out in full Ares' Armor, along with other figures from the game world, for release this fall.
Dream Games: God of War
Dream Games is a new weekly column where we explore a game we'd love to see on the PSP. Feel free to check in, and comment, every Tuesday Wednesday.God of WarDavid Jaffe may have given up on his PSP ambitions through the cancellation of Heartland, but that doesn't mean that he should avoid the platform altogether. Considering how the original God of War is considered to be one of the best action games ever created, we'd love to see a PSP version of this bloody beat-em-up. I'd love either a port of the original (or the upcoming God of War II) or an entirely original game. <spoiler> A side-story could focus on Kratos' life before he was ever afflicted with the curse that covered his skin in ashes.</spoiler>Why PSP?God of War is easily one of Sony's most popular franchises right now (and I say this before God of War II even comes out!). It's clear that God of War III will most likely head towards the PLAYSTATION 3, but there's no reason to avoid a PSP version. The game doesn't require a second analog stick, and the intelligent camera of the first will make it accessible for the portable. Make the levels smaller and shorter, and the game's great combat system will translate quite well for gamers on the go. If God of War made it on the PSP, it will certainly be one of the goriest portable games ever made: and doesn't the PSP deserve that?Is it possible?God of War pushed the PS2's graphical abilities quite far. However, reduced detail would work perfectly fine on the handheld. Even with a lower poly-count and worse textures, God of War will still be fun. Considering how this is a popular Sony-owned property, God of War PSP is not only possible ... but likely.
God of War 2 demo soon
God of War 2 director Cory Barlog, using gentler language than tends his predecessor David Jaffe, has revealed that the game demo is nearly complete. "We are going to be breaking off the demo code pretty soon and tuning the final tuning pass on the demo level so that is pretty damn exciting. It means that those of you who emailed earlier about the demo will soon be holding your sweet copy of the God of War 2 Demo," Barlog wrote on his blog Wednesday.Barlog failed to cite an exact release date or means of distribution for the demo, which will feature a single level. By his own declaration, the entire game will be finished 60 days from now, suggesting a late-March to early-April release window for God of War 2. Our guess: demo in February. Will a version land on PlayStation 3's PlayStation Store?[Via 1UP]
David Jaffe admits drunkenly that his PSP game sucked
David Jaffe **BLEEP**ing talked to GameTrailers.com in the Playboy Mansion about developing on the PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP. He reveals that he'd love to make God of War III on the PLAYSTATION 3, if given the chance. He also makes note of the mistakes he's made. Firstly, he states that God of War's battle system is not as good as Devil May Cry's (agreed). And he also admits that his canceled PSP project, "Project HL," was really axed not because of the PS3, but because it wasn't progressing very well:"I just **BLEEP**ed up my game on the PSP, it wasn't any good! That's true! There wasn't a **BLEEP** rumor!"The full video interview is available, after the break. Obviously, if you didn't **BLEEP**ing notice, it features some profanity.[Via Joystiq]
Drunk David Jaffe desires God of War 3
At a party at the PlayBoy mansion, outspoken developer David Jaffe (Twisted Metal, God of War) gave GameTrailers one of the most entertaining interviews we've seen in awhile. Under the heavy influence of alcohol (his claim, not ours), Jaffe explains that he has started preliminary work on God of War 3 as of November 10. "We're dying to make a new one, we're dying to make one on PS3," he announces.Though Sony has not yet given Jaffe the greenlight to go ahead and work on a third iteration, he has already started figuring out how to progress the story and has started to fill up a notebook and peruse what we assume are texts on Greek Mythology. Standing to his side is Jeff Reese from Sony Marketing, who may also be as drunk as Jaffe. He chimes in to explain how he envisions God of War as a story that continues on all platforms, culminating as a "classic battle-rama on the PS3." We would love to see that descriptor on the back of the game box.Other tidbits from the interview: Jaffe, in response to EGM that his tearjerker PSP game was just a ruse while he tackled other projects, said "I just ***ed up my game on the PSP, it wasn't any good!" There are "a lot of ideas" on how to use the SIXAXIS' motion sensor controls "in every aspect of [God of War 3's] game design." Jaffe has some kind words to say about Microsoft's Xbox Live, noting that "we will always be thankful [for Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade]." He adds, "I'd like to think Sony is going to surpass on Xbox Live on all that they're doing, but I think there's room for all of us to play in that space" before making a Freudian slip with "Play Connected." In regards to online discussing that he has an ego problem, Jaffe admits that he is a B-level game designer ("C-level," Reese retorts). To prove his point, he negatively compares God of War's fighting system to that of Devil May Cry. Despite the frequent use of bleeps to cover up Jaffe's foul language, we're going to say this video is NSFW. For those of us with the maturity to handle such filthy language, this is a great video interview to watch. Continue reading for the embedded video.[Via Gamesblog]
David Jaffe, God of War 3, and other stuff too
Someone decided to interrupt David Jaffe, man behind classics like Twisted Metal and a little game called God of War, at the Playboy Mansion. They had the balls (pun definitely intended) to ask him about God of War 3, which is funny since the second game isn't even out yet. Expectedly, Jaffe said that he started scribbling down design notes four days ago -- no development, no decision to even create the game. All focus is still on number 2.Jaffe also takes a moment to call out EGM, who named Jaffe the "God of Bulls...tuff" because they thought his PSP game was a giant publicity rumor. Jaffe says he just fudged it up and cancelled it -- there was no rumor, it just ended up sucking. That's cool.A few more highlights before we tell you to watch the video yourself: narrative will be laced between all three games (if they decide to make it). Also, Jaffe would love to make this game on the PS3 -- he just needs the go-ahead from Sony and some cash money money. As for the SIXAXIS, he has some ideas for implementation but he doesn't go into too much detail. It's a very cool, informative, honest interview. Check it out.
David Jaffe no longer wants to make you cry
David Jaffe, prominent game designer behind the smash God of War, was supposed to bring PSP owners a mysterious "Project HL." This maybe-episodic game was going to make you cry...Well, no more! The game's not coming out. No more PSP game. Boo!!!!! Like the Gran Turismo team, he now seems more interested in that shiny $600 box called the "PlayStation 3." Crazy.[Via 1UP]
Will Wright is a pr0n star, blogs lowly game designer
Derek Daniels, a low-ranking designer on the God of War team, recently broke the industry down like this:"In the videogame design world you have Miyamoto, Kojima, Will Wright, David Jaffe, and a handful of others that have risen to the top that have a little more control of their future. Then you have the other faceless designers that no one knows working on games doing some downright nasty things that I'm sure their mothers do not want to hear."Sounds like the porn industry, right? Well, that's Daniels' point at least. He reckons that videogame design is a young man's gamble, with a lifespan about as long as a girl doing porn. And when you finally burn out and leave the game behind, you're left with "a skillset that cannot be applied to anything else in life." [Thanks, Art]
David Jaffe despises action/adventure, Kratos cries
God of War director David Jaffe recently posted on his blog and 1up.com covered the important points for us. An interesting pair of quotes are where Jaffe says "I find myself enjoying single player action adventure games more than I have since I was a kid," but also says that after designing an action/adventure game with an epic story he has "lost interest in the genre of single player action/adventure games." He likes playin' 'em, but doesn't like makin' 'em. He doesn't want to tell stories with his games anymore?Jaffe believes, apparently, that most games today don't really feed on the raw emotions that a game could, and should, evoke from the player. What, then, will Project HL be? If he doesn't want to make a story, what could it be? A very hard, annoying puzzle game that makes us cry because it's so ridiculous? What about God of War 2, or God of War 3? Will the story taper off and the third try to evoke raw emotions from us with nothing other than blood and mayhem? This may worry some, but as 1up.com concluded, it does appear he is suffering from burnout due to rough development schedules. Buck up, Jaffe! We believe in you.
God of War 3 coming to PS3?
Check out what David Jaffe, creative force behind God of War said in an article over at Next Generation: "I am very confident of our chances to be able to complete the GOD OF WAR trilogy." Trilogy, eh? No statement about production or console was confirmed, but it wouldn't be too out of line to assume that if a third incarnation of Kratos' badassery stabbed its way to us, it would be on the PS3. With the second game coming out in 2007 on the PS2, after the launch of the PS3, it only seems logical to conclude the trilogy on the next-gen console.Another sequel for the Playstation 3? Sure, but it's God of War. It's fantastic. Sequels may be name or brand-recognition as selling points for consoles, but they're also sequels because people bought into the originals. They're good. Usually. In the movie business, though, sequels are usually shoddy and put out simply to drop a few coins in the creator's purses. For a few games, sure, making money is important, but we just like to see familiar faces doing familiar badass kills. Who wouldn't want to see a PS3 rendition of Kratos twisting the head off of a Medusa? Let's cross our fingers and hope this comes true!
Watch the entire God of War 2 E3 demo; get frustrated
GameVideos has a direct feed of the entire E3 God of War 2 demo being played through. Problem is, it's like watching your friends playing a video game; thankfully, the physical limitations of reality preclude us from reaching into the video and showing this nubcake how it's done. But if we could, dear reader, rest comfortable knowing it would take us far shorter than the twenty-four brutality-soaked minutes seen here.So, while you're exercising self control, sit back and drink in the beautiful scenery. Yup, this is the PS2 looking its finest, folks. For the SAT prep students in the house, God of War II:PS2::Resident Evil 4:Gamecube. Don't believe us? The entire video is embedded after the break, or download the enormous 430Mb .mov (or .wmv) file for filing away, right next to those Kratos-cosplay videos you've been hoarding. For shame!See also:PS2 impressions: God of War 2God of War 2 GDC video leaked onlineSony confirms God of War 2 worldwide Q1 2007
Unlocking Sony's Memory Stick media kit
Following the Sony media briefing, we were so thoroughly underwhelmed by the company's PSP projections that we completely forgot about the tiny PSP-formatted media kit (32 MB Memory Stick) that was handed to us at the beginning of the event -- and promptly shoved deep into our pocket. Until now. The content includes:Trailers Gangs of London (2:16) - Comic book stylized intro followed by GTA clone in-game footage; promises: bonus strategy game; pub mini-games (darts, pool, etc.); and "gameshare levels" that are different on every PSP. God of War II (PS2) (2:08) - Tons of in-game footage. Like the first GOW, only more brutal. "The End Begins... February 2007" SOCOM: Combined Assault (PS2) (0:30) -Same old SOCOM. SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2 (0:30) - See entry above.
Hands-on with God of War II
IGN got an early hands-on preview of God of War II, and they're lovin' what Sony's Santa Monica studio has come up with so far.Without revealing too much of the sequel's plot, our hairless hero now sports some new magical attacks and context-sensitive finishing moves. Needless to say, prominent Greek mythological figures will also be showing up to keep Kratos company, and there will certainly be a lot of flashy slashing-first-ask-questions-later kind of action to fill the hours.For more spoilers on "an early section of the sequel," simply follow the image link above or Read link below, where you can find a few more details on the new power-up system and annoying enemy combatants (otherwise known as smarter fodder for your sharper blades). A practical explanation goes into the reasons for keeping things on the PS2 rather than the PS3, and hopefully less frustrating puzzles are revealed as well. More will likely be revealed at Sony's big E3 press conference today.See also: New God of War 2 director speaks God of War's Jaffe inspired by Britney vs. Christina God of War 2 GDC video leaked online
God of War's Jaffe inspired by Britney vs. Christina
Sure you knew that God of War was inspired by Clash of the Titans and Raiders of the Lost Ark, but did you know that Christina Aguilera influenced its development as well?In an interview conducted by Lorne Lanning for a session at GDC last week, David Jaffe revealed that thinking of (the workplace tension between him and) his lead programmer during a Christina Aguilera song about Britney Spears helped him get the game to work.So identifying with the arguably lesser end of the Christina-Britney rivalry helped Kratos make it out of development hell? Sounds like a surefire way to create a hit game! We also take it then that the song in question wasn't "Genie in a Bottle," 'cause that would've made for one interesting unlockable costume for our marked man. Cameo in the sequel, perhaps?[Britney 'n' Christina pic found via an old BBC MTV VMA story found here]See also: David Jaffe, blogger extraordinaire, WRU?!? God of War 2 GDC video leaked online Budget power from the Gods, under the hood
MotorStorm, Resistance and more: pictures from Sony's GDC keynote
Despite Sony asking attendees not to take pictures during Phil Harrison's keynote speech at GDC, a member of a Spanish forum managed to sneakily snap pictures of the games that were shown and has now posted his roll online. The photos are blurry and from a skewed perspective, but they give us an early idea of what games like The Getaway, MotorStorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, Ratchet & Clank and Warhawk will look like on PS3 hardware. We've cropped a selection of the best images, so click here to see more.[Thanks, hellmasterx]
God of War 2 GDC video leaked online
No one was supposed to be recording at the time, but it appears that the trailer for God of War 2 (from Phil Harrison's keynote at GDC) has managed to find its way onto the intarwebs and into our hearts.There you can observe good ol' Kratos jabbin' and choppin' and doin' his thing with his mythological Greek friends. Of course, if you haven't played (or finished) the first God of War game, be aware that a minor spoiler is revealed early on by the trailer's narrator. (Didn't see that one coming, didja?)But, yeah... who do we have to thank for breaking Sony's embargo on this footage? Apparently some guy named "Element" who helps out at playsyde.com. Will Sony act against YouTube for hosting such a video? We'll have to see now, won't we? Whatever the case, an official direct-feed version would certainly be appreciated if it can be managed.[Thanks, David; via digg]See also: Playsyde cam-footage post thanking "the great Element" for this clip Sony confirms God of War 2 worldwide Q1 2007 Unreal Engine 3 and other PS3 tech demos from GDC floor [no GoW?] GDC: The PS3 keynote blow by blow [a few GoW 2 details]
PS3 rumor: SOCOM 4 at E3, God of War shaping up
Not to be outdone, Computer and Video Games have their own PS3 inside man who gave them the scoop on some upcoming PlayStation 3 games. SOCOM 4 is not only "absolutely gorgeous looking" but is "confirmed" for E3, and is probably a launch title. A sequel to the award-winning God of War may not make it to E3 but--rest assured--is "well into development." They also revealed that (Ratchet and Clank creators) Insomiac's next-gen FPS, heretofore titled I-8, is now known as... Resistance. Really? Resistance?Perhaps most interesting is the claim that both SOCOM 4 and God of War (2?) will also see current-gen releases: "...Both [God of War] and SOCOM 4 will also be appearing on PS2, underlining Sony's commitment to its favoured current-gen son for the next few years." Sure, there's almost 100 million of the things out there, but those games are sure to be system sellers. Unless the next-gen variants provide more than just prettier graphics, a $X00 dollar PS3 with the same games will be a tough sell. Please apply salt liberally.
