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Creating the Killzone look with deferred rendering
How did Guerrilla pull of its distinctive "Killzone look?" Their Develop presentation was all about "deferred rendering," a process which adds Hollywood-quality visual effects to the images rendered by the PS3. Extensive post-process effects allowed the team to create "highly dynamic lighting in environments" with "complex geometry" and "MSAA" -- whatever that is. Those with technical know-how will appreciate the Develop presentation the team delivered, which goes into some intricate detail about how much SPU power is being used by the game. Even with already-impressive results, the team has a long way to go. In fact, there are still "a lot of features planned," such as: ambient occlusion, contact shadows, shadows on transparent geometry, more efficient anti-aliasing, and dynamic radiosity. [Thanks, sheppy!] Read - Presentation (in PDF form)
Killzone 2 developers talk development, E3 2005
Sony released a new Q&A with the Killzone 2 developers at last night's event. The Sony-published interview doesn't provide the most critical look at the game's development, but nonetheless offers a new look at this hotly anticipated game. How big is the team currently at Guerrilla? 135 people Please describe the work atmosphere at Guerrilla. It's a very creative environment, with a great international workforce. We have over 20 different nationalities inside the studio. What is the premise of Killzone 2? It's 2 years later and the ISA are invading the Helghast home planet of Helghan. The goal is to capture the Helghast leader and bring the war machine to a halt.
Killzone to have public beta, 'of course'
Killzone lead tester Seb Downie has confirmed that the Dutch mega-project will eventually open its doors to a multiplayer testing phase. "Of course there is going to be a public beta," says Downie (aka motherH), posting on the Killzone forums. "I have always said that any game that has an online mode needs to go through a public beta to ensure it works as intended." But what ensures that a beta works as intended?Guerrilla Games could avoid such temporary disaster by continuing to keep development and PR low-key throughout its beta. Since the shooter's spectacular, but oft-criticized E3 preview two years ago, Killzone has become vaporware, resurfacing from time to time through rumor, but never in reality. Buzz will begin again when further beta details are disclosed -- Downie says more info "later this year" -- but don't count on Killzone's public beta becoming the sort of hype-potion that Microsoft and Bungie have recently concocted. [Via PS3 Fanboy]
Killzone returns: "biggest multimedia project in Dutch history"
Dutch newspaper de Volksrant brings word of PlayStation 3's reclusive shooter Killzone, in an article titled, "A video game more expensive than the most expensive film." Guerrilla Games has allegedly hired some 120 developers to complete the project, which made its dubious debut at E3 2005 and promptly disappeared from the public eye.According to de Volksrant, the next-gen Killzone sequel will cost more than Black Book (Zwartboek), Paul Verhoeven's World War II thriller and the most expensive film in Dutch history (totaling roughly $21 million). Killzone director Arjan Brussee would not quote a specific figure, but did confirm that the bill would exceed Black Book's budget; driven in part by large-scale localization, which will see Killzone translated into 20 different languages.Brussee also hinted at the possibility of downloadable episodic content, telling de Volksrant, "The Killzone that is in stores is only the beginning." Indeed, the article suggests that additional "chapters" will be added after the game's initial release. *Sniff, sniff* Smell that? Halo-killer? Nah, couldn't be...
PSP Fanboy Review: Killzone: Liberation demo
While I was in Gamestop today picking up my copy of Saints Row, I noticed they received their demo copies of Killzone. After plopping down $5 big ones, it's now mine, and I've spent enough time with it to give you my take. First of all, I can't help but keep being reminded of Metal Gear while playing this game. With its isometric view, it looks a lot like Metal Gear Acid, but, thankfully, there are no damn cards involved in Killzone. But looking similar to Metal Gear Acid, which is beautiful in its on right, is not bad at all – oh hell no. Read on to see my full review.
Guerilla (marketers) in our midst
A fictionalized comment: "Hey guys! I know this is a post about Atari, but I think this is the perfect time to tell you about this super awesome game I played yesterday: Rock 'em Sock 'em Space Wars! You gotta check it out ^_^ k thx bye!"If only it were that easy to spot an online guerilla marketer -- one who assumes the identity of John Q. Commentor and sells a product to his "fellow posters." In reality, OGMs are a lot more cunning and a lot more clever than we might realize. The Escapist managed to interview one such OGM, a particularly devious soul we'll call Jack. For four years, Jack has been working to infiltrate online communities and earn their trust, eventually pushing them toward titles favorable to his employers.Jack will spend anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks earning trust in online forums under different avatars -- "my personalities range from a 10-year-old girl to a 78-year-old man and across different ethnicities, stereotypes and ages," he remarks. Each with its own IP address from across the globe (thanks to IP spoofing, Jack can pretend he is a soldier stationed in Kuwait, for example). He even returns to recent posts and continues conversations, just to give the impression that each of his characters are real.We've caught sleazy marketers before, but their methods are a lot sloppier than what Jack has described. Jack is very good at what he does and claims to have never been caught. He reveals a guilty conscience, which is probably why he agreed to be interviewed, but he isn't quitting his day job. Should we really fault him, though, or should we be angry at the source?It's an inevitable phenomenon and one people are just going to have to be careful and avoid. The guerillas are amongst us -- many will probably flame this guy in the comments while privately laughing at the irony. Just be careful whose opinions you trust.
