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Prey 2 announced for 2012, in development at Human Head Studios
Back in 2009, Bethesda parent company Zenimax picked up the Prey trademark. Since then, we'd heard nothing -- until just now, of course. A sequel is confirmed to be in the works at Human Head Studios, developers of the first game, and is being built on the id Tech game engine. Prey 2 is slated to launch some time in 2012. The press release (in full after the break) offers few additional details about the game, other than that it's in development for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC; though Bethesda did toss out one small, barely satisfying bone: More details will be in the May issues of OXM and PlayStation: The Official Magazine, in addition to unnamed European publications. With E3 coming up in June, we bet there will be more info there, as well.
Prey 2 is in development, first details revealed
Over the weekend, Shacknews broke news that 3D Realms' mind-mending, shape shifting shooter Prey that released nearly two years ago will indeed be getting a sequel.According to information found on Radar Group's website (all of which has since been removed), we learn first off that Prey 2 is real and that that the game was listed for release on the 360 and PC. We also get a tiny bit of information regarding Prey 2's plot with the release of one piece of concept art (as seen above) and a description that reads; "this time, abandoned and framed for the disappearance of his family, Tommy escapes an Earth that no longer wants him for a future that cannot survive without him."We'll be the first to say that we wouldn't mind seeing a sequel to a game that was rather enjoyable, but we have a hard time believing 3D Realms can juggle the simple task of overseeing the development of Prey 2 and Duke Nukem Forever. One will suffer ... and we're sure you can already guess which of the two that will be. ZING![Via Joystiq]
Human Head survives fire, no data loss reported
Early Friday morning (late Thursday night for most), a devastating fire feasted on a historical building in Madison, Wisconsin. Local news coverage identified the multi-use building as home to Human Head Studios, developer of last year's long-incubated shooter Prey. Thankfully, the level designers had been released from their shackles for the night. No one was harmed in the fire.But what of the precious MEE data? Had Marc Ecko's rags-to-renders dream gone up in ... smoke? According to today's update from Human Head, no. "[Though] we suffered some equipment and furniture loss due to smoke and water, we suffered no significant data loss," reports the studio. A temporary relocation plan seems to indicate that Human Head is eager to get back to work on the Ecko-endorsed project, shedding any stigma earned from Prey's 5-year development cycle.
Human Head rolls with Marc Ecko game division
The division of MEE has disclosed a partnership with Human Head Studios to develop an original IP for consoles. While both parties share a recent history of novelty acts (see: Ecko's Getting Up; and Human Head's Prey), neither has succeeded in producing a truly exceptional title. So then, perhaps it's a bit early to trumpet the forthcoming project as a game that will "push the boundaries of entertainment," no? But, as Ecko claims, he's now got "Michael Jordan" on his team. So does that make him Pippen -- or Kwame Brown?Last month, former Human Head CEO Timothy Gerritsen revealed that he had left (in November) because he did not agree with the direction the studio was headed. According to MEE president Mike Lynch, that direction is to "change perceptions of what a game can be." Yackety-yack...
Human Head CEO quit in Nov, talks now
FiringSquad reports that Human Head CEO Timothy Gerritsen has left the studio; in fact, he did so shortly before Thanksgiving last year. When questioned, Gerritsen said he departed on friendly terms, but was driven to leave because of creative differences. Gerritsen did not like the direction the other owners were steering Human Head in.Gerritsen confirmed that he would remain in game development, though he declined to give specifics. Human Head co-founder and president Paul MacArthur has been acting as interim CEO.
Human Head hints at Prey 2 features
Prey was one of the first Xbox 360 games to really have a good deal of hype before its release. While the game itself may not have fulfilled all the hopes and dreams of its followers, it did turn out to be a fairly solid shooter. The level designs were interesting, the weapons were cool, and the story was neat, if a little sparse. In a retrospective interview with CVG, Human Head's Chris Rhinehart speaks briefly about what's in store for Prey 2. Rhinehart hints that portals will definitely have a larger presence, and that enemy AI will use them more effectively. He also mentions a Prey mod which gives players a portal generating wrench (not unlike the gun in Portal). We can only imagine that Human Head is considering something similar for the sequel. He concludes by saying that the team has ideas that are "way beyond" what was seen in the first game and that Human Head will "definitely be taking things in a different direction next time." We really enjoyed Prey, and we're looking forward to what Human Head will do with a sequel.What would you like to see in Prey 2?[Via 1UP]
Prey content to be cheap as free
This just in: downloadable content for Prey -- to be available "when it's done" -- will cost you nothing. Absolutely nothing! To be fair, the actual price is zero MS Points. We'll leave it to our readers to make the conversion to their particular currency*.*Hint: it's nothing.[Via Joystiq]
Prey gets patched, new content soon
Some of you may have noticed an update last time you loaded Prey. This may or may not have been a recently announced patch from 3D Realms -- according to their site, the ETA for the patch is still "soon". Looks like ten years just wasn't enough time to test and polish all the bugs (I keed! I keed!). Seriously though, the patch should address the multiplayer lag issues on the 360 version and a few other bugs as well. In addition to the patch, expect to see some new content soon. Included in the content will be some new maps tooled for smaller groups. These should accommodate 2-4 players (and possibly limit lag). 3D Realms will be releasing 6 new player models as well (4 female and 2 hunters). Thus far, none of this content has been priced and no release date has been given. New content is great, fellas, but how about some more multiplayer modes?[Via Joystiq]
This news is so old! Prey video circa 1998
Prey is old. No, seriously, Prey is really old. No, you're not listening. Prey was in development for almost as long as Duke Nukem Forever. That's how old it is. As a little blast from the past, check out this video interview from 1998 with Prey developer Paul Shuytema. This video shows off some of the original concepts for the portals and more than a few weapons that didn't make the cut -- some of them looked pretty nice, too. And of course, you get to see the jaw dropping graphics that only a Voodoo 2 could muster (in truth pretty amazing for 1998). We're rocking 266 megahertz, boyeee![Via Evil Avatar]
Get Prey on the cheap
Joystiq reports the wonderful news that Prey is deliciously region free. That's right, any copy of Prey from anywhere will play in any old 360 you happen to have lying around. As an added bonus -- and this is the real reason for this post -- you can pick up the heavily discounted Asian version from Play-Asia for $40 US plus shipping. See? Sometimes there are advantages to the 360's abysmal performance in the Asian market.[Via Joystiq]
Preyse for Prey
And you thought the parade of awful Prey puns was finished! Ha! But seriously, folks, reviews for Prey (PC) are starting to hit the net. Evil Avatar has the scoop on some of the first. GotNext praises the game for its first person story telling and unique level design: "Just as Doom and Quake seemed more concerned with what makes an interesting level than how its denizens might realistically design such a place, The Sphere is full of bizarre puzzles, portals used to create dizzying Hall-of-Mirrors-style confusion, and other tricks that could serve no practical function to the aliens living there, but would surely please M.C. Escher and Enro Rubik alike." The other review from the Detroit Free Press seems less informed -- does "Doom clone" even mean anything anymore? -- but gives the game high marks for weapon and level design. Both reviews knock the game for underdeveloped characters and a slightly lacking story. Also of note, the multiplayer is limited to deathmatch and team deathmatch only. Hopefully, we'll see some more game modes offered by Marketplace. Overall, GotNext gives Prey 4.5/5 stars and DFP gives it 4/4 stars. Not too shabby. [Via Evil Avatar]
Our Preyers have been answered
Hey, remember that last post? That post that said the Prey demo was coming this Sunday? Well, screw that post. That post is dead to me. The long and short of it is that the Prey demo is available right damn now. Major Nelson himself hath emailed us and decreed it so....What? Are you still reading this? Go get it! At 1.17 gigs you'd best get started now. I have.
Preyse the lord, Prey demo is dated (again) [update 1]
OXM reports that the effing Prey demo we've all been waiting for will finally hit on July 2nd. If you don't have a calendar handy, that's this coming Sunday. Could it be true? Does this mean the end of all the awful Prey puns? Excitement for the demo might be somewhat deflated after the long wait, but hey, it's got to be better than the Chromehounds demo, right? By the way, if you can't wait for Sunday, be sure and read Joystiq's hands-on coverage. [Via openXBOX360]Update: ignore all of this. It's wrong. Click here for details. Seriously, click it. It'll make you happy.
Demo Delay for Prey
Boomtown reports that George Broussard of 3DRealms has announced a likely delay in the release of the Prey demo for Xbox Live Marketplace. This likely comes as no surprise to those of you who stayed up all night waiting for it. In a posting on the 3DRealms website, Broussard made the following statement: "The 360 demo will not appear on Marketplace tonight [Wednesday]. I'm still waiting for specifics, but I'm being told that it's still in testing at Microsoft. From what I understand this isn't Microsoft's fault, and is more likely just an issue of timing. I'm hesitant to give any estimates for a release, but I've been told it should be reasonably soon after the pc release, but could be as long as a few days." As many of our commenters have already noted, if the demo doesn't hit today, it probably won't drop until Monday. There is one happy note: the PC demo is available if you've got the muscle to run it. [Via openXBOX360]
Prey demo hands on
Gamespot got their hands on an early PC copy of the upcoming Prey demo. The preview manages to unearth some new info concerning the game's portal system. For example, you won't necessarily retain your previous orientation when you pass through a portal. That is to say, you could walk through a portal and instantly fall toward what looked like the ceiling moments before. Also, your character can even change size when passing through a portal -- making your enemies and environments gigantic. Multiplayer gets a few breaks from typical FPS fare thanks to the gravity defying physics and the addition of weapons that are unavailable in the single player campaign. Gooey biomechanical chaingun? Yes, please.Hit the read link to enjoy the whole preview and some fresh videos. [Via openXBOX360]
