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Impressions: Bayonetta
There's a lot of attention being placed on Sega's recent partnership with Platinum Games, and for good reason too. Platinum Games comes from the ashes of former Capcom devs Clover Studios, which met an untimely death after the lackluster sales of its critically acclaimed Okami. With a resume that includes games like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, Platinum Games has a strong legacy to live up to. So what did we think about their first PS3 game, Bayonetta? It looked strangely familiar -- probably because it's from Hideki Kamiya, the creator of the original Devil May Cry. His new creation looks almost like a carbon copy of the recently released DMC4. In fact, the engine and textures look identical, especially with the way the game renders light and particle effects. (We wouldn't be surprised if Kamiya "borrowed" some tech and assets from Capcom before he left.) The gameplay looks rather similar too, as its focus is on kicking ass in the most stylish way possible. We have no complaints, but seeing angel-esque characters circle around the main character, as she dishes out combos had us recoiling in a bit of rather recent nostalgia (DMC4 released earlier this year. You also fought angel-like enemies in that game). %Gallery-28229%
Joystiq E3 eyes-on: MadWorld (Wii)
Click to embiggen Upon walking into the tiny room Sega had Platinum Games crammed into in their closed-door section of the E3 floor, we thought that Bayonetta would be the only title on-hand. Then, our wildest dreams came true and we were graced with what is sure to be a day one purchase for us: Wii title MadWorld.We're not kidding. You'll want to buy this game.%Gallery-22959%
Joystiq E3 eyes-on: Bayonetta (Xbox 360/PS3)
Click to embiggen Platinum Games has a very tiny room located in the back of Sega's closed door area. Within this tiny room is a mountain of gaming goodness, as the former Clover folks had two very solid titles to show off. The first game we got to check out is PS3 and Xbox 360 action adventure title, Bayonetta. %Gallery-22955%
Wii Fanboy eyes-on: MadWorld
In meeting up with Sega today at E3, one thing became apparent: they are lacking in Wii and DS games to show off in their closed door session. That is, until we met up with the folks from Platinum Games and they showed us MadWorld.Know this: MadWorld should be a day one purchase for you. Also, Atsushi Inaba's hair is much nicer in person.%Gallery-22964%
E308: Sega confirms some kind of DLC for Samba
Sega sent out a press release announcing their upcoming releases, hiding a bit of news among the tentative release dates. In the blurb about Gearbox's new version of Samba de Amigo, Sega confirmed the existence of "over 40 songs and additional downloadable tunes." Will they cost money? Probably! Given the choice between getting money and not getting money, even Sega probably knows what to choose. In other lovely Sega news, Madworld, Atsushi Inaba's black-and-white hyper-action game, is hitting the U.S. next March. Really, whenever Sega and Platinum Games decide to get that out, we'll be -- if not ready (because who could be ready for such awesomeness?), at least saved up. %Gallery-20601%%Gallery-22964%[Via press release]
MadWorld's Inaba: Japanese devs are 'too soft'
Hey, you reading this! You a Japanese developer? If so, we need a word! Firstly: wow, thanks for reading us -- that's awesome. Secondly, and with the niceties over: you know what your problem is? You're too soft! At least that's what Platinum Games' Atsushi Inaba reckons.In an interview with Gamasutra, Inaba suggested that Japanese developers spend too much time concentrating on established franchises, and not enough on amazing, creative new ideas -- ideas such as MadWorld, which is what Inaba is presently working on. If anything, argues the Okami creator, it is Western developers who are now producing the most innovative videogames."We don't feel that we're at the top of the industry, but we know that we have to catch up to where Western developers are," he concludes. Is he right, readers?
Infinite Line website officially translated
Sega Europe's official Platinum Games sites are up, including one for the DS RPG Infinite Line. It's a faithful translation of the Japanese Infinite Line site, with the same three Japanese screenshots. But this time, you can read the text on the website.The newly-legible text doesn't exactly contain gameplay details, but it confirms what we've puzzled out so far. You upgrade your ship with "a combination of module-like parts," which sounds like an accurate description of the Tetris -style parts we've seen. You won't be limited to customizing a single ship. According to the site, you can choose to work on the same ship, or you can acquire multiple ships.The bombastic copy concludes with "A magnificent story that more than lives up to the word 'voyage'. A world that cannot be constrained by the word 'RPG'." As if Clover fans didn't have high enough expectations.
MadWorld finds a home online
A sparse official website has appeared for Platinum Games' MadWorld, along with the street-sign-through-cranium trailer the entire internet and its dog has seen by now, and three screenshots (which are also old, at least in internet terms).What is new is the text that's on display, which consists largely of the MadWorld team explaining (in endearing Engrish) some of their stylistic choices, namely the black-and-white visuals (which are there to help convey "brutality") and the buckets of blood (included to create a sense of "exhilaration"). There's also confirmation of North American and European releases in Q1, 2009, and a brief discussion about "linking and layering moves," which (not for the first time) recalls the likes of God Hand. It's all a bit devoid of content otherwise, though worth keeping an eye on.%Gallery-22964%[Thanks, HellAlucard!]
Platinum's Shigenori Nishikawa on MadWorld's over-the-top violence
While at Capcom, Shigenori Nishikawa worked as a designer on Resident Evil 4, the Resident Evil remake, and Dino Crisis 2 and 3. Now, as his first project with Platinum Games, he's directing his own original game, MadWorld. Famitsu spoke to Nishikawa about his bizarre new game.Nishikawa revealed MadWorld's setting as a game show called "Death Watch." Protagonist Jack has to kill the other participants in entertaining ways for the audience's sake, and he grows in rank as he does this. This translates into a scoring system based on the "extreme" nature of the kills. The black-and-white look is designed to emphasize the blood. Nishikawa originally planned to render the blood in a high-gloss silver, but opted for red instead. Because of this violence, Nishikawa and producer Atsushi Inaba aren't yet sure the game will release in Japan.%Gallery-22964%
New screens tease more MADWORLD
MADWORLD is surely set to be next year's absolute best ultraviolent, stylized, graphic-novel-inspired, God Hand-like game, and to demonstrate this, we will stack adjectives until they clatter to the floor in a heap. Initially, we were given only a peek at the awesomeness: a grainy scan and a few tantalizing screenshots. But now a few more have turned up, and the slow reveal of PlatinumGames' debut is the news equivalent of unwrapping a particularly delicious piece of candy. Satisfy your craving in the gallery below.%Gallery-22964%
Sega talks Platinum Games deal, franchises
In a Q&A session with Gamespot, the folks at Sega detailed some of their plans and expectations for the recently announced four-game publishing deal with Platinum Games. The agreement, which grants Sega exclusive rights to Mad World (Wii), Bayonetta (PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360), Infinite Line (DS) and a mystery title from Resident Evil designer, Shinji Mikami, was officially announced during a special event last week."The guys at Platinum are just at the top of their game right now, and what they've delivered is so clearly AAA in every way, when they started to show us product, we had to have it," said Sega of America president, Simon Jeffery. When asked about the marketing challenges inherent in starting up three (possibly four) new IPs, Jeffery notes that Sega is in it for the long run. "What we've seen today is the starting point, but all of those games--Bayonetta, Madworld, Infinite Line--won't be one-offs," he explained. "They're all uniquely different enough from everything in their space to build complete franchises out of. The whole foundation of PlatinumGames is built around that long-term strategy."Though talk of franchises this early in a game's life would normally elicit concern, the ex-Clover talent at Platinum Games could certainly do with the commercial success to match their critical acclaim. Y'know, aside from the Devil May Cry and Resident Evil guys.
Sega on the Platinum Games deal
We hope Sega made a good decision when they decided to publish Platinum Games' works. Both Sega and Platinum (or Clover, really) are companies who make great games, but have had serious problems recently. We would like to see two of our favorite game companies succeed together.Gamespot spoke to Sega of America president Simon Jeffery and VP of marketing Sean Ratcliffe about the deal and what drew Sega to Platinum. Jeffery believes that Capcom's Japan-focused marketing and organization contributed to the Western failure of Clover's products, and that because Sega runs a very Western-oriented organization outside of Japan, Sega can more effectively market Platinum's games.A few interesting details about the deal came up, as well. This publishing agreement isn't just game-by-game -- Sega is Platinum's exclusive publisher for some unspecified period. Sega also holds the IP rights for the new games.%Gallery-22964%
Joystiq goes hands-on with some upcoming titles
Our overlords at Joystiq recently got their hands on some titles Wii lovers care about, taking the time to write up their impressions as is their job. And, we'd be neglecting in our job if we didn't do our best to present you with anything and everything Wii-related out there on these great big internets. So, if you've yet to check out their coverage on these Wii titles, then be sure to hit up the links below. Sonic Unleashed impressions: all Sonic, no Unleashed Joystiq hands-on: Rock Revolution Platinum Games: MADWORLD eyes-on, first trailer and screens Joystiq hands-on: Skate It (Wii) %Gallery-22964%
Infinite Line site open with new screens
The website for Sega and Platinum Games' Infinite Line is already up, with little more than teaser content at the moment. There are a few paragraphs explaining what we already know about the game (150 crew members to choose from) along with some PR-type text about how deep the story is. But there are also three new screenshots, which we've added to our gallery. They're a bit confusing to look at out of context, but we can at least tell that one is a spaceship selection menu, and one shows more of the Tetris-like upgrading. Parts take up varying amounts of a 3-by-3 square, and there seem to be many of each type of part to choose from (the screenshot shows Type-A through Type-K of some part). The last screenshot, as far as we can tell, shows a ship flying toward some kind of portal structure, maybe. Some kind of pretty, futury space stuff.%Gallery-22973%[Via GAME Watch]
Wii Warm Up: Mad About Platinum Games
We're thrilled about MadWorld. The truth is, we were so happy to see evidence that Mikami, Inaba, and Kamiya's crew was back to work after leaving Capcom that we'd probably even be excited about a card RPG. But MadWorld is no card RPG. Its smirking attitude towards violence and high-contrast black-and-white color scheme hint that something very special is on the way. How did you react to the news of MadWorld's development? Were you more excited about this game on its own merits, or was the news of Platinum's emergence (to Sega's possible benefit!) the more awesome component of the MadWorld reveal?%Gallery-22964%
Video: Bayonetta with guns on her feet
Today, SEGA and Platinum Games announced a new Hideki Kamiya (the dude behind Devil May Cry) directed game called Bayonetta, and from the looks of the debut trailer ... we like! In general, Bayonetta is the story of a witch (named Bayonetta, of course) who's in a modern day battle with angels who we're sure she doesn't get along with blah, blah, blah ... she has GUNS ON HER FEET! There, we said it. Watch the trailer, get teased and drool over the idea packing feet heat. [Thanks, Chris]
Lost Planet: Colonies goes gold
There are two things we know for sure about Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - COLONIES Edition. First, someone at Capcom needs to fire the guy who makes these names up, for serious. Second, the Xbox 360 and PC exclusive is almost here.Yesterday Capcom announced the platinum release of Lost Planet, which includes new missions, multiplayer maps and modes (including the ability to play as the evil Akrid), has gone gold. So throw on your parka and make a warm cup-o-coffee, it's about to get chilly up-in-this 'ma.Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - COLONIES Edition *sigh* hits retail on May 27.
Infinite Line RPG announced for DS
click to enlarge Infinite Line director Hifumi Kouno of Nudemaker showed up at last night's Platinum Games event (fully clothed, to our surprise) to debut the studio's forthcoming sci-fi RPG for DS. The game is built around two key concepts: Players command (1) a "highly-customizable" spaceship through (2) a "large and expansive" world that encompasses two galaxies. The team has prepared over 150 ship models, as well as more than 150 potential crew members that can be stationed around the ships. The insides of the crafts are modular, so players can place the bridges, engineering rooms, fire control rooms, etc. as they see fit.As per The Space Opera Mandate® of 1941, Infinite Line will explore "what it means to be human" in this touching adventure around the stars. Nudemaker plans to show off some actual screenshots -- that will apparently "blow you away" -- in the near future. %Gallery-22958%
Platinum Games introduces Bayonetta, debut trailer
click to enlarge var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Platinum_Games_Bayonetta_action_to_its_climax'; Bayonetta director Hideki Kamiya asks, "Have action games really progressed past what we accomplished seven years ago?" Speaking at last night's Platinum Games coming out party, Kamiya recalled his efforts to "kick start" the action genre into 3D with Devil May Cry back in 2001 and said, "we, as creators, have squandered an opportunity to make things better, smoother, more intense, more engaging" since then. Fear not, Kamiya has returned to "make good on [the] promise of seven years ago." Enter: Bayonetta -- "action to its climax." Bayonetta is named for the game's main character, a witch reborn in the modern day to join a war against angels (apparently someone hasn't been spending her afterlife Up There). "Not only does she kick and punch, and have two guns in her hands, she actually equips guns on her feet." If that's not enough to mow down those beasts of heaven, then Bayonetta's also got her witchcraft, an arsenal of top-secret "abilities" ... And that's all we've got to go on, for now -- 'cept for the trailer after the break! %Gallery-22955%
Sega partners with PlatinumGames, reveals first MADWORLD shots
Click to enlarge. var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Blood_chainsaws_and_slaughter_Sega_reveals_MADWORLD_on_Wii'; Earlier this week on DS Fanboy, we reported on a rumor that Sega had signed up to publish three titles from PlatinumGames, the studio formed by former employees of the vaunted Clover Studio. To our delight, Sega just sent forth a press release confirming the partnership, along with the first two shots of PlatinumGames' Wii debut, MADWORLD.Described as a game that "straddles graphic novels and 3D worlds," MADWORLD looks every bit as stunning as early video footage had suggested. It's set for release during Q1, 2009, and promises weapons that range from chainsaws to street signs, irreverent humor, and sports commentary to accompany the slaughtering.Finally, there's a fourth title that Sega is keeping under wraps for now -- all we know is that it's being directed by Shinji Mikami, whose resume includes the first three Gyakuten Saiban games, God Hand, Killer 7, Resident Evil 4, and Viewtiful Joe.%Gallery-22964%[Via press release]
