platinum games
Latest
What Bayonetta looked like before it was finished
As ludicrous as Bayonetta is, it was actually much tamer prior to launch. Platinum Games has released some pre-production B-roll, revealing the title's initial menus and gameplay -- specifically of note about the latter is how slow the game was and how much inappropriate slowdown it once employed.
Sega 'reasonably encouraged' by day-one Vanquish sales
Sega West president Mike Hayes wouldn't disclose specific Vanquish sales numbers to IGN, but he did offer some hesitant praise for the shooter's sales. "It's been in the marketplace for two days," Hayes said. "We've seen the day one numbers and we're reasonably encouraged, but I think we need to see the rest of week one and probably week two just to see how it's going to play out." He also noted that the new IP faces tough competition from established franchises (like Fallout: New Vegas, which launched the same day). "Reasonably encouraged" from a game company executive is reasonably troubling for our estimation of Vanquish's fortunes. We tend to expect publishers to overhype their games' success. If "reasonably encouraged" is Sega's spin, that's not great news for fans of Shinji Mikami's unique brand of smoking, shooting action. Though, of course, that's better than "disappointed," "humiliated," or "driven out of business."
Platinum Games aims to build and keep new IPs in the future
This week's launch of Vanquish not only portends the imminent demise of thousands of robots, but represents the final shot in Sega's four-game publishing deal with Platinum Games. Speaking to Develop, Platinum's executive director, Atsushi Inaba, reflected on the agreement -- encompassing Bayonetta, Madworld, Infinite Space and Vanquish -- and the incentives offered by Sega. "When we created Platinum Games, we of course talked to a lot of publishers, and Sega offered us the most freedom to develop games, he said. "I think the partnership has been great, and I'm really grateful for their support." Inaba considers the exchange, with ownership of four properties going towards creative freedom, a "fair deal." But what happens next? "For the future of our partnership, of course, it's not something that we alone can decide," Inaba said. "Sega has its stance, and we have ours, but if Sega asks us to make something we might take the offer." Although Platinum has nothing "against the idea of making sequels," Inaba added, the company's long-term goal is to create new IP and retain ownership of it. "So as a studio we would like to do both [new IP and sequels], but the whole point of Platinum Games is to create our own IP, that's what we do." With Platinum still growing and readjusting its relationship with Sega, the developer's critical acclaim will be compared to its uneven sales performance in any discussion. Selling over a million copies, Bayonetta has undoubtedly been the studio's biggest success thus far. If Sega intends to ask for a sequel, it'll know witch. [Image: Platinum Games website]
Vanquish review: Smokin'
You know how we're always saying how great it would be if someone could just make a modern, polygonal version of one of our favorite 2D classics, yet they seldom, if ever, turn out good? Well, Vanquish isn't a rebirth of any existing action franchise, but it is what a younger me dreamed a game like Contra would be like ... in the future. The work of Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and Platinum Games (Bayonetta), it brings the classic, run-and-gun feel of games like Konami's classic into the HD era with a plot that doesn't really matter, characters who spout ridiculous one-liners and -- oh yeah -- action that will have you on the edge of your seat from explosive start to thunderous finish.%Gallery-87352%
Suit up for a new Vanquish trailer
Another Vanquish trailer has come rocket-sliding out of Platinum Games, this time focusing on the A.R.S. Battle Suit. So what does the suit do? Based on the trailer, it seems to turn gruff, stubbly dudes into engines of slow-motion, robot-exploding death. But how do you go to the bathroom?
Vanquish comes with $20 game coupon at Kmart, $30 off select titles
Man, remember that Kmart ad campaign featuring Rosie O' Donnell and Penny Marshall? We wish that was still going on for this deal, only because we'd love to hear the pair squawk about the over-the-top ninja action of Vanquish, which will come with a $20 coupon for future game purchases at Kmart.
Just try to follow this Vanquish trailer
It's hard to neatly sum up this latest Vanquish trailer. A lot of things happen, and very quickly. There's a transforming gun, lots of robot homicide (robocide?) and a ton of slow-motion explosions. Do you really need any more information than that?
Platinum Games working on multiplayer game
Speaking to NowGamer, Platinum Games producer Atsushi Inaba confirmed that the studio is currently working on a new multiplayer project. With Platinum having thus far produced only single-player titles (Bayonetta, Vanquish), Inaba confirmed the multiplayer title saying, "We haven't officially announced it yet, but we have a big multiplayer title that we're working on right now." He then advised that we all keep an eye out for the upcoming announcement (we will!). Inaba also discussed the challenges of creating Vanquish, a new IP that will enter a crowded market of third-person shooters, most of them developed by western companies. He noted that the people at Platinum "enjoy new challenges" and are encouraged by the fact that third-person shooters constitute such a popular genre. This, despite the fact that the genre has struggled to take hold in Japan, which Inaba believes is "very unfortunate because there are so many great games in the genre."
Pre-order Vanquish at Play.com, get a free copy of Bayonetta
Before all of you start rushing to Play.com to pre-order Vanquish based on the headline above, we should probably point out that the deal applies only to citizens of the United Kingdom. That said, yes, in addition to the Tri-Weapon Pack included with Vanquish pre-orders at Play.com, pre-order customers will also get a free copy of Platinum Games' Bayonetta. That means, for the same £39.99 ($64) that every other game this holiday costs, Brits can snag two totally bizarro Platinum Games classics. That is, of course, if they can stop playing Just Dance for a few moments.
Vanquish trailer reignites the Cold War
Alright, alright -- the newest trailer for Platinum Games' Vanquish probably isn't reigniting a near century-long history of hostility between two of our planet's biggest superpowers, but it does play out a bizarre future where just such a reality exists. Also, there are tons of explosions.
Vanquish story trailer has a good ending
The United States vs. Russia. That's all you need to know. Now, skip to the good part!
Vanquish 'SDTV mode' enlarges text, icons, hopes
In this modern era of high definition gaming, there's a certain set of gamers whose voices beg to be heard. This group wishes desperately to be a part of the new generation of gaming but, too often, they are left behind, forced to squint at tiny text that hasn't been optimized for standard definition televisions. At times the unfortunate condition can get so bad that it renders a game practically unplayable. This forsaken group, also known as "the majority," has something to look forward to in Vanquish, as the recently released demo reveals an optional "SDTV mode." As the name implies, SDTV mode makes text and icons larger and, blessedly, legible.
Vanquish's pre-order Tri-Weapon Pack highlighted in new trailer
Pre-ordering Vanquish from GameStop will grant access to a set of three exclusive weapons: the Boost Machine Gun, the Anti-Armor Pistol, and the Laser Cannon. If, for some reason, you're not entirely sold on the idea of free extra stuff with your game, you can see all three weapons in action after the break. Though we can't imagine what would dissuade you. Even the staunchest GameStop detractor must agree that Vanquish plus Laser Cannon is a much more attractive proposition than Vanquish minus Laser Cannon.
Vanquish demo coming August 31 to PS3, 360
It's almost time to start honing your rocket-sliding skills. Sega has announced that a playable demo of its over-the-top Platinum Games and Shinji Mikami developed shooter Vanquish will arrive on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN Store on Tuesday, August 31. Europe will get the demo a day later on September 1, with Australian gamers getting their hands on it Thursday, September 2. Famitsu reports (via Siliconera) that Japan will also receive the demo on the 2nd. The "Vanquish Official Demo: Velocity Attack," as Sega calls the demo, will comprise the section of the game we played at E3 -- a space station interior with bipedal "Walker" mechs to commandeer and an enormous spider-like robot boss to defeat in incredibly stylish ways. (You know, the usual stuff: by grabbing the monstrosity's missile out of the air, turning it around and throwing it back like a giant lance.)
New Vanquish trailer spotlights crazy action, men speaking gruffly
Sega's Vanquish is really fast, really pretty and, judging by this video, out-gruff-speaks every Metal Gear Solid game combined. The main character is a not-very-gruff-looking DARPA "researcher," but even his voice sounds like he gargles nails. Hear (and see) what we mean after the break.
Vanquish almost had a robotic canine companion
Vanquish wasn't always the story of one man fighting alone (in an amazing suit of robotic armor). Platinum Games considered pairing him with a feminine android who could combine with Sam's suit and be used as a weapon, and even a robot dog.
Woohoo! Vanquish has 'Casual Auto' and 'God Hard' modes
Vanquish is following in the stiletto-heel footsteps of Platinum's last action game, Bayonetta, in a couple of interesting ways. First, the Shinji Mikami-designed shooter is being outfitted with an optional "Casual Auto" difficulty level, much like Bayonetta's "Easy Automatic" mode, designed to allow even those new to action games have a good time. "Once you get your target on the enemy, the rest is easy as pie," Mikami said in the blog post announcing the mode. "I'm sure saying it that way makes it sound totally uninteresting, but when you actually give it a shot, the tempo it gives the game play will make you jump up and say, 'Woohoo!'" That's the other way in which Vanquish echoes Bayonetta: exclamations. It's "Woohoo!" from the player, versus "Wuhhh!!" from Bayonetta. "You know ... 'Wuhhh!!'" Vanquish also includes an unlockable "God Hard" difficulty. "I think our fans will get where this one is going," Mikami teased. We suspect apocalyptic beatdowns are to be found within this mode.
Increased 'visual density' led to a more linear Vanquish
In a recent developer blog at the Platinum Games website, director Shinji Mikami discussed the changes Vanquish has undergone during development. In the beginning, said Mikami, Vanquish was "an open battlefield type of game, where the goal was to move around crushing enemy positions." As development progressed, however, it became clear that an open environment hurt the game. The reason, according to Mikami, was an increased level of "visual density." There were so many things happening on screen -- special effects, loads of enemies, etc. -- that it was hard for players to focus on the objective. "In an environment where we were doing whatever we pleased," noted Mikami, "it became pretty obvious that there was no good way of keeping your eye on the prize – the enemies you are targeting." As such, a more linear style of play helps keep players focused. Furthermore, Mikami also notes that the staple enemy, a robot called a Gorgie, was changed from white to red in order to make it stand out from the predominantly gray background. If Vanquish turns out to be anything like Platinum's most recent action-fest, Bayonetta, then helping players focus on killing baddies is probably a good decision.
Bayonetta for PS3 is $20 on Amazon today
You had plenty of ideas for how to spend that Jackson burning a hole in your pocket. Maybe you were going to feed yourself or make a donation to your favorite charity, but we thought you should know that Amazon has discounted the PS3 version of Bayonetta to $20 for the day. It's almost destiny, right? We understand the PS3 version is the lousier incarnation of the game, so if you've got two Jackson's buried in your pocket, you could instead snag the Xbox 360 version for $36 and change (and still have enough left over for a light meal). Either way, you owe it to yourself to sample Platinum Games' unique brand of craziness -- trust us.
Sega defeats confusion over Vanquish release date: Oct. 19 in North America
The European version of Vanquish is no longer alone in having an official release date. Sega of America announced that Shinji Mikami's new shooter will ship to North American stores on October 19. Just in time for Halloween -- look out for the inevitable trend of homemade, spark-spewing robot suits at this year's parties. Pre-ordering the game at GameStop will allow you to acquire a pack of three in-game guns: the Boost Machinegun, the Anti Armor Pistol and the Laser Cannon (the same three being used for a pre-order promotion with the European release). Enjoy glamour shots of these weapons being fired at things and/or people in our gallery. %Gallery-97142%
