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Video: Resident Evil 5, zombies, death and blood
Thanks to Capcom and GameTrailers, there's a brand spanking new "Captivate" Resident Evil 5 trailer that's guaranteed to give you a satisfying dose of zombie killing and virus exposure. The RE5 trailer (viewable above) also shows plenty of in-game action, beautiful, gorgeous in-game action where, at one point, we swear we counted twenty-seven zombies on the screen at once. And a few infected dogs. There's also a chick, man.
Rumor: Resident Evil 5 features co-op and cover system
ShackNews reports that a Resident Evil 5 preview, originally posted by GamesRadar, stated the game would feature online co-op throughout the campaign and that a cover system had been added to the franchise. Sadly, we can't report on this information directly from GamesRadar because the article has been removed. We blame the Umbrella Corporation. We always blame the Umbrella Corporation.The preview allegedly revealed that there would be also be a dodge mechanic (using the right analog stick), a mercenary mini-game and a challenge mode. In the co-op campaign, players would be able to drop in and out at any time, with the AI taking over when there's no pesky human with yummy brains to control the second character. RE5 is expected sometime before the next decade and follows the possibly racist Chris Redfield as he indiscriminately kills all of zombie-kind between him and his goal.
Newsweek's Croal on RE5: 'Wow, clearly no one black worked on this game'
Usually, an early glimpse of gameplay from a high-profile title stirs gentle butterflies of excitement. But after perusing Capcom's newly translated Resident Evil 5 video interview this morning, more than a few of us were feeling uneasy; not fluttering, but squirming, like worms in our guts. It's the same feeling some of us had when we watched RE5's first trailer (and again when it was extended). It's the same feeling that burst into a heated discussion about racism, about how RE5's imagery relates to historical and contemporary issues of race -- even if these African villagers are more "zombie" than human, like the Spaniards in RE4. Newsweek's N'Gai Croal argues, "It's not as simple as saying, 'Oh, they shot Spanish zombies in Resident Evil 4, and now black zombies and that's why people are getting upset.' The imagery is not the same. It doesn't carry the same history, it doesn't carry the same weight. I don't know how to explain it more clearly than that."MTV Multiplayer has published some important commentary on the first RE5 trailer by Croal, whose first reaction was simply: "Wow, clearly no one black worked on this game." Croal is not proposing censorship, but a need for context and an understanding that the imagery in RE5 is not just a palette swap. "This is why it is important to whoever works in the American office of a company like Capcom to be able to show this is the history, this is where this comes from, this is where we need to be more sensitive. I'm not sure they've done that yet."
Resident Evil 5 documentary, now with English subtitles
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Takeuchi talks Resident Evil 5, confirms African setting
If we were making a game as hotly anticipated as Resident Evil 5, we'd hope our publisher wouldn't say anything about it until it was done. We'd just pull up in our sleek Lamborghini (which all game designers drive) throw a disc into their mail slot and go cash a check. We're too afraid of ending up like producer Jun Takeuchi who has to be pulled away from making what we can only assume is a triumph of interactive entertainment to tell us newbs how work is going. It's like we're leaning over his shoulder as he toils, our Philly cheesesteak dripping grease onto his documents. You've seen a bit of this before, but now it's in English. So, what'd we learn from the translation? Well, apparently the graphics system is all up and running and the team is now focusing on the "game system and balance." Oh, and the game is definitely set in Africa. Plus, if you're a complete geek, there's a discussion of light that's as fascinating as anything you're likely to hear today.%Gallery-5253%
Wii Warm Up: Resident disappointment
Whenever we post about the success of a Resident Evil game on the Wii, usually a handful of folks will mention that they wish Resident Evil 5 was coming to Nintendo's console. To see if this was the majority's opinion, we figured that we'd bring up the question in a Wii Warm Up. So, what say you, unruly mob? Do you want Resident Evil 5 on your Wiis? And would you buy the Wii version (advantage: point and shoot) over the PS3 or 360 versions (advantage: oh-so-pretty)?
Catch a few glimpses of Resident Evil 5 in this video
Fancy a glimpse at some snippets of gameplay from Resident Evil 5 while a Japanese man soothly narrates in the background? Then you've come to the right place. The video above shows some behind the scenes animation (in XSI, no less! Crazy) and then moves on to some combat scenes directly in the game engine. How does it look? Stunning. It looks like Capcom is really aiming to improve on the greatness that was Resi 4 with this game. Still, this video only shows a few wee snippets. We want to see more!
Check out some brief Resident Evil 5 footage
Resident Evil 5 has been off our radars for a while, but some brief gameplay footage has floated our way, courtesy of a Capcom 25th Anniversary DVD packaged with the latest issue of Famitsu. The gameplay is shown amidst shots of character models, and an interview with producer Jun Takeuchi.What can we glean from this footage? The protagonist Chris Redfield is still seen in the same setting as the last (somewhat controversial) trailer, walking amongst irritable villagers who are still hard to distinguish from the series' trademark zombies. Redfield also has ridiculously huge muscles, making us wonder if we'll get to do a bit more wrassling this time around (probably not, though).Check out the brief, off-screen footage after the break.[Thanks, Mark]%Gallery-5253%
Rumorong: Resident Evil 5 and Devil May Cry 4 demos on RE: Extinction Blu-ray disc
A report making its way around the intertubes incorrectly states that the Blu-ray release of Resident Evil: Extinction will include playable demos for Resident Evil 5 and Devil May Cry 4. The original story has since been updated and Capcom has made a clear statement regarding the matter on their blog.The Blu-ray disc of RE: Extinction will include high-def trailers of both RE5 and DMC4. There's no word yet if these are trailers we've already seen or something brand new. It's probably going to be a good while before we get a public demo of either of these hot titles.
Capcom (finally) casts loving gaze at PS3
While Capcom's love affair with the PlayStation 3 has had all the warmth of a vacation to E.D.N III, the upcoming year will see the company begin to move away from PS2 development in favor of creating games for Sony's latest console. The announcement, made by Capcom president Haruhiro Tsujimoto, is sure to usher a sigh of relief from PS3 owners, who in lieu of Dead Rising and Lost Planet have been forced to roam shopping malls and suck on ice cubes as they pine for better days. Tsujimoto also remarked that Capcom will also begin to embrace projects that can be developed for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in order to 'maximize profits,' rather than look to platform exclusives, marking the second such time we've heard Capcom officials make this stand. We've already seen Devil May Cry 4, once believed to be Sony's alone, become monogamously challenged, with Capcom set to release the forthcoming title on both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in simultaneous fashion early next year and Resident Evil 5 likewise coming to both consoles someday. Interestingly, no mention of the Wii was made in the company's cross platform plans, though it seems likely that the console's nature will continue to spark more unique efforts like the dismally boring Umbrella Chronicles and the smart adventure/puzzler Zack & Wiki. One thing's for certain -- the coming year is going to be very interesting for Capcom. [Via PS3 Fanboy]
Resident Evil called 'racist video game series'
An author on left-leaning AlterNet.org not only jumps on the controversy of Resident Evil 5's alleged racism, but calls it a "racist video game series." The article is such a mess that you really have to enjoy it for its absurdity. The piece starts by saying those who go to see the "blockbuster Resident Evil: Extinction" in the theaters may want to play the game, but those who do "will likely enter a world little-known beyond the expensive and expansive universe of gaming, a world increasingly populated with very dangerous depictions of nonwhites."The author only covers RE4 and RE5 in declaring the series racist. For RE4 he says its Spaniards have "stereotypical Mexican accents" and that RE5 "could be a training video for a white supremacist race war or another U.S. military adventure in one of the increasing numbers of deserts on the planet." Beyond the Resident Evil series there is a rehash of the Haitian controversy from GTA: Vice City -- although the author is way off in his timeline calling GTA: VC "this year's most popular video game." There's a lot more "racist" issues brought up, but the article really stands as great piece to highlight how even when you introduce diversity to gaming, it's not just the extreme exclusionists who get upset and don't understand why there are women, gays, non-whites in games, but the extreme inclusionists too. Although in the inclusionist's case they want a rosy picture painted of the non-majority group; however, that's boring for narrative, unrealistic and in the end racism really depends on context. There are more moderate views on race issues in video games and that really shouldn't be forgotten. The AlterNet article is just so weird in its "one step forward, two steps back" presentation, we can't help but share.[Via GamePolitics]
African women's blog upset over Resident Evil 5
An African women's blog has taken offense to the new Resident Evil 5 trailer depicting a "white man in what appears to be Africa killing Black people." The blog post goes on to say that the black people "are supposed to be zombies" and that it's "the white man's job" to destroy them and save humanity. There are some other issues the writer has, but she ties it all up by saying "this video game is marketed to children and young adults. Start them young ... fearing, hating, and destroying Black people."OK, where to begin? As for the "marketed to children" thing, it's going to be an M rated game, kids shouldn't be playing it. It is rather interesting to note that more than a few people, including The Village Voice, have noticed the setting of the new RE5 and found it a little jarring. Although that could simply be because the average video game may only have one random black character (typically a hero or anti-hero), so more than two on the screen at any one time is revolutionary. The African issue aside, the Japanese developed Resident Evil series has been killing white people for its entire run so far -- how did white people not catch on to this and get upset? Because it's not white killing, it's zombie killing. You're killing them because they want to eat or infect you, not because of their skin color. But now we have black zombie-like people getting killed in RE5 and gay aliens in Halo 3 ... what is this industry coming to? The sins of diversity.
Resident Evil 5 trailer gets extended
The new extended Resident Evil 5 trailer is available on the PlayStation Store (and here). The brief teaser we saw at E3 is expanded upon, showing off some of the more incredible environments and terrifying "non?" zombies to be featured in this next-gen sequel. And yes, it's all in real time.Watch the trailer, enjoy the new screenshots, and don't forget to visit the PlayStation Store to download the trailer in full HD glory. [Update: This video is of the Xbox 360 version. A PS3 version is definitely in the works.]%Gallery-5254%
First Resident Evil 5 gameplay trailer on XBLM
A new full-length trailer for Resident Evil 5 has popped up on Xbox Live Marketplace. The trailer is an extended version of the one Microsoft showed at E3. In the new trailer, Chris Redfield, longtime veteran of the RE series, tells of his struggles policing what appears to be an African village. More importantly, we finally get a glimpse at Resident Evil 5's gameplay. Fans of RE4 can relax, because the series is definitely maintaining the 3rd person, over-the-shoulder perspective. What has changed, though, is the sheer number of enemies that are standing on the business end of Redfield's gun. At points in the trailer, there appear to be literally dozens of enemies. What's more, they appear to be very quick, even more so than the Ganados of RE4. Finally, the trailer closes with a glimpse of a female character, suspended in a liquid filled tank of some sort. Who she is is anyone's guess (Jill Valentine? A grown up Ashley Graham?) -- our Resident Evil lore is a little rusty. Graphically, the game looks amazing, especially the facial models. But enough talk! Watch it already.
Shane Kim: RE5 was 360's 'big announcement' at keynote
This story about Shane Kim, VP of Microsoft Game Studios, has to be prefaced by saying this is one of those moments where you totally want to take the guy out for a drink afterward and, in your best Jeff Bell ghetto voice, say, "Tough break, my brotha'. You'll show 'em next time." In a recent interview with Game Informer, Kim – who should honestly know much better – was evidently unaware that Resident Evil 5 was announced for the Xbox 360 two years ago. Peep part of the cringe-inducing (though not nearly Jamie Kennedy bad) exchange after the break.
Video: Resident Evil 5 goes to Africa
Last night, Capcom announced that the Resident Evil franchise would be headed to the Xbox 360 and showed off their latest trailer for Resident Evil 5. The trailer (embedded above) is not the complete version as the extended version hasn't been shown yet, but will be released for download off the XBLM on July 26th. What more is there to say other than this is Resident Evil 5, in daylight, in Africa, and is a game that gets us very excited.
Resident Evil 5 news next month? Maybe
Capcom will be holding a press event next month (on April 12th to be specific), revealing details about its 2007 products. We'll most likely hear plenty of news concerning the recently announced 360 version of Devil May Cry 4, but we may be in store for some Resident Evil news as well. A concerned poster by the name of Drdark on the Capcom message boards made known his desire to see some news about the upcoming PS3 and 360 Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles for Wii. Capcom's senior director of strategic planning and research, Christian Svensson responded to Drdark saying, "You may be slightly pleased and slightly disappointed then."While the fanboys inside beg us to shout out that Resident Evil 5 news is on the way, we have to agree with 1UP that Svensson is probably referring to Umbrella Chronicles for the Wii (especially considering RE5 could easily be a 2008 title). For now though, it can't hurt to dream.[Via 1UP]
