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Telling stories: The next hurdle for story telling
As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.What's next for in-game story telling? In this, our final segment looking at video game narratives, our collective of industry professionals offer insight into what they believe is the next big challenge facing the evolution of story telling in the games we play.
Telling stories: The games that got it right
As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.It's rare that story tellers get all of the pieces of their narrative to fit together exactly right in any medium. But in this industry, where story shares a balance with gameplay and endings often get the short end of the development stick, weaving a complete and compelling tale must be a daunting task. Now, gifts unwrapped and bellies full, our panel of industry personalities sound off on those games that they feel were up to the challenge, delivering storytelling experiences above and beyond their peers.
Telling stories: How much is that ending in the window?
As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.Epic Games' Michael Capps recently caused quite an uproar among gamers with his suggestion to offer the conclusion to games as premium DLC rather than as part of the core experience. As the latest in our continuing week-long feature, we asked our panel of industry personalities what they thought of the proposal. Interestingly, much of the group was noticibly more tight-lipped in their responses than when answering other questions.
Telling stories: What's up with lame endings?
As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.While narrative has taken on a larger role, time and again we end up being left unsatisfied in the final moments with endings that fail to wrap up stories in interesting or compelling ways. In our continuing week-long feature, we asked our diverse collection of industry personalities why so many endings in the games we play leave us cold.
Telling stories: Balancing gameplay v. narrative
As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.How important are stories? How about endings? Over the next week this diverse group of personalities sounds off on these and other story-driven topics, starting today as we open up by asking whether or not narrative shares an equal burden as gameplay in carrying the video game experience.
All the Moon that's fit to watch
The audience seems a bit torn on the recently-delayed Moon, and considering the fact that Renegade Kid's first title, Dementium, saw the same sort of split in audience, it's familiar ground we're treading. Also familiar is the constant flow of media, which is never a bad thing. Not sure where you stand on Moon? Perhaps this new pack of videos will help you out.
A little Moon footage to tide you over
Moon may be delayed, but that doesn't mean Renegade Kid is going to make you suffer without getting peeks at the game. Not only did we recently get to check out a batch of new screens, but they've released a combat-heavy new trailer, too. With all the pretty, pretty lights in this footage, we kinda felt like we need a glow stick and a pair of very large pants in order to get the full effect. Gallery: Moon
Screens from a distant Moon
We're stuck waiting until January to play the atmospheric sci-fi first-person shooter Moon ... so here are some screens to make the wait more painful. Oh, well, it's supposed to take a long time to reach the moon, right?It's amazing how well Renegade Kid seems to be setting the tone for the game. Even while looking at tiny, still images on our monitors, we get a feeling of isolation -- like someone trapped inside an impermeable suit in a completely still, desolate landscape. Dementium may be the "horror" game, but this is a lot scarier in a way -- we can relate to extreme loneliness a lot more easily than monsters.
DS FPS Moon eclipses into January 2009
Publisher Mastiff sent word that the lunar orbit for its Renegade Kid-developed Moon has degraded, knocking back the DS first-person shooter from its previously announced November release date until January 13, 2009. As for the why, Mastiff top dog Bill Swartz tells Joystiq, "Moon is too important a product to rush it out the door, just to make a holiday," leaving us to wait another month before we land on the big ball of cheese looking for things to shoot with the stylus.
M-O-O-N, that spells delayed [update]
Moon, Renegade Kid's next atmospheric DS shooter, was initially set for release in the middle of this month, but if Amazon is to be believed (as well as reader Adam), looks like we won't be up for any handheld space exploration until mid-January. If Moon is delayed, that may be a little disappointing for us, sure, but in the long run, it may be better for the game, so it doesn't get lost in the holiday rush. We haven't seen an official statement on the delay, but for now, we're trusting Amazon and thinking January.As a side note, the box art on Amazon is slightly different, too; it's a little darker, with the face and the reflections in the helmet a little more clearly defined. Perhaps the game itself is getting a last-minute tune-up as well.[Update: Mastiff sent out a press release confirming the delay. Moon is now scheduled for January 13.][Thanks, Adam!]
Japanese hospitals want Dementium off store shelves
Dementium: The Ward hit Japan this year (along with a colorful launch event for the game), yet is now enduring its first public outcry in the country. According to Yahoo! News (and Google's translation tools), the Japanese Association of Psychiatric Hospitals has requested that the title be removed from shops instantly, arguing that the game could instigate "discrimination and prejudice" against sufferers of psychiatric disorders. Interchannel distributes the game in Japan, and has yet to comment, but Mike Wilson of [U.S. publisher] Gamecock did proffer a view to MTV Multiplayer, stating that the criticism is down to a "lack of understanding or appreciation (and therefore fear of) games outside our little sub-culture." He also confessed to being "thrilled" by the extra attention the game has enjoyed as a result; as the game failed to penetrate the Japanese top 30, we know what he means.%Gallery-4929%[Via MTV Multiplayer]
Impressive homebrew gives Renegade Kid a run for their money
Seriously, we thought the only people who could create such sound first-person shooting were Renegade Kid. But, homebrew creator Smea has gone ahead and disproved that notion with the tech demo you see in the video above. With some impressive lighting effects and a custom 3D collisions engine, you can bet we're impressed.[Thanks, HBM!] Wacky Japanese games, emulation, DS Fanboy's recommendations, naughty homebrew: our recent week of homebrew coverage had it all. Don't be put off if you're a beginner, either -- we have guides and a glossary for the newest of newbs.
Wii Warm Up: Filling in for Castlevania
Some Castlevania fans are a little underwhelmed by the idea of Castlevania Judgment (ahem), but really, only because it's a fighting game. While we're all sorts of in favor of innovation and fresh ideas, a fighting game isn't particularly fresh. Not that they aren't fun (they are!), but we wanted, well, Castlevania. Alas, i was not to be. At least, no yet. But that doesn't mean there isn't hope, though it might come from a very unusual source. Putting together the bits and pieces regarding Renegade Kid's mysterious new game reveals what might, might be a game about Dracula. At least, it's probably not Batman. It's taken a while to get to the point, but never fear -- here we are. If Renegade Kid, the minds behind the great-looking Moon and the great-playing (mostly) Dementium: The Ward are putting together a game devoted to Dracula, and it just happens to be for Wii, as it seems, will this assuage disgruntled Castlevania fans? Or is it not so much the ghoulies and ghosties who matter, but instead the gameplay? If the latter is true, not much else will do.
Renegade Kid releases art for mysterious new game
Dementium: The Ward and Moon developers Renegade Kid have announced that they're partnering again with Gamecock for their next game. The platform isn't explicitly specified for this new project (nor is anything else), but Renegade Kid has references to their "next original title for the Wii" in job postings, and only the Wii and DS logos appear on their website, so it's a fairly short logical jump to assign this new game to the Wii.The new game is based on "one of the biggest horror icons of all time," and, like the platform, it doesn't seem too hard to figure out. The cool stencil-style teaser art features a caped character, a full moon, and a bunch of bats. The Gamecock logo is even sporting some little fangs! Also the character appears to have Texas for a hand, but that may not be related to the character's lore. [Via IGN]
Watch someone else access the Moon website
If you're a traditionalist and you want to go off and access the new Moon website yourself, you can. We guess. But why would you want to do that when you can instead sit back and watch Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham visit the site for you?Watsham's latest post on his IGN developer's blog doesn't include an actual link to the new site -- just the video of Watsham showing off the features. If you want to do something as renegade as checking out Moon for yourself, you have to get the link from the video.Keep an eye out in the future for the special limited edition Moon pack, which features not an actual game (as if), but instead, video of Watsham playing it. If you preorder, they throw in an artbook filled with shots of people who aren't you looking at the concept art.%Gallery-20245%
DS Daily: Moon
Click for hi-res version Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham recently posted this Moon boxart on his IGN blog, along with the planned back of the box. So, armchair analysts ... what do you think?%Gallery-20245%
New Moon trailer is short, but shows off plenty
We must admit, we're really excited for Moon. Renegade Kid didn't make the perfect game with Dementium, but they did create a moody and atmospheric experience that set a wonderful and scary tone throughout. It looks like they're set to do that again with Moon.Within the trailer above, you'll catch an eyeful of some combat and those oh-so-pretty environments we were swooning over before. Are you just as excited for Renegade Kid's newest FPS?%Gallery-20245%
Moon footage defies gravity, hardware limitations
Renegade Kid's Moon continues to look like the hotness in the latest videos of the game posted by IGN. These are by far the lengthiest direct-feed clips we've seen to date, and display a fluidity and style that managed to leave a strong impression on both us and Matt "I love Zack & Wiki, me" Casamassina."Moon Out-Metroids MP Hunters," proclaims the latest headline on the IGN editor's blog, and that's not just lazy hyperbole -- we actually agree with him.Take a gander at two more videos past the break.Read: Matt Casamassina frothingRead: Gameplay footage%Gallery-20245%
Asylums, nurses, and gore: Dementium's awesome Japanese launch event
Dementium: The Ward launches in Japan today, and Japanese publisher Interchannel-Holon could not have found a more perfect venue to promote Renegade Kid's horror title*. "Alcatraz E.R." is a novelty restaurant in Tokyo's Shibuya ward with a mental asylum theme where patrons must announce their blood type before entering. They are then handcuffed by girls dressed as nurses who serve up food in surgical trays and drinks in hospital drips.In other words, it's a totally amazing and ideal place for a Dementium promotion. Hit the break for more gory pics of the press-only event (our invites must have got lost in the mail). * Admittedly, they could have used an actual abandoned psychiatric asylum, but that probably comes with its own issues.%Gallery-4929%
Moon trailer is short, but beautiful
Wait, are we dreaming, or does Moon look this good? We've seen the game in motion before, but not direct-feed like this. Sure, the clip is only seconds long, but those are some lovely graphics over those few seconds. While we'd like to have had some gameplay included in the clip above, we'll certainly take this. It looks like Moon is going to have to be bumped up a couple places on our list of highly-anticipated DS games.%Gallery-20245%
