transmedia-synergy
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New Defiance video showcases set design
The nice thing about having a game that's tied into a show is knowing that the environment will receive lots of loving attention. For example, Trion Worlds and Syfy teamed up to provide a look at what the sets for the Defiance TV show. Given that the TV show and the Defiance MMO are going hand-in-hand, we think this is a good place to start imagining what the upcoming game will look like. The team also talks about a lot of the theory of the town of Defiance. The town is a melting pot of strange alien technology and earthbound invention and is meant to show tremendous life and potential despite the having gone through a devastating war. Skip below the cut to get an eye on the goodies yourself. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]
New Defiance trailer short, but sweet
Ah, the smell of plasma guns in the morning. Although clocking in at only 15 seconds, the new Defiance teaser trailer released by Trion Worlds and Syfy packs in brief action clips from both the upcoming television show and the MMORPG. The trailer, premiering as a commercial on the Syfy channel last night, whets the appetites of fans eager to try out this new multi-media project that intertwines gaming and television. The game and show are both set to launch in April 2013. Catch a glimpse of the action in the video after the break. And for more info about Defiance, check out Massively's hands-on experience at E3.
Gamescom 2012: Behind closed doors with Trion Worlds
Germany is crazy about MMOs. Proof of this was the Gamescom attendance of almost all major players in the genre, showing off what they had in store. Trion Worlds -- known well to fans of RIFT, Defiance, and End of Nations -- was no exception. The studio gave us a closer look at some of what it's got in store for us: RIFT's first real expansion, Storm Legion, and brand-new third-person sci-fi shooter Defiance. Jump past the break to read all about them.
Trion to stream RIFT, Defiance, and End of Nations live from PAX
If you're a RIFT fan who can't make it to PAX next weekend, we've got some good news. Trion is going to be streaming live from the show floor beginning on Friday, August 31st. The RIFT website says that "the latest in Storm Legion with interviews, playtests, and more" will be available for viewing via Trion's Twitch TV channel. Trion devs will also be accepting questions via the Twitch page, and the company will be showing its Defiance MMOFPS and its End of Nations MMORTS throughout the show.
New Defiance developer diary explains what makes an MMO shooter
If you like playing an MMO but also like shooting things, you may enjoy the gameplay underpinning Defiance quite a bit. The latest developer diary for the game might be answering questions you hadn't asked, however, as it's focused on explaining how the game blends the MMO and shooter genres together into a cohesive whole. But there are still interesting tidbits about the game, including a look at vehicles and character advancement. Characters advance partly through the acquisition of powerful new weapons, which is almost a given based on the nature of the game. Weapons are also heavily customizable, with visible differences between stock weapons and customized versions. Players will also be able to acquire points to spend on special abilities of varying types, although points can be swapped into different abilities later on. If you want a more in-depth look at the game, click on past the break to view the full development diary. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]
Trion showing off RIFT expansion, Defiance PvP at Gamescom
Gamescom is coming next week, and most major publishers are gearing up to make the trip. The latest announcement comes to us from Trion, which is showing its stable of games including RIFT, End of Nations, Defiance, and Warface. Next week's convention will mark the "consumer debut" of RIFT's Storm Legion expansion, and MMORTS End of Nations will be playable on a massive 24-PC setup. Defiance is bringing "previously unseen PvP gameplay" to the table, while Warface will be presented inside a giant helicopter-themed display arena. [Source: Trion press release]
Trion PR executive talks Defiance, Syfy synergy
You probably know by know that Trion is working on a massive open-world shooter called Defiance. If you've been paying attention, you also know that it ties in with a Syfy Channel television show of the same name. A new PR video featuring Trion Global Brand Director Alex Rodberg sheds a little more light on the "transmedia synergy" between the two products. No, we're not sure what that means either, but it kinda rolls off the tongue, wouldn't you agree? See, say it with us again: transmedia synergy. OK, you're right, it's a buzz phrase. Whew, we almost bought into the hype there for a second! Anyhow, click past the cut to watch Rodberg explain how players of the game don't have to watch the show to enjoy the former (and vice versa) as well as how Trion is working together with Syfy personnel to craft what both firms hope is a unique entertainment experience.
Defiance TV show begins production today
The television half of the TV show/MMO hybrid being developed collaboratively by Syfy and Trion Worlds starts production today in Toronto, Ontario. Defiance -- set in a futuristic, apocalyptic Earth -- picks up after the end of the war sparked by tensions from the immigration of seven alien races to the planet. Although both the show and the game will launch in April 2013, the game will kick things off in San Francisco, where players will meet the main characters of the show, Nolan and Arissa. Then the show will start after the two characters travel to St. Louis, Missouri. There, the series will unfold in the boom-town of Defiance while the game narrative continues in the Bay Area. Both the show and the game will influence each other and evolve together. For more information on Defiance, check out its spotlight in The Firing Line and watch the Comic-Con videos. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]
Two Defiance videos emerge from SDCC
Two new videos about Defiance, the upcoming third-person shooter coupled with a television show, have emerged from San Diego Comic-Con 2012. While sometimes only snippets of videos highlighting key things get released, the first video actually serves folks who couldn't attend to the entire Defiance panel. During the 54-minute video, developers and actors of the Syfy and Trion collaboration discuss the game/television show combination and field questions from the audience. In the second video (which is much smaller by comparison at 13 minutes), Rob Hill, senior producer, and Grant Bowler, the actor who stars as the lead in both the game and the show, discuss the project further. They touch on the background of the post-apocalyptic world setting and discuss how the game and show will influence each other and evolve together. This video also shows game footage of vehicles and combat. The game, which begins before the show, will launch simultaneously on all three platforms: PC, XBox 360, and PS3. You can check out both videos after the break.
Syfy photo contest to award trip to Defiance premier party
Folks attending Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego or even just generally in the convention area have most likely seen some form of promotion for Syfy and Trion's transmedia project, the upcoming MMO shooter Defiance. If you have, a picture could be worth more than 1,000 words -- it could be worth a trip to the Defiance premier party in April 2013! To enter the contest, fans need to take a picture of any Defiance promotion at Comic-Con and either upload it to the official entry form, email an entry, or tweet a link of the picture to @DefianceWorld #DiscoverDefiance. The contest is open to US residents 18 years and older and will end on July 16th, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Full contest rules are available on the official entry form.
The Firing Line: Defiance, Arctic Combat, and other E3 leftovers
Ah, home. A full-screen monitor, a fridge stocked with Diet Sunkist, plenty of columns to be written, and my own vehicle! Public transportation doesn't agree with me, folks, as I learned last week at E3 in Los Angeles. I also learned a lot about PlanetSide 2, a little about DUST 514, and tidbits about Defiance and something called Arctic Combat. For this week's Firing Line, I figured I should pay a little lip service to those last two. And we'll also recap some of this week's crucial online shooter news. To the cut!
