Alex Livingston

Author: gala5931

  • Assassin’s Creed II Screenshot Vs Reality

    Here’s a nice screenie of some architecture near the duomo in Assassin’s Creed II.

    Oh, wait.  That’s a photo of real life.  Here’s the screenshot.

    You just try to tell me that’s not amazing.  My dad starting playing AC2 a little while ago, and realized he could clamber his way up to a viewpoint not unsimilar to the view from an apartment he stayed in. I assume I’m not alone in eyeing churches a little differently after having played this game — judging handholds and looking out for glowing feathers.  These two images speak to just how faithfully the developers recreated reality, and if I ever find myself in Venice I had better see haycarts all over the place, for my own safety.

    A recent WSJ article with the SEO-friendly title “Time Travel Gets Closer to Reality” addresses this topic.

    The game’s producer-authors chose those years as the most eventful of the era and labored lovingly to re-create the environs as exactly as possible. They hired Renaissance scholars to advise on period garb, architecture, urban planning, weaponry and the like. They took tens of thousands of photographs of interiors and streets. They used Google Earth liberally to piece together the ground-up and sky-down perspectives through which the action flows.

    Well, it worked. 

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  • Final Fantasy XIII Music — Will You Preorder?

    ViviImage by GogDog via Flickr

    Now this takes giant balls of manufacted nethicite.  Square Enix sent a polite missive today, declaring that we now have an opportunity to preorder the soundtrack for FFXIII.

    Experience the music from the latest chapter in the FINAL FANTASY series in a world filled with unlimited possibilities.

    Composed by Masashi Hamauzu, the soundtrack is comprised of 85 tracks on 4 CDs, and includes the Japanese theme song “Kimi Ga Iru Kara” and additional song “Eternal Love”. *English theme song not included song not included

    Directly imported from Japan, this is your chance to own the distinct FINAL FANTASY sound that the world has been waiting for.

    Seriously?   They want us to buy a the soundtrack for a game we haven’t even played yet?  Their dominance over the minds of the gamer world is hard to question, but this smacks of hubris, even for them.  Have they realized they have become Shinra?

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  • Star Trek Online Race Customization: Do They Own User-Created Content?

    Fine.  Yes, I have considered trying out Star Trek Online.  I admit it.  Now, check out this little snippet from the FAQ: 

    What’s more, anyone can create their own species in Star Trek Online, meaning you can tell your own story about how you came to be in the galaxy. Leave your mark on the Star Trek universe!

    Yeah.  I’m going to have to go ahead and caution against this.  If you’re a fan-fic person or heavy RPer and want to get your stuff out there, by all means go for it, but if you’ve had a cool sci-fi idea kicking around in your head for a while and think this might be a fun way to try it out before writing your novel, please don’t.  If this world is the Star Trek world, and the Star Trek world is owned by CBS, can we assume that anything that happens in this world is owned by CBS?  Considering the successes Blizzard has had in this arena, I see no reason why not.  Either way, I think it is safe to assume that CBS has better lawyers than you do.  Be warned.

  • World of Warcraft Achievements on Facebook – How To

    You may remember a post about PS3 trophies on Facebook, in which I suggested WoW do the same.  Well, clearly the fine people at Blizzard are reading this blog and waiting for the next pearl of gamer wisdom to drop from my lips.  They couldn’t possibly have come up with this on their own.
    wow
    Here’s a quick walkthrough on how to make this happen:

    • First, look for the World of Warcraft Feeds on Facebook application.  Clicky.
    • You will need to link your account, done easily enough by a pop-up window upon the entry of your Battlenet info.
    • Next, you will be see your characters – pick the one you want to boast about.
    • The fun part comes next; picking what events you want to post.  Achievements, Boss Kills, and/or rare loot (with selectable parameters!) .

    Easy peasy.  The app includes a “View in 3D” option, allowing you to show off your badassed mofo in all his or her glory.

    Now get out there and tell some animals you love them!

  • Three (More) Literary Works Worth A Play-Through

    You really must get over to this blog and read the author’s response to the hope-chest which EA’s Dante’s Inferno has ope’d.  5 books he’d like to see made into games, albeit with tongue firmly placed in cheek.  He asks “Which great works would you like to play through?”, and I, of course, live to serve.

    Around the World in 80 Days, Jules MF Verne  Play as intrepid adventurer Phineas Fogg as he saves beautiful women, dodges lawmen, and sails across the Great Plains.  Think Uncharted, but with more gentlemanliness.

    Utopia, Sir Thomas More.  The city-builder title.  Convince the citizens they are happy while you take their children away and enslave all the criminals.

    Histories, Herodotus.  Call of Duty + 300 – naked dudes = awesome.

  • Five Question Friday: David Cumbo, Cinematic Layout Artist at Insomniac

    In this latest installment, we get enjoy the musings of one Mr. David Cumbo.  David currently works for Insomniac as a cinematic layout artist (aka “cutscene guy”). 





    #1 — You’ve been working in the VG industry for a while now (Ratchet and Clank, Resistance, etc.).  What piece are you most proud of?

    -I worked on Ratchet: Future 1 and 2, and Resistance 2.  Of those, I think we did the best work on Ratchet Future 2, which is good since it’s the last game we did.  The quality of the work produced was higher and the story was more cohesive.

    #2 — How does directing a cut-scene cinematic compare with directing a movie?  

    -Game cinematics are made through a variety of means.  Most typically, they use game assets rather than custom models.  Often, the game models are up-res’d to accommodate close-ups and various cinematic needs.  We’re limited in many ways compared to film production.  We need to work within the confines of the game engine and its custom cinematic tools.  In addition, all assets to be animated need some degree of rigging to allow the engine to recognize their movement.  We need to think creatively to get around all these limitations.  Maybe we want a close up but the model is too low-res so we need to figure out a different shot.  Our cinematics are frequently located in spaces shared with gameplay.  Since fun gameplay is our highest priority, we may need to make different choices in the scenes.  In film, temporary adjustments can be made to get the shot working and then moved back.  Other than the aforementioned limitations, the creative nature of making a movie is identical to animated film production.

    #3 — What game are you most jealous of not getting to work on?  Why?


    -Insomniac made Spyro the Dragon.  I think I would’ve enjoyed that one.  Don’t know why, I just think the characters are cool and a good story can be set in that world.  I remember digging the original game in high-school.

    #4 — What old game deserves a reboot?

    -Of Insomniac’s?  I suppose Resistance is a sort of advancement of Disruptor, but I think the sci-fi world in that game is interesting and could use a modern lift.  Of course, Spyro was awesome.  But hey, as far as my favorite lost series?  Day of the Tentacle… Earthworm Jim… Jet Force Gemini…

    #5 — What are you playing now?

    -To be honest, I don’t play an awful lot of games outside of work since I have to sit at a computer screen all day 😉  BUT, I have recently been playing Banjo-Kazooie: N & B.  That game is amazingly creative.  I’ve always been a huge Rare fan.  The game allows you to beat its challenges in many different ways by constructing your own vehicles to tackle them from different directions.  It’s like playing Mario, but instead of figuring out what they want you to do, you think about what has to be done and make your own way of doing it.  It really is impressive how much depth they put in the vehicle creation interface.  One of the bravest and most underrated games in the industry today.  The last game I finished was Haunting Ground on the PS2.  Lots of fun.  I love that type of twisted story and I’m fascinated by games that put you in a powerless role rather than trying to make you feel like a BADASS all the time.  Before that, Silent Hill Shattered Memories, which, other than Silent Hill 2, has the best story I’ve ever experienced in a game.  It was beautiful.

    Thanks David!  And keep us posted on your latest!

  • Wallpaper Wednesday: Gray Fox

    And while we’re on MGS, how about a little Gray Fox?

    Booyah.

  • Gamer Tattoo Tuesday: Metal Gear

    Ah, MGS; the game which taught us that a cardboard box and a pack of smokes is all it takes to be a super-ninja-spy-dude.  If one wants to sport a some ink from the game, though, what are your options?
    The FOXHOUND logo?

    Um, no.

    Maybe a bit of the cover art?
     
    If your local tattoo guy is Yoji Shinkawa, maybe.

    Now, this guy’s got it right.  The Kojima Productions logo.
    kojima
    Simple, bold, and 100% rad.

  • The DSi XL: Nintendo’s E-book Reader?

    I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Nintendo is releasing yet another version of the DS this year:  The DSi XL.  If the name doesn’t give it away, allow me to explain: it’s the DSi, but bigger. 

    The latest in the Iwata Asks series of interviews has some info as to the design concepts, including a bit of discussion as to the name:

    Iwata: I feel that I owe everyone an apology with regards to the name. Just when the ship was getting ready to leave harbor, I caused it to capsize. If you want, you can disclose here the terrible state we got into regarding the name. (laughs)
    Kuwahara: (laughs) When Fujino-san, another designer and I were coming up with the name, we thought about it together in secret.

    Fujino: We considered a lot of names, didn’t we? Nintendo DSi Comfort, Nintendo DSi Executive…

    Kuwahara: Nintendo DSi Premium was also suggested.

    Iwata: I seem to remember that Nintendo DSi Living was also suggested… (emphasis mine)

    Kuwahara: But none of those names were really any good…

    Iwata: Right. I don’t mean to be rude to the people who thought up those names, but that’s how I felt. There’s also the fact that when Japanese people think up names in English, they are going to sound strange to English native speakers but then when people from overseas suggest things, they won’t quite sound right to Japanese ears. That’s how we hit upon one name to use worldwide: Nintendo DSi XL, at least at one time.

    Ok, cool.  There’s some discussion going on about the DS as a lifestyle product, and I assume it comes as no surprise that I’m geared up about this.  There is certainly some media buzz about the DSi XL possibly being Nintendo’s attempt to break into the burgeoning e-reader market.  This site (en francais) has posted a hands-on video using the 100 Classic Book Collection software (which is still not released in the US, presumably to piss me off).

    This is all well and good, but what about actual e-books?  If Nintendo has any sense, they’ll at the very least include a PDF reader and at best include all of the compatibility features of the Sony e-reader.  The SD card slot should make storage a virtual non-issue, and the dual screens could provide a unique e-reading experience — one that feels more like reading an actual book.

    The DSi XL will not do particularly well in the US if it is not an e-reader.  The reaction of most potential consumers will be “Bigger?  Why would I want that?”.  Some of the more hardcore will be excited to see their favorite DS titles on a larger screen, but not many.  But if we’re given a reason to buy a Nintendo product instead of the Nook or Kindle, you know we’ll bite.

  • Three Avatar Games Which Should Be Made

    So, Avatar was pretty good, but the game was apparently not so hot.  Here are a few examples of what they should have done:
     
    James Cameron’s Avatar: Hunter’s Moon 
    This is the one which will satisfy the often-climbing-sometimes-fighting requirement of contemporary action games.  It’ll be like Assassin’s Creed, but in the jungle with climbable objects everywhere.  And I do mean everywhere.  Every tree, every floating mountain, everything.


    Set during the Sky-people occupation but before the events of the movie (hereinafter referred to as “The Hometree Event” or “THE”), this title tracks the development of a young Na’vi during the trials he faces to become a man.  The events would be similar to “going native” parts of the movie as he learns to climb stuff, bond with the domesticated animals, shoot a bow, fall from great heights, etc.  Another Na’vi (you know, the one with blue eyes and black hair) will act as his foil, persistently making him look bad and getting him in trouble.
    The setting, though, would not be at the Hometree, but rather in another clan; this is key.  Stop making us replay the events of the movies – let the developers run wild with the world you have created and make new stories within its confines.   
    Our protagonist will have a curiosity about the Skypeople, and will travel great distances to witness them despite the warning of his clan leadership, leading to all manner of misadventures.  If you must tie in with the movie, then in the late game the Kwisatz Haderach will show up riding Big Red and our boy will aid in convincing his clan to mount up.  We take part in the big awesome ending battle, including a battlefield duel with the rival in which the protagonist prevents him from killing the clan leader.
    Age of James Cameron’s Avatar
    The RTS, set twenty years after THE.  The Skypeople are back, and this time they brought the big guns; no more retooling shuttles to be bombers. And of course the key to a good RTS is in the teams and their elite units:
    • Clan: Human miners.  The bad guys from the movie, still just looking to dig up the cheekily-named unobtainium. 
    • Elite unit: those “get away from her you bitch” walker things

    • Clan: Human datajackers.  When the Skypeople return, they’re going to want to check out this whole entire-biosphere-is-a-network-of-memories thing and exploit it.  Imagine the processing power if all the living matter on a planet is hot-swappable — I’ll bet they’ll want to do something more with that than just beat Russians at chess.  These guys come in and interface with the native flora and wildlife, and can turn it against whoever bothers them. 
    • Elite unit: Hacker.  Can turn any technology (human or Navi-natural) to its own side.

    • Clan: Na’vi traditional.  Horses, dragonthings, bows and arrows. 
    • Elite Unit: Priest of Eywa.  After seeing that the mother goddess will send hordes of badass beasties if you ask nicely, a sect of Na’vi shamans focus on just that.  They can’t bring the stampede every turn, but when they do?  Good times.

    • Clan: Navipunks.  Native Pandorans who salvaged the Skypeople tech after the Hometree Event. 
    • Elite Unit: Coptertroops.  They’ve got helicopter backpacks.  They’ve got bows.  They will fly around and kill you.

    • Clan: Dark Na’vi.  Descendants of one of the clans unwillingly subjugated by the grandfather’s-grandfather, these Na’vi refuse to bond with the forest.  They live in caves, eating yummy fishes.  Now, these guys are no idiots; they know where the unobtainium is and how to get it, and they will use this advantage to befriend the Skypeople and destroy their age-old enemies.
    • Elite Unit: Underminer.  It’s off to work these guys go until your fortifications have fallen into the earth.
    James Cameron’s Avatar: Winged Horizon
    Somebody call up Factor 5 and get them on this.  The story of the previous Toruk Makto, the dragonrider who unified the clans.  I think it’s safe to say he accomplished this by all manner of badassery.  Fly around, kill stuff.  See all of Pandora and wage large-scale dragon battles.  What could be better?
    And personally I would like to see the Na’vi paired up with Navi from Ocarina of Time.   But come on, what are the chanced of that getting made?