Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[Jeff Kleist]

Alan wake has been done for a long time, and isn't 40 hours long RDR went to the last minute. Expect them Monday

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Alan wake has been done for a long time, and isn't 40 hours long RDR went to the last minute. Expect them Monday

If its been done for a long time why release it JUST now? Its not like April had a ton of new releases. Releasing it in march may not have been such a good idea though.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Alan wake has been done for a long time, and isn't 40 hours long RDR went to the last minute. Expect them Monday

Will you play Alan Wake and RDR?

Here is what surprises me:
Remedy hasnt released a game since 2003 (Max Payne 2) and they were supposedly strapped for cash which leads me to several questions which I doubt you know answers to.

1. Why make Alan Wake 360 exclusive? It seems like they lose a lot of money this way, unless MS paid a ton upfront.
2. Why no PC version?
3. Why release it on the same day as RDR?

It just seems like Remedy did a lot to prevent themselves from making a profit on their 5+ year development investment.

For the record, I cant WAIT to play Alan Wake or RDR (on PS3).

[Jeff Kleist]

If its been done for a long time why release it JUST now? Its not like April had a ton of new releases. Releasing it in march may not have been such a good idea though.

Remember when the ybumped the release date up 2 weeks (in hindsight probably a mistake). That's cause they were firmly on target to finish early.

1. Why make Alan Wake 360 exclusive? It seems like they lose a lot of money this way, unless MS paid a ton upfront.
2. Why no PC version?
3. Why release it on the same day as RDR?

1- Because MS is the published for the game. Same as Mass Effect
2- Non-FPS/RTS/MMO PC gaming is pretty much dead and a mass of piracy
3- RDR was coming out April 26 when they made the change.

Now all 3 games (Prince of Persia included) are going to suffer because hardly anyone can afford all 3. I know PoP is on my "later on sale" list now, and I've bought the last 5 launch day

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Remember when the ybumped the release date up 2 weeks (in hindsight probably a mistake). That's cause they were firmly on target to finish early.



1- Because MS is the published for the game. Same as Mass Effect
2- Non-FPS/RTS/MMO PC gaming is pretty much dead and a mass of piracy
3- RDR was coming out April 26 when they made the change.

Now all 3 games (Prince of Persia included) are going to suffer because hardly anyone can afford all 3. I know PoP is on my "later on sale" list now, and I've bought the last 5 launch day

I havent played a single PoP game since the second one on PC (The Shadow and Flame) WAYYYYYYY back in 1994!!

Jeff,
I know its not your area of expertise, but any idea what we can expect from E3?

It always seems like MS always delivers the bombs such as getting exclusives and such. While Sony pretty much always has their news leaked and doesnt ever seem to offer a surprise.

Its been rumored that Insomniac games will announce a multiplatform title. Like last year that they were able to get Sqaure to announce FF had gone multiplatform.

Personally, the only two things I need to see at E3 for me to consider it a success are:
Resistance 3 getting revealed and given a release date for this year.
The next Zelda Wii game.

[Jeff Kleist]

Jeff,
I know its not your area of expertise, but any idea what we can expect from E3?

It always seems like MS always delivers the bombs such as getting exclusives and such. While Sony pretty much always has their news leaked and doesnt ever seem to offer a surprise.

Some

Sony has the same problems every year. MS knows how to put on a good show, and whatever they have planned with Cirque de Soleil is probably going to be pretty impressive. Honestly, I think Natal and Move are going to be big shows and very little substance when all is said and done. Peter Moleneaux will make us dance like a monkey infable 3. Force Unleashed 2 will undoubtedly have some kind of motion support (and I have my very hard to find Episode 1 Obi-wan lightsaber ready to scan in and play with), but in the end, Natal will see it's best uses and life as an interface for cable boxes and other entertainment style applications, and move will be stuck playing Wii style games, and maybe, just maybe they'll both finally make RTSes playable on consoles
Fortunately Nintendo is always there to make everyone else look good. I really hope they keep that lady exec off the stage this year, she sucks all the energy out of the room, what little energy they have when Miyamoto isn't on stage.

All I know is that there still won't be Shenmue or Jet Set Radio 3 announced, unless they've really managed to keep that under wraps, so it'll be a bummer

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Some

Sony has the same problems every year. MS knows how to put on a good show, and whatever they have planned with Cirque de Soleil is probably going to be pretty impressive. Honestly, I think Natal and Move are going to be big shows and very little substance when all is said and done. Peter Moleneaux will make us dance like a monkey infable 3. Force Unleashed 2 will undoubtedly have some kind of motion support (and I have my very hard to find Episode 1 Obi-wan lightsaber ready to scan in and play with), but in the end, Natal will see it's best uses and life as an interface for cable boxes and other entertainment style applications, and move will be stuck playing Wii style games, and maybe, just maybe they'll both finally make RTSes playable on consoles
Fortunately Nintendo is always there to make everyone else look good. I really hope they keep that lady exec off the stage this year, she sucks all the energy out of the room, what little energy they have when Miyamoto isn't on stage.

All I know is that there still won't be Shenmue or Jet Set Radio 3 announced, unless they've really managed to keep that under wraps, so it'll be a bummer

I dont want Move and Natal to become huge. I honestly dont like playing my Wii games because of the controller. I felt that the Wiimote made games such as Super Mario Galaxy much harder because it always required pointing at the screen and I never felt that I could make adjustments to the camera like I could with the controller. Whenever I play I like to keep the controller in a relaxed position and thats not possible with a wiimote.

So I dont really want Natal and Move to be a huge must have success. I dont want them to fail, but I would rather they keep games using a traditional controller with Natal, and/or Move optional.

[Jeff Kleist]

Natal is going to be a much more versatile play surface by the ability to assign gestures over the whole body, and it'll be great for party games. I don't think anyone is thinking about playing a "real" game like that. Stricltly limited to things like inventory or item manipulation. I played enough EyeToy games to know that the novelty gets old quick

The Kinetic workout game they had was actually pretty good for that. I'm looking forward to a more advanced version on Natal

There's also that thing going out tonight that it'll cost $200. Definately not. While I haven't seen a real price, I have seen build estimates from several sources and it should be affordable. If MS is smart they'll pack it in with Fable 3 for a good loss leader price to get the install base up

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Natal is going to be a much more versatile play surface by the ability to assign gestures over the whole body, and it'll be great for party games. I don't think anyone is thinking about playing a "real" game like that. Stricltly limited to things like inventory or item manipulation. I played enough EyeToy games to know that the novelty gets old quick

The Kinetic workout game they had was actually pretty good for that. I'm looking forward to a more advanced version on Natal

There's also that thing going out tonight that it'll cost $200. Definately not. While I haven't seen a real price, I have seen build estimates from several sources and it should be affordable. If MS is smart they'll pack it in with Fable 3 for a good loss leader price to get the install base up

But we'll see. The best games and gaming experiences are the ones that I didnt have high expectations for and ended up being blown away.

Im a gamer that prefers to just sit back and relax while playing games. I workout 5 days a week 2-4 hours each time (doing triathlon and body building training :-) ) so when Im playing games I just want to sit on my ass and relax and not have to deal with gimmicky arm movement.

[Jeff Kleist]

Honestly the thing I'm most looking forward to is when I step in front of the milo camera wearing a trenchcoat and open it. I'm dying to find out if they programmed a response for that

The best game for these platforms is likely one that no one has seen yet.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Honestly the thing I'm most looking forward to is when I step in front of the milo camera wearing a trenchcoat and open it. I'm dying to find out if they programmed a response for that

The best game for these platforms is likely one that no one has seen yet.

In the case of the Wii I just plain dont find using the wii controller really adds anything extra to the game experience.
But it sure can make it a lot harder and I just wish Nintendo would have allowed old-school games like me to hook up the gamecube controller and use that instead. Ive had Super Mario Galaxy since it came out and rarely ever play. Haven't even finished it yet. I got it out this weekend and I cant begin to count how many challenges I lost due to the nunchuck. Ill stop right there, cuz Ill end up going on and on and on about how much harder it makes it.

Hell or high water, I will find a way to play the next Zelda game.

[Jeff Kleist]

The Wiimote is not suited to a real game. Motion controls can supplement and add flavor

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The Wiimote is not suited to a real game. Motion controls can supplement and add flavor

Which why it frustrates me that Nintendo didnt make it so that players could use a gamecube controller to play the great games.

nevertheless, i dont remember having too much trouble playing zelda since at least the game doesnt allow you to fall off the edge or make bad jumps the same way mario does.

No further comments from me about that.

[Jeff Kleist]

Which why it frustrates me that Nintendo didnt make it so that players could use a gamecube controller to play the great games.

When all your system has is a gimmick, you've got to go with it

[Jeff Kleist]

here's your review merrick

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/ar...on/17dead.html

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

When all your system has is a gimmick, you've got to go with it

Aint that the truth! I play my Wii maybe (MAYBE) .1% (yes, .1 not 1) of the time compared to what I play on PS3 or 360.

I did play a little bit of the Metroid Prime trilogy on Wii and may get back into that before too much longer.

The first Metroid Prime was probably the best game on the gamecube. Windwaker being two.

Nevertheless, if Nintendo wants to get my attention they really need to get Wii HD out, cuz I find that playing the games in 480p resolution just doesnt cut it for me. Im not saying it needs an overhaul or anything like that. Im just saying that games like Mario Galaxy would look really good if they were just bumped up in resolution.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

here's your review merrick

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/ar...on/17dead.html

I saw that review but I dont really consider it a review since he doesnt get into specifics about what makes it great.

Nevertheless, I fully expect to see reviews by the end of the day and more than likely most of the reviews will all be 90% +

[MerrickG]

IGN now has their review up.

[Jeff Kleist]

Honestly I'm more interested and frightened for Prince of Persia now

[DaViD Boulet]

Originally Posted by merrick97

In the case of the Wii I just plain dont find using the wii controller really adds anything extra to the game experience.
But it sure can make it a lot harder and I just wish Nintendo would have allowed old-school games like me to hook up the gamecube controller and use that instead. Ive had Super Mario Galaxy since it came out and rarely ever play. Haven't even finished it yet. I got it out this weekend and I cant begin to count how many challenges I lost due to the nunchuck. Ill stop right there, cuz Ill end up going on and on and on about how much harder it makes it.

Hell or high water, I will find a way to play the next Zelda game.

Personally, I loved being able to swing the remote for sword swipes in Zelda... though the I would have preferred what the new Zelda seems to promise: that the sword follows the direction of the controler for actual-sword-control rather than the motion of swinging the remote "triggering" the sword to swipe as in Twilight Princess.

Funny how in Twilight they used the motion sensitivity of the remote to great effect for the fishing rod, but not so much for the sword. I think they didn't want to reprogram all of the sword plays which were all based on simple button-cues from the previous Zelda incarnations prior to the Wii. The next Wii Zelda should revolutionize sword play in video games IMO with actual motoin control.