What do you guys think of XenGamers? I'm asking because Nintendophiles may become a part of the new XenGamers. Nintendophiles won't change at all, but we will get funding from XenGamers and increased exposure. Do <b>not</b> let this information out, though, since things are still in the works. If people have a generally bad opinion about XenGamers we probably won't do it, but I don't think that's really the case.
The good news? Nintendo is finally catching up with Sony and is going to start releasing greatest hits titles. The bad news? They're $10 more than Sony's GH titles.
Quote:January 23, 2003 - Sources at Texas-based Retro Studios told IGNcube this morning that the company is in planning stages for a sequel to the hit GameCube adventure Metroid Prime. Executives at the company recently made an internal announcement to employees that the project has been cleared by Nintendo.
No details were given about the sequel, but one employee under the condition of anonymity did note that team members were throwing around the idea of including a multiplayer mode in the sequel.
No release date has been set for the project, but a tentative date of sometime in 2004 is likely.
We contacted Nintendo for official comment, but the company did not return our phone calls in time for publish.
We will of course be tracking the development of the game over the next several months. Stay tuned to the site for more.
This inspired me to go play Metroid now. I haven't played in a while... *runs*
Is there anything you'd like to see done differently?
Reuters
Satoru Iwata told Reuters in an interview that "We (Nintendo) are developing a new home video game console with a plan to release the new system around the same time as rival makers do."
Unlike Yamauchi, Iwata knows what coming too late can mean. "The PlayStation 2 debuted one-and-a-half years ahead of the GameCube. If we had launched the GameCube at the same time as PlayStation 2, the result would have been different. We will get ready for a (new) battle in 2005 although foreign game developers are now saying that rival next-generation systems won't come until 2006."
And Nintendo won't be pulling a Sega anytime soon. "When we withdraw from the home game console, that's when we withdraw from the video game business."
Now, do you think this will make a difference? Before answering, remember the DC was the first of the new consoles, and it was a bigger failure than the GC. Also, remember that the GameCube DID launch alongside the XBox in North America, and it's still struggling. I think it's a start, but Nintendo actually has to follow through and release it before or alongside the others. And they still have to address all the other problems that have held them back. But like I said, it's a start.
Jeff Minter (Llamasoft is pretty much him) is making a Gamecube game! PGC had the link, so then I went to his site and they have more info too (link below). :)
I can honestly say I never saw this coming... I have followed Jeff Minter (and Llamasoft) for a couple years now but all he's made in the last few years was Tempest 3000 on Nuon and some more recent PocketPC games... so a new shooter from him? And with the help of Lionhead Studios? Wow! Cool!
Llamatron for PC has always been one of my favorite shooters, and Tempest 2000 (I've played the PC demo on the Jaguar emulator, though the Jag emulator doesn't get it right yet... no sound...) is really cool too... I love the 2d shooter genre so seeing another one on the Cube (Ikaruga, too) is great... given how N64 only had one 2d shooter in its whole lifespan...
Here's the link to his post from his blog at his site with more info than PGC has.
Well I got the game today and have played it for a few hours so I thought I'd tell you what I think of it at this early stage.
It's... not bad. The car controls are fine, although you slide way too easily. The on-foot parts are pretty mediocre though. The way your guy moves is very awkward, the camera is atrocious, and making him turn at a certain angle is frustrating and difficult. The aiming is "dumb" as it doesn't want to lock on to a guy shooting at you from a few inches away and rather targets an enemy halfway across the room.
The story and presentation are all really good though, and I'll have to play the game for a few more hours before I decide whether or not I want to keep it.
• Tactical Squad Based Shooter with 3 modes of play: Single player, 2 player split screen co-op (four player co-op using I-Link) and Multiplayer levels with up to 8 players via I-Link or Online internet play.
• Designed especially for the Playstation 2 entertainment system.
• “Crimson Fire” will focus a great deal on character development to give the game a Hollywood Action Movie flavor. Characters will have personality, attitude, and emotions coupled with unique looks and abilities.
• Advanced enemy AI:
Enemy interaction- Converse, alert, cover and distract each other.
Unique characteristics- i.e. foreign dialect, sleepy guard nodding off, boisterous cigar smoking leader, cowering overrun guard, etc.
React to sound and will investigate.
Enemy vision and hearing will vary with environmental surroundings.
Advanced pursuit logic- Follow, flank, retreat, cut off, and fake out maneuvers.
Capable of multiple sequence of events- i.e. Alert fellow guard of your presence, shoot at you, retreat up stairs, go through door, close door, wait behind door, ambush you upon entry.
• Physically modeled joint linkages- Weapons will have unique forces upon impact on characters, and the game will use physics to collide the body with the environment. i.e A point-blank shotgun blast to the chest would send the body flying backwards with great force and slam against a wall, then drop to floor. If an enemy were standing next to a railing he would propel backwards, hit the railing with his legs and flip over it head first. No two shots would ever be the same.
• Motion captured animations.
• Self-sufficient AI squad members with basic on the fly commands; Assault, Guard, Cover and Regroup, with offensive or defensive mode (aggressive or stealthy).
• Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround audio for enhanced 3D sound. The sense of "hearing" will play an essential roll in creating the mood and realism of the game.
• Large variety of upgradeable weapons and gadgetry that will boast stunning special effects and over the top firepower...there will be no skimping or holding back in this department.
• Advanced internally developed Renderware engine:
Full skeletal animation with fluid blending
Scripted and dynamically adaptive Artificial Intelligence
Dynamic shadows, light maps and environmental reflections
Complete vehicle rigid body physics and suspension simulation
Full Multiplayer support
Completely customizable particle system.
Definately a game I'll be keeping my eye on. After the spectacular Burnout 2 (both through gameplay and graphically), it's good to see the obviously talented guys back in action. :) And online, no less!