Tagged: rpg
Blizzard talks about making Diablo 3 for consoles: lots of work being put into it
When Blizzard had announced Diablo 3 for PS3 and PS4, everyone thought it’d just be a dumb console port. But that doesn’t seem to be the case; in fact, the studio is apparently putting a lot of thought and work into the game.
Blizzard’s Matthew Burger told OPM that the studio didn’t want to “emulate a PC game on the console,” adding that you won’t be able to get the PC experience by simply plugging in a USB keyboard and mouse. This is because they are putting in a “lot of work into how we laid out the abilities and the camera. It wouldn’t feel right.”
Burger then went on to explain how the game’s complex inventory management system is being streamlined to suit console users’ needs. They are also dividing it into body parts as opposed to the grid you can find in the PC version.
He also discussed the inclusion of the evade button and what it means for console players: “it helped solve some of the differences between PC and console.” Apparently, PC players can simply click anywhere on the map and simply go there as opposed to the console version where you have to move manually.
A lot more is discussed about transferring the game over to the PlayStation consoles. It’s an interesting read if you’re into this game.
BioWare learned lessons from Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3, despite being critically acclaimed and liked by gamers, faced a severe backlash due to its ending. There was a lot of debate regarding the ending, but BioWare had eventually kneeled to the fans by releasing extended versions of the game’s three endings. This was an industry first, and it’s still seen as an intrusion into artistic license by many.
Keeping all this in mind, BioWare learned a lot of lessons, and they’re going to heed them for their future titles. Casey Hudson, the game’s executive producer, noted how they had “underestimated how attached people [had] become to the characters.” He adds that the excellent Citadel DLC was born out of the desire to respect this love.
“We’d never imagined that as we ended the trilogy, all people would want to do was spend more time with the characters, sort of bathing in the afterglow—getting closure and just having some time to live in the universe that they fought to save,” he said. “This, and many other learnings, will be built into our future games.”
This sentiment is echoed by producer Mike Gamble, who commented that fans’ feelings about the characters were “just as strong as [BioWare’s]”.
As it stands right now, BioWare has only hinted that the next installment in the series is in the works. The company has recently been gauging interest in various aspects like timeline and multiplayer, so it remains to be seen what the future holds for us.
South Park game still expected later this year
Despite THQ going bankrupt earlier this year, South Park: The Stick of Truth is still on track for release this year. Ubisoft picked up the game at auction alongside THQ Montreal.
The action RPG is being developed at Obsidian in close collaboration with Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of the series. It is due out on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
The game was actually set for release later this month but was delayed once acquired by THQ. According to UK retailer Tesco, the game is scheduled for release on August 23.
Absolutely gorgeous high-res Witcher 3 screenshots
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is looking exquisite and absolutely brilliant! The first two games were awesome, and I simply can’t wait to see how this turns out. The game is looking to be a showcase for the next-gen, which it truly is. It is expected out sometime next year on both current-gen and next-gen platforms.
DARK teaser trailer is stylish and scary
Here’s an interesting trailer for DARK, a stealth action/RPG coming to PC and Xbox 360 sometime next year. This third-person game has you taking on the role of a vampire as he takes on a “shadowy” corporation.
Diablo 3 auction house delayed again, client patch next week
Diablo 3’s launch has been plagued by innumerable problems and issues with user experience. Blizzard has been quick to reply with a list of hotfixes that have been applied to the game. While this is good news, it is accompanied by some rather sad news: the real-money auction house has been delayed again.
Community manager Nethaera noted that they have delayed the auction house’s launch to “iron out the existing stability and gameplay issues.” No release date or further information was given.
The studio also stated that it’s looking into why some players’ achievements are missing; they also plan on releasing a patch addressing client issues next week.
Mass Effect 3 facing Rebellion on May 29
Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer mode is getting another expansion on May 29. Dubbed “Rebellion”, the new DLC pack adds more gear, weapons, maps, and kits to the game’s online modes. Best of all is the fact that it’s free for everyone who redeemed their online pass.
The pack includes two maps (“Firebase Jade” and “Firebase Goddess”), three new weapons, and six new characters to the multiplayer roster. BioWare and EA recently released the “Resurgence” pack that added to multiplayer gameplay.
These two packs don’t add anything for single-player adventurers. No need to worry though, as BioWare is working on the “Extended Cut” DLC that adds new single-player content and expands the ending of the game. It will be free.
Android app lets you check Diablo 3 server status
If you’ve got an Android device and are playing Diablo 3, you will love this app: it provides the current status of the game’s servers. Developed by Eluamous, who has also made a similar app for World of Warcraft, the app is free, though it is supported by ads. You can check the status of servers in US, Europe and Asia without having to log on to your computer.
Hackett and EDI are confirmed to appear in Mass Effect 3 DLC that expands endings
EDI and Admiral Hackett are two characters who have now been confirmed to appear in the upcoming “Extended Cut” DLC for Mass Effect 3. The content will expand upon the game’s ending, which was received negatively by gamers and critics.
Lance Henricksen and Tricia Helfer, who play Hackett and EDI, respectively, confirmed their appearances during a press junket for a new animated series called Tron: Uprising.
“I just did another session with [BioWare],” said Henricksen. “So we did a whole series of things to add to the end of the game, to live up to the quality they’ve been doing.”
Dragon Age Legends shutting down, single player version to be offered
EA sent out word that it’s shutting down Dragon Age Legends next month. No reason was given for the shutdown, though it should be noted that BioWare’s Ethan Levy said the browser game didn’t meet EA’s expectations.
The publisher stated that it will offer a free downloadable version of the game without multiplayer. It was originally released as a free-to-play, social RPG to coincide with the launch of Dragon Age 2.
BDGamers 