Prey Demo Available Now

[Evil Avatar]

The demo for Human Head's DOOM 3-engine shooter, Prey, is now available for downloading. The demo has one single player level and two multiplayer levels.

Mirrors:

Download.com (http://www.download.com/Prey-demo/3000-7453_4-10552044.html)
Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/cgi/chkpt.php?s=6152942&c=file_ftp_&site=1&u=http://download2.gamespot.com/d4/gsc/action/prey/GS_Prey_Demo.exe) (Non Paying)
Worthplaying (http://www.worthdownloading.com/download.php?gid=1368&id=7864)
3D Gamers (http://www.3dgamers.com/games/prey/downloads/)
Gamer's Hell (http://www.gamershell.com/download_14372.shtml)
Fragland (http://www.fragland.net/downloads.php?id=15389)
Filefront (http://files.filefront.com/prey+demo/;5175632;;/fileinfo.html)
Boomtown (http://download.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=11710)
FileShack (http://www.fileshack.com/file.x?fid=8998)

Editor: The Xbox 360 version of Prey has been delayed. According to 3D Realms' George Broussard, it may be several days (http://www.3drealms.com/news/2006/06/360_prey_demo_update.html) before the Prey demo hits the Xbox Live 360 marketplace.

[MFAC]

http://www.gamershell.com/download_14372.shtml

[Fragland]

http://www.fragland.net/downloads.php?id=15389

[MasterEvilAce]

thanks for gamershell!

500KB/s
overtook 40MB of download.com's download that took 40 minutes, within 2minutes

[MFAC]

thanks for gamershell!

500KB/s
overtook 40MB of download.com's download that took 40 minutes, within 2minutes

Yea man! 66% here!!

[MacDuff]

Has a game demo torrent site come out to replace FileRush? My gamespot download is dying. Where's a torrent, dammit?!

[MFAC]

Can anyone get an evilavatar server up tonight that we could all get in on?

[Mozgus]

I watched a video and I don't see what's so special. Seems like yet another Doom3 clone. Someone wanna fill me on on the unique aspects?

[MasterEvilAce]

HELL YES @ Gamer's hell. Never slowed down at all.

Mozgus: Multi-gravity essentially.. walking on walls,etc. You don't die ever.. you "leave your body" or something... uh.. portal technology.. you'd have to play the game or watch a trailer to understand that.

it looks doom3ish, yeah. but it's SO much more. it looks fast-paced and leet.

my d/l is done so i'm gonna play now

[laggerific]

http://files.filefront.com/prey+demo/;5175632;;/fileinfo.html


Friggin fast

[michaelwhite]

Will I be able to open my own casino in this demo?

(Hey, my great grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee.)

[aileron]

Just finished playing through it. I'll give it a thumbs up.

[TrackZero]

Hrm, I'll have to try this out when I get home from work.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!

All I can say so far!!!!!

[The_Darr]

surprisingly good.

[Savok]

Australian Bigpond customers

http://www.gamearena.com.au/files/details/html/prey-demo

It's going at top speed for me

[Sazime]

Anyone having graphical issues? I'm fading from red to green to blue hues.

[sTubbs]

Is the 360 demo out too? If not, when?

[Kefkataran]

Is the 360 demo out too? If not, when?

Later today (Thursday) some time.

[laggerific]

I have to say this is what the Doom3 engine needed...I'm still in the middle of Doom3, and it feels so dead compared to this...

I like the fact that the hero isn't some badass marine, whose only emotion is the grunt, or whatever character you play in Quake4.

I will probably pick this up, if for no other reason than to make my x1900xtx purchase worthwhile. It plays well on my AMD X2 4200 at 1920x1200 with everything maxed and 8xAF and 2xAA.

I wonder if it utilizes multiprocessors...I didn't notice an option to toggle it when I was flipping through the config screens.

[easi]

Just completed it, not exactly revolutionary but not your standard FPS either. The spirit walk, MC Escher stuff and that miniature planet-in-a-box all set it apart. The weapons aren't that fun and feel a bit spammy.

Graphically, you can't get away from the Doom3 feel but who knows, maybe there'll be some outside levels or something in the final.

[YoungAlCapone]

Edit: I liked it, interesting if nothing else. Zooming with that main rifle...Boom! Headshot!

Ran great, everything maxed at 1600 x 1200, looked very good.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

That was friggin awesome. Nothing totally revolutionary gameplay wise other than the portal shit but its fun and has a decent, although I guess somewhat basic, plot[so far?]. All the little details, like the music, are cool and as long as the devs werent lazy the whole game should be great the entire way through. Runs perfectly with everything maxxed.

Here are the screens I took. (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/Suicidal_ShiZuru/Prey/)

[Troggles]

I loved getting abducted while listening to "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult.

[MFAC]

p: get online and start playing, its so crazy its not even funny, wait until you get the super powerup for the sucker gun lol, its so fucking crazy lol.....

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

I loved getting abducted while listening to "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult.

Yeah I was laughing so hard then realized I was being aducted. The song in the end was suitable as well.

[Sazime]

Ok, I've started playing, and I've realized one thing: I need a new PC. Damnitt.

[kid cabelgo]

Yeah, the game is a lot of fun. The multiplayer chugs a little for me, so i might have to drop down my AA and vsync :(

The wacky gravity and the portals made it great for me. I did feel like I was playing a cross between Turok (the native american parts) and Quake 4 (the baddies and environments), but that's not a bad thing. I would just hope for some different environments, especially some outdoor stuff. If it keeps switching things up this'll be a must-buy.

[Mason]

Pretty good stuff. The gun-crawl could get old, but the exposition and spiritual section were well-done. Definite promise.

[Troggles]

I like the realistic dialogue too. I know that if I was abducted by aliens I'd be dropping the F-bomb all the time.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

I love how you can walk away from a character and someone will something accordingly. I did it once when I first talk to the old indian in the hallway. Tommy said "I dont have time for this shit" or something like that.

I hope we end up on the aliens home planet, or some other planet, and/or on earth eventually. The mix of guns/sprit walk/puzzle is hopefully as mixed as it was.

I wonder if whether or not you kill innocent people ahs an impact on the game? Tommy said "youre better off that way" when I shot some guy going crazy. I cant think of the name but Im pretty sure there have been some with a feature like that.

[Sazime]

Or what about turning machines back on that kill people? It seems like it could have an effect, if that's what they wanted to do. Then again, maybe it's to see how much of a humanitarian you are.

[Varsity]

Nice intro. I'm updating my sound card drivers right now with increasing impatience. :) And it wasn't a horribly bloated download, either!

[easi]

It's a shame that the jukebox was powered by Massive Inc.

[randir14]

This game is pretty amazing. The radio playing Art Bell was a nice touch. My only complaint is the main character's voice acting sucks and gets annoying.

[KarmaGhost]

HOLY SHIT!! That sums it up pretty well.

[Kefkataran]

I'm glad this is getting positive reaction and I'm looking forward to trying the 360 demo later. My one question: when's the retail release?

[Bumbuliuz]

I liked the demo. It ran perfect on my new pc witch is always fun. I am waiting for the 360 demo if it as good I will buy that version instead. I need the points ;)

[SBKidJamX]

This game gets double-super-awesome points for having Blue Oyster Cult.

The amount of cowbell is juuuuuuust right.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

I wonder if well be able to add our own songs. Id love some metal while I kill aliens. Or have music players in MP... Fight to change the song lol...

[Varsity]

It certainly succeeds in the "leave them wanting more" department. Multiplyer is a bit limp though, I thought.

[flinxz]

I'm glad this is getting positive reaction and I'm looking forward to trying the 360 demo later. My one question: when's the retail release?


It said July 10th on the gamespot site. And pre-orders for the 360 are supposed to ship July 10th on most sites. That of course is nothing official.

[Akeldama]

We've mirrored too: http://download.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=11710

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

Anyone feel like the weapons lag in MP?

[Varsity]

The projectiles all take time to travel. Look closely.

[51|RandoM]

The projectiles all take time to travel. Look closely.

Are you saying there are no hitscan weapons? That doesn't bode well for MP, at least not for high player count and low hacks count.

[StoneGut]

Just finished the demo ---- AWESOME!!

[Lord Dongkey]

Are you saying there are no hitscan weapons? That doesn't bode well for MP, at least not for high player count and low hacks count.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but don't hitscan weapons greatly contribute to high hack count, therefore lower player count?

Hitscan weapons, in general, are real shitters when it comes to deathmatch and gameplay - nobody enjoys being one-shotted or not having the ability to dodge. Then again, being the guy with the gun, nobody likes to have all weapons feel sluggish since the projectiles take time to hit the target...

I wonder if there's a creative solution to that...

[Wyrm]

I only got to play the first five minutes because the download took too damned long, but, I absolutely love the presentation. My jukebox was playing Judas Priest while I beat down on some drunk assholes.

I really really really like that the main character has a voice. The dialogue is real, and the situation is a great story within a story. I'm already really into this game and I cannot wait to get home and finish the demo. Also, the game looks freaking sweet.

I cant help but wonder though... Should I just wait to play it? I really dont want to ruin any of the story for myself before I start up, but the presentation is so neat, I will have to show the intro to few of my friends to get them hooked as well. I guess I will have to play all the way through it and then have the multiplayer tide me over til it comes out. So far, 5 minutes into the demo, I'm freaking sold, and I haven't shot a gun. Sounds strange, but to me, the opening sequence really means a lot. If the game is going to have a lackluster presentation, I just dont enjoy it that much.

[51|RandoM]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but don't hitscan weapons greatly contribute to high hack count, therefore lower player count?

Hitscan weapons, in general, are real shitters when it comes to deathmatch and gameplay - nobody enjoys being one-shotted or not having the ability to dodge. Then again, being the guy with the gun, nobody likes to have all weapons feel sluggish since the projectiles take time to hit the target...


Aimbots work better with hitscan weapons, yes. Projectile weapons, on the other hand, usually give you wiggle room on hacking the projectile's path and/or whether it hits, its speed, etc, due to client/server prediction.

I'm not advocating the railgun, either, I'm not a big fan of 1-hit kills, especially at long range, in an action game. On the other hand, assault rifles, light machine guns, chainguns, and shotguns are usually hitscan and I like the tradeoffs you have to deal with when switching between them(shotgun high damage, short range, worthless at anything medium to long range, relatively slow rate of fire|assault rifles a good compromise| light machine guns worthless unless effectively placed, slow to change facing, etc| chainguns high rate of fire, spin up/spin down times, scarcity of ammo).

[jervo]

The demo is great; I'll be playing it on my 360, though, since my PC was chugging along at points.

[Wyrm]

I might actually get a 360 for this title. My PC can run it, but why should I see it dumbed down even just a little? I bet it looks like creamy butter on the 360.

[MasterKwan]

I'm in about 20 minutes. I like what I see so far. Any game that has me chuckling one second (Don't fear the Reaper) and nervous a little later is a good game in my book. I like the back story and I like that we're trying to rescue the chick. All I need is some nanomachines and the story would be complete.

I like the single "Rifle" I have so far. Single shot or spray depending on how long you hold the mouse. Wish every weapon in every game worked that way.

Having a weird video problem where the bottom's cut off the display at 1280x1024. Seems to be an aspect ratio problem. I probably need to use a "square" resolution.

[Oblivion]

What an awesome game! loved the techo-organic look, spirit walking and a main char that speaks. 18+ to boot, wohoo I am sold!

[Wyrm]

I was sold when the main character opened his mouth. I just miss the interaction so much, it's awesome to see the main character rocking it hardcore like that. Like, you know, BEING an actual CHARACTER. Take note devs, this is the way to add an amazing amount of depth to the game. Some decent writing goes a long way for atmosphere.

[easi]

I do not understand how a game being rated 18 can possibly enhance your enjoyment of it. Unless you are 13.

[lost]

Only played for about 15 minutes. The portals are fucking cool, especially when beasts knock over crates and come screaming out from a completely different area!

Graphically its fantastic, my PC is dealing just fine with it. I'll admit theres the occasional chug but I'm trying to run it a bit beyond my hardware. In its genre I've not seen much thats more impressive, if anything.

Only worry is that the shoot outs don't really have much strategy...maybe its just because I'm really early in but it seems to be strafe about and fire at will.

And the start!? Think Human Head just created the benchmark for the most awesome boring bar scene ever.

...scarily its making me think...DNF...maybe...you know it wont suck?

[John Mirra]

I just finished the demo last night. Took me a bit longer than 45 minutes to beat it, but by God it is good.
It might be one of the most immersive games I've ever experienced. The bar scene was incredible. (Yes, both of them.)

I keep hearing people complain about Tommy's voice-actor, and I'm inclined to agree. However, this game's ability to make the character say something just as I was thinking it is uncanny.

[Lord Dongkey]

Aimbots work better with hitscan weapons, yes. Projectile weapons, on the other hand, usually give you wiggle room on hacking the projectile's path and/or whether it hits, its speed, etc, due to client/server prediction.

I'm not advocating the railgun, either, I'm not a big fan of 1-hit kills, especially at long range, in an action game. On the other hand, assault rifles, light machine guns, chainguns, and shotguns are usually hitscan and I like the tradeoffs you have to deal with when switching between them(shotgun high damage, short range, worthless at anything medium to long range, relatively slow rate of fire|assault rifles a good compromise| light machine guns worthless unless effectively placed, slow to change facing, etc| chainguns high rate of fire, spin up/spin down times, scarcity of ammo).

Good god... goes to show you how much I *don't* know about what these asshole cheating shits are up to. Makes sense, but the deviancy of changing the path of a projectile while in flight...

What's the fucking point of playing a game if you're going to cheat like that?

/disgust

I'd think it'd be easier to hack the hitscan since it's purely client side aiming and aimbotting, but now that you've painted such a destitute picture of online gaming...

Well, it reminds me why I quit playing CS.

[Wyrm]

I do not understand how a game being rated 18 can possibly enhance your enjoyment of it. Unless you are 13.

I, for one, am glad to see a game that doesnt mind dropping a few f-bombs when the situation calls for it. That actually DOES enhance the enjoyment of it for me. It's real, it's gritty. It's not some Nintendo world where the humor is based on words like "stupid dumb-brain". And hey, I'm all for that silly humor as well, but it's nice to step away from it for a few hours in a completely different setting.

[Food Nipple]

I'd think it'd be easier to hack the hitscan since it's purely client side aiming and aimbotting, but now that you've painted such a destitute picture of online gaming...

Well, it reminds me why I quit playing CS.

I think you must be reading something wrong or putting words in his mouth, his post is primarily about weapon balance, not cheating.

[51|RandoM]

Well, it reminds me why I quit playing CS.

I played CS for a few hours on a 24/7 militia server last night. I got accused of cheating because my view was "shaky". I tried to explain the concepts of adrenaline, 1920x1200, and a g7 with CS set to 11 sensitivity but they didn't buy it.

Was a nice compliment. :-)

[Heretic Machine]

I fucking loved that. That was a great demo, and I'm sold. I knew close to nothing about this game before playing the demo, besides the fact that it was coming from 3D Realms (which isn't a good thing, in my book), so I went in with very few expectations. The music was used well, like the initial abduction scene (with one of my favorite bands playing), and when you later find the bar again.

My only decision at this point is whether I want it for my PC or my 360...

[easi]

Mouse&keyboard or pad?

The choice is clear.

[Savok]

That was waaay better then I expected, Doom 3 engine is singing, never thought I'd say that...

Weapons, though really well designed, just don't have any oomph to them, that might change with the later ones. But again, better then Doom 3 with negative oomph (worst shotgun ever).

Great dialogue aside, the concept is hilarious, along the lines of the president being kidnapped by ninjas. I highly suspect this'll be an instant classic.

[Leaving Hope]

I do not understand how a game being rated 18 can possibly enhance your enjoyment of it. Unless you are 13.

Because, as adults, some of us want to enjoy movies and video games that deal with mature situations. I do not believe that profane language, nudity, or violence should be common place or gratuitous; however, if a situation calls for one of those things and it actually makes sense, I see no reason to exclude it.

Bad things happen. People have get it on. We lose those we care about. People respond with naughty words. In my opinion, omitting them from a story where they would belong or make sense subtracts from the realism and experience.

[Rifter]

I knew close to nothing about this game before playing the demo, besides the fact that it was coming from 3D Realms (which isn't a good thing, in my book), so I went in with very few expectations.

I am curious about this comment. Do you really know what 3D Realms released, besides failing to release Duke Nukem Forever? If you look at their product catelog, they have published some of the best games to grace a computer.

I still haven't played Prey. I was sick last night, and went right to bed when I got home... but, I started downloading this, just after I got up in this morning, so I can play it when I get home tonight! :-)

[TRiLoGY]

Woah..
I've not played this yet (I'm currently downloading the PC Demo), But I'm impressed with the number of people who love the demo :)

I'm looking forward to trying it.

[Sl1pstream]

Editor: The Xbox 360 version of Prey has been delayed. According to 3D Realms' George Broussard, it may be several days before the Prey demo hits the Xbox Live 360 marketplace.

Xbox 360 demo in 2010?

I am curious about this comment. Do you really know what 3D Realms released, besides failing to release Duke Nukem Forever? If you look at their product catalog, they have published some of the best games to grace a computer.

Pre-windows, yes. Even though they're called 3D Realms ,they haven't released a single 3D game since Duke Nukem/Shadow Warrior. 2D games aren't exactly the same thing as 3D games. Besides, 3D realms are publishing this, Human Head is responsible for Prey.

[Wyrm]

Yeah, I think the only decision about this game I need to make at this point, is which platform to purchase it for.

[MasterKwan]

Finished the demo. Crying for more. Wish I could go down to the store and buy it today.

[51|RandoM]

Because, as adults, some of us want to enjoy movies and video games that deal with mature situations.


So let me get this straight. Killing people, lots of people, isn't a mature situation, but showing a little skin is?


It is like Dave Mustaine said, "Kill one man and you're a murderer, kill many and you're a conqueror, kill 'em all and you're a god!". ***


***I'm aware he probably wasn't the first one to say this, though he might be the first to put it to music. :-)

[MasterKwan]

Here in the US, that's 100% true. Kill all the whores (in game) you want. Have sex with them before you kill them and you'll have an uproar. I look for adult (non-porn) games because I'm an adult.

I found the scene in the demo where the kids kill each other to be pretty damn disturbing but, it was in keeping with the warnings on the box. I'm still waiting for the partial nudity.

The demo gave me a "System Shock 2" kind of vibe. That's a damn good thing.

[Cubfan]

Personally I like sex more than I do violence. It's pretty cool.

On topic, I had virtually no interest in this game, but now I really can't wait for the 360 demo. I would love for it to be released by tonight, but that sounds doubtful :(

[Royal Fool]

Haha, I knew this game would be a hit.

[GrinR]

Blah. I've been prepped for disappointment for so many years I'm going to have to buy everyone on EA a beer if this game isn't shit.

Maybe a good beer if it ends up being the shit.

[easi]

Fuck, I totally forgot about that infanticide scene. Fox News on line 1!

[MasterEvilAce]

Xbox 360 demo in 2010?



Pre-windows, yes. Even though they're called 3D Realms ,they haven't released a single 3D game since Duke Nukem/Shadow Warrior. 2D games aren't exactly the same thing as 3D games. Besides, 3D realms are publishing this, Human Head is responsible for Prey.
Neither of those games are 3D. They're actually referred to as 2.5D.. because it's essentially just mind tricks. If you look directly up in duke nukem 3d in the hollywood holocaust level, everything looks incorrect as far as proportions go, etc. It's like trickery or something.

[Heretic Machine]

I am curious about this comment. Do you really know what 3D Realms released, besides failing to release Duke Nukem Forever? If you look at their product catelog, they have published some of the best games to grace a computer.

I still haven't played Prey. I was sick last night, and went right to bed when I got home... but, I started downloading this, just after I got up in this morning, so I can play it when I get home tonight! :-)

Duke 3D
Max Payne
Shadow Warrior
Terminal Velocity

Out of those games, I enjoyed Duke 3D.

[GrinR]

Neither of those games are 3D. They're actually referred to as 2.5D.. because it's essentially just mind tricks. If you look directly up in duke nukem 3d in the hollywood holocaust level, everything looks incorrect as far as proportions go, etc. It's like trickery or something.

Having spent god knows how many hours with the Build Engine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Build_engine) I can tell you it was completely 3D - unless you wanted to have any kind of space ABOVE another space. No matter how "3D" the level seemed, you could always flatten the whole thing down to a top-down map with nothing under anything else ever...

unless you used the trick I discovered where you could make a room above another room, so long as you couldn't SEE the insides of both rooms at the same size. For instance, a 2 story building where the first floor had a door on the west side and the second floor had a door on the east side could be done.

[Heretic Machine]

Mouse&keyboard or pad?

The choice is clear.

Mouse/Keyboard or Pad?
Random PC matcmaking service or XBOX Live?
Typeing communication or voice communication?
Mods or no mods?

On the first question, the answer is that I don't care. I can use both very well.

Second question, Live is blatantly superior.

Voice, obviously.

This is usually the deciding factor for me when I decide between a PC and a console release... Do I think there will be a significant modding community which will justify using the software on the PC, rather than the console? In this case, I don't believe so.

I think I'm gonna side with the 360, but I want to play that demo first.

[nein89]

Just finished it, and I'm going to have to toss out a dissenting opinion; great atmosphere and presentation, but the actual shooting of things was sort of tedious. That being such a large part of the game, I think I'm going to pass on it.

I hope the portal thing sees some more use in the future, though; there's definite potential there.

[YoungAlCapone]

Fuck, I totally forgot about that infanticide scene. Fox News on line 1!

That was easily one of the more disturbing things I have seen in a videogame. I have seen plenty more violent, but none that really hit me the way that did. I mean, shit, they're kids, and by the look of it, brother and sister. Lets be clear though, Didn't bother me much, because I can seperate fiction and reality. If anything it made the horror atmosphere much more pronounced.

I played through it again this morning. I am officially looking foward to picking this game up on the 10th. If they can manage that kind of variety for the entire length of the game, then I think it should be great.

And does it ever run great. I mean, I understand it is Doom 3 engine and I shouldn't have been even a little worried, but man it runs really good. I run everything maxed at 1600 x 1200 with no slowdown at all, on a p4 @ 3.0 ghz, nVidia 7800 gs and a gig of ram. Couldn't do that with Quake 4 or Doom 3...but those were on a 9800 xt.

[Kefkataran]

Mouse&keyboard or pad?

Actually, unfortunately, it's more a question of achievement points or not.

And Perigon, you're looking at games developed by 3DRealms. This game wasn't developed by 3DRealms.

[Worldcrafter]

Having spent god knows how many hours with the Build Engine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Build_engine) I can tell you it was completely 3D
Oh my god. I spent so much time playing with that engine! I made a level called Hexen where I started copying Hexen's hub world idea, but ended up just trying as many crazy level design tricks as I could. Sectors, sector effectors, man, that was fun.

The build engine is refered to as a 2.5D engine because it's a raster engine that calculates what the player can see, and then takes the texture that is supposed to be on a given wall, and draws the wall vertically, one line at a time, sort of piecing the texture together with scaling to give the illusion of depth. I know I'm butchering this, but basically it's a very tricky 2D engine that can render a scene in so that it looks 3D.

I haven't had a chance to play the Prey demo, but I'm really glad so many people are loving it. I've been defending the game since I saw the first video (well, first video of it's second incarnation) and I was going to feel pretty stupid if the game sucked. I love FPS, and the concepts of arbitrary gravity, advanced portals, and the spirit world/no death thing really intrigued me. Now I just have to wait for another hour or so before I can check it out.

[Beelzebud]

I was pleasantly suprised by this demo. Human Head really has done a fine job on this game. I really liked the Art Bell clip they put in. I was running down a hallway, and though I heard Bell's voice, and sure enough it was him.

It almost sounded like they got him to do the voice work. It didn't seem like clips from real shows, it was too tailored to the game. He was telling people in the Garland Texas area to call in and report strange lights in the sky. :) Very cool.

The graphics are nice, and they run smooth on my machine.

I may just have to get this game once it's available.

[HonestIago]

Hmm, I played the demo for about 25 minutes and to be honest - I don't see a reason to buy it. Had it been out when the engine was new, it would have been a great game but at that point in time?

The thing I really like is the change of gravity in several places - gives some space for thinking but since I am a visual addict, I will wait for a shooter to make use of all the hardware around (the game is running perfectly on my Athlon XP 3000+, GeForce 6800 Ultra, AGP).

It might be a buy-option for me when it hits the price region of 10-15 USD.

[Wyrm]

It will be mine!

[GrinR]

Oh my god. I spent so much time playing with that engine! I made a level called Hexen where I started copying Hexen's hub world idea, but ended up just trying as many crazy level design tricks as I could. Sectors, sector effectors, man, that was fun.

The build engine is refered to as a 2.5D engine because it's a raster engine that calculates what the player can see, and then takes the texture that is supposed to be on a given wall, and draws the wall vertically, one line at a time, sort of piecing the texture together with scaling to give the illusion of depth. I know I'm butchering this, but basically it's a very tricky 2D engine that can render a scene in so that it looks 3D.

I haven't had a chance to play the Prey demo, but I'm really glad so many people are loving it. I've been defending the game since I saw the first video (well, first video of it's second incarnation) and I was going to feel pretty stupid if the game sucked. I love FPS, and the concepts of arbitrary gravity, advanced portals, and the spirit world/no death thing really intrigued me. Now I just have to wait for another hour or so before I can check it out.


I tried really hard to get into the brush-based level editors... worldcraft? but they were never as simple as the build engine. Shit, I could design a decent level with Build in 3-4 hours, complete with windows, doors, and decoration.

[Random Seed]

And does it ever run great. I mean, I understand it is Doom 3 engine and I shouldn't have been even a little worried, but man it runs really good. I run everything maxed at 1600 x 1200 with no slowdown at all, on a p4 @ 3.0 ghz, nVidia 7800 gs and a gig of ram. Couldn't do that with Quake 4 or Doom 3...but those were on a 9800 xt.


Ya, it runs very good. I can actually play it on my lappy, so now I'll have to wait for the 360 demo so I can pick between them if I get the game. My laptop is semi-new, but I really thought this game would be too much.

[laggerific]

I do not understand how a game being rated 18 can possibly enhance your enjoyment of it. Unless you are 13.

It's a matter of being engaged in the story...and swearing and talking like a normal human certainly helps that.

Same reason I loved God of War...they didn't tone down a game that takes place in a time of diaphynous attire...

[Worldcrafter]

I tried really hard to get into the brush-based level editors... worldcraft? but they were never as simple as the build engine. Shit, I could design a decent level with Build in 3-4 hours, complete with windows, doors, and decoration.
You might not have guessed, but I managed to make the transition to using worldcraft with Half-Life. It took me about a year of fiddling around with the editor before I "got it". The HL engine was also a lot of fun to work with. I don't know about you, but my favorite part of level design is making an engine look like it's doing suff it can't (such as the room over room trick with Build).

After playing the Prey demo, my thoughts were this: holy crap I'm buying this game, holy crap I need to tell my friend about this game, holy crap I'd love to play around with this game's level editor. The part were you can change gravity was a lot of fun. Between that and the portals you could do some crazy stuff. I also love the game's presentation. Good immersion, especially with your character having a voice. By George, I think this game was worth the wait!

[Asmodan]

I went into the demo knowing very little and I have to say I was fairly impressed. I can't remember the last time a made me queasy with the motion.

Also, for the people saying they dig the stuff the character says... I read somewhere earlier that they recorded comments made by testers in reaction to things and used those as a script for Tommy. So rather than having a guy try to imagine what sort of cliche cornball things he might say they got actual human reactions (that are still a bit detached, but great).

On the major plus side... the jukebox has Sheep on Drugs! I could have sworn I was like the only person who listened to them :P

[randir14]

I really liked the Art Bell clip they put in. I was running down a hallway, and though I heard Bell's voice, and sure enough it was him.

It almost sounded like they got him to do the voice work. It didn't seem like clips from real shows, it was too tailored to the game. He was telling people in the Garland Texas area to call in and report strange lights in the sky. :) Very cool.


Yeah they got him to do the voicework for the game. You can read about it here:
http://www.3drealms.com/news/2006/04/prey_weekly_dev_13.html

[RMan]

Hmm, I played the demo for about 25 minutes and to be honest - I don't see a reason to buy it. Had it been out when the engine was new, it would have been a great game but at that point in time?
Uhh, what? I mean, it looks as good as any other game out there, unless you're counting stuff that hasn't been released. Seriously, if you choose not to play a game because it doesn't visually match stuff that hasn't actually been released, or doesn't use the newest engine (that hasn't been released), you’ll never like anything.

I think the demo was great, very impressive stuff. The shooting mechanics/weapons was likely the weakest part, but they certainly weren’t bad and were diverse. The gravity, portal, and spirit stuff were very cool and well done, I certainly wasn’t expecting the game to be that impressive. I could see it setting the bar for an overall FPS experience.

[Voodoo]

Now that was a damn good demo. Anyone know how long it had been since Prey was originally announced? I have no clue but my best guess is 1999 or 1998.

[Beelzebud]

Yeah they got him to do the voicework for the game. You can read about it here:
http://www.3drealms.com/news/2006/04/prey_weekly_dev_13.html

Very cool! Those lucky bastards go to go into Art's inner sanctum! :D

[Tennistoad]

Wow, I must say that the game shows the years they have put into it so far. I knew it would be good when you started in the bathroom and looked in the mirror and saw the same screenshot they showed in pcmag like 8 years ago!!(+ some better art)

Very well done so far,, Might hold off getting it till I pick up a 360 cause my comp won't run it full bore.

Also Where is the 1680x1050 res option??? I had to widescreen and stretch it..

Alot of work went into these level designs and I must say I'm impressed. I almost fell outta my seat when I saw the Bar again.. Great.. and when I restarted the killing machine..oh shit!!

[TrackZero]

Wow, I must say that the game shows the years they have put into it so far. I knew it would be good when you started in the bathroom and looked in the mirror and saw the same screenshot they showed in pcmag like 8 years ago!!(+ some better art)

Very well done so far,, Might hold off getting it till I pick up a 360 cause my comp won't run it full bore.

Also Where is the 1680x1050 res option??? I had to widescreen and stretch it..

Alot of work went into these level designs and I must say I'm impressed. I almost fell outta my seat when I saw the Bar again.. Great.. and when I restarted the killing machine..oh shit!!

Agreed, from what I've played so far, this game is a breath of fresh air for the FPS genre. I'm also quite happy with the performance on my box, my 6600 is holding up well.

[Lord Dongkey]

Wow.

Just played through it, came to thread to post... and I can just say:

Wow.

FPS isn't dead yet, folks. I'm buying this shit.

[Dracula-X]

I was sold on Prey early on, especially after watching the vids. The demo was a lot of fun, really enjoyed it. Hearing Art Bell in the game was fantastic too (off-and-on C2C listener here).

Definitely a must have. PC or 360??? Decisions, decisions...

[hund_]

had to uninstall the demo[it was that good].
i will play when it hits the stores;)

[H.Bogard]

Just got done with the demo (have yet to check out the mp mode), DAMN! That was one fine experience...I've never had this much fun in a shooter since...I donno...!
Definately the kind of game I could imagine myself beating in one sitting...

[Furtive]

I will wait for a shooter to make use of all the hardware around (the game is running perfectly on my Athlon XP 3000+, GeForce 6800 Ultra, AGP).

So gameplay means nothing to you? Just goes to show that theres still an audience for Microsoft and Sony this gen. Personally I thought the level design was just amazing in this demo. I could go for a little less linear path but I can honestly say I didn't get bored along the rail they had set up. The fact that my computer can actually handle the game with higher quality settings is a HUGE plus for me. I'm looking forward to the graphics Crysis and other future works will bring but I would love to get some more milage out of my current hardware and Prey is delivering just that.

[Kefkataran]

Furtive's totally right. And even with something like Crysis, which no one can deny looks amazing, it's still gonna be a shitty game if the gameplay sucks.