Mirror's Edge screenshots, preview and website

[Varsity]

Mirror's Edge is DICE's free-running FP'S' project. It was announced a while ago, but the PR department have only just shown their hand. There's now a new website (http://on-mirrors-edge.com), two new screenshots (http://on-mirrors-edge.com/index.php?option=com_incgallery&Itemid=32), and an interview at Next-Gen (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6598&Itemid=51).

“The first thing we wanted to get was the feeling of actually sprinting, to get a feeling of speed and momentum in the game,” says O’Brien.

And, well, it works – and this is before motion-blur or any other full-screen effects have been added to accentuate the feeling of movement. But it’s not only the contact with the environment and the audiovisual feedback that makes the player feel so coupled with the avatar – crucially, DICE has nailed the sense of acceleration and deceleration. The latter is particularly obvious if you hit the crouch button while moving at speed – the avatar throws herself into a slide, feet outstretched in front (useful for evading slowly descending garage doors, for example), and, skidding to a gravelly-sounding halt, the viewpoint skews with plausible imitation of naturalistic head movement. It’s all suggestive of a friction with the surrounding world that is simply absent from other firstperson games – and perhaps it takes an effort like DICE’s to recognise that there even was a common disconnect occuring in the genre that needed to be addressed.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5889/ome1thyx6.jpg (http://on-mirrors-edge.com/index.php?option=com_incgallery&Itemid=32)

This sounds awesome! How will the announced PC version manage without analogue input though? Surely DICE can't afford to insist on gamepads...

[Abash Alarmist]

I'm curious how this wouldn't work for a keyboard.

[UnderHero5]

I'm curious how this wouldn't work for a keyboard.

Well, we all know that FPS controls don't work well with a mouse/keyboard! :rolleyes:

[Dr.Finger]

Sounds like the Assassin's Creed gameplay from a first person perspective.

[YoungAlCapone]

Sounds awesome, I have been saying for a while that the new generation should include animations getting more natural and more interactive environments, and that hasn't really been happening.

Plus, any game that lets you move incredibly agile like gets much attention from me.

[Baron Samedi]

Next stop, hyperrealisim!

[Varsity]

I'm curious how this wouldn't work for a keyboard.

No analogue.

[CoachCrazyMcScot]

In a deep sea of FPS, only innovation is going to make your non-sequel game stand out from the rest, before its released.

Then it can still suck with bad story or gameplay....

I give DICE alot of credit. They're sticking their neck out, and could be making the next game we're playing this year.

[Mr.Green]

This sounds great!

[YoungAlCapone]

No analogue.

Shift key.

[Abash Alarmist]

Or have it so that you gain speed the longer you hold the 'w' key. At 0 you're at rest, and after 3 seconds, you're finally to full speed.

[Bone]

I didn't see any mention of using the analog effects of the buttons- just that you would hit a crouch button while running. As yet I can't see why this wouldn't work on a PC.

[Varsity]

Hmm. Maybe. You'd still miss out on a lot of fine control.

[YoungAlCapone]

Hmm. Maybe. You'd still miss out on a lot of fine control.

If it was that focused, which I would prefer, maybe.

[Venkman]

Shift key.

That's still "on" or "off", isn't it?

[Bone]

Hmm. Maybe. You'd still miss out on a lot of fine control.How so? Everything they've described there could be done with traditional controls, IMO. And the mouse of course is an analog input device. I guess I'm missing something that you see.

[Varsity]

That's still "on" or "off", isn't it?

It adds a third level. Which is helpful, but far from analogue.

[CrashCart]

I like the concept of coloring the world in different ways to indicate what terrain/objects can be used in the acrobatic stunts, which paths are safe, etc. to represent your awareness of your surroundings and how to use them to your advantage.

“We wanted to get that feel into the game, seeing the world as a she would see it; stripping out everything except that which would be important to her. We want the player to move through the world very quickly, and we want the player to know what their options are. All the things that are important to you will pop out.”

Potential paths and objects that Faith can use to propel herself through the environment are indicated with vibrant splashes of primary colour. Routes that will lead to certain death tend to be marked with shadow, while safe paths are illuminated, giving the player an instinctive sense of how to navigate the perilous rooftop paths without having to stop and check ahead.

That's something that might be nice in other free roaming games like Assassin's Creed, Spiderman, etc. It sucks to be trucking along, looking all awesome in your rooftop shenanigans and then you smack a wall and faceplant on the streets below. :D

[YoungAlCapone]

That's still "on" or "off", isn't it?

Yes, but, but....

But nothing, it isn't analogue, and it never will be. These days it works fine, and if this game is really that well done it wouldn't really work right, but I just don't see that as being the case. I imagine on or off will be just as effective as analogue control for most games, unless there are actual uses for running at a moderate pace.

[Bone]

The description of the game doesn't mention analog button presses though. Can you explain how you're coming to that conclusion? Their description sounds like first person controls to me.

[Varsity]

How so? Everything they've described there could be done with traditional controls, IMO. And the mouse of course is an analog input device. I guess I'm missing something that you see.

I'm thinking particularly of Bioshock, where the game took on a new level of cool when you could decide precise speed. I'm also thinking of driving games (which are much closer to ME than shooters), which have clear benefits from analogue. You could certainly do it with a keyboard, but it wouldn't be anything like as good (at least until the guns came into play).

The description of the game doesn't mention analog button presses though. Can you explain how you're coming to that conclusion? Their description sounds like first person controls to me.

Analogue <> button. A button is digital: either on or off. The thumbsticks are analogue and let you input any value between, say, 0 and 100.

[karak]

Hahahahaha. I can not wait for this game. I had to look through the entire site before realizing it was not a joke. We used to joke about this kind of game a couple years ago when "Freerunning" became popular. Man. Good times. It's always nice to see stupid from afar and not have to be actually involved with it.

[Wombat]

You could use a system like Splinter Cell, where rotating the mouse wheel increases and decreases your speed. Is that analogue enough for you?

[YoungAlCapone]

The description of the game doesn't mention analog button presses though. Can you explain how you're coming to that conclusion? Their description sounds like first person controls to me.

Not the buttons, the sticks to control momentum.

[Bone]

Analogue <> button. A button is digital: either on or off. The thumbsticks are analogue and let you input any value between, say, 0 and 100.In the case of the 360, that's not entirely true of the buttons, right? I thought some buttons had an analog component as well, like the trigger buttons.

I see where you're going with it, though. The PC has one analog control, the mouse, for head positioning, while the consoles have two analog sticks, for head and body movement.

[Varsity]

You could use a system like Splinter Cell, where rotating the mouse wheel increases and decreases your speed. Is that analogue enough for you?

Yeah, that would work. It's damn fiddly though, with no feedback on its state save any on-screen indicator, this in a game that I don't believe has an interface, and a wee bit slow.

[YoungAlCapone]

Analogue <> button. A button is digital: either on or off. The thumbsticks are analogue and let you input any value between, say, 0 and 100.

In the case of the 360, that's not entirely true of the buttons, right? I thought some buttons had an analog component as well, like the trigger buttons.


There have been pressure sensitive analogue buttons since PS2. All of the face buttons on all three last gen consoles were pressure sensitive. Go play a racing game and push the gas button hard, and then a little softer and I guarentee you will notice the difference.

[Mdot23]

Looks pretty cool if it works as well as they say. What's the story line for the game?

[Varsity]

There have been pressure sensitive analogue buttons since PS2.

Then those are analogue. Not that that would help this game, unless you have to pound LB and RB to move each foot...

[Bingley Joe]

You could use a system like Splinter Cell, where rotating the mouse wheel increases and decreases your speed. Is that analogue enough for you?

I always thought that was a very fine solution to the 'problem', although I think they should have added some sort of indicator in the HUD so that you'd know where you had it set. Still.. I've often wondered why more games didn't borrow that.

This game looks and sounds great though! I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it -- if they get it right, maybe it will finally put to rest the idea that legs and feet are somehow unwelcome in FPS games :)

[GrinR]

The PC keyboard-and-mouse diehards will NEVAR SURRENDOR!

Sadly, at this point if you're not comfortable switching between KBM and controller, you're missing out on a majority of games. RTS is still the PC's bitch. FPS is up for grabs. Everything else is controller-TASTIC!

[Spiffae]

I read the cover story on this game a few months ago in EDGE - if done right, this could be a revolutionary game.

[Varsity]

FPS is up for grabs.

No. I'm not even going to argue the case: it's just a fat no.

Everything else being "controller-tasitc" is a little short-sighted too. Controller-sensible, perhaps. :p

[Bone]

The PC keyboard-and-mouse diehards will NEVAR SURRENDOR!

Nah, I just wanted clarification. If it's true then I will have no problems grabbing the 360 version instead of PC. If there is such a choice.

[51|RandoM]

I didn't see anything in that article that required analog input.

No shortage of pc controllers out there, you can even use a sixaxis or 360 controller if you want. Every GFW-branded game has support for the 360 controller out of the box.

[Mr.Green]

Did this really had to turn into yet another fucking PC vs. Consoles debate?

*sigh*

Anyway, I actually went and read the whole article. Do yourself a favor and do the same. It's like DICE have read my mind and are making the game I have always wanted. Well, wanted for a while anyway.

This game went from unknown to near the top of my list pretty fast.

[GrinR]

No. I'm not even going to argue the case: it's just a fat no.

Everything else being "controller-tasitc" is a little short-sighted too. Controller-sensible, perhaps. :p

Between the Wii, DS, PSP, PS123, and X360, it's controller-TASTIC! The PC Gaming world has always been a small subset of the video gaming world, and it's been getting smaller and more focused as the years go by. Stop by any Gamestop if you want evidence.

[YoungAlCapone]

Did this really had to turn into yet another fucking PC vs. Consoles debate?

*sigh*

Hey, what would some people do without the ability to ridicule others for thier personal preferences?

[51|RandoM]

Stop by any Gamestop if you want evidence.

Evidence that the "used game" business model is more applicable to console than pc?

Evidence that the pc needed to have uniformity of game packaging a long time before it did?

Evidence that PC gamers on average being older than console gamers are doing their shopping at other outlets?

There is plenty of evidence to be had, I'm not sure any of it directly supports what you said. :)

[Limech]

...skidding to a gravelly-sounding halt, the viewpoint skews with plausible imitation of naturalistic head movement.

I predict motion sickness galore. I think it's cool that Dice is trying to do this nifty concept but I'd prefer they work on Battlefield 3.

I'd also like to point out that for a company that took FOREVER to fix issues with players being able to daulphin dive, bunny hop 8 feet high and prone spam in Battlefield 2, I will be sold on this once I see it in action. (and yes, I know there are still issues on that front in BF games).

Part of me thinks the abuse of movement in BF2 was probably one of the reasons why they started to study how they could do a better job at making sure they capture someone's movement more accurately.

[Mortal Moxie]

I thought it was pretty obvious why people didn't think a keyboard would give the player the same level of control as say a 360 controller.

Obviously yes, you can build momentum with a character by pressing the W key. In Crysis you drive a jeep forward by pressing W. The jeep slowly speeds up as you hold W longer.

The bad thing about this is that you can't hover at say 15 mph without tapping the W key to stick within that mph range that your looking for. It's either, off the gas completely, or full throttle.

360's analog controllers allow you to slightly hold that joystick in a forward position to stop, go, or hover at that certain speed your looking for.

Will this make the PC game any less fun? No.
Will this take away from the PC game experience? No.

In the end, millions of gamers would much rather use a mouse to aim than a sloppy jello-y analog stick on a console game.



This game looks pretty as hell and I can't wait for it already :D

[Kamalot]

I remember when Riddick added the ability for your character to cast shadows. It was very effective at adding another layer of immersion to the FPS game. It sounds like these camera tricks and controls are similar in that they really immerse the player into thinking they are 'there'.

[Mr.Green]

I predict motion sickness galore. I think it's cool that Dice is trying to do this nifty concept but I'd prefer they work on Battlefield 3.

Can I quote you next time someone blames the industry for flooding us with sequels and the lack of innovation?

[Kamalot]

I thought it was pretty obvious why people didn't think a keyboard would give the player the same level of control as say a 360 controller.

Obviously yes, you can build momentum with a character by pressing the W key. In Crysis you drive a jeep forward by pressing W. The jeep slowly speeds up as you hold W longer.

The bad thing about this is that you can't hover at say 15 mph without tapping the W key to stick within that mph range that your looking for. It's either, off the gas completely, or full throttle.

360's analog controllers allow you to slightly hold that joystick in a forward position to stop, go, or hover at that certain speed your looking for.

Will this make the PC game any less fun? No.
Will this take away from the PC game experience? No.

In the end, millions of gamers would much rather use a mouse to aim than a sloppy jello-y analog stick on a console game.



This game looks pretty as hell and I can't wait for it already :D
I'm still convinced the best combination would be a mouse for aiming and a thumbstick for movement.

Hey, maybe someone will build a Wii interface layer (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42073) for this game to give people the best of both worlds.

[Mortal Moxie]

I'm still convinced the best combination would be a mouse for aiming and a thumbstick for movement.

I would use it.

I'm suprised that of all the gaming keyboards out there, there isn't one with a thumstick in either the lower left hand corner, left side, or right smack in the middle of the W, A, S, D keys.

Hmm

[Kamalot]

I would use it.

I'm suprised that of all the gaming keyboards out there, there isn't one with a thumstick in either the lower left hand corner, left side, or right smack in the middle of the W, A, S, D keys.

Hmm

Ah-yup! I'd love a little joystick on my keyboard...

[Laughing_Penguin]

I'm still convinced the best combination would be a mouse for aiming and a thumbstick for movement.


Kind of like this?

http://au.gear.ign.com/articles/799/799262p1.html

Haven't actually used it myself, but it seems like the best of both worlds to me...

[Mortal Moxie]

Kind of like this?

http://au.gear.ign.com/articles/799/799262p1.html

Haven't actually used it myself, but it seems like the best of both worlds to me...

Kinda, but I think I would get sore from my arms being so close together.

Does the arm rest slide out sideways?

If so, that thing rocks and I would love to use it.

[Kamalot]

Kind of like this?

http://au.gear.ign.com/articles/799/799262p1.html

Haven't actually used it myself, but it seems like the best of both worlds to me...

Sweet! Where can I find a wireless Bluetooth one?

Edit:
Maybe not yet. Good idea, but maybe lacking in execution...

I give the fragfx 1 star for the concept but at this time it does not function as advertised and should be pulled from the market. It tries to bring an improvement to fps controllers - but it fails. The motion (6-axis) aspect is not present, the frag button doesn't do anything, the mouse suffers from lag but wait there's more: the website has no support even though they mention a firmware update that, from what I gather, was due out months ago but has missed another deadline (dec 24). How long before the product functions as advertised? Probably never - they are most likely in over their heads with technical issues they can't figure out. Also, the cord going from the left control pod to the mouse is too short and stiff and makes this thing a convoluted pain in the @$$ to use. Another negative is the mouse pad has a stupid built in holder for (when you aren't using) the left side control that prevents the pad from sitting flat on a coffee table and its not detachable. Don't buy this product (or any other that doesn't have comprehensive online support including current firmware upgrades onsite ready to be downloaded at the time of purchase - promises of a future release rarely ever come to pass). I can also presume that future controllers from SplitFish such as the glidefx and dualfx will suffer from the same software issues and delays in fixing the issues if they are ever resolved at all. I sent them an email asking how to get the firmware update and received an email thanking me for my interest in SplitFish products. SpitFish obviously is one of those companies that believes in releasing a non-functioning product and keep right on selling it even though it doesn't work. Makes one wonder about these gaming review sites that think this controller is good - what is their incentive for misguiding the consumer? Spend the $60 on a new game instead and you will be much happier at what you are getting for your money. I am returning mine back to Walmart for a refund, reason: does not function as advertised.

[Bone]

I predict motion sickness galore. I think it's cool that Dice is trying to do this nifty concept but I'd prefer they work on Battlefield 3.Wish (http://pc.ign.com/articles/826/826247p1.html) granted (http://www.digitalbattle.com/2007/10/09/breaking-battlefield-3-leaked-info/)?

I'd also like to point out that for a company that took FOREVER to fix issues with players being able to daulphin dive, bunny hop 8 feet high and prone spam in Battlefield 2, I will be sold on this once I see it in action. (and yes, I know there are still issues on that front in BF games).Not to devolve into EA bashing, but DICE was very supportive of their games and community until they were swallowed whole ;)

[UnderHero5]

If you were playing it on PC, you could... you know... just plug in a 360 controller, configure the movement to be on the left analogue stick, and still use the mouse for look. You can already do that with any game out there already, as long as it supports a gamepad, which almost all do.

[Wackman3000]

It's DICE guys. I'm sure they have a viable solution to this analogue stick or else they wouldn't have done it. I'm pretty sure DICE was designing games for the PC before they started consoles.

[Varsity]

If you were playing it on PC, you could... you know... just plug in a 360 controller, configure the movement to be on the left analogue stick, and still use the mouse for look. You can already do that with any game out there already, as long as it supports a gamepad, which almost all do.

Which I fully intend to do.

[protocol_image]

i'm curious if they'll be able to make this less of a nauseous experience than Breakdown was on the XBOX.

i loved the 1st person experience of that game, but i couldn't ever play it for more than an hour

[Wombat]

I've always thought a good FPS controller for consoles would replace the right thumbstick with something like a trackball.

[Wackman3000]

I've always thought a good FPS controller for consoles would replace the right thumbstick with something like a trackball.

Trackball? Wouldn't that be like going back in time? I remember arcade machines with trackballs from like 1980...

[YoungAlCapone]

I've always thought a good FPS controller for consoles would replace the right thumbstick with something like a trackball.

It is already out there.

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/03/27/photo_paradox_03_big.jpg

[captainstrombosis]

Lol, Trackball. That makes my wrist and thumb hurt just thinking about it. Now, the analog stick on the keyboard... I do believe that's fucking genius.

Let us hope this turns out great.

[YoungAlCapone]

How about something like that little analogue nub you sometimes see on laptops in between the WASD keys. Just a little more fully realized, and with something to grip the edge of the keyboard by (prefered) or rest your wrist on.

Then you get all the keys and customizability of a keyboard mouse set up, and an analogue stick to control movement with.

[Varsity]

How about something like that little analogue nub you sometimes see on laptops in between the WASD keys. Just a little more fully realized, and with something to grip the edge of the keyboard by (prefered) or rest your wrist on.

Then you get all the keys and customizability of a keyboard mouse set up, and an analogue stick to control movement with.

That's brilliant. Anyone got any VC money spare?

[Bone]

No, it all went to the Phantom console, sorry. That's one expensive keyboard, son.

[Deadend]

I'd say the place for the joystick would be on the spacebar.

But the game concept looks like something I have been waiting for for ages. Riddick and Breakdown were steps towards immersion, they were also done on consoles first, funny how that part works. The highlight vision thing makes me wonder if it is like the eagle vision in AC or if it's permantly on.

I also wonder how they will handle making sure the player keeps situational awareness in a 3d space without constantly spinning around and changing movement directions.

Either way, the game will be worth paying attention to. It's a single player focused game from a MP studio, a game that tries innovative mechanics. It will either move the genre forewards, or be taken apart to talk about what it did wrong.

But FPS games need the idea of being in the enviroment, more than they currently have. Halo 3 and Crysis recently did a good job of somewhat sticking you in the world. The Darkness did a great job compared to other games.

But this game will be hard, if it involves circle straffing a guy while wall running, that is some Ninja Gaiden shit right there.

[Oblivion]

I applaud the DICE people and their managers who gave them money for such a innovative (risky!) idea. it sounds really exciting, I will be keeping an eye on it.

And holy shit you guys are way off topic...

[bryan]

when you launch yourself from the edge of a building and spin in mid-air to shoot back over your flying body at your pursuers, Reaction Time gives you a few critical moments to get a bead on your foes before you slam in to the ground.

I was sold on this game as soon as I read this.

[Varsity]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TPIw3cv8Zls

[Steele Johnson]

Sounds like they're maxing out motion sickness. ;) Hopefully There will be a 3rd person view. ;)