Prototype Delayed Until 2009

[Gorvi]

A lot of people have been looking forward to Prototype, as it's shown some promising things in early previews. Well, according to IGN (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/871/871582p1.html?RSSwhen2008-05-05_101600&RSSid=871582), prepare to wait longer.
"Sierra Entertainment and Radical Entertainment have made the decision to shift Prototype to launch in 2009," a company spokesperson said. "Since its announcement, Prototype has been regarded by many as groundbreaking and taking the open-world genre in new directions, and in the simplest explanation possible, we need more time to deliver the game the team initially set out to create."
Maybe the can put that co-op back in with all this extra time?

[Sandman]

I don't even know that much about prototype except that it's supposed to be some big open world game. Anyone care to fill me in?

[asimonk]

With GTA4 still fresh in people's minds, this is wise. Without a significant amount of polish, any open world game will not be able to stand on its own without being immediately marked as inferior to the "greatest game evar."

Then again, I've always been a fan of Blizzard's policy on release dates, where they are not afraid to delay to better the game play experience. Look at what a little polish did for Army of Two. That being said, I'm not a fan of Epic's policy on release dates, where they just never release anything.

[NationalKato]

I wonder if the delay is a result of the devs playing GTA4 and wanting to add more to the game?

[Gorvi]

I don't think the GTA4 comparisons are accurate. The gameplay looks much more like Crackdown, but even further towards the super powers side of things. That's just not the same game as GTA.

[cppcrusader]

I don't even know that much about prototype except that it's supposed to be some big open world game. Anyone care to fill me in?

Basically you're this guy, Alex Mercer, with no memory of his past. You were a military genetic experiment, the prototype of the program. You can morph your body into weapons, sword arms, hammer hands, and you can turn entirely into this monster that completely tears shit up. You've also got super enhanced strength and climbing, jumping, running abilities. Parkour is going to be a big part of the game when comes to getting around. You can absorb people and morph into them to use them as a disguise, so you run into the army, absorb a soldier and infiltrate the base or use it to confuse the AI so they start fighting each other.

Oh yeah, and it's extremely, brutal. You basically beat people into a bloody pulp.

GDC was the first I had heard of the game. I attended the session on it while I was and saw it in action. It looks really cool, but with GTA4 raising the bar higher I could definitely see it needing some more time in the cooker.

[hyuhek]

I think the prototype/GTAVI comparison is a fair one. Big open world environments, New York (or liberty city) as the backdrop. Anything that Prototype did badly would instantly see it being compared to GTAVI (if applicable) which is a shame.

Still annoying though since with MGSIV this was one of the few things I was really excited about this year :(

[NationalKato]

That's just not the same game as GTA.

True, but I think the city comparisons are valid. We've already heard the devs talk about their city 'changing' as the game progresses. But you have to admit that if it isn't as lifelike as Liberty City, they're doing themselves a disservice.

[Talon-]

I don't even know that much about prototype except that it's supposed to be some big open world game. Anyone care to fill me in?

You basically can be this guy.

http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/individuals/c_1d/carnage.jpg

[biosc1]

Delayed because they've decided to add co-op back in again, right? RIGHT!?!?!?!!?!?!?

[cp#]

Saw some video on Gametrailers... looks awful.

[MrE]

I understand it more as GTA4 meets Crackdown but with higher jumping abilities and spooky powers. Correct assumption?

[Variable Gear]

It's pretty much Crackdown plus Kirby.

[bapenguin]

Maybe the can put that co-op back in with all this extra time?

Exactly what I was thinking.

[Spigot]

I was looking forward to this but was kind of hoping that it would be delayed, if only to give me a) time to catch up on my backlog of other good games and b) a chance to save a bit of money!

By the time it comes out, I'm sure I'll have played GTAIV to death and will be jonesing for another open-world game.

[Siraris]

I doubt they are going to put back co-op in, and the game just doesn't look that great. I am much more interested in infamous, although that is purely speculative interest from the trailer and Sucker Punches awesome track record with Sly.

Prototype just looks more open world fare, and to be honest, I'm getting sick of it. I really would love for developers to give me some more structured gameplay, instead of making me do the same thing over and over again like most open world games turn out to be. This same caveat applies to Infamous as well, and any other open world game that is coming out.

[menage]

Saw some video on Gametrailers... looks awful.

You're crazy:p

Damn, was really looking forward to it, Ah well, if it makes it better.

There's still SR2, Mercenaries 2, etc, etc. It's actually wise to not have a free roaming rampager out this year.

[Spigot]

I don't mind open-world games. They're not my genre of choice though. They're just a type of gameplay that can be either very good (GTA IV) or very bad (Two Worlds) or just right (Crackdown).

There were going to be a lot of them out this year though and holding Prototype off until 2009 isn't a bad thing.

[Sazime]

I'll say this from seeing it at the Sierra Event (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49243). They couldn't let us play it because they knew what to do to "keep it from crashing." So you can imagine that there was a lot of coding left to do just to keep the game alive.

That, and they switched from the PS3 to the 360 after one would lock up. Basically to save us from sitting through a loading screen.

[Spigot]

Wow, that news makes me really happy they're pushing this back. I'd rather wait for a game that works than get one now that doesn't.

[fitbabits]

Well that's a bummer, but I hope they put the delay to good use.

[Xerxes]

If they add co-op, it can go back to a first day purchase rather than a bargain bin hopeful.

[Heretic Machine]

Looking forward to this, I just hope they don't drop the PC version.

[SpectralWolf]

I was looking forward to this but was kind of hoping that it would be delayed, if only to give me a) time to catch up on my backlog of other good games and b) a chance to save a bit of money!

By the time it comes out, I'm sure I'll have played GTAIV to death and will be jonesing for another open-world game.

Don't forget Saint's Row 2 later this year. The first one was a lot of fun. While I doubt the second one can top GTA IV, I think it'll be just as fun, if not more.

[Spigot]

Don't forget Saint's Row 2 later this year. The first one was a lot of fun. While I doubt the second one can top GTA IV, I think it'll be just as fun, if not more.I never got into the first Saint's Row and while the second will likely be good, it's just not on my radar.

[Shankle Bunny]

I'm actually a little relieved, well my wallet is in any case. This year is looking expensive enough as is.

[Duskfire]

Maybe by the time they release it, Australia will no longer have the strict gaming restrictions in place and us aussies can play a non-edited copy :P

[Earth Djinn]

There are more than enough games coming out this year.

They should take the time to make the game truly excellent.

[mister_slim]

I was looking forward to this but was kind of hoping that it would be delayed, if only to give me a) time to catch up on my backlog of other good games and b) a chance to save a bit of money!

By the time it comes out, I'm sure I'll have played GTAIV to death and will be jonesing for another open-world game.

But will you have played Mercs 2 to death? No.

[Spigot]

I still need to play Mercs 1 to death. I started getting odd lock-ups when I tried to restart it last year on my XBox 180. Sigh.

But that's just it. Add something like Fallout 3 to the pile and that's even MORE open-world goodness that I don't have time for!

I need more short games :)

[Flatpicker]

I still need to play Mercs 1 to death. I started getting odd lock-ups when I tried to restart it last year on my XBox 180. Sigh.

But that's just it. Add something like Fallout 3 to the pile and that's even MORE open-world goodness that I don't have time for!

I need more short games :)

Mercs locks up on the 360 under BC.
Wish it didn't. I only got about 20 cards.

[Spigot]

Mercs locks up on the 360 under BC.
Wish it didn't. I only got about 20 cards.Bah. That sucks.