Black Conference Call Report

[falcon]

Gaming Nexus (http://www.gamingnexus.com) has a nice article (http://www.gamingnexus.com/Default.aspx?Section=Article&I=1003) on the conference call with Black producer, Jeremy Chubb, that was held yesterday.

In fact, the PlayStation 2 version of the game not only looks amazing, but it also manages to keep up with the Xbox in nearly every way possible. It's this PS2 version that Jeremy is most proud of, talking at length about how impressed he was that they were able to pull all this off on a six year old system.
Editor's note - I have to say that I'm impressed with what developers are still able to do with the PS2. Shame the game is only six hours long with no replay value.

[Nite_Moogle]

Criterion can make themselves an engine, that's for damn sure.

[AniAko]

Sounds like a gamefly rental to me

[AntB]

On the heels of 300 employees leaving EA, Black was leaked earlier.

For the Xbox version of black, head to your local pirate.

[Royal Fool]

Here's another fun fact: If it wasn't on PS2, it would perhaps be even prettier.

Sounds like a gamefly rental to me

I read about people completing the singleplayer in under 6 hours. I have no idea how replayable it is, other than the fact that you can unlock weapons and of course try getting a better score.

[SaintArnold]

This game died to me when I found out it had no multiplayer.

And Criterion uses the Renderware engine, so I'm not sure how much credit they deserve.

[Watership]

This game died to me when I found out it had no multiplayer.

And Criterion uses the Renderware engine, so I'm not sure how much credit they deserve.


I might be completely full of shit, but I thoguht Criterion created the Renderware engine.

[Montolio]

I'd have to plugin my Xbox, set the date & time, realize I'm using a corded controller again, etc. They'll have to do better than this to get me off my 360. I will play the OXM demo at some point though, just to make sure I'm not missing something I might like. Part of the psychosis of being a gamer...I both complain and still play a game just to make sure heh.

[Watership]

I think the PS2 videos look just a good as the Xbox version. That said, I am pretty sure that most developers use PS2 as a base system, and never optimize the game for Xbox, Criterion including.

[emperordahc]

And Criterion uses the Renderware engine, so I'm not sure how much credit they deserve.
Dude, Criterion MAKES the Renderware engine. When you see new versions of Burnout or the new Black, it's like iD showing off the newest Quake engine. Criterion's games are marketing tools that just happen to kick ass.

[Dr Quincy]

I might be completely full of shit, but I thoguht Criterion created the Renderware engine.

Not at all. Renderware is entirely Criterion's baby.

[player66]

I laugh out loud when I read comments like this:

"Shame the game is only six hours long with no replay value."

I know it's coming from Criterion, but who OWNES Criteron Games now? EA never lets their AAA developers finish their games. It actually works out in their favor, because much of the ignorant public buys the unfinished FIRST game, gets disappointed, then when the SEQUEL or EXpansion PACK is announced it carries with it a strangely familiar feature set that "addresses all of the disappointments with the FIRST game." So basically the gaming public gives them $100 (or $120 if you own a 360 - ouch) for one frigging complete game. If you want to see an end to this bullshit...

STOP BUYING EA GAMES!!!! -- Please for the love of God.

[nemyhlovecraft]

This game died to me when I found out it had no multiplayer.

And Criterion uses the Renderware engine, so I'm not sure how much credit they deserve.

Once more, ignorant people with nothing but sour grapes. When Black was first announced, Criterion said they weren't going multiplayer with it. They wanted a focused single player game.

Also, since GTA3 came out almost every PS2 game has used the Renderware engine because the PS2 is ridiculously hard to program for. Using an engine as a basis doesn't mean you are not doing a lot of work to make a PS2 game look as good as Burnout 3 or Black.

EDIT - Oh, and then there's the fact that Criterion created Renderware. LOL.

[EGO]

I laugh out loud when I read comments like this:

"Shame the game is only six hours long with no replay value."

I know it's coming from Criterion, but who OWNES Criteron Games now? EA never lets their AAA developers finish their games. It actually works out in their favor, because much of the ignorant public buys the unfinished FIRST game, gets disappointed, then when the SEQUEL or EXpansion PACK is announced it carries with it a strangely familiar feature set that "addresses all of the disappointments with the FIRST game." So basically the gaming public gives them $100 (or $120 if you own a 360 - ouch) for one frigging complete game. If you want to see an end to this bullshit...

STOP BUYING EA GAMES!!!! -- Please for the love of God.

OMG, how stupid can people be? I understand people form these bizarre consiparcy theories, especially when they have little-to-no clue about business, especially the videogame biz, but this is the most ridiculous theory yet.

I can see the meeting at EA HQ:

DEV TEAM: "Hey, we're going to launch an new IP that no one's ever heard of and try to break into an incredibly crowded market."

SUITS: "Okay, but make sure you don't finish the game, so we can milk more money out of people by releasing a quick sequel or expansion pack."

DEV TEAM: "Oh yeah, I almost forgot... that's how you establish a new brand, but fucking the public, making them want to rush out and buy your next installment."

Yeah, that's it. How stupid can you be? Besides, Criterion has been working on Black prior to EA's buyout.

[Dr Quincy]

Once more, ignorant people with nothing but sour grapes. When Black was first announced, Criterion said they weren't going multiplayer with it. They wanted a focused single player game.

Focus on 6 hours on gameplay with no replay value? Kerching!

[player66]

So how do you explain Criterion releasing a game with 6 hours of gameplay and no multiplayer?

Answer 1: They decided to ignore the fact that their game was glaringly short and featured little to no replay value.
Answer 2: They planned to make a short game all along and figured the gaming community would stand by their clever design decision.
Answer 3: Following the EA takeover, Criteron came under increasing pressure from their new bosses to release their titles on schedule, regardless of the final quality of the product.

Which of these answers make the most sense to you? Having worked for EA, I can tell you that they push their developers to meet their scheduled release dates, no matter what. That's all the Marketing VPs and Stock Holders with EA care about. Strong franchises and steady, yearly releases. How many EA titles have you played recently EGO? Were any of them deeply fulfilling gaming experiences? It's not a conspiracy theory, it's just a sad fact. Games get rushed out the door unfinished all the time and Black will be no exception.

[captainspankypants]

How does one measure "replay value?" Just curious. Is it through unlockables? I mean, I hate those. I like to be able to use the features I paid actual, real-life money for. If I play a game more than once, it's because it's a fun game and I actually WANT to play it again. If a game sucks the first time through, I don't care what gets unlocked, I'm never playing it again. This has been my philosophy since the Atari 2600. Am I the only one who still believes this?

[Zurik]

How does one measure "replay value?" Just curious. Is it through unlockables? I mean, I hate those. I like to be able to use the features I paid actual, real-life money for. If I play a game more than once, it's because it's a fun game and I actually WANT to play it again. If a game sucks the first time through, I don't care what gets unlocked, I'm never playing it again. This has been my philosophy since the Atari 2600. Am I the only one who still believes this?

You must hate most games Nintendo has released in the past fews year, because everything is an unlockable. I do agree its annoying, and always use to joke about how in the next game you'd have to "Unlock" the forward button.

[nemyhlovecraft]

Also, who is saying a six hour play time for Black?

[Royal Fool]

I'm just saying that's what I read. I might well be wrong on that one.

[MSUStud911]

I wish someone, in the thousand Black interviews out there, would've asked what the target length of the game was. I've also heard the SP is over in six hours. Being primarily a single player gamer, this is a bit short to me. 10 hours would be fine, but 6? Usually people get past short SP by pointing to MP. You can't do that with Black. I just wish someone somewhere would ask these guys why they decided to put all that effort into a six hour game.

[absolut taco]

I'd hate to spend $50 on something I can go through in one weekend...let alone one evening.

[SaintArnold]

Once more, ignorant people with nothing but sour grapes. When Black was first announced, Criterion said they weren't going multiplayer with it. They wanted a focused single player game.

Also, since GTA3 came out almost every PS2 game has used the Renderware engine because the PS2 is ridiculously hard to program for. Using an engine as a basis doesn't mean you are not doing a lot of work to make a PS2 game look as good as Burnout 3 or Black.

EDIT - Oh, and then there's the fact that Criterion created Renderware. LOL.

Yup, clearly I was wrong about Renderware. Thanks for being the 10th person to point that out.

But I'm in no way out of line for wanting multiplayer in my FPS. What good FPS in the current generation doesn't have multiplayer? I can think of Riddick, but nothing else.

And just because Criterion never promised me multiplayer doesn't have to mean I don't *want* multiplayer, as you imply.

[MSUStud911]

Yeah, Riddick is the only FPS I can think of that didn't come with at least a tacked on multiplayer mode. I loved that game.

[Dr Quincy]

Riddick is a hell of a lot more visually impressive than Black. I would go as far as to say it is the most visually impressive console FPS of the Xbox generation, surpassing even Doom 3.

[Roman]

6 hours? Damn. I liked the demo and didn't mind the lack of multi (after all, I replayed Halo's single player a LOT, because I enjoyed the combat even without unlockables, etc.), but this isn't reassuring. I think I might cancel my preorder and rent it after all.

[IndependentGMR]

Is this guy's name really Chubb?

[Dag-Sabot]

Nah, thats just his porn name.

[buzzfunk]

Riddick surpassing d3? Dude, what are u smoking?

btw, that OXM demo crashes on me everytime i go out of that first door. Rebooted like 10 times, same thing. I guess i wont be buying....

[inmostlight]

I have a job and other responsibilities, a well-made six-hour game actually sounds pretty nice to me right about now. And it'd probably take me two weeks to get that six hours in.

I'd much rather have a tight, focused game without all the too-common padding. God of War, Beyond Good & Evil, and Shadow of the Colossus were all perfect lengths; Resident Evil 4 was about three times longer than it needed to be. I look forward to Black...

[Pumped'Up]

Yep, looking forward to Black as well (atleast the reviews).

[overdrivechao]

Editor's note - I have to say that I'm impressed with what developers are still able to do with the PS2. Shame the game is only six hours long with no replay value.[/QUOTE]

...Like Gun, King Kong, and condemned!

[carneconcarne]

get used to shorter games. It's not going to go away.

[overdrivechao]

get used to shorter games. It's not going to go away.

just like the quality of said games it seems. such a vast majority lately has been crap.