Escapist Podcast: 006: E3, Sequels and Duke Nukem PR Fallout

[The Escapist Staff]

006: E3, Sequels and Duke Nukem PR Fallout

This week, we discuss what we saw at and thought of E3, talk about the Duke Nukem PR incident and finish with your questions and what we've been playing recently.

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[Avaholic03]

Great episode. Probably my favorite so far. I loved the insight about the reviewer-developer relationship and those more obscure titles at E3 that I hadn't even heard of yet.

The question that's burning in my mind though is: what can be done to encourage new IP, and then actually have that be popular? Is there anything that can be done to bring the CoD/Halo/WoW people into new franchises so that they're profitable enough for developers to feel comfortable taking chances on new ideas?

Oh, and I just wouldn't be me without a tiny complaint. Sound leveling. Sometimes when you're talking about a subject, you tend to get pretty quiet. So I turn the volume up, and then the theme music will come in make me slightly more deaf than I already am. Not a huge deal, but something worth looking into. Thanks.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Game designers who want to be film directors? WASN'T ONE WING COMMANDER MOVIE ENOUGH?

 

[LostintheWick]

What was the name of that game about the Boy, the monster, and the robot?

I replayed that bit a couple times and tried to google it, but I couldn't find the game. Probably spelling issues.

 

[kyogen]

Nice episode. Thanks for the discussion of game journalism. I was also glad to hear Ms. Arendt stick up for the well-made, well-placed cutscene. I agree that games need to deliver good gameplay, but I choose the games I play for the narrative as well as the play mechanics, so I appreciate a good cutscene. I would hate to see developers back away from them entirely even if they need to continue experimenting with the implementation.

 

[Formica Archonis]

What was the name of that game about the Boy, the monster, and the robot?

Papo & Yo. (EDIT: Thanks to mcnally86 for the correction. Now if the blog [http://www.indiegames.com/2011/06/e3_2011_-_trailer_papa_yo_mino.html] I read would just fix it, I'd be less confused.)




Rehash of my PubClub post on the same topic:

And to anyone who doesn't get the "beacuase" joke:


Original audio [http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/309134].

From a review of this [http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/495903] game.

The audio makes obvious something about the original review: The 'reviewer' never uses words of more than two syllables. (Unless you count "twenty-six" and "beacuase", for some strange reason.

 

[bdcjacko]

Who was that dork that watches wrestling critically, he sounds lame.

You know, I too liked how Ms. Arendt stuck up for cut-scenes. I have been playing Mass Effect for the cut scenes. I also like to know I'm not the only that likes playing to good options in video games.

 

[Formica Archonis]

You know, I too liked how Ms. Arendt suck up for cut-scenes.

Errrr... "stuck" perhaps?

 

[bdcjacko]

You know, I too liked how Ms. Arendt suck up for cut-scenes.

Errrr... "stuck" perhaps?

Yeah...stuck. Stupid dyslexia.

 

[Slycne]

Oh, I did remember it correctly. Blur Studios [http://www.blur.com/] is responsible for a lot of the recent and best looking game cinematics. DC Universe, Batman Arkham City, The Force Unleashed I & II, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Dante's Inferno, Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2 & Infinite, Brink, Dragon Age, Fable II & III, Warhammer Online and the list goes on. That's all these guys.

 

[mcnally86]

What was the name of that game about the Boy, the monster, and the robot?

I replayed that bit a couple times and tried to google it, but I couldn't find the game. Probably spelling issues.

"Papo and yo" is the game. It looks like it is interesting. Also I have to thank Susan Arendt for the DS recommendations. I have a road trip coming up and this was just good timing.

Most importantly though I have been quoted 3 episodes in a row. I believe I get a job on the escapist now, like in the deal. Don't make me get quoted 3 times in the next podcast! I'm crazy I'll make you do it.

 

[bdcjacko]

Oh, I did remember it correctly. Blur Studios [http://www.blur.com/] is responsible for a lot of the recent and best looking game cinematics. DC Universe, Batman Arkham City, The Force Unleashed I & II, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Dante's Inferno, Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2 & Infinite, Brink, Dragon Age, Fable II & III, Warhammer Online and the list goes on. That's all these guys.

Then I like Blur studio's work.

 

[cschraer]

I would like to comment on the use of cutscenes. I agree with the idea that I don't like seeing my character do things in a cutscene that I can't do in the game; however, cutscenes are really valuable for making me care about the story. I think one of the best uses is Red Dead Redemption because the cutscenes were all about story exposition. There were other parts of the story that occurred without cutscenes but you could easily have not paid attention to it.

I think cutscenes should be used when the story simply needs to take control over the character so that you don't miss what someone is saying or something that is happening.

 

[Andrew_Mac]

Even though you only mentioned it at the end, I'm really looking forward to dead island. Amongst other things. This year and next are gonna be HUGE drains on my money.

Also, my parents are going on holiday on friday for 2 weeks. I need a game that will keep me entertained for them 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

 

[Susan Arendt]

Even though you only mentioned it at the end, I'm really looking forward to dead island. Amongst other things. This year and next are gonna be HUGE drains on my money.

Also, my parents are going on holiday on friday for 2 weeks. I need a game that will keep me entertained for them 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

Well, what platform do you have and what genres do you like?

 

[Andrew_Mac]

Even though you only mentioned it at the end, I'm really looking forward to dead island. Amongst other things. This year and next are gonna be HUGE drains on my money.

Also, my parents are going on holiday on friday for 2 weeks. I need a game that will keep me entertained for them 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

Well, what platform do you have and what genres do you like?

I have a PS3 and a DS (lite, not 3D) and i don't have a fave genre exactly. I like games that interest me, they don't have to be specific genres. So, if it can entertain me for a while, its a good game. If i get bored to fast, it's a bad game to me. Also, the more addictive, the better.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Even though you only mentioned it at the end, I'm really looking forward to dead island. Amongst other things. This year and next are gonna be HUGE drains on my money.

Also, my parents are going on holiday on friday for 2 weeks. I need a game that will keep me entertained for them 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

Well, what platform do you have and what genres do you like?

I have a PS3 and a DS (lite, not 3D) and i don't have a fave genre exactly. I like games that interest me, they don't have to be specific genres. So, if it can entertain me for a while, its a good game. If i get bored to fast, it's a bad game to me. Also, the more addictive, the better.

Hmmm, well, ok, let me see. I'd recommend Viva Pinata (DS), or any Dragon Quest (DS) for a good time sink, or Disgaea (PS3). I also really loved Folklore on PS3, though you may have trouble finding it. Of course, if you haven't already played Oblivion, that's your two weeks right there.

 

[Andrew_Mac]

Even though you only mentioned it at the end, I'm really looking forward to dead island. Amongst other things. This year and next are gonna be HUGE drains on my money.

Also, my parents are going on holiday on friday for 2 weeks. I need a game that will keep me entertained for them 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

Well, what platform do you have and what genres do you like?

I have a PS3 and a DS (lite, not 3D) and i don't have a fave genre exactly. I like games that interest me, they don't have to be specific genres. So, if it can entertain me for a while, its a good game. If i get bored to fast, it's a bad game to me. Also, the more addictive, the better.

Hmmm, well, ok, let me see. I'd recommend Viva Pinata (DS), or any Dragon Quest (DS) for a good time sink, or Disgaea (PS3). I also really loved Folklore on PS3, though you may have trouble finding it. Of course, if you haven't already played Oblivion, that's your two weeks right there.

Thanks very much. I'll look into them. And as for oblivion, i think i played it for half an hour at a friends once, but apart from that, never played it. So i may look into that as well.

The DS games, i shall probably purchase. I've been in need of good games on my DS that aren't pokemon.
And i've never even heard of Disgaea...

Thanks again for your help.

 

[bdcjacko]

Even though you only mentioned it at the end, I'm really looking forward to dead island. Amongst other things. This year and next are gonna be HUGE drains on my money.

Also, my parents are going on holiday on friday for 2 weeks. I need a game that will keep me entertained for them 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

Well, what platform do you have and what genres do you like?

I have a PS3 and a DS (lite, not 3D) and i don't have a fave genre exactly. I like games that interest me, they don't have to be specific genres. So, if it can entertain me for a while, its a good game. If i get bored to fast, it's a bad game to me. Also, the more addictive, the better.

Hmmm, well, ok, let me see. I'd recommend Viva Pinata (DS), or any Dragon Quest (DS) for a good time sink, or Disgaea (PS3). I also really loved Folklore on PS3, though you may have trouble finding it. Of course, if you haven't already played Oblivion, that's your two weeks right there.

Wait, is Dragon Quest the same as the old school Dragon Warrior? I loved that game as a kid.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Even though you only mentioned it at the end, I'm really looking forward to dead island. Amongst other things. This year and next are gonna be HUGE drains on my money.

Also, my parents are going on holiday on friday for 2 weeks. I need a game that will keep me entertained for them 2 weeks. Any suggestions?

Well, what platform do you have and what genres do you like?

I have a PS3 and a DS (lite, not 3D) and i don't have a fave genre exactly. I like games that interest me, they don't have to be specific genres. So, if it can entertain me for a while, its a good game. If i get bored to fast, it's a bad game to me. Also, the more addictive, the better.

Hmmm, well, ok, let me see. I'd recommend Viva Pinata (DS), or any Dragon Quest (DS) for a good time sink, or Disgaea (PS3). I also really loved Folklore on PS3, though you may have trouble finding it. Of course, if you haven't already played Oblivion, that's your two weeks right there.

Wait, is Dragon Quest the same as the old school Dragon Warrior? I loved that game as a kid.

Yup, same thing. They changed the name when it came Stateside. I personally prefer VI to IX, but that's just a matter of personal preference.