Halo 3 release to coincide with PS3 launch?

[PhillyPhreak]

Not surprising. But if the rumors are true about a possible 2005 PS3 launch, what would Microsoft do? Halo 3 probably isn't due until 2006 at the earliest, but I wouldn't know that for sure. But hypothetically speaking, what if Halo 3 is released in the fall of '06 (which I expect) and Sony launches the PS3 sometime between Q1 and Q3 2006, would MS release an unfinished product out of desparation? Especially considering the high expectations Halo 3 has.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/15/news_6124592.html

[Makaveli_786]

Well what's bigger the Halo franchise or the Playstation franchise, that's what it will come down to, the bigger one will steal the show.

Sony have three S-E games lined up from what I'm hearing, a FF one and KH2 for release around the same time as Xbox 360 comes out, GTA PSP is also coming out around then, these 3 franchises will eat into the Xbox 360's sales, remember when the FFVIII came out and on the same day as the DC launch and it hit the DC launch like a ton of bricks?

The DC launch titles were overshadowed and the FF game alone topped all the software sales of the DC titles, this time Sony will counter Xbox 360 with FF, KH AND GTA, three of the biggest franchises on the face of the planet, if thye play their cards right it's going to hit the Xbox 360 like a ton of bricks.

[PhillyPhreak]

Good points, Mak. But I wouldn't compare the DC's launch to the 360's. I mean, not many people were overly enthused by the DC to begin with. It was launched with very little fanfare at all (aside from Sega fanatics). Despite the not-so-good showing by MS during their MTV "unveiling," I think the 360 has a bit more "buzz" surrounding it. If MS plays their cards right at E3, the excitement for the system will almost certainly continue to rise.

I didn't know about the S-E titles (not an RPG fan). Those should definitely off-set some of the hype the system could generate once launch time rolls around. And with the popularity of the PSP and the GTA series, that could be yet another problem for MS.

[Makaveli_786]

Uhmm I think it depends on E3 now, MS messed up even worse than Sega did with the MTV showing, if the PS3 blows the Xbox 360 out of the water like the PS2 did the DC then MS are in for some serious trouble.

[Dorfdadbanned]

Im not sure that is such a smart move on M$ side, I understand the thinking but Having Halo3 Launch against the PS3 will not stop nor slow the momentum for PS3. The Hype machine will be off the charts if what were all hearing about the PS3's capabilities are.

Sony will not be releasing the PS3 with less than 15 titles im pretty sure, and 1 or two of them will be projected HALO killers/defenders. Sony isnt dumb they know that M$ wants to steal there thunder as Sony is going to do with the 360. Im sure we will see FFX12 and some other Major titles releasing right around the time the 360 gets going.

Who's to say that Rockstar dosent have a new GTA already under development for the Launch of the PS3? I feel very confident that a GTA, Killzone 2, GOD of War 2, or equivalent will be sitting on the shelf along with the shinny new PS3 come launch day. If thats the case than Halo3 and the 360 must just begin to feel there troubles.

Halo2 was a good game for the Xbox there best selling game by far, but After playing Halo1, Halo2 seemed like a small upgrade nothing really new for me, and it didnt live up to it's hype for me. The Online system is/was still horrible to me. If I want to play a capture the flag game against people not in my friends list LET ME! It's like going to Mc-Donalds and asking for chicken, and them saying no you have to order something and we will decided what type of food you get.

Anyways, back to the point. Halo3 will sell but they should not put it up against a PS3 launch as I know where my money will be going. If the Graphics are truely a jump from what the 360 can do M$ better release Halo3 early spring, before the PS3 awakens....

P.S.
This is my first post, ive been lurking for months now, and I feel this is the most educated and thought provoking forum I've come across for gaming. Glad to be a member.

Dorfdad

[Makaveli_786]

Glad to have you man, I agree with what your saying, theres almost no doubt there will be some FF game or GTA or something very big, in all honesty I'm expecting at least 5 big franchises at release, Sony definetly won't mess this launch up.

[PS|Xero]

Something about that article kind of P'd me off. Sure, it's a strategy, but it felt like Gates is sort of taunting the PS3. Well, all I have to say is be careful what you wish for Gates. :lol:

It's been said before, I'll say it again. One game cannot compete with a full blown system. ESPECIALLY and possibly the most powerful system of the consoles next generation, the PS3. Chances are, it's going to kill Halo 3's sales.

Think about it. Halo 2 is a decent franchise. But in my opinion, it is way over hyped. A lot of fanboys think Halo 2 is the greatest FPS on earth. The reason Halo kicked off was of it's superior graphics and customization. The gameplay isn't perfect, the story mode isn't perfect.

Next gen, I honestly believe Halo will be mediocre. If the graphics are anything like we've seen on the Xbox 360, it won't appeal, like the graphics did before. Xbox has the uphill struggle of no longer having the most powerful console, and I don't think they realize that. As a matter of fact, Gates seems to think he has the best console sitting over that, But I think he's in for a big, big surprise.

[bustabusta196]

Customization?? you can Customize in halo?? wow never knew that... plz explain.

[watashi]

Mak, you have a great fact there. I believe that SE held off the games for a while, I remember KH2 was supposed to be released in Feburary 2005. I think they also held it off to make it better. Sony has a big top of the line list of games coming out Q4 2005 and 2006. They also have Killzone 2 for PS2 also, because guerilla said they were working on it before the release of the first. PS2 will have a good year, with a possible price drop to 99.95 at xbox's release.

[PeanutButterMunky]

Well what's bigger the Halo franchise or the Playstation franchise, that's what it will come down to, the bigger one will steal the show.
I'd say the one that sold over 80 million is the bigger franchise by far.

[PhillyPhreak]

Mak, you have a great fact there. I believe that SE held off the games for a while, I remember KH2 was supposed to be released in Feburary 2005. I think they also held it off to make it better. Sony has a big top of the line list of games coming out Q4 2005 and 2006. They also have Killzone 2 for PS2 also, because guerilla said they were working on it before the release of the first. PS2 will have a good year, with a possible price drop to 99.95 at xbox's release.
You can add SOCOM 3 and Soul Calibur 3 to that list. Both are PS2 exclusives and are coming out in Q3 and Q4 2005.

[Makaveli_786]

Games do hit consoles bad man, I honestly can remember the very day FF VIII came out, it was the exact same day as the DC launch and it absolutely killed the DC launch, there were dozens of people outside the stores and when they walked back out they didn't walk out with a console but a copy of a game!!

If Halo 3 is BIG and impressive and it trumps all the PS3 titles then it WILL steal some marketshare no doubt about it but if Sony launch with big titles like GTA and FF then Halo 3 will get it up the backside and lose out, its a risk for both sides but Sony can control the risk by putting out good launch titles.

[PeanutButterMunky]

I don't personally like Halo as much as other people, so I'm not getting too worked up over it. We'll have to wait it out and see what Sony has up their sleeve.




2000th Post! 8)

[Makaveli_786]

Congratulations.. Halo is a HYPE machine it could have some impact definetly.

[Epsilon-Zero]

I think a sizeable ammount of people will wait on the PS3 and instead buy Halo3.

The number of returns and exchanges on the Playstation2 and the PS2 because of drive read errors was thru the roof compared to other consoles.

"about 1 in 3 PS2s were returned or exchanged at launch for drive issues" Im just quoting what 4 guys who work at 2 seperate EBGames stores said.

I personally have a friend who has gone through SIX Playstation2s. Talk about bad luck right? :|

My launch playstation2 stopped reading any kind of discs a year after i got it. :x

I know i wont be buying a PS3 at launch and I think many other people wont be either just because of the fear of getting a faulty drive again. :(

[PeanutButterMunky]

Congratulations.. Halo is a HYPE machine it could have some impact definetly.Halo is possibly the most hyped up game of ALL time. I'm sure it'll have some impact, unless PS3 has some equally hyped game to battle against it. But I don't think 80 million PlayStation fans will hover over to Xbox just for one game.

And no need for the smart remarks. :?

[Makaveli_786]

What smart remarks I was congratulating you for real!

That's true PS3 fans won't run to Xbox 360 but the hype probably will probably steal a few first time buyers, when FF XI comes out the same time as Xbox 360 I honestly expect it to give such a bad grilling to the Xbox 360 and the new GTA game too.

[Epsilon-Zero]

I just dont see FFXII having that much impact on the xbox360. The last FF game didnt do aswell as they were hoping on the ps2 and they had to make a sequel of FFX to keep regular RPG gamers happy.

Lets face it gamers have grown a little weary of FinalFantasy because of mixed reviews in the last 5 years.

[Makaveli_786]

It's still the best selling RPG franchise on the planet and in the last 5 years it has actually grown in sales not fallen, its more popular now than ever, in fact its probably the most popular franchise on the face of the planet:

BIG PS2 games this year:

Soul Calibur III
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
Final Fantasy XII
Kingdom Hearts II
Shadow of the Colossus
Medal of Honor: European Assault
Prince of Persia 3
Resident Evil 4
SSX On Tour
Ratchet: Deadlocked
Jak X: Combat Racing
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Shadow the Hedgehog
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves
Far Cry Instincts
Starcraft: Ghost
Max Payne 3
State of Emergency 2
Ape Escape 3
Carmageddon 4

Nearly all of the above titles are coming out in Q4 05.. not bad and thats for the PS2 only the PSP has a sweet line up including a Daxter game and wait for it... a GTA game!

[PS Gamer]

like I said in the other thread:


I still don't see how he can say it will release at the same time. Since He doesn't even know when the PS3 will launch...sony could pull a fast one on him and Launch there PS3 in 2005...and for sure Halo 3 won't be ready by then.

[Epsilon-Zero]

i see alot of games on that list that are multiplatform. plus theres no numbers to say final fantasy is more popular now more than it was 5 years ago outside the general rise in the ammount of gamers in the world today.

If the ammount of FinalFantasy fans raised in proportion to the rise of gamers in the world today, Final Fantasy would be much more popular than it is right now and wouldnt have the stigma that Square hasnt made a really great RPG since FF8.

[Makaveli_786]

What about Kingdom Hearts 2, DQ VIII and GTA PSP, you missed those, theyr big titles.. are they not?

WOW your the first person I've met that thinks FF is not popular, I think I need to go find the sales figures man your in for a shock.

http://www.dfcint.com/game_article/feb05article.html

Check the above link out, Final Fantasy is the second best selling franchise on the planet after Mario and its spinoffs(Mario is nearing 30 games now), Dragon quest is also on that at number 8, another S-E game going down as one of the best selling franchises in the world and it states GTA as the fifth best selling title in the world, so 3 of the top 10 selling franchises in the world are coming out the same time the Xbox 360 launchs and it won't make a difference?

[PS Gamer]

i see alot of games on that list that are multiplatform. plus theres no numbers to say final fantasy is more popular now more than it was 5 years ago outside the general rise in the ammount of gamers in the world today.

If the ammount of FinalFantasy fans raised in proportion to the rise of gamers in the world today, Final Fantasy would be much more popular than it is right now and wouldnt have the stigma that Square hasnt made a really great RPG since FF8.

Wow....you think the FF8 was Square's last good title? You must have Missed FFX's awesome FMV shots. X-2 wasn't as good as many think...but I still liked it, and thought it was a good sequel to X. Then we have FFXI which was a pretty cool MMORPG...even though with the PS2s Online service.

[watashi]

Final Fantasy is very popular, it loses lots but it gains more. With this upcoming sequel, with real-time battle similar to that of KH2, I'm sure it'll get a great amount of appeal. No more you go first, then my turn. It's all real-time! I'm buying this one for sure, I was skeptical on the whole MMORPG thing they did. Their MMORPG in America was their worst selling FF game I believe, due to Hard Drive essential and monthly payment.

[IonCannon]

I for one loved FFIX, and funnily enough wasn't a big fan of FFVIII. FFX was so-so, the storyline and dialogue was a bit weak in my opinion, loved the FMV's though. Can't wait for FFXII!

I had to return my PS2 after a year or so cause it couldn't read discs and the machine also had a habit of scratching my discs too, but I had a five year warranty on the console so I didn't care. And nothing will stop me buying a PS3 the day it comes out.

I think the greatest problem Microsoft have is themselves, if they can't live up to their own hype, they will hurt themselves very badly. The line-up of PS2 games will make a lot of people hold off buying a 360 though, I mean whats the point when all those games and FFXII will hold me through till the PS3 comes out. Halo 3 will barely impact the PS3 launch in my opinion, way too many PS fans around.

[siren]

I do not think MS could impact the PS3 launch even if they somehow managed to get Nintendo on board and shipped a new Mario and Halo3 at the same time as the PS3 came out.

What I think MS is trying to do is make sure that the PS3 doesn't stop Xbox360's from selling. As we are all well aware, the PS3 can do that to a system.

As far as Final Fantasy goes. I personally lost my love for them around #8 and #9. #10 brought me back into the fold quite strongly, then I picked up #10-2. That was a huge disappointment.

My favorite Final Fantasy is still FF4. It was the last game where they really didn't allow you to have all the characters be masters of everything... One of things I hate about recent Final Fantasy's.

Of note, the last time a company tried what MS is trying vs the PS3, they still lost. But they did increase their marketshare. It was Sega with the Genesis vs Nintendo with the SNES. The genesis launched early. When the SNES came out, it had huge titles like FFII (FF4jp) and Super Mario World. It took Nintendo 2 - 3 years after launch to surpass the Genesis World Wide sales.

[Smily0012]

I would like for sony to loose for a little while becuase it might bring better exclusives to ps3 that sony made. Im telling you sony's games are hard core when they are desprete for success.

[siren]

In that case, then I would expect SOny's games to be extremely hardcore this fall and over the 6 - 12 months afterward.

They are more than likely desperate to make sure they succeed and the Xbox360 does not.

[PS|Xero]

Customization?? you can Customize in halo?? wow never knew that... plz explain.

By customization I mean creating your own unique games, weapons, environment and armor color. Things like that you don't see in everyday FPS.

[Makaveli_786]

I bet Halo 3 will have some real advanced customization systems

[siren]

Like what?

[Makaveli_786]

Probably all sorts of vehicle customizations, I know they'll shoot for something more advanced they'll lose fans if they can't keep the momentum up.

[siren]

I have an aweful feeling personally that Halo3 in a lot of ways will be like Mario64

Significantly longer and larger game. It will also allow some interesting new options and have some new style in the play. But it will just lack the same kind of "awe" that the previous 2 games gave.

I do not think Bungie is being provided with enough time to make the game.

[PeanutButterMunky]

What smart remarks I was congratulating you for real!
I don't need your sarcasm either.

[muchuukuri]

?? Wait, what?? Are you sure you don't mean Mario Sunshine?? Mario 64 made very poop their pants, Siren. It changed the face of gaming as we know it and every time I ask someone what they think the best platforming game is, they almost invariably reply Mario 64. It's your opinion, I know, but Mario 64 was just unbelievably amazing.

That aside, I acutally think Halo3 might be really good. Trilogies tend to follow a certain pattern in my opinion... 1 - Awesome, ground breaking 2 - new things tried out, porr execution, doesn't live up to the 1st 3 - the perfect fusion of 1 and 2, 1+2=3 holds strong, and the game is even better than hoped for.

Granted the main directors and I believe composer left bungie, but that doesn't mean much necessarily.

I'll definately agree 100% with the time issue, though, it's too tight for a game that's suppose to DEFINE FPS gaming... also, it doesn't leave room for innovation, IMO.

[Makaveli_786]

:shock:

Anyway moving on I doubt Halo 3 will have the same awe factor as the first game, in games like MGS, Half life and Halo the original are usually the best because they introduce new concepts, the second ones refine the concept but the experience isn't as "new" as the first ones so it doesn't feel as unique or special, still it might be interesting to see what they can pull off on more powerful hardware.

[True Poet]

I have an aweful feeling personally that Halo3 in a lot of ways will be like Mario64

Significantly longer and larger game. It will also allow some interesting new options and have some new style in the play. But it will just lack the same kind of "awe" that the previous 2 games gave.

I do not think Bungie is being provided with enough time to make the game.

But hasn't Halo 3 been in development since before the release of Halo 2? Surely Bungie could get this thing done in time if Sony launches the PS3 around Q1/Q2 2006?

[siren]

Yes and No.

Halo3's story has been in development. As has the models and texturing.
The engine and level design was not.

My biggest fear is that Bungie is going to jack off on the sweet tech in the Xbox360 until about 9 months before the due date (kinda like that did with Halo2 and Halo) and the slap it all together.

They have a big enough team to pull this off (especially now). But they still are kinda a fan run company in a lot of ways.

[True Poet]

I just thought that, with Bungie being 1st party, they would have had time/ information/hardware to be able to provide something for the 360 launch. I respect a company which takes time to nurture a game from the ground, but from a financial/marketing POV, wouldn't Microsoft want to push their key-developers to lay the foundation of their new system?

[Damnit]

Don't you guys think that is so unfair? I mean Halo2 getting where it is today and we not realizing at all how was it possible!

Any game and I mean any game. Just give it the funding that Halo/Halo2 had and it'll be a good game. No, lemme rephrase that. It'll definitely be a good game!!! Funding can provide you best animators, best programmers, best composers, hollywood writers, fuck you can buy a whole company and make it your first party developer!

[kingarthurivvi]

about that frachize coment it maybe true it was 80 and xbox 20 but most of those was sold prior to xbox's momentum. sales have dropd dromaticly on ps2 side and xbox has increast. not to mention xbox owners own more games per console than any console to date. about gta its dead hail scareface. about square there moltiplatform and we get a undisclosed game noone knows wtf it is yet. so dont get to hyped to top the aquare cake as far as i seen there main platform will be revolution . releaing a plethera of games on it.

[kingarthurivvi]

i think you are over confident in ps3 launch there sales have sucked the past year. dont forget xbox outseold them last holiday season. i think the only way ps3 launch will go off perfect is if ps3 extreamists curl up into a ball and close there eyes and ears like they did with dreamcast . i have no wories about xbox dominateing ps3 dont be surized to see alot of sale eating software being pumped out all its masive 3rd party suport does ps have any exclusives anymore they seam to be walkin wonderin around M$ office.

[gate01]

well sonys safe in japan as most of them hate halo ( their rpg gamers )
and sony will have a massive counter stike well my fellow sony fans said all of those game and who know what esle they got a lot of time and ps3 is not going to come in 2005 if it did then ms might as well give up and go back to computer softwear

[cpilla]

I don't know how one can even compare a game to an entire system. It'll just give xbox fans something to stand in line and buy while everyone else is buying PS3's.

[straightballin]

Maybe sony gave out the spring 2006 to throw off microsoft and will release it in the very beggning of spring in the US or a few weeks before in the US.

[Smily0012]

But doing that will also throw off lots of custmers.

[Amadeus]

My biggest fear is that Bungie is going to jack off on the sweet tech in the Xbox360. . .


That is the most disturbing thing I have ever heard anyone say about a next gen console in my ENTIRE LIFE.

I thought Bungie and Microsoft was about family entertainment?! :)

Anyways, saying Halo 3 will stop Sony fans from buying the PS3 is like saying that having an IHOP right across the street from Denny's will stop people from going to Denny's. NOPE.

[MiThRaZoR]

But it will stop people from going to IHOP. Personally I like Denny's.

But yeah, it could possibly steal some sales from Sony. A new buyer wonders what the lines are about. Finds out about Halo3 and then wants it too and buys and Xbox360.

[PS Gamer]

I have an aweful feeling personally that Halo3 in a lot of ways will be like Mario64

Significantly longer and larger game. It will also allow some interesting new options and have some new style in the play. But it will just lack the same kind of "awe" that the previous 2 games gave.

I do not think Bungie is being provided with enough time to make the game.

Exactly my thoughts. I think its going down the same path that dynasty warriors did. I mean after Dynasty Warriors 3 I got totally bored with 4, and 5. Right now I think there just milking the series, which where I find halo going. Though don't get me wrong, I'll still love Halo until the day it dies :P


P.S - IHOP sucks, go to denny's! :lol:

[Cody]

think you are over confident in ps3 launch there sales have sucked the past year. dont forget xbox outseold them last holiday season.

PS2's sales sucked yet PS2 is still out selling Xbox? What do you expect? most gamers have a PS2 so they are now going to buy a Xbox to add to there collection not that suprising.

i have no wories about xbox dominateing ps3 dont be surized to see alot of sale eating software being pumped out all its masive 3rd party suport does ps have any exclusives anymore they seam to be walkin wonderin around M$ office.
right so a few square enix developers decide to become a 2nd party developer to Microsoft and all of the sudden all of playstations 2nd party developers are 2nd to microsoft? what about developers moving to Sony like that nintendo one for example(can't remember name)and there are probably more that I do not know of and I am to lazy to research

[PS Gamer]

think you are over confident in ps3 launch there sales have sucked the past year. dont forget xbox outseold them last holiday season.

PS2's sales sucked yet PS2 is still out selling Xbox? What do you expect? most gamers have a PS2 so they are now going to buy a Xbox to add to there collection not that suprising.

i have no wories about xbox dominateing ps3 dont be surized to see alot of sale eating software being pumped out all its masive 3rd party suport does ps have any exclusives anymore they seam to be walkin wonderin around M$ office.
right so a few square enix developers decide to become a 2nd party developer to Microsoft and all of the sudden all of playstations 2nd party developers are 2nd to microsoft? what about developers moving to Sony like that nintendo one for example(can't remember name)and there are probably more that I do not know of and I am to lazy to research

You are exactly right blood, though S-E isn't a 2nd party for MS, there a 3rd. 2nd Parties usually never sell multiplatform games. Though S-E to Sony there more like a inbetween 2nd and 3rd party.

[siren]

In between 2nd and 3rd? There really isn't such a thing.

Either your 3rd party and develop for all platforms or your 2nd party and your game development is completely funded by one of the console manufacturers and as such you only develop for that manufacturer, but you maintain the ability to switch to 3rd party at some point if you so wish (based on your contract with the one console manufacturer, IE - Rare could leave Nintendo but only if the company that acquired them bought all of Nintendo's share of their stock)

[Smily0012]

Well they are a 3rd party in a sense that they can make games for any system, but they are also in a sense 2nd party because they choose not to make games for anyone exept sony. But officailly its a 3rd Party developer.

[kingarthurivvi]

think you are over confident in ps3 launch there sales have sucked the past year. dont forget xbox outseold them last holiday season.

PS2's sales sucked yet PS2 is still out selling Xbox? What do you expect? most gamers have a PS2 so they are now going to buy a Xbox to add to there collection not that suprising.

i have no wories about xbox dominateing ps3 dont be surized to see alot of sale eating software being pumped out all its masive 3rd party suport does ps have any exclusives anymore they seam to be walkin wonderin around M$ office.
right so a few square enix developers decide to become a 2nd party developer to Microsoft and all of the sudden all of playstations 2nd party developers are 2nd to microsoft? what about developers moving to Sony like that nintendo one for example(can't remember name)and there are probably more that I do not know of and I am to lazy to research

You are exactly right blood, though S-E isn't a 2nd party for MS, there a 3rd. 2nd Parties usually never sell multiplatform games. Though S-E to Sony there more like a inbetween 2nd and 3rd party.

i never said they out sold sony. what i was saying is they gaind a huge% increase in sales over the years compared to the huge amount of % sale drop in ps2 hardware and software i have seen many ps2 only developers that basicly turn there nose up at dremcast for example. now make molti platform games EA is a good example i never thought we would see crash, metal gear, final fantasy,maden,gta the list goes on of all the exclusive franchize that have went moltiplatform

[siren]

Well they are a 3rd party in a sense that they can make games for any system, but they are also in a sense 2nd party because they choose not to make games for anyone exept sony. But officailly its a 3rd Party developer.

Choose not to make for anyone but Sony?

Then were did Final Fantasy XI or Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicals come from?

What about the "other" game that Square-Enix showed on Xbox360 but hasn't announced officially yet?

They are making games for both MS and Nintendo as well as Sony. Expecially if we include the GBA. There are a ton of SE gaming coming to the GBA (mostly remakes, but still games).

[Smily0012]

Like I said they are a 3rd party offically but they dont seem to act like it. They like to produce games for Sony. One in a blue moon they go and creat games for other system. Now i think that psp came out they wont be making any more games for GB or DS.

[kingarthurivvi]

to say nintendo will loose to anything in handheld is bold indeed lets not forget how popular sega was and how much better gamegear was against black and white gameboy. i own a ds and ive seen both psp is hardly portable and basicly its the same as ps2 in content with added media features ds to me packs a whole lot more fun.

A rags to riches story for the next generation, as flash game favourite ‘flOw’ gets touched up for a release on the PS3 online network.

Originally created by Jenova Chen as part of a thesis research at the USC Interactive Media Division, the game displayed uniquely artistic visuals, a fitting ambient soundtrack and dynamic difficulty adjustment relevant to the skill level of the player. In the first 2 weeks following release, it saw around 350,000 downloads and has subsequently achieved recognition such as ‘Internet Game of the Month‘ in the May 2006 EDGE magazine.

This caught the attention of ‘thatgamecompany’, whose approach is all about providing different, experimentally creative games to tap new audiences.
The actual game sees the player taking control of an, at first, tiny aquatic organism moving freely to the direction the mouse dictates through a seemingly ever expansive two dimensional world, the object being to consume other organisms in the pursuit of evolving your worm like creature. Some creatures will be harmlessly eaten, others defend themselves.

In essence, it sounds like ‘Snake’ with an artistic overhaul, and I suppose in essence that is what it is. But to play it is truly the only way to experience it. Being dropped into the experience, without knowing what you’re doing, what all the little visually distinctive creatures mean, yet watching how your avatar organism evolves differently each time is half the charm. It’s rare for a modern game to leave the player to explore and evolve on their terms, rather than a more formulaic approach where the player is eased in via tutorials; ‘flOw’ is ultimately simple but deceptively deep.

The ambient, artistically immersive atmosphere conjures up memories of sleeper hits ‘Vib Ribbon’ for the Playstation and Rez for the Playstation 2.

Enhanced visuals for the PS3 version promise to take the experience a step further; screens and movies for the game are simply beautiful without even remotely pushing the potential of next-gen graphics. A most exciting prospect is that this simple flash game will be the first PS3 title to make use of the motion sensing controller; tilt the controller to move, press the X button to speed up.

If you missed it, a trailer is available on the site right here: http://www.psu.com/node/7476 .

Possibly too simple for some, but as a flash to console conversion this looks to have the same potential for success as Newgrounds’ ‘Alien Hominid‘, pushed perhaps even further by the smaller price label as a downloadable game.

The game has been the point of some focus for quite a while now, but a solid release date is as of yet unknown.
In the mean time, why not try out the flash predecessor yourself? http://intihuatani.usc.edu/cloud/flowing/ .

[Seb]

An excellent first article Luke. I will add this now. :wink:

Live: http://www.psu.com/node/7564