PSX5Central
Playstation/Gaming Discussions => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: rastalant on January 22, 2002, 05:17:46 PM
-
... albit with EE driven bumpmapping effects?
http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/previews/0,10869,2841253,00.html
==============================================
Many were surprised to learn that Argonaut was developing a version of Malice for the PS2. Considering how strongly Microsoft promoted the game, the fact that it would emerge on other platforms was surprising indeed. But Argonaut and Sierra are determined to make Malice\'s presence as widely-felt as possible, and bringing it to the PS2 is the most logical step.
From what we\'ve been told, Argonaut has fully converted its internal Shadow-Caster engine to work on the PS2. While we\'re eager to see it for ourselves, the details that Argonaut has released sound quite impressive on paper. Full details are listed below, but rest assured: environments will feature pretty hefty poly counts, and everything will run at 60fps. You\'ll have to read on to get the rest of the information. We\'d like to give special thanks to the Argonaut team for answering our questions.
GameSpot: Some stages exclusive to the PS2 port have been mentioned. Can you tell us anything about these?
Argonaut: Well, we don\'t want to give too much away at this stage. There were levels that fit into the game and storyline that were originally designed, and we felt they would work better on the PS2 version. They add a little more depth to the game and provide more challenges and gameplay. We don\'t need to add that these are incredibly gorgeous to look at and really add to the atmosphere of the game.
GS: How well does the Shadow-Caster engine perform on the PS2 hardware?
A: Obviously there isn\'t the hardware to support the exact method we use on the Xbox. Our PS2 engine can draw around 260,000 polygons a frame at a constant 60fps! With this technology, we have a system that works differently but will produce the same visuals. It\'s still being optimized and changed as the algorithm is continually enhanced, but there should be no loss of speed or visual delight.
GS: Did you have to make any compromises to ensure that Malice would run well on the PS2?
A: The only compromises are with the technology. We have no features such as hardware bump mapping, so we\'ve had to create an equivalent in software without any performance degradation. The PS2 has been out long enough now, whereby our teams are able to produce some astounding quality in their work.
GS: Have any of the game mechanics changed with the PS2?
A: As it stands at the moment (excluding the additional levels), the gameplay mechanics are the same. There may be some tweaks and changes a little later on, but at the moment, it remains the same. This was a conscious decision, as the original gameplay is quite excellent. It has been designed in line with the story and characters and sound and everything--a careful balance to provide the best gameplay experience within the game. Changing it may compromise this balance, and that\'s not something that we wanted to risk.
GS: Which version do you feel most faithfully represents your vision for the game?
A: Both versions are a strong representation of how the original next-generation version of the game was planned. Obviously with the extra content in the PS2 version, we\'re a little closer to what we want to get in, but, as always, we have time against us and we want to give the game players the most fulfilling experience within the Malice world.
GS: What\'s the status of the Xbox version? Which version of the game is farther along?
A: The games are being developed slightly apart to allow us to include the extra content and get over any "unknowns" without jeopardizing our delivery dates. Both Sierra and Argonaut are keen to sate the appetite of the hungry game players out there.
GS: Has the core game changed at all since you\'ve last updated the press?
A: Nothing has really changed in the game since then. We aged Malice (the main character) a little and added a bit more "sassyness" and attitude so that she\'s even more appealing. The full game design has been locked down for a while, as there is so much cool stuff going into the game that we would never finish it if we kept changing the game. More and more is going into the game, and it simply gets more addictive and gorgeous as each day goes by.
GS: For those unfamiliar with it, would you like to provide a quick rundown of what Malice is about? And the strengths of the Shadow-Caster engine?
A: Sure. It\'s going to be difficult to describe everything in this short space for so much game, but I\'ll try. You play Malice in third person, and she starts off in a strange world indeed. She begins her time travel, headless, by meeting Death, who sends her back to undo the bad things that have happened. Along the way, she learns to use magic and gains some incredible weapons to help her--mace of clubs, clockwork hammer, and the awesome quantum tuning fork. She must thwart the growth of the dog god and beat his murderous crow minions by foiling his plots and schemes and plans, which are orchestrated by his sidekick, the Jujuman. She also must make friends to help her through her quests. The lands are varied and rich, from the memory maze and bonehenge to the siren tree and the beach of souls. Malice must right what has gone terribly wrong in the world.
The Shadow-Caster engine is a unique development engine and toolset that allows the world\'s shadows to be drawn in real time and so to provide an extrarealistic look at the world in which Malice lives. Dynamic lights and effects mean that any shadows cast are real. As the light moves, so does the shadow. As the light falls and rises, the shadows lengthen and shorten accordingly. Characters can pass in and out of the shadows in a natural fashion. The system renders the final layer of cream on an already rich and tasteful world.
GS: Do you see Malice as the beginning of something larger? A franchise, perhaps?
A: Each element of the design has been carefully created to provide very strong worlds and characterization. Naturally, out of this we have so many ideas and so much material that we\'ve have to put them on the "next project" pile. We believe we have something that can remain fresh for many years after the wrapper has been taken off and would love to continue to make Malice games. Whether another is actually released, well, watch this space...
GS: How has the identity of Malice developed? She now seems to be more integral to the game.
A: Malice has always been important to the game; she is a major part of the story as well as the main character the player controls. Since we partnered with Sierra, there have been slight changes to the way she looks and acts, but otherwise, she remains the likable, kick-a** character she always has been. She\'s a very popular girl, and to meddle too much could make her lose her appeal.
GS: Anything you\'d like to add about Malice?
A: This product has to be one of the most brilliantly created, visually superb, addictive, aurally inspiring games produced to date. It has been created to be a next-generation product that can work only on the new hardware that is available today. Each person who plays this game will be instantly drawn into the world and will go back to it time and time again to see all of the bits and extras that they\'ve missed.
Make sure you have a Kleenex box nearby when you play it (for when your mouth dribbles of course!).
==============================================
Uhhhhh......here.........some pics of the ps2 version........uhh............
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgamespot.com%2Fgamespot%2Fimages%2F2002%2Fplaystation2%2Fmalice%2Fmalice_screen001.jpg&hash=35fe58daad3de00612e40705ea065055e051c21a)
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgamespot.com%2Fgamespot%2Fimages%2F2002%2Fplaystation2%2Fmalice%2Fmalice_screen002.jpg&hash=df31131e340e22bd1c97e97d96381811b1a039ec)
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgamespot.com%2Fgamespot%2Fimages%2F2002%2Fplaystation2%2Fmalice%2Fmalice_screen004.jpg&hash=15ec1e896bb8343e2b5347a5eb8605139fa750cf)
Hmmmmmm.......the graphics took a hit compared to the xbox version.........
-
Good news on the PS2 version!! But the graphics took a hit compared to the xbox version like you said. It should be the same. I think its the Bumpmapping too. They have to put the bumpmapping in. :D
Here\'s Xbox version.
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgamespot.com%2Fgamespot%2Fimages%2Fscreenshots%2Fvgnews%2F010801%2Fmalice%2Fmalice_screen001.jpg&hash=ee618ce0c2839836814142440db511259e2029b3)
-
Good news for most PS2 owners, but bad news for me. Guess I\'ll have to miss out on this one. :(
-
bah, this game should have stayed exclusive to the Xbox, they developed the game originally for the big box and porting to the PS.2 sucks a donkey\'s nuts.
-
Pretty big difference...hopefully it will get cleaned up a little more by release...;)
-
We should expect no less from the xbox. Anyone who thinks the PS2 can match it graphically is kidding themselves (just the depth of the backgrounds alone is enough, not to mention the self-shadowing). This proves something only to the irrational, and those people will not be convinced by this or anything else.
-
which one will run at 60 fps?
-
Originally posted by mm
which one will run at 60 fps?
I think they both run at 60 fps.
-
just checking
dont want another halo incident. i swear im gonna go blind playing halo, and develop carpel tunnel syndrome from the lame [technical term] controller
-
That x-box pic is a render. Here\'s some ingame pics from the x-box.
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fxboxmedia.ign.com%2Fmedia%2Fpreviews%2Fimage%2Fmalice%2Fmaliceb10.jpg&hash=ad0507b6780e892b3a55753a6841b7956bbd407b)
-
Kenny, I dont\' know what you mean here. I still see bump mapping, self shadowing and better texture quality. I guess you forgot to make your point.
-
Originally posted by Watchdog
Kenny, I dont\' know what you mean here. I still see bump mapping, self shadowing and better texture quality. I guess you forgot to make your point.
His point was made. The render looks great because.. well, its a render. The pic he posted just doesnt look as good as the render, and that was his point. I dislike when graphics are compared from X-box to ps2, sure X-box looks better, as expected, but dont expect the finished ps2 version to look like that first screen.... unless the developers have some serious problems.
-
Its not going look as good as the xbox version just look how tone down the textures are.
-
I am too lazy to post them, but I\'ve seen in games that look just as vibrant as that "render". Take a look at the other (teamxbox, ign) forums tonight, Malice is making headlines and other in game xbox pics look pretty close to that "render".
-
Originally posted by Watchdog
I am too lazy to post them, but I\'ve seen in games that look just as vibrant as that "render". Take a look at the other (teamxbox, ign) forums tonight, Malice is making headlines and other in game xbox pics look pretty close to that "render".
Here\'s more ingame Xbox screens.
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgamespot.com%2Fgamespot%2Fimages%2F2001%2Fvgnews%2F112801%2Fmalice%2Fmalice_screen012.jpg&hash=37a2dcb53b4d1de530a13452f7c29127c0d5e978)
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgamespot.com%2Fgamespot%2Fimages%2F2001%2Fvgnews%2F112801%2Fmalice%2Fmalice_screen013.jpg&hash=2d036e79fac7959a1dcaae66be51b04cae369ec9)
Even the hammer has bumpmapping.
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgamespot.com%2Fgamespot%2Fimages%2F2001%2Fvgnews%2F112801%2Fmalice%2Fmalice_screen011.jpg&hash=f4c3806e0747b42bb565d9f8962e404d54148dfb)
-
Originally posted by rastalant
Its not going look as good as the xbox version just look how tone down the textures are.
That wasnt the point i was making, it obviously isnt going to look as good, the X-box is a more powerfull machine. I was just saying that that ps2 screen is still going to improve a bit.
-
Lets clear this debate up real quick.
- Facts:
- The Xbox is a superior machine. There is no denying that, it is to be expected it. I mean, it came out a full year after the PS2.
- The XBOX can handle textures quite abit better than the PS2.
- Malice was originally developed for the XBOX and has been in development longer for the XBOX.
- Developing a game for one console and then turning around to develop for another console almost always equals in one version looking like total poo. Add in the fact that the PS2 is no cakewalk to develop for, unlike the XBOX and you have massive porting problems that the developers are most certainly facing.
- The PS2 version is still rather early, unlike the XBOX screens. I\'m sure the screens will improve some.
- We still don\'t know a damn thing about the gameplay really.
Any questions?
;)
-
Originally posted by mm
just checking
dont want another halo incident. i swear im gonna go blind playing halo, and develop carpel tunnel syndrome from the lame [technical term] controller
Is there someone holding a gun to your head telling you to post about the xbox controller whenever talking about a game on xbox, all you do is ***** about it, IT IS NOT THAT BAD, if its to big then just get the Madcatz version, its built good and is smaller
-
...but will produce the same visuals."
Go ahead and drag out all the moldy Malice pics you can find. I still remember Project Gotham screens that proved it would graphically blow GT3 oudda da water. It makes more sense to wait until both versions are finished to make a genuine comparison. But hey, maybe that\'s just my own quirky thinking. Speaking of which...
IF I chose to play Malice and with a complete freedom of choice, going just on the screens shown here I\'d pick the PS2 version based on the added content. Given realtime shadows will be in the final version I don\'t see enough of a graphics ‘hit\' to care. Leading to.....
Are Argonaut and Sierra trying to play King maker with this interview or are they just hyping their game? At least they\'re smart enough not to restrict themselves to a single, much smaller, user base.
****************************************************
LIC, about those facts. No one here (as far as I can tell) seriously questions the xbox being more powerful, only the degree to which it is more powerful, in what area(s), and whether it will make a significant difference in the long run.
-
well that may be so but i still agree with LICs post
the pics are early builds and will take more time to get the hang of PS2 - either way i am not into the game much anyways
but Malice doesnt look too hot right now on PS2 to say the least
-
Yes, mm, your constant complaining about the pad has been dually noted. Most who use it for any length of time agree that it is no where near as bad as early reports.
This is a quote from a PS2 owning friend of mine (during an xbox party):
"No one here is denying that it is a comfortable controller to hold, but I question the button layout--mainly the black and white ones."
I respond: "You hardly even use them anyway--how many games do you need quick access to 8 buttons?"
He argues his point some more, not convinced. Anyway...
I agree with everything here, the xbox should look better, and it should not be a surprise when it does.
Anyway, I read elsewhere that they are going to be including the PS2 content in the xbox version (that\'s why they are going to be released coincidently). One way or the other I don\'t really care, the game could be really bad--who\'s to know? And also, all this nonsense about extra features is broken promises as far as I\'m concerned. Extra features never really do anything extraordinary, and are much too hyped. SH2? Who really cares? I didn\'t.
Anyway, I feel that it is more important for xbox to look better than have extra features because xbox has to stand out and differences like these will convert/convince some people to buy xbox.
Before I had xbox, my friends wouldn\'t even consider getting it--they, like me, all had PS2s.
After one xbox night all of them wany one, but can\'t afford or don\'t think it\'s worth it to buy a second console.
Things are changing, and I really hope xbox survives because it\'s a wonderful system.
-
Originally posted by Sublimesjg
well that may be so but i still agree with LICs post
Of course you do, as I\'m the great wise one (along with Ryu, Beasty and a select others ).
j/k
:laughing:
-
Originally posted by Watchdog
Anyway, I read elsewhere that they are going to be including the PS2 content in the xbox version (that\'s why they are going to be released coincidently). One way or the other I don\'t really care, the game could be really bad--who\'s to know? And also, all this nonsense about extra features is broken promises as far as I\'m concerned. Extra features never really do anything extraordinary, and are much too hyped. SH2? Who really cares? I didn\'t.
You obviously haven\'t been to TXB lately. They are outraged that the PS2 version will have extra levels. I registered just to tell them what idiots they are being (I\'m registered as Sumasshu, click here to read the hilarious thread: http://forums.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61557)
-
Originally posted by Kimahri
That wasnt the point i was making, it obviously isnt going to look as good, the X-box is a more powerfull machine. I was just saying that that ps2 screen is still going to improve a bit.
I hope it improves cause its not lookin good.........:thepimp: :thepimp:
-
Originally posted by rastalant
I hope it improves cause its not lookin good.........:thepimp: :thepimp:
I disagree. Looks good enough right now to be a hit on PS2 if it has the gameplay. Me thinks :thepimp: gives other gamers too much credit for being the graphics whore :thepimp: is.
-
I\'d rather have the more levels over the better graphics
-
It\'s kinda dissapointing to see that Argonaut dude bragging about
his PS2 version being only a tad less graphically impressive than the XBOX version and then seeing those PS2 pics. Those PS2 screenshots DO suck. But somehow I remember some other Malice PS2 pics a few weeks back which looked better... hmmm.
Anyway, I don\'t think he\'s lying about the realtime lighting/shadows plus the software bumpmapping in the final PS2 version which are both totally absent in those obviously early screens.
So I guess we can expect improvement.
Knotter8