Many, many things were missing from E3 last week but if you're a Sony fan, one of them was anything to do with the long-awaited PSN version of WipEout.
The streamlined HD racer was strangely absent from Sony's E3 conference, with the firm citing technical difficulties as the culprit.
We've been playing a near finished version of the game here in the office for ages now. Check out these exclusive movies to see how pretty it looks. All we were waiting for then was news of a release and how much it would set us back.
CVG has been told that WipEout "fails the epilepsy tests so much that it has to be re-engineered." All that speed and flashing lights zipping past your eyes must be too much to handle.
No further details were available, such as how long this re-working might take but we've contacted Sony and are still awaiting an official response on the status of WipEout HD and when we can expect to see it launch on PSN.
And while we're at it, what ever happened to the PSN release of 2097 (XL in the US)? You'll know when we do.
Comments
41 comments so far...
The_Johnson on 22 Jul '08 said:
Lucky none of you guys have The Epilepsy then!
Imagine trying to review that game:
"so awesome you'll black out!"
"you'll want to keep coming back for more (mainly because you can't remember what happened last time you played it"
"graphics so good that it was almost worth the agonising fit i suffered halfway through my first lap"
dwhlufc on 22 Jul '08 said:
Grrrr another day another delay.
ParmaViolet on 22 Jul '08 said:
Not a good day for delays - GT5, Wipeout HD, no more news no Alan Wake...
Ah well - never particularly liked this game beyond the soundtrack....totally on rails, but looks 'kind nice' - dull.
DSMaster on 22 Jul '08 said:
I wonder how they test that?
I have visions of a test centre somewhere with 100 epileptic kids strapped to chairs (for their own safety) being told to play Wipeout for an extended period of time. I bet they make good money though.
If I were cynical, I would doubt that excuse, as there have been plenty of movies of it released which would also not be safe. I reckon it's more likely they're trying to get rid of all the slowdown and display tearing that's been evident in most of the movies I've seen of it.
jaycee900 on 22 Jul '08 said:
What a load of rubbish, more PC bull, that's why they have warnings on the packaging.....
gazza_be on 22 Jul '08 said:
Damn epileptic bastards! Always trying to ruin the fun for us normal folk!
wildhook2 on 22 Jul '08 said:
Pathetic!
What is normal?
juno_blaster on 22 Jul '08 said:
Wow, that's an interesting revelation. I am curious as to the method used to determine this.
roland82 on 22 Jul '08 said:
this a shame, its one of the games i was really jealous for. hopefully it shouldnt take to long to fix.
majestictwelve on 22 Jul '08 said:
ok -but wat about the kids that havnt been diagnosed then suddenly have a fit??
fatherbigley on 22 Jul '08 said:
DAMN YOU HEATH AND SAFETY DO GOODERS
MPH on 22 Jul '08 said:
Then they will be diagnosed by the game. o/
GtheMVP on 22 Jul '08 said:
You = Idiot!
Wipeout requires madskills, game rulzzzz
GtheMVP on 22 Jul '08 said:
me too, how do they know?
johnman on 22 Jul '08 said:
You have to find out one way, it may as well be fun
ParmaViolet on 22 Jul '08 said:
You really thinks so? - sounds like Wii Music will be right up your street then.
Bravo2Zero1989 on 22 Jul '08 said:
shame, i was really looking forward to this, now i've to wait longer. safety comes first
Paradaz - UK on 22 Jul '08 said:
Sounds a bit bizarre, but every single video game gets tested for the flashing images etc before it is allowed to be released.
mojo_zx on 22 Jul '08 said:
i think he was being sarcastic mate. at least i hope so or your description of him hits the nail right on the head.
steve w on 22 Jul '08 said:
Can I be pathetic as well
Should'nt people grow out of being epileptic.
Oh well never mind seizure ya later.
milky_joe on 22 Jul '08 said:
F-Zero is better anyway...
DAEDALUS79 on 22 Jul '08 said:
Looks pretty good, if its a decent price ill buy it.
Wario-Man on 22 Jul '08 said:
Although this may be an F-Zero rip-off, I'd probably prefer this due to better graphics. I'm not sure about the game play, but I think this'll be a cool racer. Anyway, I don't really care if things are delayed, unless it's British people waiting for the European release of the American version.
Mark240473 on 22 Jul '08 said:
I remember the first Wipeout in the local danceclub I used to go to (bowlers in manchester) years ago. The game really suited the times with its great soundtrack and brilliant visuals. With that in mind, WipeoutHD will be more of a nostalgia trip than anything else, though I'm sure it will be a great game in its own right.
Maybe that is why I have an unhealthy fondness for all things Sony, because we go way back. Good times. And I'm not sure how influential video games are in the dance scene nowadays, what with being an old fart.
Bliff on 22 Jul '08 said:
"WipEout HD delayed for failing epilepsy tests"
cant stip giggling at the image of a group of ppl
playing the game and going into fits and a man in a lab coat with a clipbored turns to his colige and says "o dear, you can tell them this time, they had a fit when i said this might happen"
LeonKILLER7 on 23 Jul '08 said:
it seems like this and super street fighter 2 hd have been in development for ages, when they do come out they'll be overlooked by other games
gazza_be on 23 Jul '08 said:
Yeah, i was kidding, guess i should have made it more obvious
headspin on 23 Jul '08 said:
man, im tired of waiting for this game, but wait i shall....
GtheMVP on 23 Jul '08 said:
Hell yeah! Finally a game I can't do wrong in!
A truly hardcore game.
berelain on 23 Jul '08 said:
man, you WipEout-bashers just don't know what you're talking about. The WipEout series are some of the most challenging racing games I've ever played- nothing tests your reflexes and skill like hurtling around a track on Phantom class. It makes every other races (Fzero included) look pretty dreary by comparison.
And for those thinking it'll just be a nostalgia trip, I point you to WipEout Pulse- every bit as cool, engaging and slick as the original WipEout was back in its day.
I cannot bloody wait for this game. I hope they get the epilepsy problem fixed. Soon.
_Marty_ on 23 Jul '08 said:
It was first shown in the movie Hackers too. I associate the two closely.
sbolton666 on 23 Jul '08 said:
hahahahahahahahahahaha......
I bet your one of those fat kids that laugh there head off if something falls of a table!
And to everyone else whos taking the p**s from epeliptic fits! You guys ever seen one in person? there whole body shakes rapidly and foam comes out there mouth! No1 i know has it before you start throwing the insults!
But its pritty f**ked up that your all taking the p**s from something that can be fatal!
_Marty_ on 23 Jul '08 said:
Can't disagree with you here (first time for everything eh?
It's the same when people throw around the 'hope you die of Aids' comment. Like, how the hell is this remotely amusing?
kimoak on 23 Jul '08 said:
Yeah Epilepsy can be really dangerous. My brother had it.(He has since grew out of it now) Picture this... A kid is playing a game on his own in the house. He has a fit and swallows his tongue because he is on his back and has no control of his muscles. Everytime my brother had a fit, we had to move him on to his side or his front so he wouldn't swallow his tongue. After the fit he would be paralysed down his left side for a few minutes. Very frightening for everyone. Especially the first time it ever happened.
gazza_be on 23 Jul '08 said:
F-Zero>>>>>Wipeout. I fount F-Zero to be a lot more challenging.
ra3v3r on 23 Jul '08 said:
My sister suffers from epilepsy as well, but its rarely brought on by flashing images - apparently there are several different variants. Scared the crap out of us when she just passed out in the middle of the shopping centre one day.
Agreed that its pretty brutal to be taking the p**s so much but if you didnt laugh and try to make a joke of these things life would be pretty boring. I've known a few people in my time who've "suffered" it and they're usually the worst for cracking jokes.
What do you do if someone has a fit in the bath?
You throw in the washing....
homerjwho on 23 Jul '08 said:
An ex of mine had it to, you are right about the jokes. She gave me this gem.
What's blue and doesn't fit?
A dead epileptic.
I laughed.
kimoak on 23 Jul '08 said:
I have heard the second one. The first one I haven't
I do agree about taking things a little bit seriously. If you don't laugh you cry and all that. As long as it isn't taken too far I thinks it's ok.
ra3v3r on 23 Jul '08 said:
We are both going to hell... haha!!
Zedfragg on 24 Jul '08 said:
Look I used to be epileptic but I'd sure as hell of suffered the fits just to have something-ANYTHING released on the PS3 lol
Psycho Squirrel on 25 Jul '08 said:
damn u epilepsy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!