Ex-God of War director David Jaffe has updated his personal blog with a post about the new Spider-Man game intended for the people who are making it. Come and read this...
"Please stop putting Spiderman games in big open sandbox environments where you swing around and do oh so slight variations on 4 pretty dull mission types (chase/race/collect/etc) and then once in a while toss in a boss fight and/or a somewhat unique mission," begins his latest blog post.
"I LOVE Marvel Comics and I LOVE the promise of games based on Marvel Comics. But why can't you guys make a game that feels like a comic? I don't mean art style wise; I don't mean like Comix Zone with panels and cliche stuff like that. I mean feels like a comic in a story based, narrative way: a game that shows off the OTHER aspect that makes Marvel Comics so special: The characters/story. It's not JUST about the powers, you know. But your games are always ONLY about the powers."
He's so right about the sandbox thing. Give it a linear story rather than having to scout for missions. That's stupid. It's nice having the choice, but it isn't GTA, it doesn't pull it off. In Spider-Man 2 it kinda worked, but by the time we got to Spider-Man 3 it just started to grate. New ideas foe Web Of Shadows, please (this is also the third Spider-Man game to revolve around the simbiote/Venom storyline, after Ultimate Spider-Man and Spider-Man 3. Running out of ideas, are we?).
Agreed, if it's going to stay on the sand box route it needs more variety and a stronger, more focused main story at the heart of it.
There's only so much race from A to B, chase from A to B, beat up gang of criminals who look and act the last group, save citizen clinging to building.
They could have great set pieces like the bank robbery in GTA, rescuing a train that's about to derail, smaller crimes taking place around the city such as muggings, house burglaries, joy riders etc. There could even be Peter Parker missions, where you have to be at a certain place at the right time of day and take photo's of the events that unfold... I dunno surely there are lots of ideas....
maybe Peter Parker picking up 'ladies of the night' would be a step too far though!
I think that the developers either forget or choose to forget what makes comics what they are - story. Spiderman isn't popular because he can climb up walls and he isn't popular because he can spin a web (any size, catches thieves just like flies....), it's because of the storylines laid out behind all of this - Spiderman used to be a bit of a soap opera when Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. were the creative team.
The other thing that really bothers me is the whole links to the films. It seems as if we are going to get more of this rubbish movie symbiote story - and who exactly is that aimed at?....it can't be the real Spidey fans, because we all seem to be united in our dislike for it. It can't be for the kids either - that film is 'old hat' now.
He may say what some of us are thinking sometimes (although I really dont agree with taking Spidey out of the sandbox genre... people love to swing. its that simple) but is it just me that is sick of hearing about this guys rants?
It's like seeing Michael Pachter's name in every other article title... I don't care what he got paid to guess about this week, nor do I care to hear the ramblings of a disgruntled developer. So annoying. It wouldnt be so bad if he didnt sound like such a whiney cry baby whilst doing it.
If he wrote things that actually had a purpose, or gave fair criticisms, then I'd have no problem. But he basically just slags everybody off.
It's all very true, but with most games based on licenses from other media (comics, movies, TV), publishers are happy just to make an average game and let the brand work its sales magic.
Why spend time innovating and taking risks when you can stick to a formula and STILL make a ton of money?
He may say what some of us are thinking sometimes (although I really dont agree with taking Spidey out of the sandbox genre... people love to swing. its that simple) but is it just me that is sick of hearing about this guys rants?
It's like seeing Michael Pachter's name in every other article title... I don't care what he got paid to guess about this week, nor do I care to hear the ramblings of a disgruntled developer. So annoying. It wouldnt be so bad if he didnt sound like such a whiney cry baby whilst doing it.
If he wrote things that actually had a purpose, or gave fair criticisms, then I'd have no problem. But he basically just slags everybody off.
I'll be tired when he stops being right. He has an opinoin and he can air it if he wants, That's why it's on HIS blog, if you don't like him, don't read it. It's like saying I've had enough of you on a forum, it doesn't matter as you have you opinoin and you can air it
Since when did a guys opinion from his own blog become worthy gaming news?
since it came from a person in the gaming world thats all CVG need to post it. it fills a space in the news section. if they didn't put this tosh in they wouldn't update the page for a few hours. its all just filler. just think of them like the "and now on the lighter side of news" stories in the evening news.
No no no not Comix Zone..i really wasn't a fan of that game. The open worlds are great in some cases, like Spiderman. They just need to be done better, better missions and side missions in my opinion. Spiderman 2 had weak side missions, but a decent set of missions and a great environment that was fun to go around.
Guys come on, taking spidey out of a sandbox environment would suck. Its great swinging throught the city, although I do agree more variety is needed. Hope the new game works out and isnt a rehash of old games.
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