Will I stick with Sony?

PS3 is bar-none my pick for winner of this generation simply by endurance.  A lot of fights don’t end the way you want them to because one of the fighters was built to last. Such is that of the 360 vs PS3.   Unless Microsoft fuel injects something into the 360 soon, I don’t know how they’ll keep that thing in the spotlight past 2012.

They may just have to leapfrog Sony AGAIN next cycle. . . And I might be the first to champion them. Why? Easy.  The 1st Xbox ate the face off a PS2… the PS2 just had a deeper fanbase and broader library. I don’t think Microsoft even considered themselves a contender to win the console war. PS2 is the king.  But secretly everybody was noticing that the Xbox … was prettier. (Because if was developed LATER) so naturally the 360 picked up a lot of deserved steam.

Then Sony whipped it out and said soups on and now it’s 2011 and it’s starting to go the other way.  The PS3 is becoming the Xbox of this generation… But… should the 360 try to leapfrog PS3 again this console should last into 2020 … but will be early by 2 years as Sony probably wants to keep the PS3 around till 2015ish. So what is Microsoft gonna do for the next 2 years?  Figure out how to pull a Sony is what…  So next console cycle they’ll have the elite future proofed system whose entire medium wont be obsolete a year and a half into it’s lifespan (Don’t think I didn’t notice).  Where does Sony go from the PS3 when it still has so much left to do?  It all depends on where Sony and Microsoft stand with their next systems.  I’m definitely more fond of my PS3 (OBVIOUSLY) but for online/co-op (My passion.) I can’t help notice the 360 is on top of it.

JG

Dev Blog 5 – Location then population

(Future entrance to the Multiplayer arenas)

(Future site of middle class residences as well as a club/bar)

The above picture is a REEEEEEEEALLY early snap of the area. But every screenshot I’ve posted so far as been of an area I’m referring to as “The Crossroads” which is the hub of the entre game world.

The game has started to take on a life of its own and I find myself considering a lot more than I thought. For instance, there is a really good “Sackbot Checkpoint” going around. Now I think do I utilize it? or do I push forward with the checkpoint system I had planned for?

The game keeps growing but I think it is for the better. I don’t see “The Crossroads” expanding any further (until an expansion pack) so I’ll be populating it and moving closer to that damn beta very soon. I’m actually considering some sort of closed beta.

Again, these screenshots shouldn’t reflect the final product. This is looking pretty good. There is a persistent world MMO aspect happening and I’m still figuring everything out. I wont give up on making it multiplayer/co-op

JG

Surrogate Assassins Dev Blog #4

I know it has been a little while between updates so I tried to make this one meatier.

For the past two weeks I’ve said I was gonna aim for a beta on Saturday.  (I’ve also promised to upload episode 4 of the Jaded Gamer show – Oops – I will, its just complicated) And I thought I would definitely have some sort of beta.  But the game got more complex. Back when I thought I’d have a playable version, I thought the game would hinge on one game mechanic but as it evolved it became so much more.

(Very ugly beta of the quest giving system.  Would you like to accept this quest? Then select the green highlighted option… if not… Red means “cancel”  When it’s completed properly it will look more fitting.  Now it is just coloured squares.)

The area to the left used to be pure stone till I hollowed it out and now its going to be… something.

(Before and after shots of what I call “kill houses” these are houses/structures that your surrogate cannot “see through” that are there purely to “kill” AI sprites so they respawn) Simply put… any house you cannot see your player in, will kill you. Think of it as home security against your surrogate.

  Early build of the Assassin guild’s heaquarters. *Note the “see-thru” aesthetic on the structure. This may change.

It is very hard to tell but the player is levitating that brown/rusty looking square. Holding down R2 (*subject to change) initiates telekinesis. Telekinesis can be used to crush your opponent with debris or possibly throw your opponent.

Again… Very difficult to tell… but the player is free floating/levitating.  Hitting L2 initiates levitation.  Since this is a “gamebreaker” ability, an annoying sound effect has been added to help prevent abuse. If this does not detour it…than a time limit on levitation will be used. But for now… I’m gonna see what happens.

Anyways… Everything in this game is beta…. however… within the next few updates I’ll offer an outlook on things like character/plot… etc. etc. 

I know I’ve been calling this game Surrogate Assassins but the correct title is (Non-Officially) Surrogate: Assassin…  Its a small edit … but theoretically the name of the franchise is “surrogate” and every spin off or sub story is a method of employment. . . a la… Surrogate: Thief… Surrogate: Soldier…  Stay tuned in the coming weeks as things are becoming more and more official.

JG