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New Doom III Preview Illuminates
Thanks to EuroGamer for their new preview of id's Doom III from an Activision press event in the UK, where id lead designer Tim Willits and CEO Todd Hollenshead were demonstrating the latest build of the long-awaited FPS sequel. Hollenshead confirmed of the game: "We have no plans to release it this year", a new "physics patch" was shown (the writer suggests "the physics implementation seems to be quite young, suggesting it was 'bolted on' after the capabilities of the Source engine became apparent"), and the writer argues that "...for all Valve's fancy physics and cunning AI, the eye candy in Doom III is still a cut above." Update: 08/14 15:39 GMT by S : In a related story, HomeLanFed have initial impressions of the multiplayer Doom III modes, currently being demonstrated at QuakeCon in Dallas.
This article makes it seem like Id is trying to make Doom 3 into a "Better Halflife". Doom 3 was very similar to HL1 in premise to start with, and now this Physics Patch seems to be a direct response to the amazing physics stuff in HL2.
It seems pretty lame that they're adding this sort of thing now, at the end of the development cycle where it probably can't be integrated into the game properly. Id should let their game stand on it's own as a separate entity.
I'm much more interested in HL2 than D3 right now, which is a complete reversal from before E3, but some of the things shown in D3 demos still intrigue me.
IIRC, every single FPS to date has had strictly oriented players and monsters -- yes, you can go above someone if the map allows you, but you are still oriented in the same direction -- head toward sky, feet on ground. Some of the D3 footage has shown monsters crawling along walls, pipes, etc -- but it's not clear if this is actual gameplay or merely cut scenes. If it's gameplay it would add a whole new dimension to the game -- not as much as Quake did with it's true 3D environment, but still quite substantial.
I do expect HL2 to have the better AI and plot regardless, and to probably be the better game. Which one is the better engine will remain to be seen.
Damn! it looks like ID really freaked out after seing half life 2 completely stealing the E3 show this year. Doom 3 already has a nice physics engine (check the last e3 quicktime movie) it has ragdoll physics rigid bodies and even some fluid physics (for blood) but it doesnt "show off" as much as the one in half life 2, maybe thats what they have decided to change that. Actually I wouldnt mind at all if they released the game as it is now, and then release some expansions or mods that make heavier use of the physics or AI. Oh well, I guess is for the better, it doesnt look like half life 2 isnt shipping anytime soon neither. So Im going to miss those two by xmas, is just not going to be the same without them. Oh and dont consider this as flamebait or something but come on people, I mean yes, Doom 3 is about shooting monsters around in dark alleys, yes it has been done a 1000 times everybody and their sister has played that. It doesnt matter, Doom3 features the most realistic graphics and psychological horror effects ever seen. It may sound silly but in this particular case graphics DO make the difference (combined with good tempo and real time movies and sounds) they create a realistic ambience of fear and dread. I saw the E3 demo and it puts the entire silent hill series to shame. Actually this is the only game which has caused me to feel physically disgusted by the disturbing scenes (no I didnt got fps sickness). It is that realistic, truly horrifying, wait and see. So if you are not interested just because it plays exactly like good old doom guess what? it is doom! so no one cares ( at least no doom fan that is)
Go ahead MOD my day!
More opinions here
Play Natural Selection for Half-Life - the basic alien has the ability to crawl on walls and ceilings.
Tim
Omnia vestra castrorum habetur nobis.
everybody else has been playing catch-up with Id. Most of the time falling short by
a long shot. With a few notable exceptions.
After reading the article, it seems now that Id is playing a little catch up themselves.
Quote; Admittedly this is the opinion of the author of the article, but interesting none the less.
Though from what I've seen, everyone else is still playing catchup on the graphic's front.
But when you sit back and have a look at whats in store for the (hopefully) not too
distant future, you can't help looking forward to finally sitting down and playing these
games.
I'm looking forward to both games, but as we all know great graphics doesn't make a great game.
One word: immersion. Graphics do help a big deal in the case of a game like this.
Huh? I'm confused. The alpha that was leaked months ago had physics in it, such as shooting the boxes near the start (they would fall to the floor and tumble) or shooting the lamp swinging in the hallway (it would flip around, throwing light and shadows everywhere)
Unless they're revamping the engine or something to compete with Havok's physics engine? (The one used in HL2)
I'm lost.
I still think Doom3 _and_ Half-Life 2 will be awesome games. Cinematic games are the future.
Not All Who Wander Are Lost
Hate to "me too" on this, but I have to. I enjoy ID's games, but they couldn't write a story and stick to it if someone strapped John into his rocket this morning and threatened to launch it unless his next game come with a plot less contrived than an A-Team reunion.
Half Life 2 *could* drop the ball, but I haven't seen any signs so far that they have. I look forward to the work of the guys who made the marine AI of grenade flushing, constantly mobile, devious death.
Sig under construction since 1998.
I saw the E3 demo and it puts the entire silent hill series to shame.
...it's too good.
Except that in Doom 3 you'll be a serious, gun-slinging badass.
In Silent Hill 2 on the other hand you start out unarmed, unskilled, and when you get your first weapon it's not a gun, not even a knife.
...it's a friggin' piece of wood.
When you _finally_ get a gun you find out you shoot like a little girl.
Oh yeah, and there's almost no bullets.
That game is some of the scariest shit I ever played, and I rue the day I bought it.
I still haven't gotten very far, mostly due to the fact that I can't play alone at night (seriously).
It's scary almost to the point of unplayable.
The worst part is I can't even sell it and get my money back because
So the box just sits there on it's shelf and sort of stares at me.
Actually even that is kind of creepy.
"First lesson," Jon said. "Stick them with the pointy end."