Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

XIII Shows Off Cel-Shading FPS Skills

Posted by simoniker on from the shadowy-french-agents dept.

Thanks to GameSpy for posting a developer diary for XIII, the multi-platform, cel-shaded FPS from UbiSoft that's now due to ship on the 9th October. The executive producer on this Unreal-engine title talks about some of the stylistic innovations, such as "pop-up windows to show major actions or headshots", and "onomatopoeias... to help [the player] like a form of sixth sense", Batman TV show-style. GameSpot also has some recent, guarded impressions of the title, which is "based on an immensely popular [French] graphic novel series", and features an intriguing soundtrack from San Francisco turntablists Future Primitive Sound.

4 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. I'll bite ... by ccweigle · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Which plot came first, XIII or Bourne Identity? I've got my guess.

    1. Re:I'll bite ... by fireduck · · Score: 4, Interesting
      according to the developer diary (first link) the first issue of XIII was release 1984.

      what I find interesting (and somewhat off-topic) is the list of personnel working on the game (taken from the developer diary):
      • Elisabeth Pellen, Scenarist
      • Nathalie Provost, Graphic Technical Director
      • Nathalie Moschetti, Artistic Director
      • Jean Zappavigna, Lead Game Designer
      • Alkis Argyriadis, Lead Sound Designer

      at least 3 of the lead designers/directors are female (unsure of the gender of the last 2 names). that seems a fairly high percentage in a field dominated by males...
  2. Re:Pretty but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I thought everyone liked that? Half the reason I bought UT2k3 was because of the "announcer" aspect of it. I especially like my speakers to boom with all the "commentary" programmed into the game for going on a streak. I also thought the verbal taunts by other players added something other arena-style fps lacked. Quake3 has some funny comments, but UT2k3 actually tells you that you suck through such colorful comments as "I'll swallow your soul!" Man, thanks for reminding me I haven't reinstalled the game on my laptop yet!

    Having played the demo, I can say I really like the way it came together. I think it could be a lot better, but I really like the looks of it so far. It kind of took the comic book look and feel that I don't normally like, and made it work well in a video game setting...which is great in my opinion. I thought the comic book style story and "cutscene" aspect of Max Payne didn't work well, but otherwise it was good. XIII, though I'm not sure how it's pronounced properly (admittedly, sound card was busted on the machine I briefly played the demo on, so I don't know about an announcer booming "head shot" or "wicked sick," looks more story-based anyway), looks as if it'll be a real good one. It's certainly won it's fair share of awards, and my first impression was good. I may even be willing to shell out $50 for such a game. Doesn't suprise me though, last game I paid that much for was UT2k3 :). If it's cross platform, I will definitly give them my money, if it doesn't run on Linux...well, to hell with them.

  3. Re:Yeah! (while moderating) by raygundan · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Sarcastic funny jerk. Of course, there's no way to not be a jerk when replying sarcastically to somebody else's flamebait. The intent was funny, with a small, humorous lesson in "this is a very small trend."

    I got a kick out of his link to turn-based war games, too, but didn't bother to point it out the first time. Let's compare the total number of turn-based war games to the total number of cel-shaded games and see which is a more prevalent trend, eh?

    And in the meantime, I will return to trying to figure out where the Y, Pr, and Pb outputs from my gamecube plug into this awesome new sundried-tomato home theatre bagel I bought. I really don't want to have to buy any more jumper cables-- the quality ones are just too pricey-- but I'm just plain sick of playing games on the same old TV device that all the "cool" people think I should use.