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The Making of Mirror's Edge
1Up is running a feature about the development of Mirror's Edge, which comes out in November. Two of the developers talk about how they sold the concept for the game to studio execs, and how that concept has changed over the past few years. They also provide an early proof-of-concept video demonstrating some of the gameplay.
"When you're doing something that's quite different like this, it's very easy for people to say, 'Oh, but couldn't you do it in third-person as well?' or 'Couldn't you put guns in as well?' or 'Couldn't we have vehicles as well?' And I think the reason we got to where we are is because we stuck to our guns, or lack of guns. [Laughs] We have kept the purity of the core mechanic. And I think that is why it is as good as it is now, because we just focused on that in a very blinkered way and didn't let ourselves get distracted."
I'm really looking forward to this game. Many times I've dreamed of a game that broke the invisible glass barrier that stuck between my character and the rest of the game world. I hope someday we can see games that implement this kind of contextual environmentally interactive gameplay into their core mechanics. Imagine Mirror's edge gameplay in a fantasy MMO setting? We might finally be able to recreate something akin to the seige in the 2nd LOTR movie.
The world you experience is only a close approximation of reality.
It can't just be me: this game totally reminds me of the end of The Matrix, when Neo runs from Smith. I just hope they do a doorway joke: "The room on your left!" "No, your other left!!"
And I think the reason we got to where we are is because we stuck to our guns, or lack of guns.
Where exactly is it that they got? The game isn't out yet. It might still not go over with gamers because of a lack of guns vehicles or 3rd person perspective. While I'm still interested as to how they got to release, I think it's a bit early to be doing this type of interview, since it could be a major disaster. Game-makers, don't go emulating them just yet!
I devised a concept a decade ago about a game based on escape and evade. The focus wasn't on combat, but being clever, skilled, and athletic.
This game, however is going to suck. First person action games are not about doing things, they are about seeing things.
The third time you run off a pipe in midair because you can't see where the hell you are, you're going to throw this game away.
I don't think the game is necessarily bad, but the execution being first person only just doesn't mesh with modern games or what modern gamers expect.
They're using their grammar skills there.
... that while the Parkour element of the game is impressive, innovative, and apparently well-implemented, the most significant victory for this game is that it is set in the future, yet isn't BROWN.
Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking.
And I think that is why it is as good as it is now, because we just focused on that in a very blinkered way and didn't let ourselves get distracted.
...it's a feature!
What I'd like is: take something like this + Crysis sort of graphics and make it into an Aliens vs Predator game.
;) ).
Basically the Aliens will be able to wall hug/run and leap everywhere, the Predators can climb sheer walls (not as fast and they would leave claw marks for the observant, and also make some noise while climbing) and still do big jumps (not as far as aliens), and the Marines can do parkour if they want (but it's probably better to go about with really big gun, keep an eye on your motion detector and have another marine or two cover your butt
AVP2 the game was OK, but add nicer graphics and allow the Predators to climb stuff too.
Coming from EA, it will probably be unplayable as it will require the DVD remain in the drive at all times, try to activate itself over the Internet every thirty minutes, and require a blood sample for authentication every time the game is started up.
If it's anything like Spore or other recent EA games then I guess I will have to stay away. They have been so crazy with DRM lately that it's just not worth bothering with.