BRINK Interview With Richard Ham and Edward Stern

unknown_gamer writes "BRINK turns out to be a lot more than just a regular shooter. The research behind the game — yes, there was research — turns out to actually be valid. Richard Ham and Edward Stern talk to Snezana about the actual scientific methods behind BRINK, the motivations behind the game, and about the game itself." A video up at Destructoid sums up the game briefly, and two others show an extended gameplay sequence. A preview from back in September at Rock, Paper, Shotgun explains BRINK in more detail. The game is due out Fall 2010. The developer, Splash Damage, seems willing to do a Linux port if the publisher, Bethesda, gives them the green light.

Comments

This Article

[Misanthrope]

This article turns out to be a lot more than just a regular slashvertisement. The research behind this article -- yes, there was research -- turns out to actually be valid. Soulskill and Misanthrope talk to CmdrTaco about the actual scientific methods behind this slashvertisement, the motivations behind the article, and about the article itself.

Re:This Article

[Hurricane78]

NOW it’s regular slashvertisement. ;))

Re:This Article

[inKubus]

Yeah, and judging by the other stories today, someone's "Soul" skill is posting slashvertising on slow Wednesdays..

Re:This Article

[Anonymous Coward]

Howard Stern, Howard Stern...Bobba Booey Bobba Booey! WOOOOOOOT

Re:This Article

[Anonymous Coward]

I thought the article was about hamsters

Where's the science?

[Draek]

So I RTFA, and about this so-called 'research' is just one of the devs basically saying "so, we imagined this cool sci-fi technology for our game world and then, you know what? we found out it actually existed! that was cool", before rambling endlessly about how their game really isn't like anything else before it and all that.

Bleh, I actually ate the slashvertisement and got interested in the freaking game, but I'm still expecting the science promised by the summary.

Re:Where's the science?

[Bodrius]

They meant 'research' in the writer's sense - as in you read as much as you can to research a background to back up your fiction.

Research does not exclusively mean scientific or experimental research. E.g.: Plenty of scholarly research was done before the scientific method was even defined.

Though I wouldn't compare fiction writers' research to either, it is a perfectly valid use of the word.

Splash Damage

[chill]

Splash Damage was the company that did the port of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars to Linux. The port was good and I still play quite a bit.

Re:Splash Damage

[Anonymous Coward]

I do hope that Splash Damage actually supports this game this time, unlike last time with ET:QW.

Re:Splash Damage

[TypoNAM]

Splash Damage was the company that did the port of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars to Linux. The port was good and I still play quite a bit.

Incorrect, Splash Damage was the one that created and developed the game. A Linux software programmer/specialist, of which is an id Software employee, is who did the actual Linux port known by the name of TTimo. Now from the discussion on the forums it seems Splash Damage might be doing their own Linux port this time around for BRINK.

Re:Splash Damage

[chill]

Thanks for clearing that up. I did not know it was an id person who did the port. I thought it was all done by SD, and only licensed from id. Kudos to TTimo.

What methods?

[bertok]

Actual scientific methods?

I just watched the video, where the characters just stand around in the open while under fire (enemy AND friendly), the player's weapon bobs like he's jogging on the spot at 10 steps per second, and an enemy takes an entire clip from a submachine gun to die.

Clearly, they did their research... and ignored it.

Linux port?

[YourExperiment]

The developer, Splash Damage, seems willing to do a Linux port if the publisher, Bethesda, gives them the green light.

While I hate to burst anyone's bubble, that is like saying that the developer of Duke Nukem Forever is willing to finish the game if the publisher gives them the green light.

What you really need to know

[drinkypoo]

The game will be very pretty, it will be playable on consoles, and it will only be available on PC via Steam, meaning call-home, verify-after-install, can't-restore-backups-without-internet-connection (since you have to install and update Steam before you can play anything) and so on. If you must buy this game, buy it for the console. Steam is a mechanism for depriving you of your First Sale rights and interferes with Fair Use as well. Steam games are not playable as purchased, on their own. They're not PC games, they're Steam games. Do you really trust Valve so far?

Re:What you really need to know

[Anonymous Coward]

If you [i]must[/i] buy this run of the mill FPS, don't buy it and instead acquire the cracked version from the Pirate Bay. That way you can play it whenever you fucking want and don't need the spyware shit known as Steam dictating that because you are on the road with no internet connection that makes you unworthy of playing an [i]off line[/i] game. Also be sure to let the devs know [i]why[/i] you made that decision.

Re:What you really need to know

[Thorizdin]

Please, hold the paranoia. Do you trust any of your software vendors? Really? Do you worry about the phone company (VOIP or traditional POTS) listening to your calls or perhaps the fact that your phone can't operate in standalone mode? IMO Valve has found a happy medium between user concerns and publisher concerns. Both groups have legitimate areas to worry about as well as less legitimate ones but Valve hasn't installed spy ware (AFAIK) for any publisher. You can play your games without having to connect to Steam, I have a laptop that seldom if ever actually connects to the service and its saved huge amounts of natural resources by being one of (if not the) most popular platforms for buying games without boxes and packaging materials.

Re:What you really need to know

[drinkypoo]

Please, hold the paranoia.

What paranoia? Where in my comment does it look like I think everyone is out to get me? We're talking about one company's plot to screw everyone, it's quite the opposite. Reading comprehension? YOU FAIL IT

Do you trust any of your software vendors? Really?

That has nothing to do with anything. I am not required to trust them when I buy an installable software product, unlike a Steam-powered game, because I can simply install from the media and use the software. If I cannot do so, I am protected by California state law, and may return the product regardless of the store's policies on software returns; my state protects me from defective merchandise. In fact, by state law, I may return it under any warranty to any outlet which sells the same product. Since the original warranty covers the product's ability to work at all (though nothing else) I can take it back any ol' place.

Do you worry about the phone company (VOIP or traditional POTS) listening to your calls or perhaps the fact that your phone can't operate in standalone mode?

My phone can operate in standalone mode. It's called airplane mode. Nice try though, son.

Both groups have legitimate areas to worry about as well as less legitimate ones but Valve hasn't installed spy ware (AFAIK) for any publisher.

Steam is spyware.

You can play your games without having to connect to Steam,

But you can not install a game without having to connect to Steam, even if you bought a retail CD/DVD. In fact, you can't even restore your "backups" on this basis. Please try to keep up. What was that I said about reading comprehension above? Your failure continues.

and its saved huge amounts of natural resources by being one of (if not the) most popular platforms for buying games without boxes and packaging materials.

Or a CD from which you can actually install and play the game without a working internet connection.

Re:What you really need to know

[Thorizdin]

What paranoia? Where in my comment does it look like I think everyone is out to get me? We're talking about one company's plot to screw everyone, it's quite the opposite. Reading comprehension? YOU FAIL IT

Really, is that the best you can do this morning? You must have skipped breakfast. What actual harm(s) have you or anyone else experienced from using Steam? Quick, point out all of the complaints of Valve abusing their customer...sadly (for you) despite the millions of Steam users you can't find them. You can find complaints about some of the of patches and software quality they have put out but that isn't an indication of their (in your eyes) plot to "screw everyone". BTW, in your paranoid version of the universe what is Steam's motivation for abusing their customers? I mean, they are already one of the most successful online software distributions companies on the planet. Why would they want to do something to jeopardize that?

That has nothing to do with anything. I am not required to trust them when I buy an installable software product, unlike a Steam-powered game, because I can simply install from the media and use the software. If I cannot do so, I am protected by California state law, and may return the product regardless of the store's policies on software returns; my state protects me from defective merchandise. In fact, by state law, I may return it under any warranty to any outlet which sells the same product. Since the original warranty covers the product's ability to work at all (though nothing else) I can take it back any ol' place.

So you were happy with the rootkit that SOE installed because you could return the software (though the rootkit would remain) but you're unhappy with Steam. Why is it that you believe that the California law wouldn't apply to Steam purchases? The licenses for the games are identical to the boxed versions... This is nothing more than a red herring, you can return games under Steam and you have no more and no fewer rights as a software licensee than you would have if you purchased a boxed copy.

My phone can operate in standalone mode. It's called airplane mode. Nice try though, son.

Next time try harder to be insulting, you might actually pull it of but you seem to lack the imagination. I have to ask, when your phone is in standalone mode do you call yourself? While the device (iPhone, Blackberry, Android, etc) might have functions that it can be used for when it's not connected to its network it most certainly cannot be used as a phone. The analogy is appropriate here since its another piece of technology that not only requires a network connection it requires one from a specific provider or one that has an agreement with your specific provider, as opposed to a generic IP connection that Steam needs.

Steam is spyware.

Really? Want to point out a rootkit or user level monitoring software that Steam has installed? How about some evidence? Sony and others (hence the question about other software vendors) have done this exactly, but Steam does not.

Re:What you really need to know

[washort]

When I can buy games for 10%-20% of their original retail price (as is going on in their holiday sale right now), I don't really feel like I _need_ to trust them.

Re:What you really need to know

[drinkypoo]

What actual harm(s) have you or anyone else experienced from using Steam?

When I only had a modem, it was insufficient to update Steam, because Valve is not smart enough to make Steam resume update downloads. I am not making this up, the download is not fault tolerant and does not support resume, regardless of the size of the download. I was unable to play my Steam backups for months, as I had no opportunity in that particular time to take my PC someplace with high-speed access. In addition, I am unable to exercise my First Sale rights; I would like to resell Half-Life 2, but the game is now tied to my identity.

You can find complaints about some of the of patches and software quality they have put out but that isn't an indication of their (in your eyes) plot to "screw everyone".

Again, your reading comprehension skills leave some things to be desired, like reading comprehension, or skill. The plot is to screw everyone out of their First Sale rights. Please try again.

So you were happy with the rootkit that SOE installed because you could return the software (though the rootkit would remain) but you're unhappy with Steam.

This is the logical fallacy of the false dichotomy, I am free to dislike them both. Try harder.

While the device (iPhone, Blackberry, Android, etc) might have functions that it can be used for when it's not connected to its network it most certainly cannot be used as a phone.

You are attempting to retroactively create a distinction which does not really exist in order to make your previous statement seem less idiotic. You have failed: My phone is not just a phone, it is a computer. Steam is not just spyware, it is also a game platform. Try much harder.

Steam is spyware.

Really? Want to point out a rootkit or user level monitoring software that Steam has installed?

In order to play the game, I have to update Steam and the game; this constitutes "calling home" unnecessarily; I should be permitted to play the game I purchased, if not online. You can NOT do this, you MUST have your game blessed before it can be played. The same is true of restoring Steam backups. Try far harder. I said most of this previously.

Re:What you really need to know

[YojimboJango]

What paranoia? Where in my comment does it look like I think everyone is out to get me? We're talking about one company's plot to screw everyone, it's quite the opposite. Reading comprehension? YOU FAIL IT

Remember kiddies, it's the opposite of paranoia if their out to get everyone. Right?
Also what exactly is their "plot"? They give you video games and a service to keep them up to date. The only way the service is going away is if their secret plan is to go bankrupt and fold. Even then you'd still have a legal right (from the TOS) to crack their DRM if they somehow went broke. They've even promised to write the crack in the unlikley event that it happens.

That has nothing to do with anything. I am not required to trust them when I buy an installable software product, unlike a Steam-powered game, because I can simply install from the media and use the software. If I cannot do so, I am protected by California state law, and may return the product regardless of the store's policies on software returns; my state protects me from defective merchandise. In fact, by state law, I may return it under any warranty to any outlet which sells the same product. Since the original warranty covers the product's ability to work at all (though nothing else) I can take it back any ol' place.

Do you magically move out of California when you started using Steam? You can still send it back if it doesn't work. You just need to email support and they'll issue a refund. Oh wait, you want your constitutional right to be required to walk somewhere. That must be it.

My phone can operate in standalone mode. It's called airplane mode. Nice try though, son.

Your phone can make calls in stand alone mode? Holy crap son, where did you get this magic device.

Steam is spyware.

Not by any definition of spyware or wikipedia, or any other link on the front page of google. Provide your definition of spyware, bonus points if you can give a definition that doesn't also make slashdot.org spyware.

Bluntly put Steam is what it is. It's not deceptive about anything, and their is no diabolical plot involved. You trade the ability of selling the game when you're done, for the ability to keep it up to date and re-download it whenever you want without digging through boxes looking for your old CD's.
For some games buying it in a store is better because it's crap it will probably get sold back two weeks later (why people don't just rent in these situations is beyond me). Or maybe you really like a game then loose it to the bottom of a box somewhere 3 moves ago. I like using steam because I've gotten a lot of games on the cheap there. Also I'm less likely to get secuROM'ed, or loose/scratch the disc.

And lets face it hating Steam because it's DRM is stupid in this day and age. Every game will come with DRM that will make the game unusable sometime in the future. Steam, secuROM, and even consoles. Give it about 2 years after MS stops producing Xbox 360's and all your games will be unplayable when it RROD's. Probably about 7-10 after if you have a PS3. My NES failed a while back so all those carts I spent so much on are now unplayable to me. Sure I can just go out and download a rom, but hows that different than cracking secuROM or Steam in the event that they go belly up?

Or are you going to declare that hardware not lasting forever is some big corporate plot to impregnate your cat, or whatever it is you seem so scared of?

Re:What you really need to know

[Thorizdin]

You're pretty sad, if I cared enough to do more than laugh at your paranoia I _might_ get a bit irritated but all I can think of when I read your post(s) is an aspiring Limbaugh wannabe. I wonder if your face is as red as I imagine it to be ;p Your only instance of "harm" is pure user error in one case and idiocy in the other. Your assertion that Steam doesn't support resuming updates is false. Of course your available bandwidth will affect how fast you can pull said updates or other content(including backups), but that is analogous to have a requirement that you have a working CD ROM drive to play back the media you would have purchased for boxed software. Is it the fault of the software vendor that you don't have a working drive (or damaged media)?

You _were_ able to get your content and complaining about having to have a broadband connection to do so is laughable. Which is more onerous to the user, having to maintain install media, all of which have a definable shelf life in years, as well as the drives to read said media or to simply have an IP connection? I know that I have personally lost a hell of a lot more CD ROM's, floppies, and DVD's with content I "owned" than I have ever had or seen reported for people losing access to content via Steam. That's also true of the other major online game retailers like GOG and DirecttoDrive.

Again, please show some evidence of actual harm. You can dislike phoning home, but it is one of the trade offs to address publisher concerns. I can demonstrate the harm of using physical media both to the user themselves and to society as a whole, all you've shown is that you were inconvenienced when you lacked a broadband connection. Are you old enough to remember the alternatives for piracy prevention? DRM now and before that having to keep manuals so you could refer to page so and so and find word number 12 in paragraph 2.

Re:What you really need to know

[ahabswhale]

I'm no fan of Steam but you keep saying Steam is spyware without backing it up with any evidence whatsoever. Please provide some citation to justify this claim.

Re:What you really need to know

[Anonymous Coward]

You're pretty sad, if I cared enough to do more than laugh at your paranoia I _might_ get a bit irritated but all I can think of when I read your post(s) is an aspiring Limbaugh wannabe.

By your failure to comprehend the OP's previous posts it is clear you must have some sort of learning disability. There is no paranoia being exhibited, just a lot of disgust at Valve's consumer unfriendly practices.

Of course your available bandwidth will affect how fast you can pull said updates or other content(including backups), but that is analogous to have a requirement that you have a working CD ROM drive to play back the media you would have purchased for boxed software. Is it the fault of the software vendor that you don't have a working drive (or damaged media)?

Whether or not I have the required working hardware is completely irrelevant to this discussion. What is relevant is that I need an internet connection to play an offline game. Unlike a CD/DVD drive, graphics card, or fast CPU there is no way that this benefits me, the consumer.

Which is more onerous to the user, having to maintain install media, all of which have a definable shelf life in years, as well as the drives to read said media or to simply have an IP connection? I know that I have personally lost a hell of a lot more CD ROM's, floppies, and DVD's with content I "owned" than I have ever had or seen reported for people losing access to content via Steam.

Being unable to remember where you leave your own property (because your mom doesn't tidy the basement as often as you would like) is a result of being a careless or chronically lazy slob, and that is very much a 'you' problem. On the other hand, it is through no fault of my own that I sometimes end up for extended periods of time in situations where there is no viable internet connection (other than my choice of work, of which being able to satisfy Valve's asinine DRM enforcement scheme shouldn't be a deciding factor).

That's also true of the other major online game retailers like GOG and DirecttoDrive.

Except most other publishers don't force you to use those crappy schemes or equivalent.

You can dislike phoning home, but it is one of the trade offs to address publisher concerns.

Basically, fuck publisher concerns.

I can demonstrate the harm of using physical media both to the user themselves and to society as a whole

What, I'm not aware of many examples of people being physically 'harmed' through use of DVDs. Did you once try to eat one when you ran out of donuts?

all you've shown is that you were inconvenienced when you lacked a broadband connection.

If by 'inconvenienced' you mean 'unable to play the game I have lawfully paid for', then yes.

Are you old enough to remember the alternatives for piracy prevention? DRM now and before that having to keep manuals so you could refer to page so and so and find word number 12 in paragraph 2.

Give me that in preference to being tied to the internet to do anything useful with a computer, which is the way things seem to be going.

Re:What you really need to know

[Anonymous Coward]

Bluntly put Steam is what it is. It's not deceptive about anything, and their is no diabolical plot involved.

An honest turd is still a turd.

You trade the ability of selling the game when you're done, for the ability to keep it up to date and re-download it whenever you want without digging through boxes looking for your old CD's.

Sounds like a pretty shit trade to me. I wouldn't even call it a trade off as much as an unconstitutional assrape of your First Sale rights.

I like using steam because I've gotten a lot of games on the cheap there. Also I'm less likely to get secuROM'ed, or loose/scratch the disc.

I've said this before on multiple forums but it bears repeating: IF ALL YOU DO IS LOSE/SCRATCH/WIPE YOUR ASS WITH YOUR MEDIA, YOU OBVIOSULY WEREN'T INTENDING TO PLAY IT AGAIN ANYWAY. Either that or a disorganised moron, sort your fucking life out.

And lets face it hating Steam because it's DRM is stupid in this day and age. Every game will come with DRM that will make the game unusable sometime in the future. Steam, secuROM, and even consoles. Give it about 2 years after MS stops producing Xbox 360's and all your games will be unplayable when it RROD's. Probably about 7-10 after if you have a PS3. My NES failed a while back so all those carts I spent so much on are now unplayable to me. Sure I can just go out and download a rom, but hows that different than cracking secuROM or Steam in the event that they go belly up?

So your argument boils down to bend over and smile for corporate America. Nice to see things are only going to get better with so many still fighting the good fight.

Re:What you really need to know

[Anonymous Coward]

ROFL

Let me know if you still get that nice discount when the game doesn't even appear on store shelves. Seems there's never a shortage of idiots willing to take the bait before the switch.

Splash damage rocks

[Tibor the Hun]

Splash damage developed wolfenstein:enemy territory and quake wars:enemy territory. The enemy territory is a type of team based, objective driven multiplayer FPS that has a dedeicated following. much like it's roots, the team fortress, one can be a member of a class, such as medic, engie, heavy, or sniper. (there's also an artillery support class) While quake wars was not promoted heavily by activision, and due to the permanent ranking system it was full of stat farmers, it was still a great game.
Splash damage guys are very friendly, often interacting with fans on their forums and irc.
I look forward to another ET game from SD.

Re:Splash damage rocks

[pak9rabid]

I agree completely. Although I've been a fan of id software since Commander Keen, they don't have shit on Splash Damage's ability to make fun games. The two companies make an awesome team though: id's engines combined with Splash Damage's game design yields awesome results.

It'll be a good one

[pak9rabid]

Splash Damage did a wonder job with the gameplay in ET:QW. I still play it regularly as my primary game, even though the graphics look a bit dated...the gameplay just isn't matched in anything else I've played as far as FPS's go. These guys put a ton of thought into their games.

Linux Port

[thePowerOfGrayskull]

The developer, Splash Damage, seems willing to do a Linux port if the publisher, Bethesda, gives them the green light.

What they fail to mention is that developers are almost always willing to do linux ports if the publisher gives them the green light (translation: foots the bill). And that publishers rarely do pay for it. Erm, give the green light.

Re:Linux Port

[darkvizier]

The developer, Splash Damage, seems willing to do a Linux port if the publisher, Bethesda, gives them the green light.

What they fail to mention is that developers are almost always willing to do linux ports if the publisher gives them the green light (translation: foots the bill). And that publishers rarely do pay for it. Erm, give the green light.

Ah I see. So what they're really looking for is green paper.

Console port of repackaged Fallout game, cant wait

[citizenr]

... NOT.

malware

[danielpauldavis]

Your link, coughs up a we-need-to-scan-your-computer link instead of the actual article.