Sega Nerds

Sega officially announces deal with Platinum Games

Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, Video. Tagged with Bayonetta, Infinite Line, MadWorld, Platinum Games.

While many publications (including Sega Nerds) were happy enough to adhere to the strict embargo during Sega’s press event earlier this week, it seems others couldn’t hold themselves - all eyes turn to EuroGamer. The gaming news site apparently published a live feed from the event, even as it was announced that cameras were prohibited, and with Sega reps walking around asking people to kindly not take footage, so no excuse (other than being rather wily).

Anyway, since the reports have been leaked and rumoured since the original announcement, this article might feel a bit lack lustre for some of you. But we shall persevere, as we have the full details on the announcement, and can confirm/deny any of the rumours that have been thrown around.

On with the report.

On May 12, Sega Nerds was invited to a special press announcement, in London. Held at a very fancy location, “Sketch”, we were guided into a large open room, with some groovy white leather sofas around the room, two large flat-screens and projectors all around the room (showing the same images - a unique Sega animation), plus enough free alcohol to floor Robert Downey Jr.

First off, Mike Hayes, (the big man of Sega Europe) introduced the event, by giving a short speech on where Sega is at in the industry right now, and how it hopes to continue with some of its recent success (like Mario & Sonic). He then went on to announce the big news, that Sega will be partnering up with Platinum Games, on four separate titles, appearing on different platforms.

For those who are thinking “Who the hell is Platinum Games?,” don’t worry, you can be forgiven. Platinum Games is quite a new company, founded in October 2007. The exciting thing about the news is that Platinum Games is made up of some of the main guys from Clover and (originally) Capcom.

We are talking about the guys who came up with some of the best known, and inventive, games of our time; Resident Evil, Viewtiful Joe, Okami, God Hand and Devil May Cry. Hearing that these guys will be working on new titles with Sega should make any Sega Nerd more than a little bit happy.

So what are the games?

While it was confirmed that Sega has signed a four-game deal with Platinum Games, only three of the games have been announced so far. Not even a hint of what the fourth game could be was given at the event. Each of the three games revealed were to be handled individually by the main guys at Platinum Games, so you know that these games are being created by some of the industry’s best minds.

Bayonetta

Platform(s): Xbox 360/PS3

Directed/Created by: Hideki Kamiya (Devil May Cry)

The video shown at the event was, but very sweet. Unfortunately no in game footage was shown, it was all CG effects. But it did titillate the audience.

In Bayonetta players take on the role of a witch, who is battling angels. The video shows her using pistols to take down some angels, but uniquely she also has pistols attached to her feet (where the heels of her shoes should be). The video showed a pretty cool moment, where she kicks an angel in the head (stunning it slightly) and then the gun attached to her foot, fires a single bullet from point-blank range, taking the angel down.

Not much else was said about the game, other than as a witch players should (naturally) expect to see a decent array of magical powers at their disposal, not just guns. It is also left open as to whether you are a bad guy - taking down angels, or if you are fighting on the side of good, taking down fallen angels. It was hard to tell from the clip shown.

I have to say, as soon as I saw this video I instantly thought of Bullet Witch, on the 360. A game which was not amazing, but a game I had a lot of fun playing recently. One thing I hope they can accomplish with Bayonetta is to produce spells on the scale that Bullet Witch did - you have Tornados tearing up trees, and meteors bringing down entire skyscrapers around you, very cool. Let’s hope Platinum Games can do things on the same scale.

Infinite Line {Working Title}

Platform: Nintendo DS

Directed by: Hifumi Kouno (Steel Battalion, Steel Battalion: Line of Contact)

Infinite Line is the game which we were shown the least on. It is being developed in association with Nude Maker, whom Hifumi Kouno is the president of.

We were treated to an early tech video of the game, but it was so early that literally all you saw were some wire frame images and a few menus screens.

Infinite Line is a sci-fi game, set in space, where the player is able to command a starship. According to the creator, this doesn’t just mean, piloting a ship around. Apparently players will be able to individually select people for positions on the ship, like engineers, pilots etc… and command them through the missions.

• The game is set to have up to 200 characters to select for their crew.
• The game world is said to be “vast.”
• Players will be able to freely travel between two different galaxies and planets on their missions.
• More than 150 blueprints of ship parts, for you to help build your own ships.
• Will support wireless battles.

From the sounds of it the game, it should be pretty cool. The director gave a comparison to playing as the captain of the Star Ship Enterprise. While not everyone likes Star Trek, surely the prospect of being able to travel through space and explore new worlds, new civilisations and to boldly go… sorry lost track - yeah the game should be cool.

Platinum Games also commented that the game has been influenced by Arthur C. Clark, of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame, who died earlier this year.

(Unfortunately we don’t have screens of Infinite Line at this time, as the game is very early into development)

MadWorld

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Directed/Created by: Shigenori Nishikawa (Dino Crisis, Resident Evil (GC), Resident Evil 4)

MadWorld was easily the most exciting game of the event. Not a huge amount of detail was given about the game’s story, but the gameplay was clearly evident from the video. It’s very violent.

The creators said that part of the reason for putting the game on the Wii is because the console clearly does not have a decent array of titles like this, joking that the console’s library is full of games that are all too similar and it was about time someone tried to mix it up a bit and target a new audience. Something I’m sure many people can agree with.

The game has a very unique art style. The visuals are made up of entirely black and white, comic-book style images, except for the blood, which remains red.

Part of the reason behind this is that it gives more emphasis on the violence and blood in the game, as the blood remains on screen as you kill enemies. The creator said that it’s almost like players will colour the screen with blood from killing enemies.

However while the game is violent, Platinum Games said that the game is intended to be a fun, comical type of violence and not “depraved or perverse” like many other games today.

Unlike the other games on display, we were shown some proper gameplay. Not just a video, but one of the developers played the game live for us.

• Main character’s name is Jack.
• Jack has a chainsaw on his right arm (a bit like Evil Dead).
• Players can perform a decent array of moves, including grabs and throws.
• Environmental fatality moves will be performed - a bit like Condemned 2 - (shall explain more in a bit).
• Extra side challenges/mini games to unlock during play.

What we saw of the demo were a few of the fatality moves in action and they were brilliantly brutal. Players can use their environment against enemies, a bit like what we had in Condemned 2, but perhaps more comical.

A few examples include;

• Walls with spikes on them - Jack can throw or push enemies against them. While playing the developer threw an enemy into a dumpster.
• As the enemy was trying to climb out of the dumpster, he picked up another enemy and threw it at the same dumpster, the second enemy hit the dumpster lid and fell in, the lid then slammed shut, cutting the first enemy in twain, as he was trying to escape.
• Objects in the world can be used as weapons, Jack ripped up a sign post (saying “Caution” on it) and then proceeded to stab an enemy through the head with it, the enemy staggered off and died.

We were also treated to one of the “Blood Bath Challenges,” (mini games) called ‘Man Darts’. A large dart board rose up and enemies staggered towards Jack. Players then swing a club at the enemies, sending them flying into the board, with a decent ‘splat.’

As far as I could tell the game was set in an almost ‘Running Man’ or a Smash TV scenario, like a game show in the future. Nothing was confirmed, but you could hear an announcer’s voice saying some of what was happening in the game, shouting out when Jack performed a particularly brutal move. So my guess is that you are placed in a game show of some kind and forced to fight your way out.

One of my concerns is that I think that many reviewers and critics will compare elements of the game to Gears of War, in particular the chainsaw. Jack’s chainsaw is attached to his arm, but the actions he makes, when he attacks with it, look just like that of Gears of War. It’s silly to compare the two games really, as they are so different, and I just hope critics don’t start trying to judge the games against each other.

Although, that said, if people think back one of the first trailers for Gears of War featured the song ‘Mad World’ … and this game is called MadWorld. Let’s put it all down to coincidence.

The fourth and final game was not announced - but it said to be headed up by Shinji Mikami - creator of Resident Evil.

Well that pretty much sums up the exciting press event. It’s a shame that we couldn’t break the news along with all the other sites, when the embargo was meant to be lifted. But I guess that’s how things work these days, sad really.

Anyway, the details on these games and the deal are from over. Sega Nerds are hoping to try and get some interviews with the guys behind the games, so stay tuned for that, and as always we will most likely be asking our members which questions they would like to shoot at Platinum Games.

If you want more official information on the announcement, check it here.

~G~

[Images from Sega]