Flashback and AMY creator, Paul Cuisset at it again with Subject 13

Paul Cuisset, the man who put the cult classic Flashback in the Guinness archives is at the drawing board again with Subject 13. His most recent project was the 2013 Flashback HD - remake, by his company Vector Cell.

This first public rendering of Subject 13 looks quite similar in style to the Flashback HD, however this time Cuisset has joined French developer, Microids - known for PC titles like: Syberia and Post Mortem.

First look at Subject 13

Project Summary

In Subject 13, players will take on the role of Franklin Fargo, a reclusive physics professor. Fargo leads a solitary and bitter existence following the death of his fiancée, Sophie, during a robbery that should have targeted him. One morning, he wakes up in an abandoned underground scientific facility with no external contact other than a mysterious voice. The voice calls him “Subject 13." As Franklin Fargo, players will interact with the 3D environment around them by collecting, using, and manipulating objects to overcome a multitude of devious barriers to the professor’s escape. Fargo’s goal is to not only set himself free but discover the true reasons for his imprisonment—can he escape from the prison of his past?

It's unclear what type of engine is being used for Subject 13. Cuisset's 2012 Amy - PSN/XBLA - was rendered on the PhyreEngine, and Flashback HD was rendered from the Unreal Engine. The most recent game released from Microids - 2103 Dream Chamber/PC - was developed on the Unity3D engine. Either way, Cuisett's visual style and storytelling are unique, and worth holding out for. Platform, and release date info for Subject 13 is none existent at the moment. I'll post them on twitter the moment it's made public.

Halo 5: The Guardians Are Coming

So what is a Guardian exactly?

Looking at the first bit of artwork of Halo 5 to come from 343 Industries it's a challenge coming up with who or what 'Guardians' means, but  the symbolism is literally a reflection of Master Chief.

According the to the Halo Wikia - a Guardian is an un-manned, perhaps an un-named object that kills the player. It appears in Halo Combat Evolved, Halo PC, Halo Custom Edition, Halo 2, Halo 2 Vista, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach and Halo 4.

From a programmer's perspective, every entity that can kill you in Halo, i.e., NPC's, an NPC's bullets, your bullets - all have ownership 'tags' attached to them. You see them whenever you die ("_____" was killed by so-and-so) But in those instances where something that doesn't necessarily claim ownership kills you - we get the message: "_____" was killed by the Guardians."

Any clues on the spartan with the glowing blue visor are welcome.  Check out the official Halo Journey Announcement for details from 343's Bonnie Ross.

Drakengard 3: Meeting The Lead Character Designer

Tweet Follow @HRahsero

Kimihiko Fujisaka (藤坂 公彦) - Creates his characters, not based on their written personalities

I love his approach in design, because without preconceived personification of a character's attitude you're free to create spontaneously - which usually are the best kind of creations. Plus this approach inherently creates intrigue, and mysticism about a character. It doesn't leave room to gauge a character based off their outward appearance - you have to get to know them to understand them.

Microsoft Kinect: A Joke

Tweet

When you're dying of thirst any drink of water will do, but once quenched, and nourished - only the purist water suffices

Even the spokes spinning news for Machinima (shout-out: @BruceGreene and @AdamKovic) decree that the Kinect is basically a waste of money for the hard-core community.

And of course who can ignore the effervescent, Peter Molyneux, and his colorful choice of words regarding the Kinect; a reflection of internal angst to which many hard-core gamers most surely empathize with.

You can watch 'em rapping all lyrical about it down below.

Separate quotes of two people that would have been more interesting if they'd taken place between the themselves. In FPS - For your viewing pleasure

Fondle the image for a closer look at the faux convo - between Peter Molyneux, and Phil Spencer:  NOTE**Taken from actual quotes

Yes, people will continue to relieve themselves of $450 - 500/300£ for an Xbox One -  hell, I'm one of them. However, what money-conscious, hard-core gamer wants to wait for MS to figure out how and when they want to sell a Kinect-less XB1?

Shit - they could probably do away with the Titanfall incentive, and still make good on dividends once, and if the fantasy ever happens.

I mean - come-on Microsoft - we get what you're trying to do, but  it should have been multiple choice all along.

Video Game Box-Art: Shout It Out

Just a shout out the reddit users that appreciate box-art

Of course this is no where near the vicinity of the realm of the universe of all-time video-game covers, but its a start.

Image Linked to reddit conversation.

I'll try to keep it going. As in I'll attempt to append this, until then - start naming your favorite box art. All foreign and domestic games are welcome. Help me make this collage epic, video-game peoples.!

ThreeZero-Titanfall Models Coming: Titans VS Gundams?

I don't play with toys like I used to, but I might now that ThreeZero is making Titan models. This is just a mock up I made of what could be. Too bad there are only three Titan models to contend with all the plethora of Gundam models out there...but give Respawn some time - they're sure to surprise us!

"If you build it, the games will come!"

Alien Isolation: Destination Reached On October 7th

"All personnel are to report to cryo-treatment by 0600 hours. "

..."I repeat!  All personnel are to..! Oh my god, what is that?!!"

It's coming!

Here's Creative Assembly on making the excellent looking Alien Isolation http://t.co/h4zI9Ri4xa pic.twitter.com/97Dd8pkWIz
— OPM_UK (@OPM_UK) March 30, 2014

Mass Effect: It smell like 'Tea-Wrex'

Made from tea? - this is absolutely sick!

I wish I had skill like this.

According to artist @dara_gold, this "Tea Wrex" design smells better than you might think for a Krogan. pic.twitter.com/BK4w3SfLKd

— Mass Effect (@masseffect) March 26, 2014

Facebook - Oculus Rift: We've Only Just Begun

Dumbstruck, In Awe, In Anguish...

I understand the backlash from ‘we, the gaming community’. I feel the pain, and overwhelming realization of desertion from designers (Notch, you still da man!) But at the same time – it’s hard not to realize what Mark Zuckerberg sees in the Oculus Rift.

From a purely fundamental perspective; the Oculus Rift is a multi-faceted piece of hardware, however, designed with games in mind – it can potentially serve well for his social empire.  Easily I could throw a pro-active analogy somewhere in here to the tune of: 

Individuals can choose to primarily use their consoles for Netflix, listen to music – even chat on Facebook – knowing very well that they could throw in or load up a game in an a heartbeat.  So what's the problem - it’s exactly what the manufactures intended. 

But people just don't wanna hear that crap right now, yet I persist.

Shit - the Xbox One’s etymology: All-in-one is a clear example – perhaps even a slice of insight of what Oculus and Zuckerberg want from the Rift, and the type of application it could prove to be for mobile platforms. 

Contingency, Contingency, Contingency 

For some folk, i.e., developers - the scary notion lurking just beneath the disdain towards Facebook is that developers who have invested their blood in the Rift still don’t know what to expect once all the legalities are settled. 

 Licensing and the all the red-tape that it comes with it is an investor’s game, and investors don’t think like the average Joe when it comes to money. Fuck, with $2 billion on the line - I'd say those investors are pretty cut-throat.

In their heads, there are no worries about the 'right-now' - so to speak; they’re worried about the long road; many, many years from now – as they should be.  Their mindsets are floating somewhere near: "What can we do to lock this market/device down, because leaving lose ends on a deal this big is a fundamental no-no."   

Royal Flush, Lock-Down

Before I continue on about investors – I don’t claim to be affluent in the dealings of business, I’m just speaking semantics. 

The whole decision to spend ten figures just seems like a chess move from the perspective of Zuckerberg and his investors. Yeah, it’s lot of money for Oculus, and their investors, but suppose Oculus has a change of heart sometime in the future. 

Perhaps they want to regain sole ownership of their invention; no-doubt that would be a challenge within itself for the ‘sapling’ company. Zuckerberg could just see Oculus’ $2 billion, and raise them - god knows how much. 

 Like I said, a whole different game which goes beyond the scope of this blog, but it’s definitely a relevant point to consider. 

'Mo Money, 'Mo Problems

To this day, ever since Oculus started shipping out those developer-kits, they've been known for maintaining an open-door philosophy with Rift developers. Justin Moravetz, developer of one of the first games for the Rift, Proton Pulse – spoke with Polygon 

"My other concern is how this affects developers. There are a few developers taking large risks creating VR content.  

It is very difficult to get publishing deals as it is.  This shift to Facebook may reset or even close the lines to Oculus the developers rely on to get the content moving. 
With crowd funding becoming an increasingly unreliable source, developers are left with porting existing content to reduce costs. The barrier of entry needs to stay open."

MassEffect: Jack Gets Another Tattoo - Miss Sinister, If You're Nasty!

Now this is what GAMA Cubed is all about - bringing you shit like this: Art and how it transcends into-and- out of video games.

This is Miss Sinister, and her dedication is flawless. Those are real tats people! You can follow her @MISS_SINISTER.

#Jack getting #ink. @bioware @EA @masseffect #massEffect #cosplay #tattoo #massEffect2 #N7 #bioticbitch #subjectzero pic.twitter.com/cHquiPm4we

— Miss Sinister (@MISS_SlNlSTER) March 15, 2014

Insomniac Games Turns Twenty - Crazy Ride Music Video

"...Let me show you about the 90's!"
The name Insomniac is a mainstay in the video-gaming. For gamers brought into this world in the nineties, the name Insomniac should ring true like McDonalds - it just feels like they've always been here. A plethora of games to vouch for ( feel free to look them up yourself) nearly too many speak of right now - I just want help publicize their music video. It's ingenious!

Oh yeah! And their hiring

Source: Youtube

Assassin's Creed: Unity - Next-Gen Exclusive

Heads are going to roll this holiday season!

Parlez vous Francais?

Unity will be the seventh primary installment to the AC series, and judging from the Guillotine, and settings in the below image, the French Revolution will probably be the premise; late seventeenth/early nineteenth century. Ubisoft remains tight lipped about anything we can't figure out for ourselves, but the official blog mentions it's been three years in the making, and something about 'Eating Cake'. Next-Gen consoles need only apply.


MOTION