During SDF’s hiatus we underwent a major staff change and we’d like to take this time to thank BennyB and crew for their blood, sweat and tears over the past four years. SDF wishes them well in the future.
Why the hiatus? Why the staff change? After E3 2009 it looked like there was no longer a need for the Sony Defense Force. After all, our single greatest goal was to stop the F.U.D. spread by Sony’s competitors and provide truthful and insightful reporting about Sony and the entire video game industry. But as Microsoft had seemingly laid off a lot of their viral marketing staff, the Wii fad was (and still is) dying a slow death, and Sony’s sales and media perception was up across the board the SDF staff decided it was time to take a much needed break. No goodbyes, no dramatic exits… they just wanted their leave of SDF and let the work to speak for itself.
Since that time, however, things have slowly started sliding back to 2006 levels of FUD. Between Turn 10 overhyping the graphical prowess of Forza 3 to the $60 expansion pack that is Halo 3: ODST, it seems that Microsoft is up to their old games again. Nintendo is also on the downward spiral so things will only get worse as they, like MS, ramp up their FUD campaign. We’ll not even mention how Apple has laughably chosen to directly compare the iPhone/iPod Touch to the PSP. Needless to say, we have a lot of work to do.
With this new challenge comes a brand new, hungry team to path the way to a place where the media is able to report the actual story, instead of spin, and give honest, hard-hitting reviews that aren’t beholden to any one company or system. This is the new SDF… same as the old, but new.
A veritable master class of all-round game development. From a sensational single-player experience that never takes any short-cuts and maintains its story’s mythological credibility right to the end to the co-operative online play to the robust, balanced, and just plain fun multiplayer modes, this is a package of content that more than earns its $60 price tag… [It's] this season’s biggest PS3 victory. Playstation: The Official Magazine – 10/10
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. It looks amazing, plays like a dream and the voice-acting/story-telling will hook you in right from the off. PS3 officially has it’s a killer-app and a million tears are shed by 360 fanboys. Games Radar – 10/10
Whether or not the multiplayer sticks, however, is arguably a footnote, because at the core of Uncharted 2 is an action-adventure masterpiece whose minor flaws are washed away on a tide of rhythm and spectacle – one that would still be an essential experience even without the option to pull your friends off cliffs and play capture-the-heirloom. Eurogamer – 10/10
It takes elements from a lot of games – the exploration of Tomb Raider, climbing of Prince of Persia/Assassin’s Creed, combat from Gears of War and stealth from Splinter Cell, yet it amalgamates all of these elements perfectly into one package. You can’t compare it to any other game. Computer and Video Games – 10/10
New facts:
• European/USA release still unknown
• damage will be improved
• day/night cycle is in
• rain is in
• a very precise G-force meter is in (see jvn.com video)
• tire wear & tire temperature are in
• no plans for motion controller support
• they are working on something with the PlayStation Eye, can’t go into detail yet
Interview:
>> Is there still a chance for a Christmas release ?
To answer your question, it’s not delayed. We never officially announced it for 2009. But I understand you’re dissappointed.
>> How far is the game ?
The game is finished if all you want to do is take a car and drive. But for the actual game experience, we’re at 65%
>> I tried the demo, the cars don’t fully deform. Not even when crashing really hard.
We’re still working on that. We still have a lot of work to do in that department.
>> What about online ? Will there be race events like in Prologue ?
Prologue worked like an open match. In GT5, there will be private zones for your friends.
>> Will there be more series other than NASCAR and GT500* What about F1 ?
I have always wanted as much championships in the game as possible. That’s why we now have Nascar and WRC. But I want all of them.
It’s difficult to get all the F1 teams.
>> What about other single seaters ?
Possible.
>> Have you seen Forza 3 ? What do you think of the game ? Have you played it ? Did you take notes or stay focused on GT ?
Our challenge is to improve every GT based on the previous release. But competition is good.
>> Earlier I saw an interesting G-force graphic. Will that be in the final game ?
Do you want it in ?
This an exclusive video showing the lifelike physics featured in Forza 3. We’ve also received a video proof that Tony Hawk will be making an appearance in the game as well…
Here are some more examples of Forza 3′s new physics engine:
