Heavy Rain creator really likes Heavy Rain

post from Destructoid on 17 March 2011 11:06:03 PM. © Destructoid

Heavy Rain creator really likes Heavy Rain screenshot

I still haven't played through all of Heavy Rain, because the parts I played were so corny, hamfisted and hackneyed, that I couldn't go on. A red balloon slowly floating into the sky to symbolize the death of a child? Seriously? Is this a lame-ass, art school film project, or a videogame? And don't get me started on the tedium. The only thing I did enjoy about the game is the unintentionally funny voice acting. Still, even that was done better in other games. Shenmue immediately comes to mind.

That's why it comes as such a surprise to me that the game's creator, David Cage, thinks that his studio "invented a genre" and that his studio "own(s) the genre" thanks to Heavy Rain. Wait, isn't Heavy Rain just one long QTE; a form of interactive storytelling that (by my recollection) has been around since Shenmue?

I don't know why this quote has me so surprised. It stands to reason that one of the most overrated, over-zealously worshiped game of recent memory was created by a guy who has a similar level of exaggerated appreciation for his own work.

David Cage: We Own The Interactive Story-Telling Genre [Sprong]

Here's the full quote from Mr. Cage:

"We created the genre. We own the genre, and we want to show that Heavy Rain was not a coincidence or a lucky shot - that it was really something that makes sense and that we can build on.

"But at the same time I didn’t want to make a sequel. I made that very clear before knowing whether the game would be a success or a failure, because I want to show that it’s really a genre. Which means that you can use a similar drama to tell any type of story in any genre and in any style.

"So, we are going to explore different directions. Still very dark, still for adults, but completely different from Heavy Rain. We want to satisfy our fans, but we want to surprise them too. That’s our challenge."

I have no doubt that whatever David Cage comes up with next, it will do very well, because he has developed a cultish following that worships everything he does. I've met many of these people in my time at Dtoid. A lot of them work in the print and TV sectors of the gaming press. They are generally the types of people that prefer film to gaming, but ended up being "stuck" writing about games. I get the sense that they're just dying for the day when games are as respected as movies in the eyes of the mainstream public, and that they view Heavy Rain, and games like it, as the path to get there.

Basically, they don't care about games. They care about their agenda, which is seeing games (and therefore, their careers in the gaming press) get to the level that movies are at in terms of cultural acceptance.

I think it goes without saying that I think the less of these people there are making games, writing about games, and playing games, the better for gaming as a medium. We're never going to get anywhere if we're constantly playing catch up to movies. Games have to transcend movies, on the their own merits, before non-gamers start taking the medium seriously.

That's assuming we even care what non-gamers think.

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PlayStation 3 320GB Slim Console

post from GAMES CONSOLE on 17 March 2011 10:06:14 PM. © GAMES CONSOLE

Sony have released a new Slim PS3 Console today. The latest PlayStation 3 includes an internal 320GB disk drive and a wireless DualShock 3 controller. Apart from the upgraded storage space on the hard disk, this model is exactly the same as the previous PS3 Slim: running faster, quieter and cooler, with a multi-core processor, built-in Blu-ray disc player, Wi-Fi, HDMI output, etc. This new PlayStation 3 320GB Slim Console retails at £284.99 and replaces the now retired PlayStation 3 250GB Console...

PlayStation 3 320GB Console

PlayStation 3 Games

Blu-ray Movies

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http://games-console.blogspot.com/2010/09/playstation-3-320gb-slim-console.html

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Anomaly: Warzone Earth hitting PC/Mac in April

post from Destructoid on 17 March 2011 10:05:39 PM. © Destructoid

Anomaly: Warzone Earth hitting PC/Mac in April screenshot

11 Bit Studios' reverse tower defense Anomaly: Warzone Earth will be arriving on Mac and PC soon. Friday, April 8 is when it'll first become available from Steam, GamersGate, and additional digital distribution outlets for an affordable $9.99.

Aliens, being the jerks that they are, have invaded. Rather than blowing up courageous, forward-marching soldiers from on high, you play as the turret fodder. Abilities and strategic thinking are at your disposal, however, so it's not simply a matter of running in a straight line until the troops survive a gauntlet.

The game seems rather cool, and the price is right. Experimentation in this genre is always welcome.

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Mature-rated titles only make up 5% of games
published last year

post from CountGameula on 17 March 2011 10:00:00 PM. © CountGameula

Boobs and blood might get all the press, but mature-rated titles only comprised 5% all games[...]

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http://countgameula.com/post/3931755450

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Cave Story t-shirt planned for charity to benefit
Japan

post from Destructoid on 17 March 2011 09:06:20 PM. © Destructoid

Cave Story t-shirt planned for charity to benefit Japan screenshot

Nicalis, the publisher of Cave Story, Ika-Chan, and La-Mulana, is planning to put a new Cave Story t-shirt on sale with all the proceeds going towards helping Japan recover from the recent Earthquakes/Tsunami and the coinciding fallout from said disasters.

I'd be buying this shirt anyway, but knowing that my sale will go towards helping the Japanese people through this time of crisis is just the icing on the cake. Nicalis is still wondering how much to sell the shirts for. I'm thinking $20, but a minimum donation of $13 might work as well.

The Humble Indie bundle, and the various charities that I've personally been involved with, have taught me that there are always a few human-angel hybrids out there who are willing to throw hundreds of dollars at a charity if given the chance. By going with the donation model, you leave the opportunities for those angels to swoop in and give that money.

Nicalis says they'll be announcing more details next week, so stay tuned.

Via Nicalis' Twitter

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Tower Builder

post from Hidden Object Games and Free Downloadable Games at Fenomen-Games.com on 17 March 2011 08:00:00 PM. © Hidden Object Games and Free Downloadable Games at Fenomen-Games.com

Help save a young Pebble that has fallen from the heavens! You will climb the mountains, cross the abysses and build up intricate constructions of stone. It all depends on your imagination in Tower Builder! Work your way over tricky obstacles and help the young Pebble make it back to his friends and family in this exciting Builder game!

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http://www.fenomen-games.com/tower-builder.htm

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PuppetShow: Lost Town Collector's Edition

post from Hidden Object Games and Free Downloadable Games at Fenomen-Games.com on 17 March 2011 08:00:00 PM. © Hidden Object Games and Free Downloadable Games at Fenomen-Games.com

After discovering a new system of caves, the entire town is excited to explore, until Suzy is kidnapped by a mechanical beast! Emerging from the darkness and startling the townfolk, the creature causes a cave-in behind him, leaving no trail to follow. Track the creature down and explore the mysterious caves in PuppetShow: Lost Town, a beautiful Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!

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http://www.fenomen-games.com/puppetshow-lost-town.htm

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Portal 2 TV Spot Teaches The Importance of
Science

post from MonsterVine on 17 March 2011 07:47:59 PM. © MonsterVine

Valve just went live with a 30 second TV commercial spot for the upcoming puzzler Portal 2. It features the two co-op protagonists, Atlus and P-Body, tackling some mind bending portal exercises which are sure to blow your mind. Also, JK Simmons will do the voiceover for the eccentric Aperture Science CEO, Cave Johnson. Portal [...]

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http://monstervine.com/2011/03/portal-2-tv-spot-teaches-the-importance-of-science
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Sega Play! Baseball Review (Facebook)

post from Gamezebo: Casual Game Reviews, Previews, Cheats, Tips, Forums, Free Games, and More on 17 March 2011 07:47:06 PM. © Gamezebo: Casual Game Reviews, Previews, Cheats, Tips, Forums, Free Games, and More

Gamezebo Rating:

Sports games are continuing to make their way to Facebook, but up until recently there hasn?t been much for baseball fans to get excited about. Sega Play! Baseball fills this void with a decidedly casual experience, that seems designed to appeal to those aren?t fans of the sport as well. It may be a little too casual, with not enough focus on the actual game of baseball, but Sega Play! Baseball is still a fun experience overall.

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http://www.gamezebo.com/facebook-games/sega-play-baseball/review

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New Moshi Monsters Magazine Issue two out now,
includes Cuddly Werewolf

Moshi Mag issue two hits shelves today. Issue one launched in February and flew off of shelves...

Read the full post at www.gamezplay.org use the search option if there is no link above...