Firesprite Games - New studio from ex-SL members

I don't think they do a new Wipeout game, at least in the short-medium term. Said this, a new Wipeout for PS4 would automatically make me buy the console, so I don't mind if they take their time as I don't want to spend 400 euros atm :g

From what I can gather from that interview, Firesprite is busy working away at building a new "Game Engine".

All games use a game engine, a lot of them are based on say something like UNREAL TOURNAMENT.
You will get a lot of FPS using that engine, only difference would be the graphics / look of the game, and maybe some handling tweaks to make it somewhat a individual game.

To build a NEW Game engine, as stated, would only be warranted if Firesprite thought they could make a game better with their own game engine, rather than using a tried and tested engine that they would have to pay royalties on for using.

Find out what sort of game engine they are working on, and that will give you a real idea of what sort of game [s] they are contemplating on making.

I'm not familiar with what engine was used to develop WOHD/2048. However given that Firesprite are an independent studio (with strong Sony connections), they probably felt is was necessary to make their own proprietary game engine, to be able to develop on those other platforms and include the quality and techniques the team has gained over all the years at SL.

Both Batman: Arkham Asylum and UT3 was made on the unreal engine. Both drastically different in gameplay. Still I couldn't imagine WipEout HD, and the techniques used to make it would be possible on that engine.

This Article gets a bit technical on some development techniques used to make WOHD's graphics they way they are. It mentions making good use of PS3's Edge Tools? Possibly an example of some capabilities they're trying to replicate in a new engine to bring across to more platforms?

So yes I'd say that a new engine is definitely warranted in their ambition. They're building both the engine and the game to go with it. Integrated development and all.

I don't know, It's all good news. I'm so exciiiited and I just can't hiiiide it?

I would hope they would make a game like wipeout ( very much like :) ), call it something else, so it is their game and they can do what they like with it.

I think Sony would be ready to pounce on Firesprite if they made a game too similar to Wipeout and called it something else.

If they do make a futuristic racer, it could be so vastly different that maybe Wipeout fans wouldn't be interested in it.
Fatal Inertia is a classic example of this.

The genre of futuristic racing has always been hampered by each gaming system having it's own take on it.
Playstation with Wipeout, Nintendo with F-Zero, Xbox with Quantum Redshift.
Wipeout has been doubly hampered by having it's last two new games only released on PSP.

What's needed to get the whole category back in the public's attention is a killer racer that is released on all consoles.
When you pared it right down, it only really needs 3 basic things.
Great tracks, great craft physics/handling, and a online leader board to update your recorded times for each track/speed class, the rest is dressing.

New wipeout incoming or not, it's a very good news for those devs ! :)

*closer to buy a brand new PS4 :), looking promising.

stevie:)

This is great news and it will be interesting to see what games they produce! I don't know about Wipeout though I mean despite the obvious barriers of Sonys ownership of the game, even if those weren't a problem do you think they could afford to develop a full Wipeout title? It might have been niche but its not indie.

It's awesome to see them back now. I hope they make something better than WipEout (no offence lol) But maybe...a new Destruction Derby or Colony Wars?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blackwiggle

Fatal Inertia is a classic example of this.

---

Actually I never understood the hate for Fatal Inertia. For me it's like an off-road AG racer. Sure, it is nowhere near WipEout but it has it's own unique style and it doesn't try to copy WO. It's like comparing Gran Tourismo with Need For Speed... Anyways, online races on Fatal Inertia are lots of fun, cuz the learning curve is easier than WO. But for a singleplayer experience, I'd prefer WO more.

Back on topic: If not a new WipEout, then maybe at least some sort of innovative/futuristic game is what I would hope for. I mean, these guys should know best how to design a futural environment.