WipEout Fury Official Release Date!!!

[PLazarou]

Many full priced blu-ray games have download contents later after their appearance on stores. Do you call those games "incomplete" too ?

*sigh*

Firstly, I didn't say it was 'incomplete'. I said it was 'less than fully-featured, albeit at a lower price'. If you compare HD to the PSP's Pulse, it is obvious to see what is missing from HD.

And yes, I realise many games offer DLC. The difference is, the majority of these retail games have more substantial content in the first place (to warrant their full retail price), and the DLC is optional extra stuff on top of that. (And no, I'm not a fan of this kind DLC either, unless it's free...)

But in the case of Wipeout on PS3, this upcoming DLC is essential in order to make HD comparable to the content of a full retail game like Pulse. Thankfully, because the pricing for both HD and Fury is right, this isn't a problem. All I was saying was that I would have preferred to wait for all of this content in one major release.

[Colin Berry]

With Wipeout Pure, we were set a direct challenge by Phil Harrison to make the game and support it with DLC, which we did, we pioneered DLC for handheld games, and actually learnt a lot from doing it and indeed we were one of the front runners for DLC for Playstation, if not in terms of timing of release in terms of technology, we helped define how things worked through the skillsof the coders we had on our team.

With Pulse we continued to push things with user created content through the ship skin tool, and also by trying to establish some online play.

With Hd we wanted to help push the PSN and the idea of downloading games.
Yup at the moment downloading games is not for everyone, but people said downloading mp3s would never take off because customers like to buy cds, as it is a few years on itunes and the like are proving that theory wrong

Personally I love the idea of downloading games, I can go online and buy a new game at any hour of any day, that is a great freedom and choice to have. I think its fantastic, do any of the current systems do it perfectly yet, no, but things are getting better at an exceptional rate. I think its cool that in years to come, people will be able to get a console on christmas day and go online and download a game they want and play it there and then (with ever increasing broadband etc) that rocks so much more than going to shops to buy a disc based game, where the shop takes as much if not more, money than the company making and publishing the game.

Wipeout HDs initial release perhaps had less features than we would have had had we decided to do a blu-ray, but it also gave us freedom to react to opinion. We never thought people would miss eliminator for example, yet they did, and thus we brought it back with Fury. Had we just done a one hit blu-ray, eliminator would not have been there.

I dont see the down side to the model we have adopted, the inital release is substantial and though it took some time, it took less time than a full blu-ray release would have, and it allowed us to get things to the consumer earlier. By doing so we can then react both to trends of the players and the market. Once Fury is out, the actual content of HD and Fury with all the features, will be in some ways larger than had we planned it for blu-ray from day 1. What HD did was allow us to get things out there and get the reactions of people, oh can we have this option in multiplayer and this, can we have this. We would have planned for many things that are there, but we certainly wouldnt have had them all.

What we have done has been more dynamic than simply doing a blu-ray would allow

On top of that there are other factors of development to consider, from available resources at particular times, to what the company requires at any point.
HD, and though it sounds shitty for me to blow the trumpet, but I will, HD set the benchmark for downloadable games, 1080p, multiplayer enabled, decent features set, less than 1gig initial download on PSN at a decent price, that is defining and setting a standard. Which frankly no other companys have come close to in overall terms
Had we just opted to release a blu-ray version, well... we've done that, ok not a blu-ray, but we've done disc based versions, why not try something different.

People can download HD and try Wipeout without a £40 or $60 commitment, if they like it, they can now get Fury, total price is still less than a disc based game - inital release £15 plus £8 for DLC... £23... without naming names I can think of other games I'vebought for more that offered less.
That can not be a bad thing giving that choice. Also by making it download only as we did, it hopefully, encouraged people who had dared to go online to buy it, to also go online to play it, which is personally, and yes its selfish, but personally that is what I want, because no matter how much work is done on AI etc, there is nothing quite like playing against friends and with other people.

Also the idea had we done it blu-ray from the off with all the content it would have arrived earlier, I dont think it would, things still take time and resource.

As a developer, the download model game us the opportunity to push the PSN, pushmultiplayer gaming, and test out some things, as a gamers player it gives choice allows for tweaks that wouldnt otherwise happen and gives a ceaper initial investment to trying something.
I appreciate those factors are not for everyone, but for me personally (and the decision is by no means mine I'm just a cog in a bigger machine) I think thats pretty cool

[PLazarou]

Hmmm. Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed response.

I find two of your statements particularly surprising - that you wouldn't have included Eliminator had it been a Blu-Ray release from the start, and that you don't think this level of content would have arrived sooner had you done it the traditional way.

Now that I've been sufficiently corrected, I am thankful that you chose to do it this way - the thought of no Eliminator is deeply upsetting!

[Z_Zoquis]

Afaic, DLC is the way of the future and I don't mind a bit. I have no real need whatsoever to have my house cluttered up with game packaging. I don't miss the plastic containers and pretty cover pics for any of the download games I've purchased and not having to worry about my kids destroying the discs is a bonus. I'd expect it won't be many console generations before downloading is the primary means for getting the games.

I also don't mind at all having been able to enjoy Wipeout HD for the past 6 or 8 months while they worked on FURY. Frankly, I don't think HD is that much "smaller" than a full game release anyway. Sure, you could argue that eight tracks is a little light but theres full games that don't offer more than that - the original Motorstorm for one.

Obviously though, if you happen to be philosophically opposed to DLC in general, you're not likely to see the "bright side" of the coin in this case...

[leungbok]

Wipeout HDs initial release perhaps had less features than we would have had had we decided to do a blu-ray, but it also gave us freedom to react to opinion. We never thought people would miss eliminator for example, yet they did, and thus we brought it back with Fury. Had we just done a one hit blu-ray, eliminator would not have been there.

People miss online time trial atm !!

[_Rubbernuke_]

When my PS3s blu ray packed up the only PS3 nourishment I had was downloadable games- Wipeout as a download literally saved my sanity!! Plus it means (being the lazy git I am) I dont have to keep on putting a disc into my PS3 when I want to play...

[Asayyeah]

Great news Colin & Paul
Can't wait to DL it yihaaaaa

[IH8YOU]

I'm content with Wipeout on PSN - but even I desire something tangible - I'm not sure about others, but I've got a couple totes in my basement that contain my consoles of yesteryear. There's nothing quite like opening up one of these old boxes, and thumbing through the original Wipeout (inside a long case, no less) and playing it up. That's the downside with download only - should my drive fail, or become corrupt 10 years from now - or should PSN fall through - what then? I'm still able to play all my other games - even my NES stuff still works *knocks on wood*.

While the game is there - an element is missing with just data on a platter - the box, artwork, manual and disc itself bring something that my Western Digital cannot.

It's like the difference between commuting via city bus to get to work, or your own motorcycle - they both accomplish the task, but one has more feeling to it.

Then again... I am nuckin futz...

[DawnFireDragoon]

HD was a bargain and Fury is definitely a bargain, shame the hardware required is so expensive!!!!

i will give my mate a tenner and tell him to download it.

one day ps3, one day, you will be mine (and resonably priced)

also, that was an interesting read Colin, just out of curiosity was HD always going to be PSN or was it Blu-Ray early in development? And have HD sales been good on PSN? i always wonder how/if the digital only thing really effects things like that much, seen as so many people are online these days.

[Colin Berry]

Hmmm. Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed response.

I find two of your statements particularly surprising - that you wouldn't have included Eliminator had it been a Blu-Ray release from the start, and that you don't think this level of content would have arrived sooner had you done it the traditional way.

Now that I've been sufficiently corrected, I am thankful that you chose to do it this way - the thought of no Eliminator is deeply upsetting!

Eliminator went in Fury because we saw people expressing a desire for it once we released HD, we wouldnt have seen people missing it without and initial release and would likely have tried something else, I probably cant say for 100% it wouldnt have been there, but I'd say the chances are it wouldnt. the fact when we released HD people expressed a desire for it in reviews and on forums made us rethink and rework it for inclusion in fury.

The delivery method does not really affect how long the content takes to create, the levels / art work etc, still take time. The only way to deliver earlier would have been to have put more poeple on the project, something we werent in a position to do. Plus there are little things such as blu-rays take longer to get out from master sub to release (with download there are no discs to press etc), maybe only a month or 6 weeks more, but it would all have added up.

Edit - HD was always intended as a download PSN title

[KIGO1987]

Eliminator went in Fury because we saw people expressing a desire for it once we released HD,

Must of been that pleasant request PM i sent to Paul ages ago that made the difference of the addition of Eliminator Im happy that it is included

[diddymal]

Eliminator is an awesome game mode, I can't imagine why it was originally going to be excluded

[RedScar]

I enjoy WOHD hugely, and while the downloadable only tag was hard to swallow at first, it shows just how well the system can work. PSN is the closest
thing to how DLC should be done as of yet, and I also am invovling steam in my comparison. The main issue plaguing steam is the many issues it has with
compatibility. Example is the possible incompatibility between a steam version of the game and a non-steam version of a game to name one.

What I think sets WOHD apart from other game which are DL or have DLC is that it truly is a deal to buying it online. Many gamers dislike DLC since
most developers use it to release "extra" content at a price even when that content should have been in the game to begin with. Examples of this
include Soul Calibre with "buying" yoda when he is actually already on the disc and you are only paying to unlock him, and the Resident Evil MP option.
DLC is being abused buy the big names, and embraced by the small ones (not that SL is small), with Q-Games (Pixel Junkie) and other companies releasing quality
games that people are willing to buy. I am looking forward to Titan Studio's new game Fat Princess, another PSN only (least I think it is) game.
It looks full of content, has all the piece of a full borne disc game (actually more then some of my disc games), but at the same time not abusing
the price point.

http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Games/Fat_Princess (if u are interested/confused)

I can't wait for fury and the price point of $15Can almost feels like im stealing when I look at a $70 game with least content. SL needs to go and slap the
gaming press for giving it the cold shoulder and get its self in the spot light for once since it deserves it for the quality of a game it has produced.

[KIGO1987]

Eliminator is an awesome game mode, I can't imagine why it was originally going to be excluded

It nearly was to become a online feature in Pulse. But never came to be. Awesome feature in Pulse, love it.

[OBH]

Anyone who still hasnt been convinced HD + Fury is a bargain will be eating your words soon enough.

Maybe instead you should go spend your money on 2 Killzone 2 maps for £5. No no weapons, not even "new maps" as such, just ripped totally from a single player mission.

Now theres a "bargain".

[jimsin]

As far as I'm concerned, Wipeout HD is actually saving me lots of money becuase every time I think about buying another game, I decide against it because I want to master Wipeout HD first.

I'm hugely excited about Wipeout Fury, but would still be happy with HD for months to come - to get that much value from a game is pretty much priceless.

[diddymal]

Anyone who still hasnt been convinced HD + Fury is a bargain will be eating your words soon enough.

Maybe instead you should go spend your money on 2 Killzone 2 maps for £5. No no weapons, not even "new maps" as such, just ripped totally from a single player mission.

Now theres a "bargain".

You'd have to be a chump to buy that game anyway, it sucks pretty bad. I bought it, still pretty bitter about that.

[XBARNSTERX]

8 quid , worth it just for the new tracks without the modes or ships. without the tracks i don't think i would of been as much interested (as much as i love this game) I mean at least were not paying a fiver for new ship skins which doesnt add much to the game really. Take dead space , this game had some of the most pointless add ons, like the one for new guns skins . Whats the point as it doesnt change the game at all. My point being we have new tracks to get blown up on, rather than seeing our new ships needing new paint jobs. I'd Ilike to thank SL for providing me with hours of fun and the many more to come with Fury

[YouAreFubar]

@ diddymal, how can you say that about KZ2? I really enjoyed that game! The campaign was solid, kept your interest and the intensity all the way through and was very satisfying. The online mode is very well thought out and great fun too (if a little hard)! Its a tactical shooter, not your normal run 'n' gun FPS and for me that made it all the more interesting.

[diddymal]

I think it's because I've played heaps of CoD4, the aiming and guns just felt really clunky in comparison. Plus it was annoying emptying a whole magazine into an enemy and not kill them. -4/10