Release date (merged)

[eLhabib]

Honestly, I think fan opinion has absolutely nothing to do with the way wipEout HD is being created. HD was originally planned as an in-between project to tide over the wait until the 'real' PS3 wipEout game. So, in order to be able to deliver quickly, it only makes sense they used assets from Pure and Pulse and beefed them up. However, since that 'real' wipEout PS3 game has obviously been put on ice, they instead were tasked with getting as much quality out of the project they already started, which is wipEout HD.
And why do you feel that 2097 was just an overhaul of the original wipEout?! It's a completely different game, not only from a graphical point of view, but also gameplay-wise, there were a ton of changes made. At least more changes than an EA franchise gets within 5 iterations

[JABBERJAW]

"It's gotten like that because I think a few of us have scared the developers away from really being too risky, on the basis that "they did this in Fusion". So now SL is playing it safe. And that's going to ruin the series if they keep doing that."

What would give you this idea? Just curious

[RJ O'Connell]

And why do you feel that 2097 was just an overhaul of the original wipEout?! It's a completely different game, not only from a graphical point of view, but also gameplay-wise, there were a ton of changes made. At least more changes than an EA franchise gets within 5 iterations (wink)

Hey, WipEout original was a fantastic game. XL is also a fantastic game. It's more enjoyable to play because it's faster, more intense and possibly a little more accessible (but not much! ) And yet, it still feels like the original in many ways, the handling is very similar, as are the general design aesthetics (christ, it uses the same in-game font), the ships perform, at least in theory, exactly alike. It's like the vision of what the original could have been, finally being fully realized in a second go-round.

I said "subtly tweaked" because, let's face it, Wipeout XL feels much closer to the original than any other game in the series. (Aside from Wipeout 64 of course XD)

But back to WipEout HD, shall we? XDD

[Darkdrium777]

whaddaya mean the only game for 360 online? there is TONS of GREAT online games on the 360.

I mean for some people who will buy a PS3 just for this game, instead if it came out on X Box 360 they would get the X Box 360 just for WipEout HD too. It's just an analogy.

[eLhabib]

Well, the thing is, I for one am really waiting on getting a PS3 JUST for wipEout HD, because there's hardly anything else convincing on the platform. The 360, on the other hand, has heaps of sweet online games, so it's not really a hard decision to buy one. Again, this comes from a Sony fanboy.

[Sumimasen]

I'm not a Sony fanboy (my allegiance used to lie with Sega...), and I have to say that I 100% totally agree with that eL. The 360 is an awesome games machine, and that looks like it's only going to get better. I also haven't heard of any cases of the RROD recently, either. I hope never to have a third occurence...

I bought a PS3 for Wipeout and the bluray drive. Oh, and for GT5, but prologue has disappointed the hell out of me. The Bluray is ace, and wipeout will be too, so that's reason enough to keep it. I guess.

[Axel]

Well the only thing we can do now guys is just wait and be patient for the guys to sort something out.

As Colin said in another thread, something is being added that would be useful during the game. It sucks to wait, but hey Sony is a business. If they need to space out the games so everything doesn't bunch up togeather then so be it.

SL have basically finished the game and hopefully are moving onto the Real wipeout and a fringe team are "finishing" the downloadable content. Heres to hoping a quick and speedy released by the Sony Marketing team!!!

[Rubix42]

The lack of any news on this from E3 is worrying.

They must have meant coming in time for Holidays 2008. . .

[chrominance]

Hi kids, I'm one of the lurkers who's been reloading this thread for months now waiting for HD to come out.

I think it's particularly sad that Wipeout HD, a game we've been anticipating for for over a year now, should barely register on the radar "so close to release" (something I now very much doubt!) while other, much newer games like Pixeljunk Eden (admittedly very cool looking) get tons of press in comparison. It's as though the game doesn't exist as far as Sony is concerned, which is very depressing—I don't need yet another one of my favourite franchises to die a slow death from malnourishment and neglect, thanks.

The no-show at E3 just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. There was a whole PSN showcase, for cryin' out loud. Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty was touted specifically as one of the service's marquee titles, and we didn't even know it existed until earlier this year. Previously announced and brand new games alike got a splash during the PSN video, so HD's release date or previous unveiling shouldn't have been a big factor. The only conclusion I can draw is no one at Sony, or at least SCEA, gives a care about Wipeout at all. Considering we saw exactly this lack of interest when Wipeout Fusion came around (SCEA couldn't even bother to release it themselves!), I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but after hearing so many good things about Wipeout Pure's success I suppose I was hoping things had changed.

Why has there been a near-complete blackout on press for this game? It seems like we've seen and heard next to nothing ever since the 1UP video review. Does Studio Liverpool/SCEE honestly have no people able to even talk up the game except for two of the poor, overworked developers posting sporadically on one of the unofficial forums? It's great that they're willing to take time from their schedules to throw us a bone once in a while, because it seems as though the marketing departments of every company involved are asleep at the wheel.

[Paradoxx]

Wipeout HD really exists ? The information ends in 2008.

[Frances_Penfold]

There was a whole PSN showcase, for cryin' out loud. Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty was touted specifically as one of the service's marquee titles, and we didn't even know it existed until earlier this year.

Hi chrominance-- nice to see you "step out from the shadows"-- hope to see you around more.

I agree with your point. While all three console makers emphasize their flagship titles to garner attention from the mainstream press, the fact that very specific attention was given to the PSN-- and that Wipeout HD was NOT EVEN MENTIONED-- is very odd. One sentence, one short video clip is all it would take to acknowledge the existence of the game. Given the franchise's long association with Sony consoles-- and occasionally good sales, as for example for Wipeout Pure-- why not throw it in there, even briefly? Very strange.

Is there any chance that the game is seeing a major re-directioning so that it is a "true" HD Wipeout game as opposed to a PSN title that includes re-done tracks from Pure and Pulse? It's the only thing that makes sense, unless as you say, that SCEA really dislikes the franchise and doesn't care to even acknowledge it.

On that note, I'd like to throw out a "screw you" to SCEA for failing to release DLC for Wipeout Pulse, despite the fact that it's a finished product that is clearly identified as a bullet point on the back-cover of the game. I don't generally get worked up by the actions (or non-actions) of publishers / developers but the failure to release Pulse DLC is really pathetic.

Edit-- wanted to mention that we are not the only ones puzzled about the fate of Wipeout HD-- check out this thread from neogaf, which includes a rather amusing set of JPG images.

[RJ O'Connell]

I enjoyed the Angryman plugged into the wall, Frances.

The only conclusion I can draw is no one at Sony, or at least SCEA, gives a care about Wipeout at all.

It has always seemed that way since Sony bought Psygnosis. It started with W3SE being Europe exclusive. Then the aforementioned Fusion release issues. Then the Pulse DLC issue which I actually think is worthy of being reported as consumer fraud if it never shows up.

Of course, I've been reading up on F-Zero Wii, one french article implied it would have "weapons systems" which got everyone fired up, and rightfully so. It's not a good time to be a fan of futuristic racing, in general, but I remain optimistic about the future of WipEout.

Welcome to the 'Zone, chrominance.

[chrominance]

Is there any chance that the game is seeing a major re-directioning so that it is a "true" HD Wipeout game as opposed to a PSN title that includes re-done tracks from Pure and Pulse? It's the only thing that makes sense, unless as you say, that SCEA really dislikes the franchise and doesn't care to even acknowledge it.

I thought about that, actually. When the PS3 segment came on and Tretton was all "exclusives exclusive exclusives! here are some of the awesome games coming to PS3!" I thought maybe they'd saved HD for the PS3 showcase proper. Of course, even as I was thinking that, I knew somehow that it was a very thin chance, and of course I was disappointed.

If Wipeout HD was being turned into a Blu-Ray disc game, isn't that worth announcing too? And if that was actually happening, you'd think Sony would want to pimp the expanded content and whatnot.

As I don't have a PSP, I didn't know about Pulse not getting DLC packs--wasn't that one of the things Pure got lauded for in the gaming press? Ooof.

[Sch@dows]

[...] the fact that very specific attention was given to the PSN-- and that Wipeout HD was NOT EVEN MENTIONED-- is very odd.[...]

[...] Is there any chance that the game is seeing a major re-directioning so that it is a "true" HD Wipeout game as opposed to a PSN title that includes re-done tracks from Pure and Pulse? [...]

Hi,

I agree to say that it IS very odd -_-.
At first i though WOHD was delayed to match the 2.40 firmware (trophies, custom mp3, etc). But still nothing since it is available.

Another thing i can think of, is what you said : a major re-directioning. WOHD was expected by a lot of people, especially those without a PSP (who couldn't play Pure/Pulse). Maybe the project has became bigger (new tracks, etc.) but I don't see why it should be delayed. it IS obvious that more tracks will come, and it won't be free of course (forget Pure u_u). So new tracks could be added later, no ?
And even if they planned to release en BRD version, it could still be a temporary PSN exclusive, or there should be some news ?

So the only thing that make sense for me, is that a important problem as been discovered with a major feature not seen until now (the game seemed almost complete) ... The multiplayer mode ? The so proud FullHD at 60fps ?

Don't know but the lack of news is killing me u_u


PS : I'm greatly satisfied with my PS3 which has impressive exclusive games other than WOHD (mine are FormulaOne, MotorStorm, Uncharted, MGS4). I'm playing FPS games only on PC, so 360 exclusive titles are less attractive to me (maybe for DOA4, Forza2) but I admit is IS a good machine.

[Axel]

All good points brought up. If they game has been ported to a BD, then maybe they are adding the extra "downloadable" contents to added roster of available tracks.

It's interesting that you say that the pulse DLC has been released, maybe they were converted for WOHD instead? Saves time, and all they will need to do is just update the graphics while keeping the design the same.

I mean 8 tracks for a BD game is very tiny indeed, hence the reason why it was going to be a downloadable game in the first place. But as usual, only time will tell.

[Frances_Penfold]

...wanted to mention that we are not the only ones puzzled about the fate of Wipeout HD-- check out this thread from neogaf, which includes a rather amusing set of JPG images...

And, uh, here is the actual link

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327373

Gives me some encouragement that the broader gamer community is still interested in this title.

[Nadia Elenova]

European PSN store updated with... Fatal Inertia! Did they anounced it anywhere? So if they don't give a about this game and they don't give a about Wipeout, maybe we will open the store one fine day and find WoHD there without any decent anouncement. Am I overestimating Wipeout or are they underestimating it?
No wipeout on E3, but RE5 showed up with its LAME animations and the very same gameplay from RE4 (which I love). Only a graphic improvement is worth showing up on E3? WoHD is more than that!

[Darkdrium777]

I am praying for a release in the coming weeks but I have doubts this will happen. This is just too much of a delay, so I'm sorry but I'll forget about Wipeout for a while since the really bad treatment it gets from SCEE and SCEA is very infuriating.

If someone can make an official announcement at Sony with a firm release date, I will come back. But not until then, the situation right now is absolutely ludicrous.

[Nadia Elenova]

My hopes are on Games Convention Leipzig, 20-24 august.

[Axel]

http://www.imageaddicts.net/images/p...rp98v0gyy1.gif

This made me laugh hard