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MS Gamer's Day - May 13th - Update Thread (OP continues on Post #6)

Tathanen

Tathanen

Get Inside Her!
I'm actually pretty happy about what they did to Banjo. I don't have a 360, and I wasn't looking forward to having to face the "should I get a system for one game" dilemma. Now it's a moot point!
 
P

pswii60

Member
BruceLeeRoy said:
fable-2-20080513085755214.jpg


Love love love love love this shot.
Click to expand...
Woah, so much atmosphere conveyed in this one shot. It's like what I wanted Oblivion to be. Taking it to a whole new level.

The most impressive thing is how beautiful all these shots are despite the game having such a huge expansive world. Often games like that become bland and unpopulated, but not Fable 2! Awesome.
 
P

psychopsychic

Member
batbeg said:
By the way, it's kind of funny for those saying they should have used a different IP if they were going to change that... because they saw the IP as perfectly fit for the gameplay :p



http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=4202
Click to expand...

Wow.. I was just about to make a post to claim they probably just slapped the Banjo IP on a kart racing game concept to cash in on the franchise popularity. Looks like Rare went ahead and confirmed that for me.

Good thing too, god knows we have way too many platformers coming out these days.

I mean who really wanted to see Banjo and Kazooie flying through some clouds as they crest over some mountaintop in an awe-inspiring platform environment when we could be flying in a Banjo helicopter blowing shit up over a flat barren racing world?

:|
 
A

anachronous_one

Prologue Type S Alpha
So no one else is concerned about Banjo falling into the sales trap that Viva Pinata did? The same trap where the complexity of the game mechanic is in direct opposition to the art style and character design? While I can see myself purchasing this game at some point, I could see this game maybe doubling VP's sales. Maybe.

I hope Rare/MS proves me utterly and stupidly incorrect.
 
R

Ramenman

Member
I'd like to ask NeXuSDK about the Card thing in Viva Pinata, concerning the photo mode.

I just didn't understand what it does, or why it's better than basic online sharing :(
 
X

xblarcade

Member
anachronous_one said:
So no one else is concerned about Banjo falling into the sales trap that Viva Pinata did? The same trap where the complexity of the game mechanic is in direct opposition to the art style and character design? While I can see myself purchasing this game at some point, I could see this game maybe doubling VP's sales. Maybe.

I hope Rare/MS proves me utterly and stupidly incorrect.
Click to expand...

I just hoping that they release it in a regular fucking box this time (VP that is)
 
D

DuckRacer

Member
banjo_kazooie_logo.jpg


Famed game developer Rare Ltd. is reviving one of its most beloved and successful franchises exclusively on Xbox 360 with the third installment of the “Banjo-Kazooie” series. “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” embraces new and old fans alike, as the famous bear and bird duo return in stunning high definition for a unique adventure of epic proportions. The Lord of the Games (aka LOG) is tired of the petty squabbling between Banjo and the evil witch Gruntilda (aka Grunty) over the years, and has arranged a showdown to decide the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain. Claiming to have created every video game ever made, LOG has built the game worlds in which the contest’s challenges take place. Banjo must complete LOG’s challenges to win, while Grunty tries to stop him using every method her devious mind can muster.

Throughout their adventure, players create their own abilities by building vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, water and air. Vehicle parts, which range from simple devices such as engines and wheels to more unusual equipment such as springs and egg guns, are earned and collected throughout the game. Players use their imagination to combine parts in any order to create whatever vehicle they choose. LOG’s challenges have one goal, but players’ choice of vehicle and tactics will determine how they get there. By exploring worlds and solving puzzles, players both young and old will be rewarded with more advanced and diverse vehicle parts in their quest to defeat Grunty once and for all.

With the power of Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” brings an entirely new experience to the console and takes the franchise to a whole new level of enjoyment. High-definition graphics, user-created content and online gameplay are just three of the many advances people of all ages and skill levels will discover as they embark on their adventure.

Features: Top features include the following:
An adventure that starts with your imagination. If you can imagine it, you can build it in the Mumbo’s Motors easy-to-use workshop. Then put your creation to the test as you take on Grunty in your quest for Spiral Mountain. Unlike other games, where the player progressively picks up new skills or abilities at points pre-determined by the game’s creator, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” puts the power of improving Banjo’s abilities into the hands of the players as they build vehicles that allow Banjo to progress through the game. Vehicle parts include a wide variety of body panels, engines, wheels, wings, propellers, fuel and weapons, plus many more weird and wonderful gadgets such as floaters, Mumbo Bombos and the versatile sticky ball, from which players can design and create anything from a simple object-carrying truck to a space-age flying saucer. Once you’ve designed your creation, give it the finishing touch by painting it and choosing a suitable name before Banjo jumps in and pilots it into action.
Customizable experience. With more than 100 contraption parts and unlimited combinations possible, no two players will have the same experience in “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.” By exploring the vast game worlds, discovering hidden secrets and solving puzzles to win rewards, players continually find more and more ways to customize and improve their contraptions, creating an unprecedented level of user-generated content for a 3-D platform adventure game.
Fun right out of the box. Don’t worry if you aren’t the world’s greatest inventor or want to skip the workshop and get straight to the action, because “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” comes with a fully loaded experience right out of the box. Pre-built vehicles are included so players can jump right in and get started, with many more contraptions available for purchase throughout the adventure using the in-game currency system of musical notes.
Engaging storyline and entertaining characters. Two of Rare’s most beloved characters have returned from retirement, making their debut on Xbox 360. To win the deed to their homeland and prevent the evil witch Gruntilda from developing it into tower blocks and malls, Banjo and his best friend Kazooie battle over land, sea and air against their longtime rival. Familiar faces such as Mumbo Jumbo, Bottles, Captain Blubber and the Jinjos are also back to lend a hand, along with an equally colorful cast of new friends and foes. Look out for Trophy Thomas, Piddles, Lord of the Games and Grunty’s mechanically menacing army of Gruntbots.
Enjoy alone or with friends. “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts” offers complete single-player and multiplayer experiences. You can play through the adventure alone in the single-player campaign, or play with friends in competitive or cooperative challenges on your own or in teams.
Fun for everyone. Xbox 360 is the home to the best entertainment experiences for everyone. With “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” Xbox 360 continues to build its impressive lineup of content that appeals to people of all ages and types.
Click to expand...

http://kotaku.com/5008862/banjo+kazooie-nuts--bolts-hits-this-holiday-old-screens-included
 
P

pswii60

Member
psychopsychic said:
Wow.. I was just about to make a post to claim they probably just slapped the Banjo IP on a kart racing game concept to cash in on the franchise popularity. Looks like Rare went ahead and confirmed that for me.

Good thing too, god knows we have way too many platformers coming out these days.

I mean who really wanted to see Banjo and Kazooie flying through some clouds as they crest over some mountaintop in an awe-inspiring platform environment when we could be flying in a Banjo helicopter blowing shit up over a flat barren racing world?

:|
Click to expand...
IT'S NOT A FUCKING RACING GAME YOU FUCKING MORON

sorry mods i'll calm down now
 
F

FinFan

Member
Ramenman said:
I'd like to ask NeXuSDK about the Card thing in Viva Pinata, concerning the photo mode.

I just didn't understand what it does, or why it's better than basic online sharing :(
Click to expand...


From xbox.com

Experience Piñata Vision: Plug in an Xbox LIVE® Vision camera and interact with the game through the use of printed cards featuring a unique barcode. Flash a piñata card up to the Vision camera, and the content will drop directly into the game.
Click to expand...

Show off to friends: Use the new photo mode to snap, print, and upload pictures of your unique garden or customized piñatas to show to friends. Photograph your piñata and turn it into a piñata card, then share it with your friends so they can scan it and put it into their own garden.
Click to expand...

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/v/vptip/
 
N

Nolan.

Member
Rocksteady33 said:
Yes but do you understand that Viva Pinata was released before the home console casual gaming boom? Sony and Microsoft are both playing catchup to find their "hit" casual game that can take market away from Nintendo. Why do you think we're seeing a sequel to Viva Pinata now? It has a casual like game style that almost anyone can get into, and Microsoft is making sure of that because like Rare has said they've made VP2 more accessible. Maybe you don't pay attention to Sales-Age but while Microsoft is doing very well, especially software wise, Nintendo is the one growing at an exponential rate, and mostly due to casual gaming - something Microsoft doesn't have yet. They have to take risks on games like Viva Pinata if they want to break the ground that Nintendo is breaking.
Click to expand...

I pay enough attention to know these things along with the fact you still continue to refute your own statements. By your example Banjo would then neatly fit right into the casual demographic. Seeing as you previously commented on nintendo advancing the mario series and making a success of it. So therefore if they are willing to take these risky chances with games like Viva why not then ''allow'' banjo in it's original state.? There really aren't much of a difference when it comes to image. You suggesting that banjo 3 is them catering more to the 360's typical base and viva is the trying to break ino the casual market to me just doesn't add up.
 
N

NeXuSDK

Junior Member
Ramenman said:
I'd like to ask NeXuSDK about the Card thing in Viva Pinata, concerning the photo mode.

I just didn't understand what it does, or why it's better than basic online sharing :(
Click to expand...

The photo mode interprets your picture. It sees what is on it and transform it into a small barcode of sort (which can be put on these cards). So you can just for example post this card/code on gaf and EVERYONE will instantly be able to get your pinata in their own game.
 
kbear

kbear

Member
Wow Banjo looks phenomenal...love the art style, textures, scale, models, everything. Animation looked really nice too (when he was pulling himself up on that ledge).

The gamevideos trailer is poor quality... I recommend everyone download this one: http://msxbxnm.vo.llnwd.net/d1/inside_xbox/en-gb/2008/05/rare_ep1cut2.wmv

Fable 2 looks awesome...some of the best art ever in an RPG, imo. The lighting looks sick.

Disappointed about Too Human going down to 2-player co-op... the 4-player online was a major draw for me.
 
M

MirageDwarf

Member
VALIS said:
I'm very happy Rare decided to create a new game for Banjo 3 instead of listen to the nostalgia-clogged opinions of those who wanted the same Banjo but in HD. The vehicle building sounds very intriguing. In fact, my Banjo hype went from barely existent to my most anticipated game of the year now. That's why sandbox world games are always among my favorite, I love games where you help define the gameplay rather than have it all mapped out for you.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. I haven't played original Banjo games but, if I did, I would not want same game with upgraded graphics after waiting for these many years. It is better to ignore small vocal group of haters. Not to mention almost all previews are saying it is fun to play.
 
D

DuckRacer

Member
VP_TIP_logo_lores-thumb.jpg

"Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" Fact Sheet May 2008 Title: "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise"
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Developer: Rare Ltd.

Format: DVD for the Xbox 360 video game system

ESRB Rating: Rating pending (all ages)

Availability: September 2008

Product
Overview: The original Rare Ltd. team behind "Viva Piñata" has reunited to bring gamers "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise," the newest piñata adventure that invites gamers to return to magical Piñata Island. Unfortunately, not all is well on the island, as Professor Pester along with his gang of Ruffians have wiped out Piñata Central's computer records, which poses a threat to parties everywhere. To help Piñata Central, players must gradually rebuild the computer database by sending piñatas at full candiosity to parties all around the world. While thwarting Professor Pester's evil plot, players still build and maintain piñata gardens — using their creativity and imagination to attract, trap, protect, train and manage more than 100 different piñata species.

Available exclusively on Xbox 360, "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" reinvigorates a colorful and engaging gaming experience on the Xbox 360 platform. Now with full cooperative and online gameplay modes, the "Viva Piñata" franchise opens its doors even wider with a new game that provides hours of fun for gamers of all ages, fans of the animated series and animal lovers alike.

Features: Top game features include the following:
• Social. The world of Piñata Island is an inviting and rewarding place to be. Family members and friend now can share in the joy of creating a garden by simply plugging in an extra controller. The second player has access to all tools, actions and activities, but he or she also can collect magic by helping. Player two can spend magic by tinkering items, healing a sick piñata or filling a piñata candiosity meter. It's a new way to play.
• Customizable. "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" allows players' imaginations to run wild by providing them with expansive freedom and choice.
o Your garden. "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" also offers a vast level of customization within your main garden. Now, along with planting grass, trees and flowers, and digging ponds and lakes, players can place sand and snow in their garden to make exotic species of piñata feel more at home. Players also can choose to enhance their garden with themed object packs — make your garden into a space center, a pirate cove or a haunted graveyard. Buy objects to change the weather, or new toys for your piñata to play with. You have total freedom to create any kind of paradise you want!
o Your piñatas. Thirty-two new species of piñata can run, crawl, fly and swim into your garden in "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise." Large, small, fierce and cute, the new piñatas will join all your favorites for thriving activity throughout your garden. Among these new species are sour piñatas that will infiltrate and wreak havoc in the garden. In "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise," players can choose to either tame sours, or feed them candy to keep them sweet.
o Piñata Vision. A never-before-seen feature called Piñata Vision allows players to plug in an Xbox LIVE Vision camera and interact with the game through the use of printed cards that feature a unique barcode. With Piñata Vision, gamers can simply flash a piñata card up to the Vision camera, and the content will drop directly into the game.*
• Accessible. "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" reinvigorates the franchise with additional game modes and features that make it even more accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.
o Just for Fun Mode. Designed for beginner players, kids and those just looking to explore Piñata Island, this mode allows players to jump into the garden and interact with the unique piñata world. In this mode the difficulty has been turned down and the fun has been turned up. Sour piñatas stay away, resident piñatas remain healthy, weeds don't plague your garden and you have an infinite chocolate coin bank account, allowing you to turn your garden into a veritable utopia of colorful creatures.
o Standard Mode. Presenting a challenge for experienced piñata gardeners and dedicated gamers, the Standard gameplay mode provides a more tricky option, where players must keep a watchful eye on their garden. Sour piñatas, feuding species, weeds, illness and limited money call for you to exercise problem solving and creativity to build and maintain an environment where piñatas can flourish and grow.
o Player Guide System. Replacing the traditional tutorial, the optional Player Guide System directs players through a series of loose goals to help them master the fundamental aspects of "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise."
o Show Off. Using the new photo mode in "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise," you can snap, print and upload pictures of your unique garden or customized piñatas showing them off to your friends. You also can photograph your piñata and turn it into a piñata card, share it with your friends so they scan it and put it into their own garden using the Xbox LIVE Vision camera.
o Piñata and character interaction. All your residents are now capable of performing dazzling tricks, which you can teach them using the new trick stick tool. Watch as piñatas play together, perch on each other and interact in new ways to make them more appealing.
• Spontaneous. "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" is a constantly changing world where anything can and does happen. Rivalries, injuries, illness and fights — if you turn your back, who knows what your piñatas will do?
o It's happening outside. Pester knows where your garden is, and he's got a few nasty tricks up his sleeve to make piñata life difficult. Foil his plans by sending your piñata around the world to save parties everywhere. Also, you must deal with new, untamed sour piñatas with bad attitudes and more troublesome Ruffians who will try to spoil your creation.
o It's happening inside. Pester will try to block piñatas from ever reaching your garden, but you can break the blockades and teach him who is in charge on Piñata Island. However, don't underestimate Pester — he's likely to make some personal appearances to attempt to put you in your place.

Developer
Information: Founded in 1985 and based in the United Kingdom, Rare Ltd. is one of the world's leading video game developers and has masterminded some of the most popular video games in history, including multi-million-dollar sellers "GoldenEye", "Perfect Dark", "Banjo-Kazooie" and the "Donkey Kong Country" Series. From 2005 to 2006, Rare released "Perfect Dark Zero", "Kameo: Elements of Power" and "Viva Piñata" for Xbox 360. Rare continues to entertain the world with the release of "Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts" and "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise" later this year. For further information visit www.rare.co.uk."
Click to expand...
http://kotaku.com/389957/viva-piata-trouble-in-paradise-will-use-xbox-live-vision-camera
 
F

Francias Castiglione

Banned
Ramenman said:
I'd like to ask NeXuSDK about the Card thing in Viva Pinata, concerning the photo mode.

I just didn't understand what it does, or why it's better than basic online sharing :(
Click to expand...

Think of the (main) target audience. For a kid you're taking your game into the real world and sharing with friends at school etc. and building a physical collection that relates to what you have in your 360. The idea is very cool.
 
B

BenjaminBirdie

Banned
psychopsychic said:
Wow.. I was just about to make a post to claim they probably just slapped the Banjo IP on a kart racing game concept to cash in on the franchise popularity. Looks like Rare went ahead and confirmed that for me.

Good thing too, god knows we have way too many platformers coming out these days.

I mean who really wanted to see Banjo and Kazooie flying through some clouds as they crest over some mountaintop in an awe-inspiring platform environment when we could be flying in a Banjo helicopter blowing shit up over a flat barren racing world?

:|
Click to expand...

Tathanen said:
I'm actually pretty happy about what they did to Banjo. I don't have a 360, and I wasn't looking forward to having to face the "should I get a system for one game" dilemma. Now it's a moot point!
Click to expand...

Racing game. Dear lord, neither of you deserve anything awesome ever again.
 
A

abacab driver

Banned
pswii60 said:
IT'S NOT A FUCKING RACING GAME YOU FUCKING MORON

sorry mods i'll calm down now
Click to expand...

The impressions and interviews speak for themselves really. :D

Anyone who still trying to play the "its a racer not a platformer" card is just in denial or is slow to understand the concept of building your own contraptions to solve puzzles, reach areas, kill enemies etc.
 
F

FrankT

Member
Emiru said:
I can post boxarts too.

10g087q.jpg
Click to expand...



This is seriously becoming one of my most anticipated games of the year. Peter M. for President confirmed. I do believe he and LG will deliver on the goods this time around. All these features sets he is talking about, open world, co-op, unreal beautiful screens, DO WANT.


Just be long enough. :D
 
Tathanen

Tathanen

Get Inside Her!
BenjaminBirdie said:
Racing game. Dear lord, neither of you deserve anything awesome ever again.
Click to expand...

For the record, I am under no illusions of what this game is or isn't. I never claimed it was a racing game. The vehicular emphasis, however, doesn't even remotely interest me. So that's that.
 
M

madara

Member
Nuclear Muffin said:
I'm glad that Rare are trying something different with Banjo, I admire their guts..
Click to expand...

I think it would have been more gutsy not have the destructive urban generation X look like nearly all other platformers aimed at the teen age boy or WWF fan the last two gens and found way incorporate the natural charm it had with animals and amazing natural environments, but to each their own, then needed to add 360 appeal it seems. Still waiting to see an area that has the brilliance or beauty of Treasure Trove Cove,Freezeezy Peak, Gobi's Valley,Spooky Mad Mansion or Click Clock Wood.
 
N

NeXuSDK

Junior Member
Francias Castiglione said:
Think of the (main) target audience. For a kid you're taking your game into the real world and sharing with friends at school etc. and building a physical collection that relates to what you have in your 360. The idea is very cool.
Click to expand...

That too, but as I said, think of forum possibilities. Until now you've only been able to show custom console creations on forums (VP1, Forza etc.), but you now can share it on forums as well!
 
B

BruceLeeRoy

Banned
FIREBABY said:
This...this is a one sexy cover. God the art is just so different yet beautiful.
Click to expand...

Yeah I love the combination of sketched art with watercolor gives it such a unique look.

Are we getting new fable vids today?
 
N

No_Style

Member
funkmastergeneral said:
I'm torn here. I got burned really bad with the original Fable, but these details and screenshots make the game looking amazing.
Click to expand...

It's time to let it go, sir.

I thought the original Fable was great. Broken, but great. It was a time where I held very little hype for any game.

Oh and that boxart better be official.
 
B

batbeg

Member
kbear said:
Wow Banjo looks phenomenal...love the art style, textures, scale, models, everything. Animation looked really nice too (when he was pulling himself up on that ledge).

The gamevideos trailer is poor quality... I recommend everyone download this one: http://msxbxnm.vo.llnwd.net/d1/inside_xbox/en-gb/2008/05/rare_ep1cut2.wmv
Click to expand...

Though I still think the game is graphically underwhelming in a number of ways, that video still made me say wow. How can people hate on this?
 
P

pswii60

Member
many more contraptions available for purchase throughout the adventure using the in-game currency system of musical notes.

Engaging storyline and entertaining characters. Two of Rare’s most beloved characters have returned from retirement, making their debut on Xbox 360. To win the deed to their homeland and prevent the evil witch Gruntilda from developing it into tower blocks and malls, Banjo and his best friend Kazooie battle over land, sea and air against their longtime rival. Familiar faces such as Mumbo Jumbo, Bottles, Captain Blubber and the Jinjos are also back to lend a hand, along with an equally colorful cast of new friends and foes. Look out for Trophy Thomas, Piddles, Lord of the Games and Grunty’s mechanically menacing army of Gruntbots.
Click to expand...

Summary

- Contraptions, not just vehicles
- It's an ADVENTURE
- Musical notes are back bitches
- Proper engaging storyline
- The April Fools' storyline about the tower blocks and malls was correct
- Ample fanservice with familiar faces making a return

So what's to hate?
 
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