New Oddworld game in the works, may be 'years' off
It's been more than three years since we last frolicked about in Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, but according to Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun a new game set in Lorne Lanning's Oddworld universe is currently in the works. According to Wilfrid Laurier University student newspaper The Cord Weekly, Braun confirmed his involvement with developers Oddworld Inhabitants on the project during a presentation at the school earlier this week.
Few details were revealed about the upcoming game, though Braun noted that the title will feature a "revolutionary new 3-D animation system" and "cinematic quality on a '1 to 1 scale' to that of computer-generated motion pictures," adding that the same assets could be used to create both a video game and film version in parallel.
This isn't the first time talk of CG features and Oddworld have been mentioned in the same breath, with Lorne Lanning himself refocusing his company in 2005 to create both games and accompanying CG movies, the first of which was announced a year later as Citizen Siege. However, as that title has yet to see the light of day, it doesn't exactly surprise us that Braun admits that the next Oddworld release could be "years" away from seeing retail shelves, and may even be released in an episodic format when it's all said and done.
Few details were revealed about the upcoming game, though Braun noted that the title will feature a "revolutionary new 3-D animation system" and "cinematic quality on a '1 to 1 scale' to that of computer-generated motion pictures," adding that the same assets could be used to create both a video game and film version in parallel.
This isn't the first time talk of CG features and Oddworld have been mentioned in the same breath, with Lorne Lanning himself refocusing his company in 2005 to create both games and accompanying CG movies, the first of which was announced a year later as Citizen Siege. However, as that title has yet to see the light of day, it doesn't exactly surprise us that Braun admits that the next Oddworld release could be "years" away from seeing retail shelves, and may even be released in an episodic format when it's all said and done.




















(Page 1) Reader Comments
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When asked what the future of games press is, Braun replied "I think the future is [blogging]. I don't read any trade, I do the blogs. I don't care anymore about these game magazines. I don't care what they have to say."
"The only reason why I go to IGN or Gamespot is when I've just bought a game and I need to know the walkthrough, or I want to see if I want to buy it and I read what they're saying," continued Braun. "For industry inside information, the blogs have it all. I'm sure the industry is not happy. I'm sure the [Electronic Arts's] of the world are flipped about how stuff gets out so quickly and so easily."
He argued that subjective voice brings readers to blogs like K****ku and Joystiq. "I like the idea of how there's attitude behind the blogs. They call the shots. The video games magazines never used to call the hard shots - because they're advertisers and they would piss everyone off. The blogs, they don't care - they will just trash anybody and say anything."
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The only thing I don't like about mags is paying for them but hey you get what you pay for.
I normally go to Gamespot and IGN for hints and walkthroughs.
Magazines are pretty much dead since you can get more informtion in the internet.The only appeal was the exclusive content included in CDs or DVDs but some magazines stopped including this content and why are you going to buy a magazine with news you already read in Joystiq?
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I agree with you - the first two "Abe" Oddworld games were two of the most fun and compelling platformers to ever grace a console.
(granted, I love Nintendo platformers as well, but they never came as close to "art" IMHO)
Also it's a good idea to make out that Oddworld is the best platformer. Not only because it's a terrible series but because they ripped the gameplay completely from Flashback and Another world.
Regarding the first two installments, I totally give the devs credit for emulating the gameplay style of PoP and Out of This World because every other platformer - seriously, every other platformer at the time - was working off of the Nintendo style in one way or another.
They also took the time to render some beautiful environments - both industrial and natural - and formed a story around the world that wonderfully critical of Western Civilization. No other platfomer at the time looked as good, has as compelling a story, and featured gameplay that made you sit back and think instead of blindly rushing through stage after stage.
Needless to say, I am really looking forward to a new Oddworld installment.
Which you did.
Notice I said "I think" instead of "it is" the best.. whatever. *dries newb tears*
They defined "bullshot". The consisted of footage that didn't show any gameplay and bore no relationship to the final product.
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Stranger's Wrath, however, was nothing more than pure boredom wrapped up in high production values.
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http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiapRKY9rpY&feature=related
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Hopefully this new oddworld game will retain some of the classic 2d style.
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