torchlight

Hey…you! That’s  right, YOU!

Do you like kick-ass video games? Are you a fan of Diablo, or any other fantasy RPG’s by any chance? Do you have $19.95 burning a hole in your pocket? Then you’re going to love “Torchlight“.

torchlightlogo

YouTube Preview Image

Now it’s true, I might be a little biased because one of my best friends from SCAD named Matt Lefferts worked on the game as an Animator. But it’s ALSO true that he’s one of the most talented guys I know, and the same can easily be said for all the other artists over at Runic Games too. So what do you get when you put a bunch of talented artists in a room? Well the same thing that happens when you put a million monkeys in front of a million type writers and feed them only cigarettes and coffee. THE GREATEST NOVEL, er I mean, VIDEO GAME EVER!

Ok, maybe I need to take the fan-boy meter down a notch. I’m just really excited! And I’m not the only one…


What the Fans are Saying:

Check it out! First up, Scott Johnson of “The Instance” WoW podcast…

LINK: ExtraLife – I’ve been playing “Torchlight”, and I think I might be in love.

REALLY having a good time. A little back story:

Runic Games, the makers of Torchlight, is made up of a bunch of old Blizzard folk, many of whom worked on the Diablo franchise. It will surprise none of you that Torchlight is a Diablo inspired game, and unabashedly so. Runic has made no secret about the fact that this is a love letter to those of us who love action RPG’s, loved Diablo, but might want just a little bit more.

Enter Torchlight. I’ve been lucky enough to be playing a early press build over the last few days, and I’ve sunk quite a bit of time into it already. Here’s a list of things that jump out at me at the moment:

VERY much a Diablo lovers game. While the art-style is a definite departure, and things are very 3D and pretty here, the overall experience feels very much like the big D. Music, sound design, various effects..all wonderful nods to Diablo.

__________________________________________________

Now does the name Felicia Day, star/creator of “The Guild” and “Dr. Horrible” album, ring a bell? Well she’s a fan too!

LINK: @feliciaday (TWITTER)

#Torchlight just launched! Gratz @runicgames, this game is pure Diablo-ish wonderful-ness. My fave from E3, can’t wait to play tonight!


REVIEWS:

Now how about some reviews? You can check them out below, but I’ll save you some time. They’re all stellar, average rating is a 9/10!

LINK: TorchlightInsider’s First Official Review

Overall: 9.5/10 (Note: Not a composite score)

Overall, the game is simply amazing.  If you enjoy Diablo, Diablo 2, Fate, or Mythos, you will love Torchlight.  If you’ve never played the games, Torchlight is worth a try.  The game is the most involving, immersive Action/RPG of its kind that I’ve played, and I HIGHLY recommend you at least pick it up.  If not, you’re missing out.

Mega thumbs up to the Runic Games team for developing this game in a year and making such a polished game.  There have been a few reports of crashes, but one crash in 12 hours of gaming with no breaks for your computer isn’t always the game’s fault.  Sometimes bosses will try to hide in corners or escape their main chambers to cause some problems, but again, this is a minor/non-issue.

And final note, I did not get to do any playing with TorchED, the editor being released shortly after the game (formerly known as PrEditor, but that’s changed due to copyright issues).  If you’re a modder, or a mod-player, Torchlight is going to be VERY mod-friendly to give it even more replayability down the road as players add more content, more quests, more items, more classes, or more monsters.  So another boon to an already great game.

__________________________________________________

LINK: Torchlight Review – Reuniting Action & RPG

Torchlight is a LOT of fun for those who adore ACTION RPGs and/or shooters. Torchlight has brought the best of Diablo, Mythos, Hellgate and Fate to bear and it shows. I couldn’t get enough of Torchlight and can’t wait to see what the community creates using the level editor. Similarly, I am already eagerly anticipating the Torchlight MMO.

__________________________________________________

Ok, are you now like me and as excited as an 8 year old on a Halloween sugar high? Well if so, then follow the link below to purchase and download your very own copy of “Torchlight“! You’ll not only get to play a really awesome game, but also be able to say that you were there at the beginning of a very cool new franchise! Which is a badge I think a lot of fans will hold on to, because I’ve got a feeling that this is only the beginning. And before too long, we’ll be seeing a Torchlight MMO.

LINK: Torchlight ($19.95)

KEY FEATURES

  • Randomization – Our level layouts are randomly created, so each adventure is unique. Monsters, treasures, puzzles, and items are also different each time you embark on an adventure.
  • Easy, approachable interface – Torchlight is designed to be easy to play right from the beginning. The intuitive interface gives players easy access to a rich and varied world.
  • Retirement System – Once characters are sufficiently leveled up, they can “retire” and bestow specific benefits and perks to new characters.
  • Pets – Players will choose a pet to accompany them. Pets can level up along with the player, and will help in battle, carry items, and perform a variety of helpful services.
  • Character Classes – Players will create and customize a character and choose an animal companion. Through cosmetic choices, skill path decisions, and the treasures they acquire, each character will be custom-tailored and different.
  • Fishing – Players can take a break from the high-energy pace of adventuring to visit one of the fishing holes and relax and see what they can catch. Fish have interesting benefits for the player and pet, and other rewards can also be discovered
  • Editor – Runic Games is embracing our modding community by providing an editor so our players can create and design their own content.

GREAT JOB MATT AND EVERYONE AT RUNIC GAMES!!!

first 12 min of GB VG

Now this is kinda spoilerific, but I just couldn’t resist. Here’s the first 12 minutes of the new ‘Ghostbusters: Video Game’!If this doesn’t make you want to go out and pick up this game immediately…I don’t know what will. It looks absolutely amazing. It comes out June 19th!

_____________________________________

UPDATE:

The LA Times also did a great piece where they interviewed Dan Aykroyd and talked about the new video game and the upcoming feature film. Check it out!

LINK: Exclusive video: ‘Ghostbusters’ — from Wii to sequel?

Dan Aykroyd has waited two decades for the “Ghostbusters” film franchise to come back from Hollywood’s great beyond and now it’s so close he can feel it in his bones.

“I’m just waiting for that magic phone call,” Aykroyd said with a wistful smile. “One day, the producer calls you and says, ‘We have a production number,’ and that’s the real green light. And it’s coming soon, I hope. . . . We could be in production by winter.”

avatar e3

avatarmoviegame1

The flood of news is starting to pour in from E3. And so far, one of the show stoppers was of course, James Cameron’s video game adaptation of ‘Avatar’. The promises are great, and honestly I’m more than a little bit skeptical. But will this decade long experiment work? Or will it fall short like so many before it. I really don’t know which side of that fence I fall on yet. But you can’t deny that James Cameron is a fierce visionary. Check out the Ubisoft presentation below for more details from the man himself.

A stereoscopic video game?! That’s either going to blow my mind or hurt my eyes like hell. But again, only time will tell. So while we wait, check out the concept art for both the film and game. It looks pretty incredible. Though I still have no idea what the hell the film is about. But it sounds pretty close to his Cameron’s original treatment.

LINK: Summary of the Avatar Scriptment

We begin on planet Earth a hundred years hence, and it’s pretty depressing. The planet’s ecosystem has been so exploited by humankind that it can barely even shelter us any longer. Stripmining, air pollution, and every other form of exploitation and abuse have lead to mankind living in a tired world. “A cross between THX-1138 and a Calcutta train station,” says the scriptment.

avatar-creature

avatarmoviegame2

avatarmoviegame4

ny talks aykroyd

The New York Times catches Dan Akroyd at, of all places, the American Society for Psychical Research. He talks about the new Ghostbusters videogame, GB3, and even some ghost stories from his childhood. It’s a good read, and I really love the picture above. I can’t wait for this game and I’m even more excited for the new film! Let’s just hope that the Eliza Dushku/Alyssa Milano rumors are just that…rumors.

LINK: New Video Game? Who You Gonna Call?

“When we used to talk about the three Ghostbusters we would say that Danny was the heart, Harold was the brain and Murray, of course, was the mouth,” Ivan Reitman, the director of both films, said in a telephone interview. “And in real life I would characterize it the same way. From an invention standpoint Aykroyd has this extraordinarily fertile mind. We used to say he picked up these secret signals from a station in outer space. He creates these very original sets of characters that are a mix of something from the outer limits that are then humanized in a very contemporary American way.”

it’s alive!

Don’t worry everybody, I’m alive. Sorry I’ve been away for so long. It seems recently I’m either stuck late at work, or far far away visiting relatives. But it wouldn’t be the holiday season otherwise right?

Anyways, I’ll be back on my feet soon enough. And when I am, I promise to blog all over the place.

But to tide you over until then, I give you…

‘Ghostbusters: The Video Game’ trailer!

YouTube Preview Image

Ok, back to work. You’ll be hearing from me again soon! So stay tuned peoples…

candy clues

Things have been pretty crazy lately, and my time has been split between building the super secret Halloween costumes and working on some pretty cool projects. But in just 3 more days it’s my favorite holiday, and the recent radio silence will prove it’s worth.

So stay tuned…because something pretty damn strange is coming to your neighborhood.

(*hint *hint)

_______________________________________________

But in the mean time to keep you all busy, some of the very talented artists over in our Speedshape Interactive Department put together a really fun game for Halloween this year called, “Candy Clues“.

And since for some strange reason it’s not sociably acceptable for a 24 year old to go trick or treating no matter how bad-ass his costume is…this is the closest thing to candy I’m gonna get. Without going to Target and buying all the jumbo Hershey bars I can find that is.

Man, I really want some candy now.

Follow the link below to your doooooom!

LINK: Speedshape presents – ‘Candy Clues’

It’s almost Halloween and all of the Candy in Ole Birmingham is gone, and local Candy maker Granny can’t
help because her prized Candy Cows are missing. It’s up to you to save Halloween.

Find Granny’s Candy Cows and figure out who is behind this mysterious mystery. Start by following the Candy Clues.

Jump, Climb, Swing and Bounce your way through 3 creepy and challenging levels to compete for the high score and unlock secret characters.
_______________________________________________

creatalutionism

God I love this game…

YouTube Preview Image

YouTube Preview Image

LINK: SPORE

Now if you look below, this post is categorized in the Visual Effects section. So here’s the question of the day:

Q: How is ‘Spore’ related to world of visual effects?

A: Tippet Studios did the fantastic ‘Spore’ theatrical spots for EA.

Cool huh?

under the hood

In case you’re living under a rock, today ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ was released! Jess and I picked up my copy this morning on our way to work, and it’s burning a hole in my bag! I think we might need to go warm up the Xbox 360 in the client suite, because I don’t think I can wait until after work. Must…be…strong…

Anyways, the CGSociety published a really in-depth article on the making of the game. So I wanted to pass it along your way.

LINK: GTA IV – Under The Hood

And if you’re not a fan (I’m talking to you Trip), and the article above hasn’t made you want to go out and buy it. Then check out the review IGN gave it. 10/10 folks! That rating hasn’t been given to a game in almost a decade.

Check it out…

YouTube Preview Image

Have ya gone out and bought it yet?