voyage to mars

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Just a heads up: The GameSpot video interview has been posted, along with the first ever footage from Dreamfall. Also, check out their preview of the game, but watch out for spoilers - there be plenty. (The same goes for the IGN preview. If you want to stay spoiler free, don't read anything from now until the day the game is released!) I haven't watched the interview (I can't watch myself speaking, it's very painful), nor the in-game footage (crappy broadband connection), but I have to admit that I am very torn about showing anything from the game at this point, especially when I'm unable to control the way it's used. Things are still very much under construction, and the visuals will continue to improve until the day we go gold. We hope to be able to release a video before too long, and that will probably be much more representative of how the game will look, play, and sound. For the time being, however, consider it a rough sneak peek at the world of Dreamfall. I hope you all like what you see. It's always frightening to toss our babies - warts and all - into the public arena. ¶ 09:03

Comments:

these are the greatest news I have heard in a while in the tiny movies are just extraordinary. Keep up the good work and perhaps you'll receive even more prizes then you did with TLJ.
By the way, why hasn't the Dreamfall Site been updated in such a long time?

# posted by Christian : 10:19 AM

I just watched the videos (except the interview), and I must say that I am impressed. In the first video with the airship and all that I just loved how the city, even in the small part we saw seemed so .. cityish :D It's a problem for many games that it just seems that you are on a small stage, but this looked so vast. :)

# posted by Anonymous : 12:25 PM

Finally getting to see it in motion! Beautiful, I love what it's shaping up to be.

Just a tiny suggestion, though. It's probably just an unfinished animation, but when that guy puts the explosive on the door, wouldn't it feel more natural if the woman trapped inside backed out a little as well?

# posted by insane_cobra : 2:19 PM

^^Like Ragnar said the footage shown isn't 100% complete and polished so they will be making tweaks to the animations.

It's good to finally see some game play. From what we have been shown, I think it looks great. I love the contrast between the buildings of Casablanca and the sky scrapers in the city. I wouldn't be worried, I think everyone is impressed with what we have been shown.

-Dave

# posted by Anonymous : 5:23 PM

Fret not, Mr. Tornquist! The interview and videos only served to make me all the more eager for Dreamfall to finally arrive. Still, I'm pleased that you have reservations because it means you're being particularly protective of your baby -- which is something that people tend to do only when they have a very precise vision of what they want to accomplish. It looks fantastic!

# posted by Anonymous : 8:42 PM

I watched the interview with the little videos interspliced and I am very excited with the way the game is shaping up. The animation even at this stage is great and I love the detail in the backgrounds, like being able to see the tall buildings in the distance. It does seem very thriller-y, which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.
I think the site (Gamespot) has done a good job with the video clips you've given them. However, not being a huge fan of spoilers I'll probably avoid any articles that give away any more than this one, story-wise.

# posted by RenegadeNZ : 9:00 PM

Oh My God! how good was that! how really good was that! i can't wait till zoe is punching the crap outta that secretary, running around casablanca and saving the dental assistant in the sound proof booth!
Every thing looks great.

# posted by Anonymous : 9:26 PM

Ooo!! The game looks really great.
But I have noticed in few details, and I undertand too that the game it is not finished.
- Missing of speed variation on walking animation.
- The animation on stairs. Zoe sinks under ground.
- When the camera is following Zoe, sometimes she loses in the view.
...

But in general is stuning. The ilumination, the design... and MUSIC, really cool, orchestral, very Stargate style.

# posted by Aritz : 11:36 PM

Hey Ragnar. I know you read the replies after your post so I decided to give ya couple of suggestions. You probably thought of them already but just to make sure, since Dreamfall is currently n1 on my list, in front of FFXII.

SOME SPOILERS, DONT READ !!

Can you add a darker contour on zoe's short pants and shirt, so they dont look painted, and look like a separate object? Normal map would be too time consuming, I was thinking a little bit of shadow under the shirt etc.

I am totally against the lifebars. It just feels too much like a fighting game. What I suggest is, instead of life bars, do it like the Getaway. Make the character look tired if hes little bit beat up, make him bruised/bleeding if hes about to fall down, etc. Im sure you get the idea :)

I really hope all of the characters have a big wardrobe!

I really like the black outline under Zoe's eyes..its so stylish...its kinda funny but that right there sells the game for me :) Oh and April has it too? OOOOH!!!

Anyway I cant wait for E3! Keep up the good work :)

# posted by heijin : 11:53 PM

Looks really nice so far! I do have to agree with anonymous above that the health bar could be done more subtlely. The focus field beam (the vertical flashlight thing) also irks me a bit because it's so more much more obvious than Grim Fandango. I'm also puzzled why there's a beam in the sidestreet clip but just sparkling everywhere else.

# posted by Anonymous : 1:12 AM

Don't be reluctant to show the work in progress to the public. In fact, a few people here have given you quite a bit of good advice. I suggest that your team uses this opportunity to gather some tips/hints from the public.

You might think, "Pfft, they're just amateurs; fans who've got little clue about the inside workings of the product."
To this, I'd say quite the contrary. Time and time again, fans have shown to have a lot of deep insight into their favorite games. Many designers have gained great ideas from forums and e-mails on ways to improve their products.

You say that Dreamfall is still very much a work in progress. Seeing as how the release date is scheduled for the Fall, there is much improvement to be made in little time. While your team has done a fantastic job with the game, many aspects (the ingame models for example) need a lot of improvement.

Sorry for posting it all here, but since I found no way to contact your team as a whole, these were my only means.

Reguards and best of luck!

# posted by BlueSpawn : 4:33 AM

Actually, I think the team has made the right decision considering health bars. I'd rather have a cler indication of how much health/stamina I have left than having to guess by looking at characters. Too much realism could ruin the fighting sequences altogether. Anyone remember Bioforge?

# posted by insane_cobra : 9:46 AM

I watched all of the videos, including the interview. It all looks great! I'm even more excited about the game now. Keep up the great work! And thank you for showing us all an "unfinished" work. I know how nerve-wracking that can be. You can see where you are going, but you are never sure if others can, or if they trust that you can get it there. The Dreamfall team is on the right track, in my opinion. Thank you again! And I can't wait to play the game!

# posted by Jeanette Sanders : 8:53 PM

The guys that do stargate called, they want their theme tune back.

# posted by Anonymous : 12:03 AM

Now, I'm sure that the faux Stargate theme was just temp music.

# posted by Anonymous : 7:38 PM

I just posted an item on the previews etc. over on our news site Bitsofnews.com. Doing my little bit to get the good word out ;)

# posted by Alexander G. Rubio : 7:19 PM