Comments on: Feathery Footage: Avatar

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:49:41 +0000

Didn’t really see anything new/interesting in that video. Although perhaps they’re going to show the USP stuff nearer to release.

It’s always hard to make games for films (I work in the games industry)… as developers are really restrained by the license. Apart from X-Wing / Tie-Fighter, that was a good game :-p

By: simon

simon — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:10:05 +0000

What’s with all the comments about how the game looks? Are you really all that shallow? Yes, fair enough, there are expectations on the graphical prowess of modern games (if only to justify to yourselves how much stupid money you spend on your rig) but seriously, thematic and moral issues should be at the forefront of this game/movie tie-in. As Jim mentioned in the intro above, if anyone bothered to read it. Damn right I’ll be playing as the Pandorans. If the graphics are OK.

By: that_noob

that_noob — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:43:54 +0000

This looks like an mmofps, something straight out of a mmorpg but replacing your sword for a gun. Sure it looks cliche for a mmorpg, but that worked, that’s how it got “cliche.” I think that’s a great place to start when experimenting with a new genre. Start with what works, then go from there. I look forward to trying out this game.

By: JonFitt

JonFitt — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:50:28 +0000

It’s nice an colourful, but it looked like a by-the-numbers 3rd person shooter with very little to offer me.
Total meh.

By: Hybrid196

Hybrid196 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:06:42 +0000

The only cool part was when the environment went to blue or nightime or whatever alien thing happened. Other than that… meh, just like the movie.

By: PHeMoX

PHeMoX — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:05:35 +0000

I’m probably alone at this, but I think it looks nothing like Lost Planet 2. This looks much more casual crowd orientated. I did like the style, but it’s starting to look a bit childish in a way.

I agree in that Lost Planet 2 looks a whole lot better though!!! (had to check screenshots to really tell, but still. LP2 looks like a Crysis killer to me.)

By: Cedge

Cedge — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:28:41 +0000

For such a supposedly “game-changing” movie, the tie-in game seems awfully run-of-the-mill.

Oh well. I don’t mind a plain ol’ shooter sometimes, if it’s well done. As excited as I am for the movie, though, this looks like one to skip, most certainly.

By: Tei

Tei — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:37:37 +0000

OH NOES Paypirus font attack again :-)

Nice video. Again… it seems of the console version, with autoaim and boring “boss battles” stuff.

By: A-Scale

A-Scale — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:55:22 +0000

What in the bloody fucking hell is this game/movie ABOUT?!

By: Magnus

Magnus — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:51:58 +0000

All the hype for the film seems out of place… I really can’t see much that’s revolutionary or amazing about it. Ditto the game.

My pounds will be best spent elsewhere.

By: Brass Gerbil

Brass Gerbil — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:15:41 +0000

I’m a human consumerist. I’ll buy it as long as I get to shoot hippies and ecotards.

By: Vandelay

Vandelay — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:06:24 +0000

I do agree with you to some extent about the fact that films can not be as immersive as games. Certainly, when it comes to creating a world and action set pieces, games seem to be the natural place. But, I can’t think of a game that has managed to achieve as much immersion as the best films when it comes to story and characters. For me, I have yet to have a game where I am really emotionally invested in the characters. I’m not sure whether that is necessarily a symptom of the medium (in particular, player agency) or whether game writers just aren’t proficient enough. I sincerely hope it is the later.

And, as Kermode says in the link I gave above, throwing things at you from the screen is not going to make for a more immersive experience. Instead, it will just push you away and be nothing more than a carnival-like experience. Having said that, I am holding my final judgement until Avatar. Like you say, Cameron is a visionary and he has really shook up the action genre twice, with Aliens and T2 (although I think I probably prefer the less action orientated originals in both cases.) Particularly with T2, the impact had a lot to do with his use of technology. But I wonder if maybe we are just too used to these tricks now and that Avatar won’t be anything particularly special. Certainly from the trailers, I’ve seen nothing that revolutionary. But, time will tell and, for that reason, I am much more interested in seeing the results of the film than I am of the game.