We see some new multiplayer vids from Guerrilla’s upcoming shooter. I really like the particle effects, the dust coming off of the surfaces as they are hit by gunfire, and I like the intensity. It looks raw. It looks as if the game will have classes or something, COD4 style. We see Infantry (or something), somebody with the ability to use C4 and explosives, and a sniper at least. It could be interesting, but I really don’t like to judge from these initial beta videos. I mean who really stands in a line across the map like that? It’s just not representative of what the end product will play like.

Trailers and videos were shown for all the games, and IGN gave it’s impressions for all of them:
Final Fantasy 13 IGN Trailer Impression
Final Fantasy 13 Versus IGN Trailer Impression
Final Fantasy 13 Agito IGN Trailer Impression
Final Fantasy Agito 13 1Up Hands On
Final Fantasy Dissidia IGN Hands On
Final Fantasy Advent Children Complete IGN Trailer Impression
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep 1Up Hands On
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days IGN Trailer Impressions
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days IGN Hands On
The Third Birthday IGN Trailer Impressions

and finally, some pictures from the event:
DKΣ3713 Event Pics

I feel a mix of hope and fear towards this new title.  The game has been picked up by developing powerhouse Treyarch and uses the same engine as Call of Duty 4.  I would normally be cheering.  We might finally get a good movie game that isn’t a cheap attempt to ride the coattails of its mother.  Call of Duty 4 was amazing and I’d hope that the effect would carry over.  The first shots of the game seem to be a little disconcerting though.

They do show a lot of the good bits that an action game needs.  It should have a good story as it works off of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.  There is a mix of stealth and gunplay wrapped up in a pretty package.  You will move through pretty environments, use cover, etc.  All the standards are there, but it just doesn’t feel right.

My biggest concern now falls unto two big issues.  The first is that significant portions will force stealth play.  That is never a good thing for me.  Forcing stealth is just a painful way to make you use a feature in the game and it removes a lot of the fun for me.  If I wanted to play Splinter Cell then I would.  Don’t mix shooting and complete stealth!  Pick one and do it well.  They’ll also complicate stealth kills with a quick response minigame.  I love the idea of sneaking around for five minutes only to set off an alarm because I failed to press the right button.

The other annoyance is their decision to switch between the first and third person perspectives.  The idea is sound enough.  You play an FPS for the most part but switch when Bond does something cool.  It’s a decent idea but I feel that the cool factor will rapidly disentigrate as the camera jumps back and forth while I’m trying to focus on the game.

I really hope that these aren’t big issues.  The overall idea is good enough and it does look decent for a game based on a movie.  I just really hope that they take the time to polish these features and make one that actually stands out from the bunch.

I, Tomonobu Itagaki, hereby announce that on the 14th of May 2008 I filed a complaint in the Tokyo District Court against Tecmo Co., Ltd. for unpaid completion bonuses, and against the President of Tecmo, Yoshimi Yasuda, for such unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements made towards me, claiming damages in total of 148 million yen. I also announce that this complaint was delivered to the defendants on May 22nd of the same year.

In addition, I hereby announce that I have today submitted a letter of resignation to Tecmo Co., Ltd. stating that I will resign as of the 1st of July, 2008.

Before the start of development on DEAD OR ALIVE 4, Tecmo Co., Ltd. had agreed to pay a completion bonus to me for this Xbox 360 title, which I produced. However, when the time came for the actual payment, Tecmo Co., Ltd. went against its previous agreement and refused payment. President Yoshimi Yasuda chose not only to violate this agreement, but also turned defiant, telling me “if you are dissatisfied with the decision not to pay the bonuses, either quit the company or sue it.” In addition, he made demeaning remarks about me to my subordinates and colleagues, causing me significant emotional distress and worsening my personal relationships and work environment. Thus, I have no choice but to resign from Tecmo Co., Ltd.

The conduct of Tecmo Co., Ltd. and its president Yoshimi Yasuda towards me has been unbefitting of a publicly-listed company.

I have filed this lawsuit with a strong intent to question the social responsibility of Tecmo Co., Ltd. and its President Yoshimi Yasuda, as well as condemning them for their unjust acts. Today, in addition to announcing the reasons for this lawsuit, I make clear my reasons for resigning.

To All Game Fans

I truly feel sorry to all the fans of the games I have made. NINJA GAIDEN 2, which will launch on the 3rd of June will be the last NINJA GAIDEN I will create. I will also never be able to make DEAD OR ALIVE 5. I regret the circumstances that have forced me to leave Tecmo, where I had worked for so many years, and I regret the disappointment this will cause my fans.

However, I can no longer continue to work with President Yoshimi Yasuda, a man who chooses not to honor promises even when he is able to do so.

I truly hope that nothing like this happens again in the future.

Tecmo Co., Ltd. Creative Officer

Leader, Team NINJA

Tomonobu Itagaki

It’s a shame to see that he will no longer be able to continue his work on the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series due to his departure in July, but we here at VGN offer our best wishes in his future business ventures.

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