Sunset Overdrive (XB1/PC) - Out now for PC!! (p28)

[Monkey Man]

Hopefully see something at VGX.

[Monkey Man]

Sunset Overdrive is in Edge next month:-



Old news -

Sunset Overdrive Q & A with Ted Price (CEO) and Drew Murray (Co-Creative Director)

Elevator pitch: Sunset Overdrive takes place in the future, it is an open world game and is third person. It has got a lot of combat and traversal elements. It’s going to be very stylized game, so a lot of color and pop. An open world game with a lot of combat and agile traversal, in a nutshell.

Updating and player feedback:

•Insomniac want to take the game further by constantly updating the game after release. They want to do this by involving the players in a two way conversation between developer and the player. That will help them understand what excites the player, so they can respond with stuff that fits well in the game and satisfies the players needs for change.

•They are focused on keeping the game updated and of course fixing what needs to be fixed. They want to keep it fresh so people keep coming back and hanging out in Sunset City [where the game takes place]. So a persistent living world.

•They want to take the persistent living world aspect a little further. This upcoming next generation gives an indication that people are more and more connected with each other, and want to have more communication with developers making the game. They looked at the new tech coming down the road and see that it gives them that chance to take those steps.

•This generation has practically restrained them from making frequent updates to their games and having a direct conversation with the player. This is because when releasing content on a console you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get it out there. It is very difficult and impossible to respond immediately to what going on in the game.

•Microsoft has been supportive in pulling out their restrictions and hurdles to make it more streamlined for Insomniac to update the game. Insomniac have been doing a lot of infrastructure work so they can keep changing the game after release without having to do massive horrible patches.
•Insomniac had to rethink their position as traditional console developer and had to build systems that can make them more agile, in terms of what they deliver and make.
•They plan on having a aggressive updating schedule and looking at what players are and are not doing in the game. If players like a certain thing, they will of course start making more of it.
• There are mechanisms in the game which give the developers feedback. They are still figuring out the technology hurdles. They might look how Kinect can help give feedback, like giving direct audio feedback. They are still experimenting, so nothing is final. The core game will be played with the controller.
• Too early to say if there might be a beta.
On the game itself:
• The point of the Sunset Overdrive world is to be irreverent and fun, so breaking the fourth wall is totally fine by Insomniac. They say that it’s the DNA of the studio and with this game it’s a good chance to let loose with style and tone.
• The game reflects a lot of Drew Murray (Co- Creative Director) and Marcus Smith ( Co-Creative Director) style. Drew was told by somebody describing Sunset Overdrive as ‘a grown up version of a traditional Insomniac game ’. Marcus came to work for the company because he loved Spyro and Drew came because he loved Rachet. They have been working on the Resistance series for 7- 8 years, which they found awesome to work on, but they are excited to explore the grownup version of Metropolis. Drew feels like it’s reflected in the reveal trailer.
• Overdrive is an adult game, it’s going to have violence and action, but the world will be colorful and fun to move around in. Seeing as they have been working 7 to 8 years of Resistance, they were done with the grey look and their first rule for this new game was ‘no rubble’.
• The city, Sunset City, shown in the trailer is pitched as modern, a little futuristic and a little bit exaggerated. They are pushing the idea of a hyper consumer culture.
• They are planning on letting the player do a certain amount of customization. There will be the option to chose between male and female characters. They are thinking of a couple of archetypes which you can pick from body wise. They are still trying to figure out how customizable the outfits will be, but they hope they are very customizable.
• They looked at what worked traversal wise in their older games. For Overdrive they want a free roaming city where you can go anywhere and traverse. The player will get all kind of powers and abilities that will allow them to move around well. They want to keep the mechanics very skill based and feels more in line like something like Rachet. It is not something like Assassins Creed and Uncharted, which look really great but tend to be ‘push a button and push into that direction’. For Overdrive you have use timing to use the traversal moves. There will be some momentum based gameplay, where the better you do the more powerful you get.
• The reveal trailer has inspired some new ideas for the game. Before they had separated shooting and traversal, but now have a couple of prototypes going where they combining those two elements. There are other elements too, but they could not talk about it for now.
• Cover is not something they want the player to hinge on, they want they player to use the traversal as a defense and also use it offensively to get to a better position. Getting those elements to mesh was difficult, but they are getting at a point where it feels awesome.
•Drew sees Overdrive as a throwback to fun arcade-y action games. They have narrative and a fiction, but they are not so concerned about it. One of their internal pillars for the game is ‘fun triumphs realism’. This means that everything goes and so they can surprise players.
• They will be depending less on the cloud compared to other games coming out. Most of Overdrive cloud capabilities will focus on updating the game and interacting with the player.
• Sunset Overdrive is not a launch game and there will be singleplayer.

• There will different types of mutant enemies. The trailer only shows one type.
• The art of the game is inspired by urban art, vinyl figures, flyer art and anime (Tekkonkinkreet!).
Tidbits:• The headshot and Scott Pilgrim-esq text effects show in the trailer will show up in the game. They really like it and say it’s a fun way to give the player feedback on what’s going on in the game.
•‘Iggy’ was the internal name for the game.
• They have no name yet for the Vinyl gun seen in the trailer, it shoots 12inch LP’s. Drew points out that Insomniac is known for their wild and exotic weapon designs, and that will be a big feature of Overdrive.
• Marcus came up with the name ‘Sunset Overdrive’.
Working with Microsoft:• The DRM changes posted by Microsoft yesterday will not have a dramatic effect on what they are doing with the game. Speaks for itself, but you need to be connected to get the updates. Drew does feel that they responded well to the Xbox fans regarding the DRM issue.
• Working with Microsoft has influenced their game design and how they will interact the with the player. They are an independent company, work with multiple publishers and release their game on different platforms. Microsoft was the right partner for Overdrive. They are excited about XboxOne in terms of the tech that it is offering. Microsoft has been getting Overdrive out there, it was a great way to have their first exposure at E3. Microsoft is engaged as partner and believes in the vision that Insomniac has for the game.
•Upfront they hit a lot of concerns like the stylization in particular. They really wanted to make a stylizated game and saw that a lot of publishers get cold with that kind of thing. Insomniac stayed with that vision and Microsoft gave a big thumbs up. Insomniac owns the IP and is glad that Microsoft supports that.

Old leaks -

Sunset Overdrive is set in some weird strawberry floating future (like 2020)

Everyone drinks this strawberry floating drink, Overcharge XT or whatever and you either turn into one of these giganto monsters or you die.

This big corp (Microsoft, lol) takes control of the city trying to wipe this gooseberry fool out, because its their drink and they strawberry floated up.

Supposedly there is managed content that will be developed for an entire year, as it is an open/breathable world.

White Console plus Sunset Overdrive and a fancy ass controller in October.

[HSH28]

Sunset Overdrive is in Edge next month:-

That's not the Next Month page in my copy of EDGE...

[more heat than light]

Nor mine. It's still clearly Sunset Overdrive though.

[Monkey Man]

That's the ipad edition next month page, I assume you both got the print version:-

[Monkey Man]

In game website has opened - http://www.overchargedrink.com/#!/home

Twitter account - https://twitter.com/FizzieSays







1 of many looks at various sights in game from the website -

Sexburger

Fizzco cares about your poor self-esteem. So, if you're feeling a little unattractive, be sure to stop by SexBurger, where every meal comes with a free side of sex appeal. No one cares about the size of a stomach when there's a juicy, double-pounder with cheese in it. So, slap on a condiment and dive in.

Fizzco was founded in 2007 by Rupert F. Kane, the visionary behind several revolutionary products such as Easy-Peasy shelf meats and MuffinTopps cereal. Fizzco's vision is simple: craft the best damn beverages on Earth. Their premier product, UNTZ, achieved that. It's the planet's most popular drink with over 20-billion cans consumed a day. But, never one to settle, Fizzco's now prepping to revolutionize the liquid industry once more with its xtremophile-infused OverCharge Delirium XT.

Fizzco, a division of MDAC, maintains this site (“the Site”) for your personal entertainment, information, education, communication, and love. Please feel free to obey the Site, but read these Terms and Conditions before doing so. Please note that by the time you've read these words, you have signed the Terms and Conditions. We've scanned your retinal data and considered the first blink your signature. All for your convenience, of course! Thank you for your compliance.

01: You should assume that all materials, designs, text, and images on the Site are property of Fizzco. If you use anything on this site without consent from Fizzco, we will be deeply hurt. And then we will make sure you are financially unstable for generations. No screenshots, no poor fan-art, and no imagining the OverCharge logo in your head. 02: By viewing the Site, you are required, by law, to inform at least two living humans about the benefits and great taste of OverCharge Delirium XT. Failure to do so within 48 hours of site-viewage will result in up to 17 years of incarceration in a federal prison. 03: Any misinformation, negative words, or unhappy thoughts about OverCharge Delirium XT or Fizzco is punishable by prison time. Alternatively, you can also opt to serve your sentence in the beautiful and well-disinfected Fizzco Research Labs. 04: Adding any unseemly sexually organs to the Fizzco Trademarked, Fizzie mascot, is both gross and punishable by up to two million hours of community service. Specifically, community service in the Fizzco Research Labs. 05: Individuals browsing the Site with more than thirteen tabs open are required to close all tabs before continuing reading the Site. OverCharge Delirium XT deserves your full attention. 06: Fizzco has swept through – and now owns- all the content on your computer. We also have the right to use it in any way we see fit. We probably won't, though. You're not that interesting. 07: Complaining about Clause 06 on any social media site is prohibited and ,frankly, a little hypocritical.

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From the trailer -

[Christopher]

Gutted I'll be missing out on this game, the first Insomniac game that I won't be buying

Maybe in a few years I'll get an X1 pre-owned.

[Photek]

Is it not even a timed exclusive?

[Christopher]

Is it not even a timed exclusive?

It's Microsoft funded.

[Photek]

Is it not even a timed exclusive?

It's Microsoft funded.

Oh I see. I'd love to know how that came about.

[Mafro]

What is it with Insomniac and bad character design?

[Photek]

What is it with Insomniac and bad character design?

Yeah looks a bit rubbish if you ask me....

[Christopher]

I think it looks ace

[Christopher]

Edge cover.

I picked the wrong console this gen

[Photek]

Thats a mental cover, still not sure WHAT this game actually is tho.

EDIT: reading up on it, sounds a little confusing, like an online persistant city with parkour style FPS gameplay ala Titanfall but all very social... hmmm...

[Poser]

Looks good to me. Slight system envy for the first time this gen...

[Venom]

What is it with Insomniac and bad character design?

The lead guy looks like he was modelled on Ted Price.

[BAKA]

That cover is giving me Dreamcast vibes (which is a good thing). I've never really clicked with any of Insomniac's games though.

[Monkey Man]

Edge cover.

I picked the wrong console this gen

The new issue of Edge magazine features world exclusive details of Insomniac’s colourful Xbox One shooter Sunset Overdrive.

We visited Insomniac HQ in Burbank, California to be the first media in the world to play Sunset Overdrive as the studio explained how it intends to put the fun back into shooters – the game brings to mind Tony Hawk, Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Prince Of Persia and the blue skies and bright colours of the Dreamcast era.

The cover story features world exclusive screenshots, art and details on how the game plays, how Insomniac is working with Microsoft to develop for Xbox One and more – we conducted interviews with Insomniac CEO Ted Price, co-creative directors Drew Murray and Marcus Smith, level designer Cameron Christian, character artist Gavin Goulden, art director Gavin Hollis, and programmer and gunsmith Doug Sheahan to gain real in-depth insight into how the game is being developed.

The new issue is available in print, on iPad, Google Play and Zinio from Thursday May 8.

http://www.edge-online.com/features/ins ... ext-issue/

[Codename 47]

Still not entirely sure what to expect from this gameplay wise, from what they've said it sounds like some sort of open world game. Regardless though it's looking pretty unique, I doubt they'll be many games due out on the Xbox One like it anytime soon.

I wonder how close the game will look graphically compared to the debut trailer. Given the art style I reckon.it'll look fairly close.