Published May 06, 2009 05:25 pm - Real news from the virtual world:
‘Sly Cooper’ developer gets gritty with ‘inFamous’ GAMES
By LOU KESTEN Associated Press
Real news from the virtual world:
n PUNCH-DRUNK: A short list of the great characters on the PlayStation 2 would have to include Sly Cooper, the charming raccoon and fearless thief who starred in three delightful adventures. So what’s Sly creator, Sucker Punch Productions, doing now that it’s perfected the funny-animal genre?
How about a violent superhero tale set in a post-apocalyptic urban wasteland?
“We really enjoyed the gritty comic books of the past 20 years, like ‘The Dark Knight,”’ says Sucker Punch co-founder Bruce Oberg. “And we knew when we were moving to a new platform (the PlayStation 3) that we wanted to try something different, more PG-13.”
“inFamous,” due later this month, is the origin story of Cole, a bike messenger who survives a massive explosion and discovers he’s been granted the power to control electricity. “We locked onto electricity early on,” says Oberg, “because it’s cool visually and gives you some cool powers.”
The game certainly has a distinctive look, blending a realistic city with comic-book-style cut scenes. “It’s not a reaction to someone else’s game,” Oberg says. “We started off with pages of ideas of things that would be fun — shooting, exploration, climbing — from a broad spectrum of people.”
Cole’s ability to climb any building in the blasted Empire City really sets “inFamous” apart; I felt a bit of vertigo after scaling one skyscraper.
The real goal is to answer the question: What if you were a regular person who got superpowers. “The first thing you’re not gonna do is buy some tights,” Oberg says.
p
n SUNK BY SCANDAL: “Six Days in Fallujah,” the video game based on one of the fiercest battles of the ongoing Iraq war, drew a lot of heat when Konami announced it last month. Too much heat, it turns out, for the Japanese publisher, which has decided to pull the plug on the game.
“After seeing the reaction ... and hearing opinions sent through phone calls and e-mail, we decided several days ago not to sell it,” a Konami spokesman told the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun.
Peter Tamte, president of “Fallujah” developer Atomic Games, said he was surprised by Konami’s decision. “Development of the game had been progressing very well and on schedule,” he said. “We would very much like the opportunity to complete the game.”
p
n FAITH CARDS: “Fallujah” isn’t the only game stirring up trouble. Italian developer Molleindustria pulled its Flash game “Faith Fighter,” in which religious figures like Jesus, Buddha and Muhammad duke it out, off the Internet after an Islamic group called it “incendiary.”
But the developer quickly returned with a cheeky sequel in which you have to “give love” to all the icons; failure to respect any of the religions leads to Armageddon.
Cemetery Lots 2-lots Garden of Christus, Greenlawn. $400/both. 440-391-3795...>MORE
MACHINERY & TOOLS SAFES- Large & small, Forklifts, extra forks, Pallet Jacks, air compressors, (1-20HP), complete torch sets, welding gass...>MORE
CARPET & MATTRESS SALE Carpet with pad installation $12.77 yd. FACTORY DIRECT Mattress sets $100 & up. BARTER HOUSE (440)964-7770...>MORE
"WE NEED LAND!" Paying top prices for farms or acreage in OH, W. Virginia and PA. Call Bruner Land Co. at (740) 685-8138....>MORE
Hayward pump (1-1/2 hp) & D.E. Filter for swimming pool, misc. pool access. $300 obo. 576-1585...>MORE
SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE Mixed Hardwoods. Cut & split approx 16” $225.00 cord (+) or Slab wood, cut $150.00 cord(+). Delivered within 15 miles of...>MORE
BUYING JUNK VEHICLES WE PAY SCRAP OR BETTER Budget Auto Parts, 6015 Woodman Ave. 992-1111...>MORE
Unfurnished Apartments Two bdrm 1st flr apt. $525/mo incl ALL UTILITIES, quiet park setting - NO DOGS. 440-466-7885....>MORE
PLEASANT VIEW ESTATES, CONNEAUT 1BR suite Maple Ave, Conn, nicely decor, priv patio, quiet area near hospital, on site laundry, spacious parking, stove/...>MORE
Geneva on the Lake Apartment GOTL near to Twp Park 1 & 2 BR, util. pd, sec. no pets. (440)466-3332...>MORE
Apartment for Rent Avail Again! After 22 years. 2 room effic. $300+elect. & refs. Call 440-964-3483...>MORE
House for Rent Andover Andover; Newer 3BR colonial, 2-1/2BA, free gas heat, $1000+dep. 440-344-0741...>MORE
Ashtabula Apartments 1-2- beds/1bath-Fridge & Stove Tenant pays Elect. - Main Ave./ West 50th $350-$450 (440)994-9185 ...>MORE
Apartment for Rent 1BR duplex Ashtabula $350/mo (440)417-3616...>MORE
2BR Townhouse All appl., Buckeye, all electric $550+sec. 440-221-4865...>MORE