Hellgate: London Announced [Apr 26, 2005, 8:23 pm ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
Though already unveiled (story) Flagship Studios now officially
announces Hellgate: London, the debut title from this group of Blizzard
Entertainment expatriates. The announcement includes the first details and
screenshots from the project, as well as news that
the teaser website is now open.
Here's word:
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 27, 2005) – Leading games publisher and developer Namco Hometek Inc. today announced HELLGATE: LONDON, the first original PC title from premier developer Flagship Studios. HELLGATE: LONDON is a role-playing game set in the immersive first-person perspective. With a completely randomised world that offers a unique experience every time you play, HELLGATE: LONDON introduces a demon-ridden world where the last survivors of the human race must meld science and magic to survive.
"HELLGATE: LONDON is an incredibly ambitious title that will break the mold of conventional role-playing games," said Nobuhiro Kasahara, President and CEO of Namco Hometek, Inc. "With Flagship Studios' unprecedented experience, we are confident that HELLGATE: LONDON will be one of the most anticipated PC games ever."
"With our first game, we intend to create something unique in the world of RPGs," said Bill Roper, CEO and co-founder of Flagship Studios. "By focusing our expertise and creative energy onto this one title, we are crafting a compelling world that combines massive amounts of randomization and
customisation to offer infinite replayability."
Set twenty-five years in the future, HELLGATE: LONDON introduces a world devastated by a demon invasion and a desolate city scorched by hellfire where mankind has gone underground to survive. Among them are the Templar, an archaic and secret society that foresaw this demonic apocalypse centuries ago. Followers of arcane rites, the Templar combine futuristic technology with ancient artifacts to forge powerful weapons and armor. The mystic sanctuary of the Underground system provides players safe conduct throughout the sprawling metropolis of London as they seek to preserve the bloodline of man and gain a foothold against the minions of darkness.
HELLGATE: LONDON combines the depth of role-playing games and action of first-person titles, while offering infinite playability with randomly created levels, items, and events. The player creates a heroic character, completes quests, and battles through innumerable hordes of demons to advance through experience levels and branching skill paths. A robust, flexible skill and spell system, highly customizable appearances, and a massive variety of randomly generated equipment allow players to create their own unique hero. For more information about the game log onto www.hellgatelondon.com
Diablo-esque FPS? Good enough for me.
Prez, I'd certainly trust this a thousand times more than Diablo 3, if only because this is the true heir.
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Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
Ya know, this just feels a little wrong. I mean, I remember how I felt when I heard some guys at Bethesda who would be developing the next 'Fallout' game (last I heard, anyway) say "Fallout is about a lot more than just the angle you view it at...". True, I guess, but the isometric perspective lent itself perfectly to the game universe. So much so, in fact, that changing it almost seems like sacriliege. In other words, will it still be Fallout? Conversely, can you really make a "Diablo-style" game in first person? It is Blizzard, though, so anything is possible.
This comment was edited on Apr 28, 00:52.
This comment was edited on Apr 28, 00:52.
"We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far."
"Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality."
"Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality."
The beauty of the Diablo games was they were compulsively addictive and playable. It's going to be a huge challenge to translate any of that gameplay to first person 3D. I hope their game design team, their publisher, and their management have the balls to stick it out until they get it right.
I don't really understand the point of doing this publicity when they are at least a year away from release. Are they scratching for more funding?
Funny, looks like whoever did their concept art is a huge Steve Bissette fan.
I don't really understand the point of doing this publicity when they are at least a year away from release. Are they scratching for more funding?
Funny, looks like whoever did their concept art is a huge Steve Bissette fan.
Besides, this is Bluesnews. What did you expect, rampant optimism? 
Creston
Creston
new game announced and watch all the game experts at home judge by a few pictures as if they have been sitting right along side development the whole time.
We're critiquing the concept, goals and ideas based on the PR and preview.
If that's not valid in your eyes, well, that's a bit sad.
We're critiquing the concept, goals and ideas based on the PR and preview.
If that's not valid in your eyes, well, that's a bit sad.
-------------
Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
yey.
new game announced and watch all the game experts at home judge by a few pictures as if they have been sitting right along side development the whole time.
*yawn*
---------------------------------------------------
"im not supposed to be here, im not supposed to be"
new game announced and watch all the game experts at home judge by a few pictures as if they have been sitting right along side development the whole time.
*yawn*
---------------------------------------------------
"im not supposed to be here, im not supposed to be"
Oh boy DOOM 4!
This will rock!
How retarded
This will rock!
How retarded
Argh! It looks dreadful. </unconstructive comment>
Art design is much more important than level design in a game like Diablo. The action was so simple that level design would have made no difference, so long as it looks the same.
Random levels only helped it (immensely) by giving it enormous replay value. You had an idea what was around the next corner, but you were never certain, and had to explore everywhere to find those chests. If it wasn't random, you'd always beeline the same place.
It's like X-COM or Civilization. Would level design have helped them more than random levels? Not at all.
And what are your feelings on randomly placed enemies? Jagged Alliance 2 had predesigned levels, and it hurt the game's replayability a bit, but it compensated by completely randomizing where the enemies would be, right down to whether or not a map would have any.
Some games benefit much more from randomness than true design.
This comment was edited on Apr 27, 10:08.
Random levels only helped it (immensely) by giving it enormous replay value. You had an idea what was around the next corner, but you were never certain, and had to explore everywhere to find those chests. If it wasn't random, you'd always beeline the same place.
It's like X-COM or Civilization. Would level design have helped them more than random levels? Not at all.
And what are your feelings on randomly placed enemies? Jagged Alliance 2 had predesigned levels, and it hurt the game's replayability a bit, but it compensated by completely randomizing where the enemies would be, right down to whether or not a map would have any.
Some games benefit much more from randomness than true design.
This comment was edited on Apr 27, 10:08.
-------------
Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
I don't think this game is going to require well thought out levels. If it's anything like Diablo, the environments simply serve as a stage for killing lots of enemies, leveling up, collecting items, and allowing for a great deal of exploration.
One of the many reasons why I absolutely deplore the Diablo games. I believe that level design is important in any genre and any game that uses randomly-generated levels simply doesn't entertain me.
One of the many reasons why I absolutely deplore the Diablo games. I believe that level design is important in any genre and any game that uses randomly-generated levels simply doesn't entertain me.
Deus Ex's AI was so painfully bad... and the enemy moved so slow.. it seemed clear that they were trying to appeal to the RPG gamers who were not quick with the mouse.
Guess it depends on how you play. I usually opt for the stealthy approach, as the straightforward approach is usually too easy. The weapons I used most were the baton, the stun prod, the mini-crossbow and the dragon sword. Combat AI isn't much of an issue when you kill your enemies before they know you are there. Their awareness AI wasn't too bad either. You could use sounds to lure them, which came in handy.
As for your labeling system, I think you mean to say that you want a true RPG Action game. An action RPG is an RPG with action elements (Bloodlines), whereas an RPG Action game is an action game with RPG elements (Deus Ex). Unfortunately, I don't think a true balance between action and RPG will ever be possible, since stats play such a fundamental role in RPGs. If you make the action too skill-based, then stats will be irrelevant. I thought that Deus Ex made a nice compromise by having stats affect how long it takes your reticules to focus.
Guess it depends on how you play. I usually opt for the stealthy approach, as the straightforward approach is usually too easy. The weapons I used most were the baton, the stun prod, the mini-crossbow and the dragon sword. Combat AI isn't much of an issue when you kill your enemies before they know you are there. Their awareness AI wasn't too bad either. You could use sounds to lure them, which came in handy.
As for your labeling system, I think you mean to say that you want a true RPG Action game. An action RPG is an RPG with action elements (Bloodlines), whereas an RPG Action game is an action game with RPG elements (Deus Ex). Unfortunately, I don't think a true balance between action and RPG will ever be possible, since stats play such a fundamental role in RPGs. If you make the action too skill-based, then stats will be irrelevant. I thought that Deus Ex made a nice compromise by having stats affect how long it takes your reticules to focus.
Hi all!
I have found over 80 screenshots & design graphics from Japan gaming Site!
here is the link:-
http://www.4gamer.net/shots/hellgate_london/shot01.shtml
you rock my friend
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"Sometimes I dream about....cheese. Here, have a medkit"
- Half Life 2 NPC
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"Both the “left” and the “right” pretend they have the answer, but they are mere flippers on the same thalidomide baby, and the truth is that neither side has a clue."
- Jim Goad
The issue is whether or not any of those games were action RPGs, not if they were good or not. I don't think any of them were action RPGs. Very, very big on the RPG, short on the action. Deus Ex's AI was so painfully bad... and the enemy moved so slow.. it seemed clear that they were trying to appeal to the RPG gamers who were not quick with the mouse. 
Adventures of a video game mercenary
http://virtualmerc.blogspot.com
http://virtualmerc.blogspot.com
Hi all!
I have found over 80 screenshots & design graphics from Japan gaming Site!
here is the link:-
http://www.4gamer.net/shots/hellgate_london/shot01.shtml
I have found over 80 screenshots & design graphics from Japan gaming Site!
here is the link:-
http://www.4gamer.net/shots/hellgate_london/shot01.shtml
So long as they use the tried-and-true Blizz developing rules (first make the game fun, then do everything, and keep working on it until it shines) it should be good.
It does sounds...wierd.....though.
Daggerfall tried randomized dungeons and I think the results in Morrowind with designed dungeons worked much better. A randomized, co-op, third-person action RPG with fighting like a beat'em up game on the consoles might be really fun.
It does sounds...wierd.....though.
Daggerfall tried randomized dungeons and I think the results in Morrowind with designed dungeons worked much better. A randomized, co-op, third-person action RPG with fighting like a beat'em up game on the consoles might be really fun.
I was expecting to see a beefed up diablo and what I see is this... unexpected to say the least.
I just don't know how well this game will come off in a first person perspective.
And about the random levels, the biggest problem I see is that they will be tile based, ala Neverwinter Nights. Meaning they are all going to look the same with maybe the exception of a 'room' where a boss is or something to that affect. Also it will be interesting to see how the AI holds up as well with it.
And about the random levels, the biggest problem I see is that they will be tile based, ala Neverwinter Nights. Meaning they are all going to look the same with maybe the exception of a 'room' where a boss is or something to that affect. Also it will be interesting to see how the AI holds up as well with it.
The press labeled Deus Ex an RPG from an FPS view, and I think it's a very valid label. Like Morrowind, Deus Ex can't be seen as an action game.. as the action was very umm... not good.
I thought the action in Deus Ex was fantastic, myself. It wasn't as run-and-gun frantic as games in the Doom or Quake series, but I really enjoyed the combat.
Deus Ex, Morrowind, Vampire Bloodlines.. Arx Fatalis, System Shock 2, and Ultima Underworld were all RPGs with an FPS view.
Yes, and some of the best RPGs ever created are on that list. Deus Ex and System Shock 2 are absolute classics, and I enjoyed Arx Fatalis as well, although not quite as much.
As for this HELLGATE:LONDON announcement... UGH... I'm seeing more and more why PC gaming is declining.
If the levels are indeed randomized, then I think it's safe to assume that the level design in the game will suck. It is irrelevant if the randomization occurs only once. Random levels = no planning, no forethought. Just a bunch of random segments thrown together.
I don't think this game is going to require well thought out levels. If it's anything like Diablo, the environments simply serve as a stage for killing lots of enemies, leveling up, collecting items, and allowing for a great deal of exploration.
I doubt something like pacing is going to be a huge factor in this game. It'll probably just be constant action, collecting, and plundering.
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- Erratic
This comment was edited on Apr 26, 23:55.
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