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[MatrixMan.EXE]

Guessing this will still be 30fps.

Probably though I would find it ridiculous seeing as Dragon Age: Inquisition, a much more open game (massive in fact) with better graphics can run at 1080p 30fps on PS4.

1080p60fps Dark Souls 2 on PS4 could be Bamco's hook too and give PS4 owners even more incentive to pick it up despite the fact they'll already be busy with Bloodborne.

 

[JackelZXA]

how are they getting screwed? They got the dlc, played it, finished it long ago

No, they still get all of the new content. They get it on February according to this:
http://darksouls.jp/pc/scholar_of_the_first_sin_specmatrix.html

We'll be getting all of the important content. And then in April the nextgen version releases on 3 platforms, which contains additional enemy/design changes (probably to account for 6 phantoms in one session), better graphics, and the aforementioned 6player mode.

All of the content that is important is coming for free, and according to the chart it comes Feb 5th for us on 360, ps3, and pc. New lore, npc's, world events (such as the dragons in heide, i believe. hopefully freya's ambush in tseldora becomes a regular playthrough event), expanded story....if theres a new ending and endboss then it's going to be in this 1.10 patch.

Unless I'm mistaking something about that chart, which I don't think I am...
1.10 patch is February 5th for all current gen, as well as a boxed rerelease. It contains all the substantial content for the game.

Nextgen is April. That's new graphics, 6 player mode, and adjustments to design and enemies (Which is vague, but could just mean "We're making everything as hard as the challenge areas) I see it as a Lost Levels version of Dark Souls 2, since the new phantoms would completely change the balance of the game, and the new enemy stuff is probably that as well.

 

[danthefan]

Sorry if this is asked and answered, I own the game with no DLC on the PC, do I have to buy this new version outright, do I get a patch to make the game better, is there some upgrade I can pay for to get the DLC?

Edit - so I have to buy the DLC and then it all gets patched up to 1.10? Sounds good.

 

[CyberPunked]

Probably though I would find it ridiculous seeing as Dragon Age: Inquisition, a much more open game (massive in fact) with better graphics can run at 1080p 30fps on PS4.

1080p60fps Dark Souls 2 on PS4 could be Bamco's hook too and give PS4 owners even more incentive to pick it up despite the fact they'll already be busy with Bloodborne.

Even if they un-downgraded the visuals there is no reason that the ps4 wouldn't be able to output 1080@60. At the moment I can play DS2 at 8k @30fps. Like Durante said, a toaster can run DS2 at 60fps.

 

[Easy_D]

Wait. So the paid uograde might not amount to much more than the Dark Souls variant of DMC4s Turbo Mode? :lol

 

[duckroll]

Sorry if this is asked and answered, I own the game with no DLC on the PC, do I have to buy this new version outright, do I get a patch to make the game better, is there some upgrade I can pay for to get the DLC?

Edit - so I have to buy the DLC and then it all gets patched up to 1.10? Sounds good.

If you want the DX11 improvements you will have to buy the new version. Hold off buying any DLC right now.

 

[JackelZXA]

Sorry if this is asked and answered, I own the game with no DLC on the PC, do I have to buy this new version outright, do I get a patch to make the game better, is there some upgrade I can pay for to get the DLC?

You get some stuff for free. You need to buy the DLC's individually to get all 3 crowns, but the new story stuff, events, npc's, and such will all come to current versions of the game, apparently in February. So what you'll have is:
* Base Game with modifications to existing areas and lore
* New NPC's and Events
* Access to the 4 Challenge rooms from the first 3 DLC's
* Memories sequence related to the Lost Crowns
* Anything else added by patch 1.10

What you need the Lost Crowns DLCs for:
* Exploring Shulva, Brume Tower, and Eleum Loyce in FULL.
* Accessing the 3 Lost Crowns and unlocking the Memory related to them
* Any content from patch 1.10 that may be locked behind completion of the Lost Crowns quest (for story reasons)

RUMORED:
It's likely that patch 1.10 may add more areas to the game. We see one in this trailer, but it was also uncovered through datamining that 4 title cards were snuck into the game files with Ivory King that do not show up ingame. They could end up being for new areas in this patch.

 

[Ferr986]

Whats the point on having 6 phantoms? Going around with a team of 3 already made the game easy, 6 phantoms is just overkill. Unless they change the game so much around it, but that would made going alone stupidly difficult.

 

[CountAntonius]

Whats the point on having 6 phantoms? Going around with a team of 3 already made the game easy, 6 phantoms is just overkill. Unless they change the game so much around it, but that would made going alone stupidly difficult.

My guess is there will still be a max of two phantoms on your side but it will open up the possibility of three invaders. Cut down on the gank squads by evening the odds.

 

[danthefan]

If you want the DX11 improvements you will have to buy the new version. Hold off buying any DLC right now.

You get some stuff for free. You need to buy the DLC's individually to get all 3 crowns, but the new story stuff, events, npc's, and such will all come to current versions of the game, apparently in February. So what you'll have is:
* Base Game with modifications to existing areas and lore
* New NPC's and Events
* Access to the 4 Challenge rooms from the first 3 DLC's
* Memories sequence related to the Lost Crowns
* Anything else added by patch 1.10

What you need the Lost Crowns DLCs for:
* Exploring Shulva, Brume Tower, and Eleum Loyce in FULL.
* Accessing the 3 Lost Crowns and unlocking the Memory related to them
* Any content from patch 1.10 that may be locked behind completion of the Lost Crowns quest (for story reasons)

RUMORED:
It's likely that patch 1.10 may add more areas to the game. We see one in this trailer, but it was also uncovered through datamining that 4 title cards were snuck into the game files with Ivory King that do not show up ingame. They could end up being for new areas in this patch.

Thanks to you both, will hold off on the DLC for the time being.

 

[Seyavesh]

My guess is there will still be a max of two phantoms on your side but it will open up the possibility of three invaders. Cut down on the gank squads by evening the odds.

fuck that, i wanna roll with 4 bros in the belltowers and just step on the poor fool who spawns there thinking he's about to curbstomp someone

 

[Lux R7]

Any clues about the title?
new plot or areas maybe?

 

[Ferr986]

My guess is there will still be a max of two phantoms on your side but it will open up the possibility of three invaders. Cut down on the gank squads by evening the odds.

Um...yeah, im OK with that

 

[JackelZXA]

Any clues about the title?
new plot or areas maybe?

According to the wiki, the names of the titlecards that were snuck into the files of the third 3lc but not used are behind this link:
http://darksouls2.wikidot.com/unused-content#toc11 (MIGHT be spoilers)

Those might be the names of new areas in the 1.10 Patch. I wonder if they'll be smaller than the fullscale content we saw in the paid DLC's?

Edit: It's possible, due to some tweets, that the US/EU release of the patch will be the same as the nextgen release date of the game, so that means (unless there's a mixup at Namco US) that the new content will be online for 2 months thanks to importers, before we get to play it in our territories.... :/

 

[Clarkus Darkus]

Well i never played DS2 on last gen as was hoping they would release it on PS4, Turns out they will, And i did the same the GTAV aswell

 

[ExoSoul]

Even if they un-downgraded the visuals there is no reason that the ps4 wouldn't be able to output 1080@60. At the moment I can play DS2 at 8k @30fps. Like Durante said, a toaster can run DS2 at 60fps.

I don't have a toaster, can't even run DS with DSFix....

 

[Audioboxer]

Trying to think were there any bad glitches with DS2 that allowed bottomless box like exploitation?

I guess if so one good thing about getting it on the PS4/XBO is patched out bugs from day 1 so PVP is fair.

 

[burnfout]

I feel like I'm the only one on neogaf liking DS2 more than DS


Really looking forward to this remaster!

 

[StuBurns]

Just because they could hit 60, doesn't mean they will. Presuming they're making DS3, and like Bloodborne, it targets 30, they may not wish to create false expectations. Just because 'a toaster' can do it doesn't mean much. The systems have limited resources, and they can always use them to increase fidelity over frame rate.

 

[Foffy]

No, they still get all of the new content. They get it on February according to this:
http://darksouls.jp/pc/scholar_of_the_first_sin_specmatrix.html

We'll be getting all of the important content. And then in April the nextgen version releases on 3 platforms, which contains additional enemy/design changes (probably to account for 6 phantoms in one session), better graphics, and the aforementioned 6player mode.

All of the content that is important is coming for free, and according to the chart it comes Feb 5th for us on 360, ps3, and pc. New lore, npc's, world events (such as the dragons in heide, i believe. hopefully freya's ambush in tseldora becomes a regular playthrough event), expanded story....if theres a new ending and endboss then it's going to be in this 1.10 patch.

Unless I'm mistaking something about that chart, which I don't think I am...
1.10 patch is February 5th for all current gen, as well as a boxed rerelease. It contains all the substantial content for the game.

Nextgen is April. That's new graphics, 6 player mode, and adjustments to design and enemies (Which is vague, but could just mean "We're making everything as hard as the challenge areas) I see it as a Lost Levels version of Dark Souls 2, since the new phantoms would completely change the balance of the game, and the new enemy stuff is probably that as well.

If we are to follow screenshots and trailers, the adjustments actually involve some enemies being in different locations, like a Guardian Dragon being just before the fight with Old Dragonslayer. I wonder if that will give the current gen versions a Master Quest feel.

 

[B-Genius]

At least it wasn't as bad as Shrine of Amana... Killed by draw distance limitations? Fucking seriously B-team? Lost Izalith was lazy but DaS2 has some of the most stupid design choices I've ever seen.

Wow. So cool and edgy how the term "B-team" is still getting thrown around.

What if people who worked on DS2 were now working together on a different project with those who worked on Bloodborne now that it's nearing completion? Heaven forbid your beloved A-team would get diluted. This kind of attitude shows that some people have no idea how game development or small-medium sized dev studios can work.

 

[Easy_D]

I think it's very likely the reason Lost Izalith is so terrible is because it was secretly outsourced to the B-Team

 

[Red Liquorice]

RUMORED:
It's likely that patch 1.10 may add more areas to the game. We see one in this trailer, but it was also uncovered through datamining that 4 title cards were snuck into the game files with Ivory King that do not show up ingame. They could end up being for new areas in this patch.

We do? I didn't notice any new areas (and don't expect any for free), what timestamp in the trailer do you see it?

I think it's very likely the reason Lost Izalith is so terrible is because it was secretly outsourced to the B-Team

I snorted.
The Angkor Wat part of LI is a great design, I like it down there and I'm always farming for red titanite chunks so I'm used to it, but even some of that feels empty as well, like there should've been more (the area past Kirk's invasion point seems like it should go somewhere other than a single chest) and the dragon statue enemies just littered everywhere is lazy - But, yeah there's no excuse for the lava area full of dragon butts, it's just bad, whatever their reasoning (running out of time etc).

 

[StuBurns]

B-Team isn't automatically a pejorative. How else are you meant to refer to them? The Dark Souls 2 team and the Demon's Souls/Dark Souls/Bloodborne team? That's not very convenient.

Second team has the same 'runner up' implications as B-team, so I don't really know what people would prefer they be referred to as.

 

[Easy_D]

B-Team isn't automatically a pejorative. How else are you meant to refer to them? The Dark Souls 2 team and the Demon's Souls/Dark Souls/Bloodborne team? That's not very convenient.

Second team has the same 'runner up' implications as B-team, so I don't really know what people would prefer they be referred to as.

How about "DS2" team. Short. And also brings out the fact that they made the better game ;P

 

[Parmenide]

I never noticed any draw distance issues on PC except for popping foilage, were you playing on them consoles?

Yes I was but I don't see how it matters.

Wow. So cool and edgy how the term "B-team" is still getting thrown around.

What if people who worked on DS2 were now working together on a different project with those who worked on Bloodborne now that it's nearing completion? Heaven forbid your beloved A-team would get diluted. This kind of attitude shows that some people have no idea how game development or small-medium sized dev studios can work.

I'm so happy I managed to impress you with my edginess, it was my goal indeed. Also I fail to see your point, B-team simply identifies some key persons who worked on DaS2 for me. If, for example, Tamimura is working on a new game with the so called A-team, I would be very skeptical about it.

 

[StuBurns]

How about "DS2" team. Short. And also brings out the fact that they made the better game ;P

That's what I use personally, but it's still not perfect, because it doesn't inherently imply there are multiple teams, because if someone said the 'GTAV team', you wouldn't automatically think it means R* have rotating GTA teams, you'd just think it was identifying the team.

Presumably, this won't be an issue anymore, because there aren't two Dark Souls teams, there's the Dark Souls team, and the Bloodborne team.

 

[FlyingSaucer]

I think it's very likely the reason Lost Izalith is so terrible is because it was secretly outsourced to the B-Team

It's sad to see that they haven't really improved since then :/

 

[Parmenide]

I think it's very likely the reason Lost Izalith is so terrible is because it was secretly outsourced to the B-Team

Can't you guys find another argument? Lost Izalith was ONE rushed area, and I would take it over the Aldia's Corridor every day of the week. Also at least it was underground, were fucking lava should be.

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

I feel like I'm the only one on neogaf liking DS2 more than DS


Really looking forward to this remaster!

I posted earlier that I thought DS2 was the best game in the series. I'm positive my reputation and game judgement is ruined.

 

[StuBurns]

Can't you guys find another argument? Lost Izalith was ONE rushed area, and I would take it over the Aldia's Corridor every day of the week. Also at least it was underground, were fucking lava should be.

Demon Ruins is equally bad, so two.

Is the point not that there's more to great work than talent, there's resources, money and time. It's not like DR/LI suck because the team were temporarily bad, it's because they clearly didn't have the time to make it good. If you think DS2 is bad, you have to consider the possibility that the team were lacking the resources, instead of the talent.

 

[Parmenide]

Demon Ruins is equally bad, so two.

Is the point not that there's more to great work than talent, there's resources, money and time. It's not like DR/LI suck because the team were temporarily bad, it's because they clearly didn't have the time to make it good. If you think DS2 is bad, you have to consider the possibility that the team were lacking the resources, instead of the talent.

Reused assets and lack of content indicates a time or budget limitation. Lava above a windmill indicates a brain limitation.

 

[Red Liquorice]

Can't you guys find another argument? Lost Izalith was ONE rushed area, and I would take it over the Aldia's Corridor every day of the week. Also at least it was underground, were fucking lava should be.

lol, maybe Drangleic is Lordan... upsidedown! Which means the Iron Keep is actually Lost Izalith!

 

[Easy_D]

Reused assets and lack of content indicates a time or budget limitation. Lava above a windmill indicates a brain limitation.

Funny how you complain about using the same argument yet use the admittedly silly transition from Earthen Peak as if it's the sole indicator of Dark Souls 2's quality

 

[Mobile Suit Gooch]

Bloodborne and Dark Souls 2 in the same year...

I feel conflicted...

 

[StuBurns]

Reused assets and lack of content indicates a time or budget limitation. Lava above a windmill indicates a brain limitation.

Maybe, maybe not. Maybe there was an environment removed because it wasn't finished, so they had to force it to fit.

It is pretty bad, especially because it wouldn't be nearly as absurd if that lift just descended instead, but we can never really be sure.

 

[Foffy]

Maybe, maybe not. Maybe there was an environment removed because it wasn't finished, so they had to force it to fit.

It is pretty bad, especially because it wouldn't be nearly as absurd if that lift just descended instead, but we can never really be sure.

M-maybe this new version will have the elevator descend. A next-gen exclusive feature!

 

[Star Falcon]

I skipped DLC for DS2 and now i'm glad i did.

I'll pick this up along with Bloodborne and a PS4 sometime next year!

 

[ElFly]

Iron Keep is p far from Harvest Valley.

Whether the elevator goes up or down is meaningless; you are supposed to have traveled a great distance in that transition -even farther away than majula -> heide- so it makes sense that you don't see one from the other.

 

[Laconic]

Bamco used The B-Team on DS2 in order to save Face.

 

[B-Genius]

B-Team isn't automatically a pejorative. How else are you meant to refer to them? The Dark Souls 2 team and the Demon's Souls/Dark Souls/Bloodborne team? That's not very convenient.

Second team has the same 'runner up' implications as B-team, so I don't really know what people would prefer they be referred to as.

Okay, I jumped the gun at the first post on the page, but the majority of the time it's used as a pejorative, and it's irritating when it's a developer you respect. I haven't seen this sort of treatment with other studios - I dunno, maybe I'm just more invested in From's activity.

I just think people should refer to them as "From", for better or worse. Like a lot of places, they rotate individuals rather than teams, and people come in and out of projects. You can't automatically pin responsibility on a "team" like they're collectively less capable or talented. If you want some accountability for what you consider makes DS2 the weakest experience, then maybe it's how the project was handled overall, or the usual time/budget constraints that kick in near the end and prevent them from fully realising their goals.

I'm so happy I managed to impress you with my edginess, it was my goal indeed. Also I fail to see your point, B-team simply identifies some key persons who worked on DaS2 for me. If, for example, Tamimura is working on a new game with the so called A-team, I would be very skeptical about it.

Do you mean if he was directing another game, or if he was just working with your untouchable A-team, diluting the gene pool, so to speak?

Presumably, this won't be an issue anymore, because there aren't two Dark Souls teams, there's the Dark Souls team, and the Bloodborne team.

That's what I'm trying to explain; there isn't. There may be a core few who stay on the project from beginning to end, but people will get moved around. If you really feel the need to categorise, then From has more "teams" than you think. (And don't just say Armored Core.)

Reused assets and lack of content indicates a time or budget limitation. Lava above a windmill indicates a brain limitation.

Because DS1 is completely forgivable, right? Miyazaki and co. must have had budget or time constraints as an excuse for flaws, while the other dimwits in the office are all scratching their heads wondering how make game. Real mature.

 

[Zophar]

Will probably triple-dip for this (sigh...) when I get a PS4, but I really wish they'd do DS1 and DeS in a remaster for the PS4, so I don't have to drag out the PS3 every time I want to play them :/ DS1 is far and away my favorite game from the seventh generation.

 

[Angelcurio]

It would have been better if they had released it before the end of the year, considering the lack of those kind of games right now and seeing that it's release date it's too close to Bloodborne. I will still get it, even though as others have said, i would have preferred if both DS1 and DS2 were re-released,

 

[StuBurns]

That's what I'm trying to explain; there isn't. There may be a core few who stay on the project from beginning to end, but people will get moved around. If you really feel the need to categorise, then From has more "teams" than you think. (And don't just say Armored Core."

Everyone refers to the core leads of a studio on a specific project as the 'team'. Otherwise when someone is praising any game, they'd list all the Asian asset armies too.

The whole point of having multiple teams is so you can do that in fact. You don't need nearly as many staff at the start of a project as you do for the final year, so you want multiple teams building the foundation of a game before the artists can move from project to project without being pink slipped en masse.

As for only identifying the two core groups connected to the Souls games, that's only specifically because they're used for the Souls games. What else the studio does isn't really important when discussing, and explaining, the change in central talent within the Souls franchise.

 

[Parmenide]

Funny how you complain about using the same argument yet use the admittedly silly transition from Earthen Peak as if it's the sole indicator of Dark Souls 2's quality

Only in this topic I made three examples (Aldia, Amana and Earthen).

 

[Lux R7]

Reused assets and lack of content indicates a time or budget limitation. Lava above a windmill indicates a brain limitation.

good one

 

[Haunted]

I think dark souls 2 is an excellent game, certainly better than demons souls, but that earthen peak transition is indefensible.

Would love to hear a candid interview about what happened there (I assume last minute cuts/changes).

 

[ElFly]

Only in this topic I made three examples (Aldia, Amana and Earthen).

Those are cool areas, though.

Amana was even better before the nerf, nowadays you can just walk out of the way of the lazors. But at least the knights still try to surround you if you go into the houses for cover.

 

[DustyVonEric]

Demon Ruins is equally bad, so two.

Is the point not that there's more to great work than talent, there's resources, money and time. It's not like DR/LI suck because the team were temporarily bad, it's because they clearly didn't have the time to make it good. If you think DS2 is bad, you have to consider the possibility that the team were lacking the resources, instead of the talent.

I'm not saying you're wrong, because for this thread to grow so huge, many have different and valid opinions on this game. But I think the biggest resource Team B lacked was Miyazaki's direction.

It feels to me they lack "understanding"...

...of what many DeS and DS1 fans feel make Souls games fun and fair,
...of challenge vs difficulty for difficulty's sake,
...of well thought out encounter / combat design (precise enemy placement and fun - not necessarily hard -bosses vs spamming adds, ice rink swivel tracking, nerfing rolls until improved through a stat),
...of immersive world design. If the areas can't come together or connect to "make sense" to the player, then just separate them all together like Demon's Souls.

And this isn't directed to Stu, but I just want to say that fans can be critical of something they like. It doesn't necessarily mean "Hate" or "Salt", though some feel more strongly than others.

I also want to add, whether people believe the so-called "haters" are a vocal

Spoiler

or "screaming" ;P

minority that are just looking for stuff to complain about instead of playing their games, I think it's pretty clear that Dark Souls 2 is far and away the most divisive game in the series for what it's worth.

 

[B-Genius]

Everyone refers to the core leads of a studio on a specific project as the 'team'. Otherwise when someone is praising any game, they'd list all the Asian asset armies too.

The whole point of having multiple teams is so you can do that in fact. You don't need nearly as many staff at the start of a project as you do for the final year, so you want multiple teams building the foundation of a game before the artists can move from project to project without being pink slipped en masse.

As for only identifying the two core groups connected to the Souls games, that's only specifically because they're used for the Souls games. What else the studio does isn't really important when discussing, and explaining, the change in central talent within the Souls franchise.

Alright, I take your point. Again, I'm just still miffed about how this whole thing came about - it was like a witch hunt with people lining up the credits of each game and theorising like they were experts. Just really sad when clearly a lot of talented people made their mark on the game, and still they're lumped in with the "team" who apparently let the fans down.