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[dofry]

All is said a bunch of times in this thread already, but I have to throw in my two cents. I liked the original art style because it was different from most other shooters. It had that visual appeal that TF2, Borderlands and NOLF games had. Based on that, the funky weapons are easier to understand as part of that funky art style world. Now, maybe it's the 'action trailer', but it gives me nothing that I haven't seen. All I now remember is that there was a shield and some Quake dude. How did the main characters look? How where the environments? I just can't remember because it really was just unmemorable.

This game was on my radar before, but now with a single trailer it has gone to obscurity. But, I'll still wait until next trailer and of course for the reviews to give this game a chance. You're Insomniac so I have faith in you. Make me a believer again.

 

[Lombax]

They have been tasked with nothing, they have CHOSEN to do these things, things Sony wouldn't let them do. And they are also still making at least one game for Sony, Ratchet and Clank Full Frontal Assault. I suspect they have other teams working on other games for Sony, possibly PS4 aswell.

That is a very good point. I guess I was hoping that all these decisions fall on the influence of EA. Now I'm really bummed out.

 

[Phonomezer]

Wow, so many dislikes, so many sandy fannies.

 

[Neuromancer]

Insomniac Games originally unveiled Overstrike at Electronic Arts' E3 2011 press conference. The game's debut trailer, created by animation studio Blur, blended comedy with action. Characters were heavily stylized. Environments were bright and cheerful. Dialogue was campy.

As the game developed, Insomniac says the lighthearted visual tone of Overstrike didn't match what it was ultimately becoming: a mature, co-op shooter with a more serious story centered around the Fuse element.

"We'd started off with a cartoony art style, but it just never felt like the stakes were that high," says Fuse creative director Brian Allgeier. "You really couldn't take anyone seriously. We actually evolved the style quite a bit just to get to the Overstrike trailer from E3 2011. We were still developing the characters, but there was a certain point where we were ready to go to press and get these characters in the trailer. And they were kind of pulling it out of our artists' hands."

Ugh

 

[acevans2]

That EA concept submission photo is a little unfair because it didn't really seem like it was aimed at "everyone" from the original reveal, considering there was still some blood and violence.

Seriously, how great would that have been? Incredibles-style action with no-holds-barred violence? So sad that Insomiac didn't have confidence. Create a vision and stick to it. Don't Resistance 1-> Resistance 2 everything. The talent is there in the studio to carry out a more unique project.

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

That trailer might have the least enthusiastic characters of any game I've ever seen. There was no emotion whatsoever in it.

 

[Messofanego]

Honestly, out of TF 2, Gotham City Imposters, and Borderlands this generation, are there any shooters with a more cartoony aesthetic?

I feel like Insomniac missed out on a gap in the market.

 

[ManUtdRedDevils]

I am waiting for the trailer where the character curses every sentence to show how mature and serious the storyline is.

Meh, I can't stomach these games anymore.

 

[Nirolak]

Honestly, out of TF 2, Gotham City Imposters, and Borderlands this generation, are there any shooters with a more cartoony aesthetic?

I feel like Insomniac missed out on a gap in the market.

From a fiscal perspective, I felt that the old style was actually a good idea given two of those games are huge successes.

Standing out late in a generation is very hard.

Funnily enough, one of their listed reasons is that the team was more comfortable with this style because they felt it matched their target audience better, but why would you want your game to seem more like everything else? It makes it seems far more substitutable that way.

 

[dreamfall]

It's a bit difficult to be happy with this. The changes to a pseudo-realistic sci-fi shooter setting have taken all the life out of the characters and have made it positively bland. If the story trailer does come out soon, and offers a more detailed look at character personalities/the mission, it could help greatly.

I love Insomniac. Meeting Ted Price was probably one of my favorite moments ever. I'm just disappointed- perhaps the weapons will be the saving grace, maybe we'll get a cool environment. Still too early to judge, but the trailer leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[ironcreed]

That trailer might have the least enthusiastic characters of any game I've ever seen. There was no emotion whatsoever in it.

"Fuse, an alien energy source, is stolen. Overstrike 9 is sent in to retrieve it. Join up to 3 friends as you deploy lethal teamwork and experimental weapons to recover it."

What do you expect with such a riveting plot, lol? Seriously, that is the first thing I noticed as well. The game has zero character and looks like just another military shooter with super weapons.

Why do devs keep releasing these same kinds of games when most of them fail to become another COD, Halo or Gears of War? They just keep on chasing that same crowd and fail nearly every time. Do something creative and make your game stand out from the pack of generic clones that are all trying to do the same thing. Just sayin'.

 

[jett]

Honestly, out of TF 2, Gotham City Imposters, and Borderlands this generation, are there any shooters with a more cartoony aesthetic?

I feel like Insomniac missed out on a gap in the market.

Spec Ops The Line doesn't have cartoonish features but it is one of the most colorful shooters I've played.

 

[8byte]

The thing that scares me most about the future of Insomniac is since they partnered with EA Insomniac has been tasked with making a Facebook game and what appears to be a generic shooter.

They werent 'tasked' with this. They were ideas they pitched to EA and EA signed them to the partners program because of it.

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

Gotta wonder how Valve does it? Do they just have better psychologists writing the questions? Better analysis from marketing?

Maybe they do what Yager did? Use focus testing to see the reactions of different persons at parts of the game to maintain their vision... no to actually remove it.

 

[Juken]

This is launching near Dead Space, Gears, Army of Two, Crysis, Tomb Raider, God of War, Gears of War, etc. People will also still be playing Halo 4, Blops 2, etc.

Games like this have been bombing often lately. Spec Ops, Binary Domain, Syndicate etc. Even an established IP and Rockstar couldn't prevent Max Payne 3 from underperforming.

I think Insomniac almost needed this art style to set their game apart. I know they'll have their unique gameplay hooks, but so do all the games mentioned above.

I'm a little worried because I do love Insomniac despite my reaction to this game.

 

[Doug Heffernan]

This is gross...

4 player spy espionage sounded MUCH more original than this borefest.

 

[Raxus]

I am guessing the box art of this game will be the characters with their heads down and eyes up with a splash of orange flame.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Ugh

Dear game developers,

No one gives a fuck about your mature story if the gameplay, art design and other important aspects are sacrificed in return.

TF2 is not just famous for being a hats simulator but also cause it doesn't take itself seriously at all. I hate that games have gotten serious down to the teeth.

If the game's original idea (You know: the REASON you all sat down and started making this game) was being a mature, co-op shooter with a more serious story then by all means do it. If the lighthearted visual tone is what attracted you to make the game and you got so lost into it that it became a monster of it's own and ideas started conflicted; back off.

Back off, back to drawing board and rethink what new additions are ruining the flow or style. Hell, don't show anything to public if you think the redesign is better.

Split the idea into two separate games. You can always do that. Right?!

Worst part is that when devs still don't recognize their target audience.

 

[BruiserBear]

I had really hoped the trailer would change my feelings after seeing the screenshots, but it hasn't. In fact, it just reaffirmed them.

I'll still give this game another look as it gets closer to release, because I generally like Insomniac's work, but I'm certainly not marking this down as a must have for 2013. If the game was more like that reveal trailer, it probably would be on my 2013 must have list.

 

[clutch.as.it.gets.]

This is the reason i don`t want a Mirrors Edge 2. EA and their generic game building blueprint already is on its way to destroy the once great Dead Space franchise and is turning Insomniac and their new game into a complete joke.

 

[Raxus]

Dear game developers,

I just find it hilarious if they release the concept art for the characters and show how they went from their 'original' designs to their new monstrosities. It is literal proof of de-evolution of the game. I mean they clearly have the art talent there? What happened?

 

[Doug Heffernan]

This is the reason i don`t want a Mirrors Edge 2. EA and their generic game building blueprint already is on it´s way to destroy the once great Dead Space franchise and is turning Insomniac and their new game into a complete joke.

I'm done blaming EA, don't take Insomniac off the hook for this.

They gave up on their vision and took a "cop-out" route.

Ted Price has stated it was his call, so may as well hold him accountable for this atrocity.

 

[maverick40]

Da fuq did I just see? Should have joined SCE when ye had the chance Insomniac. The downfall of Insomniac starts now

 

[Orayn]

This is the reason i don`t want a Mirrors Edge 2. EA and their generic game building blueprint already is on its way to destroy the once great Dead Space franchise and is turning Insomniac and their new game into a complete joke.

"The 'free-running' from the trailers and first game really didn't fit with our vision of a visceral, cinematic action game, so it's kind of been de-emphasized in Mirror's Edge 2. Likewise, the clean aesthetic of the city wasn't a good fit for the storyline themes of warfare and desolation, so there's been a bit of a change in scenery. There's still a jump button, though! And you can still move pretty fast if you choose the Scout class instead of Assault or Heavy."

 

[Loudninja]

Da fuq did I just see? Should have joined SCE when ye had the chance Insomniac. The downfall of Insomniac starts now

Unbelievable.

 

[Duffyside]

Ugh

Not to encourage people going to the Verge, but I dare someone to click on that link and tell me that any Fuse screenshot on that page looks at all more interesting than any Overstrike shot.

Getting more depressed about all this. Makes me want next gen to just get here already, where hopefully some developers/publishers will grow some balls again.

 

[AranhaHunter]

Explosions and dubstep. There certainly is a recipe here, and it seems like everyones a bit bored of the same meal.

Out in swollen at the seams March, with EA's sterling usual advertising support for EA Partners projects, and Bombatown's population will enjoy a new resident.

wait,march as in march with the 2 gows??

simply lol

(are you sure?)

It's not just GOW:A and GOW:J, there's also Army of Two in March which EA owns the IP and will undoubtedly throw more marketing money into that. Furthermore there's Dead Space 3 in February, EA's big Q1 2013 game that will definitely get the most marketing dollars during the quarter from EA. Basically most people with PS3s will look forward to GOW:A and most people with 360s will look forward to GOW: J. Really bad schedule and bad time frame for this game IMO. I hope it does well though.

I do hope I'm wrong, but I feel that Insomniac has historically operated as the second best developer in a genre, or what you might call a AAa developer: when they made spyro, mario was obviously around, with Crash on the PS1 significantly outselling them; when they focused on ratchet and clank, Mario still did reign supreme over the genre; they started making Resistance, which sold decently but was not a Halo or Half Life or Call of Duty.

If you personally like some of Insomniacs games better than Halo or Mario or Crash, that's absolutely fine; I'm speaking primarily about sales and broader reception, where individual personal preferences are less relevant.

This is a fine role to play and I don't mean to denigrate it; it's bad to simply only have the biggest seller (Be that Halo, Mario, Crash, what have you) and nothing else. You need these games which are not the king of the genre but are still very, very good. The problem for Insomniac, I feel, is that's precisely where we seem to be heading -- you're either Halo, or you're out of business. You're either AAA, or relegated to $10-15 downloadable software. Insomniac's history of being the AAa puts them in a very bad position in this polarized atmosphere.

Great post. Another thing I would point out is that during the PS1 and PS2 days IGs and ND were toe to toe in terms of quality and probably sales on their series. Crash outsold Spyro, sure, but probably not by a whole lot and, if I had to guess, I would say Ratchet probably outsold J&D on PS2, though again probably not by a whole lot. Sucker Punch came during the PS2 days with their own series and it had similar qualities to the other two but sales were lower.

And then comes the PS3, during its initial days, IG were the only ones that quickly put out a product out of those 3, and it was quality and sold well. Then came Uncharted and infamous from the other 2 studios and IG brought out Ratchet. The initial quality and sales from all still seemed to follow up from the previous generations with SP putting stuff selling more. It wasn't until Resistance 2/Uncharted 2 that IG output started to turn around. Quality and sales suffered and it seems their "1 game per year" strict schedule finally caught up to them. Meanwhile Uncharted 2 was a hit and Uncharted 3 was still critically acclaimed and sold great while Resitance 3 was the opposite.

Naughty Dog has established itself as an AAA studio and most of the stuff they make from now on will sell on the studio's name alone. I know they earned that trust with me with the Uncharted series. SP will become IG of old, still able to make AAA games as it will be needed by its parent company and Sony will support it in order to support their console. I can't help but think that IG will be relegated to facebook/casual games as well as occasional being EA's bitch. Kinda sad, but fascinating to see nevertheless.

 

[thumb]

The change in style really is a bummer. I hope the game is good regardless, but I'm not particularly excited.

What's interesting is that the Verge article notes that reaction in the studio to the change in style was mixed. I wonder if the skeptics feel vindicated now.

 

[Kintaro]

I do hope I'm wrong, but I feel that Insomniac has historically operated as the second best developer in a genre, or what you might call a AAa developer: when they made spyro, mario was obviously around, with Crash on the PS1 significantly outselling them; when they focused on ratchet and clank, Mario still did reign supreme over the genre; they started making Resistance, which sold decently but was not a Halo or Half Life or Call of Duty.

If you personally like some of Insomniacs games better than Halo or Mario or Crash, that's absolutely fine; I'm speaking primarily about sales and broader reception, where individual personal preferences are less relevant.

This is a fine role to play and I don't mean to denigrate it; it's bad to simply only have the biggest seller (Be that Halo, Mario, Crash, what have you) and nothing else. You need these games which are not the king of the genre but are still very, very good. The problem for Insomniac, I feel, is that's precisely where we seem to be heading -- you're either Halo, or you're out of business. You're either AAA, or relegated to $10-15 downloadable software. Insomniac's history of being the AAa puts them in a very bad position in this polarized atmosphere.

Are you saying "Always a Bride's Maid, never a Bride?" If so, I can agree with that.

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

“We’d started off with a cartoony art style, but it just never felt like the stakes were that high. You really couldn’t take anyone seriously." - Ted Price

I couldn't disagree with this more. Nothing makes me care less about a world than this gritty/brown filter infesting games these days, and people were actually excited about the characters in this game just from that one fairly bland original trailer, because it actually focused on them. Just that fact made people care.

The "you couldn't take anyone seriously" comment strikes me as completely irrational. Do these guys not realize that Pixar movies about blue monsters and children's toys make people break down in tears, and not Michael Bay films?

"But... But... We need to sell this game. The market wants only COD clones and grimm and grittier stories, even if they mostly bomb specially cause shitty marketing. Is not our fault that the audience has not expanded cause the lack of other options and art styles and...

Wait"

 

[Nizz]

So I watched that GTTV episode last night featuring Fuse. Some of the weapons were cool and the game technically looked good. But I honestly didn't see anything that really stood out from other third person shooter games.

I really think the original art style would have done wonders for the game. As of right now though (at least to me) the game doesn't seem to stand out too much from similar games in the genre. Which is a little sad.

I wish Insomniac good luck, but from what I've seen so far nothing is really grabbing me too much about this game.

 

[superbank]

You guys like stoic faces right?

I don't know if Insomniac thought this was a good direction or if EA pressured them but this change in tone is for the worst. Keep this in mind all you artists out there, a little character doesn't hurt!

Yeah, yeah I'm "comparing a CG trailer to gameplay" blah blah blah. It's pretty obvious that they've gone in a completely different direction compared to Overstrike. The Fuse characters don't even seem to move very differently from one another.

 

[Gorillaz]

Ill admit...When it was overstrike it was a little too goofy...but I really didn't want them to go this "serious". Idk anymore bout this game. Hopefully they can pull it off tho.

 

[jett]

You guys like stoic faces right?

I don't know if Insomniac thought this was a good direction or if EA pressured them but this change in tone is for the worst. Keep this in mind all you artists out there, a little character doesn't hurt!

Yeah, yeah I'm "comparing a CG trailer to gameplay" blah blah blah. It's pretty obvious that they've gone in a completely different direction compared to Overstrike. The Fuse characters don't even seem to move very differently from one another.

This is unfair. The amount of games that feature facial animation during gameplay is minimal.

 

[Cipherr]

What in the actual f.... People are raging over that? Color me disappointed GAF. I hate shooters these days, but that fusing weapon concept/co-op at least looked interesting. Jesus Christ you guys are outrageous.

The OP, who I assume is from Imnsoniac, must be feeling pretty bad right now.

He had better not. This is being extremely overblown.

 

[Angry Fork]

I think people should rewatch the overstrike trailer, most of the stuff is the same imo. I've just rewatched it the only thing that's notably different is the lack of color in Fuse compared to the original trailer.

Overstrike gave off a mirror's edge mixed with vanquish vibe or something where as Fuse looks like Army of Two mixed with Gears. Overstrike isn't necessarily more 'cartoony' it's just way more colorful and vibrant. As for the story/humor stuff this trailer is for action the character stuff will come later. But the invisibility thing, the weapons shown, the enemies etc. are pretty much the same as in Overstrike trailer.

 

[Massa]

I do hope I'm wrong, but I feel that Insomniac has historically operated as the second best developer in a genre, or what you might call a AAa developer: when they made spyro, mario was obviously around, with Crash on the PS1 significantly outselling them; when they focused on ratchet and clank, Mario still did reign supreme over the genre; they started making Resistance, which sold decently but was not a Halo or Half Life or Call of Duty.

If you personally like some of Insomniacs games better than Halo or Mario or Crash, that's absolutely fine; I'm speaking primarily about sales and broader reception, where individual personal preferences are less relevant.

This is a fine role to play and I don't mean to denigrate it; it's bad to simply only have the biggest seller (Be that Halo, Mario, Crash, what have you) and nothing else. You need these games which are not the king of the genre but are still very, very good. The problem for Insomniac, I feel, is that's precisely where we seem to be heading -- you're either Halo, or you're out of business. You're either AAA, or relegated to $10-15 downloadable software. Insomniac's history of being the AAa puts them in a very bad position in this polarized atmosphere.

Surely the industry has moved to either AAA or $10-15, but you can't say that only Halo and Mario fill the AAA category, that's insane. Insomniac's released 6 retail games this gen and they're doing incredibly well as a studio, in fact they've expanded and grown quite a bit.

 

[superbank]

This is unfair. The amount of games that feature facial animation during gameplay is minimal.

That's true. Like I said at the end they don't even move differently. I like the idea of each of them having a personality that shows through their animations and playstyle. Now it seems like "ok, if you're this character you get this gun, if you're this one you get this gun." You can even see it in the screencaps I took, they all do the same tilted head thing for shooting.

But yeah, if you want to compare to the majority of other games then they've maintained the status quo. Good job. What it comes down to is this: They had something originally but now it's like any other game. This is why I'm kind of miffed and I'm not running into every thread complaining about the samey characters.

 

[NullPointer]

"The 'free-running' from the trailers and first game really didn't fit with our vision of a visceral, cinematic action game, it's kind of been de-emphasized in Mirror's Edge 2. Likewise, the clean aesthetic of the city wasn't a good fit for the storyline themes to warfare and desolation, so there's been a bit of a change in scenery. There's still a jump button, though! And you can still move pretty fast if you choose the Scout class instead of Assault or Heavy."

This is without a doubt one of the most horrifying posts I've ever read. You've managed to capture the horror so perfectly my heart stopped.

 

[CREMSteve]

Dislike the art style, preferred original cg trailer vibe.

Weapons look like a lot of fun.

Regardless of how cool they look though, I dislike that the characters just appear to stand there shooting while the baddies do the same. Needs more... something.

It's third person, make the characters feel more "alive".

 

[ViewtifulJC]

"The 'free-running' from the trailers and first game really didn't fit with our vision of a visceral, cinematic action game, it's kind of been de-emphasized in Mirror's Edge 2. Likewise, the clean aesthetic of the city wasn't a good fit for the storyline themes to warfare and desolation, so there's been a bit of a change in scenery. There's still a jump button, though! And you can still move pretty fast if you choose the Scout class instead of Assault or Heavy."

Anihawk read this post and had a heart attack

The only thing missing is talking about how they are "evolving the franchise" by taking away what was unique about it and making it more like the other games in the genre.

 

[SniperHunter]

Looks like Resistance 3, a generic FPS in every department,with creative weapons.

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

“We’d started off with a cartoony art style, but it just never felt like the stakes were that high. You really couldn’t take anyone seriously." - Ted Price

.

Did they really said that? mother of fuck!
Maybe they need to speak with Brad Bird. No wait, they only need to see the documentaries from the Incredibles dvd to know how wrong they are.

There were parts of the incredibles were the stakes were high enough and you could take the movie very seriously, even though it was a parody of super heroes.
-All the dead superheroes during the part were Mr Incredible looks on syndrome computer. Of course the mastefull music from Giacchino helps settle the mood.
-When Mr Incredible thinks his family is dead and syndrome laughs at his face during the plane explosion.
-One other scene that didnt make the cut because they didnt have time is having a character, the pilot (who you can hear in when mrs incredible talks with him to get the plane by phone), being really important and having a fun presentation to the public, and then kill him in the plane crass to say to the people that were watching the movie, and the movie characters "look guys, shit just got real".

So yeah, they are fucking wrong.

 

[Violater]

I don't get why the artstyle of the characters is such a big deal.
If that were the case Blink would have been a major hit.
just sounds to me like more Insomniac hate, EA hate I can understand but come on....
That being said the focus on co-op looks interesting and we all know the weapons will be good.
Has there been any mention of competitive multi-player? (not that the game needs it)
If it is not there then that just means Insomniac had time to devote to make the co-op work well. like R2 did.

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

I don't get why the artstyle of the characters is such a big deal.
If that were the case Blink would have been a major hit.
just sounds to me like more Insomniac hate, EA hate I can understand but come on....
That being said the focus on co-op looks interesting and we all know the weapons will be good.
Has there been any mention of competitive multi-player? (not that the game needs it)
If it is not there then that just means Insomniac had time to devote to make the co-op work well. like R2 did.

Wait what?
So when people were talking good about the first trailer they also hated Isomaniac?
Because im sure I dont have a problem with them, only with the new vision of this new generic game.

 

[Jasoneyu]

I don't get why the artstyle of the characters is such a big deal.
If that were the case Blink would have been a major hit.
just sounds to me like more Insomniac hate, EA hate I can understand but come on....
That being said the focus on co-op looks interesting and we all know the weapons will be good.
Has there been any mention of competitive multi-player? (not that the game needs it)
If it is not there then that just means Insomniac had time to devote to make the co-op work well. like R2 did.

The art style is a huge deal for me because it differeniates the game from any other generic shooter. I remember the teaser because of its style but I barely remember the new trailer even though I just saw it a few minutes ago.

 

[jstevenson]

Wait what?
So when people were talking good about the first trailer they also hated Isomaniac?
Because im sure I dont have a problem with them, only with the new vision of this new generic game.

yet the reaction to the first trailer was pretty lukewarm, as others have pointed out in this thread

 

[kuroshiki]

Unbelievable.

you better believe it.

Spoiler

lol

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

I bet the game will turn out awesome, regardless of the art shift. As long as the story is awesome and gameplay matches, I'll be happy. I have faith in Insomniac. Resistance 3 was phenomenal, so they got some goodwill from me.

But Jesus, don't release it in March, Insomniac. Not unless you've got some giant marketing blitzkrieg ready that will guarantee sales.

 

[Slayven]

Meh, I will give ti a shot.