The Merchants of Venice: Assassin's Creed 2 and Venetica - 2 Tales of 1 City

OXCGN:

"Venice is artistic, magical and romantic- but equally it shows decay and ruin. It's no wonder Ubisoft Montreal and Deck 13 have chosen it as their destination for tales of assassination and murder...

I'm sure there will be quite a few gamers who are inspired to envelop themselves in the unique atmosphere of the slowly sinking city after playing one of the two soon to be released games located there: Assassin's Creed 2 and Venetica."

Includes previews and videos.

[gaminoz]

Venetica actually looks pretty decent. Two games using Renaissance Venice as inspiration and both out soon!

Both for me!

[Chris399]

I'll pick it up over AC 2, that's for sure. No offence to the people at Ubi, but the first one was only slightly better than average and I'm sure that I can pick up Assassin's Creed 2 next year once it hits the $30 sweet spot.

Too many releases this year to simply purchase every game that takes my fancy.

[allegionary]

@ Chris339

Isn't that the truth every end of year? Way too many games to buy!!

Venetica looks really good but yeah may be overshadowed despite coming up with Venice first (at least publically)!

I'll try to get both, but there are so many good games. I'm personally glad they delayed a lot for next year.

[cornfedgamer]

I agree. I'm glad some of these AAA titles got delayed until next year. It shows that the developers are taking the extra time to polish the game.

[darkmurder]

This game keeps looking better and better

[gaminoz]

I bet you meant AC2...but did you check out Venetica? Fable meets AC! lol.

[XboxOZ360]

It's a bugger when SO MANY great games are released around this time of the year. I can understand why publishers do it this way, but it sure as heck annoys the livin' daylights out of me anyway.

Both games look great in their own unique way.

[cornfedgamer]

I would think more publishers would take advantage of lull moments in the spring and summer to get more press coverage and hype. Not to mention to take advantage of the money burning holes in our pocket then.

[cornfedgamer]

I also went to Venice in high school and had a similar impression. Venice is a marvel of architecture and I'm excited whenever I see it depicted in a video game.

[allegionary]

Can you imagine missing out on Pink Floyd by one day? Poor guy!

Still he got to see Venice...that's more than I have so far. I guess I'll have to pretend when I'm playing those games (though the locals will all be trying to kill me!)

[cornfedgamer]

For Sure. Missing a Pink Floyd concert in Venice by ONE DAY would be heartbreaking. Even more so than when I missed the Reggae River Boat cruise by one day for four years in a row.

[allegionary]

Is it true Venetica isn't coming out on PS3?

I know we will have the usual PS3 vs. 360 screen and vid comparisons for Assassins C2, and the PS3 version will link to the PSP game with extra weapons etc., but I think only the 360 and PC get Venetica?

[gaminoz]

Yes it's true: 360 and PC only. Shame for the PS3 folk, as it looks good.

[cornfedgamer]

I hadn't even heard of this Venetica game until now.

[GrathiusXR]

As Chris pointed out Venetica will get over looked since it is being released alongside AC2 pretty much..

Plus it is a less known game so not many people will be as excited to pick it up to play as they have no clue about it.

AC2 whilst already having established itself will of course be the better known titles and more played.

[gaminoz]

It really is a shame, though, that new IPs struggle this way. It looks to be a great action-RPG.

Look at last year, the same happened to Dead Space and Mirror's Edge, despite their publicity. AC2 deserves its attention, but sequels always seem to ride over smaller studios' unique new Ips.

[Godem]

Cant wait for AC2!!!! pity Splinter Cell got delayed :(

[XboxOZ360]

It's a hard world out there when trying to match the AAA titles when it comes to publicity. A single AAA title can have in excess of $US10 mil spent on it, which is outside the cost of the games development. Halo 3's promotions etc were in excess of that figure, as is Forza 3 currently.

The smaller studios simply can not match that, sadly, and thus get far less public or gamer awareness in that mainstream areas. Only the dedicated followers really take an interest, and unfortunately, they only account for a small % of the purchasers.

Unless these studios enlist the help and support of a major publisher, it's unlikely things will change.

[Godem]

thats some good Trivia knowledge right there

[cornfedgamer]

It's like in Hollywood. The big producers shove a ton of special effects into a crappy movie (transformers 2) then market the action flick to force it down people's throats. They spend enough money to make you THINK the movie/game is a big deal when it's really more of the same.

Sadly I think distribution methods is the largest factor. XBLA is helping to change that, to allow indie developers an avenue to the masses. But when a game like Darkest of Days or Venetica has to compete with the big boys at a $50 price point its tough to win.

Like in movies, Indie games are important to keep mainstream developers on their toes, and to supply mainstream developers with talent.

Last word bubble... Vote me some more!