A screenshot of the upcoming Alan Wake trailer has been released

u got owned - 444 days 16 hours ago

Agree.

This game has a lot of potential. This screen shot looks nice, i guess the wait was worth it. We'll know for sure with the trailer. But i like what i see.

Agree(6) | Disagree(4) | Report

Gam71 - 444 days 15 hours ago

miss post.

Damn home button being next to page up

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report

Draperc - 444 days 14 hours ago

"Heavy rain suck!" Much like your grammar, and as much as I'd hate to admit it, you're right, when it comes to graphics, Alan wake beats heavy rain. X_X

Agree(6) | Disagree(19) | Report

thewhoopimen - 444 days 14 hours ago

Wow... guys. I dunno how you much credibility you guys can strain. You think this:

http://pelaajalehti.com/wor...

is in the same league as this?

http://ps3.ign.com/dor/obje...

Seriously.... just at look at the trees... Are you nuts? generic repeating trees versus realistic branching and leaves?

Ok forget that... let's look at the car vs. the bike. One flat matte engine texture vs. real polygon bike parts...

Wanna compare trashcans? One wrapped ridge texture vs. real bump-mapped w/reflective metal can coming right up!

Now don't get me wrong. If Alan Wake is an open world game there are going to be design compromises in order to keep framerates and everything running buttery smooth and fitting it all in one dvd. Given these compromises, the makers are doing a fantastic job. But seriously, don't just shoot off your mouth.

Agree(19) | Disagree(10) | Report

nanometric - 444 days 13 hours ago

wrong reply

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report

thewhoopimen - 444 days 13 hours ago

http://www.alanwake.com/scr...

Agree(2) | Disagree(2) | Report

No Way - 443 days 19 hours ago

That is an olddddddddddd ass picture, though. So, the graphics may have, and probably have, been greatly improved from the screen shot.

Agree(2) | Disagree(2) | Report

sonarus - 443 days 18 hours ago

Actually according to a rumor i heard, the visuals have actually been downgraded because the 360 couldn't run them as well as PC. Can't remember where i heard the rumor but i believe that was the primary reason for the games delay

Agree(2) | Disagree(4) | Report

nonAsianDroid - 444 days 12 hours ago

Onko Pelaajalehdellä tietoa siitä onko kyseessä renderöity kuva vai suora kaappaus pelistä?

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report

omni_atlas - 444 days 16 hours ago

Heavy Rain has some good emo.

Lets hope they do a good job, hoping to get this on the PC.

Agree(3) | Disagree(3) | Report

u got owned - 444 days 15 hours ago

"Lets hope to see some Uncharted/Heavenly Sword quality capture. Those are really the best and only examples of pulling it off well this gen. Thats even where MGS4 failed."

i would say that Mass Effect has the best facial animation this generation. Those games you mention are pretty good at facial animation too, but my pick would be Mass Effect on that department.

Agree(24) | Disagree(19) | Report

Xi - 444 days 15 hours ago

He's an insomniac. They usually have the same lethargic look most of the time.

Agree(1) | Disagree(3) | Report

u got owned - 444 days 15 hours ago

@ CViper

Well CViper i do own all three and while Uncharted has better graphics, in my opinion Mass Effect has better facial animations.

Agree(14) | Disagree(10) | Report

Xi - 444 days 15 hours ago

About the new bond guy always having the exact same look on his face.

http://corriecanuck.files.w...
http://powerlinead.files.wo...
http://www.koodos.com/blog/...
http://images.contactmusic....
etc.

Agree(9) | Disagree(1) | Report

Gam71 - 444 days 15 hours ago

PMSL XI.

I think that ends this argument

god i hope i got the right reply tab this time.

Agree(3) | Disagree(2) | Report

nanometric - 444 days 14 hours ago

Sorry, but I agree with CViper, HS take the cake by a mile. Uncharted next in line. Though I haven't played ME, but what I have seen from the videos, it definitely doesn't come close to those two. Yes, maybe acting was a little over done on HS, but damn, it's the first game where I could sense sarcasm from expression alone, a game where the dialogue isn't even needed to understand what characters are trying to say, at least that's my take on it. And I was really surprised that MGS4 was really lacking in that department.

P.S. GFX wise this looks on par with Heavy Rain, thought this is my judgment based on just one screen shot vs a whole trailer.

Agree(3) | Disagree(7) | Report

Xi - 444 days 14 hours ago

I got one for you, half life 2 and tf2 have the best facial animations.

want proof watch the meat the team video's for tf2 and any cutscene in HL2EP2

http://store.steampowered.c...

Agree(2) | Disagree(2) | Report

Kuest - 444 days 14 hours ago

to ostensibly critique Alan Wake's facial animations, or lack thereof, particularly on the basis of one screen shot alone. As such, I would bid you a little more patience, and wisdom, before interpreting Alan Wake's entire offerings to come. In fact, you would be a fool to homogenize any video game installment without having read a sufficient
number of previews, etc.

In any case, no verdict can be made of Alan Wake just yet, though I myself am skeptical of the game's somewhat expository story premise. The nature of life, nor the universe, can be revealed simply by wandering alone disconsolate trailer parks, or peering sinisterly outside a window. Hopefully, there is an adventure waiting on the other side.

Moving forward, in response to your disgusting ME critique, allow me to briefly elucidate, and enrich your understanding of innovation, and true character expression. You mentioned Heveanly Sword and Uncharted, both of which feature exemplary visuals, not to mention a distinct ensemble of characters.

That being said, both titles ignored true character interaction, with regards to story development, choosing instead to rely on a sundry list of cut scenes, and CGI. How could one not expect HS, or Uncharted's graphics to at least surpass ME's visual quality if it does not assume the same responsibilities and risks? Indeed, ME is the ONLY prominent example of facial animation because, of the three, it alone has managed to manipulate character development via in-game mechanics. That is, through the PLAYER , which ultimately signifies where the future is headed; indeed, for all our sakes, I sincerely hope progress is not measured through the stale junkyard of cut scenes, and long winded movie trailers.

To conclude, spare us your unsubstantiated opinion. What awards did HS or Uncharted win, with regards to graphics? Furthermore, what genuine example of character interaction did it feature, in comparison with ME. Is that not the true testament to facial animation?

Agree(23) | Disagree(2) | Report

Fanboy Fart - 444 days 14 hours ago

Great post, Kuest. ++ Bubbles.

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) | Report

pshizle - 444 days 14 hours ago

does have the best facial expressions you tool

i have uncharted and mass effect

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) | Report

Kuest - 444 days 14 hours ago

is cleaner than the fanboy him/herself! I make my assumptions, of course, after briefly checking your post history, which is both insightful and straightforward.

Obviously, you misjudge yourself... for you are not a fanboy's fart, but a welcome breath of fresh air, and a friend.

So, bubbles for you too, Mr. fresh air.

Agree(6) | Disagree(0) | Report

thewhoopimen - 444 days 14 hours ago

Ok guys, before you mouth off and say really dumb things, just remember that this is the internet and all in-game videos are available for comparison for anybody.

That being said, lets do a ME vs. HS dialogue video and really take a close look at the difference in level of facial animation work.

Here is ME:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Here is HS:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Now UGotPwned tell me why I should believe you that ME has better facial animation?

@Kuest I saw your well elaborated argument, and to a certain degree I can agree. However, the question isn't about who got what award, but what you see with your own eyes. Since Heavenly Sword's dialogues were all facially mocapped, there shouldn't even be a question of which has better in-game facial animation. I present vid arguments above.
Just for your info in HS, you can see Bohan stick his tongue out, look into his mouth, and watch him bare his teeth. Bohan is played by Andy Serkis of LOTR "gollum" fame. And they use the same facial capture technology in HS that they used for LOTR...
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

And for those that "silently" disagree like the snivelling cowards that you are. Show me your rebuttal.

Agree(3) | Disagree(7) | Report

Kuest - 444 days 13 hours ago

the two links you provided all but verify Heavenly Sword's graphical superiority to ME, though if only in regards to CUT-SCENES.

That, Mr. Whoopimen, is the essential premise of my argument; how can one even presume to compare ME's in-game facial animations against any variant of Heavenly Sword's CGI facial animations?

By and large, one game installment showcases the progression of video game entertainment, while the other simply enhances a boilerplate sausage technique. Hence, in my opinion, Heavenly Sword cannot even compete for the distinction of "best facial animations award" because it features no user interface, or any capacity for in-game manipulation whatsoever. In comparison, ME's facial animations can be willfully altered according to the player's discretion.

Thus, my argument pertains not necessarily to graphics itself, but to the accessibility of video game technology.

Agree(12) | Disagree(2) | Report

thewhoopimen - 444 days 13 hours ago

Kuest, as I mentioned before, I can in many ways agree with your argument and you've certainly presented some very strong points. However, please let me elaborate why I do not care to differentiate the two. Your point of interactivity with ME is well taken and certainly it is a much more ingenious solution than simply watching an in-game movie. However, ME's technology is by no means new or truly innovative. Simply look back at Myst games and you have the equivalent in-game conversation scenarios and choices... albeit with "video" playback vs. polygon re-enactment of dialogue. Click a choice and watch the video...isn't that what ME essentially is as well, except with in-game polygons? What I am trying to argue is that the dialogue in ME, like HS is all pre-made and pre-recorded. The only difference in ME is that you have branching polygon re-enactments to your answers, vs. no interactivity beyond a skip button. Because HS cut scenes are fully acted out vs. hand animated or whatever ME uses, the in-game polygon vids of HS are most certainly superior to ME. Maybe not as interactive, or elaborate, but technically superior and more expensive per line.

And here's the kicker. If for some reason HS was going for the branch dialogue route, then it would simply mean more mo-cap sessions for your yes, no, maybe, etc answers. The crux of my argument is that full facial animation mocap will always trump whatever secondary technology uses to cut costs (in order to cover more dialogue). (Going off tangent) This is also the biggest benefit that having higher-capacity media in gaming.

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) | Report

nanometric - 444 days 13 hours ago

First off, I wasn't in an argument about Alan Wake's facial animation, I was comparing HS, Uncharted and ME. As far as technical aspect goes, ME is superior, due to the fact, all facial animations where computer generated to the written dialogue. Which can be a cheap way to capture large amounts of dialogue, with good results, thus saving money, but it's never gonna top a real mo-cap with actors.

And what does facial animations have to do with "...user interface, or any capacity for in-game manipulation whatsoever."??? Mo-cap doesn't change from cgi or ingame or any other argument you provided. As I said, from actual "looks", HS beats ME in facial animation, from a technical standpoint ME is beats HS. But we are arguing about best looking facial animations here and not technical aspects of 'em.

Agree(0) | Disagree(3) | Report

green - 444 days 13 hours ago

I can comfortably say that you are one very wise gamer.Bubbles +

I agree with every single thing you say.i have played HS and Uncharted but Mass Effect takes the award for best facial animation.Graphically they are better than mass Effect but what Mass effect does in game with animation is mind boggling.

In normal games you listen to what the character says in cutscenes and then continue on the scripted path that the devs have set out for you but in Mass Effect you have to see their facial expressions and not just take what they say at face value to see if they are telling the truth or not.You have to read meaning into what characters say and their expressions, this will enable you make better or stupid decisions down the line.

So as you can see the facial animation in Mass Effect is not for you to look at and be simply amazed at but is actually there to help you make better decisions in the game.

What Bioware did in terms of player interactivity,character development and they way you choose to play a game was simply amazing.

And to those trying to undermine Alan Wake, please give it a rest for Christ's sake.The last time we saw anything in regards to Alan wake was 2 years ago and now you are making assumptions and passing negative judgments based on to me one excellent looking screen shot.

Agree(6) | Disagree(1) | Report

Kuest - 444 days 13 hours ago

However, I must impress upon you the disparity between Motion Capture and Dialogue trees. As mentioned earlier, i agree that HS does possess superior graphical quality, though in sole regards to its cut scenes.

Now, consider the nature of interactive entertainment, which of course would encompass console entertainment. Specifically, by what standard should we judge a gaming product, if not on the basis of its user accessibility? For, if one were to critique any interactive medium on the basis of visuals alone, what would differentiate such products from cinema entertainment?

As such, i insist that a sufficient criteria for video games should be esteemed on how successfully it engages the user. In other words, graphics should not simply be evaluated according to its polygon count, but its capacity to interact with 1) the player and 2) story development. In MGS 4, for example, consider how its graphical technology, which enabled interactivity with Snake's camouflage suit, could be employed to advance both story progression, as well as interactivity with the surrounding environment. Thus, one could reasonably argue MGS 4's graphical prowess because it helped further advance user accessibility.

To put in even more perspective, recall the limitations of MGS 2. Could the user manipulate the environment to the same degree as its fourth installment? Of course not, and therefore the graphical capability of MGS4 was evident without dispute. Even so, when considering just MGS2's cut scenes alone, how could the player possibly be more disadvantaged than those who observed MGS4's infamously lengthy CGI trailers today? Are not both instances, despite the gap in visual technology, predicated on merely watching, just like Cinema entertainment?

My friends, user interactivity is the prime aspect to consider when evaluating a game's graphical quality. For video games itself are predicated on such interactivity. As such, what does Heavenly Sword do than merely capitalize on what previous games have done, albeit in a more appealing, more visually tasteful manner? Is not this same sort of progression indicative of the cinema's own progression, such as the distinction between Citizen Cane, and the Matrix?

Mass Effect may have established its technology on previous innovations, but without a doubt it is considerably more conducive to the overall philosophy of games, which as i started earlier is predicated on interactive entertainment. The dialogue trees, while deceptively simple, empowers the player with both the visual fidelity and necessary interface to advance STORY PROGRESSION. In that sense, Mass Effect clearly boasts superior technology in regards to facial animations. For, what good is such facial animation if it does not advance the aforementioned principles of gaming?

There... i have made my argument, now make yours.

Agree(16) | Disagree(0) | Report

thewhoopimen - 444 days 12 hours ago

If what green says is true about differentiating conversation via facial expressions in ME, then ME certainly has upped the notch on game interaction and should be lauded for their efforts. However, in revisiting Kuest's earlier argument of ME winning awards, I would point out that while certainly true, ME wasn't the only title praised for its technical drive.

Here is an excerpt on HS's maker Ninja Theory:
The developer was nominated for five Develop Industry Excellence Awards for the game including best new IP, visual arts, audio accomplishment, technical innovation, and best independent developer.[3]
"Develop Industry Excellence Awards 2008". DevelopMap.com (July 2008). Retrieved on 2008-09-10.

In any case, we can argue circles around the disparate features that make one title superior to another, but the original topic was facial animation. Not sound, not branching dialogue, not textures, manipulating the environment, environmental interactivity, etc. Simply facial animation. The comparison of facial animation between ME and HS is a no contest. HS is undoubtedly superior in this regard.

Now if we want to move on to technical gameplay, I would whole-heartedly support ME as far outclassing a narrowly focused third person fighting or shooting game. Neither HS nor Uncharted carry the scope that ME purports.

@Cviper Below: I wholeheartedly agree with you that it is a shame ME could not include mo-cap. i would go so far as to say that ME's dialogue-driven gameplay was crippled by this design choice, especially if a player has to "read" character expressions in order to determine character intent.

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) | Report

Kuest - 444 days 12 hours ago

What good has Uncharted's, or Heavenly Sword's superior graphics garnered in respect to critical reception, or sales for that matter? Especially, Heavenly Sword, which was dependent almost entirely on a user's eyeball dexterity, rather than good game play.

A brief reality check, Viper; my inclusion of Mass Effect within this thread was not of my doing, but another user before me. But, with regards to your Alan Wake skepticism, my first post still holds true. For your alleged misgivings are without substance given the fact that you have only glimpsed ONE, single, solitary screen shot of Alan Wake. Therefore, it is not i who misunderstand the framework of this debate, but you who- like a sneaky child- attempted to erupt a reasonably boring thread into a debate regarding something none of us can truly be aware of (Alan Wake's graphics).

Going back to Mass Effect, i have explained my position, and ultimately it boils down to preference. That is, if you are content to marvel at the fluidity of CGI cut scenes, i obviously cannot dissuade how silly you fetishes are, given that video games are predicated on game play. Spectators watch, my friend. Thus, how can one truly be engrossed with a game's story, if he/she is not conducive to its conclusion? Again, perhaps this signifies a difference in opinion between us.

Agree(8) | Disagree(0) | Report

Dareaver1 - 444 days 9 hours ago

That's all i can say. Kuest, bubbles for you and you are now on my Track List.

Rarely on N4G has a post been so profoundly put. I am simply in awe of your vocabulary and the straightforwardness of your posts, despite their attempts to twist and change the conversation.

I really don't understand how they could seriously compare gameplay animation to CGI cutscene animation. That to me in itself showed their true intention. Also to the fact that one could make such assumptions from one solitary screenshot is ridiculous.

But still, kudos to you for standing your ground in such a way that makes me want to see more debates from you....

If there were a poster of the year award. You would win hands down, i believe, just for this brief exchange.....

Hope to see more of you on here.... Take care....

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) | Report

ud - 444 days 6 hours ago

ME had the best facial animations? GIVE ME A BREAK, HS and Uncharted had FAR BETTER animations, and if you have played all of these games you seriously can't say that ME had the best, it had the WORST of the three, you guys aren't playing in HD or aren't playing the games at all or something lol.... you can't even argue with it. Buy / Rent the games.... seriously

Agree(0) | Disagree(3) | Report

Dareaver1 - 443 days 21 hours ago

bubbles to you, why do you have so few bubbles? That was well said, and it gives a different perspective where you too are right.

Now this is what i'm talking about. Great debates, eyeopeningly different perspectives.

This is what N4G needs, and all done in mature manner.

Game on people

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) | Report

Scrooge - 443 days 19 hours ago

Wow, it's pretty evident that the Sony fans live in an alternate reality here at N4G.

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) | Report

No Way - 443 days 19 hours ago

Outside of N4G, I doubt Anyone would care which game had better facial animation..

But, I do have to agree. I think Mass Effect has the best facial animation. But, all the games listed are all very good.

And, I also think it's stupid that your critiquing Alan Wake's ability for Facial Animation from one, or a few, screen shots..

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) | Report

bomboclaat_gamer - 444 days 15 hours ago

at first u compare both games and then u turn around and say u cant compare them. go to hell with ur max speed.

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report

Gam71 - 444 days 15 hours ago

Mrs ps3 i notice your sig has an xbox on fire.

Shouldn't that be the lap of someone with a vaio or the pocket of some kid that has a psp in it?

Agree(3) | Disagree(3) | Report

TheMART at Xboxkings - 444 days 14 hours ago

@ Sena

You mean...

sUpeR MaRio GalAxY fan?

Agree(4) | Disagree(1) | Report

snoopgg - 444 days 14 hours ago

This has nothing on Heavy Rain.

Agree(9) | Disagree(8) | Report

nonAsianDroid - 444 days 12 hours ago

wow ali, are you becoming a 360 fan??>>> it seems you have been lately

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) | Report