Forget Mass Effect: New, Exclusive Sci-Fi PS3 Title in DevelopmentAuthor: Split-Screen Filed under: Gaming News and Reportage No Responses By Nike Okami
I gander and gaze at specimens like PSXExtreme and HipHopGamer. They push out rumour after rumour without a hint of credence, and expect the fanboys (and fans) to swallow it, unquestioningly. “Kojima’s on the PS3 Again, Dawg??”, “Top Secret New PS3 Title That We Can’t Tell You About But Thanks for All the Hits!” and so on. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to these “real” and “reputed” sources of news, there is a Playstation 3 title, exclusive to the platform till now, based on a brand new IP waiting to be published. So the real question is not what it is, but do you want it?
Of course, we’ll get 2 or 3 things concerning this IP out of the way first.
The developers: Steambot Studios and Bluepoint (Blast Factor).
The title: Exodyssey.
From the developer’s official blog:
“Steambot Studios and Bluepoint Games (Blast Factor), have recently collaborated on a proof of concept real-time demo on Sony Playstation 3, based on the universe of Exodyssey. The prototype was done in a very short period of time and shows our intentions in terms of graphics and gameplay… We are now looking for a publisher and potential investors to start working on this next action-adventure AAA title. Bring it on!”
Additionally, Steambot talks of the game at this past July’s CG Con 2009
“People even had a 1st glance at the ‘Exodyssey video game proof of concept’ that Austin’s Bluepoint helped develop, running on a PS3!”
And then again at official launch party for the franchise:
“The event was a success, more than 200 guests for an evening of visual thrills. Books and DVDs on sale, live painting, book signing, exclusive video projection of the Exodyssey world, good music, drinks and food, and the presentation of the Exodyssey game demo…”
There are more than enough indications that they’re intent with going forward in developing an Exodyssey game, which again, is currently exclusive to the PS3.
It’s hard to really define what Exodyssey is. Originally an illustrations book, called the “visual development of an epic adventure by Steambot Studios” that tells the story of a future humanity who’s roots are quietly being snuffed out and a protagonist who holds the key to finding out why. It can best be described as a graphic novel featuring the talents of concept artists behind such games as Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia, Far Cry 2, Splinter Cell and Deus Ex 3. Over 500 illustrations spanning 5 worlds and 176 pages to showcase the story of this brand new universe. The book and game are only the first few pieces of this new universe, according to Steambot Studios.
And so I put forth this interesting proposition to all PS3 fans – with a project like this coming through (and yes, more than likely, the game will be based off the illustrations seen in the teaser), who needs Mass Effect for the PS3? Pray that a big time publisher (you listening Sony?) has already picked this up, or is at least considering the same.