Symbiote Studios Production Blog

Defcon is a creation that defies conventional games design paradigms, shifting focus from gorgeous graphics and animation to the more fundamental aspects of purist game play concepts and functional but appealing graphics.

Defcon centers on the rather ruthless depiction of global thermonuclear warfare. Initially, you place your units, a combination of airbases, missile silos, radars, and naval units such as submarines, aircraft carriers and battleships onto the battle map. The game proceeds in stages;

DEFCON 5; no hostile actions, can move naval units within international waters.

DEFCON 4; Radar coverage will provide information on enemy units within range.

DEFCON 3; Can no longer place units. Can engage enemy units in naval and airborne combat.

DEFCON 2: Continued and more aggressive hostile actions.

DEFCON 1: Nuclear attacks allowed.

It’s fairly difficult to illustrate the finer nuances of this game. It possesses a depth that still impresses me to this day, offering a plethora of different offensive and defensive options for a player to experiment with. The tactical variations are astounding, with a simple premise that’s easy to grasp, but difficult to master, especially when you consider that the games overall focus is on multiplayer modes.

This is where defcon truly comes into its own. The single player AI is perfectly ok to spar with, however as soon as you start an online game, defcon takes RTS to a whole new level. Strategic and tactical choices become much more critical and micro-management of naval units, especially the aircraft carriers becomes crucial if you expect to be able to survive the onslaught. Throw 6 online players into the formula, and defcon becomes extremely chaotic. Its replayability and appeal do not wane with time, instead serving to lend the game more staying power. Testing advanced strategies and tactics against human opponents is a constantly enticing proposition.

Gruffs hint: protect and micro manage those carriers and their aircraft. After all, they’re your projection of power into a foreign airspace. Consider that one carrier can launch 2 nuclear equipped bombers from a much closer striking distance than your silos. Much more important in a sense than your ICBM silos. Make sure all of your aircraft are always tasked with orders or you’ll be ineffective. Battleship screens and immediate launch of fighters as a combat air patrol will save you a lot of bother with unanticipated guests!

For those who aren’t too familiar with the developers behind Defcon, Introversion are the finest independent developers in the United Kingdom. Their chief designer, Chris Delay is worthy of being ranked alongside the greatest game designers in the industry. Introversion is responsible for games such as Uplink, Darwinia and Multiwinia. All of these are available on STEAM or via the Introversion website and are well worth checking out.  Defcon also has ridiculously low system requirements, which means it’s guaranteed to run on practically anything you throw at it.

With so many gamers being conscious of prices these days, you’ll be happy to know that defcon can be picked up for 20 dollars/ £10 or so, or you can download from STEAM, or alternatively order both directly from Introversion. I’d recommend that you push your hard earned money towards Introversion directly, simply because they deserve it!

An added bonus with ordering directly from Introversion is that you can pick up the digital download and they’ll send you a boxed copy through the mail. Head on over to http://www.introversion.co.uk/defcon/ for further information.

My Rating: 9.1 An outstanding title with an innovative take on the real time strategy genre.  If you want nukes, then you need this.

The Gruff

Updates on Symbiotes soon! In the meantime, why not peruse our store for some statue finery? Our Sam & Max statue is available for pre-order here

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Sound the horns! The triumphant return of gonzo’s blog is on the horizon. My computer has been restored to its former glory and I will soon resume my regularly scheduled blogging. To tide you over until then, here’s a couple of photos I snapped while apple picking over the weekend.

If Marvel decides to produce a Deadpool movie, they should cast this sheep.

This photo of Domo was shot seconds before he tumbled over the fence. Those were some tense moments.

Until next web-log, I’m gonzo.
Have you heard about the Symbiotes? No? Well check them out, ya turkey!

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You’ve gotta give a little credit to Platinum games and Sega, their Wii exclusive and gore-tastic Madworld has already been dragged through the dirt as early as six months before its even touched down. MadWorld managed to survive an onslaught of the insufferable British tabloids in August with a little bruise, but anyone with half a brain knows the games far from seeing the end of uneducated parents and figures calling blasphemy and using it as a key to criticise the industry, but at least Platinum games and Sega are doing something about the concerns of the concerned, whether that’s a good thing for the game itself is another matter.

And for your enjoyment.

Sega confirmed months ago that they were working with the ESRB ratings board to ensure that Madworld makes it onto the shelves with an M rating in hand. This is all well and good and should keep Media Watch at bay for now, but it does it mean that the game will suffer as a consequence?

A portion of MTV multiplayer blog discussed the process which Sega are currently taking with Madworld’s development…

“Sega is working closely with the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to ensure the game receives just an M rating, they told me. The ESRB receives new builds on a regular basis and Sega notes their feedback. Sega wants them to feel “part of the process” of developing “MadWorld” and isn’t looking to surprise them.”

I can’t imagine the development process being the most comfortable with the ESRB looking over your shoulder. My personal attitude towards this ‘process’ is that if Sega have to involve the ESRB so closely in the development process then I don’t think we’ll see the games producers and designers might have original set out to make, we’ll most likely have to settle for a diluted high-street friendly alternative, which could still be great, but could have been greater (not to suggest the violence and gore always makes for a better game, just most of the time). Madworld is bound to suffer the same fate as games like No more heroes which saw all blood removed from the EU versions of the game or Manhunt 2 which has been delayed for release 14 months in the UK (due out October 31^st for those who are still holding on hope). The game has already been banned in Germany, Japan and Australia look set to follow; it doesn’t do much for MadWorld’s case or for that matter the future of mature gaming.

Start/Select (Currently wrapping up his first final fantasy game)

Ps. Check out their symbiotes! They’re so awesome I can’t even form a sentence to describe their awesomeness. Why dont you check them out and see what I mean!

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It’s not often that I actually have a cause to write about, but I do now. It’s nothing as noble as a charity or anything political. It’s a TV show that I want made and soon.

I’ve watched Smallville semi-regularly despite it being kind of dreckish at times. Even at it’s Ambercrombie and Fitch-iest it’s still better than the reality trash that burdens so many of our channels any more. Now I’m seeing that they are going to take Robin, strip him of anything remotely interesting and package him for more of the same on CW.

It made me wonder what I really wanted to see in a live action comic book based television show. I think Suicide Squad would have it all. Lots of action—check. Tons of obscure, wonderful villains—check. Absolutely no teen angst—check and check.

Suicide Squad revolves around a group of hardened criminals that take on missions for the government, and if they live, their prison sentence is commuted. The comic book had a good run in the late 80’s and has kind of lamented in limbo since then. The team has always been around, but no one seems to know what to do with them for very long.

I say put them on TV. I’d even be fine with them losing the colorful costumes and making it more realistic. Most of the core members aren’t flamboyant supertypes anyway. Deadshot is a gunsmith. Captain Boomerang has a knack with gimmick boomerangs of course. Bronze Tiger is a martial artist and Rick Flag is simply a career military leader. You could round out the team with femme fatale Plastique, who could be just an explosives expert, as she was on the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.

The missions could be realistic military strikes in made up countries as many were in the comics. Just focus on the chemistry or lack thereof that result when you put a bunch of unlikeable people on a team under extreme conditions for the human aspect of the show. You get all the flavor of the comic book and you downplay the costumes and powers part to rope in the general public.

Come on DC, let’s get on this. I don’t even want credit…unless there is an action figure line. Then, you can just send me a preview set. I’ll even review them for you.

sentinel331

You don’t have to wait and hope for Jessica Chobot. She’s right here!

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In homage to Trooper Clerks.  If you haven’t seen it, stop staring at this picture and go see it.  Then come back here and laugh about it with us.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8JNp-_BEvI

I’m Greg the Bunny and that’s news to me.

Have you pre-ordered your Sam and Max Statue yet?

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All rise! The next event is about to begin…

3,226,743. What’s that number? It’s the amount of units Wii sports has sold in under two years in Japan, a hefty weight considering to you and me that game is a freebie with the system. I doubt we could have ever estimated how phenomenally huge Nintendo’s casual efforts would be. Let’s not forget that Wii fit is only a year behind and just over half a million units away from topping Wii sports sales. It really is quiet mind boggling to look at those sales figures. I do not want to sound boring like the Nintendo E3 conference, but those are some serious numbers to brag about. Wii Music is launching worldwide in the next six weeks, a game that has appeared to cause a bigger uproar than both Wii sports and Wii fit, but why?

Well you don’t have to look too hard at what Nintendo has done to see why Wii music has people talking. Nintendo’s casual titles usually have some kind of ideological draw, Brain Age trains your brain to make its audience think their getting smarter, Wii sports gets you off the couch making you feel somewhat more sociable and Wii fit is a program designed to help you get in shape. These games test us, they make us look silly playing them, but we buy them. Will this be the case with Wii music.

There really isn’t much you’ll necessarily gain from playing Wii music, it doesn’t in many ways teach you to actually play any instruments with the exception of drums, but we don’t really know how good that will be. The main focus appears to be on bringing people together and I think this is where the single player aspect will be lost of most people, remember Electroplankten? That single player music game didn’t have much depth, but was definitely a pick up and play experience.

In Wii Music you dont exactly make the music, you simply use motions of buttons to play a predetermined song. Then again games like this have managed to be successful, Guitar Hero and Rock Band are very similar to Wii music, you play on your own or as a group to a predetermined track. However, with GH and RB you get the experience of being a rock star which pretty much sells it to those who can’t play particular instruments but love the genre. I don’t know if Wii Music can do the same though, the only image that goes with it is the family get together so you can play a series of instruments you normally wouldn’t go near or haven’t seen since music period in school. Getting together to play Yankee-doodle-do or the Mario theme tune does not seem to have enough pull to keep people coming back.

Look at him go, you have to admire it even if it’s just a little bit.

Wii fit and Wii sports came out with minimal competitors, but Wii Music already has Guitar Hero and Rockband to compete with. Maybe Wii Music will get caught up with the Music gaming fad right now, maybe it won’t and people will pick another instead, maybe it will sell millions. I just don’t see how a game like this can be marketed as a unique product, something that will wow or amaze people like its predecessors. I get why Wii sports was a big deal, I get why Wii Fit was so big, I just don’t get Wii music right now. Guess we’ll find out soon right?

Start/Select.

There’s only 1000 of them, get yours while you can! Click here to pre-order you limited edition Sam & Max statue

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I have to admit, I’m a frikking happy PC gamer at the moment. I might be dosed up to the eyeballs with Flu and Lemsip, but it’s all ok, because I have S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky on my hard drive. I’ve been sat here shivering, playing through the first few hours of the game and I’ve encountered a few pretty badass bugs, so I can totally understand the mixed reviews the games garnered from all corners, and so far I’m inclined to agree with the consensus of opinion that the prequel is a little “rough and tumble” in terms of it’s finished state.

This really isn’t anything new to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. devotees. We’ve been dealing with patching issues since the onset of the first game, and while many of us got frustrated with the single player game, it’s still one of the most interesting games I’ve taken time out to run through. I have a thing for architecture and I definitely appreciate the eastern tastes when it comes to their gaming habits and design ethics.

The problems with Clear Sky, as always, stem from their initial design brief. I almost feel sorry for GSC, given their obvious love for the project and the unique nature of their franchise, it holds appeal to western markets if only for it’s offering of something a little different to its competitors.

For people that accepted the limitations and bugs present within the first game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. became something more than just a broken FPS.  Not many games make it onto my “scared shitless” list, but S.T.A.L.K.E.R. took the prize the first time I ran into a cloaked bloodsucker running down a dark tunnel. All I could see were two bobbing lights coming towards me which turned out to be his eyes reflecting light back at me from my own flashlight. When I realized it was a beastie; it was already too late, and he decloaked and literally pounced on me.  I jumped a mile out of my chair, wrecking my headphones in the process. The last game to elicit such a reaction was F.E.A.R when I played it through for the first time. When a game can shit me up more than any film I remember, it’s worth giving it credit.

There are a couple more “OMFG” moments in S.T.A.L.K.E.R, but the overall attraction for me had to be the opportunity to be a tourist in a sense. I recently finished the first game for the second time, and using the 1.0005 patch the single player is far more streamlined in terms of bugs. Sure, you still get nudged out from cover by a friendly NPC, but it’s all good. I guess my point is that sometimes bugs aren’t the focus point people should be concentrating on when the experience offered can be so much more rewarding if you give the game a chance.

Clear Sky has problems. It’s true, but if you loved the first game, I think you’ll still get a major kick from this, and in GSC’s defense, there is already a patch available for both retail and digital versions. You can bet that GSC will be releasing more patches within the future. 

The Gruff

Keep the faith, Chobot ships soon!  Pre-orders for our new Symbiote range start tomorrow!

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My real job is pretty dull. It’s secure and a good provider, but I’m a paper pusher. Today, I’m more bored than most days.  So, I want to do something more exciting…like take over the world.

Mad scientists have it all. They always have a cool pad full of gizmos and sycophants. Even starting out, their place is always tricked out beyond belief. Apparently there is a government grant available if you want to take over the world. They must need someone for their Secret Agents to beat on regularly with the current shortage of would-be world conquerors. Who else has the dough to set up someone with no experience in a secret volcano lair full of lasers and rocket ships and most importantly…an endless supply of thugs?

All it takes is an overly convoluted plan that really is elegant in it’s simplicity. I have that. It involves a huge network of satellites above the Earth, each with a giant mirror. These mirrors would reflect the sun’s rays to the dark parts of the planet each day. There would no longer be darkness and no one would ever sleep again. (Except me of course, I’d buy black out shades ahead of time.)

I’m thinking it would only take a few days of not sleeping before law enforcement and the military would be utterly ineffectual. Then, I, Dr. Sentinelikov (all mad scientist names have to sound foreign, making them automatically ominous) will swoop in and take over the world. BWAHAHAHAHA.

Then what you ask? Naturally, I’d drain the world’s gold reserves for storage in my secret volcano lair. Then, I quit my boring government job. Finally, I give my final demands for removing my giant reflector mirrors so the world can sleep again.

My demands? Again, very simple. Hasbro and Mattel must figure out HOW TO PUT SUPERHERO TOYS IN STORES SO THAT ANYONE THAT WANTS THEM CAN FIND THEM.

You didn’t think I’d find a way to slip in something about toy collecting but I did it. Sure, it’s a dead horse, but I found a new way to beat it.

Told you I was bored today.

sentinel331

No problems finding Jessica Chobot. She’s right here!

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It’s been months in development, but we are now officially able to announce our new line of figures called Symbiotes. Symbiotes are cool new figures that all use the same head, body and arms. Designed by legendary artist Curt Rapala, each figure is a licensed character that is created in a stylized way.

Our characters are made out of PVC and vinyl and come with four interchangeable hands. Each character can position it’s hands in ways that competing products cannot, but our characters accessories can be held by our competitors products.

The standard sized Symbiotes are 6 inches in size and are in scale with other competing brands. We also will be offering smaller sized figures based on character needs. You can see great use of this in our size chart showing Sam, Max and a Rat.

Wave one will include Sam, Max, Black, White, Dr. Tran, Pirate and Ninja Symbiotes. We will have more information to come on this incredible line. Pre-orders will start on Monday  September 29th with a $5 off combo being available for those who pre-order the Sam and Max statue at the same time.

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Another one appears to have bitten more than it can chew, Capcom have announced yet another edition of the original Resident Evil story, a port of the remake of the Resident Evil you played back in 2002 or in some cases 12 years…on the Gamecube or Playstation if we’re talking about the original…which you can pick up second hand at pretty much any videogame retailer and play it on your Wii, carries a pretty cheap price tag too. It does beg a certain question, why port a game you can already buy cheaper and play on the same system? Oh and let’s not forget the DS version!

It’s not over yet kids!

It’s no industry secret, porting your long lost franchises or fresh and still selling franchises onto the Wii means less money in the consumer’s pockets and more in those of the retailer and publishers, it’s simple, the Wii is a big seller and porting games is not only quick and easy but it’s cheap. It has been a fundamental way to make money since day one, Ubisoft were the first to pick up on this, quiet literally cluttering the Wii launch line up with ports of Prince of Persia, Splinter Cell, easy cut-copy-paste jobs that get picked up in the launch hype and traded in months later, ports have become a considerable chunk of the Wii catalogue and I’d wager they make a bigger portion of the software sales.

The recipe to a good port in reality is to look at how you can adapt what you already have without twisting the already decent game is to a subpar remake. Generally, remakes tend to take good games or games released only in Japan and require a total rebuild from the ground up making an almost entirely new experience while maintaining enough to bring back good memories or just stay true to the original, ports on the other hand tend to adapt to what the current hardware can do. I’m always looking at ports on the Wii because they have an opportunity to offer a whole new experience that utilises the Wii remote and doing so can be difficult to adapt to motion controls, but more and more developers appear to be doing it with mixed results.

Missed out on Lisa Trevor the first time? Think again!

I don’t know what Capcom have up their sleeves with releasing this port I think they’re are just putting it out there for the sake of making money or appeasing the one and only fan who asked for this. Apparently, this game came around based on the sales of the Resident Evil 0 port released earlier this summer in Japan selling just over 50,000 units, you might not think that’s a lot but considering it is a port of a game over five years old with little else done to it, it’s hardly bombed, clearly there are people who want this sort of thing or people who don’t realise their Wii can play gamecube games, it’s hardly an advertised feature and I don’t know how readily availible GC software is over there. But in reality this is just Capcom cashing in on both franchise and Wii popularity, the saddest part is this port will join a long list of titles the Wii doesn’t need and I wished I’d never have to say that about a Resident evil game on the Wii.

Start/Select (wishing he could slaughter colossi in high definition)

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