Last week, we invited a bunch of journalists to join us at the Classic Car Club in London’s trendy Shoreditch to celebrate the upcoming release of MotorStorm Apocalypse. There was a presentation and live playthrough of a brand new track, loads of 3D TVs to play the game on and some fairly spectacular burgers.
While it was all being set up, I sat down with the Assistant Game Director, Simon Barlow, to chat about online multiplayer, the challenges of moving to an urban setting and the sheer scale of the arcade racer coming exclusively to PS3 in March.
Yes, it was pretty cold in there.
17 CommentsAdd Yours
1
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 6:13 pm by InvaderBonaparte
Great interview! When can we see that demo then?
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 6:28 pm by Phenom_Evolution
A date for the demo hasn’t been confirmed yet. You’ll know via the blog when it has though.
2
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 6:29 pm by Ravenblade86
Great interview James! The new features for the online multiplayer sound great. I’ve put a load of time into all the Motorstorm games and I’m sure this one will be no different.
Oh and that looks like a very cool venue to host that event in!
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 7:02 pm by Phenom_Evolution
It was a very, very cool venue, themed around the veteran character ‘Big Dog’.
We’re looking forward to bringing you more interviews and reveals which go deeper into the features of online multiplayer as there’s a lot more than was covered in this interview!
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 7:26 pm by James Gallagher
It was a cool venue; I walk past it on my way home whenever I go out in Shoreditch so I was well happy to have a nose around inside.
3
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 6:32 pm by Kegs11
great stuff guys, but you need to get some buzz going for the game! only five weeks off and youve only had two posts in the last few weeks. kz3 has had countless. seriously, firstplay coverage, dev dairys, and demo news, oh and preorder bonuses. for the people unaware try play.com for a carbon superbike and hmv.co.uk for the carbon supercar. will the carbon rally car make an appearance on uk soil though! once again get some major hype going! the motorstorm faithfull will have their names on this but we want stronger competition!
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 7:53 pm by Phenom_Evolution
Thanks for your support Kegs11 – there will be lots of juicy announcements, interviews and blogs in the coming weeks which we hope will get you and everyone else as excited for the game as we are!
4
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 6:35 pm by Mikal_Drey
hey hey
I played this (in 3d) at the playstation access event.
Its a bit like split second but with ALOT more scope for routes etc. The debris, and buildings breaking apart do feel a little contrived and aren’t dynamic enough (it was predictible and repetitive) but the visuals are crisp and the 3D was plain awesome.
While the 3D didnt add much to the gameplay, when we switched to a standard 2D playthrough it was very noticable. 3D ramped up the visuals to a level I havent seen before (my first 3D game experience) and I certainly didnt want to play in the standard mode.
This is gonna be a superb game. I really hope that they add more than just racing and hit us with various race/play modes.
Last Man Standing deathmatch . . . . you know you wanna . .
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 8:30 pm by Phenom_Evolution
3D really does add a lot to the sense of immersion and the perception of speed; I’m glad that you got to experience it for MotorStorm Apocalypse and the fact that it was your first time makes it even more special.
It’s important to note that anticipation of how some of the bigger, set-piece earthquake events can unravel is necessary for the tracks to be playable. In these instances the unpredictability and dynamic gameplay comes from the random way in which events unfold around that set-piece: for example the debris is physics based and racer AI is always adapting to the ever-changing surroundings, so how each event plays out is different every time.
Variety in game modes there will be: over and above traditional Races, there will be a ‘Chase’ and ‘Eliminator’ mode from the get-go. Then, with the Custom Mode Creator, the community will have the tools to create their own unique and unexpected events too – like a last man standing deathmatch, perhaps.
5
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 6:59 pm by TwistedALiEN
Defo a 1st day buy for me
6
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 7:58 pm by DNAtlantic
Jeese James I work in Shoreditch at the moment!
Great interview! Excited for this game! Like the scarf haha
7
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 8:10 pm by AKGermany
At first I wasn’t very excited to be honest, but the last few interviews on here and on PSN, where more footage showed that there is lots variety in the setting convinced me to buy it.
8
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 8:16 pm by AKGermany
Oh, and will the game be released uncut in Germany? If I remember correctly, our ratings board won’t like that you can run over people with your car.
9
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 8:20 pm by kivi95
I must say im a HUGE FAN of the motorstorm serie and this looks GREAT and this will be a day one buy
Just one big question and a thing that annoyed me at MS2. Have you fixed the re spawn when you crash? So if you crash you don’t get ahead of your opponent.
10
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 9:37 pm by XxSteviexX
Day One (-1) buy.
Hope the trophies aren’t as grind-heavy though.
11
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 9:54 pm by Carl-G
Can’t wait to buy this
Love MotorStorm games.
+ Erm if all the main PS3 Exclusives are coming out this year[i.e LBP2+KZ3+MotorStorm Apocalypse+UC3+R3...]what games will we have left for next year then? I’m not complaining tho!
[Hopefully at E3 we will see some new PS3 only games for 2012]
12
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 10:44 pm by Linconan
I play MS:3DRift all the time.
I love and and can’t get enough of it.
Now,
I did own Motorstorm (original) and i did ‘like’ the game but nothing to this extent with 3DRift.
3D changes/adds everything.
The sense of gameplay is much more trilling, Jumps, tight squeezes between vehicles, near misses, etc etc etc.
I could go on all day why 3DRift is one of my fav games (period) because of 3D, but i won’t accept to highly recommend getting it while you wait for MA for those who has 3DTvs
Motorstorm Apocalypse 3D: DAY 1 purchase!!
13
Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 10:54 pm by Linconan
^
*except not accept.
My spelling bad.
Now,
I shouldn’t waste this post so i’ll carry on
I must admit i get alittle fired up when people say 3D adds nothing to games (in general).
After playing 3Drift in 3D for hours etc, then switch back to 2D just for comparisons. I’m shocked at how much i lose interest, the trill and sensations are gone.
You guys have done a great job with 3Drift and its something i love showing friends and family when they gather round.
Motorstorm Apocalypse in 3D will be awesome. CAN’T WAIT
Linconan
14
Posted on 9 February, 2011 at 1:34 am by cramoss
Great interview. Can’t wait for this game!
15
Posted on 9 February, 2011 at 10:37 am by KRyPTceltrix
I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for a racing game before… I can’t wait to get my hands on this again!
16
Posted on 9 February, 2011 at 6:04 pm by Krejsy
Blend of couch and online multiplayer, this will be [Deleted] awesome!
Every other developer should take note!
17
Posted on 9 February, 2011 at 9:55 pm by scope6
splitscreen online = sold.
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