360°

Ninja Theory's Tameem Antoniades Clarifies Uncharted 2 Comments

SPOnG: "Earlier today we ran a story regarding Ninja Theory main-man Tameem Antoniades' presentation at BAFTA last night. In the interest of transparency and clarity, we are now running a follow-up that clarifies what Tameem said about Uncharted 2's animations."

Stuart57564949d ago

More like Platinum standard, Naughty Dog are the best, you better prove shit if you think you're better.

Keith Olbermann4949d ago

how enslaved performs....who knows..he may have a leg to stand on..maybe.

westy5524948d ago

Well going by the ps3 demo of enslaved, its not great on a graphical standard, mind you the game is fun but aint breaking any records in the looks department. And @ number47 defiantly agree.

nveenio4948d ago

Naughty Dog's animations are top notch. I've played the Enslaved demo, and the animations weren't even close to Uncharted quality. So now we know that the lighting, texturing and animations are all sub-Uncharted.

Someone needs to tell the guys at NT that there's no shame in being sub-Uncharted. They aren't alone.

number474949d ago (Edited 4949d ago )

Their game is rubbish, and even mentioning UC2 has nothing to do with them. They are trying to get some sort of association with greatness as if animation alone -- is why UC2 was epic. No, story/score/gameplay/visuals. In this climate of media dumbastedness, they are well aware of how things are taken out of context. It doesn't even need to be mentioned imo since lots of game devs do motion & face capture, watching the behind the scenes of UC2 you can see they also do face..

NT isn't raising any bars with the unreal engine, or the scope of enslaved.

Another case of a developer with PS3exclusivitus.

Redempteur4948d ago

i agree that's damage control

Pennywise4949d ago

Looks like V-Neck is doing some back peddling!

Dnied4949d ago

Ok can somebody clarify for me:

"However, I am a firm believer in performance capture (capturing face, body and voice simultaneously for multiple actors). It is a technique we pioneered in games with Heavenly Sword working alongside Weta Digital and gives, in my opinion, the most honest representation of human drama."

I thought this IS exactly what ND does? lol this si the second time hes said that, am I crazy? I coulda sworn i watched the making of videos and they were recording voice, acting, animation etc all at once...

DemiseofPandas4949d ago

Yeah the proof is on the blu-ray, I guess he just needs his ego stroked to think he is pioneering something, or to have an iconic character remodeled after himself.

Christopher4949d ago (Edited 4949d ago )

There's no proof of who pioneered what, but it's highly unlikely that one had any effect on the other. I really hate that they're talking all high and mighty, it's just annoying.

Heavenly Sword began development in 2002 and Uncharted in 2004, but that says nothing about when they began recording motion captured scenes.

Personally, I say shut up and prove that you're the best.

@Demise: My response wasn't directed at you. Just to the comment made by Tameem in the article.

DemiseofPandas4949d ago (Edited 4949d ago )

I wasn't saying one pioneered it or the other, just agreeing that he went out of his way to clarify an ill informed statement. The fact is that ND does MoCap with all the actors together, and he claims they do not. I've read many statements by this man, and I do say his ego is showing. The Mocap and facial in Heavenly Sword were great and hold up even to today, but NT has a lot more they need to prove, before making such arrogant statements without knowing all the facts.

@cgoodno I can tell you are well informed poster and I enjoy your comment, I guess I felt my post may have been ambiguous and needed to clarify my own statement further.

Triella4949d ago

They're right with one thing Ninja Theory does actually motion caputres movements but also faces expression at the same time, ND only track movements (and dialogues). But it doesn't necessarily mean what they do is better than what ND did in Uncharted2 by applying faces expressions in postproduction. I think the latter actually gives developper more freedom because they are not bound by the actor's play and can adapt the face expression at will.

Sometimes in Heavenly Sword you got a weird impression the face is affixed separately, I've seen that in the Enslaved demo too when Trip is in the pod, looking at Monkey.

nycredude4948d ago

Whatever happened they must be on a budget cause teh facial expressions in Enslaved doesn't even beat out Heaven Sword's facial expressions.

Lombax4948d ago

Actually ND only does body Mo-Cap. They animate all the facial movements by hand.

solidjun54949d ago

Well, the previous article had a sensationalist headline. I mean, once you read the whole article, he was talking about different techniques used for motion capture and he used Uncharted as a reference point. I really don't see the point of clarifying.

Malice-Flare4949d ago

everything needs to be crystal clear, and even with that, it is the idiots calling themselves "bloggers" or "journalists" that do the misconstruing...

Cloudberry4949d ago

.
But the net sometimes (if not, most) taken things out of the context (misleading, or fake even, etc).

So, it's not surprising if the source subject clarified it.

And yes, I agree with your quote:

"he was talking about different techniques used for motion capture and he used Uncharted as a reference point."

SPOnG4949d ago (Edited 4949d ago )

Hi there, Tim from SPOnG here.

The point of clarifying was the make sure that our readers and the people we write about are treated fairly. Tameem took the time to contact us - politely. We responded to him. He was happy to provide a quote. We were able to process the audio and run that so that the readership could have the actual detail there.

I thought it was a better all concerned to run a right of reply for reasons of clarity and fairness. Especially given Tameem's final comment in this story.

Cheers
Tim

Baka-akaB4949d ago

The problem is more than the headline . Like said above , he is insistent and adamant that they use a technique naughty dog doesnt , when it has been stated and proven via documentaries , that naughty dog did in fact use it .

Even with a clarification , that still make little sense

CoxMulder4948d ago

ND didn't capture facial expressions (& hands) though, check this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

relevant part at 3:30 min

Regarding Enslaved, I think it's pretty disappointing that the Heavenly Sword cutscenes still have the edge over Enslaved. The game being 3 years old and all..

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4948d ago
ActionBastard4949d ago

Why does he look like Dante? And he's the game director. Hmmm...

solidjun54949d ago

I thought the exact same thing when I saw the video in the other article that defended the change. I was like, "you know...he looks like Dante. Did they really have a 100 concept arts or just took a picture of this guy and said, 'let's do this!'."

ActionBastard4949d ago

It's between him and K.D Lang as the inspiration for the new Dante.

andron4949d ago

i have also noticed the similarities. They sure took their time designing the new Dante, he just took his own face and made it younger..

Show all comments (35)
120°

15 PS3 Games That Would Absolutely Shine as PS5 Remakes

GB: "With this feature, we talk about 15 games on the PS3 that should be remade for the PlayStation 5."

Read Full Story >>
gamingbolt.com
kenpachi5d ago

You left out The Darkness games bring those back

fan_of_gaming4d ago

The head of Nightdive Studios has posted that The Darkness is on their list of games they want to do, so hopefully something comes from that

Yi-Long4d ago

Little Big Planet 1 and 2 deserve a mention, IMO.

Good call on Motorstorm, a game released 2 gens ago but still looks and feels so good. Motorstorm 2 and Motorstorm RC were gems as well. They followed up the Motorstorm games with the brilliant Driveclub, which still manages to put modern racing games to shame. Imagine closing down a studio as talented as that ... (!) Incredible.

A little 'arcade-gem' back then was The Last Guy, a top down 'follow the leader' snake-like game where you had to find and lead survivors to safety during an alien invasion, on terrible looking 'Google-earth' maps. Graphics were poor, even back then, but would love that same gameplay with modern maps and graphics.

Street Fighter 4, once it finally had a full roster, was quite good, but it was always an ugly game, sadly. Imagine bringing that back while using the current SF6 engine.

fan_of_gaming4d ago

Good suggestions, I'd be in for
LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet 2
Motorstorm: Pacific Rift
Motorstorm: RC

purple1014d ago

God damn I love motorstorm so much

At the time I had a low-mid range sony 40” tv, The latency to the controller was waaaay too high, would to play a modern version

In saying that later I got a 3d lg tv and playing the 3d motorstorm in my bedroom with the environment crumbling around the track, was something special, specially compared to what others were playing at the time, will always remember that

Skuletor4d ago

Some good choices here and Resistance: Fall of Man is my most wanted PS3 remaster/remake. Not sure about their claim it was Sony's answer to Gears of War though.

CrimsonWing694d ago

I’d rather have sequels than remakes. Look at Dead Space 1 Remake. Would’ve been cooler if we got a new entry and it failed with sales sealing the fate of a sequel rather than just replay the same game and it fail in sales and we never get a new entry.

Remakes are great for things like PS2 and earlier games to really get a crazy new graphical coat, but I think we should ease up on all these remakes and actually do sequels.

fan_of_gaming4d ago

Yeah for sure, sequels would be ideal. But in the current market environment where many big publishers are risk-averse, I'd rather get a remaster or remake that a developer can do on a budget that will be approved, rather than nothing for an IP.

Inverno4d ago

I rather they remaster and port over to PC and current gen all the games permanently stuck on PS360. Those games don't need remakes, they need to be given a chance to live again outside of their confined consoles and then give a few proper sequels. Like Sleeping Dogs, Motor Storm, LA Noir, should get another entry.

fan_of_gaming4d ago

Yeah I'd be fine with remasters of PS3 games too, they don't have to be remakes.

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410°

Former Hellblade Director & Ninja Theory Founder Explains Why He Left The Studio

Former Hellblade director and Ninja Theory co-founder has offered an explanation regarding his departure from the now Microsoft-owned studio.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
XiNatsuDragnel8d ago

I hope he forms a new studio soon

Cacabunga8d ago

It is a good studio.. i really enjoyed their dmc game that i platinumed it.
I did not try hellblade, because it doesnt tell me much.. Enslaved was very mehhh
Heavenly Sword was good not great. Amazing graphics back in the day but so repetitive and not so engaging in the long run.

stoney1018d ago

I really enjoyed Enslaved and Heavenly Sword back in the day. Wish they'd return to that sort of game. Hellblade isn't really for me to be honest. Not saying it's not a good game, I just couldn't get into it.

Popsicle7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

That is fair. I enjoyed Hellblade but can definitely see how it isn’t for everyone.

Would like to see how Heavenly Sword would have turned out if developed today. It’s easy to forget that games like Heavenly Sword were unprecedented and in their infancy.

shinoff21837d ago (Edited 7d ago )

Enslaved has been their favorite game for me. Loved the atmosphere.

1nsomniac7d ago

Heavenly sword was a staggeringly good game!! One of the most memorable of the PS3 generation in my opinion.

Babadook77d ago (Edited 7d ago )

Heavenly sword was good. It had ambitious graphics and as a result the frame rate suffered and as a result the gameplay suffered. But the story was phenomenal. Great acting, especially Andy Serkis as the king.

Jingsing7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

"Microsoft" we all read between the lines. We have seen the exact same thing happen with many of their other acquisitions

InUrFoxHole7d ago

Jesus man! Try reading the article at least.

cthulhucultist7d ago

One thing that pleasantly surprised me, was the Switch port, as back then it was my only console. The graphics were amazing and the artistic design helped a lot to enhance the visuals.I took some really impressive screen shots while playing which I still revisit them from time to time to remind me what a capable developer (QLOC) can achieve with weaker hardware.

Show all comments (20)
400°

Xbox Acquired Hellblade Developer Ninja Theory for $117 Million

According to FTC filings, Microsoft acquired Ninja Theory for $117 million.

Obscure_Observer293d ago

Ninja Theory is made of very talented and passionate developers.

I´m glad that saw that studio´s potential and chose it to be part of the Xbox family!

Now under Xbox they´re AAA and has all the freedom and resources in the world to deliver amazing games for us!

Thank you Phil and Tameem Antoniades.

blackblades293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

Stop slurping in public

RpgSama293d ago

He is getting out of hand lately, he took it to 11 now.

Army_of_Darkness293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

@Obscure_Observer

"oh thank you so much Xbox! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! I bend the knee for you my lord!" 🤣🤣

Ninja theory is okay. Not great.

Elda293d ago

LOL!! That's the behavior & words from a true fanatic.

Crows90293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

The potential??? Remind us all who they've tapped their potential? What new IP are they working on???

Oh wait...that's right. They needed a cinematic story driven IP ...hellblade was well received so they bought them for peanuts.

And let's see.. what are they currently working on and to what scope compared to before??

Basically the same game but #2
Similar situation to the tomb raider sequel except this time they made this sequel a permanent exclusive.

Knushwood Butt293d ago

Maybe Bleeding Edge was the potential.

Crows90293d ago

@knush

Oh crap you're right. Lol that thing was definitely a result of the Microsoft acquisition.

4Sh0w293d ago

Ninja Theory has alot of potential, but Hellblade 2 needs more action gameplay before I get excited. They did well with Heavenly Sword & DMC games so hopefully we'll see a full blown new action IP from them after H2.

Crows90293d ago

@4sh0W

Just imagine what they could do...people falsely claiming hellblade 2 is like god of war...Heavenly sword, which was a playstation exclusive, was more in competition with god of war.

Obscure_Observer292d ago

"Oh wait...that's right. They needed a cinematic story driven IP ...hellblade was well received so they bought them for peanuts."

MS paid $117 million for Ninja Theory which at the time was an indie studio made of only 20 people.

Sony paid $229 million for Insomniac which at the time were made of 400 employees.

That was a steal! Lol!

"And let's see.. what are they currently working on and to what scope compared to before??"

The original Hellblade was developed and produced by only 20 people (Melinda included).

As an Xbox first party studio, Ninja Theory has now 200+ employees and Hellblade II will be full AAA game powered by UE5. In term of scope, the original Hellblade only features only small areas to explore, while in Hellblade II gamers will be allowed to explore all areas of Iceland.

"Basically the same game but #2"

Lol. You´re in for a major shock! XD

Crows90292d ago

@obscure

There will be shock...but It think itll be all over you.
The same but number 2 wasnt meant as an insult. I liked the first one..so I know I'll like the second. You probably didnt care for the first one for a couple of reasons.

1. They were you referred to it as a small indie game
2. It wasnt an xbox exclusive

Youll be in shock when its pretty much the same but number 2. Number 2 of any game is ALWAYS bigger.
God of War Ragnarok is essentally God of War but number 2. Same kind of game but bigger in scope.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 292d ago
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neutralgamer1992293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

Obscure

You really think he gives a damn about you or me thanking him? Seriously man does it not bother you at all that you are such a huge fanboy of Xbox and your comments come across like cult members

Be a gamer for gaming these corporations don’t care about any of us. We are dollar signs to them

On topic

I am glad for NT because their last game they struggled so much just to complete it and companies even provided equipment just for them to get the work done. Now they have peace of mind with resources they need. Hopefully they can naturally grow into a bigger studio and make some amazing games

Godmars290293d ago

They're mid tier devs at best. Failed to nail one of their biggest shots with Heavenly Sword, went way over their weight limit with DMC: DmC, and got lucky with apparent one-shot, B title Hellbalde. Which MS expects them to make into a franchise?

I'll just wait for the first "Hellbalde better than GOW" article. Cause that's going to be fun...

4Sh0w293d ago

Salt, Salt, Salt is basically all you said.

Vengeance1138293d ago

Mid developer remains mid lol Wake me up when they actually put out something half decent haha

porkChop293d ago

It's funny how no one called them mid tier until Xbox acquired them. People loved Heavenly Sword, Enslaved, Hellblade, etc, but now they're suddenly mid tier? Touch grass.

MadLad293d ago

@porkchop

I mean, you called it out first and you're not wrong.
DmC definitely got the shaft, yet it was successful and a good game. The closest thing they ever released to be considered "mid" was Heavenly Sword.

Lightning77293d ago

It's Bad now but great here. https://n4g.com/news/208826...

Even saying support Hell Blade because Shadow Of Wars Microtransactions.

Scroll down a little bit and you'll even see Obscures comment. He may be A hardcore Xbox fanboy but at least he's consistent here. Can't say the same in these comment sections.

293d ago
1nsomniac292d ago

While the corporate xbox ass licking is as pathetic as it gets. How is it any different to the Sony usuals in here that sprout this pathetic crap on a daily basis!

They both need to get filtered elsewhere so the grown ups can talk like adults.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 292d ago
P_Bomb293d ago

I wonder if they’ll ever reboot Enslaved?

shinoff2183293d ago

I liked enslaved I felt it was one of their better games

Sonic1881293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

Enslaved was just mediocre. So I doubt they'll bring that back. Tbh most of their games were mediocre including Hellblade. That felt like a walking simulator

Knightofelemia293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

Enslaved was a sleeper hit which it was and is still a great game to play. If a person who missed out on it I would say snag it off Ebay and play it. It's still one of my favorite games.

Melankolis293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

It was a good game, but....just good, not great nor it interesting. Maybe the background of the characters aren't well told, lack of lore, just start and play. I gave it 8. Good but easily forgettable. Yeah you may call it mediocre. NT is quite talented, but they lack something.

Sonic1881293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

@Knight

I never felt like their games were great. Just solid or mediocre but that's my opinion. I am still interested in playing Hellblade 2 on PC because of the graphics. I think this game is going to look fantastic on PC

mkis007293d ago

Damn this really puts into perspective yet again how good a deal sony got for insomniac...the workhorse of the industry at this point.

Aloymetal293d ago

That was the 1st thing that came to my mind, Sony got Insomniac for pennies and they've been pumping out great games since this gen started nonstop. Amazing.

MEGANE293d ago

Yes but any winnings there they lost on bungie, imo.

mkis007293d ago

I somewhat disagree. They bought Bungie for the expertise. The largest chunk of Bungie was for talent retention; they paid more to make sure everyone stayed at Bungie. Sony wants talent, IP's are just a bonus because they know they can and will create more.

__SteakDeck__293d ago (Edited 293d ago )

@MEGANE I know I’m going to get downvoted to hell, because this is n4g and people here hate GAAS games. But how the hell did they lose on Bungie? Do you know how much money Destiny will bring and Marathon will bring? Lol

MEGANE292d ago

I get it, but a couple Billion more and they could have bought square enix… a publisher full of IPs… I don’t disagree with acquiring bungie but 3.5 billion and sony can’t even dictated exclusivity? Please.

PhillyDonJawn293d ago

They have High potential. Add some good combat mechanics and action to go with the graphics and story telling. Ad you got a mega hit.

293d ago
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