New Hellblade video shows off a unique approach to performance capture

Ninja Theory offers an update on its forthcoming PS4 fantasy adventure.

[DanielGearSolid]

That was cool

Seems like they're saving alot of money on mo-cap

[Grap]

That's Project management at it's finest, As Software Engineering Student i really admire them.

[nix]

True.

What they had done for the Heavenly Sword was just amazing for that time. Sadly, the game was "short" for the reviewers.

I bought the game nevertheless.

As much as I'm excited by the tech, I'm worried about the character design. If it's not as good as Heavenly Sword, then it will never ininterest me to buy the game.

Let's hope for the best.

[NecotheSergal]

@nix - It's amazing how 'amazing' games that simply are short get shoehorned as if they're garbage, Heavenly Sword and The Order both is like history repeating itself, just Heavenly Sword was a slasher, The Order a shooter, both were visually stunning for the time of release.

[Razputin]

@Nix, if it funny how you mentioned the reviewers finding it short.

Don't know what your personal opinion but Heavenly Sword was an all around amazing game, and clocking in at around 5-6 hours, it should be remastered now since that is pretty much the average nowadays for games.

I'm sure many who never played it especially at launch like I did, will find it even more amazing.

[rainslacker]

I know personally I've gotten more than 5-6 hours out of HS. I've played the game 10-11 times since it came out. It has style, great character design, a strong hack n' slash game play mechanic, great acting performances, and a good story. It still looks great today despite being a first year title, and looks better than some late gen titles that get released.

It's a bargain bin game nowadays. Anyone who still has a PS3, and hasn't played it, should definitely pick it up. They won't be disappointed.

Hellblade will be a day one buy for me, even if it is digital(i dislike digital), because it's so obviously meant to be HS2. It's along the same lines as how Xenosaga wasn't an actual prequel to Xenogears...but we all knew it was.

[bouzebbal]

this is a game to watch very closely!
might end up being a very good surprise.
i want gameplay of this at e3.

[Brotard]

They got Andy serkis!! That's exciting!!

[ValKilmer]

This game is really shaping up. I was a huge fan of DmC and I can't wait to see what Ninja Theory brings to the PS4.

[DarkOcelet]

So is this game coming to the Xone or what? Because it looks like PC and PS4 are the only two platforms available.

[Zizi]

No, it's not going to be available on XOne. PS4 and PC.

[Dudebro90]

It'll come in time just like every other independently published game.

[slappy508]

They have a small team so they don't have the resources to make for all platforms. So it is possible for them to work on an Xbox version after they've done the Ps4 PC versions

[trywizardo]

timed exclusive , just like tombraider

[NeverHeavyMan]

As of now, no. It's PS4 first, then PC just after. The team discussed this when it was first unveiled, stating that they didn't have the resources to do that many platforms and that Sony shares their vision.

To me, that translates to the PS4 rockin' house and the PC being of no consequence to that. I expect many more of these partnerships, as the PS4 continues to dominate.

[krypt1983]

yes it will be coming to xb1 around 6 months to a year after release...

[G20WLY]

^@Krypt, would you care to share a link to that announcement..?

[_-EDMIX-_]

Not sure about the disagrees as its valid question. The game is being self published as to why its only on PS4 and PC.

I'm not sure about MS polices if they effect this title or not. Sony isn't funding nor publishing this title so I wouldn't see why not other then one of MS polices. But I see this game likely coming to XONE later on after initial release, but they haven't confirmed anything yet.

Folks need to remember they are also a small team.

I really don't get the disagrees because no one seems to have a logical reason on why not. The game is self published and the IP is owned by the team and the team has never said it was only coming to PS4 as its also coming to PC.

Unless stated otherwise, its likely coming to XONE later down the line.

@NeverHeavy- that doesn't really answer if a XONE version will come down the line or not, merely that they can't make it day and date. That doesn't rule out that it could be ported later on.

I'm sorry but nothing concrete says this won't be on XONE ever... merely that it won't be day and date. Sony sharing their "vision" doesn't really rule out a port, it just doesn't make sense.

How many time have we heard the same about a XONE timed game? Not to say that this is timed, merely that never just take what a team is saying so literally.

Ken Levine told us that Bioshock wouldn't be on PS3, Capcom told us that Dead Rising 3 was NEVER coming to PC, Rockstar stated many times no PC version was going to be made....I mean this isn't the first time a team has withheld information that is likely 100% known to the team. They likely need funding for a XONE version from the PS4 and PC version thus can't just out right state a XONE version can or will be made after the fact.

[mikeslemonade]

MS can easily fund the development of this game if they wanted to. I'm thinking it will come to X1. I hope it stays exclusive.

[Ridiick]

Same here, additionally the concept of indie+high quality is an interested approach.

[NeverHeavyMan]

@ _EDMIX_

There's nothing else that needs elaborating. Until the team actually discusses an X1 version, which they have not, then it isn't coming to the system. No hidden messages, here.

[JMaine518]

I can't wait for this game. I thought they did great work on Heavenly Sword and DmC. Hopefully this comes out this year.

[Syntax-Error]

Enslaved was an amazing game! Still hoping for a sequel. Love how they reuse the same cast keeping good actors employed

[JMaine518]

I never got a chance to play Enslaved. I think I'll give it a try.

[ArchangelMike]

Wait - is it confirmd that this game is console esclusive now. I always though it was a timed exclusive.

[colonel179]

I want to marry the blonde girl doing the performance capture

[UnRated]

calm down bro

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Claimed

[Bytor]

You'll have to fight me for her.

[Fro_xoxo]

Console Exclusive? What?

I thought it was just going to appear on PS4 first. . When did it become a console exclusive?

[Dudebro90]

It is timed. Gotta gem those clicks with headlines though right?

[Silly gameAr]

What does it matter? Why bring up a console that the game is not even coming out on at the time?

[NeverHeavyMan]

As stated above, the Xbox has never been mentioned. It IS timed exclusive, releasing on PS4 first and then PC later. The team has already said this. Has nothing to do with, "headlines".

It shouldn't matter that much, anyway. If you really want to play it, build/buy a PC or buy a PS4.

@ Silly gameAr: Agreed.

[_-EDMIX-_]

or you could wait til it releases on XONE. They likely just need the funding.

I don't get the whole "Console exclusive" thing either lol, its either exclusive.....or its not. I've read nothing that states that Sony owns the team, IP, is publishing etc.

No worries. Just get it on PC, if you don't own a PC, wait for the XONE version as I don't see the team leaving money on the table just for lolz.

They will port this title as I see no reason to make more money.

[MasterCornholio]

How about we call it a timed console exclusive?

Thats more accurate in my opinion.

[colonel179]

Can't, because there is no guarantee that it will be released on the Xbox One.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Colonel- very true. Though I think they will port it to XONE, its not a guarantee. Even if its pretty obvious it will likely get ported.

[xwilldemise]

Can't wait to see how this game shapes up in the end. Despite unpopular opinion I loved what Ninja Theory did with DMC, it sits up there with Devil May Cry 3, my opinion of course.

[theshredded]

HOT!this game is an instant day 1 for me

[MasterCornholio]

Now that was very cool. I enjoy seeing how small developers with very limited budgets can invent new methods of capturing animations that's much cheaper than what big budget studios use.

[Dewitt]

This is a multiplat title, put XB1 and PC in the tags please.

[hkgamer]

not sure if this has been announced for xbone yet, they have mentioned that they could put this on other platforms in the future but it hasnt been properly announced for xbone. similar to tomb raider aswell i think, well i dont think they mentioned a ps4 port of that game yet apart from it being a timed exclusive for xbone.

anyway, no point adding tags to a platform that it hasnt been officially announced for, we might aswell get trigger happy and add every other console aswell.

[MasterCornholio]

"Later in the press conference, Sony confirmed that Hellblade is not exclusive to the PlayStation 4 but will appear first on that platform."

http://www.polygon.com/2014...

It's a multiplat but the other platforms haven't been confirmed yet.

Edit: I think they mentioned PC but I'm not sure about XB1.

[colonel179]

It's coming to PC, but not Xbox One. If it gets released on Xbox it will be later, so right now it's a console exclusive.

[Dewitt]

Wrong PC and XB1 will come after PS4 sites have already said it. PS4G would say otherwise,I'll be there to say I told you so when it official.

[S2Killinit]

its a console exclusive for now, and from the sound of the developer, they are limited on their budget which is why they are limiting it to one console for now perhaps. So, maybe once it is made for the PS4, (possibly PC), then they will port it over to xbone with the money they make in selling it?

[hkgamer]

i always wondered how ninja theory was going to handle this game independantly. their games and cutscenes have been brilliant so working on a small budget was always going to be a big task.

loving all the d.i.y. stuff, makes it kinda interesting and this will definitely set a great example for indies to have more cinematic scenes.

cant wait to see more, but at the same time i kinda wish that they had a publishers backing so that they could have pushed the cinematics and facial capture a step further.

[FamilyGuy]

I really hope other indie studies can learn from them. Just imagine how great some lower-budget games could turn out with tips and creativity like this.

[rainslacker]

I'm really excited to see how this game turns out. NT has a good library of amazing games, but they've almost always have had big publisher support. Now that they are doing something alone, and very passionately I may add, it just makes me wonder how great this game is going to turn out. It can be "easy" to make a game with a big budget, but it takes great devs to make a great game with very little budget.

If the game turns out great, then I will probably have wished they had publisher backing, just so it could be better, but I also know that publishers can change things to a game making them not so great.

I hope this game sets an example to some that indie games aren't the crapware that we see on the mobile market. A game with a AAA feel and look on an small budget can change a lot of perceptions...which honestly should have died a long time ago given how many indie games like this have released in recent years.

[WizzroSupreme]

Mo-cap is just getting so good lately – I almost feel like I can reach out and touch those characters. What a great time it is to be a gamer.

[S2Killinit]

cool. hope this turns out good.

[drizzom]

You know, despite all the shit they caused for the DMC franchise I do believe NT is a good developer. I think the biggest problem was that they tried to change something that was already established (like what SJWs are trying to do with the gaming industry).

But whenever they create an original work its always pretty good looking.

[rainslacker]

They were tasked with rebooting a series, and they did. The director likes his own things, and I guess he thought those changes would be good for the series...and ultimately got publisher approval. The game itself was as solid as could be though. With Ninja Theory you know for the most part the game play is going to be good, if not great.

[drizzom]

Right. The main problem was that it was called Devil May Cry and not its own game. I know they were tasked to reboot DMC. But thats precisely why they got such a massive backlash. Not because they suck or are bad at making games. The fans just ultimately liked what they had already.

[Xavior_Reigns]

Brilliant use of their budget so far it seems. Look forward to seeing more this game.

[crazed_shadow27]

Sony, please send them money, equipment, and people. I need this game soon.

[jay2]

It angers me that this game from these amazing people only has pennies in budget where stuff like football, or even COD gets £££££ £££££& #163;££££&# 163;££££
63;££££

[ArnoDorian]

I'm quite excited for this game

[Maxor]

Gameplay vids or GTFO. I'm tired of these guys producing vids after vids proclaiming how small and indie they are. Just show me the game.

[Kingdomcome247]

That's problem solving 101 right there. Nice job, guys.

[ironfist92]

Ive loved all of Ninja Theory's games, Heavenly Sword, Enslaved and DmC (purists can suck it).

Cant wait for this one.

[victorMaje]

Way to go Ninja Theory!