Continuing MMO Week on GamesIndustry.biz is a wide-ranging and in-depth interview with one of the most influential figures in the genre, worldwide - as president of Sony Online Entertainment, John Smedley is responsible for a large number of key MMO titles, including the Everquest games and Star Wars: Galaxies.
The company's experienced mixed fortunes with some of its titles more recently, but with titles in development such as The Agency for the PlayStation 3 and another title in development for the Indian market based on the Ramayan 3392 AD comic, there's a lot more yet to come.
Q: How is work coming along on the PS3 titles?
John Smedley: Work's coming along great - we've been very careful to keep our games playable as much as possible all the time. We're using the Unreal 3 engine for DC and Agency, and because of that we're a long way along on those titles.
DefaultPrime writer Mike Patuleia takes a stroll down memory lane, looking at some PlayStation titles gone to the wayside that Sony should take a second look at bringing back into the fold with the advent of the PlayStation 4.
I'd like to see a Legend of Dragoon which features some flying, as well as some other things, but that's just me.
Yeah, I had Legend of Dragoon on my initial list, but decided to cut it down to 5.
Not just you, me too....
Legend of Dragoon
MediEvil
Jak 4
Dark cloud
Legacy of Kain (soul reaver)
Also something new from Oddworld in a big way...
Heavenly Sword is always a given when these lists pop up.
I'd like to see a new Lair. That game could've been better than Drakengaurd (did is spell that right?), had it not been for the poor execution. But i know Sony wouldn't allow it.
Game was an unpolished gem. We'll prolly never see another game like it.... what a shame.
I'm still curious to what the original trilogy Ninja Theory had planned for Heavenly Sword was, could've been epic, still could be if Sony would green-light it again...
Games I was going to include but ultimately got cut:
Alundra
Ape Escape
Arc The Lad
Dark Cloud
Jet Moto
Legend of the Dragoon
MediEvil
Primal
Wild Arms
Sir Dan is due for a return and given his appearance in PSallstars I'd say it's actually likely. Whether on Vita or PS4 is the question. Also a man loved Ape Escape 1 but haven't played the series since.
Haze is another game they should try to revive again. Think GG could handle it pretty well.
With or without Nariko?
I always thought the best way to make HS a franchise would be by having the sword found and used by a new protagonist each time, likely at a different point in the world's history. Every game ending with the protagonist dying in sacrifice to the sword against whatever evil they must face.
Unfortunately franchises tend to revolve around the character. I'd love to see this one revolve around the titular sword.
*****HEAVENLY SWORD SPOILERS*****
I always thought a HS2 would have Kai as the protagonist (a grown-up Kai). At the end of HS Kai promises Nariko that she would take protect the sword. Heavenly sword was such a great game because eventhough Nariko was looked down on (an underdog) she still fought a died for what she believed in, and it was beautifully told. I think Kai fighting off baddies, trying to keep her promise to her dying friend would make for an equally beautiful sequel.
I would of prefered if Nariko would of somehow returned for the sequel, but you make a great point and I too would love to see a new protagonist.
Junkie Monkeys: With the PlayStation 4 set to release later this year we take a look at PlayStation 3 titles that should release on the PlayStation 4 instead.
I want to see VS XIII(placeholder title?)
and I want to see a new Silent Hill, done on the Fox Engine. Here's why;
Hideo Kojima:
'"Silent Hill" movie that I borrowed from Murashu as the next sequel is coming out. It would be a scary game if we make Silent Hill game on FOX engine.！(◎_◎;)'
'"Silent Hill" is in closed room setting and doesn't require full action so that we can focus on the graphic quality. Enemy doesn't have to be a lot or move fast. It only requires scariness by graphics and presentation. As being a creator making action game in open world, such game is very enviously attractive. Wish someone could create this on FOX engine'
Sounds good to me, I would like to see the next Uncharted game on the FOX engine if it could be done. Kojima did state that they wanted other studios to use the engine and I think an Uncharted game would look really amazing with the FOX engine behind it.
my suggestion are these games; syphon filter, medievil, Lifeforce Tenka, G-Police, and wipeout
It's been a while since I've played a good Syphon Filter. We need a new one!!!
dark cloud 3
parappa reboot(platformer)
the legend of dragoon(probably the most requested sequel game)
jak 4
GOS: "As expected, Sony updated the Playstation Store today but what awaited me while I was browsing could either be a mistake on their part or an unintentional leak."
IF it is back on then great. I mean, even if it is not an MMO maybe it could make a great multiplayer esque FPS experience, maybe be a bit like Borderlands.
Some weeks back, one of the SOE managers was asked about possibility of Everquest 3 on PS3. The reply was that he cannot comment on EQ3, but he said Sony is really happy with direction of DC Universe and The Agency being multiplat MMOs.
This would mean they still working on it, and plan on expanding the library of console MMOs.
