Monday, December 04, 2006

It's the fiiiiinal countdowwwn!!!

Ok so today is December 4th and we go beta in 16 days. We still have a lot of work to do, but nothing I don't think we can't complete. It is going to be a rough next few weeks, but there will be a nice mini break for the holidays to recover from the final rush to the "almost" finish line. After the holidays we will be doing the final gameplay tuning and orb/economy balancing as well as finish up any last minute stuff we were unable to get to for beta. We still got a wild ride ahead of us.

But as for now...the game is looking great. We had another full game playthrough last week and the gameplay time was a little higher than last time. In fact the playtesters did not even finish in the alotted time we had for the playtest. The grouping we got this time was more leaning towards the casual players. I thoiught they were going to be a bit more fo the casual hardcore players, but it didn't turn out that way. But there was still a lot I learned from watching them play and work through the various combat scenarios and puzzles. the good thing is we are pretty locked on all the games puzzles...there really isn't much we need to do with them besides finishing up the final implementation and art...which is sweet since there is still many combat scenarious that are in need of some attention to get them to 100%.

Let's see what else is going on...amidst all this chaos of making beta I had to move into a new apartment. I was bidding on a townhouse but the deal just went south and I decided to cancel it and go with the renting for a year or so more. The market out here still sucks anyway so it is for the best. The only problem was I had to find an apartment, pack and move in basically 24 hours. That...freakin....sucked. But in the end it got done and now I don't have to worry about it. Though I am feeling like I rasn myself down so much last wek that I am getting sick this week. I feel the beginings of a cold...that drowsy stuffed up thing. I hate that.

Ok enough about that boring crap...more about God of War 2. Ariel edited together a collection of footage from God of War 2 for the Sony gameshare show in London and we screened it for the team on Friday. She did the thing in a night and it looked freaking great. It really did a lot to fire the team up for this last push. Well at least I hope it fired the team up since it got me psyched. We used a piece of music that was recored over in the chezch republic (or something like that) last month. Very cool live choir and orchestra...really gives a sense of power to the movie.

Saw some more progress ont he GOW Kratos figure last week. They sent the painted version of the sculpt which looks great. We are getting pretty close to finish it up. Hopefully it will be comepletely done by the end of the month so I can show off some pics.

Finally got to play some Gears of War this weekend. Not for long mind you, but at least I got some time with it. Spent about 30 minutes playing and it does look good, but I am not totally sucked in yet. I am sure it will get better, but it feels a bit generic right now. Could just be that I really didn't get to sit and focus on playing it though, or it could be the whole prisoner who has to save the world thing is a bit too Tango and Cash for me. Ok well maybe not Tango and Cash...I was just looking for a way to force a Tango and Cash reference in there because Tango and Cash RULE!!!! I do like the idea that you can choose to skip the tutorial section...that is really sweet. I also really like the one button cover system though...clean and simple. Seems many of the designers hate it because they never know what you are going to do...it made sense to me though. After about 5 minutes I felt fairly comfortable with it. The Grenade throwing thing is a little odd for me though. I keep throwing them short. Anyway...hope to get to play some more. Probably after this game ships. :)

Also...just a reminder for the other who commented...the demos will not be out until the end of January at the very earliest. We are focusing 100% on making the game great right now...so the demo will be the first task when that is done. But I think it will be worth the wait though.

aight...gotta get to work now.

P.S.

Europe rocks...I was in a tribute band before I was in the game biz...this is a recording of one of our more rocking shows. We rocked that county fair like nobodys buisness. Asses were kicked. Thats dave Jaffe on the keyboards kickin the mad solo. hahahahahahaha...

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you guys are on the ball. Can't wait to play that demo. Could you send us a link to the video? I'd really like to see it.

So you and Jaffe started writing down ideas about God of War 3. Awesome.

Keep on truckin and do it to it.

Cody

Anonymous said...

End of January sux, man... It's like what, two-three weeks before the release date? oh crap.

Anyways, nice to hear (or is it, "read"?) from you Cory. You've been away for soooo long.

Gears of War, God of War. don't you see any similarity? maybe it's just me, but I think they named it so just to f***in steal the meaning of GoW.

Anonymous said...

hello cory, its will (simsward007), i send you my details because i would like a gow2 demo if that's ok? and i cant wait till feb, it seems like years for us lot.

Like elessar said another preezie for us and it will be da best pressie for me:) ty

Anonymous said...

An enemy of mine said GOW stands for "gears of war" but everyone knows, even the producers know that GOW is god of war and GeOW is "gears of war".

They also said our game is crap coz its strategic game but its action. And if GOW is crap, WHICH IT'S NOT, it's beyond FANTASTIC, how come itgot every gaming award at the gaming awards 2005 and even had 3 pieces of its in-game music nominated and its music was as good as LOTR: Return of the king's music.

God of war's music and the game is the BEST PS2 game in the world.

Anonymous said...

I bet u cant wait for ur break and u deserve that break but dont over-work urself, man and take some rest, have a hot bath and have some "me-time". And be4 u no it, u will be in top-condition and its only less than 2 months till we get the game and imagine the response, when i get GOW2, i will be jumping for joy, literally.

Anonymous said...

Great! now I've got that cheesy song by Swedish mega-one-hit-wonder Europe stuck in my head! Good to hear from you my friend and I hope you are taking care of yourself.

-Karl S.

PS. neh-noo-neh-noo neh-noo-neh-neh-noo, oh god damnit! it'll be here all day...

Anonymous said...

yes gears of war is great altough i'm spending a lot of time with devil may cry 3 special edition now i'm trying to get all ss ranking but it's fucking hard pfff but the bloody palace mode is fucking sweet cory you got to put somthing like that in god of war 2 and tango & cash is cool yeah i just saw back to the future 1 2 & 3 again after a very long time AWESOME

greetings mike

Anonymous said...

Oh, my god Cory: you have to stop that movie from being made! Use whatever pull you have to see that it isn't made! It will ruin everything. What once was a beloved franchise will become just like everything else - bone dry. It just cheapens the whole thing. Its like Vegas - everythings fake. Come on! NO GOD OF WAR MOVIE!

Anonymous said...

Hey Cory, I can't wait for the game. it sounds fucking tight. you can count on my sale. I hope you feel better soon. well cya later!

Josiah

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to see you have better priorities than myself..I get distracted rather easily. Titan Mode would rock my socks if it were to ever be used.

I can wait for the demo so long as I keep finding more info/pics on the internet *my bff..kekeke*.

Rest up..I'll put my questions on pause until your next blog since you aren't fealing well and have a lot on your table.

First time I've seen you here simsward..and vitali..we aren't in the union..you can curse you feel the need.

~I NEED MOAR GOD OF WAR

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update, Cory. Live Choir music from the Czech Republic?!?
Freakkin' awesome! Will it be included in game?

I'm a huge Leos Janacek fan and the stuff he did with speech melody is amazing...so I hope the feel of that Czech music is there in GOW2 as well.

Please post pix of the figurine a.s.a.p. Will it be a pre-order gift?

:)

Again, I must say: I can't wait for God of War 2!

Anonymous said...

Judging by the blog's title, someone's a Big Europe fan. That song rocks.

Great news about the game and all, but rest up.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone at SCEA Santa Monica have a PS3 and have they played any PS3 games? :P

Tapion440 said...

Why would you ever want to leave the music biz when you're that good?

Curious, does Sony hire outside beta testers or do you guys have your own people to do "quality assurance".

Anonymous said...

congrats cory for reaching to the final part of the production!

hey cory can you give us a hint about how it's going to be the cover for the game?

and some pics please!

Zodiak said...

Wow Jaffe looks pretty thin back then! lol oh snap! :p

but seriously, get that band back together and play at the Sony Christmas Party!

I'm glad that beta approaches soon. I cannot wait any longer for my demo (and signature from Cory) and the game for that reason too.

I watched the drunken Jaffe video and I'm sure Sony will give a greenlight to GoW3...no doubt in my mind they will and Jaffe is B-list.

And of course, thanks Cory for looking at my blog back in the ModBlog days. Enjoy counting the days till beta Cory. Much luck with the game.

-Zodiak

Anonymous said...

Cory if ur listening or in this case watching N typing and of course, working hard to the bone.

Please tell me, when does the game come out in Feb or in March.

And there have been rumours that game comes out in Europe first before USA, i dont think so but can u clear this up please? ty:)

Anonymous said...

heya Cory, I was wondering if you recieved my email with enclosed details for the demo. Also can u like, sign it? It will be like, oh my god, "I have a signed PS2 demo of GOW2 with Cory Barlog's signature". That would be the icing on the cake and its a cliche but it works too :). I feels like dream come true when you reach beta but this journey is like the 15 of us fans on a journey to the end of the world; just like kratos.

But this time, we dont get the chance to spank the goddesses aww!! or impale hades but we dont get the divine magic ability of Immaulate boredom (does 200 dmg) and Divine suicide (500+), hahaha.

Anonymous said...

Is your appartment nice? i better have a garden for relaxtion!!

Anonymous said...

I mean(it) typo

Devin Greer said...

Simsward007, Cory already confirmed that he is signing all of the demos, so..... Yeah.... Man all of this news is very exciting, like I said before, I'm playing GOW on God Mode, and every time a new enemy is introduced, I notice it way more than when I played the game the first time. I end up either finding a way to kill them all with an ability that I can repeat over and over (very repetitively) until they all die, or memorize the little or big movements they make before they attack. Either way it works, but the Centaurs... You did a good job on them, it's really hard to tell before they do a melee attack, unless you notice that they are blocking, which usually means that you need to hold down L1, pretty damn soon. So, like I said, all the game news is really exciting, and I know it's all "Top Secret" right now, but if you could, it would be fucking awesome, if you could tease us with some news on the movie that probably won't be released until at least 2009. Keep up the good work with the game...

-Devin

Anonymous said...

Cory, are you kidding about that video???? which one of them was you?

haha that was awsome!! David Jaffe on Keyboards, lol!!

Anonymous said...

Nice 1UPdate Barlog! Truely you are a Champion of GREAT JUSTICE to have saved us from a meere "Add-on"

~Though I definately wanted some of that "Cyclops wall climbing action"..there's always GoWIII for such battles

---MOAR *I'm insatiable I know*

Anonymous said...

Cory, i recently read a new article of gow2 on 1up and noticed the date turned from february 15 to march 15. Please tell me, did you guys actually delay the game or are many sites making mistakes on the date

Mon(e)y

Anonymous said...

Really nice update, Cory!!

You know how to please your fans, man. Awsome close-ups-Hi-Res pics.

HD will do GREAT JUSTICE!

Anonymous said...

I know that Cory is signing all the demos but im wondering if he recieved "MY DETAILS" becoz "I LIVE IN THE UK!!!"

I wonder if he recieved my email thatswhati need to know.

Anonymous said...

I can't get Europe out of my head!! Curses!! 2506th time I've heard that song today... (YouTube)

oops... make that 2507...

Anonymous said...

Question: Can anyone clarify if there is thunder magic in god of war 2?

I saw a picture of kratos using thunder magic in a picture in gamespot but if any1 knows anything plz help

Anonymous said...

Who would've thought Mr. Barlog would be responsible for my downloading a Europe song? I couldn't get it out of my head after seeing it lead in this post!!

Cory, we love to hear about the game but its nice to hear about your playa-pimp life too.

I have to admit that GeOW hasn't sucked me in yet. I don't know if its the bland colors/setting or what but since GOW I need a game that is visually stunning as well as fun to play and GeOW ain't it.

Any chance we could see some of that game footage? The figure even?

Dutch
www.thedigitalblast.com

Anonymous said...

I'm with Dutch concerning the figure and 'motivation video' this Ariel strung together...

~I'd very much like to see the video..

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
I've been following updates for God of War 2 since last year and a lot of people had been wondering if Kratos has the Blade of Chaos or the Blade of Athena and if Kratos has the Blade of Athena what happened to the pretty golden color that the blades had at the end of God of War 1. I've heard rumors about making a God of War movie and if indeed you've plans on making it, please make it a CG or a FMV movie instead because a live move will ruin it.
Jeano

Devin Greer said...

Holy crap! I jusy listened to all of the God Of Noise songs, and I have to say, they are all superb. My vote is for #8, I think it was, the metal song, totally fucking sweet!

Devin Greer said...

Sorry, it's #7, not 8...

Anonymous said...

Hey cory. i heard that you and david jaffe have been writing stuff in notebooks about gow 3 sounds cooool

Josiah

Anonymous said...

o btw i did see on 1up that the release date for gow 2 was in march did u guys change it to march or is that just bogus?

Josiah

Cory Barlog said...

Jeano,

In God of War 2 Kratos has the Blades of Athena that he recieved at the end of God of War 1. Some images that are floating around were taken before we put in our new Athena blade modles so they are not 100% accurate. they will be accurate in the final game.

As for the movie...I have little to do with that. It will be live action if it ever gets made. But that is way out of my hands. Maybe one day I will get to direct a God of War move...like God of War 4 or 5. ha

cory

Cory Barlog said...

Toall who asked...the release date in Feb. 2007 was a speculative early release date...in order to make the game rock the way it needs to we are releasing in March of 2007. So it is not a mistake...just a needed amount of time to make the game 100% ready for prime time.

cory

Cory Barlog said...

I will see about getting a version of that movie on the blog...no promises though since I am totally swamped with work as we make our final push to beta.

cory

Devin Greer said...

Well, that sort of sucks that you need another month, but if you need it, you need it. So, I guess I just have to wait longer for my God Of War fix.

Anonymous said...

Thanks very much for clearing that up Cory *now I can quote you on it as further evidence that my deduction was accurate about BoA*.

~Whenever you have a chance, please share that video Ariel made..if it got you guys psyched *with the team being the ones who are actually in the know and have been slaving away at making it* I can only wonder what it will do for me

Anonymous said...

well i don't give a shit if the game comes in march the most important thing is that it's 100% perfect and no dmc2 kind of thing that really was bullcrap like eric cartman would say haha we in europe should expect gow2 in april i think and indeed that golden shine on the blades was cool at the end of part1

greetings mike

Anonymous said...

Question to Cory or anyone that canhelp, would anyone be so kind to tell me when u go to gamespot and images there is a picture of thunder.

Is that thunder magic coz im thinking lvl 3 version of another magic but am i right as to assume that there will be thunde magic?

I will be grateful to any answer

Anonymous said...

Hi there Cory,
I know that you're a super busy man and I do appreciated that you took the time to clear things up for me and I've heard rumors that "God of War 2" will be release in Europe 1st and then in March 2007 in the US, what's up with that? it bothered me at 1st, but then since God of War 2 probably be one of the last games made for PS2, I guess it has to be top of the line for the US version, right? and peoples don't seem to understand that at all and no matter what, no matter how long it takes for God of War 2 to come out as long as it's 10 times better than the 1st we'll be patient. Speaking of the God of War movie, seriously dude, it should be in a CG mode or FMV just like "Final Fantasy VII Advent Childrens" otherwise it'll be ruin.
Jeano

Devin Greer said...

Interesting stuff... Yeah, I failed to mention that, no matter how long it takes to finish GOW2, it doesn't matter how long it takes, because unless the end of the world is near, then it has to be good. And all of that extra game-play time, that's like 2 or 3 times as long as it took e to beat GOW on easy, so I'm definitly looking forward to it. I don't think live acting will ruin the movie. I mean it makes the possibility much larger, but if they can make it good, then sweet. Either way, I'm hopinh it's good.

-Devin

Anonymous said...

WOW! I just saw all the GOW2 videos on 1up!!! OH MY GOD!!!

To Cory and all the people responsible,

THANK YOU!!

I owe you all so much. I can't even begin to tell you! I shit you not that I wrote a my common application essay for college on God of War. I was talking about how people don't care about quality anymore, just money. Then I mentioned what little hope we have. God of War is hope for quality! Damn its good to be alive! I can't wait to enjoy!






...





...



...I LOVE YOU!

Anonymous said...

And to all the people on this blog,

We have to spread word about God of War to everyone! EVERYONE! Make posters, set up websites, make infomercials, scream it out loud randomely, DO WHATEVER IT TAKES! This game needs to be remembered forever and everyone needs to enjoy it! Think about all the people out there who have no nidea what it is! God I hate that some people won't even give it a chance! It is by friggin far the BEST GAME EVER MADE! I dare anyone, ANYONE to disagree! If you do, visit my web page at www.youreanidiot.com! Bring it on!!!


Spread the glory of God of War!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree, when gow war released in norway, there was nothing to promote it (no trailer on tv).

this cant be repeated for gow II!!

Anonymous said...

lianyk Welcome to our wow Gold and store. We are specilized, professional and reliable website for selling and service. By thewow gold same token,we offer the best WoW service for our long-term and loyal customers You will find the benefits and wow power leveling value we created different from other sites. As to most people, they are unwilling to spend most of the time grinding money for mounts or repair when they can purchase what they are badly need. The only way is to look for the best place towow gold buy cheap WOW gold. Yes! You find it here! Our WoW Gold supplying service has already accumulated a high reputation and credibility. We have plenty of Gold suppliers, which will guarantee ourwow powerleveling delivery instant.

Anonymous said...

Please come topotbs money
buy potbs Doubloon

If you come, we will give you a great surprise!

Anonymous said...

Please come toPirates of the Burning Sea Gold
potbs gold
potbs Doubloon

If you come, we will give you a great surprise!

Anonymous said...

Please come toeve isk
eve online isk
buy isk
cheap eve isk
buy eve online isk

If you come, we will give you a great surprise!

Anonymous said...

Please come todofus kamas
kamas
cheap kamas
dofus gold
buy dofus kamas

If you come, we will give you a great surprise!

Anonymous said...

I get a lot of rappelz rupeesand the rappelz gold is very important for me. Some of the rappelz money is given by my friends who buy rupees to let me happy. Thanks for my friends and the cheap rappelz rupees.

Anonymous said...

EVE ISK | Buy EVE ISK | Cheapest EVE ISK | EVE Online ISK | Cheap EVE Online ISK | Buy EVE Online ISK | Cheap EVE ISK | Buy Cheap EVE ISK | Sell EVE ISK | EVE Power Leveling | EVE Online Power Leveling | Buy EVE Power Leveling | EVE online leveling | EVE CD Key | EVE Online CD Key | Buy EVE CD Key | EVE Game Time Card

FFXI Gil | Buy FFXI Gil | Cheapest FFXI Gil | FFXI Online Gil | Cheap FFXI Gil | FFXI Gil for sale | Final Fantasy XI Gil | Buy Final Fantasy XI Gil | Cheap Final Fantasy XI Gil | FFXI Power Leveling | Final Fantasy XI Power Leveling | Cheap FFXI Power Leveling | FFXI CD Key | Final Fantasy XI CD Key | Buy FFXI CD Key | FFXI Game Time Card

Final Fantasy XI Gil | Buy Final Fantasy XI Gil | Cheap Final Fantasy XI Gil | FFXI Online Gil | FFXI Gil | Buy FFXI Gil | Cheap FFXI Gil | Cheapest FFXI Gil | FFXI Gil for sale | FFXI Power Leveling | Final Fantasy XI Power Leveling | Cheap FFXI Power Leveling | Buy FFXI Power Leveling | FFXI CD Key | Final Fantasy XI CD Key | Buy FFXI CD Key | FFXI Game Time Card


silkroad gold | buy silkroad gold | silkroad gold for sale | silk road gold | silkroad online gold | silkroad money | sro gold | cheap silkroad gold | cheapest silkroad gold | buy silk road online gold | buy sro gold | silkroad power leveling | buy silkroad power leveling | silkroad leveling | silkroad powerlevel

silkroad gold | buy silkroad gold | silkroad online gold | buy silkroad online gold | silk road gold | cheap silkroad gold | sro gold | silkroad power leveling | silkroad online power leveling | silkroad leveling | silkroad powerlevel



runes of magic gold | buy runes of magic gold | buy cheap runes of magic gold | runes of magic us gold | rom gold | buy rom gold | cheap rom gold | cheap runes of magic gold | cheapest runes of magic gold | runes of magic gold cheap | sell runes of magic gold | runes of magic accounts | buy runes of magic accounts | rom accounts | buy rom accounts | runes of magic us accounts | runes of magic accounts for sale | sell runes of magic accounts | runes of magic power leveling | buy runes of magic power leveling | runes of magic leveling | runes of magic cd key | runes of magic cdk | runes of magic game time card | buy runes of magic cd key


runes of magic online gold | runes of magic eu gold | buy runes of magic online gold | buy runes of magic eu gold | buy runes of magic gold eu | buy rom eu gold | rom eu gold | cheap runes of magic online gold | cheap runes of magic eu gold | buy cheap runes of magic eu gold | runes of magic online power leveling | cheap runes of magic power leveling | rom power leveling | runes of magic eu accounts | runes of magic online accounts | buy runes of magic online accounts | runes of magic eu accounts for sale | sell runes of magic eu account | cheap runes of magic account | runes of magic eu cd key | runes of magic eu game time card | cheap runes of magic cd key


runes of magic gold | buy runes of magic gold | buy cheap runes of magic gold | cheap runes of magic gold | sell runes of magic gold | rom gold | runes of magic accounts | buy runes of magic accounts | runes of magic accounts for sale | runes of magic power leveling | buy runes of magic power leveling | runes of magic leveling | runes of magic cd key | runes of magic game time card | buy runes of magic cd key


runes of magic online gold | runes of magic eu gold | buy runes of magic online gold | buy runes of magic eu gold | cheap runes of magic online gold | buy rom eu gold | runes of magic eu accounts | runes of magic online accounts | buy runes of magic eu accounts | runes of magic online power leveling | cheap runes of magic power leveling | rom power leveling | runes of magic eu cd key | runes of magic eu game time card | buy rom cd key