Fahrenheit

[Leonard Shelby]

Hello again , my second attempt at bringing something fresh to this adventure board after failing miserably with The Westerner :o :D

I would like to know your opinions and thoughts about the upcoming new adventure game from the french developper Quantic Dreams .

This game is about ritual murders which are taking places in New York .
For instance, suddenly a person in a restaurant takes a knife and runs madly at another one (who he/she doesn t have a damn link or something in common with) and kills him/her before going elsewhere .

Also another huge factor in the game (as its name proves it) is the suddenly really cold weather in the whole city (with lots of snow :9) .

What s great into this game made by the lads who did "Omikron : The Nomad Soul" a few years ago is that you can play different persons in the story and each of them have its own view about what s happening in the game and its own personnality too .

It s a murder mystery (played at the third view) with a really complicated and engrossing storyline and it s been a few years Quantic Dreams has developped that one .

I can honestly say, from what i ve seen and read about this game than it is the adventure s one i m looking forward the most .

It should be realeased at the end of this year on PC, X-Box and PS2 :)

Here is some pics :

http://image.jeuxvideo.com/images/pc/f/r/frhtpc012.jpg

http://image.jeuxvideo.com/images/pc/f/r/frhtpc010.jpg

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Hey Leonard. We've had practically no official news of Fahrenheit's progress for at least over a year. The last I heard, it was still in development, though I'm not sure how much. I'm hoping that the key feature of the game, its downloadable episodic gameplay, will still be included. I also read (forgot where) that there will be a few action sequences, but the focus remains on the story. I'm praying they don't turn it into another action game, Fahrenheit seems predicated on its organically structured narrative.

The official website (http://www.fahrenheitgame.com/) has not been updated since May last year, the last news had to do with Quantic Dreams teaming up with Vivendi Universal to help publish the game. If/when AG gets any official wind of progress from them, we'll post it promptly.

[tabacco]

We actually have a preview of it coming up this week :)

[Intrepid Homoludens]

[kisses tabacco gratefully]......... http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/ruinkai/sicka.gif ..... http://smile.achost.co.uk/s/contrib/geno/kotzen.gif

Oh, and Leonard, thanks for the delicious screenshots 8-) .

[Bumstead]

We actually have a preview of it coming up this week :)

Ya, I'm really looking forward to it. I hope there's some new information, I've probably read every preview on the net :)

[insane_cobra]

sounds like a very promissing title by some talented fellas. i'm waiting for that preview :9

[Marek]

I can't promise much (if any) more information about the game in the preview, since we're having trouble getting through to anyone at Quantic Dreams or Vivendi. It will serve more as an introduction to our later coverage.

Let me point out though that this game is not about downloadable episodes. You'll be able to buy each episode as a regular boxed game, except at a lower than usual price.

[Royal Fool]

What I don't fully understand is why it's taking them so long. When they first unveiled the game it was looking quite good for it's time. A lot of the game probably hadn't been implemented yet, just the engine and some scenes. But nevertheless it is taking them an awful lot of time. Makes you wonder how they are planning the episodic releases or if they have ditched the idea and just plan to release it as a full-blown title.

I'm still hyped for it, though; Omikron rocked.

[Crunchy in milk]

Let me point out though that this game is not about downloadable episodes. You'll be able to buy each episode as a regular boxed game, except at a lower than usual price.

Which is a damn shame. You just know its going to involve lots of CD protection that hardly works and serial numbers that way. I know bandwidth isn't cheap but is it more expensive than wasted packaging etc?

[Marek]

I think the question is: how many people of their target audience have a broadband connection? They're not going for a hardcore gamer audience per se.

Note that compilations of episodes are also planned, so that should reduce the amount of hassle.

[Tom_K]

Downloadable episodes sounds like a great idea, but in practical terms it's a risk. Take for example the recent announcement from the AGON (http://www.agongame.com/) forums:

Unfortunately we have to admit that the revenues from the first two episodes fall short of our expectations, and so the level at which the staff could be extended so that an ideal number of experts could be employedto ensure the production of the game at the promised pace and quality.While this doesn't mean they are cancelling the project, it certainly doesn't bode well for the future. While there would likely be more support for Farenheit due to the publishers vestment and marketing (and the fact the game just looks really cool), downloadable episodes probably presented just too much of a risk.

[Bastich]

What s great into this game made by the lads who did "Omikron : The Nomad Soul" a few years ago is that you can play different persons in the story and each of them have its own view about what s happening in the game and its own personality too .

It looks interesting. Do you have to replay the game with the different character or does it simply cut to the same scene and start over with the different character? Preferably, if the latter, the ending would be either be withheld until after you see the last perspective, or left for you to decide like in Rashomon...

Or is it simply like in BS3, where you just trade off characters throughout the game without replaying the same scenes?

I don't really know anything about this game in case you couldn't tell...

I have always thought a Rashomon type story would be cool in a game.

[Ninja Dodo]

I think you go from character to character, playing different scenes. I'm not sure whether you get to choose what characters to play. What's particularly interesting is that what you do with one character will affect what happens to the other characters...

[colpet]

I'm disappointed, as it looks to be another keyboard control game :sad: .

[Ninja Dodo]

:frusty:

Who cares what the controls are?!

[colpet]

I do. It makes a difference for me because I have trouble playing keyboard games.

[tabacco]

I do. It makes a difference for me because I have trouble playing keyboard games.

I suggest investing in a gamepad.

[colpet]

Same difference, still takes 2 hands and coordination :) . I'm a point and click kinda gal.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

That or your other hand is incredibly lazy. :D

But seriously, I hope you won't let a near perhipheral thing such as interface prevent you from enjoying what looks to be a promising new adventure game.

[guybrush_guy]

you have a playstation dont you? they use controlers....there realy not mutch diffrence if you set the keybord write. they also have meckinisms that convert your PS2/GC/X-Box crontrolers into a standard USB

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Yeah, but remember, guy, we're dealing with a hardcore adventure gamer here. We may have to resort to the...... *gulp* http://www.computerpannen.com/cwm/cwm/3dlil/eek2.gif ..... the Vibrating Hot Pink Fake Fur And Leatherette Console And Progressive Adventure Game Controller!!!

AG members: *GASP!!!*

[AGA]

Play.com USB Dual PS2 to PC Convertor XP (http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=title&r=PC&title=114167) - I use this one. Playing Grand Theft Auto on the PC with all its added features with a PS2 controller is awesome.

[colpet]

What's a playstation??:D Hard to believe, but I only have a PC.

Vibrating Hot Pink Fake Fur And Leatherette Console And Progressive Adventure Game Controller!!!
Only if it matches my walker!

And, seriously, an interface is my method of interaction with the game. If I'm not comfortable with it, it takes away from the experience.

[Ninja Dodo]

That's completely understandable. The interface can make or break a game. The problem is that you immediately associate keyboard control with an uncomfortable interface. You shouldn't dismiss something based on that. Every game is different.

My previous comment could be rephrased more specifically as "Who cares what kind of interface it is, as long as it's well-designed!"

[Intrepid Homoludens]

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2001/pcnews/103101/fahr_thumb012.jpg (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/fahrenheit/screens.html?page=6) http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2001/pcnews/103101/fahr_thumb014.jpg (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/fahrenheit/screens.html?page=2) http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/pcnews/052902/fahrenheit_thumb011.jpg (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/fahrenheit/screens.html?page=20) http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/pcnews/052902/fahrenheit_thumb013.jpg (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/fahrenheit/screens.html?page=18)
Click for large.


At this point in Fahrenheit's development I'm wondering what other initial little features were nixed. It looks like they were really bent on giving players the experience of an interactive television series.

Think of it as a realistic but paranormal thriller. Or think of it as NYPD Blue meets X-Files, in the words of the designers. Like Omikron, you'll focus on a few key characters, but will have the ability to play as a whole variety of "actors" in the story, even including the villain. You begin in the gutter, and it's your job to reach beyond human logic and into the realm of the supernatural by the time you finish your journey. The gutter, in this case, being the bathroom of a diner on the lower east side, where a murder has just happened. The only problem is, you've committed it. It's your job to play as Lucas Kain, the "hunted," and get yourself out of a bad situation before the cops help get you into a worse one. Of course, it's hard to take sides when you also play as the cops only a few moments later. Carla and Tyler are partners, and you'll have to help them in the investigation to find Kain? but is it really that easy? There's rumors of a dark priest involved, as well as some otherworldly happenings shaking up New York. Not to mention the fact that it's been getting unusually cold in the city, much colder than it should for the time of year. Over the course of 13 episodes, you'll play as all of these characters and more as you get to the heart of the mystery behind the city murders, the weather, and a mysterious little girl who seems to connect all of the event together in a macabre thread.

...You'll have to solve puzzles and seek out clues, but a lot of it is also just pure storyline. QD's plan is to give you a variable amount of interaction, depending on how much you want to get involved with the game. If you're a spectator, you'll have more prompts on what to do next, and if you're an expert, than you'll have the option to search out the secrets and discover things for yourself. The team likes to call it "Bungie Stories," a way of allowing you to explore branches and sections of the game while still springing everything back to a neat conclusion in a short amount of time. Where Omikron tended to get lost as the story unraveled, Fahrenheit promises to keep the plotlines and gameplay short, sweet and always on track.


Preview (http://pc.ign.com/previews/16145.html), ign.com, 6 March 2001

Notice my underline. Looks like some innovative approach to 'difficulty levels' as well as experiencing the story and game from different angles.

[Garyos]

I just hope it won't be too MUCH of an "interactive movie". I don't really connect that with anything good. From the example in Marek's preview, it sounds like you get maybe three or four interactions in a scene that you might or might not do, and then you just go to the next cutscene. I'm wondering how linear and television-like it'll actually be. I hope it won't be a series of cutscenes that can be slightly different depending on your actions, some kinda digital choose-your-own-adventure...

But I'm probably just nay-saying here. I'm still really looking forward to this!

[mycroft]

For example, Lucas Kane will find himself in a bathroom of a restaurant, just having committed a brutal murder against his will. At this point you can choose to do a number of things: hide the murder weapon, wash off the bloodstains, drag the body into a corner, or just hightail out of there.

Delicious.

The game's premise intrigues me. I look upon the episodic nature of the game with some skepticism. However, I do have a certain amount of faith in QD. Omikron was an enjoyable experience for me, on the whole.

The player will also have to play with other characters like Tyler Miles, an African-American rookie cop working with Carla; Tiffany, Lucas' ex-girlfriend;

I can't wait to play with Tiffany and Carla... :D

[Ninja Dodo]

This game continues to sound very interesting. Can't wait to play it...

[Kolzig]

At first thought I wasn't so much interested on this game, but now I've checked some screenshots and read Marek's preview.

And I must say that this game sound very interesting.

[Marek]

I just hope it won't be too MUCH of an "interactive movie". Yeah, I agree. That's my concern too. Unfortunately, we don't really have much facts about the gameplay besides that example in my preview, so it's hard to say. I'm working on getting more info.

[Sonny-Bonds]

It sounds like a very good idea to me.

I just hope the level of interactivity isn't too low, being an interactive story - and there is some player-driven character interaction etc.

[mycroft]

One set of buttons are used to move around the game world, and another set of buttons to more precisely control individual parts of the body. In some circumstances, the game will allow you to stretch out an arm, a leg or the whole body, which has been compared to the lock-picking gameplay in Thief 3.


By the way, does anyone have any idea what this is supposed to mean ?

Individual parts of the body ? Are we controlling a mech here ? :P

[wilco]

Looking good!! With this preview and the past game by Quantic Dreams this game is definitely going to top waited of the year.
The price of each episode is a concern... how much could it be?
And if the first ones flop? Will we see the ending?

[bigjko]

By the way, does anyone have any idea what this is supposed to mean ?

Individual parts of the body ? Are we controlling a mech here ? :P

Yeah, I was thouroughly confused by that sentance. I mean, is this going to a human simulation?

[Leonard Shelby]

For people who were wondering if the game was still "alive" or cancelled, good news since the UK mag called Edge have done a huge preview about it this month .
I've read it on a store here (didn t buy the mag it was way too expansive) but i ve seen lots of new screens and they were talking to David Cage about differents aspects of it .

All I can say is that it s gonna be a new experience in gaming : David Cage would have loved to be screenwriter or director for movies and he says he wants the player to be as emotionnally involved into the game as an engrossing movie :D
He insists on the fact that the huge difference here is that it s INTERACTIVE and you re part of the history .

Also it won't be a "series" of games but one and only game (so no "episodic" stuff anymore) .

There will be some different endings too (replay value is here :9)

[Bumstead]

What I'm the most curious about is the cinematics. I thought the ingame cutscenes in Broken Sword 3 were great and I'm hoping adventure games contunue to evolve into a more movie-quality cinematic experience.
I know that 3rd person camera's have been a problem with action games but I think there's something in the gameplay of (most) adventures that can allow for more dramatic camera angles without frustrating the player (ie. you don't have to worry about the player not see certain enemies before they get killed).
I'd love to see adventure games take better advantage of this.

[Erkki]

I could live with it being pretty much an interactive movie instead of a game, if it would be much easier to consume than a game. For example if it would only install a small part on the hard drive when you insert a CD of an episode and let you play off the CD. And of course no patches. Should be very polished out of the box.

[Ninja Dodo]

I'm wary of the convergence of film and games. There's a lot to be learned from cinema, but in the end films and games are two fundamentally different types of entertainment.

I hope Fahrenheit isn't made 'cinematic' at the expense of interactivity.

[bigjko]

Too bad to see the episode thing go in the trash bin. Oh, well.

[Leonard Shelby]

Some great news about this promising psycho thriller in NY .

Jeuxvideos.com tells us than Quantic Dreams have done the greatest work about the game and are finalizing technical stuff on it now .

The game is set to be released November 21th on PC, X-Box and PS2 :D

Also, there will be a new official site about the game which will be launched march 1st and will add further news about the game :P