Raynal working on a spiritual successor of Time Commando

[elmuerte]

As you may know, Frederick Raynal has been working on a still unknown game at Ubisoft for the past few years. A few days ago I was near Ubisoft Montpellier so I decided to give Fred a visit. While being there Fred unveiled some details about the upcoming game.

Originally Posted by Frederick Raynal (paraphrased)

The game is a spiritual sequel to Time Commando.

It is set in an alternate galaxy, where the player has to travel through various dimensions. Each dimension offers a unique world with a lot of different enemies and fighting styles. We really tried to give each of the seven dimensions its own unique atmosphere. Things you learned and did in one dimension do not really apply to the next dimension. So it is like 7 different games with an overarching story.

Part of the game is to learn the the fighting styles and techniques of each dimension. This is done by solving puzzles and interacting with characters you encounter. But the focus is mostly on action and not puzzle solving. You don't have to expect puzzles like you'd find in traditional adventure games.

The game world is much more open and non-linear than it was in Time Commando. The player doesn't walk a single path, but can roam free through towns and buildings for part of the time.

Fred couldn't show me the game. But he did show me some concept art for a few dimensions, it looked awesome. Ubisoft is going to put out a press release within a few days, until then I cannot reveal any other information. But I can tell you that the game is still set for a 2010 release, and will ship for PS3, XBox360 and PC.

[Lightwing]

OMG OMG OMG OMG! This is amazing!!!!1

I always knew it had to be one of his previous titles!
In regards to the free roaming world, I hope it's not the Elder Scroll syndrome. Big worlds do not immersion make.

[elmuerte]

What's wrong with the Elder Scrolls? I loved those games, although the latter were more dumbed down.

Anyway, it's not that free roaming. It's more like Beyond Good & Evil like free roaming.

[Darkflame]

-sigh-
Going to need to get a Xbox I think. I dont like Ubisoft new DRM policy for PC games.
Guess by the time this is out though 360's will be even cheaper.

[SpaceGuitarist]

Time Commando ruled. I really hope they make a sequel - although since it's called a spiritual sucessor it might not carry on that title...

The game world is much more open and non-linear than it was in Time Commando. The player doesn't walk a single path, but can roam free through towns and buildings for part of the time.

*phew*
Cheers, 'cos that was one big flaw of TC. Hopefully you can have nice dialogues with the chars too (if you can speak other dimensions languages, that is ).

[Axx]

April fools

I think the English (too good) and the length (fred responds with a sentence, not 10 usually) gives it away. Also if i recall correctly, he mentioned previously it was PC only (which is strange, but hey he said it)

[Kobold]

Originally Posted by Axx

April fools

He posted this a day early, then removed it, and now it's back again.

So yeah, obviously.

But a nice one, he got me the first time.

[elmuerte]

Originally Posted by Axx

I think the English (too good) and the length (fred responds with a sentence, not 10 usually) gives it away. Also if i recall correctly, he mentioned previously it was PC only (which is strange, but hey he said it)

That's why it says "paraphrased". I wrote it down based on the verbal communication.

Originally Posted by Kobold

He posted this a day early, then removed it, and now it's back again.

I wasn't allowed to post it yet (due to the press release), and was preparing it for posting but forgot to keep the thread invisible.

[Kobold]

But is it you mocking up the Time Commando guy in the LBA Magic Slate?

[Darkflame]

Originally Posted by Axx

Also if i recall correctly, he mentioned previously it was PC only (which is strange, but hey he said it)

I don't think he'd ever make a ps3 game either, but then, its upto Ubisoft, not him.

[elmuerte]

Originally Posted by Kobold

But is it you mocking up the Time Commando guy in the LBA Magic Slate?

yes, had to include some kind of picture

[Neko]

it's very cheesy to do a april's fool joke on 31th march....But with fred i will only believe it when i have it in my hands

[Darkflame]

Obviously, this is real, and El has yet to post his April fools joke.

[SpaceGuitarist]

I'm glad Fred picked TC instead of his other classics to make a sequel. It's perfect for him to practice new ideas and see the response from the gamers, without compromising other more important titles (ie:LBA3...). And afterall, Time Commando was awesome. The idea of spiritual sequels in games seems to be some sort of trend nowadays, but oh well, it's more commercially appealling I guess.

I don't think it's an april fools, that's silly. Fred did announce a while ago he was making a game and this sounds like a reasonable time to unveil more details about it. Just because it isn't LBA3 you all don't have to go ranting that it's a joke.


EDIT: It just now occured to me that he DID mention something about TC years ago, when I had sent him (my first and only) email to him about the damalalai puppet. I never thought of it as something really important, for just the fact that fred himself being happy about something I made was too overwhelming for me to even think of TC at the time. (check attachement)

[Double-J]

Originally Posted by Axx

April fools

I think the English (too good) and the length (fred responds with a sentence, not 10 usually) gives it away. Also if i recall correctly, he mentioned previously it was PC only (which is strange, but hey he said it)

^ This.

Besides, this would involve Fred releasing a major game, which hasn't happened since 1997. Color me skeptical.

[SebZ]

For me, today's April 1st...


Posted at 7:04

-------------------

Originally Posted by elmuerte

I wasn't allowed to post it yet (due to the press release), and was preparing it for posting but forgot to keep the thread invisible.

Where's the press release?

[SpaceGuitarist]

Originally Posted by Double-J

Besides, this would involve Fred releasing a major game, which hasn't happened since 1997. Color me skeptical.

Well and this was a joke too then?

EDIT: plus, check the edit of my previous post.

[morshem]

Yeah, Axx said what I wanted to say. Fred's answers in English interviews are usually as long as "yeah, sounds cool!", so unless he said that in French originally, this is very suspicious.


To make that more authentic, you should have said that Fred said something like:

Hi,
Yes, it's Time Commando 2.
Fred

[Lightwing]

Why do half of you guys have to be so negative, eh?

[SebZ]

just to clarify, i'm not being negative... i just wanna see the press release to make sure it's not an april fools joke.

[Double-J]

Originally Posted by SpaceGuitarKid

Well and this was a joke too then?

EDIT: plus, check the edit of my previous post.

No. But "announcing" is quite a bit different than "releasing," unless you think Trium Planeta being announced/rumored was an achievement...

Originally Posted by Lightwing

Why do half of you guys have to be so negative, eh?

I think we're just cynical. It has been more than a decade. We are tired of jerking off to Twinsen pics (or in my case, a pack of Francos).

[Axx]

E3 2010

[elmuerte]

Originally Posted by SebZ

i just wanna see the press release to make sure it's not an april fools joke.

But it is an April's fool joke

[Lightwing]

Aye. Tis a pity.

[SpaceGuitarist]

Originally Posted by Rex_Hollywood

The problem with those jokes is that there's always someone that has to point out how sharp he is and why this is a hoax, ruining it for others that might've not noticed the date.

True.

---

However, who in here has noticed that my screenshot of Fred's email was NOT a complete hoax?