The Force Unleashed. Greatest game ever?

Now that the power of gaming graphics has risen to the point that games are blurring the lines of reality entertainment, one has to ask … could LucasArts “The Force Unleashed” be the greatest game ever? Designed with three different simulation technologies, The Force Unleashed is being designed to push the envelope in Xbox, Wii, and Playstation 3 consoles. And judging by the video below that talks about the tech behind the game, it just may be.

The game’s premise is a simple one. The gamer is Darth Vader’s secret apprentice and after much training, the Force has unleashed incredible powers in this padawan learner. Designed around three major simulation technologies, TFU is more than a game, it may actually be a Force simulation. Utilizing the Havok physics engine, designers are able to move an amazing amount of detail within the scenario. The result is the ability to move a great number of objects on screen at once. Great if you’re using the force to push back a hoard of destroyer droids. Euphoria, is the technology that gives animated characters their individuality. They reaction to what’s happening around them and insures that no two reactions are the same. Finally, Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) simulates the substance of an object in the scene and make it behave like it would in the real world. Glass shatters like glass, metal bends like metal, wood splinters as it should. Coupling this with Euphoria and the game environment reacts as it would if it were real life.

Add to this the hopeful promise of a Lightsaber Wii controller, and the result is that the Force Unleashed could be more simulation than game. And that begs the question … will The Force Unleashed be the greatest game ever? Well, at least until they make a better one.

Source, with video – Kotaku

Only ONE PS3 model in the US?

According to sources following the development of the Playstation 3, Best Buy is discontinuing the sale of both the 80GB and 60GB models of the Playstation 3. Only the 40GB model, which sells for $399 and is not backwards compatible with earlier Playstation games will remain.

The rumor stems from a post by PS3Fanboy on his blog citing an anonymous Best Buy employee who apparently fed him this internal memo:

“The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won’t be replaced at this time,”… “It will come off the planogram on Jan. 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time.”

The internal communiqué also goes on to confirm that the 40GB model is not backwards compatible and that Sony has no plans to add to the existing product line. If true, this would mark the return of initial criticisms of the PS3 that it wasn’t compatible with previous Playstation games and cited this as one reason, along with it’s ridiculously high price, not to invest in the latest game console in the first place. Lagging sales prompted Sony to lose nearly a billion dollars on the PS3 until they recently reduced the price of all Playstation 3 models, a move that has enjoyed brisk sales through the holiday season. But if this memo reflects a shift in Sony policy, the PS3’s return to glory may be short lived.

Source: UberGizmo

 

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PogoWolf’s Vue:
  Now anyone that’s read this blog knows I’ve been upset at Sony and the PS3 and the horrible events, lies and crap surrounding it.  But if this rumor proves true then I’ve got one word to say:  DOH!

DOH! for all you PS3 owners that now have a discontinued model.

DOH! to all the people that bought a PS3 in order to have Backwards compatibly..
         If Sony only has one model type left that doesn’t have BC in it in the first place, I doubt they will continue to update the BC on the other models.  So you are hosed.

DOH! to all the FanBoys that have said the PS3 was the next best thing since sliced bread. 
         Sony has lost yet another PS3 model and you tried to convince me other wise..

[Update - 1/29/08]

ArsTechica is stating that where as the 80 GIG PS3 is dead, it will be replaced with a 120 GIG or a 160 GIG model at the same price point of the 80 GIG model.

ok.. still leaves me with the DOH!! for all those PS3 owners who are now getting screwed by being an early adopter.