Ubisoft confirms Red Steel redesign in the works
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jun 27th 2006 at 4:55PM }
Despite confusion over Game Informer's latest Red Steel impression, Ubisoft has revealed that a redesign of the game's mechanics is in development. The E3 build of the game was harshly criticized for its poor swordplay controls, and Ubisoft Paris has appeared to take notice of those complaints.
According to French press sources, the development team is hard at work refining a number of Red Steel's elements, specifically the sword-fighting, which Ubisoft admitted was difficult to program. Thankfully, the team likely has several months before Nintendo comes calling for the final build, unless the title slips out of the Wii launch window -- in that case, Ubisoft would have all the time in the world...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Zelda Master @ Jun 27th 2006 4:57PM
Take your time Ubisoft. Don't pull an EA on this game, it has the potential to be really great.
Marc @ Jun 27th 2006 4:58PM
I hope the finished product lives up to my expectations.
Ramza24 @ Jun 27th 2006 5:02PM
That is great news... they need to get this right.
delerious @ Jun 27th 2006 5:12PM
Yessssssssssssssssssss.
baberg @ Jun 27th 2006 5:15PM
I second Zelda Master's post (#1) - Take your time Ubisoft, and do it right. Give us multiple "skill level" selections, all the way from "Push button A to swing, B to block" up to "Translate my motions with the Wiimote into direct actions on-screen", and several options in between. Do it right.
Red Steel could be a major system seller at launch IF they do this right.
joba @ Jun 27th 2006 5:20PM
Due to the GIMMICK nature of the Wii and its controller, this title will never live up to expectations. Sorry to say...this isn't Ubisoft's call to redesign, its the big wigs at Nintendo. It is, however, very impressive that Nintendo can "pimp their tricks" sooo easily!
Squeek @ Jun 27th 2006 5:29PM
What are you talking about Gimmick. The controller makes the game more immersive and interesting. Without the Wiimote, this would be just another FPS that very few would buy.
Enzo @ Jun 27th 2006 5:29PM
Gimmick or forward thinking design? Same thing really, and I'm glad that at least SOMEONE is trying something new. Whether it fails or succeeds, at least you won't be out $600. =)
baberg @ Jun 27th 2006 5:31PM
Squeek, don't feed the trolls.
josh @ Jun 27th 2006 5:33PM
Time will tell if the wii controller is a gimmick. Generally, history considers fads and failures gimmicks, and successes as ground-breaking. I'm sure many people in the pinball industry thought Pong was a gimmick. Likewise, many people probably thought Virtual Boy was a great innovation. Time will tell.
Marc @ Jun 27th 2006 5:40PM
Squeek's right. This game would be a serious let down if it came out on the PS3 or Xbox 360.
However that obvious Sony fan joba, would probably buy it anyway because it has SUPER GRAFIKAL POWER that's powered by the supercomputer that is the PS3.
In my opinion, no one should believe that bag of crap Sony throws out. A gaming system that has the power of a super computer? Pleease! Why would (should) any decent human being with any sign of intelligence believe that? If it really was a super computer, Sony would make more money off the U.S. government than off dumbass rich Sony fanboys. The government would gladly pay upwards of $600 (our tax money) for high resolution power that could be used to (as Bush (that dumbass) would say) defend our freedom.
joba @ Jun 27th 2006 5:54PM
Why the assumptions that I am a Sony fanboy? Why not X360? Regardless, I use the term GIMMICK in the very likely event you will play 80% of your Wii games traditionally. The Wii remote is a GIMMICK and is being marketed to the GIMMICK crowd. Or, loosely interpreted, non-gamers...Its the ages old, tried and true marketing/sales ploy: Show the world a GIMMICK and they will blindly follow-Nintendo or otherwise. So please take this towel and wipe the flame-induced foam from your mouths...you know, before you infect others. And for the record I remember Nintendo very fondly...but those are just memories. Thanks!
nambit @ Jun 27th 2006 5:55PM
Regardless of whether Ubi is able to come through with the game we want, it's so nice to already see a 3rd party put so much effort into something new and very refreshing. It's not just a "me too" WWII, Racing, RPG, etc grab. It's a nice touch that you have to consider your actions to gain respect in this kind of game.
B33 @ Jun 27th 2006 5:56PM
Either way, once the whole coolness of playing a FPS with the Wiimote fades off; all your gonna have left is a regular FPS...
Enzo @ Jun 27th 2006 5:59PM
GEEKS are the gimmick crowd. Most of the stuff posted on engadget is gimmicky. Awesome? Sure. Useful? Sometimes. Gimmicky? Always. Who wants this stuff? Not the MTV watching, Madden playing masses that's for sure.
georgel @ Jun 27th 2006 6:02PM
joba - I agree with you 100% about it being a gimmick aimed at non-gamers. Nintendo needed a controller similiar to xbox or ps2 as well for traditional games. They dont have that and therefore you must use the remote or that ugly shell controller which looks like it came from the 80's. Its funny because just yesterday people where defending the wii and saying red steel is such a great game that appeals to the older crowd. Its funny to see the company even admitting that it sucked as it was. nintendo got me started into gaming basically. i had a 2600 but i was only 6 at the time the nes really got me into it so i have nothing but love for nintendo. its the fact that they refuse to embrace new technology like hdtv, cds, dvds, online gaming, that urks me! then the fact that the nintendo nes crowd grew up into adults. what about us nintendo, as fun as mario is maybe we want gta and halo type games also. wii all know wii will not succeed and wii all wasted wii's money(i mean our money) just like with gamecube and n64
Pretty Obvious @ Jun 27th 2006 6:02PM
As far as im concerned both Sony and Nintendo are feeding their fanbases the most BS for the next generation.
One wants to charge you $600 for a super bluray computer with end all be all graphics, when it has yet to be proven this thing can even top the 360. Sony's arrogant smart ass comments its leaders make every month dont help.
The other wants to overcharge you for a system thats basically a supped up Xbox. By overcharge I mean any price over $150 for that system is ridiculous, especially since they dont even consider the Wii next-gen.
Im not trolling, just stating the obvious here...
Aran @ Jun 27th 2006 6:04PM
@ 14 (B33):
Also, once the coolness of new graphic tricks with PS3 fades off; all your gonna have left are regular, same old games...
setra @ Jun 27th 2006 6:04PM
Apparently, UBIsoft had tried an approach where the sword mimicked the sword exactly, but they found that it wasn't as good as they thought it was going to be. Well, I suppose we'll see come launch time.
geostar @ Jun 27th 2006 6:04PM
If they get it right, I don't think I'll ever want to play FPS games with a standard controller again on a console.
Sword fighting sounds great, but there's probably no way it's gonna live up to people expectations. Ubisoft just needs to make it fun. I can wait for a fencing simulator down the road.
Player1 @ Jun 27th 2006 6:06PM
This isn't just another FPS, take away the sword and it's just another LIGHT GUN GAME.
Exo @ Jun 27th 2006 6:12PM
17, the only thing obvious is that you are an idiot.
and everyone just ignore joba, every generation when some one starts saying Nintendo’s making something gimmicky, it ends up being something that’s now a industry standard, such as analog sticks, shoulder buttons, d-pad, and rumble.
Even Sony added tilt sensing and now MS is thinking of making a new simpler controller.
Yea Nintendo is being gimmicky alright, not like other hardware companies are following suit with new style controllers at all. /sarcasm
josh @ Jun 27th 2006 6:14PM
"The other wants to overcharge you for a system thats basically a supped up Xbox. By overcharge I mean any price over $150 for that system is ridiculous, especially since they dont even consider the Wii next-gen."
From what I understand it's more like 2x or 3x the power fo a Gamecube, not just slightly better. And if the price really ends up being $200, that's not very far off your price. $200 is not that expensive.
As far as people complaining about Red Steel being a light gun game - what's wrong with light gun games? I love me some light gun games. And with the nunchuck controller, you can control your movement, so you aren't on rails like you are on a traditional light gun game. That sounds pretty fun. Add swordfighting and maybe some other gameplay too, it could be a great game - IF DONE WELL. And that's a big if.
georgel @ Jun 27th 2006 6:17PM
oh and one other thing, everyone calling everyone a fanboy has got to stop. we are just stating our opinion on each system. i think the ps3 is a good system but wouldnt buy it as it is because of the price. i would rather buy 10 games for my x360 than buy a ps3 system with no games. and i wont buy the wii because it dont support hdtv and the graphics look like gamecube. this is the first time in history a company came out with a new system with almost same graphics as last generation. i know graphics dont mean everything but they mean something. as of right now xbox 360 is poised to take first place this generation. by the time sony is able to lower prices the 360 will be even cheaper. as for second place its kind of up in the air but i think we all know its probably going to sony. the average over 30 year old gamer will not buy a wii. its not exactly what you would call a masculine system and the average gamer is a 30 year old man not a 10 year old boy swing his wii remote. these are just my opinions and predictions but i think they are pretty informed. i mean all the people i know are not getting the ps3 because of price. no one i know even talks about wii and the 360 is now poised to take over because it looks more "affordable" next to sony. now we wait and see what happens in november, i cant wait!!
Player1 @ Jun 27th 2006 6:33PM
The Wii is slightly more powerful than an orginal xbox, so it's not much more powerful than the cube. You will not notice a difference between Zelda on Wii versus Cube, and that's a flagship title.
josh @ Jun 27th 2006 6:34PM
"as of right now xbox 360 is poised to take first place this generation."
That's a pretty bold statement, unless you mean just in the US. 360 is DOA in Japan. The PS3 will be popular there, so unless PS3 totally bombs in the states, the 360 will be hard-pressed to be first worldwide. To be frank, the 360 is selling okay, but is not flying off the shelves anymore. This could change once Gears of War/Halo/etc other AAA titles start hitting the shelves, however.
Barring the Wii, it seems like the PS3 and the 360 will end up closer than they were last go round, with the PS3 winning worldwide for sure, with a close match in the USA and Europe.
The Wii is a wildcard - no one knows if it is any good. If it comes out and people love it, it could change things. If it comes out and the gameplay sucks, it will be a footnote. Personally, I am hoping it's good - something new is always good!
josh @ Jun 27th 2006 6:38PM
"You will not notice a difference between Zelda on Wii versus Cube, and that's a flagship title."
This might have something to do with the fact that until a few months ago, Zelda was a cube title.
Everything I've read implies that it will look quite better than Xbox-level graphics, but nothing compared to the PS3 or 360. The screenshots I've seen look way better than the Xbox games I've played, as well - though I have only played 5-6 Xbox games, to be honest.
geostar @ Jun 27th 2006 6:39PM
#24 I think it is pretty much been reported all over the place that the games at E3 (which is pretty much all we've seen of Wii games)were running on souped up gamecubes and not final Wii hardware. This explains why they looked like Gamecube graphics. Also those games have six months development time or more until released. I think we will all be surprised by the Wii's graphics in the end. Let's not write Nintendo off in the graphics department just yet.
#25 Zelda is a Gamecube game ported to the Wii. It will not utilize the more advanced graphics power of the wii to any large extent. So I think this is more of a flagship title for the Gamecube than the Wii.
Raynre @ Jun 27th 2006 6:40PM
I have nothing but fond memories about my N64 and Gamecube. -_-; Hardly a waste of money considering Ive bought current gen games at a ratio of about 3:1 for the Gamecube...
I have an idea. How about all of the Gamecube/Wii/Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft/George Bush bashers stop typing. We get it. Youll never be happy with anything. We'll never be able to please you. So just stop complaining, get off your lazy butts, and go out and do something about it. Don't like the Wii? Buy a PS3. Didn't like the N64? I'm sorry you were left emotionally scarred from that oh-so traumatic experiance, but go play some games that you do like. Don't like the direction our country is heading? Actually go out and vote for once. Stop complaining, stop flaming, stop trolling, and do something productive with your lives other than sitting in front of your computer and whining about it.
Ubisoft said that they were going to fix Red Steel. That's it. Im not sure exactly how the conversation got off onto PS3 and Bush bashing, but at least try to keep the *****ing to a minimum, ok?
r-deezy @ Jun 27th 2006 6:51PM
I am hoping for a "training" session, similar to my phone's voice recognition training. So the game is, very loosly, tailor made for each player.
Steve @ Jun 27th 2006 6:52PM
God. People stop posting articles, no one wants to read all that shit. Ubisoft, take your time, a month or two delay is better than a game that's bad forever.
Papa @ Jun 27th 2006 6:54PM
So the DS is a gimmick and the PSP is considered ground-breaking?
JimmyDean @ Jun 27th 2006 6:56PM
No kidding. Its called comments, not dissertations.
Exo @ Jun 27th 2006 6:56PM
"You will not notice a difference between Zelda on Wii versus Cube, and that's a flagship title."
You mean just like how there is no diffrence in graphics between most current gen games, and their conterparts on the 360?
if so, whats your point?
baberg @ Jun 27th 2006 7:06PM
The only thing I wish for in Joystiq discussions is that people start recognizing obvious blatant trolls, and subsequently stop feeding them.
Sheesh.
Player1 @ Jun 27th 2006 7:11PM
360 games at least have upgraded resolution. The only difference on Zelda besides controls will be the aspect ratio. Not to mention Fight Night looks a hell of a lot better on 360. And that since Zelda is a flagship title, they shouldn't downgrade the Wii version graphics for the cube. What's your point?
mSmall @ Jun 27th 2006 7:21PM
Not because I'm a Nintendo fanboy, but I have to say that my expectations are pretty high for the Wii. With games like this that wouldn't be nearly as good on a traditional control scheme, I think they'll attract some new people to the fold.
Add to that the fact that Nintendo will actually make it out before the next Sony console. The 360 will really be no competition for Wii in Japan. It's also hard to believe that all of the good press that the big N has gotten over the "gimmicky" DS won't help move units when Wii is finally available.
It also doesn't hurt that we'll be able to buy Wii with a handful of games for the price of a 360. I could buy a $250 Wii and TWO DS Lites for the estimated cost of the PS3.
nambit @ Jun 27th 2006 7:22PM
Wow, upgraded resolution versus upgraded gameplay.
People, make no mistake, the control *IS* the game! Take that from an old-school fan of the original Joystick. Heck, I come from an era when people would fight over the quality of MUSIC in a game.
Go ahead and be ignorant of Nintendo's attempts at changing how we play games. Last gen has already saturated and abused numerous genres. To think that "Next Gen" is now all about graphics to some of you guys really makes my blood boil.
Look at the diversity of games during the commodore 64 and NES days and now look what we've got.
ipodfanboy @ Jun 27th 2006 7:25PM
From number 26
Barring the Wii, it seems like the PS3 and the 360 will end up closer than they were last go round, with the PS3 winning worldwide for sure, with a close match in the USA and Europe.
The Wii is a wildcard - no one knows if it is any good. If it comes out and people love it, it could change things. If it comes out and the gameplay sucks, it will be a footnote. Personally, I am hoping it's good - something new is always good!
LOL you actually think the ps3 is going to dominate with a 500 dollar price tag and then some your must be joking right? Hopefully your not a playstation fanboy or a casual gamer that just discovered the joystiq website. Ps3 will only do well in japan, japanese will fork over alot of money for a flagship gaming console that represents japan. In america its too close to call. Hardcore gamers know waht they want, but when casual gamers find out about the price of the ps3 from media outlets such as tv news papers megazines etc, casual gamers will hesitate and abstain from buying a ps3. Casual gamers want a ps3 because its cool and playstation is the best, however they cant afford it, they might have to wait 4 years for the ps3 to reach 300 dollars and by 4 years the wii or the 360 would probably win America over. Casual gamers perception of the nintendo wii is kiddy and thier perception of the xbox360 is taht the 360 sucks. Next gen is going to be really close and all 3 consoles will probably be almost equal in sales. Ps3 wont dominate globally unlike thier ps1 and ps2 predecessors. Sony fucked up way to much, they fucked up with the walkman against the ipod and they fucked up against samsung tv and now about the be fucked up by nintendo and microsoft. The wii is a wildcard anything can happen to be honest i think the wii will do well in Europe for the most part and do medicore in japan. America i dont know but i hope people embrace the wii. With games like Red steel which im really looking forward too, hopefully Wii will rule the world. Either way the ps3 wont dominate but atleast the ps2 is on its way to a ten year life cycle. IF you want to play a japanese gangster game then dont play redsteel on the wii just play Yakuza for the ps2.
Marc @ Jun 27th 2006 7:31PM
"Why the assumptions that I am a Sony fanboy? Why not X360?"
Because Microsoft actually WANTS an allaiance with Nintendo to defeat Sony.
Exo @ Jun 27th 2006 7:31PM
besides the fact you are a graphics whore with no taste at all, no other points are needed player 1.
You can go ahead and limit yourself to a small selection of games, but you cant really call yourself a gamer.
Gamers play games no matter the platform or graphics detail as long as the games are good.
The zelda series has always had good games (not counting the cd-i crap) and no matter what graphics it has, or teh style it is in, it will be fun as long as it does what its supposed to do. I couldnt really care that tehy arnt upgradeing the graphics, its not going to make the game any more fun.
the 360 ports of current games aree the same way, they arnt any extra fun with the minamal upgrade in visuals, and they dont play any diffrently, in teh end, you are just paying 10 bucks extra for the same exact experience with a little spit shine on the looks.
but i guess trolls like you get attracted to shiny objects, huh?
George2k7 @ Jun 27th 2006 7:36PM
lol I'm not buying this game.
Marc @ Jun 27th 2006 7:47PM
"and the average gamer is a 30 year old man not a 10 year old boy swing his wii remote."
DUMBASS! It's targeting people that DON'T PLAY GAMES!
IF YOU DON'T LIKE NINTENDO, FINE! BUT STOP BITCHING ABOUT IT!
Jesus! all this talk of "Wii's gonna suck" has-to-stop. Every single gamer knows that Everything great in the industry was made/released via Nintendo. Even if you never play their games at least respect the fact that there would be no video games without the NES.
And georgel, your saying that the average gamer would seem like a little kid playing with the Wii. But you say that the average gamer is 30 years old. That dosen't strike you as ironic you heartless son of a bitch?
The way I see it is if a 30 year old man plays with the Wii he either, enjoys great games for a cheap price, or is a loving father who wants to get in touch with his children.
Keep THAT in mind you amazingly idiotic Sony fanboys.
Bob422 @ Jun 27th 2006 7:49PM
I agree with joba. The Wii is a gimmick, just like the Nintendo Virtual Boy 2 a.k.a. Nintendo DS turned out to be a gimmick.
...
Errr, wait...
crono141 @ Jun 27th 2006 8:09PM
I hate how people say "Wii is only marginally better than original Xbox". Based on what... Clock speeds? You know, Intel chips in PC typically run at twice the clock speed of equivalent AMD chips, but the AMD chips almost always outperform the intel chips.
Xbox 1 ran on an intel x86 processor (high clock speeds, low performance), gamecube ran on a modified IBM PowerPC processor (lower clock speeds, higher performance). Xbox 1 and GC were roughly equally as far as horsepower and performance is concerned.
Wii will have roughly twice the clock speed of GC, and about 1/3 the clock speed of a 360 core (keep in mind, no current game uses more than 1 core). I'm willing to bet that Wii will perform at or better at launch than 360 did at launch, based on clock speeds and architecture alone, not to mention anyone who programmed for GC can effectively program for Wii.
So stop saying that the weaker system is a huge detriment. Its not. 360 loses alot of its horsepower increasing the resolution 4x what Wii has. And all the extra horsepower in the Wii can be used to increase polygon counts in models.
I"ll go back to a comment I said long ago. Ever play Oblivion on PC at high resolutions? Looks beautiful, kills the framerate. Ever play Oblivion at 640x480? Looks beautiful, great framerate!
scab @ Jun 27th 2006 8:11PM
can someone tell me a reason other than the price that i shouldnt buy a ps3
and can someone explain to me why the wii will cost less than a psp
molecule @ Jun 27th 2006 8:15PM
Ubisoft is simply too professional a company to allow one of their own properties to launch with a halfa**ed control scheme, in my opinion. If their past franchises are any indication, they'll tidy up every aspect of Steel until it's up to par (sword and gunplay included), whether that means debuting at launch or not.
Do people not remember that Nintendo themselves allowed Red Steel to be the first unveiled Wii game and talked about it as "the Wii's Goldeneye"? If all else fails, Nintendo's needed approval alone should restrict Red Steel from becoming a crappy game.
Hugh Jeffner @ Jun 27th 2006 8:16PM
gim·mick (gĭm'ĭk)
n.
1.
1. A device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick, especially a mechanism for the secret and dishonest control of gambling apparatus.
2. An innovative or unusual mechanical contrivance; a gadget.
2.
1. An innovative stratagem or scheme employed especially to promote a project: an advertising gimmick.
2. A significant feature that is obscured, misrepresented, or not readily evident; a catch.
3. A small object whose name does not come readily to mind.
What definition of gimmick do you have in mind? People throw around that word like its always a bad thing.
Darth Pixel @ Jun 27th 2006 8:34PM
Hey, maybe people who don't play games don't play games because they don't want to or have better things to do.
I think Nintendo is deluding themselves in thinking non-gamers are going to make them rich.
What if non-gamers decide to start non-gamers?
A whole strategy goes down the tube, with a console that gamers do not buy and non-gamers do not need or want.
Gimmicks always impress kids, though.
Todd @ Jun 27th 2006 8:56PM
I don't really buy into this whole gimmick debate. Mainly because I understand what it is and what it isn't. I work in CAD and design and have experience using several different forms of 3D input devices and digitizers. I realize that this is not going to be quite the same, but it'll be close. I know there is going to be a learning curve to it. Sort of like being forced to set your mouse sensitivity to max and then try to do everything you normally would on your computer. I also know that this has a lot of potential to change the way we play games or at the very least provide a way to create new types of games. So is it a gimmick or not? Who knows, who cares, and why does it matter? I know that I want to give it a try. From what we've seen at E3, almost everyone wants to give it a try. Nintendo has, at least, got that going for them.
As for the problem with Red Steel. I thought that something like this would happen. You could have realistic 1 to 1 movements to replicate sword fights, but you’re not going to be able to teach the gamer the right way to handle a sword. I think that this is sort of like the Uncanny Valley, but with gameplay. Like with swords. You can have an input device capable of allowing you realistic swordplay, but you'll never be able to really learn how to handle a sword for the purpose of a game. With controllers we can learn a few button combinations and *bamf* we're a freakin' Jedi Master!!! It’s never going to be that simple with 1 to 1 realistic movement. I know it can be done correctly with the Wii-mote, but I also know that it can be really screwed up too. We're just going to have to wait and see.