Ken Levine defends Lair, deserves playful scolding

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 19th 2007 at 6:57PM }

There's no denying that Ken Levine, lead of 2K Boston and guru of BioShock, is a golden boy in the industry right now. So when he defends the odious Lair in the latest episode of the Gamers with Jobs podcast, we can't help but politely, yet firmly, say, "No Ken Levine, bad! Wrong! We care too much about you at this moment to see you defending that ... that thing. Now go to your office, estimate the insane amounts of money you'll make before the end of the decade, and think about what you said!"

Levine is even in his defense of Lair saying things like, "I'm sure somebody came to them at some point and said, 'We have this motion control controller, and we have to make a go of it. And we really think you should try to make your game exclusively on that.'" He also goes on to say that beyond Wii Sports, there are a lot of games where he wonders if people wouldn't just be happier with a d-pad and analog stick. There's actually a lot of good stuff with Levine in the well-produced podcast, definitely worth a listen and a mention on this week's Podcast rodeo.

[Via GameDaily BIZ]

Tags: bioshock, defend, kenlevine, lair

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

lessbiasedthanmost @ Sep 19th 2007 7:05PM

Avast, he did make a crack at the Wiimote! Ye scurvy Nintendo dogs, make him walk the plank! And once ye be done doin' that swab the poopdeck, it be filthy.

Shmil @ Sep 19th 2007 7:15PM

yarrr

Shadow El @ Sep 19th 2007 7:41PM

Arr, looks like someone needs to play some Metroid Prime 3 and Elebits, yar.

phattie @ Sep 19th 2007 7:14PM

If you're looking for a Wii game without the wiimote controls, all you have to do is pick up the PS2 or PSP version... they're cheaper and have better graphics to boot.

[flame suit on]

Vegnagun @ Sep 19th 2007 7:23PM

Oh phattie if only you had an ounce of truth to any of your posts you wouldn't come across as an uneducated prick.

Mr Khan @ Sep 19th 2007 7:30PM

Yep; i love me some Elebits PS2

?

Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 19th 2007 7:30PM

You should try Wii Fitness, PhattieAss

Vegnagun @ Sep 19th 2007 7:31PM

So whats the release date for the PS2 versions of TP and MP3?

Ska Oreo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:54PM

well since everyone already pointed out that Phattie is retarded:

*points and laughs*

hahah you're dumb!!

Ska Oreo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:55PM

well since everyone already pointed out that Phattie is retarded:

*points and laughs*

hahah you're dumb!!

Shmil @ Sep 19th 2007 7:19PM

avast ye scoundrel!
your post has nothing to do with the topic of this thread
you should be ashamed for being such a scurvy troll
the NDF will keel haul ye
arg

NintendoFanbot @ Sep 19th 2007 7:22PM

Hmmm...

So it's waggle's fault and not peeing away millions and manpower on cinematic value.

Rogue Squadron III on the "normal" GC controls wasn't that great either.

HB96st @ Sep 19th 2007 7:22PM

ARRH!

Bloo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:26PM

I agree. While I am enjoying Metroid on the Wii - I do think I would like it just as much with a regular controller. When I go to, say scratch my head for example, the screen goes crazy. Sometimes when I'm waiting for a door to open I rest the controller on my leg and, again, the screen goes crazy. It times like those where I would just as soon use a regular controller.

Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 19th 2007 7:29PM

Which is why I feel that LAIR's controls are actually dumbed down so that wouldn't happen. But then people complain that its unresponsive. You can't please everyone.

Shadow El @ Sep 19th 2007 7:35PM

Yar, maybe if ye scurvey dogs weren't so lazy, ye'd be able to enjoy the game properly. Yar.

Ah, Lair and Heavenly Sword. Has Sony been hanged yet for their blasphemy against the gaming world?

There be Metroid Prime 3 and there be Bioshock. I see in the future some goodness with Halo 3 and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. What do the fine lads at Sony have in store for us, aside from the utter phailure that will be the 13th Final Fantasy?

lessbiasedthanmost @ Sep 19th 2007 8:19PM

Sony do be commitin no blasphemy with their poorly crafted games. They do be walking 'pon the slipp'ry precipice of the crow's nest of dreamcastery.

Yarr, the only blasphemy I be seein' is the traitorous lies all the companies be spreadin' with denying thar bein' rumble, motion control, and HD.

Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 19th 2007 7:27PM

He also said he was impressed by how good Heavenly Sword was and was amazed by everything but the core game play.

Arturo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:28PM

"that ... that thing" LOL

Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 19th 2007 7:29PM

Its not fair... Ken Levine probably receive the Lair Reviewers Guide, thats why he can enjoy Lair the way is supossed to be.

Forsakyn @ Sep 19th 2007 7:30PM

Heh, that's pretty good.

Bloo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:30PM

Isn't the core gameplay *by far* the most important aspect of any game?

Bloo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:31PM

Wow "reply" is broken today...

Mr Khan @ Sep 19th 2007 7:32PM

Good game designer has weird opinion

No, this is nothing new

Shadow El @ Sep 19th 2007 7:38PM

Yar, but LAIR? Arr...

Imadogg @ Sep 19th 2007 7:56PM

Joystiq, do you guys like have people to pose so you can take the pic? Or do you find like random playful scoldings and such?

Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Sep 19th 2007 8:03PM

I sailed the seven seas of google to find ye a treasure.
http://images.google.com.mx/images?q=scolding&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

Imadogg @ Sep 19th 2007 8:08PM

Oh nice, this pic is used for:

"SOS Discipline for Children
Discover some “Save our Sanity” strategies for those things kids do that drive their parents crazy. Explore ways to stop “bad” behaviors and start “good” behaviors. Find ways to help your child become a better listener and follow directions."

Nice.

Ranko @ Sep 19th 2007 7:59PM

Judging by how he's saying this, it sounds more through a developers P.O.V then anything else.

Kiljoy @ Sep 19th 2007 8:30PM

lair wisnt a bad game the controls did suck on release but the next firm ware for the ps3 fixed the response of the 6 axis. Should really try the game its fun like the old shooter games on the snes and gen. have to get use to the controls wich no matter what using something new in a game takes a little practice. They didnt do a bad job with the game and using the 6 axis isnt that bad.

playwhutyalike @ Sep 19th 2007 8:39PM

Oh, it's talk like a pirate day. Whoopee.

Shadow El @ Sep 19th 2007 8:48PM

I'll be keelhaulin' ya if ye be talkin like that!

playwhutyalike @ Sep 19th 2007 8:50PM

I wish I lived in my mom's basement. Then I'll say, "Mommy by me a PS3 so they can have 3.7 million and 1 sold, mommy. Mommy? I'll peeps in the toilet like a big boy if you buy me a 360."

playwhutyalike @ Sep 19th 2007 8:51PM

That last one was supposed to be a reply to someone. Yarrgh, Joystiq, ye be fittin' for a rape tonight!

How's that?

J-Guy @ Sep 19th 2007 9:04PM

Yer statement be uncalled fo'. Aye, n' I suck at speakin' pirate! YAR!

Jeff @ Sep 19th 2007 8:58PM

Honestly, ps3 should axe motion controls. It only works for the Wii because its a gimmick.

When you actually have the best hardware, you don't need to resort to such things. Just give us games.

playwhutyalike @ Sep 19th 2007 9:20PM

gim mick (gim'ik) n. SLANG. 1 Any small device, especially one used secretly or in a tricky manner. 2 a hidden or tricky condition in a plan, etc.; catch. 3. idea, scheme, or stunt to attract attention. [origin unknown].

Now the dictionary I'm using is, like, 24 years old. Nintendo came out and showed what thier system can do and can't do. Most people who bought a Wii, played it, and loved it. Nintendo isn't trying to trick anybody, they are doing something different.

I feel, as probably most people do, that if the PS3 had more to offer (titles) on thier release date, they could have crushed the market.

Now, I'm not bashing on the PS3. Nintendo did something innovative, and took a big risk to boot, and came out on top.

It is what it is.

TheEvilDead @ Sep 19th 2007 9:19PM

He's right. The Wiimote is ridiculous.

playwhutyalike @ Sep 19th 2007 9:24PM

Yeah, the Wii-mote is laughable. Just like Sony selling stock to make up for the loss in thier gaming division. Oh, you aren't moving any units, I'll take some of your stock.

On the other hand, thier TV's are the shit.

MellowNinja @ Sep 19th 2007 9:34PM

It seems like 99% of gaming journalists have whined about Lair's controls. I'm not a Playstation fanatic, and I own all three systems, so I don't have that freaktastic loyalty to the system.

But, I Gameflyed it and the controls are fine. I find it incredibly simple to control the dragon. However, the game doesn't hold my attention.

It's repetitive. I found it enjoyable for about an hour, and now I don't want to spend more than 30 minutes at a time playing Lair.

If you're not giving the game a chance because of the bad control reviews, rent it.

samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 19th 2007 10:11PM

Shiver me timbers! That woman be quite the MILF! I'd like t' take 'er back to me quarters and give 'er a royal what for! ArrRRR! The motion o' th' ocean is all I be needin' to satisfy a broad like that!
Aye, a fire crotch like 'er is all it takes ta set off me cannon and balls!

Yaarrrr, me parrot will watch.