The latest edition of the Bionic Commando podcast includes a Q&A session with Dead Rising creator Keiji Inafune. Strangely, he seems unwilling to divulge many new details about Dead Rising 2, but talks in length about collaborating with a Western developer. The sequel has been farmed out to Canadian-based Blue Castle Games, but Inafune is eager to state that developers from the original game are working very closely with the DR2 team, with conference calls occurring every week.
"[Blue Castle Games] really understood the Japanese flavor that made Dead Rising so unique," says Inafune. "They showed me that they are serious about making a game that keeps that Capcom 'spice' intact, and so far it's going very well." He hopes to make Dead Rising 2 an improvement over the original, as the game will be developed from a global perspective. This level of collaboration between East and West, he says, is unprecedented for Capcom. Perhaps the Resident Evil team should look into trying something similar for its next title?
In terms of actual gameplay details, there's little to glean from the podcast. Inafune does mention that the new character will be much more interesting than Frank West, but doesn't want to give away too much right now. Blue Castle feels that keeping the time management aspect of the original game in the sequel is important, but is planning a much larger variety of mission objectives. Have a listen yourself for more Dead Rising 2 tidbits.
Reader Comments (35)
Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:00PM (Unverified) said
I liked Frank in DR1. "More interesting" doesn't really tweak my nipples.
For some reason I get the feeling that there will be multiple playable characters. I could be wrong, but "guy in leather jacket" seems like one of three or four options.
Either way, can't wait for the game.
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For some reason I get the feeling that there will be multiple playable characters. I could be wrong, but "guy in leather jacket" seems like one of three or four options.
Either way, can't wait for the game.
Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:29PM (Unverified) said
"but "guy in leather jacket" seems like one of three or four options"
A rumor has it that the other 3 options are A black dude with a red tie, An old Veteran and a college girl.
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A rumor has it that the other 3 options are A black dude with a red tie, An old Veteran and a college girl.
Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:16PM arkweld said
Frank West wasn't that interesting but the time management of the original was one of the features worth keeping?
Hell, can we bring back Otis too?
Maybe in every box they can pack a six inch nail so that I can just jam that repeatedly into my head to save me playing through a game with the same time mechanic again.
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Hell, can we bring back Otis too?
Maybe in every box they can pack a six inch nail so that I can just jam that repeatedly into my head to save me playing through a game with the same time mechanic again.
Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:45PM (Unverified) said
The time management is what made the game so unique. I would be very disappointed if they took it out. They just need to add a free play mode with no time element, so people like you dont have to worry about the time.
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Posted: Feb 18th 2009 1:15AM samfish said
I hated the time management thing at first, too, but I grew to like it, ultimately. It was a good way or adding to the tension.
I'd like to see it stay, but I'd also like an alternate mode where (and I think the Wii version is doing this) you have X amount of time to choose a mission, and once that mission has been chosen you have Y amount of time to complete it.
The one thing I hated about the original's time management and save system was that you could easily save yourself into a corner. On some missions, like where you fight Isabella on a bike, the timer keeps running down even after you get to her. Other missions, though, the timer stops once you get to the mission point (like when you fight Carlito in the food court).
But there was no way of knowing which missions would keep the timer going, so it was fairly easy to save yourself into a corner where you couldn't possibly complete the mission and you'd have to restart.
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I'd like to see it stay, but I'd also like an alternate mode where (and I think the Wii version is doing this) you have X amount of time to choose a mission, and once that mission has been chosen you have Y amount of time to complete it.
The one thing I hated about the original's time management and save system was that you could easily save yourself into a corner. On some missions, like where you fight Isabella on a bike, the timer keeps running down even after you get to her. Other missions, though, the timer stops once you get to the mission point (like when you fight Carlito in the food court).
But there was no way of knowing which missions would keep the timer going, so it was fairly easy to save yourself into a corner where you couldn't possibly complete the mission and you'd have to restart.
Posted: Feb 18th 2009 3:41AM Deone said
In my hour, I thought the time mechanic was cool. I could see you're frustration though. That previous sentence was just to keep it on topic. I'm a nOOb welder, can you get me a job welding on your ark, cause I can't seem to find one that doesn't have me busting weld tests.
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Posted: Feb 18th 2009 7:32AM AwesomeTown said
I found the first one way too frustrating. Not because of the time system exactly, I enjoyed the Majora's mask type idea, where you have to keep playing the game through again to do all the missions. What I didn't like was exactly what samfish and arkweld said the second time. Oh and I couldn't do the escorts at all. I gave them up. Damn, that AI was stupid.
I think I do need to give that game another go sometime, though.
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I think I do need to give that game another go sometime, though.
Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:19PM (Unverified) said
"Farmed out to no-name Canadian developer" is basically just coming right out and saying "we gave it to the lowest bidder". If these Oompa-Loompas actually make a decent game I'll be surprised.
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Posted: Feb 17th 2009 10:00PM MagikOvenMit said
You don't give a highly-anticipated, probable hit to the lowest bidder.
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Posted: Feb 18th 2009 1:22AM zuburi said
Yeah, instead you give it to the company that has only made THREE games (all of them baseball related) -
The BIGS ( score of 66)
Major League Baseball 2K8 (score of 63)
Major League Baseball Front Office Manager (score of 50)
This is going to be a train wreck. Dead Rising is, bar none, my favorite game this generation and in my top 5 of all time. You thought what Double Helix did to Silent Hill was bad? We haven't seen anything yet.
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The BIGS ( score of 66)
Major League Baseball 2K8 (score of 63)
Major League Baseball Front Office Manager (score of 50)
This is going to be a train wreck. Dead Rising is, bar none, my favorite game this generation and in my top 5 of all time. You thought what Double Helix did to Silent Hill was bad? We haven't seen anything yet.
Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:30PM (Unverified) said
You can't always save everyone also it was for a greater good.You actually save more people doing your job than going for the Saint achievement.
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Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:33PM (Unverified) said
I bet there will be zombies and weapons with which to kill them.
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Posted: Feb 17th 2009 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Dude! Keep your f*cking Spoilers to yourself.
I was totally expecting that humans would resolve their differences with the zombies through communication and civic manners. Now I don’t know if I want it.
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I was totally expecting that humans would resolve their differences with the zombies through communication and civic manners. Now I don’t know if I want it.
Posted: Feb 18th 2009 2:53AM The Blank Mage Returns said
But the question remains... This new guy... Has he covered wars?
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Posted: Feb 18th 2009 3:15AM Deone said
I didn't have an HD TV when I rented this from Gamefly. I no longer have Gamefly (no time to rent games, haven't even played all the games i own) but do have the HD tv. I played the game for an hour or so, but quit in frustration and confusion. Meant to go to Circuit City to see if I could get a cheap new copy.
I try not to buy well made or unique games used, because I'm no buccaneer minded person, and used buying is almost as bad. Almost.
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I try not to buy well made or unique games used, because I'm no buccaneer minded person, and used buying is almost as bad. Almost.
Posted: Feb 18th 2009 8:39AM (Unverified) said
More Interesting than Frank West?
Look Buddy, NO ONE IS MORE INTERESTING THAN FRANK WEST. He's covered wars you know. Considering Japanese tastes, does more interesting mean he's basically going to be bi-sexual and rape Zombies.... since Japan loves androgynous heroes and their rape simulators. Just ask Amazon. Also, will he wear a bunch of dumb costumes and be whiny as well? Yeah, idiots... lets get rid of Frank West. Great move. No Frank West = No Buy Unless it's Amazing. Even if it is, it will still be disappointing without him. Frank West saved lives and did it against incredible odds. Dead Rising 2 shits on his legacy.
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Look Buddy, NO ONE IS MORE INTERESTING THAN FRANK WEST. He's covered wars you know. Considering Japanese tastes, does more interesting mean he's basically going to be bi-sexual and rape Zombies.... since Japan loves androgynous heroes and their rape simulators. Just ask Amazon. Also, will he wear a bunch of dumb costumes and be whiny as well? Yeah, idiots... lets get rid of Frank West. Great move. No Frank West = No Buy Unless it's Amazing. Even if it is, it will still be disappointing without him. Frank West saved lives and did it against incredible odds. Dead Rising 2 shits on his legacy.
Posted: Feb 18th 2009 12:30PM original fred said
"bi-sexual and rape Zombies"
I think you mean necrophiliac, not bisexual
"Frank West is your dad, isn't he?"
He might know Frank from one of the wars he covered... which would be an awesome back story for the new guy.
I wish I made worthwhile comments.
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I think you mean necrophiliac, not bisexual
"Frank West is your dad, isn't he?"
He might know Frank from one of the wars he covered... which would be an awesome back story for the new guy.
I wish I made worthwhile comments.
Posted: Feb 18th 2009 2:08PM (Unverified) said
For reals, Frank was a pretty good character. I don't think that part of the game needs any changing. Why don't they just expound oh his background some more?
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Posted: Feb 18th 2009 3:19PM WilliamLeeTwitch said
I liked the different ways you could take out zombies in the game. I spent the first week I played bowling for zombies and going over them with lawnmowers. If they can add more things like that in the game, I'll buy it for sure.
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