Chronicles-of-Riddick-Assault-on-Dark-Athena posts (Subscribe to this feed)
Tigon's Ian Stevens: For Hollywood, 'making video games has been the same thing as making action figures'
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Jun 30th 2009 at 2:15PM }
He equates the attention Hollywood has been giving to game versions of its films with "action figures, pictures on cereal boxes, and [themed] pajamas," saying it's just part of the "licensing and merchandising" of a property, rather than creating something unique and well-crafted from the start. Furthermore, Stevens says that the development studios who are working with nothing (think Ben 10) and making something -- anything -- out of it, are the real talent in the industry. "If you gave that team in Newcastle [Midway Newcastle] - through all that they've struggled with, technology, corporate business, all these different things - the kind of opportunity that someone like Valve has," he says, leaving us to postulate on the ending there. We'll let you guys fill that in all by yourselves.
Tigon's Ian Stevens sees an evolving relationship between gaming and Hollywood
by Ben Gilbert { Jun 25th 2009 at 1:00PM }
When asked whether he believes Hollywood's attitude towards gaming has changed over the past five years, he seems somewhat wishy-washy, saying, "It certainly has [but] people in Hollywood struggle to understand the creative decisions that we make." And that's likely how we end up with treasures like 2004's Van Helsing, which Stevens says took precedence over the first Chronicles of Riddick game, Escape From Butcher Bay. How the tables have turned, eh Ian?
Starbreeze: Indie studios 'always' more creative than corporate studios
by Richard Mitchell { May 19th 2009 at 11:00PM }
According to Kristiansson, corporate development environments can stifle creativity, as decisions are made more slowly. He stated that independent developers have "a stronger feeling of ownership-attachment to their properties," adding that indie studios can develop "a more tightly knit team" over time.
"An independent studio is always going to be more creative," said Kristiansson, noting that publishers should allow developers to maintain control over production. He concluded, "If indies are too close to their publishers, that can also damage the decision making process and the overall game quality."
Riddick: Dark Athena debuts at #2 in UK charts, only new game to make top 40
by Majed Athab { Apr 28th 2009 at 4:29AM } 
So, what was the only game keeping Vin Diesel from full-out domination? It's Wii Fit, which still reigns supreme in the Isles. Sorry Vinny, you can't dethrone Wii Fit -- not even with those weird glowing eyes of yours. But hey, fans still love you; they're keeping Wheelman afloat at #22.
Joystiq interview: Ian Stevens, Tigon Studios' head of game production
by Ben Gilbert { Apr 10th 2009 at 12:10PM } 
Busy as he is, he was nice enough to take time out of his schedule last week to speak with us about a few things. Number one on the agenda: What is it exactly that Tigon Studios does? If Starbreeze developed Riddick and Midway Newcastle developed Wheelman, where does Tigon fit into this mess? His answer just might shock you!
[Disclaimer: Ian Steven's answer will likely not actually shock you, but you may find it interesting. So there's that.]
Metareview - Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
by Xav de Matos { Apr 9th 2009 at 6:45PM }
- GamePro (90/100): "But when you step back and consider the entire package, you start to appreciate Dark Athena for what it truly is. Instead, look at Dark Athena as a flawed yet enjoyable way to extend the thrill ride that is Escape from Butcher Bay."
- GameTrailers (84/100): "The Escape may handily trump the Assault, but neophyte Riddicks have a unique experience to work through. Though vets who return may begrudge Athena, it's doubtful they won't finish. It's an abridged effort, and more of a dreaded point-five than a true sequel, but with both missions it still reigns as the best first-person, melee, stealth, parkour game featuring Vin Diesel."
- 1UP (B-): "As a product, this package is recommendable to anyone who hasn't experienced the first game, or wishes to add it back to their current library. It also includes a surprisingly fun multiplayer suite, with the Riddick vs. Everyone Else mode "Pitch Black" as the main attraction. But as single-player games, the unsatisfying Dark Athena should be played as a curiosity and then put back where it belongs: in Butcher Bay's shadow."
- Worthplaying (75/100): "Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is half excellent game, half mediocre game. Unfortunately, the excellent half is the same game that was released years ago, just with a small new segment taken from the PC port."
Source - Metacritic: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PS3)
Joystiq Review: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
by Justin McElroy { Apr 8th 2009 at 2:45PM } 
So, as the game's targeting a lot of different audiences, I thought I'd write short, separate reviews for each of these groups. I know, it's totally Web 3.0.
If you played and liked Butcher Bay: You're going to want this. You can't play your old version on your 360, and besides, the new version looks great. The one thing you may have forgotten from BB that hasn't aged so well? Load times. Seriously, when you're going from one area to another in the prison, it's brutal. We're talking 13 to 15 seconds every couple of minutes in some sections. The good stuff's still there, though. Melee combat is satisfyingly brutal, voice acting's great, and the stealth is really intuitive and well-handled.
Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena trailers to tide you over
by David Hinkle { Apr 2nd 2009 at 3:45AM }
If you want your experience to be extra authentic, shave your head, turn off the lights, and don some shades while watching. Around the office, we call that Vin-O-vision.
Source - Generator room gameplay
Source - Riddick's enemies vignette
Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena getting DLC map pack
by Griffin McElroy { Mar 28th 2009 at 12:00AM }
Little is known about the pricing, release schedule or arrangement of these extra maps, but given the gaming community's lack of enthusiasm for DLC that's announced for yet-to-be-released games, we suggest the additional levels have some extremely catchy titles. We suggest Shanktown, Knifewound Central, Laceration Station, or Stabbythroat Junction.
Riddick dev diary drones on about drones
by Richard Mitchell { Mar 20th 2009 at 8:10PM }
Finally, the video highlights the different ways the game can be played. According to the developers, it's possible to play the game guns blazing or in a stealthier manner. Us, we'll probably opt for the method with the heaviest use of Riddick's razor-sharp "ulak" blades.
Check out some new screens in the gallery below.
Thanks to Vin Diesel, Dark Athena has multiplayer
by Ben Gilbert { Mar 19th 2009 at 2:15PM }
And we must say, between the recently released Riddick demo on Xbox Live and Diesel's starring role in Wheelman, the actor turned development studio owner has been making quite a name for himself in the video game industry. Now all we need is a Vin Diesel/50 Cent mashup full of ulaks and exploding ramps. We can dream, can't we?
Riddick's Assault on Dark Athena demo up on XBLM, full of 'ulaks'
by Ludwig Kietzmann { Mar 4th 2009 at 11:30AM }
Those uninterested in bullets can also take a stab at wielding Riddick's "razor-sharp ulaks," though we'll remind you that bringing an ulak to a disintegrator fight is always a bad idea. Look for the demo on PSN later this March, and the full game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on April 7th (April 24th if you live in Europe).
Riddick assaults Dark Athena April 7 in North America, Europe April 24
by Alexander Sliwinski { Feb 23rd 2009 at 1:00PM }
Don't forget that Dark Athena also comes with an enhanced Escape from Butcher's Bay, so there'll be plenty of Riddick packed onto the disc come April.
Update: Big Download has word that a PC demo is in the works. No word of when it'll release, though.
New Riddick: Dark Athena trailer previews plot
by Griffin McElroy { Feb 22nd 2009 at 9:30PM }
Here's what we picked up during our first pass through the trailer (embedded after the jump) -- throughout Dark Athena, Mr. Diesel will be "hunting" some "zombies" on a derelict space station, facing off against a feisty villainess, and stabbing anything that hoves into his field of vision. Yep, that sounds about right.
See: Chronicles of Riddick: AoDA HD Trailer Download
Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena gets new trailer
by Justin McElroy { Jan 22nd 2009 at 3:45PM }
Vin Diesel is a video game character. He's bald, he's buff, he speaks only in low growls and he loves to kill people. All he's missing is a bitchin' rock guitar soundtrack to follow him around everywhere, and we think you'll agree that the above trailer fills that need effortlessly.
