Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Factor 5 speaks out on 'Superman' game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/factor-5-speaks-out-on-superman-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/factor-5-speaks-out-on-superman-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/factor-5-speaks-out-on-superman-game/#commentsFiled under:


Last week's closure of Brash Entertainment left a number of unanswered questions lingering, and as thrilled as we are that Saw is still set to get its game on, we're more curious to find out if Superman survived the publisher's swift implosion. The Man of Steel was allegedly the subject of a deal between Brash and Factor 5 earlier this year, and MTV Multiplayer recently caught up with the Lair developer's president, Julian Eggebrecht, to find out more.

While the exec admitted that Factor 5 is working on "several" multi-platform and Wii-specific titles, he stopped just short of admitting that the studio is developing a game based on Superman. "One of our large-scale multi-platform projects was started with Brash because it is a dream property for us, hasn't been given its dues in gaming since the Atari 2600, and has a huge universe to draw from," teased Eggebrecht, who added that "things are obviously in flux and we hope that the game proves to be as indestructible as our hero..."

Though still unconfirmed, it seems fairly obvious that Factor 5 has its sights set on the son of Jor-El. We just hope that there's something left of him after his current cross-universe beatdown.

JoystiqFactor 5 speaks out on 'Superman' game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brashbrash-entertainmentbrashentertainmentfactor-5factor5lairsupermanMon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Born for Wii: Rogue Squadron]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/born-for-wii-rogue-squadron/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/born-for-wii-rogue-squadron/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/born-for-wii-rogue-squadron/#commentsFiled under:

Lock S-Foils in Attack Position. Not only is it a line any self-respecting nerd will recognize instantly, it's also the basis for many a successful video game from days gone by. It all started in 1993 with Lucasarts' X-Wing, which brought Star Wars to PC gamers in a big way. For the first time, they were really in the cockpit, fighting the Empire in glorious (by 1993 standards) 3D. However, it was the 1994 follow-up, TIE Fighter, that refined the flight-sim, Rebel-hunting gameplay to a buttery smooth degree of excellence. Well over a decade later, TIE Fighter still finds itself on many "Best of" lists. On the console side of things, however, it's an entirely different series that drew inspiration from the mighty X-Wing.

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron on the Nintendo 64 took players outside the cockpit (at least, by default) of the beloved X-Wing, but still placed them in control of the craft, offering an experience that was more shooter and less sim than the successful PC games. However, it was the superior Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II, released in 2001 with the launch of the GameCube, that brought the spirit of the X-Wing to consoles. Developer Factor 5 and Lucasarts also collaborated on a third entry in the series, Rebel Strike, which lacked the "wow" factor Rogue Leader had in 2001, but did little to harm the good name of the trilogy. Now, nearly five years later, Factor 5 has been off doing other things, when they really should've been working on a new entry in a series that may just have been Born for Wii.

NEXT >>



Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Dark Sector, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.

JoystiqBorn for Wii: Rogue Squadron originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>born-for-wiifactor5flight-simulatorgamecubejoystiqfeatureslucasartsroguesquadronstarwarsTue, 19 Aug 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Kid Icarus Wii details, concept art revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/rumor-kid-icarus-wii-details-screenshots-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/rumor-kid-icarus-wii-details-screenshots-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/rumor-kid-icarus-wii-details-screenshots-revealed/#commentsFiled under:


For a game that hasn't even been formally announced, there sure seems to be a lot of information circulating about the Wiicreation of the celestial NES action-platformer, Kid Icarus. For instance, Kombo.com (not to be confused with Zombo.com) recently posted a veritable cornucopia of concept art for the rumored title, as well as some heretofore unannounced deets. Apparently, Pit has been "cursed for thousands of years for a crime" and has become a fallen angel -- those mature themes seem to resonate through the conceptual drawings, available on Kombo's site.

We're not sure if this new media is legit, but Kombo did break the rumor that Factor 5 was working on an Icarus title in late January. Perhaps they do indeed have an inside source -- though it's just as likely that their early plot details could have rolled off their own forked tongues. Check out the images, and judge for yourself.

JoystiqRumor: Kid Icarus Wii details, concept art revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 May 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angelconceptartfactor5icaruskid-icaruskidicarusnintendowiirumorwiiSun, 11 May 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brash taps Lair dev Factor 5 for yet another movie game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/brash-taps-lair-dev-factor-5-for-yet-another-movie-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/brash-taps-lair-dev-factor-5-for-yet-another-movie-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/brash-taps-lair-dev-factor-5-for-yet-another-movie-game/#commentsFiled under:


Brash has an unrelenting love for games based on movie IP, and as if patterning its business model after a remake of Freaks, the publisher has convinced yet another developer to become one of us. The latest studio to sign on the dotted line is Lair dev Factor 5, which according to Brash involves an unspecified title to be revealed "around the E3 Expo" in July.

The news follows the announcement yesterday of a deal between Brash and Folklore Dec Game Republic on another secretive movie-to-game deal. While it's true that film-games have earned their place as everyone's favorite whipping boy, Factor 5 co-founder and president Julian Eggebrecht seems pleased as punch about the whole affair, stating that "because the filmmaker is a game fan who is really excited about how we want to expand on the story of the film, we've been given a lot of latitude." Let's just hope this time they leave any motion-sensitive controls up to the professionals.

JoystiqBrash taps Lair dev Factor 5 for yet another movie game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brashfactor-5factor5lairmoviesThu, 13 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual Console Monday: Super Turrican stands alone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/virtual-console-monday-super-turrican-stands-alone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/virtual-console-monday-super-turrican-stands-alone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/virtual-console-monday-super-turrican-stands-alone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Keeping expectations in check is the key to having a wholly satisfying life, so we probably shouldn't have grown accustomed to the three-game cornucopia that once characterized Nintendo's weekly Virtual Console release schedule. Now that the standard has dropped to two-per-week and, occasionally (as today), one solitary game, we can't help but pine for the old days a bit. But it's our fault, really, for getting our nostalgia-fueled hopes up in the first place. This week's sole release is barely worth a bulleted list, but we'll use one anyway to describe:
  • Super Turrican (Super NES, 1 player 800 Wii Shop Points) - Developed by Factor 5 (of Rogue Squadron fame), the 1993 side-scrolling, run-and-gun sequel to 1990's Turrican has a decidedly old-school, Contra vibe to it. Those who want to get a feel for the gameplay without shelling out the Wii Shop Points should check out Hurrican, a more-than-satisfactory freeware clone.

JoystiqVirtual Console Monday: Super Turrican stands alone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5shmupshootemupsuper-turricanturricanVCVirtual ConsoleVirtualConsolevirtualconsolemondayWiiMon, 03 Mar 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Factor 5 Wii engine 'does everything the PS3 did, and then some']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/factor-5-wii-engine-does-everything-the-ps3-did-and-then-some/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/factor-5-wii-engine-does-everything-the-ps3-did-and-then-some/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/factor-5-wii-engine-does-everything-the-ps3-did-and-then-some/#commentsFiled under: ,


We first heard about Factor 5's Wii project about a month ago, and with DICE 08 comes some new details about the title. IGN spoke with Factor 5 president Julian Eggebrecht about the game, and learned a bit about the impressive engine being built, which Eggebrecht claims rivals their work on the PS3.

According to Eggebrecht, the engine for the Wii title is nearly complete and, according to him, "does everything the PS3 did, and then some, quite frankly." The title is described as being technically impressive, pushing the Wii hardware further than most will expect it to go.

Though further details are scant, Eggebrecht does emphasize Factor 5's focus on the controls, specifically the Wii remote's ability to act as a pointing device. We'll have to wait and see how the Wii title will manage to outdo Factor 5's PS3 development (insert snide remark about Lair's abysmal critical reception).

JoystiqFactor 5 Wii engine 'does everything the PS3 did, and then some' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dicedice-08factor-5factor5julian-eggebrachtjulianeggebrachtPS3WiiTue, 12 Feb 2008 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair control fix may be in the works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/lair-control-fix-may-be-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/lair-control-fix-may-be-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/lair-control-fix-may-be-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under: ,


The shoddy SIXAXIS controls may not be Lair's only problem, but it's certainly the one that's taken the brunt of the criticisms pointed at the game. Throughout it all developer Factor 5 has insisted that motion-controlled dragons were the only way to go, but it seems that they may finally be softening.

Recently, the company's president, Julian Eggebrecht, told IGN "If we find a chance in the future that would bring Lair to the audience which didn't get any access, that would be fantastic," he said. "I can't say anything quite yet, but there might be something in the works there. We might have a chance yet to bring those back to the table and hopefully, if that should happen, they would give the game a second chance." Now, as much as we'd like to see a patch, we get the sneaking suspicion he's hinting at a sequel. What does it sound like to you?

[Update: More of Eggebrecht's quote added.]

[Via PS3F]

JoystiqLair control fix may be in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor-5factor5julian-eggebrechtlairPS3sixaxisTue, 12 Feb 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Factor 5 working on a Kid Icarus game for Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/rumor-factor-5-working-on-a-kid-icarus-game-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/rumor-factor-5-working-on-a-kid-icarus-game-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/rumor-factor-5-working-on-a-kid-icarus-game-for-wii/#commentsFiled under:


We reported last week that Factor 5, developers of the amazing Rogue Squadron series for the Gamecube and the nightmarish Lair for PS3, has rekindled their relationship with Nintendo, and are currently working on an unnamed project exclusively for the company's home console. According to gaming site Kombo (and their anonymous inside source), the project is a brand new Kid Icarus game, designed from the ground up for the Wii. Given F5's renewed partnership with Nintendo, and the Kid Icarus buzz already in the air due to protaganist Pit's inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it's a definite possibility. However, until we hear something from the new lovers, this is just hearsay at best.

JoystiqRumor: Factor 5 working on a Kid Icarus game for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor5kidicarusnintendopitwiiSun, 20 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair rides into Japan top ten for software sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/19/lair-rides-into-japan-top-ten-for-software-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/19/lair-rides-into-japan-top-ten-for-software-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/19/lair-rides-into-japan-top-ten-for-software-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Factor 5's Lair, much-ballyhooed in North America and Europe for its unfavorable control scheme (and Sony's subsequent response), has debuted in Japan with enough sales to crack the top 10 for weekly sales, according to Media Create (via GamesIndustry.biz).

The game, known there as Rise from Lair, landed in the number seven spot with 22,000 in sales, likely helped by Famitsu's positive review. For comparison, Project Gotham Racing 4 received the same Famitsu score and only charted at 25, the highest rank for an Xbox 360 title and a big drop in Microsoft's presence following the console maker's triumphant one week at the top with Halo 3 (59,000 unit sales).

Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent for Nintendo DS debuted in the top spot this week with 61,000 in sales. Dragon Ball Z: Sparkling! Meteor for PS2 and Gundam Battle Chronicle (PSP) took second and third place, respectively.

JoystiqLair rides into Japan top ten for software sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor-5factor5japanlairPS3rise-from-lairsonyFri, 19 Oct 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair dev critical of Warhawk's motion controls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/lair-dev-critical-of-warhawks-motion-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/lair-dev-critical-of-warhawks-motion-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/lair-dev-critical-of-warhawks-motion-controls/#comments Factor 5's Julian Eggebrecht has been thinking about motion controls a lot lately. While still content with Lair's much-maligned input system, he has found issues with Warhawk's use of motion controls less-than-stellar. In an interview with Games Radar, Eggebrecht said that "Warhawk's controls are... eurgh!"

"I see motion-sensing as a complimentary, additional new step in terms of controls and where it fits you should use it and where it doesn't fit, don't force it. Please don't force it," he said. You see that folks? Eggebrecht just redefined irony.

Note that Warhawk can be played entirely without using the Sixaxis' tilt capabilities -- hence, they are not "forcing it." Is this a sign that Factor 5 might resign themselves to releasing a Lair patch enabling analog stick flight, or do we need to tell the Emperor he is strolling through the village without any clothes on?



[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqLair dev critical of Warhawk's motion controls originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor5julianeggebrechtlairTue, 18 Sep 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair dev laments hideous Wii games, blames budget issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/lair-dev-laments-hideous-wii-games-thinks-its-budget-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/lair-dev-laments-hideous-wii-games-thinks-its-budget-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/lair-dev-laments-hideous-wii-games-thinks-its-budget-issues/#commentsFiled under: ,

Factor 5 president Julian Eggebrecht sees potential in the Wii's graphical hardware, despite its technical inferiority to its competitor's consoles.

Speaking to RevoGamers, Eggebrecht laments how Wii titles whose aesthetic is more geared toward "traditional, more photorealistic" visuals do not push the hardware. "There you really have to push it," he said, "and they're really not pushing it. Why not? Hmmm. I don't know, the hardware is very, very easy to understand."

As for the reasons, Eggebrecht speculates it's a mixture of developer's laziness and a publisher's unwillingness to provide a large enough budget, both related to the Wii's image. Factor 5 has previously shown the GameCube hardware more than capable of gorgeous visuals with the Rogue Squadron series, and Capcom has also shown off technical prowess with Resident Evil 4.

If more games show off the Wii's graphical capabilities and consumer expectations increase, perhaps developers and publishers might be more eager to step up their own visuals / budgets. Imagine the possibilities now that there's more memory (and duct tape!).

As for returning to work with Nintendo, Eggebrecht showed willingness but revealed no plans. "We're honestly at this point thinking about several titles in development and we haven't settled quite yet on which platform or which platforms if one of them is," he said. "So might be PS3, might be Wii... we're totally open to that."

[Via CVG]

JoystiqLair dev laments hideous Wii games, blames budget issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor5julianeggebrechtnintendoresidentevil4roguesquadronWiiWed, 12 Sep 2007 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair Reviewer's Guide is dummy text, add headline here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/09/lair-reviewers-guide-is-dummy-text-add-headline-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/09/lair-reviewers-guide-is-dummy-text-add-headline-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/09/lair-reviewers-guide-is-dummy-text-add-headline-here/#commentsFiled under:


Lair is not very good. Most people agree with that. To try and alleviate the reviewing experience and perhaps gain a few points on scores, Lair's handlers released a 'Lair Reviewer's Guide' to the gaming press. Some were insulted by this.

But what's really scary is that even the guide that Sony sent out is not very good either, or at least it was not proofread well. The image above is a clip from page 7 of the 'Lair Reviewer's Guide'. Yes, you read correctly, the Medium Dragon is described as "Dummy text, add new medium dragon txt here" several times over. Perhaps the "dragon-game curse" isn't done wreaking havoc on Factor 5 after all?

[Thanks, Stoo!]

JoystiqLair Reviewer's Guide is dummy text, add headline here originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addnewtagheredummytextfactor5lairreviewersguideSun, 09 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair cursed from start to finish]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/lair-cursed-from-start-to-finish/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/lair-cursed-from-start-to-finish/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/lair-cursed-from-start-to-finish/#commentsFiled under:


Sometimes when you combine things, they form something even greater than its parts, like peanut butter and jelly, or the five robot cats that form Voltron. Other times, like when you combine Factor 5 and ghosts, you get Lair. "I am not a believer in ghosts, but this one was haunted," Lair director Julian Eggebrecht explains to MTV's Stephen Totilo.

Factor 5's Eggebrecht and producer Brian Krueger even admit in Lair's in-game commentary that there was a "dragon-game curse". Ranging from contrast problems with the very first trailer, to power outages during the writing of the master disk, nothing would go Factor 5's way during the development of Lair.

Eggebrecht and his team's struggle with the creation of Lair may be the exception rather than the rule in the video game development business, but it does help people outside of the industry understand just how tough making a game can be. The Lair director explains that "every single time there was a crucial delivery, something bizarre went wrong", even sickness and deaths within employees' families.

Maybe Lair is not everything PS3 owners were hoping for, but maybe they deserve some credit too for completing a game under such trying circumstances. It's good to know that even with all that they had going against them, the Factor 5 team still had time to have a little fun and hot coffee.

JoystiqLair cursed from start to finish originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor5julianeggebrechtlairFri, 07 Sep 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony downplays Lair critics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/sony-downplays-lair-critics/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/sony-downplays-lair-critics/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/07/sony-downplays-lair-critics/#commentsFiled under: ,

Reptile romp Lair may not be a critical darling, but Sony isn't too worried. Speaking to Next-Gen (while preparing his grand exit), SCEA PR director Dave Karraker said that it doesn't matter what the critics say: it's all about the consumer.

"At the end of the day, I'll be interested in the consumers' response, because the consumer awareness for this title was so huge," he said. "I've spoken to any number of people who really like it, and there's other people that find it a challenge."

Karraker makes a good point; who cares what a game review says if the game is well-loved by the gaming community at large (and, consequently, sells very well)? Should any consumers find fault with the game and its controls, just remember: the development was haunted. No, really.

JoystiqSony downplays Lair critics originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>criticsfactor5lairPS3sonyFri, 07 Sep 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Factor 5's Eggebrecht annoyed at ESRB's censorship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/factor-5s-eggebrecht-annoyed-at-esrbs-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/factor-5s-eggebrecht-annoyed-at-esrbs-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/factor-5s-eggebrecht-annoyed-at-esrbs-censorship/#commentsFiled under:

Perhaps comparing the ESRB to the Communist hunter Joseph McCarthy is a little extreme, since there's not really a Red Scare in videogaming, but Factor 5 President Julian Eggebrecht made the allusion when stating the ESRB was essentially choking the creative life out of games during a speech at GCDC. What we mean by that is the ESRB fails to approach games as art. Eggebrecht voices his wishes: "I would be happy if in games we could talk about homosexuality, but we're not even at the point where we can admit that humans have heterosexual relationships, and that is a real problem - and it tends to show that games are not being seen, even by our own ratings boards, as an artform."

He mentioned a cheat code in Lair that unlocked a "Hot Coffee" pot -- an actual coffee pot, which others at the GCDC got a kick out of, but he digressed from the humor behind the GTA: San Andreas fiasco. "If you cannot have satire about these things, that is approaching the realm of McCarthyism." Pressing further, he mentioned the movie Eyes Wide Shut, which dealt with relationship issues in marriage, among other things. Eggebrecht wants to see games with that much ... ambition hitting shelves, which require games to be placed on the same art pedestal as film.

Eggebrecht finally got to the meat of his argument -- censorship in Lair. Sony sought a "T" for Teen rating, since the game appeals to teenage gamers, but the ESRB continually knocked it to an "M" for Mature rating due to blood and visible "chunks" of other dragons getting slapped away in fights. In the end, Eggebrecht said, "they let us through with a Teen even though you can use fire - you can set up to five, six thousand people on fire. They burn, they run around and they scream, but of course that wasn't a problem [due to the absence of blood]."

JoystiqFactor 5's Eggebrecht annoyed at ESRB's censorship originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor5julianeggebrechtlairMon, 20 Aug 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair not done, delayed until September 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/lair-not-done-delayed-until-september-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/lair-not-done-delayed-until-september-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/lair-not-done-delayed-until-september-4/#commentsFiled under: ,

Though originally confirmed to be complete and on track for an August 14 launch, SCEA Associate Producer Ryan Hamlyn has posted on the official PlayStation blog that Lair is being delayed until September 4 due "to enhance the community features in the game."

"Natural challenges that arose while finalizing the offline game to include key online features - such as leaderboards and medal systems - have led to the difficult choice of pushing back the release date," he said. It'll be interesting to see what happens to those early reviews of the game.

Gallery: Lair (PS3)



[Via PS3 Fanboy; thanks, Sceren]

JoystiqLair not done, delayed until September 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delayfactor5lairPS3sceaSony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaWed, 01 Aug 2007 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair is done, set for August 14 release date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/lair-is-done-set-for-august-14-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/lair-is-done-set-for-august-14-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/lair-is-done-set-for-august-14-release-date/#commentsFiled under: ,


Factor 5's Lair has "has completed its development and is now in manufacturing," according to SCEA Associate Producer Ryan Hamlyn via the PlayStation blog.

The game is on track to be unleashed August 14 in North America. Localization for other regions hasn't been completed yet, said Hamlyn, so release dates elsewhere haven't been revealed. Since we didn't spend much time with Lair at E3, we're interested in seeing how the game has shaped up since we last saw it at Sony Gamer's Day.

Gallery: Lair (PS3)

JoystiqLair is done, set for August 14 release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor5lairPS3Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Turrican remake released, rocks you like a Hurrican]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/turrican-remake-released-rocks-you-like-a-hurrican/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/turrican-remake-released-rocks-you-like-a-hurrican/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/turrican-remake-released-rocks-you-like-a-hurrican/#commentsFiled under: , ,


German programmer Poke 53280 has just released a freeware remake of the classic Commodore 64 game Turrican for the PC. The Metroid-esque title (that feels a lot like Contra at times) Hurrican is packed with vast, non-linear levels filled with weapons to find and swarms of enemies to use them on. The control scheme is a bit complex with several button combinations to memorize, but us old-school gamers are used to putting in effort to squeeze more fun out of our games. Download Hurrican (40MB, Windows).

JoystiqTurrican remake released, rocks you like a Hurrican originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commodore64factor5freewarehurricanindependentindiePCremakeretroturricanMon, 25 Jun 2007 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair extended battle trailer has more dragon-on-dragon action]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/lair-extended-battle-trailer-has-more-dragon-on-dragon-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/lair-extended-battle-trailer-has-more-dragon-on-dragon-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/lair-extended-battle-trailer-has-more-dragon-on-dragon-action/#commentsFiled under: ,

Do you like dragons? Do you like dragons ... attacking other dragons?! Of course you do, it's fun. GameTrailers has posted an extended battle sequence from Factor 5's Lair. No gameplay footage, but more drama and excitement than the entire Dungeons & Dragons movie in just two minutes!

Video embedded after the break.

Gallery: Lair (PS3)

Continue reading Lair extended battle trailer has more dragon-on-dragon action

JoystiqLair extended battle trailer has more dragon-on-dragon action originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor 5Factor5lairPS3Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair gets new name in Japan: 'Rise from Lair']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/lair-gets-new-name-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/lair-gets-new-name-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/lair-gets-new-name-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Taking a video game across an ocean requires more than a simple trip in a plane. Localization experts spend countless hours crossing the language barrier to make sure different cultures understand the game's content. The title often gets shifted in the mix, such as the Japanese DS game I Would Die for You becoming Feel the Magic XY/XX in the US and Project Rub in Europe.

According to the latest issue of Famitsu, the upcoming PS3 title Lair will have a new name in the land of the rising sun: Rise from Lair. It's more search engine friendly, for starters, but other than that we couldn't guess the reasoning behind the shift. We would have suggested Dragon Fly Ultimate, but we aren't publishing the game, are we?

Gallery: Lair (PS3)

JoystiqLair gets new name in Japan: 'Rise from Lair' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor5JapanlairPS3RiseFromLairsonyWed, 30 May 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[New name for Lair in Japan, plus screenshots!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/new-name-for-lair-in-japan-plus-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/new-name-for-lair-in-japan-plus-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/new-name-for-lair-in-japan-plus-screenshots/#commentsFiled under:

We're all anticipating the release of Lair by the end of July, but we've got two different subjects on the Factor 5 game to cover for you today. First up, we've got a name change. No, not for North America or Europe, but for Japan, the title Lair just didn't seem to do it over there. The latest Famitsu Weekly magazine has the game listed as Rise From Lair. Good stuff, we guess.

Also, we've got a handful of screenshots for you to check out. The screenshots are here. While you'd expect a plethora of screenshots with giant dragons floating around the sky and oceans and stuff, these are different. Kind of. Some pictures of actual characters, as well as the obligatory dragon-riding. We enjoy them. Don't you?

JoystiqNew name for Lair in Japan, plus screenshots! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyWed, 30 May 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 offers limitless power, says Factor 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/16/ps3-offers-limitless-power-says-factor-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/16/ps3-offers-limitless-power-says-factor-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/16/ps3-offers-limitless-power-says-factor-5/#commentsFiled under: ,

There once was a lengthy interview with Julian Eggebrecht over at Mercury News' blog space. He's the big man behind Factor 5 and Lair, by association. We're going to summarize the interview, where a lot was talked about: mostly Lair and the PS3 in general.

  • Factor 5 sought the most powerful of the next-gen systems -- in fact, it's implied that they started a game for the 360 before beginning production on Lair because Sony was so quiet about the PS3 at first.
  • The see a lot of risk in Lair because it's unusual and defies classical categorization by genre. They've never been a multi-million unit selling company, either. But they find a good number of rewards, too. Seamless world, new genre, air to ground combat, combat systems, and the choice of the PlayStation 3 can be both a risk and a reward... depending.
  • Have they found out what the PS3 can do? Not yet, they say, but "the PS 3 has more of the situation where you could go another six months easily and forever. You can get so much more power. RSX is a known quantity. But Cell is pretty limitless at this point."
  • Poor port quality from 360 to PS3 has become an obvious issue, but PS3-specific titles look so much better. Eggebrecht explains the situation: "They created the 360 engine with a unified memory architecture in mind, with the embedded frame buffer with its advantages and disadvantages, and not thinking too much in early stages about multicore. If you try to get that over to the PS3, you're in for a bad surprise. The PS 3 is all about streamlining about the two different memory pools. They are separate. You don't have to do tiling because you don't have an embedded frame buffer. All of these advantages of the PS3 turn into disadvantages if you don't start making your game on the PS3. If you create first on the PS3, it is pretty easy to port it to the 360."
  • What will we see in Lair not seen in other PS3 titles? Scale, really. Going from 20,000 feet down to the ground and keeping a consistent level of detail is pretty amazing. All lighting is calculating in real-time, giving a nice day-night cycle. Not to mention fluid water dynamics.
  • Compared to Gears of War, Eggebrecht cites scale as the difference -- GoW is based on moving slowly from corridor to corridor (metaphors, though there is a lot of that anyway), Lair gives you a 32x32 kilometer bubble to explore with detail kept throughout, at extreme speeds.
  • This scale allows for more non-linear play, with vague mission goals, unlike the linear fashion GoW plays out.
  • Multiplayer is just leaderboards and chat -- they want online multiplayer, but are having trouble getting the streaming and latency issues out of the way.
  • The SIXAXIS sounds great -- their implementation is pretty impressive but they realize it can be overdone... so expect an option to turn it off, but no promises.

Cool. Long, but cool. Not sure why they kept going back to Gears of War for comparisons, but if you think of it on the macro scale, it does sound equally as impressive. Anyway, if you want to get much more in-depth answers, check out the interview in its entirety. It's pretty big.
[Via GameDaily]

JoystiqPS3 offers limitless power, says Factor 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyMon, 16 Apr 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair: July. Demo? Probably July, too.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/13/lair-july-demo-probably-july-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/13/lair-july-demo-probably-july-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/13/lair-july-demo-probably-july-too/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A great big ol' preview of Lair has been upped at IGN and they cover pretty much everything we wanted to hear. Aside from the fact that there will not, in fact, be any ground combat in the human vs. human sense, there will be havoc-creating dragon vs. human army ground combat. In all fairness, if you want to hear about their impressions of the gameplay, we can't really alter what they say.

What we'll tell you is that the gameplay, from what IGN said, is shaping up pretty nicely. A large set of unlockable/learnable moves keep the battles fresh and while using your fire-breath is useful at the beginning of the game, later enemies will be all but invulnerable to fire, forcing you to rely on physical strength.

The SIXAXIS controls are reported to still need "a little work". Understandable -- no one wants to accidentally turn 180 degrees when they're trying to smash heads with another dragon. But that's why it's just an alpha-build. Plenty of time to fix that up! Another point of note is the implementation of trophies for use in PlayStation Home. Yep, before Home is even released, you'll be scoring some great trophies to show off to people.

The game is due out in July, which is a little later than we expected (we thought May, then September, so this is decent news). However, Factor 5 promises a demo of the game to hit the PS-Store at some point. Their estimate? Either before or after the release of the full game. Yawn! It seems we'll get our demo in July, too, then. Judging from the timing of our demos to-date. Still, great preview! Check it out!

JoystiqLair: July. Demo? Probably July, too. originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyFri, 13 Apr 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Some cutesy new Lair screenshots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/some-cutesy-new-lair-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/some-cutesy-new-lair-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/some-cutesy-new-lair-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're all tired of this "you may look, but you may never, ever, ever touch" policy Sony's got on this game. Seriously, how many more times will we gaze upon the beauty of giant lizards killing one another while the men riding them also fight to the death -- all way up high in the sky? Sure, everything great needs time to mature, but come on! Give the PSN a demo or something.

According to CVG, they've got Lair set up for a... wait for it... freakin' September release! What's up with that? What're we going to do during summer? Continue to play other games? But we wanna play this one! Oh well, it's probably for the better. In my situation, at least. There's a huge pile of games that require playtime. In the meantime, check out the new screenshots.

JoystiqSome cutesy new Lair screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyTue, 03 Apr 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair lacks lovingly customized lizards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/lair-lacks-lovingly-customized-lizards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/lair-lacks-lovingly-customized-lizards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/lair-lacks-lovingly-customized-lizards/#commentsFiled under: ,

Over at a place known only as The Slug, some gents got to take a flight around the skies of Lair, due out this summer. If you don't know what the game's about, just imagine Drakengard, but good. If that doesn't help, think Dynasty Warriors meets Panzer Dragoon. Still nothing? Hmm... go watch Dragonheart. Anyway, here's what The Slug had to say about their time with the game:

  • Environments and aerial combat looks great, even in the unfinished version
  • The flight controls are getting tighter, not to mention very easy to get used to. Flick the controller back to do a 180? Excellent.
  • Beyond some unlockable moves, the dragons will not be customizable.

No customization? Aww, but dragons are so much fun to dress up! You can give them silly party hats, fingerless gloves, an eyepatch, maybe a few swords sticking out of it... could be pretty neat. But, it's also understandable that adding full customization would be a lot of extra work. Perhaps for a future update of sorts? What's your two cents?

JoystiqLair lacks lovingly customized lizards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyWed, 21 Mar 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 07: Normal maps make Lair look good!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/gdc-07-normal-maps-make-lair-look-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/gdc-07-normal-maps-make-lair-look-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/gdc-07-normal-maps-make-lair-look-good/#commentsFiled under:


Mattias Worch, technical art director for Factor 5's upcoming PS3-exclusive Lair, recently spoke to GDC attendees about creating textures and normal maps in a next-gen environment. The very technically-oriented lecture can be effectively summarized as such: "Lair looked really crappy until we used normal maps. Now it looks really good. You should all use normal maps."

Developers were told how to use Photoshop to accentuate and restore detail from textures. Also, artists need to have a clear vision before making a single texture: "Unless you know what you want to do with a normal map beforehand, it'll look wrong."

Afterwards, Worch showed off some incredible footage from Lair, running off a PS3. The graphics, while still glitchy, show a huge deal of promise. Of particular note were the incredibly lifelike water effects: when a ship explodes on water, you'll see realistic, physics-intensive, ripple effects that must be seen to be believed. The Factor 5 team clearly is doing something right: the textures were absolutely breathtaking, even up-close.

Worch promised the audience that his Powerpoint presentation would be made available for everyone to download on his personal website in the coming days. More excitingly, he also promised new videos of the game. Stay tuned.

JoystiqGDC 07: Normal maps make Lair look good! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor 5Factor5gdcgdc07lairmattias worchMattiasWorchWed, 07 Mar 2007 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[More and more Lair screenshots flying in!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/more-and-more-lair-screenshots-flying-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/more-and-more-lair-screenshots-flying-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/more-and-more-lair-screenshots-flying-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

Thanks, UltimaGamer.com!
Someone e-mailed me with this link and mentioned the water. All this time, we were focusing on dragons and failed to realize that the water in the game looks absolutely stunning, too! The latest batch of screenshots were pulled out of the Factor-5 oven on the 23rd, apparently, but we're getting around to it now. Lair is due out in May, and from the way things are shaping up, will probably make quite a splash. Did you see that one coming? Hopefully the dragons will be able to take a dive into the briney deep. That would add extra fun to the killing and such... although falling on top of a plethora of soldiers is equally rewarding.

JoystiqMore and more Lair screenshots flying in! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyMon, 26 Feb 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Adorable new Lair screenshots!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/21/adorable-new-lair-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/21/adorable-new-lair-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/21/adorable-new-lair-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: ,

For the hour, the play does not have date for precise exit. Regardless of the fun English translation, it's true -- we don't know when Lair is coming even though we should. But every other day or so, it seems we're given a new mini-set of screenshots. This time, it's all about the dragons. Last time, it was... all about... the dragons. Okay, so there's definitely a dragon fetish in this game, but it doesn't matter -- it's shaping up to be a pretty fun title. We assume. We'll keep you posted when a firm release date is set. Until then, enjoy!

JoystiqAdorable new Lair screenshots! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyWed, 21 Feb 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Factor 5's Lair almost complete, Turrican PS3 possibly next]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/10/factor-5s-lair-almost-complete-turrican-ps3-possibly-next/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/10/factor-5s-lair-almost-complete-turrican-ps3-possibly-next/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/10/factor-5s-lair-almost-complete-turrican-ps3-possibly-next/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

lairSpeaking with Game Informer, Factor 5 president Julian Eggebrecht opens up about his studio's PlayStation 3 project Lair. Currently estimated to be 80-90% complete, Eggebrecht is confident that the development team will reach the vaguely stated spring deadline, but admits "Sony's not going to ship it the next day."

Next up for Factor 5 is likely a smaller project -- a downloadable game (or two). Eggebrecht supposes it'll be an original "mini franchise," but doesn't rule out the possibility of also porting over some old Turrican titles; not necessarily straight-up ports, but perhaps "something like that but in 3D," teases Eggebrecht.

Also, Eggebrecht reports that Factor 5's break-up with Nintendo has not spoiled the two's friendship. We're no talking Rogue Squadron IV; just the occasional happy hour cocktail. Eggebrecht adds, "When I read all of those things about how you have to buy a 360 and a Wii, that's not true. You have to buy a PS3 and a Wii-that's the perfect combination."

JoystiqFactor 5's Lair almost complete, Turrican PS3 possibly next originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Feb 2007 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor5LairPlayStationNetworkPS3TurricanSat, 10 Feb 2007 23:25:00 EST<![CDATA[How about some awesome Lair screenshots? [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/how-about-some-awesome-lair-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/how-about-some-awesome-lair-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/how-about-some-awesome-lair-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: ,

Geez. GameFront has a really unfriendly linking system. Anyway, while we'd like to link you directly to the screens, their site won't let us. So, we're going to give you our favorite and you can seek through the archives over at their site if you want to see the others. Honestly, most of these simply look like very high-res screenshots of the trailer, but then again, when you throw people in armor against gigantic dragons, it's easy to think "I've seen this before, haven't I?"

The game, as far as we've been able to dig up, is still slated for a March release. Since it will be competing with a plethora of titles coming out in the European launch window, they've got to really sell people on the huge, epic dragon battle portion of the game. Shouldn't be hard... just look at this stuff! If the game plays anything like it looks, it'll at the very least merit a rental. If you don't think so, just rent the movie Dragonheart 2 and see how badly big dragon fights can go down.

[seems IGN lists Lair as a May release -- we'd like to beg to differ, but we don't really beg.]

JoystiqHow about some awesome Lair screenshots? [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyMon, 22 Jan 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Factor 5's Eggebrecht speaks about the consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/factor-5s-eggebrecht-speaks-about-the-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/factor-5s-eggebrecht-speaks-about-the-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/factor-5s-eggebrecht-speaks-about-the-consoles/#commentsFiled under: ,

Golly gee, this one's been sitting in my queue pile for a few days. Factor 5's Julian Eggebrecht, one of the main brains behind Lair, sat down with Gamasutra and talked about his opinion of the three current consoles as well as dole out a couple of PS3 programming tips. We'll skip over the programming tips and let you check that out if you're interested. Let's just make a list because, let's face it, they're so awesome.

On PS3:
  • The potential is huge.
  • Blu-ray trumps HD-DVD on "a good plasma".
  • Surprised at the online service (although some usability issues make him prefer XBox Live... for now!).
  • Disappointed in dearth of gaming opportunities (but takes some blame for not having Lair done by launch).
  • At the end of the day, if you want to feel more secure about your gaming future and you're a techno geek, the PS3 has a lot more to offer than the 360. But recall the current weakness in games (the "give it time" approach).

On XBox 360:
  • Gears of War is impressive, though the 1080p thing seems tacked on as a last minute thing.
  • It's a "solid system"... but he didn't have much to say about it.

On Wii:
  • He's a Nintendo guy, so he loves it, he says.
  • Enjoys the more casual side of things -- Wii Sports, etc.
  • See's the Wii as the "second system" the 360 or PS3 crowd will enjoy, since the gaming experience will be quite different.
  • However, it does seem to shun third-party support again. Another Nintendo-centric system to pump out their mascot's next game and then put them in a variety of whacky sports-related competitions together.

JoystiqFactor 5's Eggebrecht speaks about the consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5MicrosoftNintendoPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyWiiXBox 360Xbox360Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Factor 5 also making some EDI titles for PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/05/factor-5-also-making-some-edi-titles-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/05/factor-5-also-making-some-edi-titles-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/05/factor-5-also-making-some-edi-titles-for-ps3/#commentsFiled under: ,

EDI means E-Distribution Initiative... just saying so up front because I'm not too good at rationalizing acronyms. I was totally like, "entertainment desk icing"? And then "electronic drapery interrogation"... basically everything but the correct meaning. That's not important, though. What matters is this: Factor 5, makers of Lair, have come out of the developer's closet and admitted they'll be making two PS3 downloadable titles. Thanks to the original article, I now realize where I've heard of Factor 5 -- the old Turrican series of games. Had no idea, but now it makes sense. There's not much else to say, except the boys over at Factor 5 think the PS3's downloadable initiative has a ton of potential and are very excited to work on something small again.

JoystiqFactor 5 also making some EDI titles for PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyTue, 05 Dec 2006 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Factor 5 scoffs at the Wii, fanboys shed one tear]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/24/factor-5-scoffs-at-the-wii-fanboys-shed-one-tear/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/24/factor-5-scoffs-at-the-wii-fanboys-shed-one-tear/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/24/factor-5-scoffs-at-the-wii-fanboys-shed-one-tear/#commentsFiled under:



During a recent interview with gaming magazine EGM (people still buy print gaming magazines?), the folks at Factor 5 randomly got down on the Wii, calling it "GameCube 1.5" and ragging on the graphics and sound capabilities. So, alright. No Rogue Squadron for us, and that'll just have to be fine. Yeah, the Wii isn't as powerful as the PS3 and the Xbox 360. That's old news. But so what? There are already two systems prepared to tumble into that uncanny valley as they race to try and create close-but-no-cigar photorealistic graphics. Do all three systems have to chase that same carrot? What's so terribly bad about Nintendo going a different route? Obviously, you don't have much of a problem with it if you're here at Wii Fanboy, but really. Graphics -- is that all there is to gaming? We're leaning toward no.

[Via Codename Revolution]

JoystiqFactor 5 scoffs at the Wii, fanboys shed one tear originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5GameCubegraphicsNintendoWiiTue, 24 Oct 2006 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[More in-game commentary coming next-gen?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/more-in-game-commentary-coming-next-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/more-in-game-commentary-coming-next-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/more-in-game-commentary-coming-next-gen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


MTV News takes a look at one of Half-Life 2: Episode One's best secrets: the in-game commentary track. Much like the DVD format's popular director's commentary feature, Valve stuck in audio commentary from the game's developers. Hit the little floating text bubble and be treated to commentary on everything from design conceits (like apologizing for artificial barriers) to eye-candy techniques (yup, that's HDR lighting).

The problem is, according to Valve's own statistics, only 15% of the gamers who've played Episode One have activated the feature. Regardless of its popularity, Valve project manager Erik Johnson says, "There isn't really any chance of us leaving it out in our future titles." That's good news for those of us interested in the commentary feature. Unfortunately, not every game developer is going to keep it in, even if they got there first.

Factor 5 included developer commentary on their Star Wars: Battle for Naboo title on the N64, an impressive feat for a cartridge system. They've included commentary on every title since then, so a commentary track on the PlayStation 3's Lair (with its copious amounts of Blu-ray space) would seem to be a perfect touch. Insomniac Games has commentary plans for their next game (following PS3 launch title Resistance), but that 15% number may make them nervous. Insomniac's Ted Price said, "If gamers want audio commentary, they have to let it be known." Okay, Ted. So, gamers, were you amongst Valve's 15% and if not, why?

Continue reading More in-game commentary coming next-gen?

JoystiqMore in-game commentary coming next-gen? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CommentaryDirector's CommentaryDirector'sCommentaryFactor 5Factor5GameCubeHalf LifeHalf-Life 2Half-life2HalfLifeHL2PCPS3Rebel StrikeRebelStrikeRogue Leader II: Rebel StrikeRogueLeaderIi:RebelStrikeValveXbox-360Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair will support tilt controls, ground battles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/lair-will-support-tilt-controls-ground-battles/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/lair-will-support-tilt-controls-ground-battles/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/lair-will-support-tilt-controls-ground-battles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Remember that Square-Enix game, Drakengard? Yeah, it wasn't all that great (but not bad at all for the hack n' slash urges in all of us) and PS3's anticipated Lair is shaping up to be a sorta-kinda copy, but hopefully far superior. What do we mean? Well, in the latest Famitsu magazine, Factor 5 has leaked a little info about the game. In addition to flying around and fighting on massive, gorgeous dragons, there will also be massive ground battles. Whether these fights on the ground will be melee or close-range dragon breath of doom, Factor 5 wouldn't say.

The other piece of info was tilt control support. As we previously hypothesized (albeit with a fair amount of confirmation of the idea, but come on, give us a little credit!), the tilt controls will assist in controlling your dragon. That's pretty cool. Sort of like taking the reins yourself, except you don't have to worry about being burnt to a crisp or dropped to your untimely death. Good stuff. This game will be tossed around at the Tokyo Game Show (which those of us who haven't had our spirits completely crushed still hope will be a great event for the PS3) and most other questions will probably be answered.

JoystiqLair will support tilt controls, ground battles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Sep 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyThu, 07 Sep 2006 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Level 5's Lair to be in 1080p? Sign us up, please]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/17/level-5s-lair-to-be-in-1080p-sign-us-up-please/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/17/level-5s-lair-to-be-in-1080p-sign-us-up-please/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/17/level-5s-lair-to-be-in-1080p-sign-us-up-please/#commentsFiled under: ,

Knights and Dragons and War, oh my! Over on an IGN blog page, the most recent post/preview is of a game entitled Lair, by the German-rooted (but San Rafael-based) Factor 5 studio. Originally, their loyalty lied with the Nintendo Wii, plotting a sequel to the popular Pilotwings game for the N64. Tastes change and they swapped their coat of arms to the Sony side of things. Lair is going to be published by Sony and revolves around the coolest thing ever (maybe) -- dragon warfare and people riding dragons, fighting in the air. On dragons. Wow!

The game is boasting full utilization of the motion-sensitive controller as a means to move your dragon around quite nicely. "Intense physics" was the phrase used. Another major boast is the use of 1080p, detailed textures and lots and lots of streaming. This is legitimate 1080p and not a mocked up fake-out. It's... amazing. Here's a screenshot that makes anyone want a pet dragon. This game is looking like a lot of fun and should excite a few of the more fantasy-game-lovin' Sony fans out there.

JoystiqLevel 5's Lair to be in 1080p? Sign us up, please originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080pFactor 5Factor5LairPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lair off-screen trailer looked good at GDC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/lair-off-screen-trailer-looked-good-at-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/lair-off-screen-trailer-looked-good-at-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/lair-off-screen-trailer-looked-good-at-gdc/#commentsFiled under:


Stills and screenshots can only do so much to convey how good a game looks. Here's an off-screen video presentation of Lair recorded from GDC, showing off the Factor 5 game in action (or, should we say, motion).

You might recognize some of the animation from videos seen elsewhere, but it was nice to catch the newer footage of a dragon wireframe model meticulously rendered with layers of musculature and skin, too.

If that's not enough for ya, you can always just listen in to the audio, which features a young lady from Washington asking questions of a developer with the hope of getting hired. Consider this a lesson in networking.

[Via GameBrink]

JoystiqLair off-screen trailer looked good at GDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationaudiodeveloperdevelopersdragonFactor 5Factor5footageGDChiredjobLairlayerslessonmodelmotionmusculaturenetworknetworkingoff-screenpresentationquestionquestionsrenderrenderedscreenshotscreenshotsskinstillstillstrailervideovideosWashingtonwireframeyoung ladyYoungLadyTue, 04 Apr 2006 08:51:00 EST<![CDATA[First shot of Factor 5's Lair for PS3! [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/27/first-shot-of-factor-5s-lair-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/27/first-shot-of-factor-5s-lair-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/27/first-shot-of-factor-5s-lair-for-ps3/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lair

This image, reportedly of Factor 5's upcoming PS3 title Lair, recently surfaced on the Internet. Aside from a short trailer on display at TGS last year, little has been seen of Lair, which focuses on dragon combat. If this is an in-game shot, which the visible HUD-like information (action icon, life bar) seems to indicate, than Lair is shaping up to be a visual masterpiece. But given the current track record of pre-release PS3 media, we're not gonna jump on the bandwagon - just yet.

UPDATE: added link to high-res image.

JoystiqFirst shot of Factor 5's Lair for PS3! [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Mar 2006 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Factor 5Factor5LairPS3SCEASony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaMon, 27 Mar 2006 18:25:00 EST