He talked about some major lessons about bosses learned from the first “Gears.” I dare to bring up “Halo 2.”

Spoilers abound in the interview that follows. Don’t read it if you don’t want the ending of “Gears of War 2” or “Chronicles of Riddick” spoiled. If you don’t want the boss battles of “Super Metroid” spoiled either, too bad. That game’s been out long enough. On we go…

This interview was conducted by telephone a few days before the release of “Gears of War 2.” I finished playing the game’s campaign over online co-op with Newsweek’s N’Gai Croal a day earlier, a session I referred to throughout the interview. N’Gai had played as “Gears” hero Marcus Fenix. I played as sidekick Dom.

Multiplayer: I notice you don’t do a lot of boss battles and we don’t even see any Berzerkers in the game. Was that a conscious decision?

“If the lights went dark and the Krill came out, fine you could call it ‘Gears 1.5.’”

Cliff Bleszinski, Epic Games: Back when I was talking to journalists and we were doing the initial selling of it, there were wondering, “Is this ‘Gears 1.5‘?” I’d like to say, if you came around the corner and a Berzerker chase you and you had to lure it out — and if the lights went dark and the Krill came out, fine you could call it ‘Gears 1.5.’” Fiction-wise they’re still there. They are the Locust females. You just don’t encounter them. We didn’t want to do that gag again.

We wanted to do things like razor-hail and getting eaten by a giant creature. We wanted to have levels where the level itself is the boss battle in many ways. You have that level with Skorge where he’s throwing things at you and you’re chainsaw-dueling. Iff we continued with that path, maybe Skorge is going to jump on the Hydra and you would have had a big tentacle fight or something like that in that room. We said, ‘Ff— it, let’s do this as a chase sequence. Make it a multi-stage boss battle.’ You’re going through the caves. You’re shooting it in its mouth. And then you wind up going through the trees a la [Return of the Jedi].

Multiplayer: That final battle with the super-Brumak went by really swiftly, using the Hammer of Dawn. I didn’t know if that was because of the difficulty we were playing on or if that was one of those conscious decisions to have one of those empowered moments — rather than a classic this-is-a-very-difficult-boss-battle moment. I felt like you guys were running the risk of getting into “Halo 2″ territory where people were going to be surprised that “Wait that’s it? It’s over already?” What note were you trying to strike with that final note of gameplay?

“And from there on out, have you kill the thing that just gave you all that pleasure. “

Bleszinski: Honestly, it was rubber-banding back a bit from [the first game's boss, General] Raam being too difficult. And then we just wanted to end with a very empowering moment where the player gets to ride the Brumak. After dealing with everything that he has with the Locust, he finally hijacks the creature that he wasn’t even able to fight in “Gears 1,” rides it, and essentially is Godzilla tearing through Tokyo. And then, ultimately, end on a moment of true empowerment. And from there on out, have you kill the thing that just gave you all that pleasure.

In regards to what’s going on with the fiction, the effects of extended Imulsion exposure have yet to be fully revealed. Obviously, it ain’t pretty.

Multiplayer: You’ve played “Super Metroid,” right?

“We would rather end on something were players would be like, “Huh, that last part was pretty sweet” rather than “F— I couldn’t kill Raam!”

Bleszinski: Yes.

Multiplayer: The end of “Gears 2″ reminded me from that game when you think you’re at your last moment and the baby Metroid — which is large at that time — descends on you and you get that rainbow beam.

Bleszinski: Yeah, that’s classic.

Multiplayer: And suddenly the Mother Brain T-rex or whatever you’re fighting has no chance against you. It was that degree of empowerment that I find very unusual for final boss battles. Usually, developers make them agonizingly difficult. To that extent, I found this refreshing that we’re probably more powerful than the Brumak at that point and we’re actually able to clean house.

Bleszinski: But you know what? You look at Sinkhole and the way that level is right before that Brumak moment, that is a good grind of classic, good “Gears” combat. Ultimately, we throw everything and the phonebook at you. At that point, let them just end on a high note. If anything, we always talked about the end of “Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay” when you get the mech suit and you’re just tearing stuff up. I don’t know if this was conscious, but it ends on a similar note. The fact is so many people didn’t finish “Gears” because they got stuck on Raam.

That’s the problem with boss battles, Stephen. Usually people either get it in the first three seconds or they never get it. Hitting that sweet spot where they can maybe die a few times and they don’t always figure it out and they’re panicky, it’s a tricky thing to achieve. We would rather end on something were players would be like, “Huh, that last part was pretty sweet” rather than “F— I couldn’t kill Raam!”

***

Related Posts:
Spoiler Interview: Bleszinski Talks ‘Gears of War 2′ Driving Sequences
Bleszinski: ‘Seriously’ Achievement Won’t Be As Buggy In ‘Gears of War 2′
‘Gears of War 2′ Creator Carefully Discusses Video Game Romance

Animal Crossing: City Folk: 8.0
Rygar: 7.0
Castlevania Judgement: 7.0
Tales of Symphonia 2: 8.0
Sonic Unleashed: 8.0
Guitar Hero: WT: 8.5
Shaun White Snowboarding: 7.0
Mushroom Men: 8.0
Tomb Raider Underworld: 7.0
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009: 8.0
Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party: 5.5
Star Wars The Clone Wars Lightsaber Duels: 4.0
Cooking Mama World Kitchen: 6.5
Spiderman Web of Shadows: 6.5
Need for Speed Undercover: 6.5
Monster Lab: 6.5

DS games

Chrono Trigger: 9.0
Metal Slug 7: 7.5
Moon: 7.5
Mushroom Men: 5.0
Gauntlet: 7.5
Age of Empires: Mythologies: 7.0
Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance: 6.0
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia: 8.0
Neopets Puzzle Advanture: 6.0
Monster Lab: 8.0
Luminous Arc 2: 7.0
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009: 4.0

Huge thanks to Marl0 for the heads up!

BioWare releases new SWTOR concept art originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Hooded Combat Gear
• General Starkiller
• Sith Assassin
• Imperial Commando
• Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker
• Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi
• Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker
• Darth Sion
• Ki-Adi-Mundi
• Kit Fisto

• More details for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed DLC packs

Downloadable Games

Age of Booty ($9.99)
Fight for pirate supremacy in this game of strategy and cannon-blasting action that’s fun for all ages. Sail the high seas alone or with friends as you build your pirate empire by plundering villages, sinking ships, and sending your enemies to the briny deep! Upgrade your ships with new, more powerful weapons, and explore 25 different maps or create your own to share! With so many features, Age of Booty is a treasure chest of fun! Download the game today!
File size: 44 MB

Add-on Game Content

LittleBigPlanet - MotorStorm Stormers Costume ($1.99)
A premium costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04

LittleBigPlanet - Sack-Eating Plant Costume (SCEE contest winner) (free)
A community costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet - Lilly Pad Costume ($0.99)
A costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet - Hugo Costume ($0.99)
A costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet - Great Blue Costume ($0.99)
A costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet - Frost E Costume ($0.99)
A costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet - Animal Costume Bundle ($2.99)
A costume kit for SackBoy! Contains 4 different costumes.
File size: 1.04 MB

Hot Shots Golf Out Bounds Costume Pack 2 ($2.99)
Spruce up your Hot Shots Golf Fall wardrobe with a collection of playful and funky new outfits ideal for golf wherever you play. Five new costumes come your way with 6 variations for each new costume giving you a total of 30 new outfits to dress your favorite 5 players in Hot Shots Golf Out Of Bounds. So now matter where you play, you’ll certainly be the best dressed player on the course.
File size: 102 KB

PAIN Movie Studio Lot ($5.99)
In a world where you’ve destroyed Downtown like a giant reptilian beaver and you’ve called da shot in the Amusement Park, a new environment arrives. Seven gameplay modes, three selectable launcher positions, a muscle-bound gladiator, a doomed sinking ship, an adrenaline-fueled car leap over a helicopter – it’s all available now in the highly anticipated add-on environment, PAIN: Movie Studio.
File size: 40 MB

PAIN The Hoff Character ($1.99)
Meet PAIN’s most famous launchee yet, David Hasselhoff! Yanked from the sleek interior of an exotic sports car, now you get to chuck The Hoff into a world of PAIN where his latest role is starring in your next launch. Available now with three of his own costumes, The Hoff is playable in all PAIN environments.
File size: 100 KB

FIFA 09 Brazilian Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Brazilian commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Brazilian commentators Paulo Vinícius Coelho and Nivaldo Prieto.
File size: 533 Mb

FIFA 09 Czech Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Czech commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Czech commentators Bosák Jaromír and Petr Svěcený.
File size: 572 MB

FIFA 09 Dutch Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Dutch commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Dutch commentators Youri Mulder and Evert Ten Napel.
File size: 611 MB

FIFA 09 English Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional English commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring English commentators Andy Gray and Martin Tyler.
File size: 725 MB

FIFA 09 English #2 Commentary Pack ($4.99)
This download enables you to add an additional English commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring English commentators Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend.
File size: 655 MB

FIFA 09 French Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional French commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring French commentators Herve Mathoux and Franck Sauzée.
File size: 618 MB

FIFA 09 German Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional German commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring German commentators Tom Bayer and Sebastian Hellman.
File size: 828 MB

FIFA 09 Hungarian Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Hungarian commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Hungarian commentators Richard Faragó and István B. Hajú.
File size: 1115 MB

FIFA 09 Italian Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Italian commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Italian commentators Giuseppe Bergomi and Fabio Caressa.
File size: 526 MB

FIFA 09 Mexico Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Mexican commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Mexican commentators Perro Bermúdez and Ricardo Pelaez.
File size: 386 MB

FIFA 09 Polish Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Polish commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Polish commentators Wlodzimierz Szaranowicz and Dariusz Szpakowski.
File size: 779 MB

FIFA 09 Portuguese Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Portuguese commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Portuguese commentators David Carvalho and Hélder Conduto.
File size: 544 MB

FIFA 09 Russian Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Russian commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Russian commentators Yuri Rozanov and Vasily Solojov.
File size: 890 MB

FIFA 09 Spanish Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Spanish commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Spanish commentators Paco González and Manolo Lama.
File size: 530 MB

FIFA 09 Swedish Commentary Pack (FREE)
This download enables you to add an additional Swedish commentary pack for FIFA 09, featuring Swedish commentators Glenn Hysén and Henrik Strömblad.
File size: 423 MB

Need for Speed: Undercover Aftermarket Body Kit Package ($2.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Aftermarket Hood, Spoilders and Exhaust Package ($2.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Aftermarket Wheels Package ($2.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Collector’s Edition Upgrade ($10.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Exotic Car Bundle ($7.50)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Muscle Car Bundle ($5.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Paint and Vinyls Package ($2.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Pro Handling Bundle ($2.75)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Pro Power Bundle ($3.75)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Race Handling Bundle ($2.25)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Race Power Bundle ($3.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Street Handling Bundle ($1.75)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Street Power Bundle ($2.25)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Tuner Car Bundle ($5.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Ultimate Performance Bundle ($10.00)
File size: 100 KB

Need for Speed: Undercover Ultimate Visual Bundle ($5.00)
File size: 100 KB

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution Multiplayer Map Pack 1: Elemental (free)
Can you and your friends brave the elements in this multiplayer map pack for Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution? Includes Fiery Axis, Starfish, Oasis World, and Invasion USA.
File size: 43 MB

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution Multiplayer Map Pack 2: Terrestrial ($1.25)
Conquer real world locales in the Terrestrial MP Map Pack. Includes South Pacific, the UK, Earth, and Equal Opportunity.
File size: 43 MB

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Costume Pack 1 ($4.99)
Download 7 brand new characters such as Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, Imperial Commando, Darth Sion, Ki-Adi-Mundi and Kit Fisto. Also you’ll get 3 all new Secret Apprentice costumes including Hooded Combat Gear, General Starkiller and Sith Assassin.
File size: 243 MB

Guitar Hero World Tour
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• Hendrix Track Pack ($5.49) - Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “Fire (Live from Woodstock)”, “If 6 Was 9″, and “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix.
• “Horse to Water” - R.E.M. ($1.99)
• “Man-Sized Wreath” - R.E.M. ($1.99)
• “Supernatural Superserious” - R.E.M. ($1.99)
• R.E.M. Track Pack ($5.49) - Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “Man-sized Wreath”, “Supernatural Superserious”, and “Horse to Water” by REM. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as a part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

File sizes: 26 MB - 35 MB (singles), 87 MB - 113 MB (track packs)

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “Doll” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “Enough Space” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “February Stars” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “Hey, Johnny Park!” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “Monkey Wrench” - Foo Fighetrs ($1.99)
• “My Hero” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “My Poor Brain” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “New Way Home” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “See You” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “Up In My Arms” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “Walking After You” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “Wind Up” - Foo Fighters ($1.99)
• “The Colour and the Shape” Album - Foo Fighters ($19.99) - includes the above tracks.

File sizes: 9 MB - 40 MB (singles), 332 MB (track pack)

Game Videos (free)

Alpha Protocol Trailer
File sizes: 31 MB (HD)

Guitar Hero World Tour Zakk Wylde Vignette Network Trailer
File sizes: 49 MB (HD)

Soul Calibur IV Gameplay Preview Network Trailer
File sizes: 22 MB (SD), 80 MB (HD)

WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2009 Network Trailer
File sizes: 14 MB (SD), 76 MB (1080)

AST Play The Pros Cleveland
File sizes: 79 MB (HD), 130 MB (1080)

AST Orlando Pro Moment
File sizes: 52 MB (HD)

Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers (free)

Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian Blu-ray Disc Trailer
File sizes: 158 MB (1080)

Wall-E Blu-ray Disc
File sizes: 210 MB (1080)

BD-Live Educational Demo Blu-ray Disc Trailer
File sizes: 148 MB (1080)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Game Demo (free)

* Neverland Card Battles Demo (also downloadable via PS3 Store)

One thing that was missing from The Old Republic’s official unveiling was how the game was actually going to work in regards to its combat. In a conversation with VG247, BioWare exec Greg Zeschuk explained that the combat would be “choreographed” instead of that nasty the typical MMO staple of “swinging through each other” with weapons.

From the interview:

Star Wars is choreographed, it’s elegant; it’s big, powerful moves and lightning bolts flashing, but in a way that makes sense visually and aesthetically. One of the goals we have [is] to create this choreographed type of combat that looks as though it could be taking place in a Star Wars movie.

One thing that was missing from The Old Republic’s official unveiling was how the game was actually going to work in regards to its combat. In a conversation with VG247, BioWare exec Greg Zeschuk explained that the combat would be “choreographed” instead of that nasty the typical MMO staple of “swinging through each other” with weapons.

From the interview:

Star Wars is choreographed, it’s elegant; it’s big, powerful moves and lightning bolts flashing, but in a way that makes sense visually and aesthetically. One of the goals we have [is] to create this choreographed type of combat that looks as though it could be taking place in a Star Wars movie.

One thing that was missing from The Old Republic’s official unveiling was how the game was actually going to work in regards to its combat. In a conversation with VG247, BioWare exec Greg Zeschuk explained that the combat would be “choreographed” instead of that nasty the typical MMO staple of “swinging through each other” with weapons.

From the interview:

Star Wars is choreographed, it’s elegant; it’s big, powerful moves and lightning bolts flashing, but in a way that makes sense visually and aesthetically. One of the goals we have [is] to create this choreographed type of combat that looks as though it could be taking place in a Star Wars movie.

The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance Info Video
The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance Video 2
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia TV Spot
Animal Crossing: City Folk TV Spot
Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades Info Video
Call of Duty: World at War Info Video
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Shaun White Snowboarding Info Video
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Info Video
Rock Band 2 Launch Video
Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam Info Video
Brain Challenge Info Video
Wii Music: This Week’s Music Videos 1
Wii Music: This Week’s Instruments 6
Digest Video

Demos (Expire 11/16)

Crosswords DS-Wordsearch Demo
Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors
TouchMaster 2
Dragonball: Origins Demo
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Demo

Link