BethblogIt's not just the immaculately detailed city that demands your rapt attention. Two videogame innovators, Deus Ex's Harvey Smith and Half-Life 2's Viktor Antonov, have helped shape the game. 'Quality over quantity' is the phrase they mention most. What they refer to is the sharp focus of narrative conveyed through dense self-contained stages, rather than procedurally generated open-worlds. Though from what we've seen there's an awful lot for Corvo to busy himself with.
Raph and Harvey return to cover off on Dishonored’s stealth and save systems, while Game Designer/Associate Producer Dinga Bakaba sounds off on gameplay difficulty options.Q: In the Dishonored gameplay videos Corvo seems capable of hiding from enemies who are very close, even when they’re looking in his direction. Is he cloaked or are cheats enabled for the demos? (from StealthAssassin)
A: In Dishonored, stealth is occlusion-based, meaning it’s mostly based on enemy view cone and hiding behind objects or architecture. (At a significant distance, lighting is also a factor.) What you might be describing is the Lean feature. If Corvo is hidden behind something, he can lean out to see ahead, eavesdrop, and observe the situation. As long as Corvo’s body is hidden, enemies up ahead will not see him. Dishonored also allows players to peep through keyholes, and the game has a Dark Vision power that can be obtained. Dark Vision displays enemies and their view cones through walls, and it features an abstract representation of the sounds the player makes.
Q: How will the save system work? Does the game have checkpoints or can I save everywhere I want? (Sebastien H.)
A: Both. You can’t save during combat, that is the only constraint.
Q: How is gameplay varied based on the difficulty level you choose? (Cory G.)
A: (courtesy of Game Designer/Associate Producer, Dinga Bakaba): Dishonored features four levels of difficulty, ranging from a casual experience to a demanding challenge. The main factors affected by difficulty are enemy perception, damage and responsiveness, as well as health and mana potion potency. Easy also causes part of your health to regenerate over time.
Looks tasty and has nice ideas. But alas, from the gameplay vids and online articles it appears that it is being primarily developed as a console game.
Shame. But I suppose if they make a decent PC port with unique features it might be worth a look. Otherwise I will leave it alone.
Cheers
Buff
Is this game going to be like dark messiah meets the stealth of assassins creed?
Can you go in all guns blazing in this game or will you just end up dead?
I hope its one of those "do as you see fit" type games.
Looks tasty and has nice ideas. But alas, from the gameplay vids and online articles it appears that it is being primarily developed as a console game.
Wow, getting a massive Bioshock vibe from those videos.This is exactly what they showed in a playthroughs, let me link you:
1. Stealth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZCA6DvtCkY&feature=plcp
2. Kill everyone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFXRu5YT07o
Wow, getting a massive Bioshock vibe from those videos.
Not sure if its just the ****poor fov or what.
Not sure if its just the ****poor fov or what.
Back in April, Arkane Studios' teased the debut trailer to Dishonored. Then, it was only last month that Arkane Studios talked of the PC standards being "a religion", and that the PC version will get its own interface. Now we're hearing more of the fruits of this developers labor.
We can now see just how much Arkane Studios' passion for PC gamers has leaked into Dishonored. The official Bethesda blog offers a look into Dishonored PC's customization options, and there is quite a lot of them. In the above screenshot, you can really see the length to which Arkane Studios have gone. UI options allow the gamer to disable HUD elements one by one. This allows the best balance between hand-holding, and immersion.
Arkane are also offering the following:
- The FOV slider for changing your field of view. (PC Only)
- Controller and mouse sensitivity options, as well as four different options related to auto aim strength and aim assist.
- The mouse smoothing/acceleration slider and enable/disable options. (PC only).
- Graphics options for the full spectrum of monitor resolutions, anti-aliasing, and various other graphical toggles. (PC only).
PC gamers also luck out with an exclusive "shortcut bar", which will pop up when shortcut keys (which are mapped to 1-10 by default). The shortcut bar also gives players "a more familiar interface to select your powers and gadgets". You'll also be able to select items through a console-style "Quick Access Wheel", which will pop up when you press the middle mouse button.
Plan (or improvise) your dramatic exit through the streets of Dunwall.
One of the best perks of being a supernatural assassin is that you're never at a loss for options. At least, that's what the latest trailer for Arkane Studios' Dishonored would have you believe. Sneaking up on a target in a shady alleyway is easy enough, but the getaway is where the fun starts. When there's nowhere to hide and the guards are almost upon you, how do you escape with most of your blood still inside your body?
The trailer shows off three different playstyles, each of them starting with the freshly murdered target and ending with Corvo slipping away into a nearby river. In the first method, "The Long Jump", the player makes full use of Corvo's acrobatic abilities, relying heavily on the Blink power and some nimble climbing. "Sleep Tight" takes a slightly more confrontational approach, bringing more of Corvo's arsenal into the fight as he tranquilizes the attacking guards with a few well-placed darts. Finally, "Chain Possession" abuses the Possession power to jump between the bodies of hapless guards (including one of the intimidating walker-mounted Tall Boys) before diving into the river undetected.
Between this video and the gameplay walkthroughs from E3, it certainly looks like Dishonored is serious about making sure the player always has interesting choices to make. You'll be able to choose your strategy for yourself when the game hits shelves on October 9, but in the meantime, keep an eye out for new videos - the trailer hints that a "Creative Kills" video is coming soon.
- GAME & GameStation Special Edition – Dishonored branded 72 tarot card deck with instructions to play the 'Game of Nancy' & the Arcane Assassin Downloadable Upgrade Pack, which includes:
- VOID CHANNEL: Powers duration and damage bonus {exclusive}
- WHITE RAT FRIEND: White rats will not be hostile {exclusive}
- GUTTER FEAST: White rat consumption for mana {exclusive}
- WHALE IN-GAME STATUE: Unlocks one additional slot for bone charm bonuses {start with an extra slot earlier on}
- UNHIDDEN BOOK: "Filed Notes: The Journal of Granny Rags" {exclusive}
- 500 BONUS COINS
- TESCO – Shadow Rat Downloadable Upgrade Pack, which includes:
- DELICATE TOUCH: Breaking Glass noise reduction {exclusive}
- VOYEUR: Key-hole peeping magnification {exclusive}
- DEEP BREATHER: Underwater breathing capacity bonus {exclusive}
- GOLDEN RAT STATUE: Unlocks one additional slot for bone charm bonuses {start with an extra slot earlier on}
- UNHIDDEN BOOK: "Filed Notes: The Royal Spy" {exclusive}
- 500 BONUS COINS
- Shop.to.net – Backstreet Butcher Downloadable Upgrade Pack, which includes:
- FENCER: sword vs. sword advantage bonus {exclusive}
- FIRE WATER: increased whiskey bottle explosions {exclusive}
- BLAST RESISTANT: reduced explosion damage taken {exclusive}
- WOLFHOUND IN-GAME STATUE: unlocks one additional slot for bone charmbonuses {start with an extra slot earlier on}
- UNHIDDEN BOOK: "Early Life and Times: Slackjaw"
- 500 BONUS COINS
- Amazon.co.uk – Acrobatic Killer Downloadable Upgrade Pack, which includes:
- RAVEN: Health bonus for drop-down assassination {exclusive}
- QUICK DODGE: Bolt / arrow dodging bonus {exclusive}
- RIVER AFFINITY: Increased swimming speed {exclusive}
- HAGFISH IN-GAME STATUE: Unlocks one additional slot for bone charm bonuses {start with an extra slot earlier on}
- UNHIDDEN BOOK: "Rumours and Sightings: Daud"
- 500 BONUS COINS