BioShock, Halo 3 not "next-gen"

Frontier Developments boss David Braben believes BioShock and Halo 3 are not examples of "next-gen" games.

He was speaking exclusively to Eurogamer about his new project The Outsider, which he still believes will be one of the first proper examples of fifth generation gaming on the market.

"I loved the 1930s-1950s atmosphere of BioShock: the lovely Art Deco visuals and the audio that worked especially well," Braben told us. "Overall the whole game was beautifully executed, but the gameplay itself was not 'next-gen'."

"I found Halo 3 great fun, too, but also a little disappointing - as although there were a few nice touches and improved graphical fidelity, it hadn't really moved on much from Halo 2 in terms of the gameplay.

"So to answer your question, if anything I am reassured; I think Outsider more than stands up to them, and I still think Outsider will be one of the first 'next-gen' games," he added.

The Outsider was announced back in 2005 as a game that would bring around the same sort of freedom as Braben's other famous creation, Elite. For him, a next-gen game means giving you the tools to change the outcome of a story much more dynamically than by choosing good or evil paths - something only the new consoles have the grunt to deliver.

The Outsider is a high-tech thriller that pops you in the shoes of an Elite CIA agent made public enemy number one at the outset of the game. From here your choice of how to proceed is up to you: turn the tables and exploit your former employers, bring about ultra-violent destruction with your Jack Bauer-like training, or crusade to clear your wrongly slurred name.

Development on the title is going "very well, thanks", although no platforms, dates, or details have been heard about for the past two years.

Frontier Developments is also currently working on roller-coaster sequel Thrillville: Off the Rails, which will launch on PC, 360, Wii, DS, PS2 and PSP on 19th October.

Join us later in the week for our full chit chat with David Braben to find out how he has found working on the PS3 and 360, and what exactly the Wiimote is capable of.