Heavenly Sword launch 'unaffected' by PAL PS3 delay

By Patrick Garratt Published 3 October, 2006

'Launch window' title on track.

British developer Ninja Theory has confirmed PlayStation 3-exclusive fighter Heavenly Sword as a "launch window" release during a Game Developer Conference presentation in London, although the game will not make it out in America before the end of the year.

"We've always been a launch window title so it hasn't affected us at all," said Nina Kristensen, Ninja Theory's co-founder, answering a question on how Sony's PlayStation 3 delay in Europe had affected the release of the game.

"No, it's going to be next year," said Guy Midgley lead animator, speaking of the game's American launch, "but we haven't announced a specific date yet."

The presentation generally centred on the development of the game's extensive combat system, showing software used to compile what look to be intricate combat routines.

"We needed to do one-on-one combat, group combat and army combat," said lead programmer SaiTong Man. "Our main inspiration was Virtua Fighter and Soul Calibur... Our hero has three stances, but we decided to make each enemy a different stance. This makes the player think about the stance they need to be in to survive the encounter."

Much was shown of wire-frame combat, the presentation culminating in the most recent trailer made for the game.

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About Patrick Garratt

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Comments (20) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • captainrentboy #1 5 years ago

    Is this the one where the developers felt it necessary to use *half of the PS3's processing power to animate the lead character's hair?Bloody brilliant :)
    The game looks alright to me,nothing too groundbreaking mind,quite generic if anything.

    *A massive exageration yes,but it was still a hugely unnecessary amount.
    Edited by 1 at 03/10/06 @ 17:27

  • TwistidChimp #2 5 years ago

    well its not all army combat, but there are times in which you fight entire armies. Seems to be everything from small encounters like the one in the demo, to massive battles with entire armies.

    I'm still convinced its going to be amazing.

  • Xerx3s #3 5 years ago

    army hot pants ftw! \0/

  • Dean #4 5 years ago

    "said lead programmer SaiTong Man."

    Get yer facts straight.. He's the *combat designer*, not a lead programmer. Sai couldn't program his way out of a paper bag.
    Edited by 1 at 03/10/06 @ 17:26

  • lambtron #5 5 years ago

    Because she's worth it ^_^

  • Darkedge #6 5 years ago

    "The presentation generally centred on the development of the game's extensive combat system, showing software used to compile what look to be intricate combat routines."

    And

    "Much was shown of wire-frame combat, the presentation culminating in the most recent trailer made for the game."

    Hmm so is it going to be actually fluid or just a load of quicktime set pieces?? Both those comments really worry me.

  • MadMirko #7 5 years ago

    Heavenly Sword launch 'unaffected' by PAL PS3 delay

    Of course! They just release it without the console.

  • JediMasterMalik #8 5 years ago

    They're talking about the US launch, but you already knew that.

    The game looks great, I'd love to see there new build which was meant to be at TGS. I like the idea of 3 very different stances for combat, and taking inspiration from SC and VF can be no bad thing.

  • SeesThroughAll #9 5 years ago

    Inspiration from VF and SC? How about God of War? Please give the credit where it's due!

  • TwistidChimp #10 5 years ago

    They started making Heavenly Sword long, long before God of War arrived. The combat was up and running during the Edge dev diaries, and that was before god of war hit I think.
    Edited by 1 at 03/10/06 @ 19:15

  • MadMirko #11 5 years ago

    @Jedi: Yes. That was my try at humor for today.

    Regarding the idea of "stances" and wether credit is due to SC, VF or GoW... None of them. The idea is copied from actual martial arts, which predate console games a little.

    Who did it first is not as interesting as who does it right. SC, VF and GoW may have pulled it off well, but that's of no concern for other games. As long as there are no game patents, at least.

  • Xerx3s #12 5 years ago

    This game looks great though, if they don't fuck it up, this might be my reason to buy a ps3 (like silent hill 3 was for the ps2). One thing that worries me though; I'm not a big fan of virtua fighter. :\

  • Xerx3s #13 5 years ago

    +1.

    Although I like some 3d beat 'em ups but I have to say that my favorites date from the hayday of the 2d fighters. Oh well, time will tell how this turns out to be.

  • J*C #14 5 years ago

    I have a bad feeling about this game.

  • GordonJ #15 5 years ago

    "You say that before every ..game.. Hudson" :)

  • Vin #16 5 years ago

    Come on Pat, mate.

    Re-ignite the Xboxworld days and Playstation doom-prophecises.

    THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE.

  • zaffazzaffaz #17 5 years ago

    If this features 'real time weapons change' aswell, im sold! lool

  • Mr_Whacker #18 5 years ago

    I really want a go on this. Its the PS3 title that interests me the most and I can't work out if its another slasher or the next evolution of combat mechanics.

  • rinoaMW #19 5 years ago

    You secure that shit, GordonJ ;)

    I'll get a ps3 for this. I think it looks lovely regardless of what you cynics up top think :)

  • rhinoxious #20 5 years ago

    take off and nuke the site from heavenly orbit . . .

    it's the only way to be sword?