Prototype shapes up for June launch

By Robert Purchese Published 4 February, 2009

Mercer, Mercer, Mercer me.

Activision has said body-morphing openworld game Prototype will be released this June.

The date was stamped on New York Comic-Con invitations, according to Joystiq, where attendees will be allowed hands-on time with the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 title. We're chasing Activision for clarification.

Prototype - developed by Radical Entertainment - was unveiled to the masses by Sierra back in 2007, and deemed valuable enough to remain on the Activision Blizzard roster post-merger.

However, there have been some bumps in the road: a summer 2008 release date was scrapped to provide more time for Radical to "deliver the game the team initially set out to do".

And, more recently, the Vancouver-based developer - responsible for Scarface: The World is Yours and Crash: Mind over Mutant - had staff levels halved by Activision Blizzard, reducing active projects to two: Prototype and Crash Bandicoot.

Prototype follows the adventures of Alex Mercer, a mutant man who can shape-shift and absorb every aspect of his prey: memories, physical form, skills and powers.

The problem is: he's got no memory of his past. This prompts a voyage of self-discovery after Mercer wakes on an autopsy bench; a journey that soon ventures into top secret territory.

We've been quite impressed so far, and you can catch up with our coverage over on our Prototype gamepage.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (11) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • Eraysor #1 3 years ago

    This could possibly be brilliant. And considering how ruthless Activision has been with chopping games from its portfolio it must at least be pretty good.

  • penhalion #2 3 years ago

    Waiting for infamous instead as I like that idea more. Plus I'm actively looking for anything to get my PS3 some more useage. If I get prototype I'll be getting it on 360 for sure.

  • asphaltcowboy #3 3 years ago

    Waiting for the reviews on this - I think it looks really promising though!

  • muscleblade #4 3 years ago

    Perfect release timing. I should have the time to finish SFIV and Resident Evil 5 in time for Prototype then. Bioshock 2 for august would be good and then Halo:oDST for oktober.

  • Thunderbolt #5 3 years ago

    Prototype looks fun if somewhat generic. But if the review is good will make for some fun during the summer draught. Bioshock in August wow I'm definately getting that.


    muscleblade,

    Your'e still getting RE5 even after playing the demo? ;)

  • muscleblade #6 3 years ago

    @Thunderbolt!

    I never play demos for games i know i will be buying. Was it bad except for the control issue and tearing wich has reportedly been fixed for the retail version?

    Edited by 1 at 04/02/09 @ 11:54

  • Machetazo #7 3 years ago

    "Prototype looks fun if somewhat generic."

    I agree with you, on the fun part of what you said, but how does Prototype seem "generic" to you?
    I'm looking forward to this a great deal, as well as Infamous. This, possibly moreso, as I feel a stronger draw, and appreciation for Prototype.
    Edited by 1 at 04/02/09 @ 12:04

  • Widge #8 3 years ago

    RE5 demo was only bad if penalise it for not playing like Left 4 Dead and for it playing like Resident Evil

  • Thunderbolt #9 3 years ago

    What I meant by generic is that it is set in a dystopian future, as seen many times such as in Blade Runner, Dark Angel, William Gibson novels etc.

    And with its emphasis on parkour it comes across like a algamation of Crackdown and Assassins Creed.

    From the preview in OXM they had mentioned it looked fairly generic and that the story wasn't the games stong point.

    Also with the Mirrors Edge although it had a cool visual style the story was one of its weaknesses.

    Of course all this is just my opinion and I look forward to being postively corrected

    (As for RE5, the comment I made was it merely in jest. ;) )

  • Machetazo #10 3 years ago

    Right you are. I wouldn't have read any preview in OXM, so the story still seems an interesting part of the game, to me; even though I distinctly remember that being an either-way element in my assumption. I don't see much influence by Assassin's (Prototype moves a lot faster, and if you fall, its no hardship at all to return to where you were, neither am I aware of a rigid structure to completing series of tasks being present), from what I've seen of Prototype - but you're spot-on with Crackdown, and I feel the city reminds of GTA IV.
    I really like the sense they give of scale, and the freedom that they're suggesting, in terms of the feats you're able to accomplish, as well as the response within the world, based on what you're doing and the extraordinaryl situation in which Mercer finds himself. I can see myself pre-ordering this one.

    I almost see Infamous as a brains, to Prototype's brawn. I think they can co-exist, and hope both do well.
    Edited by 1 at 04/02/09 @ 12:46

  • shotgun44 #11 3 years ago

    This was one of the reasons I made the leap into next gen but the lack of coverage lately worries me a bit. Fingers crossed for an awesome-fest!