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Square Enix doing Deus Ex 3 cinematics News

PC Xbox 360 PlayStation 3
News by Tom Bramwell

25 November, 2009

Square Enix will muck in and help on Deus Ex 3's cinematics, according to Eidos Montreal's Stephane D'Astous.

"The cinematics - by which I mean any CGI pre-rendered cinematics - are going to be done in Tokyo by Square Enix, and that's going to be amazing," D'Astous told Edge.

Apparently one day after Square Enix acquired Eidos, D'Astous woke up and remembered his new corporate overlords were pretty good at the old CG, and decided to get them involved.

"The people in Tokyo are just so glad to work on it. This is the first project for them that's a non-Final Fantasy title - they even want to work on Thief 4 too, so everyone is really excited."

Not a lot is known about Deus Ex 3, but what there is you can find on our gamepage, including a debut teaser trailer, which, given the above, is presumably no longer canon.

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Comments: 1-38 of 38 in total

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the_dudefather
25/11/09 @ 08:54
#1
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Wonder how long until we see JC Denton (or whoever you play as) doing this?
Ornithophobe
25/11/09 @ 08:55
#2
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Edited 2 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 08:56
c780162
25/11/09 @ 08:58
#3
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whats with the no. squenix are pretty good at cgi as far as i know lol. chance for them to show they can do somethin different and i reckon they can. its not like they can jus plonk a chocobo in there...right?
matrim83
25/11/09 @ 09:00
#4
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Yeah CGI, thats what they need to make a good sequel to Deus Ex.

FFS! Do they even have a clue? Dues Ex wasnt about flashy cutscenes and if they think the sequel needs them.. well they are way off the track. Even more so than I imagined.
ZuluHero
25/11/09 @ 09:01
#5
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@xXBrombeerXx

Yeah agreed. And they do some of the best CGI you'll ever see. They've spent ga-zillions on so much R&D developing their techniques and producing movie quality CGI, its going to be amazing. They can do stuff other then high-concept fantasy you know! :S
Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 09:02
Ornithophobe
25/11/09 @ 09:05
#6
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"They can do stuff other then high-concept fantasy you know!"

"This is the first project for them that's a non-Final Fantasy title"

c780162
25/11/09 @ 09:06
#7
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nowhere does it say squenix has any say in the rest of the game u know. they jus doin the cgi
mkreku
25/11/09 @ 09:18
#8
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Denton with spiky hair and oversized.. pistols? Nooo :(
Shinetop
25/11/09 @ 09:41
#9
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Yes, let's change the Thief series' unique cinematic style to generic plastic Japanese dreck.
Azazel
25/11/09 @ 09:43
#10
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I think this is quite interesting personally. I would say that it's generally accepted that Square are The Best when it comes to CG work. A few years ago Square working on Thief or Deus Ex would have seemed a ludicrous idea. It's a smaller world these days though.

So really the success of this venture depends on how the CG is integrated into the games. I suppose it could take the form of long overblown cut-scenes involving Moogles, but I somehow doubt it.

Probably best to contain the knee-jerk nerd-RAGE until more is known eh?
RandomTerrain
25/11/09 @ 09:46
#11
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No one does CGI as well as Square, so I can't see anyone being dissapointed with the results.
Shinetop
25/11/09 @ 09:47
#12
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Next time round, Helquist added, the studio hopes to get more feedback prior to the game's release - "So we can ensure that we'll have an ending that you guys like." However, Gearbox hasn't started work on a Borderlands sequel yet.

Sometimes knee-jerk nerd-rage beforehand is just what the doctor ordered to prevent some disastrous choices.
hiddenranbir
25/11/09 @ 09:50
#13
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Their stuff is flashy but that is all imo.

I can't really see what benefit since I prefer being impressed by game engine cutscenes. It stops that forced sense of disbelief where one moment you have x level of quality and then all of a sudden it looks just a bit different.

Western games don't need CGI to try and sugar coat outdated game play! Wise up SE!
Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 09:55
Bazfrag
25/11/09 @ 09:56
#14
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I always thought the most emersive fprpg could use some emersion killing cgi.
ZuluHero
25/11/09 @ 09:57
#15
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@Ornithophobe

This is the first project for them that's a non-Final Fantasy title"

Well, They did work for the Animatrix, namely the animated short "Final Flight of the Osiris"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fligh...
BabyJesus
25/11/09 @ 10:01
#16
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Looks like in cutscenes our guy will look like a prepubescent kid with a whacky hairstyle. Then Cutscene ends and he has grown up to be a man again.
Mentalist(air)
25/11/09 @ 10:04
#17
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They closed the studio that produced Final Flight of the Osiris and The Spirits Within.

But the_dudefather's scene is in-engine. Square's CG is more like this.
Xeopuppy
25/11/09 @ 10:11
#18
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As long as they keep the graphic style the same as the other Thief games, dark and moody and the same actor who voiced Garrett
Inquisitor [mod]
25/11/09 @ 10:12
#19
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I really, really don't like cutscenes that don't use the in game engine. It just takes you out of the experience completely, especially in a game like Deux Ex. I hope they're just animating the scenes rather than creating out of engine pieces.
Shinetop
25/11/09 @ 10:12
#20
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But the_dudefather's scene is in-engine. Square's CG is more like this.

Ah, so androgynous characters, dudes trying hard to look badass and over the top special effects. Yes, that's exactly what I want in my Thief 4 and Deus Ex 3.
Evolution
25/11/09 @ 10:13
#21
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I don't really mind the CGI, Square are legendary artists in that field, I think only Blizzard are the only other developer (plenty of dedicated 3d studios however) who do it as well. It's not like I have any confidence that this game will be as good as the original, but this won't hurt it.
davisorle
25/11/09 @ 11:07
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A game like Thief, is really counting on the gameplay, then the visuals and LASTLY and by far the CGIs... Square showed their teeth on CGIs ever since FFVIII and ever since I think they make from the best but really, games like Thief and then Deus Ex dont count at all on the CGIs and I surely hope they dont screw those games up cause lots of us have been expecting the sequels. At least we know first hand that Deus Ex and maybe Thief 4, will have great cinematics. lol
Quixz
25/11/09 @ 11:55
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Can't wait to see what they come up with, chances are they will not disappoint.
ZuluHero
25/11/09 @ 12:34
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@Mentalist(air)

No, it was consolidated as a subsidiary of Square Enix.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_Pict...

It wouldn't surprise me if that department was solely responsible for all the CGI in all their games.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 12:40
sneetch
25/11/09 @ 12:40
#25
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I wonder if some of the people here realise that Square is capable of doing CGI scene using different styles? The tools they use don't automatically go into the "Spiking hair" and "Applying blades to guns" stages when processing scenes.

The scripting and storyboards will presumably be worked on by both Eidos and Squeenix. The models and environments in the CGI will have to be the same (but probably more detailed) as in the Thief and DE3 games themselves. Anyone seriously suggesting that they'll have FF/anime cinematics and characters shoe-horned onto Thief or DE3 is... well, nuts, frankly.

Whatever those games will be like is another story but handing the CGI work over to Square Enix will allow the studios to concentrate on the actual games themselves. Surely that's a good thing?

Look at the character models in Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. They set hair_spikiness = 0 there. ;)
Snidesworth
25/11/09 @ 12:46
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A Thief game with CGI cutscenes instead of its trademark ones? This is not pleasing.
Shinetop
25/11/09 @ 12:50
#27
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I wonder if some of the people here realise that Square is capable of doing CGI scene using different styles? The tools they use don't automatically go into the "Spiking hair" and "Applying blades to guns" stages when processing scenes.

Their tools will undoubtedly be capable of different styles, but I have yet to see them employ a different style than "Japanese".

The scripting and storyboards will presumably be worked on by both Eidos and Squeenix. The models and environments in the CGI will have to be the same (but probably more detailed) as in the Thief and DE3 games themselves. Anyone seriously suggesting that they'll have FF/anime cinematics and characters shoe-horned onto Thief or DE3 is... well, nuts, frankly.

Sure. Show me anything SE has done that even remotely resembles the unique 2D/3D/silhouette style of the Thief cinematics, and I'll concede to that point.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 12:51
ZuluHero
25/11/09 @ 13:01
#28
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"Show me anything SE has done that even remotely resembles the unique 2D/3D/silhouette style of the Thief cinematics, and I'll concede to that point. "

It will most likely end being ultra realistic. The reason that they employed the styling and visual tricks you mentioned was because the studio was unable to produce film-standard quality at the time, either through hardware restraints/time restrictions/lack of skill.

I love how people are already complaining about the standard of the CGI that Square-Enix produces, when all i can remember is the crappy CGI at the start of Deus Ex 2. Surely anything that they do will be an improvement over that?

Reminder! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay3TwmchxWA
Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 13:02
sneetch
25/11/09 @ 13:17
#29
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Shinetop
Their tools will undoubtedly be capable of different styles, but I have yet to see them employ a different style than "Japanese".

And yet the CGI in those individual games themselves have distinct and consistent styles. They are basically "Japanese" but the games themselves are basically "Japanese" so the CGI work is entirely appropriate for those games.

Lest we forget, Square Enix are not the ones coming up with the style and look and feel this time, Eidos are.

Sure. Show me anything SE has done that even remotely resembles the unique 2D/3D/silhouette style of the Thief cinematics, and I'll concede to that point.

Do we want that style, I wonder? Thief III had good cinematic work but the first two were really basic, IMO, looking at them now the basic shots were good but would IMO be improved by using actual models rather than just hand drawn pictures.

That said I reckon they can arrange a shot in silhouette like anyone else. I believe they can do this well. I might be surprised but only time will tell. To assume that someone can only ever repeat their past performances, that they can never do anything new or differently seems basically incorrect to me.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 13:19
Shinetop
25/11/09 @ 14:47
#30
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And yet the CGI in those individual games themselves have distinct and consistent styles. They are basically "Japanese" but the games themselves are basically "Japanese" so the CGI work is entirely appropriate for those games.

I know this. The problem is that I've yet to see them attempt another style.

Lest we forget, Square Enix are not the ones coming up with the style and look and feel this time, Eidos are.

And it's up to SE to conform to that style. The problem is that I'm not sure they can.

Do we want that style, I wonder?

Uhm, yes.

Thief III had good cinematic work but the first two were really basic, IMO, looking at them now the basic shots were good but would IMO be improved by using actual models rather than just hand drawn pictures.

We are either not talking about the same cinematics or we're disagreeing about how photorealism would completely destroy the soul of these cutscenes.
Edited 2 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 14:51
mkreku
25/11/09 @ 14:49
#31
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@Zuluhero:

The video you linked to is from Deus Ex: Invisible War, aka Deus Ex 2. I've tried to repress that memory and only think of the original Deus Ex when someone mentions.. Deus Ex.

Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised by this CGI, who knows. It just doesn't seem like a good fit, on paper.
ZuluHero
25/11/09 @ 15:05
#32
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@Shinetop

"I know this. The problem is that I've yet to see them attempt another style. "

Does this not prove that they can?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkRMpMLzkYs


It sure looks like the Matrix to me... and no spiky-haired protagonist in sight! ;)
Edited 2 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 15:16
sneetch
25/11/09 @ 15:08
#33
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@Shinetop
We are either not talking about the same cinematics or we're disagreeing about how photorealism would completely destroy the soul of these cutscenes.

Ok, we were (as in, I was) talking about different cinematics. The ones I watched on YouTube weren't as good (might have been Thief II). Those are excellent. Can that feel be recreated? I think so. Will they? I don't know, I suspect that Thief IV could be an attempt to bring the series "up to date". Faster paced, forced confrontation and so on.

Damn, but Thief was excellent. Have to see if I can reinstall/find it again.
FortysixterUK
25/11/09 @ 15:13
#34
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Squenix are the best at most things that matter in a game.
That they are helping with the excellent Deus Ex series is a massive plus, that they are helping with the even better Thief series is truly amazing!
Shinetop
25/11/09 @ 15:36
#35
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Does this not prove that they can?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkRMpMLzkYs


I don't know, that link goes nowhere.

Squenix are the best at most things that matter in a game.

Cinematics?


@Shinetop
We are either not talking about the same cinematics or we're disagreeing about how photorealism would completely destroy the soul of these cutscenes.

Ok, we were (as in, I was) talking about different cinematics. The ones I watched on YouTube weren't as good (might have been Thief II). Those are excellent.


Gotcha. Maybe you were watching the mission briefings?

Can that feel be recreated? I think so. Will they? I don't know, I suspect that Thief IV could be an attempt to bring the series "up to date". Faster paced, forced confrontation and so on.

Perhaps. I suppose my biggest fear is that, when I imagine how Square Enix would have handled the cutscene I linked to, rather than keeping Victoria in the shadows and only showing her transformation either in silhouette or in partial closeups (leaving a lot to the imagination and maintaining the mystery and shadowy setting) I can only see Square Enix doing this with an overload of visual effects, rotating cameras and full, brightly lit shots showing every single detail. Would it be impressive CGI? Yes. Would it be exactly according to the script? Yes. Would it fit in with the whole feel of the Thief series? Not by a long shot.

Damn, but Thief was excellent. Have to see if I can reinstall/find it again.

Well, at least we agree on something. :)
Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/11/09 @ 15:38
funkateer
25/11/09 @ 16:05
#36
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I bet JC Denton will have great hair
trooperdx3117
25/11/09 @ 18:02
#37
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No please one of my favourite things about Thief was the handpainted artstyle used in the cutscenes please don't go all CG on them Square Enix.
IMD1_Pk
26/11/09 @ 00:46
#38
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Meh not sure if it should be considered good news but as long as Square doesn't influence Eidos to make spikey haired characters or dress males and females in absurd outfits. I don't want my male/female character dressing in barely-there clothiing. I want them covered neck to feet. As long as Square does that and lets Eidos handle the voice acting I could care less.

Comments: 1-38 of 38 in total

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