Getting a proper read of where video games reportage and research stands at right now is very difficult: By and large, we’re subjected to a hybrid beast of misunderstanding and sensationalism combined with real concern and ignorance. Much emphasis, of course, is put on the social psychology of gaming – its ills, woes and side-effects, leading to “expert”-citing sweeping statements and controversy-inviting headlines.
Where does the real enthusiast figure in all this? Always on the defensive?
Collapse is a 3rd-person apocalyptic combo-based shooter-brawler from Kiev-based Ukrainian chaps Creoteam (no, not the Croatian fellas Croteam! A one-letter difference in typing makes for 1,500km in distance) that has oddly succumbed to deafening radio silence after a bit of a media blitz in late 2008.
“In year 2013 a terrible catastrophe happened in Europe, with a cause remaining unknown still. The major part of the continent turned into a huge abnormal zone. Great numbers of people died or disappeared, and those who survived were telling unbelievable things…” 1)http://creoteam.com/en/games/collapse/
Odder still, the game had already gone gold as early as September ‘08. The announcement was further reinforced with the release of a playable demo (that can still be acquired from http://www.collapse-game.com/sadm_files/collapse-demo.exe – do be warned that the demo is in Russian, though neither the menus nor the game are hard to navigate) only shortly afterwards.
“The anomaly couldn’t be viewed from a satellite, and all attempts to study it gave scant results… After ten years of silence that followed the catastrophe, an event happened, later called the ‘First Aggression’ – the anomaly started growing swiftly, claiming the territory of Europe and begetting thousands of bloodthirsty creatures.” 2)http://creoteam.com/en/games/collapse/
References
“Nobody had any idea what the game was. I thought it was an adventure game up until it was released; commercials made it look like a heavy metal WOW parody; the demo apparently made it seem like heavy metal Zelda; and then it turns out it’s basically heavy metal Halo Wars?” –mkozlows @ Quarter to Three Forums
While you have probably noticed the tell-tale signs of a steady stream of “Quote of the Day” posts (as fun as they are to post…!), I would just like to take a moment to clarify the situation somewhat: Richard, Nabeel and I have all been beyond busy lately. I’m telling you, it feels so good to be able to write that down, even if it doesn’t change a thing: Busy!
(Kinda dig the earlier one – it doesn’t read “TORMENT” all over it…)
To write about games, you have to think about games. To do that, you do have to read and discuss them, too. Doing that properly means you have to play them first. The problem? The above chain of events simply never even gets rolling when you’re pressed for time! We try to take each and every post seriously and this sometimes means more work and delays.
Right now, our @slowdownvg Twitter feed is slightly more active than the front page, as is my own @martynzachary – if only barely.
Jools Watsham is a dude with a broken heel (do get well soon!). He’s also the owner and creative director of Dementium the Ward and Moon developers Renegade Kid. Three weeks ago, he posted a video titled “YOU CAN HELP!” on his YouTube vlog:
Check out some fresh (if diminutive) Dementium II screenshots and my take on the video after the jump!
