LucasArts - Fracture

[Romier S]

So, Fracture is a new original IP from LucasArts and it's being developed by the guys at Day 1 Studios (Mechassault, F.E.A.R console editions). It's been in the works for some time apparently and looks to have been finally unveiled with a press release along with a website that features screenshots and a pretty damned impressive trailer showing off the terrain deformation technology.

 

The perspective and movement definitely reminded me of Gears of War. I've not seen enough of the game to make solid judgement on the art style appearance but that end of it looks decent enough (though bordering on mediocre for me). I'm genuinely interested to see how well they carry on with the terrain morphing gameplay wise. There have been other games that tried (Red Faction for starters) but it was never anything more than a gimmick. Here's hoping....

 

Here's the press release:

 

Futuristic Warfare Is Literally “Groundbreaking”

 

Sydney, Australia – May 3, 2007 – LucasArts and development partner Day 1 Studios today announced Fracture™, in which players reshape the battlefields in a futuristic conflict with global implications. This epic war fought on American soil pits cybernetically enhanced soldiers against warriors augmented by the benefits of advanced genetic engineering. The company that brought you Star Wars and Indiana Jones, as well as successful new intellectual properties such as Mercenaries (the No. 1 new IP in 2005) and Thrillville (the No. 1 original children's IP of 2006), presents a new franchise full of groundbreaking next-generation gameplay, an intriguing storyline and compelling characters.

 

“Exciting new intellectual properties serve a vital role to the growth of LucasArts,” said Jim Ward, president of LucasArts. “Fracture represents the next step in this company initiative, complete with the intriguing story and compelling characters audiences expect of a LucasArts release.”

 

Fracture advances players to the year 2161, where ecological and seismological disasters have radically altered the planet’s landscape, and a clash in ideologies places society on the threshold of war. Players set foot on the frontlines of this epic conflict in the role of Mason Briggs, a demolitions expert fighting for the Atlantic Alliance, the side that relies upon cybernetic enhancement. Pitted against the genetically enhanced soldiers of the Pacifican army, players will experience a revolution in 22nd-century warfare. In utilizing the core gameplay mechanic of Fracture, a destructive next-generation technology known as Terrain Deformation, players are equipped with an arsenal of futuristic weaponry to strategically reshape their surroundings on the fly. Every action they perform dynamically reshapes the earth in ways no videogame has ever seen. When Briggs throws a tectonic grenade on a level battlefield, the ground blasts upward to provide access to an otherwise unreachable area. Moving on, when he comes across what appears to be an impenetrable structure, Briggs utilizes the alt-fire functionality on his rocket launcher to create enormous craters to burrow underneath the wall. Surrounded on all sides by enemies, Briggs heaves a vortex grenade, creating a swirling tornado-like mass of boulder, dirt and debris to dispatch his foes. These are just a few samples of the possibilities for Terrain Deformation. Players not only change the battlefield – they change the face of the battle itself.

 

“LucasArts sees simulation-based gameplay as an essential component of a true next-gen experience, and that’s exactly what Fracture delivers,” said Peter Hirschmann, vice president of product development at LucasArts. “Day 1 Studios has done a phenomenal job of creating true next-gen tech that not only dazzles on a visual level but also serves as a core gameplay mechanic. Unlike many other next-gen games on the market, Fracture simply isn’t possible in the previous generation of consoles.”

 

“LucasArts’ excitement for Fracture is palpable, and it only inspires us even further to ensure the game lives up to its lofty expectations,” said Denny Thorley, president of Day 1. “The opportunity to work with a company such as LucasArts, that knows not only how to launch large entertainment properties, but also successfully bring new IP to market, is truly a privilege. With Terrain Deformation leading the way, we know we’re creating something special, and we have absolutely no doubts that LucasArts is the only company to make sure Fracture receives its due.”

 

More information about the game can be found at the official Fracture website, http://www.fracturegame.com, which will continue to release details throughout the year.

 

You can take a look at the full website right here:

 

http://www.lucasarts.com/games/fracture/

 

A few screenshots for you:

 

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You can also watch the trailer from the LucasArts website link.

[Cyberwoo]

Whats funny is Bullfrog was doing "terrain deformation" 10 years ago in their game called Magic Carpet. Anyone remember that game? Seeing the ground sink and swell up like it did in that Fracture trailer reminded me of that game.

[Union Carbine]

Whats funny is Bullfrog was doing "terrain deformation" 10 years ago in their game called Magic Carpet. Anyone remember that game? Seeing the ground sink and swell up like it did in that Fracture trailer reminded me of that game.

Not to mention Populus. I think Bungie's Myth series had deformation as well although on a much smaller scale.

 

I'll have to watch the trailer but the screenshots seem rather blah to me. Maybe it needs to be seen in motion.

[Romier S]

I'll have to watch the trailer but the screenshots seem rather blah to me. Maybe it needs to be seen in motion.

It does.

 

For the record terrain deformation is not exactly new technology but it's never been employed in a shooter style game with an real success. Which is where Fracture comes into play. I've heard that Day 1 is doing some really good stuff with this game and considering LucasArts recent focus on getting some interesting tech into thier games...I'm definitely interested to see how Fracture turns out.

[dogbert]

NextGen have posted the full article from Edge about this game.

[Union Carbine]

Thanks for the link, I'll definitely give it a read.

[dogbert]

Fracture at CES.

[Romier S]

New trailer showing off the new main character design and some really nice looking action...

 

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/34641.html

[dogbert]

Playable demo on XBL & PSN next week.

[Paul]

Good. I like the idea but what I have seen so far has not done much for me.

[OzzelsCousinFred]

Idea is good but I've been hearing rumblings about this game and am staying cautious on it

[JoeyN]

Demo is up, gonna give it a shot in a little bit

[Paul]

I liked it. Some cool things you can do with the various weapons. The way you change the environment to get to new areas or get around the gun placement makes the gameplay more interesting. The characters and story seem rather cliched. The only thing I did not like was the camera angle. It was much closer on the character than I liked, would rather it was pulled back with the character centered.

[Covak]

What a strange game. The terrain stuff is pretty cool, and I especially love the visual effects when you raise or lower terrain. That last rocket launcher is cool, too.

 

I like how the tutorial introduces everything nicely, even the HUD.

 

But it doesn't do much for me overall... gameplay, visuals, sound... all just kinda... bland.

[Dave C]

Finally tried the demo. Like everyone else, the terrain changing adds a nice twist to what would otherwise be a typical futuristic shooter. I can see the 12 multiplayer being lots of fun but with Gears 2 coming out soon after, I'm not sure how much play this will get. I'm on the fence with this one.

[Dave C]

I'm off the fence. This one comes off my buy list. A rental perhaps.

 

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/fracture

[OzzelsCousinFred]

it's weird how the reviews are all over the place on this one

[Anthony G]

FYI, gogamer has this for $18. I haven't tried the demo but the videos I have seen look decent.

Edited December 28, 2008 by Anthony G

[Anthony G]

FYI, gogamer has this for $18. I haven't tried the demo but the videos I have seen look decent.

 

Well, I decided to order a copy.

Edited December 28, 2008 by Anthony G

[Paul]

Target is supposed to have it for $20 along with Mercenaries for $30 next week.

 

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