HydroEngine and its game Hydrophobia

[Z]

this is a new game from Blade Interactive (http://www.bladeinteractive.com/)
what is interesting about this game is their technology; they are using a special engine that "they have been working on for over 3 years" focusing on liquid behavior, animation, etc.
http://www.bladeinteractive.com/images/hydroengine1.jpg

I want to see if they can really start a new thing with their direction. nobody went as far as them in that regards. I'll be watching this closely.

here is what they say about their technology:
"Water in games has so far been merely a flat plane with ripple effects and other graphical smoke and mirrors applied to it..."

"...The HydroEngine is different in one key respect - the water flows. It looks and behaves exactly like real water. Nothing like this has ever been seen in games before"

- Dr Huw Lloyd, Blade R & D Director

Blade's HydroEngine technology is the result of years of intensive development work, and is only possible on next-generation systems. HydroEngine allows us to model flowing water and other liquids, which behave exactly as you would expect in real life. Water can flow down corridors and stairs, and is entirely dynamic, which means you never get the same behviour twice.

What's more, HydroEngine can interface with solid body physics engines such as Havok, so that objects and debris can be carried with the flow, and interact with dynamic environments and characters in countless ways.

HydroEngine is the centrepiece of Blade's new survival adventure title Hydrophobia, which uses this revolutionary new technology to deliver a game experience beyond anything which has been seen before.

For more information and screenshots of Hydrophobia, check back soon. Meanwhile, watch the video below for a detailed overview of HydroEngine.

[chartwel]

yeah saw that earlier today. i want more details on the game though, not the engine. the concept art make it seem like it could be a pretty interesting game.

[totobeni]

so..engins these days should called like games HydroEngine--->Hydrophobia , Cryengine ---->crysis , Unreal 3---->Unreal 2007

capcom should do that Onimusha3engine ----> Oni Rising , Onimusha3engine---> Oni Planet , Onimusha3engine ----> Oni may Cry 4 ,Onimusha3engine ---> Oni Evil 5

^ yeah you are right i hate capcom

[totobeni]

D post ...sorry

[NeedMoreSocks]

WOW this looks amazing - just think of the posibilities, it works with Havok so all these chain reactions should be possible, imagine taking out enemies by unleashing torrents of water carrying debris. There's also a YouTube video on their site.

hahaha good to see a games company having some fun with themselves for once!

[Derrick Barra]

Thats actually pretty incredible.

[Z]

so..engins these days should called like games HydroEngine--->Hydrophobia , Cryengine ---->crysis , Unreal 3---->Unreal 2007


these are games that released after their engines and therefore may act as further advertisement. the problem is, using a game's name for your engine will alienate its image and capability to some. look at how many view the UE3 games look like plastic. they actually put the fault on the engine itself.

id will be dilevering a new engine and a new IP game (probably FPS). they said they would likely not name the engine depending on any other game.
there is a good reading about id and they touched apon this in this pice (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5110&Itemid=2). good read by the way.

[casualkiss]

Bioshock has some amayzing water. I wonder if they will release a competing engine.

[Red_Eyes]

The water is amazing, just amazing!

[Z]

Lair has dynamic water. ships actually float on it and move with the waves. if there is an explosion that causes ripples on the water, the ships will move accordingly. it is in the latest IGN Lair story. check it out.

Super Rub A Duck also has some good looking water effects. the thing is, nobody has taking it this far. I want to see how far they could go with this and if it would really have an effect and demand with other devs.

[yoshaw]

Hmm, nice find Z

I'd really love to see some ingame footage though. That youtube video was just a PR thing with a guy in a labcoat smashing an aquarium n shit. lol Game footage hopefully following soon. :)

[Z]

new screens and info :) (http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/xbox360/game/previews/article.jsp?sectionId=1001&articleId=20070503105631919042&releaseId=2007050492854373015)


http://www.gamesradar.com/gb//images/mb//GamesRadar/us/Games/H/Hydrophobia/Bulk%20Viewers/2007-05-03/6598720-573572--screenshot_large.jpg
http://www.gamesradar.com/gb//images/mb//GamesRadar/us/Games/H/Hydrophobia/Bulk%20Viewers/2007-05-03/4321146526754--screenshot_large.jpg
http://www.gamesradar.com/gb//images/mb//GamesRadar/us/Games/H/Hydrophobia/Bulk%20Viewers/2007-05-03/43166254325431--screenshot_large.jpg

wow, they really seem to get have something going for them there.

[Diresu]

Promising, though I want to see it in motion. I bet screens don't do it justice.

[Z]

from the link above:
Here water works like water. It is water - a truly 3D liquid, which reacts dynamically to its environment. It flows from source, it bubbles, it gets surfaces wet, it has a current and it’s persistent. These properties make the water an intrinsic game mechanic; something we’ve never seen before, and in motion looks stunning.
Objects will float in it making physical hazards; waves can sweep people away, and underwater currents create mini rivers in the ship. And then there’s the actual visuals - explosions, bubbles, spray, reflections and refractions that make for dazzling effect as the water sweeps through the ship.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

crazy go nuts. I want to see a gameplay video. What's this game all about???

[vdo]

Is this game coming to PS3 as well or only 360? I didn't see any mention of PS3 in the link in the original post and the link for the new screens is in the 360 section of Games Radar and it even mentions 360...

But while its unique setting and survival-action-puzzle-fear approach instantly sets it apart from the blockbuster shooters that dominate on 360

...but no mention of PS3. Am I missing where it says it's for PS3, too?

[Carlos]

http://www.gamesradar.com/gb//images/mb//GamesRadar/us/Games/H/Hydrophobia/Bulk%20Viewers/2007-05-03/6598720-573572--screenshot_large.jpg
Wow. Awesome.

Like others, I must see this in motion.

[NeedMoreSocks]

I've seen this article in Xbox World 360 magazine as well, and they say quite definitely that it's "the worlds greatest water". I've gotta see this thing running, it looks incredible.

I love the sound of the game as well - I was begining to think every game was gunna be about aliens, nice to see a game where the back story seems to be genuinly original.

[-gin-]

from http://www.bladeinteractive.com/Company.html

it says

COMPANY PROFILE

The next generation has arrived, and Blade Interactive Studios are stepping up a gear with ground breaking new projects like Hydrophobia on PS3 - a survival adventure which is poised to redefine what you thought was possible in games.

so i guess its also on ps3

[VG Aficionado]

There's a PS3 logo on the main page of their site too.

[Z]

new pics here (http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/884/884576/imgs_2.html)

[cliffbo]

new pics here (http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/884/884576/imgs_2.html)

damn!!!!!! i overlook you in reps and now your level again!!!!! :) ;) :(

edit: but i joined two years later LOLOLOLOL