Hakuna Matata (A.K.A. Afrika)

[Passive]

Okay so a few days ago i came across this and thought nothing of it as it had no real solidness to it.

Sony blanked us when we asked for an update on Afrika this week, saying there was nothing to report on the mystery PS3 rhino romp.

“I’m afraid there is no news on the Afrika front at the moment,” a SCEE spokesperson told videogaming247 this week.

The firm may have been telling porkies however, as Play-Asia’s just listed the game as an August 28 release.

What is Afrika? No one knows. It was talked about when PS3 was in its salad days. It has zebras in it. We’ll know more soon, from the sound of it.


But now this (http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/afrika/) has popped up.


Could we be getting the very mysterious Afrika soon?

[Z]

new pics (http://ps3.psu.com/Afrika-Screenshot-12--ss4--afrika__g22.php):
http://ps3.psu.com/media/afrika/afrika-ss-13.jpg
http://ps3.psu.com/media/afrika/afrika-ss-14.jpg
http://ps3.psu.com/media/afrika/afrika-ss-15.jpg
http://ps3.psu.com/media/afrika/afrika-ss-16.jpg
http://ps3.psu.com/media/afrika/afrika-ss-12.jpg

[Passive]

Nice find Z =D

Can't wait for this, it's always been on my top ten most wanted listen.

[SuperLuigiBros]

I havnt seen or heard anything about this game since before I got my PS3, and therefore dont know much about it. Whats the deal? It looks like a simulator where you just drive around and watch animals. Seems pretty cool even if it is just that.

[VG Aficionado]

Hopefully they'll make the big reveal sometime soon, because it's been two years since they announced it and we still know pretty much nothing about it. I personally believe it's related to Home.

New screens? All those pics are from the last trailer from TGS 2007. And actually, the first pic is from the very first trailer from 2006. It says so.

[Z]

sorry for this and the White Knight screens being old. it's just been to long that i don't remember. and yes, it even says 2006 in one of those. man...

talking of this game, I love how good it looks and runs and I am very intrigued by it. I know I'll enjoy it quite a bit- whatever it ends up being. having that said, I think it will bomb real hard commercially.

[VG Aficionado]

Yeah, I feel you. I didn't remember about the first WKC scan but the others were familiar. It's about time they show a lot more of the games we've been wanting to play for so long now.

[Passive]

I just wanna know what this damn game is O.O

i wanna shoot me some zebra...

or

maybe its like "DAMN nature! you scary!" (not sure who will get that lol)

[Az]

yes, and here is the gate to it from HOME

http://bbs.levelup.cn/upload/2008/05/24/30/166490751549359.jpg

[Viper]

I just wanna know what this damn game is O.O

i wanna shoot me some zebra...

or

maybe its like "DAMN nature! you scary!" (not sure who will get that lol)

I got it...haha...actually, nope, I don't got it.

:shifty:

[Az]

your going to be able to take photos and hunt down the rarer animals... maybe even catch some to put in a zoo in HOME. it would be great to be able to camp out overnight and see night creatures... or even watch the sun set and rise. it's going to be exciting and educational.

[Passive]

Haha! its a family guy quote Viper Peter sits down and watches "damn nature you scary" think a nature doco done by a token black guy instead of david attenborough.

and Az is that a confirmed door to afrika? source buddy?
WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THIS INFORMATION?!?!?!?! WHERE?!
private get the stick....
yes sir

oh your gonna get it now.... and you'll love it.. until you tell me who your source is... :shifty:

yes im mad with MGS4 fever.

[curryking1]

Holy shit a new IP game from Sony is actually coming out!

MADNESS!!!

No seriously though. Too much waiting for everything. Way too much. Everyone who has even a passing interest in any still-not-out Playstation biggie deserves some medal to be on par with a Victoria Cross or something.

Edit - Omg, the hilarity ensues with the official site....

'Coming soon'

That's fantastic... Oh my god PS3 you are lucky even if it's only Kojima that kept his word and support.

Great pics tho, totally reminds me of Shadow of the Colossus (especially with the lizard picture). Only with many more animals and far fewer giant walking rocks :D

My god come to think of it... looks fantastic... but my god! Come out much faster!

[Passive]

ive always been keep a solid eye out for this title since its announcement. so wheres my medal? or.... patriot gun?




yes... it's begun..

[Viper]

The medal should say "This Is Waiting" on it.



S-E should make T-shirts that say, "I waited for FFXIII and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."

[Passive]

lol!!

well didnt Konami release t-shirts like that for MGS4?

[Viper]

Are you serious? I was just joking around. Did they honestly do that?

[Z]

I want to play as a baby orphan deer with wild beasts lurking everywhere. it could be the scariest game ever! I can see the banners now;

Afrika, horror game of the year!

[Passive]

yeah haha. memory serves it said something along the lines of "so... still waiting?"

[GTAce]

Me wants teh Afrika it looks teh awesome and seems like its unique. 8(

[the boney king of nowhere.]

i'm pretty sure this is going to be just like pokemon snap.

which is a good thing.

[GTAce]

Agreed.

[the boney king of nowhere.]

obviously there'll be a lot more freedom, but i think the general aim of the game will be the same.

[Jay Gee]

The medal should say "This Is Waiting" on it.
Damn, PWND.

[FantasyGhost]

No Afrika for Europe, says Sony

Sony has told Eurogamer that it will not be publishing Afrika in Europe.

The spokesperson was unable to give anything else away, other than to confirm that it will be seeing the light of day in Japan.

Japan, incidentally, is where the third official sighting of the elusive wildlife game has recently taken place in the form of a placeholder website, which shows a rhino waddling across the screen over the words "Coming Soon...".

The only other times Afrika has stuck its neck out was at its E3 2006 unveiling and at the Tokyo Game Show last year.

Afrika is a safari game that has animals like giraffes, rhinos, lions and more roaming around the plains. Details on what you're supposed to do to these are unclear, although we presume that hunting them down and sticking their heads on your wall may not be it.

Pop over to our Afrika gamepage for the limited assets released so far.http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=143321

[Gummy]

well that sucks for them.


I want more pics and a video for this game.

[masteratt]

Are you serious? I was just joking around. Did they honestly do that?

To add to the "wtf really?" moments, Sony had T-Shits that said "INGAME T-Shirts" at one of the events.

They love mocking us :(

[GTAce]

No Europe release?
What the fuck Sony???

[ddaryl]

Hopefully they'll make the big reveal sometime soon, because it's been two years since they announced it and we still know pretty much nothing about it. I personally believe it's related to Home.


I agree we will be hanging trophy photos in our "homes"

[GTAce]

No we wont because its not coming to freaking fucking damn Europe! WAHHHHHH

I was so looking forward to that all the time i cant believe this.

[Leedogg]

I am sooooooo looking forward to this game, ever since it was announced in 2006. This was the first game that gave me the WOOOOOOOOW factor in 06. GT can't you import? And chances are if its not coming to Europe, it isn't coming here. :(

[edoshin]

Will it be all that hard to import a copy in Europe? What's the possible logic in not releasing in Europe anyways? Do Europeans hate animals or something?

[GTAce]

Well i could import it, but if its Japanese only i bet there will be a problem with the language...

[VG Aficionado]

I find the wording from that Eurogamer article quite strange. Rather than confirming it's NOT going to be released in Europe or the US, but they just confirmed a Japanese release. On the other hand, Afrika may be the kind of game that might appeal more to the Japanese.

In any case, region free gaming FTW!

[drakkar]

Curious, that SCEE would not be publishing it in Europe. So the question remains who? And why?

[GTAce]

No one will publish it here.
Im afraid its a pure Japan release.

[drakkar]

No one will publish it here.
Im afraid its a pure Japan release.

Maybe....

[Passive]

oh wtf Sony? =[

What is with certain areas not getting things or getting different things? :( there is no region coding now it should all be the damn same and they know it.

[curryking1]

What is going on? Only a release in Japan?

Has Sony not seen that games like Wii Fit can sell like bananas?

I mean Afrika is in a similar way awesome trendy but just in a different dimension isn't it? They should be publishing this all over... Or at least manage a release...

Seriously... I am very confused about this situation... It better not be a situation is all I'm saying...

(Is praying to God that National Geographic or BBC or someone is releasing it everywhere else!)

[Passive]

It's bloody stupid. Sony is really starting to grate my cheese. They announce the working title at an english convention and then tell us nothing for 2 fucking years only to find out we dont even get to play it! D=

[masteratt]

No-one even knows what the hell the game is so anything regarding release dates/ release regions etc should be taken with a grain of salt.

[hybridofsteel]

No Europe release?
What the fuck Sony???

Buy this instead:

http://press.discoverystore.com/media/product-images/2007/09/17/dvd_planet-earth-bluray.jpg

You'll have an experience that Afrika will never even dream of delivering.

[Passive]

:lol: so true

[Fillibuster]

Ah I love Planet Earth!!!

[jaxmkii]

Ah I love Planet Earth!!!

me too its got water and oxygen!:thumbl:

[Passive]

:lol:

I love planet earch cos it has MGS.... and Kojima ^^ and 2 moons.

[GTAce]

You'll have an experience that Afrika will never even dream of delivering.
K buy me the FullHD TV for that! :thumbl:

[Viper]

So is another publisher going to pick up Afrika for European release or is this really going to be one of those oddball cases?

[ddaryl]

No we wont because its not coming to freaking fucking damn Europe! WAHHHHHH

I was so looking forward to that all the time i cant believe this.

it will make it to Europe...

it will make it to the USA...

It will be releases in Japan 1st.


I fail to see any reason to be upset at this point, the gamne will make its rounds.

[GTAce]

Its Sony first party, Sony says they wont publish it in Europe.
Who should publish it?

Ubisoft?

[Viper]

Its Sony first party, Sony says they wont publish it in Europe.
Who should publish it?

Ubisoft?
Possibly. I think they've published a few of their titles in Europe, haven't they?

[GTAce]

Dont know.
Cant remember any Sony first party game published here by another company tbh.

[curryking1]

Come on... BBC should publish it! How much recognition would that get :D

[GTAce]

Hm none except in UK and for some freaks in central Europe?

[curryking1]

Maybe I should also say that BBC produces Planet Earth...

[GTAce]

Dont tell me, BBC makes the best docus and they have fucking Top Gear. lol
But i dont think the majority of NORMAL gamers would notice that....

[VonGak]

Dont tell me, BBC makes the best docus and they have fucking Top Gear. lol
But i dont think the majority of NORMAL gamers would notice that....

They are also the best at doing time travelling doctors by far.

But do not fear sometimes BBC royally suck like their time travelling dino hunter(unless it's meant as witty note on Hollywood).

[GTAce]

I agree on that one, that time travelling dinosaur stuff was complete and utter bullshit.

[Z]

Buy this instead:

http://press.discoverystore.com/media/product-images/2007/09/17/dvd_planet-earth-bluray.jpg

You'll have an experience that Afrika will never even dream of delivering.

that doesn't have a single rhino in it.

PS. why the hell does it say 4 DVDs? this is teh BDs dammit!

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I don't think that's even the actual box.

[Viper]

that doesn't have a single rhino in it.

PS. why the hell does it say 4 DVDs? this is teh BDs dammit!

Uncompressed 5.1 audio is 2 GB per hour at 16 bit and 3.1 GB per hour for 24 bit.

Run time is ~9 hours = 18 to 27.9 GB's of just audio.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I think he was just refering to the clerical error. BD vs DVD

[TrueVCU]

Uncompressed 5.1 audio is 2 GB per hour at 16 bit and 3.1 GB per hour for 24 bit.

Run time is ~9 hours = 18 to 27.9 GB's of just audio.

Gah, I'm blinded with science!

[Z]

I was asking why a BD box would say DVD and not BD. but yeah, as Lali said, this isn't the real thing.
here is the real box:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pDB7wM0XL._SS500_.jpg
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/13/d1/9a7381b0c8a0b79c3cd19110.L.jpg
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/52/e8/bea9c060ada0a8180cd19110.L.jpg
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/cf/89/aac6c060ada0e2d8d6b49110.L.jpg
18 to 27.9 GB's of just audio
and people say we don't need BD. bah!
then again, some people are ear-challeneged that they don't 'want' uncompressed 5.1 audio...
hell, they can buy the thing on a tape for all I care. yes, a freaking cassette tape! I know a guy that knows a guy that knows a guy that could get some raw tape to record on. he works at a Mexican museum or something.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

O-okay, Z, thanks that's very nice. Those sure are some purty pictures.

[TrueVCU]

now we know what a BD box-set looks like

[jako]

Sorry for being a little off topic, but does anyone know if I can import planet earth BD and read it on my French PS3 ?

My sister lives in Dallas and can easily send me BD, but I've never tried to buy some there because I know that not every BD works on European PS3s.

[Z]

check and see if the regions are compatible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Blu-ray_regions_without_key.svg

PS. why doesn't she buy you a European version then from an online store and have it ship to you?

[VG Aficionado]

Planet Earth is region free, no problem when importing.

[Z]

well, there you go. and if doesn't work, that's alright too, because I know where VG lives.

[Chris Metal]

Mine's a 5 disc Blu-Ray set of Planet Earth... :) but you could just get a European version if you're not sure.

[Z]

just check a pic of the back on any site you are purchasing from or check the feature list (either from the shop-site or the official one).

best damn doc ever made!

[Segitz]

Yup, the European one is 5 discs, AND more expensive...

Imported it from the US for 60 USD (instead of paying 75€ in Germany, for one more disc)...

But I doubt, PE is uncompressed sound, since the discs are only BD25 (single layer) and exactly the same as the HDDVDs (which, afaik, never supported 5.1 24bit uncompressed sound)

[Viper]

Yup, the European one is 5 discs, AND more expensive...

Imported it from the US for 60 USD (instead of paying 75€ in Germany, for one more disc)...

But I doubt, PE is uncompressed sound, since the discs are only BD25 (single layer) and exactly the same as the HDDVDs (which, afaik, never supported 5.1 24bit uncompressed sound)

It does (or is did more appropriate?) but I can't tell you which movies used it though I think both formats mostly used 16 bit.

[Leedogg]

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/668/planetearth.html

both the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray version, only had Dolby Digital 5.1 448kbps which is the same as the DVD version

[Passive]

Well now, it seems we know what it is. Finally.

AFRIKA (Africa) Information
Dwelling life "AFRIKA" earth, a time to forget SAFARI!

Morning dew and sunset, Kagero, dust, Mizuno flow, and animals.
PlayStation 3 to kill the "AFRIKA" natural.

As a photojournalist for the foot, by car, sometimes trotting air balloon. Stare hard, looking for the find. In some cases, the bent leg, throbbing heart of it.

The new animal encounter, both run, cut away the miraculous moment. One of your own style "AFRIKA" go to meet. Now, "SAFARI" to a new experience!

● air to feel a sense of the charm of Africa's condensed!
A lively gesture of animals, herd behavior from the morning dew and sunset, Kagero, dust to the pursuit of nature's overwhelming visual and reproduce.
No question asked, and still wild world of mind.

● forget that when the earth and play with fun and excitement. Very SAFARI!
It is also nice new place to aim at the same leisurely stop at a well.
My foot, by jeep, sometimes in a balloon.
Many animals unusual behavior, such as "AFRIKA" variety show will look to meet, fun approach.

high-quality video full of photos of "Animal library" with!
Game animals in each encounter, gradually completed live-action animals into the database.
CG is not only a valuable research footage and photos of big-screen action packed punch in the offer. Know more closer to Africa. It will be "AFRIKA" in the world!

Release August 28, 2006



First game description on Afrika, from a Japanese online game store.

You will be a photo journalist taking pictures on foot, by car or by air balloon.

You can unlock real non-CG pictures and rare research footage of the animals as you encounter more animals in game and build up your "Animal Library"

The game will be out on 8/28 for 5980 yen in Japan.

Source (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgmstar.com%2Fps3%2Fafrika .html&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8)



Rather happy with this outcome. hopefully the rest of the world gets a release. if not i'll have to import.

[jaxmkii]

Rather happy with this outcome. hopefully the rest of the world gets a release. if not i'll have to import.
if no english version is made i think ill skip it... improting GT5p proved fusturating as all the text was sticks and houses. and i couldent even configure the controls on my wheel making it usless to me.

buy other wise this game has me stoked its like a interactive planet earth and im game!:thumbl:

[curryking1]

I'm buying it. Thanks Passive.

Forgot it's only for Japan possibly... It better come worldwide.

[Passive]

No problem curryking =]

I'm hoping it comes out worldwide, i mean surely it will eventually? They announced it at an english convention ffs =[ stupid deceptive sony.

[Sephiroth_VII]

That was back when Phil Harrison was in charge. The plan might have changed under Yoshida.

[Passive]

This is true, makes me worried about a few othe smaller releases that might just end up in japan only. It'd odd that such a game would be released for them only though i mean it has the market for worldwide release no?

[Sephiroth_VII]

Dunno, many westerners don't like quiet games like this.

[GTAce]

Yeah stupid assholes, because of them i might wont be able to get this game localized.

[Passive]

I'll still import i think, just to have a go.

[Sephiroth_VII]

It should be fairly intuitive, I think. Can't be that much text in a photo game.

[Passive]

Famitsu scans (http://www.cng4u.com/2008/06/04/afrika-dated-famitsu-scan/)

damn you sony =[ i want this title.

[GTAce]

Me too, i need a photo game.
If at least GT5P would have a photomode. :cry2:

[Passive]

ah well, if worst comes to worst i'll import this i think. Just something about an interactive Planet Earth that sounds so appealing.

[cliffbo]

new video!

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/34897.html

[GTAce]

I dont want to watch it.

[Passive]

haha i was gonna post that a few hours ago but i dont think anyone gives a shit about this game but me atm :P

[cliffbo]

watch it you cowards! this game WILL NOT stay in Japan, if we CARE enough

[GTAce]

I cared 2 fucking years.
They presented it at E3 which is in America.
They made a secret out of it what kind of game this is.
And now, after 2 years they tell me what it is, just to announce its not coming to Europe?
No thanks its enough.
I wont support this, just like i wont support EA in the future, its enough, im sick of all the making fools out of customers.
If they dont plan to bring their games to a certain region or console, DONT FUCKING SAY THAT AFTER 2 YEARS!

[cliffbo]

I cared 2 fucking years.
They presented it at E3 which is in America.
They made a secret out of it what kind of game this is.
And now, after 2 years they tell me what it is, just to announce its not coming to Europe?
No thanks its enough.
I wont support this, just like i wont support EA in the future, its enough, im sick of all the making fools out of customers.
If they dont plan to bring their games to a certain region or console, DONT FUCKING SAY THAT AFTER 2 YEARS!

yeah, i can see your point... it is pretty frustrating to be told this now after all the waiting... at least it's not cancelled though

[Passive]

Seems the "is coming" title is a nice touch :P i just noticed it's been used twice since i made this thread ^^ (yes im bored)

[Z]

I really want to sit down with the the top people in charge of such 'projects'. technically and critically, it may be a success, but thee is no way I can see this being anywhere near profitable. who the hell spends that much tech and time creating such a virtual reality that looks simply amazing, and then goes to only allow you to 'move around' taking 'screen captures' (aka pics)?! this is like making The Getaway and only allow yo to walk up and dwn the streets...taking pictures. are you fucking INSANE?! okay, let the tree huggers have that girly option. but at least give the rest of us a fucking gun. make this an adult Pokemon where we have to catch'em all. make it one of those hunting games -whether a casual or a serious one. and what is probably the coolest and most unique idea of all; make us chose to be a carnevour and hunt other animals. who doesn't want to play as a cheeta or leopard and hunt down game? what about a funny part where we are speedy lizards or ostraches and have to flee for our lives making all those 90 degrees break turns?

it doesn't take a fucking genius to figure out gameplay ideas. after all that work, they're only making the world most expensive screen saver! "you can look, but don't touch!" yeah, that's a fucking money making idea right there.

idiots!

[the boney king of nowhere.]

and put some dinosaurs in it

[Red_Eyes]

I really want to sit down with the the top people in charge of such 'projects'. technically and critically, it may be a success, but thee is no way I can see this being anywhere near profitable. who the hell spends that much tech and time creating such a virtual reality that looks simply amazing, and then goes to only allow you to 'move around' taking 'screen captures' (aka pics)?! this is like making The Getaway and only allow yo to walk up and dwn the streets...taking pictures. are you fucking INSANE?! okay, let the tree huggers have that girly option. but at least give the rest of us a fucking gun. make this an adult Pokemon where we have to catch'em all. make it one of those hunting games -whether a casual or a serious one. and what is probably the coolest and most unique idea of all; make us chose to be a carnevour and hunt other animals. who doesn't want to play as a cheeta or leopard and hunt down game? what about a funny part where we are speedy lizards or ostraches and have to flee for our lives making all those 90 degrees break turns?

it doesn't take a fucking genius to figure out gameplay ideas. after all that work, they're only making the world most expensive screen saver! "you can look, but don't touch!" yeah, that's a fucking money making idea right there.

idiots!
Or turn this into the Most Dangerous Game, where the greatest hunt is the hunting of man itself.

[dnpmakkah]

I really want to sit down with the the top people in charge of such 'projects'. technically and critically, it may be a success, but thee is no way I can see this being anywhere near profitable. who the hell spends that much tech and time creating such a virtual reality that looks simply amazing, and then goes to only allow you to 'move around' taking 'screen captures' (aka pics)?! this is like making The Getaway and only allow yo to walk up and dwn the streets...taking pictures. are you fucking INSANE?! okay, let the tree huggers have that girly option. but at least give the rest of us a fucking gun. make this an adult Pokemon where we have to catch'em all. make it one of those hunting games -whether a casual or a serious one. and what is probably the coolest and most unique idea of all; make us chose to be a carnevour and hunt other animals. who doesn't want to play as a cheeta or leopard and hunt down game? what about a funny part where we are speedy lizards or ostraches and have to flee for our lives making all those 90 degrees break turns?

it doesn't take a fucking genius to figure out gameplay ideas. after all that work, they're only making the world most expensive screen saver! "you can look, but don't touch!" yeah, that's a fucking money making idea right there.

idiots!Sometimes crazy shit make it big. I'm not saying Afrika will but it could.

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

[Z]

Sometimes crazy shit make it big. I'm not saying Afrika will but it could.


but Afrika isn't crazy shit; it isn't any shit at all! nothing. it's like you designed a level and then...went home. we basically have a free-roaming camera in a level. that is it. that and taking screen captions. em, hello?

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Z did you ever play pokemon snap? That game was a blast.

[Passive]

It actually was.

[Z]

are comparing that game's elements with this one? no? then my point stands.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Uh, there's tons of awesome creatures and you take pictures of them in their environments. Annnnnd in this one you can shoot videos of 'em and chase 'em in your jeep and shit.

What were you bitching about again?

[Red_Eyes]

If only you could capture animals in Afrika, and then use them to battle each other...

[Z]

What were you bitching about again?

it is the most expensive interactive screen saver in the world.

[masteratt]

Pokemon snap was on-rail, photo only and was still fun.

A huge world to roam in around, sneak to animals, take videos/ footage etc will be awesome.

I'm highly interested in this and if not knowing Japanese is not crucial, might look to import it.

[Z]

Z did you ever play pokemon snap? That game was a blast.

look at my avatar. look at my sig. do I look like someone who plays Pokemon? do i look like someone who even knows what a Pokemon is?
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/shmookins/emos/5921f236.gif

[the boney king of nowhere.]

http://demiotakuism.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/mudkip.gif

[LaLiLuLeLo]

look at my avatar. look at my sig. do I look like someone who plays Pokemon? do i look like someone who even knows what a Pokemon is?
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/shmookins/emos/5921f236.gif

WELL THEN THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM NOT MINE! Go somewhere.

[Jay Gee]

It doesn't look like a game that would take advantage of BD's size, so why not a PSN release?

[Z]

any game that is HD is taken advantage of BD's size. that is one of the two main reasons BD was made for consumers; HD entertainment and storage.

as for PSN; it isn't limited by size or genre. but I see what you're saying. I wish more games would come out on PSN as well.
WELL THEN THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM NOT MINE! Go somewhere.
still, different game elements. do you just wonder around in that game taking screen captions and nothing else? and why are some arguing with me? don't you see you much wasted potential this will have? millions of dollars and years of development for a looping drive by game?

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Your whole argument is that you don't know shit about the game. So you just think it'll suck by proxy of that.
E.g., that's not a good argument Z.

[curryking1]

The pro-Afrika-a.k.a.-this-better-be-released-in-North-America rebuttal

Someone please try and give me a reason not to be interested in this... this is like a super zoo safari marathon... and it's only been possible until very recently for home consoles or even computers with first class hardware...

And someone's actually out there making a massive safari land! How cool is that? That's... tremendously cool! I've never seen a game this thorough and great looking about animals as the prime feature of the game! It's awesome! Who was playing Pokemon Snap and wasn't thinking 'This would be so cool if it had real animals and real world places too!'

Let's back up and look at Afrika or what we probably think it may be... It's probably frigging massive.... probably can now render a five hundred or more animals at once on screen... has relatively lush and realistic backdrops... and the animals animate tremendously well.

Is it just me or is the definition of the PS3 to be all this next gen with BluRay or Cell or blah blah blah...

So it can deliver content that would be unreplicable on something else? Or at the very least... unreplicable on the PS2? What PS2 or other system I have in my house... has the horsepower to make this a really, really thorough and smooth experience? Let alone has the publisher or support to make this happen?

Imagine how much work is put into the BBC's Planet Earth for just the continent of Africa... and translate that kind of focus on flora and fauna into a videogame... That is too mega-cool...

For the love of God - who does not like the zoo? I, personally, cannot hate on a virtual, completely interactive, zoo. I can't do that.

[Sephiroth_VII]

This man speaks the truth. Listen to it.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

The pro-Afrika-a.k.a.-this-better-be-released-in-North-America rebuttal

For the love of God - who does not like the zoo? I, personally, cannot hate on a virtual, completely interactive, zoo. I can't do that.

I mean, morally, I can't do it!

[TrueVCU]

I'd be like a vegan hating on veggieburgers

[Hisham]

I don't care what anybody says, but almost every single pokemon game I have played is insanely fun (to be fair, I have only played the RPG's and the Pokemon Stadium games).

And pokemon snap is one of the ones that is insanely fun. I think I might go play it now that you guys mention it.

And the one thing about the whole overseas thing. You have to realize, they have to get a publisher here. SCEJ is publishing it for Japan because the small studio that is making it can't afford it's own publishing. And I commend SCEJ for taking the risk of publishing this. SCEA and SCEE on the other hand, have shown time and time again why there divisions of the companies are stupid. A game like this could have a pretty big audience. If Pokemon Snap could sell 2 million in America, I can see a game like this doing atleast that much as well. SCEA and SCEE has always been gay about this type of stuff though.

[curryking1]

I mean, morally, I can't do it!

I just... I JUST!!!... just can't do it...

Veggie burgers aren't that bad. They are bad. But not that bad. I had them once because I didn't want to wait in a massive line for normal burgers.

[Sephiroth_VII]

They should all just be merger into SCEI, that would be the end of differed releases.

[Z]

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk01.jpg

finally, some new pics:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk.htm

thanks to http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/07/08/new-afrika-screenshots-and-video-released/ for the heads up.

this is large, but it is awesome:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk11.jpg

ah, what the hell, so sue me:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk08.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk12.jpg


very nice. now why am I not seeing the savana and grass? FarCry 2 is doing an amazing job with grass and all of the realtime effects on it.
by the way, this pretty much tells us that the game will have a showing at E3.

[Z]

release date for Japan: 28/8/2008 (http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/afrika/).

[VG Aficionado]

Looking good :)

by the way, this pretty much tells us that the game will have a showing at E3.

If it gets a western release, yeah. But for now only the Japanese release has been confirmed.

[satriales]

If it gets a western release, yeah. But for now only the Japanese release has been confirmed.
If it was Japan only, wouldn't the numbers and word 'Auto' in the 2nd pic be Japanese?

[VG Aficionado]

Japanese numbers? :huh: No, not at all. You won't see a Japan manufactured camera with Japanese writing.

[jaxmkii]

my god the BGM is awsome! like john willams awsome!

will import if i have to...

please post pics im blocked at work.

[Leedogg]

:drool:

[cliffbo]

the music from the game

http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/07/08/new-afrika-screenshots-and-video-released/

[masteratt]

Omg that camera is so realistic!!! :D:D:D
It even has F-stop settings....omgomgomg!! (hopefully you can adjust it yourself)

Sorry I skimped through the thread, is this still Japan only?
Actually I don't care, I'll import! :D

[jaxmkii]

Omg that camera is so realistic!!! :D:D:D
It even has F-stop settings....omgomgomg!! (hopefully you can adjust it yourself)

Sorry I skimped through the thread, is this still Japan only?
Actually I don't care, I'll import! :D
im just worried about being able to understand it.

[cliffbo]

the music is awesome... it reminds me of John Williams

[Viper]

im just worried about being able to understand it.

I doubt they'd ship the game without having some kind of photography tutorial in it.

[cliffbo]

the field guide has 1 - 10 pages... with an average of 5 animals per page, that's 50 different species. i hope this expands as you discover other animals because that's quite limited

[jaxmkii]

I doubt they'd ship the game without having some kind of photography tutorial in it.

no i mean understanding japanise if i have to import

[Viper]

Oh, haha, sorry.

[cliffbo]

Oh, haha, sorry.

Viper, take off 'invisible'!!!!! at least give us a chance before you bite

[Viper]

Come on man, make the connection. Snake....stealth.....invisible.....

[cliffbo]

Come on man, make the connection. Snake....stealth.....invisible.....

i did make the connection! you damned snake

[Z]

for Jax:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk03.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk04.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk05.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk07.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk06.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk09.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk10.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk13.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk14.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk15.jpg


who loves 'ya baby?

[GTAce]

Fucktards translate the fucking fuck text and fucking realease it here fuck.

[jaxmkii]

sadface at repeating textures...

it must have crazy huge scale. first ps3 exclusive to do that.

still awsome

can't wait to take that 4x4 mountain climbing

[LaLiLuLeLo]

sadface at noticeable repeating textures...



fixed.

[mokmok]

If this thread was on NeoGAF there would be pages and pages spent arguing the lack of HDR, Aliasing, Self Shadowing etc. etc.

I like both the concept and scale of Afrika and hope it gets a EU release!

[evillion]

honestly after seeing these new shots im bit dissapointed especially comparing to the trailers they released back then. they have removed self-shadowing on the animals which adds a great deal to the realism. but the most important fact is the lack of GRASS! the Africa plain is pretty much concentrated with thick tall grass and bushes, they're crucial for the success of a hunt for the predators, now all im seeing is just a big plain green texture slapped on. it would be really awkuard to witness a lion's hunt without the cover of any tall grass. not to mention what would billions of wildbeest and zebra feed on? i dont expect farcry2 level of grass but just need alot more grass please, otherwise it would ruin the excellent rendering of trhe lighting and the animal themselves.

[jaxmkii]

for Jax:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk03.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk04.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk05.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk07.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk06.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk09.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk10.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk13.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk14.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080626/afrk15.jpg


who loves 'ya baby? sadface... all red Xs

[VG Aficionado]

It's just you I'm afraid.

[jaxmkii]

mega sadface

EDIT: my job blocked it... fascist fuckers!

[cliffbo]

mega sadface

EDIT: my job blocked it... fascist fuckers!

how the hell can you be mad at the fact that your job blocked these picks!!!!! give me a job that allows me to post on forums all day! you lucky bastard!

[jaxmkii]

lol they threaded to take my PC today !?

[LaLiLuLeLo]

:lol: hahahahahahaaha

[cliffbo]

NEW VID! BEAUTIFUL....

AFRIKA: New video released

A brand new gorgeous video of AFRIKA has been released. Enjoy these mindblowing 2 minutes, and make sure to higher the volume because the track used is truly extraordinary.

http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-171972.aspx

[curryking1]

Nice find man, I was looking for a peek at Afrika around E3.

Edit - Holy ***k release this worldwide, that was ***king beautiful.

[Jay Gee]

Yeah, not releasing this game to the entire world is a crime. At least make it a US/EU PSN title or something.

[Segitz]

Yeah, not releasing this game to the entire world is a crime. At least make it a US/EU PSN title or something.

Yeah, if they do not release it here, it would be a major disappointment... Not that I am keen on getting it, but releasing it here on PSN shouldn't stress Sony too much (well, translate it and make it PSN compatible).

[JasonXe]

Sigh.. As a hobbyist photographer I would of love to see this get a world wide release. Even though I would prefer to be at those locations with my oly, this would do. I like the music too and i'll see if the OST is available later. All they need to do is fix the shadows since it looks blocky but other than that it looks cool. World wide release where are you??

[curryking1]

Not that I am keen on getting it

Really?

I am totally keen on getting this. It's already a day one purchase for me provided it comes stateside on a disc.

^It does seem like a game that would really be appropriate for a long list of awesome classical and orchestral tunes. An OST would be great if it's not only the trailers which are using such awesome music.

[JasonXe]

im preparing for a loin king type music somewhere in the cd. Suxs im not going to be able to buy this considering everything will be in Japanese/i don't import games.

What would be a cool feature if you can upload your pictures online or upload movie segments and make your own mini planet earth like with the Halo website. It most likely won't happen but a good idea. Half the fun of taking pictures is sharing them with the community.

[GTAce]

Stupid Sony....

[JasonXe]

What I also like if they would expand on field view to helicopter view. Pretty much make an entire savanna out of a game. Example this vid:

6rQsTzQdsOk

My dreams are to big ><

[JasonXe]

I think this is a new trailer

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/241721.html?playlist=featured

[Segitz]

Really?

I am totally keen on getting this. It's already a day one purchase for me provided it comes stateside on a disc.

^It does seem like a game that would really be appropriate for a long list of awesome classical and orchestral tunes. An OST would be great if it's not only the trailers which are using such awesome music.

I dunno... I live in the countryside (or rather near it)... so I see animals on a daily basis. I dunno if it will suit me. Depends on the price though. If it is a <15€ PSN dl, I might get it, otherwise, I dunno

[JasonXe]

I dunno... I live in the countryside (or rather near it)... so I see animals on a daily basis. I dunno if it will suit me. Depends on the price though. If it is a <15€ PSN dl, I might get it, otherwise, I dunno

wow your so lucky. All I see is mcdonald rappers, stray cats, a squirrel and a hobo passing by with his trusty cart of cans to destroy our garbage bag.

[Segitz]

wow your so lucky. All I see is mcdonald rappers, stray cats, a squirrel and a hobo passing by with his trusty cart of cans to destroy our garbage bag.

It's not always that cracked up to be^^ I destroyed my car hitting a dear at ~85mph (5500€ of damage...)

But other than that... I can see eagles, deer, foxes, rabbits etc. here. We have a "wildlife" center near here, which I visit regularly (it has free entrance :D). It's more of a "controlled" forest than a center, but it still is quite nice there.

[JasonXe]

You live in this game so why pay for it?

[VG Aficionado]

New locations trailer, now 720p direct feed (http://cdn.jp.playstation.com/4m/pv/4m_afrika_view.wmv)

Wow.

[JasonXe]

That's not new, cliffy.b posted that ahwile ago.

.NEW VID! BEAUTIFUL....

http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-171972.aspx

[VG Aficionado]

Duh, I know. You also posted it in the previous page, but note the "now 720p direct feed" thing. And it's not like I can call "old location trailer" either, since it's the latest one.

[JasonXe]

ooh ok. I just thought it was new locations or a vid being that was low res now 720p.

[Fredag]

I ripped them off the 720p vid and resized them:
http://pici.se/pictures/sdmLEnbgN.png
http://pici.se/pictures/ddRsUlZSl.png
http://pici.se/pictures/VsxVCkpGL.png
http://pici.se/pictures/UTjAVXmcm.png
http://pici.se/pictures/tLWrpxhIC.png
http://pici.se/pictures/tNxFmSNRD.png
http://pici.se/pictures/QjEBrCQpH.png
http://pici.se/pictures/auTLwLtrr.png
http://pici.se/pictures/MiDOCKzpL.png
http://pici.se/pictures/soqXgDAPn.png

I need this game, it's so beautiful it hurts...

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Why won't they give us this game? Who do I have to kill to get this game?

[curryking1]

I love what Sony is doing in so many respects, but I will never understand the reasoning behind not releasing this game outside Japan.

Sometime I feel it's a conspiracy so when it's released it gets small global attention from being what it is. And then further attention for being announced to finally come worldwide.

But that's me just trying... to appease myself...

Why won't they give us this game? Who do I have to kill to get this game?

[GTAce]

Why won't they give us this game? Who do I have to kill to get this game?

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Has anyone ever expressed anything but interest in this game? What the hell, SCEWW?

[curryking1]

Lali, I would kill you for this game.

You know just like a heads up.

[GTAce]

Dont feel guilty, we all would.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Lali, I would kill you for this game.

You know just like a heads up.

You would try.

[Sephiroth_VII]

We all would, it's not like you leave us starved for motivation ;) (Damn, reading through over 2 weeks worth of posts is tiring...)

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Such is the fate of mortals.

[cliffbo]

there is no way in hell that this game is going to stay a Japanese exclusive. i believe by saying that it gives the Japanese something to crow about (not that they would though). later on as demand grows, we will get this phenomenal game! for god sake make me right!

[solidsnakejej]

Afrika aka Hakuna Matata in other regions(Asia)

Sony will release their safari photo hunt game, Afrika, in Japan next month. Afrika wasn’t around at E3 and there aren’t any announcements about Sony publishing it in North America. The game will see get a release in Asia, but not under the same name.

Outside of Japan Afrika has been renamed Hakuna Matata. Yes, that’s the same phrase made famous by Timon and Pumbaa in the Lion King. This is interesting since Sony Computer Entertainment Asia usually uses the same marketing materials as Japan. I wonder if this is a sign that the Asian version will have English menus similar to recent first party releases like Siren: New Translation and Echochrome. Unfortunately, the page doesn’t have language details so we’ll have to wait for concrete confirmation. Also unusual is how the game is listed as "Asian Japanese Version". Games get labeled either Asian version or Japanese version. Not both.

http://www.siliconera.com/2008/07/31/afrika-aka-hakuna-matata-in-other-regions/

[GTAce]

Afrika aka Hakuna Matata in other regions(Asia)



http://www.siliconera.com/2008/07/31/afrika-aka-hakuna-matata-in-other-regions/

What a stupid name and couldnt they get in trouble with Diz-nee?

[jaxmkii]

viper is it possible to use your contacts to figure out whats going on?

[Viper]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Hakuna Matata? I smell bullshit and lots of it. That site seems to be the only source and I'm not going to throw any trust behind it.

Not only does it reference Disney but there are several African lodges and safaris that use the phrase. They were 10x times better off with the Mortal Kombatification of Africa than they are with some Disney kids song.



Something that gets me about this game. They are obviously pouring a lot of money into yet by keeping it exclusively in the Asian market they are setting themselves up for major losses. Even if sold world wide, I'm nervous it won't have the sales to back up the effort being put into it but at least it would give them a hell of a lot bigger chance to recoup their dough.

They must see this as I do, don't they?

[solidsnakejej]

Well they link to the playstation Asia site but it doesn't look like it's working now.

Edit: it works on the ps3 and it shows it with boxart

[Viper]

I just did some research and this is apparently legit.

Well, that's just fucked up right there.

http://asia.playstation.com/tch_hk/files/images/hakuna_matata.jpg

[curryking1]

I want the one that says Hakuna Matata for sure. I'm freaking sold. Again.

[GTAce]

I just did some research and this is apparently legit.

Well, that's just fucked up right there.

http://asia.playstation.com/tch_hk/files/images/hakuna_matata.jpg

[curryking1]

How do you people not like that name? Not everything needs a serious name peeps. Especially a game that isn't meant to be enclosed in the boundaries of objectives but is just made for it's 'natural' beauty.

Hakuna Matata is such an appropriate name - a delightful phrase delivered by a cute mammalian cast in a memorable film.

Perfect choice.

[GTAce]

I just think it sounds childish and cheesy.

[curryking1]

I think your face is childish and cheesy!

[GTAce]

Your mom said the same so i had to do her from behind!

Shazam!

[cliffbo]

What a stupid name and couldnt they get in trouble with Diz-nee?

which indicates it's coming to the states!

[Viper]

which indicates it's coming to the states!

Or rather NOT coming to the states as this is the Asian title and keeping it Asian keeps Disney lawyers off their backs.

If it comes to the US, it gets a name change.

[cliffbo]

Or rather NOT coming to the states as this is the Asian title and keeping it Asian keeps Disney lawyers off their backs.

If it comes to the US, it gets a name change.

unless they've struck a deal with Disney :shrug:

[Viper]

Would seem like an expensive endeavor for no gain.

[Fillibuster]

Everything is just meh for me on this game, since the Japan/Asia only thing. Now as an American I'm going to get grilled for this from the Euro's....

BUT WHAT'S WITH THE SHAFT SONY?!?

[GTAce]

I'm going to get grilled for this from the Euro's....
QFT!

http://home.comcast.net/~graphiccafe/CharcoalGrillDETAIL.jpg

[jaxmkii]

jesus crist why cant we get an anserw!

is it coming to the US?!

[Leedogg]

Can we get a thread title change please? Because seeing "Afrika is Coming" and knowing its NOT coming here, is really depressing.

[cliffbo]

Japanese teaser:

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/37852.html

[Viper]

Can we get a thread title change please? Because seeing "Afrika is Coming" and knowing its NOT coming here, is really depressing.

That better?

[Leedogg]

yea thanks...

[AC!D]

While Sony confirmed Afrika to be more than just fancy video clips of animals long ago, today we got to make sure for ourselves. The title was set up for demo play at Sony's Tokyo headquarters for the latest round of Experience PlayStation events Thursday evening. We pushed all the kids out of the way, grabbed a controller, and didn't stop playing until we'd taken pictures of three baby elephants and tried (unsuccessfully) to run over a baby rhino.

Our play session started off in the surroundings of our base camp. We were able to make our character walk and run freely, but were told by Sony reps to get into a car in order to really travel far.

Regardless of how you choose to travel, the game appears to implement its control systems pretty well. When on foot, you move and strafe with the left analogue stick and look around with the right, giving you the ability to fully survey your surroundings as you explore the African wilderness. When in a vehicle, you use the triggers for acceleration and breaking and the left stick for steering. All standard stuff, but implemented solidly.

When on foot, you can press down to make your character bend down a bit and ready his camera. In this stance, you can sneak up on animals and take pictures, zooming in depending on your camera and lens type.

That's right. Afrika has not just collectible camera types, but collectible camera accessories as well. The version of the game on display had two cameras available, a Sony Alpha and an older camera, each with one selectable lens. The game's shooting interface and the resulting picture quality change depending on your current equipment.

Upon trying to take pictures of the few animals that we encountered, we discovered that the virtual creatures of Afrika, much like their real life counterparts, don't like being disturbed. Run up to a pack of animals, and they'll disperse. The only way to get some good pictures using just a standard camera is to sneak up on your targets, zoom in all the way, wait for the perfect moment, and snap away.

These rules apply for driving as well. If you approach a pack of animals at full speed, they'll disperse. Animals are best approached on foot.

Incidentally (because we're sure you're wondering), it appears that you can't actually hit animals with your car. The game stops you just before contact and you get a warning message from your partner about how you shouldn't get too close to the animals.

While you're free to take pictures to your heart's content, there is a point to your photography. You take on requests from a variety of parties who are interested in certain pictures, and in return receive money (in units of "A," whatever that is) which can be used to buy new items. The few requests that we were able to see in the demo involved taking pictures in different ways, some just standard shots, others taken at night, and others using specific equipment, such as a tripod.

Before we were able to try ramming (probably unsuccessfully) into more animals, evening came on and we were automatically taken back to our home base, which appears to be a central hub for taking care of all the game-like details such as saving and setting options. You also have access to three major components of the game from here: a shop, laptop PC, and field guide.

Your PC lets you store pictures that you've taken while out on your safari (if you don't do this, you'll eventually run out of either space or film) and check up on your in-game e-mail. E-mail is where you learn of missions which, as we described above, all seem to involve taking pictures. Mission descriptions are detailed, often with pictures and even video clips of the requested animals.

Building up the field guide looks like it will be a major time consumer for animal fans. The guide, which contained just one entry in the demo version, offers text descriptions of animals, pictures and videos marked as "National Geographic Data," and fully rotatable 3D models of each creature at different ages.

The shop is where you buy new camera equipment, tents (presumably for night shooting) and car upgrades. At the demo area's point in the game, the shop had new camera bodies, new lenses, and a few car spray paint sets available.

Many of the items in the shop appear to be licensed, with the car showing the "Suzuka" logo and all the cameras coming from Sony's line up new and old models. The shop interface actually opens up with an ad pimping Sony Alpha products. This was hopefully just for show, as having to see a new add every time you want to buy something would totally suck.

Although we were able to sample the various components of Afrika, our short play time did not really let us get a full feel for what the game is all about. We're going to have to sit down with the full title and explore for a few hours before discovering the true Afrika, it seems.

One area of the game did manage to disappoint us even in our short play time, though. On a visual level, Afrika has some major framerate issues. The game is consistently choppy. While it's true that there's a lot of detail in the world along with a full day-night cycle, not having a smooth visual engine does sort of take you out of the fantasy of existing in this virtual recreation of Africa.

Also disappointing is that the game world isn't totally seamless. While sections of the game world are huge overall, they do have invisible walls preventing you from going too far, along with clear entry and exit points, where the screen goes blank and the next area loads in.

Some of the apparent technical shortcomings are disappointing, but we're still excited to see what the full Afrika experience has to offer. Gamers in Japan (and importers) will have access to the full game later this month

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/897/897160p1.html

[VG Aficionado]

http://asia.playstation.com/tch_hk/files/images/hakuna_matata.jpg


http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163940_0_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163940_0_big.jpg) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_1_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_1_big.jpg) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_2_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_2_big.jpg) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_3_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_3_big.jpg) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_4_small.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/61091420080808_163941_4_big.jpg)

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[Viper]

Wait, wait, wait....so this has become a $60 Sony camera commercial that you pay for?

I know that's cynical but this seems like a viral way to get people to buy their cameras.

Damn, first the fucked up name change and now this. Man, EA better not fuck up Mirrors Edge. These were two games that were giving me reason for a PS3.

[Jay Gee]

Poor framerate? How the hell!?!?

[curryking1]

Are you kidding me Viper... If they have to use cameras it's obviously easy to license your own products.

Is it so bad to have a game show exclusively about cards? And then sell the exact same cards to kids?

And to say that this game is only for advertising purposes is just a joke man... Look how good it looks! It's the first game of it's kind other than the very limited Pokemon Snaps. It's obviously an advantage but to act like it's the only apparent goal of the whole product...

The way you're acting like this somehow breaks the appeal of the game is making me embarassed for you.

What did you expect them to do? To ignore the huge backlog of amazing quality cameras in a game about photography? If anything this is speaking highly of some crosstalk between branding for Sony finally.

I know you're a reasonable photography buff, so I'm suprised why you are not excited to have a whole digital recreation of an amazing line of camera technologies.

Bad framerate? That sucks... It does have a lot going on obviously like the preview says... but bad framerates are easily some of the most frustrating things to happen in a game... Killzone speaks volumes for this...

[dnpmakkah]

These were two games that were giving me reason for a PS3.You don't have to try and convince us.

[VG Aficionado]

EA better not fuck up Mirrors Edge.

EA is not developing it, just producing it.

[Viper]

Yeah, my post came out worse than I meant it too.

I noted I was being cynical but it's just in todays market it seems like motive must be questioned for everything. MS gets a game = money bag (just an example).

With this it just seemed like what was an artistic project just got shitted on by consumerism. No, it's no deal breaker and it's petty overall but I saw this game at first as being analogous to cinematic art. Then along comes the product placement and you lose that artistic integrity.

Perhaps it's my own fault for granting the game such lofty artistic motivations.

[Sephiroth_VII]

You know better than any of us that its' an industry. Industries exist to make money.

[OmniCloud]

Wow...i have to agree with Viper, I kind of imagined it would turn out to be something a little more artistic, um..maybe expressive.

I don't think it sucks now or anything, but I'm just not interested in this anymore. Looks pretty though;)

[curryking1]

Yeah, my post came out worse than I meant it too.

Then I take back my reply lol. I'm personally still interested, but I agree with your qualm then and I agree it's a bit of a letdown.

It would be much more expressive if it included a back catalog of cameras like from Canon or something as well. It would definitely make the whole photography aspect much more meaningful.

[Viper]

Hasselblad cameras would actually make more sense overall but even then it's a product and it takes away from the focus. Fictitious cameras would work best though so as not to intrude on the artistic integrity.

I would just feel odd "playing a commercial".

On the flip side, it's a very good viral marketing ploy. Get gamers familiar with your cameras and how they function and they're more likely to buy your cameras and I have to respect that opportunity. Just sucks it's being done with such an artistic medium.

[Hrama]

Well, this has turned out to sound almost exactly like Wild Earth: African Safari on the Wii. I, for one, am disappointed.

[Gegenki]

I have to say while i disagree with viper - this games looks boring to play - and always did. Makes me think of pokemon snap but somehow seems worse.
- I'm just going on the pictures though so you know -

At any rate one would hope a game like this would have some community upload and share and compare features

[masonite]

Hasselblad cameras would actually make more sense overall but even then it's a product and it takes away from the focus. Fictitious cameras would work best though so as not to intrude on the artistic integrity.

I would just feel odd "playing a commercial".

On the flip side, it's a very good viral marketing ploy. Get gamers familiar with your cameras and how they function and they're more likely to buy your cameras and I have to respect that opportunity. Just sucks it's being done with such an artistic medium.

Sony's decision to include their own cameras is undoubtedly for marketing purposes, but product placement doesn't necessarily mean that the point of the game is to sell cameras. Obviously they're trying to make the game realistic, creating fictional cameras kind of destroys that feel. Hell, even the cars are licensed, but no-one is claiming they're trying to help sales of second-hand suzukis that have been out of production for ten years.

Still, ads for the cameras does seem over the top, but I can't say i'm surprised at sony putting their own cameras in their own game.


I take it your not a warhol fan...

[Viper]

I take it your not a warhol fan...

Not particularly but then this game isn't about current pop culture either.

[Z]

why would a fictional camera be better in a simulation game? this game is trying to be as realistic and natural as it can. you are using a camera, why not make one of the best professional cameras usable in the game? and of course it will be a Sony; it is their game and it's a damn good camera. I'd rather have a real camera to make me feel like a real professional taking those shots just as GT and Ace Combat give me real vehicles to drive. it could be any brand, and theirs is definitely on the high-end list in that market. I would've been extremely disappointed and feel cheap if they whipped up an imaginary camera for me to use to take pictures of the most realistic wildlife ever created in real-time.


also, look at any headset, laptop, camera, cell phone, etc. used in many, if not all, of Sony movies; they're all Sony made. it would be stupid not to use their own products. what do you want them to use, different brands? that is both logical and an expected marketing move, but to fling some mud on Afrika for this? come one...

[eva2112]

Hasselblad cameras would actually make more sense overall but even then it's a product and it takes away from the focus. Fictitious cameras would work best though so as not to intrude on the artistic integrity.

Sorry that I'm getting off-topic here but I'm curious, why using a medium format make more sense? Because it's more artistic? If I was on a safari I would actually prefer carrying around the puny alpha 100 than a Hasselblad, unless my plan was of taking landscape pictures instead of animals.

Even if the game seems pretty simplified, where you sneak in and take a sole picture, I don't know why would someone want to carry around a 2kg camera that use prime lenses only. Sure you may take an stunning photo with unbelievable colors and details, but how do you take care of zoom? And what if the animal is moving, do we really have to take the picture at the right time only? And how about birds? And what about night photography?

Unless the person is a photographic genius, an animal-hypnotizer or a mage that can stop time I don't know why would anyone choose a Hasselblad for a safari.

[jako]

Have they announced a release of this game out of Japan ?
I would like to buy it but I can't read japan :( so I would like a french version or at leat an american version.

[Domination]

Wait, wait, wait....so this has become a $60 Sony camera commercial that you pay for?

I know that's cynical but this seems like a viral way to get people to buy their cameras.

Damn, first the fucked up name change and now this. Man, EA better not fuck up Mirrors Edge. These were two games that were giving me reason for a PS3.

Oh come on. You can't possibly be serious, Viper. For question one, do you really think it was a coincidence that Home supported a PSP and a Sony Bravia television set to expand on some of the community features, or do you think it was apart of Sony's strategy all along to help promote their products?

I'm sure you already know that Sony is a global supplier on many levels, therefore giving them the ability and rights to advertise those assets anywhere they choose . So my second question to you is, if you knew this, why would you go out of your way to not only pay a large sum of money to have someone else advertise that material for you or not take advantage of the fact that you are able to promote your products in many different ways to consumers (establishing a greater market for yourself) over your competition, but to also promote your competitor's products over your own? If it's totally legal and you possess that advantage as another means to target the user, then why shouldn't you take advantage of it?

[Diresu]

If something like Sony product placement in their own game is enough to get you to not buy this game, you probably didn't really want it in the first place.

[OmniCloud]

wow...you guys are on a totally different page lol...I just realized that.

Just to make things clearer, I think the game looks boring because it's a realistic Pokemon snap in Africa. I thought it might be more than that.

I'm sure there are some gamers out there that'll enjoy the game though.

[Gegenki]

^ lol thats what i was going to say yesterday about pokemon snap but I read my post and the tone seemed all wrong

[TimmyJ]

If they up the ante for a sequel-type-thing and actually have the varying animals go about their natural behaviour (i.e. not just grazing or laying down) and let me unlock more information/video clips pertaining to certain actions (such as filming/snapping a particular predatory moment unlocking a relevant documentary-style video clip) then I'd buy it in a heart beat. But as it stands? Not hugely interested.

Prolly why it's Jpn only - we all know how readily they'll buy broken products... except for the X360 of course :p

[Z]

reading Viper's post, one can't help but think he sees the project as something the camera division of Sony cooked up.
-Anderson, you have a new ad idea for our product?
> yes sir, we'll make a whole freakin' PS3 game for it!
_ ..... you're fired.

[Z]

wow...you guys are on a totally different page lol...I just realized that.

Just to make things clearer, I think the game looks boring because it's a realistic Pokemon snap in Africa. I thought it might be more than that.

I'm sure there are some gamers out there that'll enjoy the game though.

I always said the game will commercially bomb. still, I personally like the tech and effort behind the animals' digital creation. to add to the tech, it provides me with a new gaming experience, and i like that. I'll get it, but only if it has an English version. I don't care how 'little' language it has, if it isn't in English, I don't want it. I can't stand having something on scree that I cannot read. and learning to read kanji is difficult. trust me, I tried...

[Diresu]

wow...you guys are on a totally different page lol...I just realized that.

Just to make things clearer, I think the game looks boring because it's a realistic Pokemon snap in Africa. I thought it might be more than that.

I'm sure there are some gamers out there that'll enjoy the game though.

Personally I am not interested in the game either, but its not the "Sony" logo on the camera that broke the deal for me. That is all I was saying.

and learning to read kanji is difficult. trust me, I tried...

Difficult is an understatement. As someone currently learning Japanese I tend to firmly believe that kanji is designed specifically to make foreigner heads explode.

[GTAce]

The game is in development since at least 2006 and thats it.
I expected a Safari game but i also expected some cool unique gameplay and from what i read, it doesnt have that at all.

[TimmyJ]

The game is in development since at least 2006 and thats it.
I expected a Safari game but i also expected some cool unique gameplay and from what i read, it doesnt have that at all.

Yea, kinda important for a game...

[TrueVCU]

It's amazing watching the evolution of this thread. First great enthusiasm upon announcement, then disappointment upon lack of word of release outside Nihon, and now, as if to cushion the blow, actively turning away from the game.

[TimmyJ]

Because we now know how it plays... and it pretty much doesn't...

[Z]

Because we now know how it plays... and it pretty much doesn't...

...as most of us wanted it to.

PS. speaking of high-end cameras, there is a new one coming out this year with a 60 Megapixel (http://www.phaseone.com/Content/p1digitalbacks/P65plus/Introduction.aspx) resolution (that's not a typo). the cost? only the price of a luxury car; US$ 40,000 (http://digital-photography.suite101.com/article.cfm/phase_one_overtake_hasselblad_resolution) or you can spoil yourself and get the $42,000 model.

....http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/shmookins/emos/abandoned.gif

[Viper]

And what company makes that camera?

[TrueVCU]

Oh for god's sake, as Domination said Sony's got their own shit in Home, this isn't the first time anyone's ever used product placement. If the Sony logo is your only issue with this game then you're seriously overreacting. It's not as if they've branded the bloody Giraffes.

[Viper]

Oh for god's sake, as Domination said Sony's got their own shit in Home, this isn't the first time anyone's ever used product placement. If the Sony logo is your only issue with this game then you're seriously overreacting. It's not as if they've branded the bloody Giraffes.

Yeah, my post came out worse than I meant it too.

I noted I was being cynical but it's just in todays market it seems like motive must be questioned for everything. MS gets a game = money bag (just an example).

With this it just seemed like what was an artistic project just got shitted on by consumerism. No, it's no deal breaker and it's petty overall but I saw this game at first as being analogous to cinematic art. Then along comes the product placement and you lose that artistic integrity.

Perhaps it's my own fault for granting the game such lofty artistic motivations.

*in bold* Does that clarify things?

[Z]

And what company makes that camera?

it in the link. it's a Phase One. and it is the same price as the 'old' Hasselblad.

[TrueVCU]

*in bold* Does that clarify things?

for you, yes

[Viper]

it in the link. it's a Phase One. and it is the same price as the 'old' Hasselblad.

Sorry, the question was rhetorical. I had also suggested using Hasselblad cameras in post 214 (http://forums.e-mpire.com/showpost.php?p=1918135&postcount=214).

They are THE camera to use for professional photography. You can get an H1 for a less than $3k right now provided you don't mind being stuck at just 16 megapixels.

[qzak]

Unless the person is a photographic genius, an animal-hypnotizer or a mage that can stop time I don't know why would anyone choose a Hasselblad for a safari.

QFT. Viper, you usually make a lot of sense, but arguing that a photographer would use a Hasselblad instead of a DSLR to shoot animals on safari is well, a bit out there. Now, I'm sure it could be and has been done, but it wouldn't be normal.

[JasonXe]

All I know is this guy needs a better zoom camera. It is probably b/c he has it in auto but you're going to get a piss poor shot unless you crop it up. Also I have a hard time believing in that kind of light that you can only get 160 ss with f 10. Probably a bad sensor or auto but I guess there going to focus a lot more on cameras if that's the case with upgrades. It would be nice if they included video cameras and we can upload it to our computer to do some type of planet earth documentary.

[Viper]

QFT. Viper, you usually make a lot of sense, but arguing that a photographer would use a Hasselblad instead of a DSLR to shoot animals on safari is well, a bit out there. Now, I'm sure it could be and has been done, but it wouldn't be normal.

I know a photographer who goes to Africa annually with a Hasseblad. Night shots, cheetahs at full speed, etc...beautiful stuff.

Perhaps that's not normal but I'm not one to argue with the results he brings back everytime.

[cliffbo]

i don't care who makes the damned cameras, that game still looks awesome.

[dnpmakkah]

All of sudden me thinks the whole idea of meeting in Home with a group of friends and launching into an Afrikan safari probably won't happen now. :(

[cliffbo]

the first ten minutes of Afrika (i prefer that name)

http://www.gamersyde.com/leech_8450_en.html

OMG... if you were unsure before, watch this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dnpmakkah]

Look good but then again it is what I expected. I can see people not liking it because it might seem dull. Thanks for the link.

[cliffbo]

Look good but then again it is what I expected. I can see people not liking it because it might seem dull. Thanks for the link.

this has got to get a worldwide release. i just love the sedate nature of it and the ambience

[jako]

And that is a game that can be played by adults and children. That's important for me, I've got 2 chid.
I just love this game, I hope it will be released in EU and not only in Japan.

[cliffbo]

And that is a game that can be played by adults and children. That's important for me, I've got 2 chid.
I just love this game, I hope it will be released in EU and not only in Japan.

and what a great educational tool for schools