Gears of War 2 crash Xbox 360 and Resistance 2 lack polish
By Mike Ferro
It seems like no matter how much you prepare, things will always go wrong and the top presenters for Gears of War 2 and Resistance 2 weren’t immune to such disasters. These two games are the talk of E3 as competitors going head to head against each other fighting for sales during the month of November.
The press conference can be a stressful event especially when all that you have been working towards could be marred by a mess up on stage. Of course the journalist community would never let them heard the end of it.
Such a fate was in store for Cliff Bleszinski lead designer of Gears of War 2. According to 1UP’s podcast N’Gai Croal and 1UP team talks about how during the Microsoft press conference Cliffy B. was demonstrating a level from his upcoming Gears of War 2 when near the beginning, all of a sudden his Xbox 360 froze then crashed. You can catch the crash here on Gamespot’s full E3 Microsoft press conference coverage.
Cliffy B. had his team quickly switch over to another machine which proceeded to play what has been speculated as a pre-recorded demo of what Cliffy B. was going to play live. As the team switched over to the other machine Cliffy B. stopped using the 360 game pad and started gesturing at the screen.
I really hope the final build of Gears of War 2 doesn’t crash my Xbox 360, Gears one certainly was no exception here. Also the press conference version you can get from Xbox Live has the 360 crash edited out. Tsk tsk Microsoft, don’t think you can pull one over our eyes.
Hey fanboys don’t think Resistance 2 was out of the woods either. Apparently according to the 1Up guys and Bryan Intihar (Insomniac Games) when Ted Price the head honcho of Insomniac Games was demonstrating Resistance 2 live during Sony’s press conference everything did not go according to plan.
As the 1Up team puts it they heard the Insominac crew almost “Sh** Bricks” during the demonstration because Ted Price almost died. Intihar did indeed verify this during the conversation that the demonstration did not go according to plan and took Ted Price off path.
Apparently the plan was not for Price to go into the building later and down the stairs which N’Gai Croal referred to as being “sterile.” Personally everything looked so bland in that building with no textures on the furniture and walls or stairs.
According to Intihar that building was no where near completion and was suppose to be burning down in flames in the final game. So, it seems somewhere probably after the first throw by the huge boss the Leviathan, Price missed a chance to get picked up and thrown, before almost being killed while inside the building.
The reason the Insomniac guys almost fainted was because unlike EPIC they didn’t have a back up plan if something went wrong with the demonstration, such as Ted Price dying during the middle of the demonstration.
Amusingly enough the 1Up guys teased Insomniac by stating, that’s how Ted “rolls.”
Update 23 July: Microsoft approached GAMER.BLORGE and offered this explanation about what happened at the Gears of War 2 demo:
“The Xbox 360 used for the Gears of War 2 demo at the Microsoft E3 press briefing did not crash. The multitude of equipment used in the briefing caused interference with the wireless Xbox 360 controllers. Rather than interrupt the flow of the briefing, we switched to a “ghost team” behind stage that played the demo live. The Gears of War 2 demo was not prerecorded. Additionally Cliff re-played the demo live for various outlets like G4, Gamespot, and IGN, which is available for download at each respective site.”
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Tips N4G
July 21st, 2008
Such things happen, Gears still needs time in the oven and so does R2. I’m not worried, given Insomniac and Epic’s history of quality games I’m sure both will be awesome. Can’t wait to play them
July 21st, 2008
This has to be the worst site in the industry.
July 21st, 2008
Oh no resistance and gears in the same article, this is gonna get real ugly.
Ok let’s try this no comments about which will be better, u can mention what your looking forward to in each game, No negative comments!
C’mon big effort!!! the first to crack is the biggest fanboy in the world.
Good start Sk8man, now…. what about multi-platform(no mention of which version will be better) competition for both of them anyone looking forward to Dead Space?, Mirror’s Edge? what about TR: Underworld? (the tombs look amazing but that new trailer just made the game seem similar to Angel of Darkness, why did she blow up Croft Manor?)
July 21st, 2008
Ok,
I’m not exactly sure who you are…or for that matter what qualifications you have that allow you to comment on such matters (based on 100% of the rest of the web, I’d imagine not much if any at all) but honestly…if you had problems with gears…it was a hardware thing…not the game.
Also…gears 1 was the greatest video game ever created (outside of Bioshock) and still is for that matter. Yes I saw the shutdown during the MS conference live…but really…you think that’s the product that is going to ship??? Really? Gears 2 will ship bug free…and if there are any minor minor glitches…they’ll patch em toot-sweet!
Why dog gears and resistance now…really? What does that get you besides some douche-bag-loser-fan-boys posters giving you their worthless opinions.
July 21st, 2008
Greatest video game ever? lol, thats quite a stretch
July 21st, 2008
Gears of War the greatest game ever?
You haven’t played Metal Gear Solid 4.
July 21st, 2008
@ sk8man
gears is the greatest game ever…
look at gamepspot.com
resistance has 8.5 or something…
Gears of war has like 9.8
July 21st, 2008
Foo Man you say about the fanboys but you think Gears 1 is the best video game ever! outside of Bioshock!
i want what your smokin dude
July 21st, 2008
Systems crash at demos all the time and its usually nothing to do with the game… i dont expect there to be massive red rings of death whenever gears 2 comes out
July 21st, 2008
Gears and Bioshock are not even the best games on the 360 anymore… not by themselves anyway. There are a few others. And there are definitely better games on other systems any way. Also, the first Gears DID ship with quite a few bugs… so I’m not really sure how you assume that Gears 2 will not. In any case, I think that it’s safe to assume that both Resistance 2 and Gears 2 will be great games when the final products are released.
July 22nd, 2008
ahhh the glitches of resistance fall of man, and how they pissed me off at first when you see members of the opposite team shooting at you from behind walls and buildings that aren’t accessible to normal players. God i still love them. I cant believe so many glitches were in resistance 1. I do hope R2 wont have any. But eventually i gave up trying to kill them, and i joined them.
July 22nd, 2008
Gears of war 1 was da greatest game ever made!!! never playd Resistance 1 but its 4 ps3 soo it must b shit!!!!!!!!!! GEARS OF WAR 2 will b da greatest game of all time!!!!!!!!!! R2 wata load of shit!
July 22nd, 2008
Ted is so cool.
Well all insomniac guys are cool
‘Gears 2 will ship bug free…and if there are any minor minor glitches…they’ll patch em toot-sweet!
‘
bug free ? i dont think so ,every major games are released with minor known bugs.
July 22nd, 2008
Bottom line is that with the hard drive instal option that will not be a problem. There are a few games I want on my HD. Gears will be one of them because it will tax the system and GTa4 is another so the popups deminish.
July 22nd, 2008
Oh and yes Gears is the “Best Game of All Times!”. There is no rush in MGS4, sneeking around all the time. 5 Hours of game play what the hell is that. Gears is Pure Beautiful Satisifying Action.
July 22nd, 2008
CAD- Its a no rush game because MGS4 requires skill not be be seen, which is why its a stealth game. As opposed to games like gears of war where you just rush into open fire and live after someone empties a magazine into you. But hey, you xbots love games like that. As long as you run around blowing stuff up and shooting anything that moves disregarding any story line and requiring no skill.
July 22nd, 2008
Oh yes let me tip toe around in this camolgfauge suite and watch 90 min cut scenes and 5 hours of gameplay. Oh that is using so much skill!! At least Hit Man has more depth. Like taking out people and dressing up in thier cloths placing weapons in items to be carried inside while I go through a search at the front door. Or going through sewers to attach bombs to cars and man I just think Hit man is a better game. It even achieved it’s own Movie.
July 22nd, 2008
…CAD you’re so ill-informed. Sony Pictures is making a movie of MGS.http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/788/788169p1.html
Like any game, its up to you how long you play the game. If you do an easy game then sure it will be 5 hours, if you do hard mode then obviously it’ll be more. Perhaps you should play the game through before actually commenting.
July 22nd, 2008
Also, i feel that MGS4 was longer in gameplay than COD 4, which was extremely short and basically overrated in ALL areas.
July 22nd, 2008
CAD - 5 hours is the time you have to beat to achieve the highest ranking. You literally have to sprint through it to do it, which isn’t so easy without being spotted on the highest difficulty. it is about 18 hours of gameplay for most people on the first playthrough.
Hitman achieved it’s own movie, and it was shit. DOA achieved its own movie for god sake.
Tekken is getting one, they all get em.
MGS is getting one too, so I don’t see what your point is.
Those last comments you left were really weak, get a grip.
July 22nd, 2008
Ok so no one has commented on the fact that…
Gears made an Xbox CRASH
And that is somehow equal to…
Resistance player going into an unfinished room?
That’s just ludacris. How can you make that comparison, because the games’ are rivals? You know (As far as I can remember, please correct if wrong) at MS’ shows they always have a something crash.
July 22nd, 2008
The Gears thing was more embarrassing.
So Price screwed up playing, went to an unfinished area, so what? The game is still in development…
the fact that the 360 crashed in front of everyone is… well… that’s the 360 for you.
July 22nd, 2008
This has to be the worst blog i have ever read
July 22nd, 2008
“the fact that the 360 crashed in front of everyone is… well… that’s the 360 for you.”
Actually that’s unfinished software for you. For all we know another several steps into that area in Resistance would have crashed something as well. Both of these occurrences point to similar issues: namely, these things are not final.
Shit happens. The fact that any gaming journalist would lay into a company for a game not working properly that’s 5 months off is really just a ridiculous part of this industry. No one keeping up on film that’s months off lays into a director if it’s not edited properly or is missing special effects.
It’s part of the nature of developing complex programs and showing them before they should realistically be shown.
Who really cares in the scheme of things. No person picking up GoW2 or Resistance 2 months from now is going to look back and think about either of these ‘issues’.
July 22nd, 2008
Funny that I didn’t even noticed Ted went off track. It looked like garbage and was mediocre which was just what I expected from R2 after playing R1.
July 22nd, 2008
@ Gamer.Blorge: I’m starting to think that the people who write for this site just hate video games.
@CAD: Don’t be like that. A good game is a good game, and regardless of console bias, a blind man could see that MGS4 is a good game. Admitting it doesn’t suddenly make the 360 a crappy console.
-Arvis
July 22nd, 2008
Hey Arvis,
Any news good or bad is news, and if hasn’t been covered then it dosen’t hurt to give all the facts to the general public.
I’m glad to find out the building in Resistance 2 was unfinished.
July 22nd, 2008
Ok who did it first, come on speak up!!!
the worst so far was xkarxfreddy
July 22nd, 2008
@Mr Sparkle- they really can’t help themselves.
July 22nd, 2008
I played nice Mr. Sparkle, my hands are clean.
July 22nd, 2008
Do yourself a favour and give resistance a go if you haven’t. It is sooo underrated (probably because it was a launch game). Don’t just dis it because it’s a “Sony” game. If you do, it’s your loss.
I wouldn’t dis Gears because it’s a “ms” game. That would be my loss if I did. (given the high recommendations for it)
July 23rd, 2008
before you ps3 fanboys celebrate the GeOW II issue, remember, halo originally crashed on the xbox at E3 before the original xbox launched.
Yet to this date, sony hasn’t come up with ONE game that matches this 6 year old game, even after many “halo killer” attempts….
July 23rd, 2008
meh Halo?
its just an over-rated decent shooter. Nothing more than an 8 (if you wana go all scores and that stuff.) Obviously this is all in my opinion, for some reason the whole gaming media some to love it and give it ridiculous scores like 9’s or even 10’s.
Might just be me then lol. But if i were an xbox fanboy, like yourself kev
i really wouldn’t use halo in an argument. I can’t wait till I can play viva pinata though. Does anyone else find that game massively addicting or again, is it just me? lol
July 23rd, 2008
Kev- glad you like Halo, but I don’t know of any PS3 fans who want it. I’ve only played it once, not my cup of tea. I don’t want Halo anymore than you want MSG4. That’s why it is OK for us to like different systems. All this arguing about which is better, when really there isn’t much difference at all. Little tweaks here and there, just depends on which tweak you prefer.
July 23rd, 2008
I thought Halo 1 and 2 were great shooters. I put them on pretty much the same level as Timesplitters 2 and 3.
-Arvis
July 23rd, 2008
Wll Gear of War 2 never amazes anyone. And Resistance 2 at E3 08 looks perfect awesome a must have can’t wait for it.
July 23rd, 2008
Yes Ivan_PSP, Resistance 2 was perfect, especially the crappy bit when the room was meant to be on fire.
July 23rd, 2008
Who cares the game is still in development it was not suppose to have everything done idiot. Unlike Epic Games epic failure just videos and nothing new just a updated Gears of War 1. Resistance 2 looked jaw drooping amazing i can’t wait to get it.
July 23rd, 2008
Gears Of War 2 was playable you fool! And you don’t think it’s under development too? You are an idiot.
July 24th, 2008
Who cares on what really happened during the demo show of Gears of War 2? Do you actually think Epic will let their die-hard Gears fans have a malfunctional game to play at home? Any small mishaps could happen at E3, c’mon now! And I bet that it was not the game that went black screen for a few seconds, it was the console or a fault wiring for that matter. Nonetheless, after Cliff Blezinski showed the demo, the media was still WOWED and gave a huge applause, right?
July 24th, 2008
Ivan_PSP - “Resistance 2 at E3 08 looks perfect awesome a must have can’t wait for it.”
Ivan_PSP - “Who cares the game is still in development it was not suppose to have everything done idiot.”
Wait now. You said that the unfinished version that is in development looks PERFECT, implying you want the unfinished version, because this game that is unfinished looks better than any finished game, ever.
Then you go on and say this game that looks PERFECT is still in development and shouldn’t look that great yet?
Which is it? Is it PERFECT, or is it not something you would want to buy as it is now?
July 24th, 2008
Haha matt, Ivan’s an idiot, he has no idea what he’s talking about.
July 24th, 2008
wylie - no prob. it’s funny when i hear you guys say how “meh” halo is/was when it 1. convinced millions of people to pay $299 for an unheard, or unproven, console and 2. won countless awards from Game of the year to players/reader’s favorites, and 3. is STILL the #1 played franchise on xbox live when most xbox/360 games are xbox live playable.
if TS was was anywhere near that level of quality, it would show both in sales and in reviews. but alas, neither….
the difference is more than “tweaks”. it’s a better physic engine , better graphics, better gameplay, better audio, better innovation, better use of weapons, and better replay that makes most 360 more enjoyable than ps3 first person shooters. the offset sticks of the 360 cotroller was a stroke of genius. no more gamer-cramp from the small-ish and triggerless ps controllers…
i just feel bad for the early ps3 adopters who got hosed into paying for a ps3 controller w/o rumble. i don’t even want to imagine how “meh” that’s gotta feel…
July 24th, 2008
Kev- don’t know where you are coming from. I never put down Halo, I said its not for me. Like I said, I only played it once, its fine if others enjoy it!
“the offset sticks of the 360 cotroller was a stroke of genius.”
Are you serious on this one. Please tell me you are joking. They had to move the stick, its called patent infringement. Also I don’t like the moved stick on the controller, doesn’t feel comfortable to me. I have never had “hand cramps” from playing with a playstation controller. As far as graphics, gameplay, audio, and innovation, those are your opinions. I won’t argue about who has the better fps games, 360 probly does for all I know, I don’t play the 360, but it is known for being a fps console for a reason I’m sure.
July 24th, 2008
No, the $ony fanboys are the ones calling it a FPS console. Last I checked, games such as Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey, Too Human etc aren’t FPS games.
And the 360 controller is the perfect weight and is ergonomically designed. Not like the P$3 controller.
July 24th, 2008
Harry- I know that they make other games, however the 360 is still known as a fps console.
You guys are unbelievable, now your controllers are perfect?! Harry, you may have just taken over the lead for worlds biggest fanboy with that one sentence!
July 24th, 2008
Kevin,
Uh, my saying Halo and Timesplitters are equal means alot coming from me. I HATE shooters, but love both of those for different reasons. I know that, in this area, my opinion does not speak for the general gaming public.
As for controller design, this will always be strictly opinion. I’ve been playing alot of Mass Effect lately (flipping awesome, btw) and while I have no problem using the offset analog sticks, I hate the heaviness, the design, and the awful d-pad. Seriously, how is anyone supposed to be able to use that thing? And why do the handholds rest in my palms instead of my fingers? I freaking HATE that, it makes my palms sweaty.
-Arvis
July 24th, 2008
Kev, I bought the original xbox because it was far superior to the ps2 (in my opinion) not because of Halo. In saying that, I do have very fond memories of Halo. Saying that millions bought the orig xbox because of halo is a presumptious.
I have played with both controllers and can say they are both good and the offset thumbstick didn’t make a pinch of S&^T to me. The original xbox controller was attrocious though (that large one)
July 25th, 2008
Gears of War 2 is nothing compare to Resistance 2 it will look like a mini expansion pack against Resistance 2. Insomniac Games always delivers perfect high quality games unlike Epic Games. Xbox fanboys are all useless retarded geek and lowlife on denial cuzz the console they have sucks big time Red Light of Death new Dashboard looks like shit.
July 25th, 2008
wylie - everyday, you only underscore your ignorance. the fact is; the xbox controller (and the offset sticks and triggers) was the result of many, many hours of design, focus testing, and re-designs. it had NOTHING to do with any other controller.
sorry you haven’t had controller-cramp. must be new to gaming…
arvis - complain all you want, but millions would disagree with you.
July 25th, 2008
spidey - since games sell console what other reason did people have to line up for an xbox at launch? noob… lmao..
the “large one” is called The Duke. Only made for real men…
July 25th, 2008
and millions would disagree with YOU kev…
i got an xbox yesterday (loving viva pinata :D) and I hate the controller. Dualshock ftw….
July 25th, 2008
oh sorry kev- did i speak out of turn?
ofcourse i have to ask you now before i speak since i wasn’t here at the beginning of the conversation. you know, being a private website and all….
silly old me…
July 25th, 2008
Kev,
Are we here seeking agreement?
I was just making conversation. The beauty of opinions and free thinking is that there will always be people who disagree with your opinion. That’s why I think the “better controller” argument is moot, because it really just boils down to what you’re used to using. I’ve been using the DualShock design for about 12 years, so…. yeah.
-Arvis