Atari have apparently been listening to the criticisms of their much-hyped rethinking of the adventure classic, Alone in the Dark. So much so, in fact, that it looks as if Eden are going to improve the game in several areas ready for the PS3 release.

The following are some of the changes that will apparently be taking place:

- Full 360 degree camera control: enhanced camera controls allows complete freedom of the camera and better handling of third person movement for even more immersive gameplay enabling players to view the fire and mass destruction they are causing in all of its glory.
- Fine-tuned controls: quicker and smoother reactivity of the hero’s movements in third person view increases the pace of the game and makes for faster, reflexive gameplay during tense fighting scenarios;
- Inventory system more accessible: more logical jacket inventory system with the ability to scroll rapidly through the inventory with the D-pad or analog stick to combine objects. In addition, gameplay is paused when accessing the inventory system to allow maximum creativity in combining items to create unique flammable weapons;
- More tips: additional on-screen tips will help players quickly adapt to controls and easily understand how to overcome tricky situations;
- Spectral Vision tuning: a tutorial earlier in the storyline explains the need to burn roots in order to gain spectral vision (a power that grants you the ability to see the unseen) and difficulty tuning means less spectral vision is required to reach the end of the game;
- Improved car dynamics and handling: driving has been tuned with increased suspension and reduced drifting giving overall better handling to make driving a fun walk in the park every time;
- 59th Street level tuning: one of the game’s most exciting sequences just got better. 59th Street has been tweaked for a more satisfying race against the fissure with difficulty tuning, an added checkpoint at Columbus Circle and clear voice directions given by Sarah;
- Brand new thrilling action sequence: an exclusive new sequence has been added in Episode 6 for even more excitement and variety of gameplay in the episode.

This begs the question; how well spent were the gazillions poured out by Microsoft in securing staggered “exclusive” releases, if it gives developers an extra six months to listen to any criticisms, and release a better version of the game on the competitors’ console? Also, with the changes seemingly being so significant, will they be released via a patch for 360 owners?

We can all find out just how improved the game will be when the demo sets PSN alight in early November.

UPDATE: Folks seem to think I’m saying AiTD was one of Microsoft’s paid-for exclusives. It was not. My point was; what does this mean for those games with staggered release dates in terms of developers having an extra six months’ potential development time. AiTD is just an example of a developer having enough time to alter a build between platform release dates.

5 Comments

• 

  By Ste, 11 October, 2008 @ 3:59 pm

  the game was not under any exclusive deal the PS3 version was delayed
• 

  By Dave Barlow, 11 October, 2008 @ 4:06 pm

  See the EDIT. Sorry for not making my point clear enough. More (or indeed less) coffee required.
• 

  By Al, 11 October, 2008 @ 4:06 pm

  This leaves Microsoft with a shedload of money having had the game available on their console first. These updates won’t do anything to change that.
• 

  By Matt, 11 October, 2008 @ 4:18 pm

  The game got a load of fairly bad reviews on 360.. - if they didn’t make any improvements it’d be a REALLY hard sell months down the line to PS3 owners…
  And they’re supposedly patching many of the issies on the 360 version around that time also - so they may get a few new sales as owners of that system will be able to pick it up cheap…
• 

  By Dave Barlow, 11 October, 2008 @ 4:20 pm

  Apparently Eden have said they’re going to TRY and get a patch out for 360, but it’s proving difficult.

  *goes on a quote hunt*

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