Posted Oct 02, 2007 at 06:49PM by Nicolo S. Listed in: Opinions & Analysis Tags: Free Radical, PC Gamer, Dave Doak
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Free Radical - Image 1


Back in the day, abundant bloom was the coolest thing in the block. Now that developers have access to more powerful hardware, some gamers will call them lazy if a next-gen title doesn't have parallax mapping, high resolution rendering, and all that. Free Radical co-founder Dave Doak, however, would rather be creative than make generic eye-candy.

"A typical next-gen look has often got all the next-gen stuff like specular highlights and normal mapping turned up to the max... But if it's not turned up to 11, people think it's not next-gen enough," he said in a recent interview with PC Gamer in its issue # 180. Yet, the TimeSplitters series took a more cartoony approach over super-realistic graphics, and Doak seems to favor that style.

Even with powerful tools around, it looks like TimeSplitters will stay true to its roots. After giving Valve's Team Fortress 2 props for standing out, noting how developers are starting to ponder if they really have to do realistic rendering or go for a distinct look, he said:

TimeSplitters has always had that [distinct look] and it's something we want to go back and look at again, specifically taking that cartoon look and doing it with the interesting rendering you can do now [with next-gen].


We haven't heard much about TimeSplitters 4, but if Doak's words hold true, then we're getting more of the quirky first-person shooter that offered hours of fun. Who cares about complex physics engines and extremely detailed character models? Give us rocket launcher-wielding monkeys and we're sold.


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3 Comments


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   by Fallen - 2007-10-02
 » Well..

I don't think everyone demands 'realistic' super graphics. I sure don't.

He mentions valve with TF2, Its not about realistic, Its just we expect nice looking graphics. TF2 has achieved this.

All I want is a decent amount of AA, sharp textures and a smooth look. I don't care if its realistic.

   by Advertising -
   by Nintendo316 - 2007-10-02
 » Exactly

Exactly how I feel about Next-Gen. MS and Sony always think games are all about making the games look as realistic as you can get. Nintendo goes for innovation and making games fun without making the game super detailed. TimeSplitters series has always been one of my fav. series ever since David Doak and Stephen Ellis made the series a true heir to Goldeneye 007. Having cartoony looking graphics doesnt make the game bad. TimeSplitters proved that by making the multiplayer just as badass as if you were playing Goldeneye 007 with your friend until the "wii" hours of the morning. Free Radical is a company that knows how to make a game fun even with quirky graphics, and thats what I like to see.

   by god0fgod - 2007-10-03
 » Wrong logo

Thats the old logo.



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