Most of you know that I have a pretty dim view of the MMORPG sector and I like to whine and moan about how everything is being done wrong or poorly, and there is such a huge lack of innovation and original content, that I have a hard time sleeping at night. There is pretty much nothing out there in development that has me more than slightly interested. Certainly nothing that has me biting my nails in anticipation and bouncing around in my chair with excitement.
Except for THIS. You have GOT to check it out. Right now. Stop what you are doing and click the link. Indulge yourself for a few moments on those screenshots. Luscious. Dreamlike. Evocative. Moody. Unique. Surreal.
What is it? It is a mini-MMORPG of sorts in development (apparently by ONE guy) called LOVE. There isn’t much information available about it, but the screenshots are jaw-dropping. The graphics are all procedurally generated and they look like a live water color painting (or reminiscent of digital concept art from artists like my friend Koshime).
I honestly didn’t think this would happen anytime soon, but damn. I’m pretty impressed. I’m officially excited about getting my grubby hands on this game and checking it out.
PS. For all you industry folks out there that think you need a content license to make a successful MMO, you are about as smart as a turnip farmer trying to whack a rat with a bent rusty spoon. Don’t make me list all of the “licensed” MMOs that have gone down in flames.
Thanks to Andrea for the heads up on this title.
I gotta see this game in motion. It looks like the style of Ico, Wind Waker, and Okami put together with a heavy dose of its own, blotchy style.
Wow that is EXACTLY the style I have been wishing a game would be made in! well almost, but close. Why be ‘cartoony’ and low rez, or ‘realistic’ and high-rez, there are so many other options.
I was going through some old comics getting ready to sell all my old crap, and found one small series.. the name escapes me (Marvels ?) but it was Marvel and about the beginning of mutants and had some old X-Men in it. Anyway it was similar to this, not quite as abstract but the coloring was very much like it. But that’s where I first started getting the idea.
Looks like MMOs are starting to explore other art design styles. First Cryptic studios announces that Champions is going to be cell shaded and now this one which looks almost like it was done in digital chalk.
I’ve been looking at that site for the last few days.
I am having problems coming to grips with it.
Perhaps my imagination has died.
I’m not sure exactly what you meant by not coming to grips with, but I’m just assuming you meant graphics. That’s why I think it would be amazing to see this in motion, because it literally looks like a 2D image you’re looking at when looking at those screens. Not to mention that really odd figure, that almost looks like some deformed bear man. It’d be interesting to see how motion looks and how the grass seems to recede around you as you move, because it’s so 2D looking.
I mean that I can’t even imagine running around in a world that looks like that does. I want to find out though.
I think there’s merit to exploring games with these different styles. I’m not sold on this style, it just seems to difficult to imagine operating a character in.
However could you imagine a MMO with a world design similiar to the PS3 title LittleBigPlanet? I really like some of the new games, or indy games utilizing hand painted backgrounds, and other really sharp fun visual styles.