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» February 6, 2010 |
Congratulations Axeman and Daniel
They have been co-selected as the SK swag contest winners.
Axeman won for his great recreations of the TH class and alignment symbols. Daniel's awesome guns and sword creation was also too cool to pass up.
I would like to thank Denis and SK for sponsoring this unique fan contest and providing some cool prizes. The winners will not only get their designs added to the awesome selection on SK cafepress store. But they will also recieve three (3) shirts of their choice.
We hope to get their designs finalized in the next week and I will update you all when you can view their selections at the storefront.
Continue to see the great work that got them the win and leave your comments.
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» February 6, 2010 |
GAMING KNIGHTS ARE BACK
Sunday: "Start the week off right"
Too Human
Monday: "Midnight Rider Monday"
L4D2
Tuesday: "Killing with Claptrap"
Borderlands
Wednesday: "Something old/Something new"
Dust off older titles to show them some love (Red Faction, Castle Crashers, Sacred 2, ...)
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Play yesterday's new releases (Bioshock 2, AvP 2, etc)
Thursday: "Thursday night at the races"
Burnout Paradise and Forza 3
Friday: "Friday night shooters"
COD, L4D, Halo, Borderlands, BF:1943, etc...
Whatever people want to play as long as it involves killing stuff
Saturday: "CoD or PS3"
Modern Warfare 1 or 2
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Break out your favorites on that other system. (Uncharted, Demon's Souls)
You can set up groups here.
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» January 4, 2010 |
Very nice Too Human Custom Car now in Forza 3
Forum member Platinum just popped up with some pics of his gorgeous Too Human and Silicon Knights inspired custom Car for Forza 3, which was made (of course, but impressively) using the in-game logo editor. Apparently you can buy one for yourself from his in-game store. Just check out the forums for details if you want one.
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» December 16, 2009 |
Silicon Knights Swag Design Contest
Denis Dyack has agreed to host a Silicon Knights Swag Design Contest on SK.net. The contest winner will get his winning design added to the SK Cafepress store and a shirt of with his design.
Go to the discussion thread for the rules and to ask any questions about the contest.
Use the submission thread to submit any designs you have come up with.
SK has also upgraded there store by adding kids and toddler sizes. They have also added a new design - the Silicon Knights classic logo shirt.
- Purple Gryphon
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» December 16, 2009 |
Silicon Knights helping with Darksiders development?
That's right, that Darksiders, the THQ published one that looks like a pretty fricken cool mix of action, with a mature take on Zelda, and is based on the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
I missed this, but apparently another resume leaked by another former SK employee (now employed at Rockstar Vancouver) had an interesting note on his resume. at least according to this article on site Split screen.
This would be in-line with a tip I received from member Refurs, the Unseen64 editor who also tipped me off about the concept art for unreleased SK game 'the Box'.
Anyways, what do you think? Join us in the forums to discuss.
- theALLseeingeye
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» December 16, 2009 |
Examining the Still Pending SK vs. Epic Unreal Engine 3 lawsuit
So, I've been reading through the UE3 lawsuit papers, regarding the trial between SK and Epic Games. So, Silicon Knights is suing Epic for essentially, breach of contract, having and fraudulently selling SK a license to an engine by means of promising features and performance from the engine that Epic not only didn't implement until as late as 2008 (two years after most UE3 licensed games were scheduled to originally hit the market), but features that to this day, seemingly still have not been implemented.
Here's a short list of features that have allegedly forced SK to have to build their own game engine (the Silicon Knights Engine) and abandon UE3. And to be honest, not only does it sound like SK has a case, I think it sounds like they have a some serious smoking guns. Check out a partial list below, and check out the forums for much more info:
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- Promised both Indoor and Outdoor Terrain, did not deliver Outdoor terrain
- Promised Fully dynamic Lighting, did not deliver. Most lighting in UE3 has to be pre-baked before loading the level
- Amount of characters (promised 40-50, delivered 8-10)
- Promised 4 player online co-op, did not deliver
- Promised 30 fps with more than 30 characters on-screen, did not deliver
- Promised streaming software, did not deliver
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Anyone who's played Too Human no doubt understands how these issue probably would have crippled the development of Too Human. Add to this, that SK also apparently had to renegotiate less favorable terms with publishing partners for Too Human, and apparently even almost went out of business due to these issues. I think things are becoming clearer.
Please join us in the forums to discuss, and for further details and info on the issue.
- theALLSeeingEYE
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» December 15, 2009 |
Denis' Top 11 Favorite Games
The ever Purple Gryph seems to have found found an article regarding, and detailing Denis Dyack's Top 11 favorite games. Check out the list here:
1. Empire: Wargame of the Century
2. Resident Evil 2
3. Eve Online
4. Archon
5. Doom
6. Super Mario 64
7. Ultima III
8. Samurai Shodown 2
9. Defender
10. Total Annihilation
11. Heroes of Might and Magic III
Also, please do check out the actual article, along with quotes regarding each game, at the link here. Or Join us in the forums to to let us know what you think here.
- theALLseeingEYE
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» December 5, 2009 |
First Images and info of SK Horror game 'The Box' leak?
I've just received a tip from forum member, and Unseen64 editor Refurs, that some unheard of info and pics on what is apparently the rumored SK horror title 'the Crucible: Evil Within', otherwise known as 'the Box' have appeared on his site.
You can check out the article here:
There is also an interesting description of the title:
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“An open free-roaming action horror game where the player undertakes a terrorizing journey of suspense, fear, power and discovery, and where every decision has multiple consequences… Uncover an ancient chest with unimaginable power that seduces you into evil, sin and corruption.”
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Also in the article, are some rather interesting images, such as the one below.
Please join us in the forums for more info and more screenshots.
- theALLseeingEYE
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» November 30, 2009 |
Rumored SK game 'the Box' appears again, on resume
A bit of a refresher, for a couple years, its been rumored that Silicon Knights is or had been working on a new Horror game to be published by Sega. Titles for this rumored game such as 'the Box', 'the Crucible', 'The Gift', 'the Sacrement', had appeared on a survey passed around by Sega a few years back.
Now, the game has reappeared, on the resume of a former Silicon Knights employee, by the name of Zhang Shao-yong. On his resume, he lists having worked on: "Too Human, and The Box (Xbox and PS3)," on which he helped shape visual effects for "explosions, smoke, water, fire, weather and so on."
The article on CVG can be seen here. Also, you can view the translated resume here. Note that his SK credits are from "June 2005-April 2008". There had been previous rumors that the Sega SK project was having publisher troubles, so its anyone's guess whether the project is still rolling.
Anyways, join us in the forums for some speculation chatter.
- theALLseeingEYE
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» December 4, 2009 |
Silicon Knights Swag for Sale at Cafepress
That's right folks. Your Silicon Knights swag is finally available for purchase at their store hosted by Cafepress.
Follow the link to post your comments on the shop and ideas for swag you would like to see in the future.
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» November 29, 2009 |
Denis discusses the Ontario Game Industry Climate/ Layoffs
An interesting interview with sir Dyack regarding the incredible amount of layoffs seen within the industry recently, SK's ability to endure in an unusual fashion (around 20 years now!), and UBISOFT moving into Toronto Ontario is up on Gameindustry.biz. Check the interview out here.
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"What that means for us is we're really excited because we're going to be able to come out, and the industry is going to rebound and grow, and we'll be one of probably five companies in the world that has any serious business beyond ten years,"
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"It's a win-win for developers here with companies like Ubisoft, to see Silicon Knights grow and Digital Extremes grow. We'll only make a more fertile ground for us. You don't lose people because big companies come in, you lose people because you're not doing a good job managing those people that come in."
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Please join us in the forums to discuss
- theALLseeingEYE
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» November 26, 2009 |
Criticosm - Critiquing the Critics
I've had an idea for a website in my mind for a few years now. I called it, critiquing the critics. Basically, it was to lay criticism back at game critics for much of the poorly considered, ignorant articles they've written , and call them out on it. Of course it would also be to praise those who do a great job. But looks like someone's already gotten to it first.
Called 'Criticosm', its just that, a site to write reviews on reviewers, and reviewers reviews  . If that sounds interesting, check it out, and lay down some truth for others to read if you're so inclined.
Also, check out the Too Human section while you at it. Looks like its been appropriately busy these days, after all, Too Human took the brunt of some of the worst cases of reviewer bias I'd ever seen. Check it out here, then join us in the forums for discussion if you are interested.
- theALLseeingEYE
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» November 25, 2009 |
Interactive Ontario SK Profile
I thought some of you might be interested to take a peek at this. Its a profile page put up recently for Silicon Knights, on a website called Interactive Ontario. Check out the SK page here
also, take a gander at the SK team below, which currently accounts for a very impressive 160 well taken care of employees. How many faces can you recognize?
- the ALLseeingEYE
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» November 23, 2009 |
Denis discusses Used Game Sales
Just in case anyone has missed the discussion. Senior Dyack has an interesting interview regarding his distaste for the prolific manner of big business used game sales (i.e. Gamestop, EB Games) over on Gamingunion.net.
Quote:
GamingUnion.net: So, plain and simple, you're not selling software that's outlined as a lifetime or more worth of experiencing that software?
Dyack: I think the problem is the shelve lives are very short, and it's not like something is being traded in six months later or eight months later or a couple years later, these are things that are traded and turned around within two or three days, and they're promoted in that way. Then what happens, instead of selling say 200,000 copies your first day, you end selling 50,000, but then Company X will sell that eight more times and they'll make - even though it's at a discounted price - instead of paying a royalty to the people that actually made it, they'll make 100% of that even at the discounted price, and they'll make more money.
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Exclusive Denis Dyack Interview: Part 1, Part 2
Please join the discussion in the forums, if you haven't already.
- theALLseeingEYE
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» November 21, 2009 |
Too Human now available on Canadian XBL Games on Demand
Good news for canucks who like convenience, or can't find a new copy in their area. Looks like Too Human has just landed on the Canadian Xbox live Games on Demand service for $29.99. If fact, you can cue it up on your account from here
So ya, if you're interested, download away. I know I'll be partaking, simply to be able to boot one of my favorite games without the need for a disc.
Please join us in the forums, if you're interested in some discussion.
- theALLseeingEYE
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» Gaming Knights Post |
October's Gaming Knights Schedule
After taking a month off to gauge interest. The Gaming Knights Schedule is back. Check it out.
- Purple Gryphon
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» September 28, 2009 |
SK.net's Youtube Community Channel
SK.net is finally on Youtube. It is probably 2 years late, but I have uploaded a bunch of videos from prerelease that I had on my computer. But at least we have it for SK's next project. But for now we can add community videos of your epic sets or killer runs.
For more info on how this finally came together and to add comments follow the jump to the discussion.
- Purple Gryphon
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» September 1, 2009 |
New Moderators
Join us inside to say hello to our newest moderators.
Shaynard and Wiiggin have agreed to join our staff.
- PG
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» September 9, 2009 |
New Veterans
Please join us in welcoming our newest veterans.
AKAtheMilkman and Batosai
- PG
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» August 19th, 2009 |
Denis Discusses Cloud Computing at GDC Europe
I had the luxery of sitting in on a discussion with Denis about this subject a bit earlier, and it makes a lot of logical sense from a game developers perspective. Essentially, Cloud computing technology such as Onlive lets the user eschew powerful hardware, and run any game available from a server, on any device that can stream a video signal, and operate through some sort of control device. The user would control the game from thier location, while video of the game is streamed to them via the service. As Denis says, during his speach at GDC Europe:
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"Technology is eroding the value of intellectual properties for many cultural mediums, he said, particularly music -- where people feel they can download music rather than buy it... Linear media like music or movies delivered via cloud can still easily be pirated, Dyack pointed out. But for non-linear media like games -- "assuming people can't break into the cloud" -- Dyack said cloud tech could eliminate piracy and "profoundly change the industry forever."
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If all shooters could compete against each other on a cloud platform, the "artificial walls that have been built up by proprietary consoles" will be broken down, Dyack suggested -- actually encouraging better games as a result.
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What do you guys think? Please join us in the forums to discuss
- theALLseeingEYE
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» August 9, 2009 |
Too Human Anniversary Banner Winner
Congratulations Spazrok for winning the 2nd SK.net Banner contest.
Follow the link to congratulate him
Thanks to all the participants for all the great banners to choose from.
- Purple Gryphon
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» July 25, 2009 |
Title of New SK Project "Siren in the Maelstrom" Leaked
Looks like someone at Telefilm doesn't understand NDA's (non-disclose agreement), as some forum member sleuthing has unearthed a big list of what is no doubt numerous unannounced game and film projects. And on that list, a game called "Siren in the Maelstrom", and listed as coming from none other than Silicon Knights for "Console ou console portable" (Console or Portable systems?).
Could this be the Thriller game SK earned a government grant to prototype?
While no other information is currently known, at least we have something to chew on. And if you ask me, even that title has me excited for what could be. Anyways, please join us in the forums, and let us know what you think.
- theALLseeingEYE
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» July 21, 2009 |
SK Looking For Game Designer Experienced With Action RPG's
Looks like an interesting job posting just popped up on industry site Gamasutra as of July 10th, 2009. The company? Silicon Knights. The position? Looks like its for a Game design lead of some sort. Take a look at the excerpt below:
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EXPERIENCE:
•Worked as a designer on 2+ published (preferably AAA) action, adventure and/or combat-oriented games.
SKILLS:
•Familiarity with the fantasy and science fiction genre and role-playing games.
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I don't know about you, but that sounds awfully familiar to a certain favorite game around these parts. Anyways, confirmation that Too Human 2 is in development? kinda I'd say. Anyways, please join us in the forums, and let us know what you think.
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- theALLseeingEYE
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» July 16th, 2009 |
Denis Dyack Makes Headlines in Europe
Denis was traveling abroad for the Develop 2009 conference in the UK. As usual, Denis is a popular speaker because of his unique insight and talent as a developer, and because he is rarely hesitant to speak his mind. Today was no different, as he touched on a number of different topics. Among those:
The Sony PS3 exclusive "Heavy Rain"
"They're really trying to break some of the uncanny valley issues that you find in video games,
"I think what they appear to be striving for is really good. I don't think that everyone should do that. I remember leaving the film A Million Dollar Baby and thinking, that's so emotionally riveting for me that I want to be able to create a video game that does the same thing. If that's what they're striving to do, whatever technique they use, whether it be the cinema or the quick time events, I think that's a good thing.
"Now, doing it in such a way that doesn't frustrate the player so he doesn't feel like he's just watching or playing something like Dragon's Lair, that's the trick. So, I would love to see that. I would love to see something interactive that was just as moving as A Million Dollar Baby. If they're able to do that, that would be fantastic. I think what they're driving for appears to be the right direction." The single console future
"Because we have the three consoles we're in this really weird state," said Dyack. "The cycle right now for movies has become pretty well established. For video games it's become hyperbolic almost. There were 300 or so games released last November. We're in a state of performance over supply. We're making more games than consumers can possibly consume. Marketing is having a disproportionate effect over the success of games because there's so many out there people are ignoring us. Sometimes it doesn't matter if your game's good or not; if you don't have that marketing support it won't happen." Gameplay being only a component of good game design
"Gameplay is not everything," said Silicon Knights (Eternal Darkness) founder and president Denis Dyack. "If you look at the most popular games today, they are far more narrative-focused."
"If games are to follow the trajectory of films, then the dominance of gameplay will diminish in place of an increased focus and importance on gaming’s stories and the ways in which they are told," he added. You can join us in the SiliconKnights.net discussion forums to post your take on Denis's comments today. For the latest in breaking Silicon Knights news, follow SiliconKnights.net on Twitter.
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» July 12th, 2009 |
Follow SiliconKnights.net on Twitter
All part of our plan for eventual world domination (Canada first, though, let's not be hasty). You can start following us over at the username SKdotNet.
-- Hannar
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» July 11th, 2009 |
Norse Myths #'s 1-3
Over the next several days and weeks we will begin reintroducing the Norse Mythology series that helped make TooHuman.net a success when we first ran with the stories back in 2005. Having lost that data during the transfer to latter versions of our site, and now having heard the community's desire to recapture those myths for our new members, we have decided to work on restoring the myths and our previous editorial content in as close to the original form as we could.
For those looking to get their hands on the complete texts from which we take these excerpts, I highly suggest picking up a copy of Kevin Crossley-Holland's The Norse Myths. The introduction and extensive endnotes for each myth will provide a great deal more understanding on the subject and add a great perspective for those really enjoying Too Human.
You may find each of our myths presented in the Norse Mythology sectioin of our site; direct links to the discusson threads are found below:
The Creation
The War of the Aesir and Vanir
The Building of Asgard's Wall
-- Hannar
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» July 5th, 2009 |
Belated "Happy Anniversary" wishes to the game that started it all...
Certainly there were Silicon Knights developed games before Eternal Darkness, but for many of us here at SiliconKnights.net, it was that rare Gamecube title that made us fans of the Canadian developer. In my absence I failed to mark the seven year anniversary of the game's North American release on June 24th. We cannot let the occasion pass entirely without celebration.
Join us in expressing our gratitude to Nintendo and Silicon Knights for taking a risk on a game like Eternal Darkness on the Cube. The Knights are in a period of silence currently, but let's make the fans' voice heard if for nothing more than to say "Thank you!" (and may we have another?).
Gamespot on Eternal Darkness:As perhaps the most legitimately mature M-rated console game to ever be released, Eternal Darkness sets a new standard for the action adventure genre. Featuring a gripping story that never lets up, inventive gameplay, sky-high production values, and an attention to detail that is seldom matched, it's an experience like no other. It's a must-buy for anyone who appreciates an amazing story coupled with equally amazing gameplay, and since it offers almost 30 hours of gameplay each time through (and incentive to play through more than once), it's well worth the money spent. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem will long be remembered as Nintendo's first real step toward broadening its horizons, and may well represent a turning point for video games in general.
For those interested in a community wide playtrhough of the original SK classic sometime this month, express your interest in the SiliconKnights.net forums. It is not a multiplayer game, but we might just work to integrate some ED discussion into our normal Gaming Knights routine.
-- Hannar
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» July 7th, 2009 |
Edge Pays Tribute to Eternal Darkness
In a style rarely found in most gaming media these days, Edge magazine published an article this week that took a look back at Eternal Darkness and the rare sense of intrigue and enjoyment it brought those Cube gamers who adeptly took notice of Silicon Knights' first Cube offering. Neither ignoring the game's shortcomings, nor using controversy to dampen its many successes, Edge captures the essence of what we here at SiliconKnights.net love about the game. Here are a few choice excerpts:
When games put you in control of a character with its own identity, rather than an empty shell that you’ve created yourself, there’s always a tension. ‘How can Link be Link if I’m controlling him? How can I be Link if he sometimes does stuff without me telling him to? And why am I calling him ‘he’ if he’s supposed to be me?’ Eternal Darkness stretches this tension even more. Each chapter takes each character through an identical arc. In the course of going about their lives, each person is drawn to the Darkness. Horrified, they discover that they understood nothing of the real nature of the world. They start out innocent and end up corrupted. It means that, despite the skills and information the player learns throughout the game, each chapter resets the character you play to newbie status. It’s here that the game’s central conceit, the Tome Of Eternal Darkness, comes into its own. Part elaborate menu system, part get-out-of-jail-free card, the moment each character finds this book is the moment when the player’s experience and the character’s abilities become fused together. Suddenly, they know everything you know, and the gap is closed between you and your on-screen persona. The Tome Of Eternal Darkness doesn’t contain the secrets of a supernatural conspiracy; it contains the secrets of how to design game characters which can withstand the contradiction of being distinct individuals and empty avatars for players to inhabit.
A masterpiece, then? Who cares. There are games that come much closer to perfection, without doubt. And certainly, those which have proved more influential. And many, of course, which have sold more copies. But few have as much to teach us as Eternal Darkness. As games become increasingly preoccupied with character and story, it’s shocking that the benchmark for games’ ability to emotionally affect players is still assumed to be the death of Aeris. That Eternal Darkness isn’t first on people’s lips when they open that can of worms is perhaps the greatest insanity effect of all.
Read the entire article over at Edge-Online.com and then join us back here for more discussion on the anniversary of Eternal Darkness.
-- Hannar
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