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For this conclusion, we consulted our magic eight ball.
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Usually when we conclude previews, we go on and on analyzing a developer's chance of making a successful game using logic. Ha! Like that would ever work… can you honestly conceive 3DGN using logic? Actually, we used to consult our former high school janitor, but after he hired an agent and asked for a raise we had to let him go. Now we've been reduced to asking our magic eight ball, and we hope you don't mind.
Will Giants be both a successful game and immense fun for hardcore gamers?
Crap, hold on, the ball is all cloudy. Ok, I guess you're not supposed to shake it, as all I can see now are bubbles. And since I'm pretty sure you can't answer: "Will giants be a successful game?" with "Bubbles," we better resort to logic.
Let's see… Planet Moon made Earthworm Jim, and that game kicked ass. Then they made MDK, and that game kicked ass. That means they either have a lot of faith in the power of feta cheese, or they're really an experienced development team. I'm inclined to choose the latter. Also, they have taken clear steps to make Giants a balanced multiplayer and single player game, and that became evident after only watching them play for a few minutes.
Also, the Planet Moon team is fun to talk to. They aren't uptight business men, they're guys that care about games and would rather be working on Giants than speaking to the press. I admire their honesty, and I'd be more hurt about that thought if they hadn't offered me a beer. Nevertheless, they did take time to enthusiastically discuss their game and the entire industry, so there is no doubt they love what they do and only want to make a game that is fun to play.
And if you still don't believe that, boy have I got something to tell you! The game has an editor that can be used to edit the game while playing. Now this isn't going to be something you'll find in the final copy to help you cheat, but when quality assurance people begin testing Giants they can provide plenty of useful feedback. If a level is just impossible to beat because there are a few too many enemies in one area, they can simply edit out an enemy or two, test a few things to make the level optimal, and pass on their newfound knowledge to Planet Moon.
I don't know about you, but that sounds like one hell of a way to ensure the game is balanced. With all of these things going for Planet Moon, I don't foresee Giants turning out to be a great disappointment and failing. Neither does my magic eight ball, but then again, it only sees bubbles. I do see the makings of a hit game, however, and since Planet Moon Studios is within driving distance, I'll be sure to sneak into their offices late at night and play the game into the wee morning hours. Maybe I shouldn't print that, because it might upset Planet Moon. And more importantly, they may beef up security.
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