Syberia 3 Update - Feb 2011

Here is the latest news on Syberia 3 based on an interview with Benoit Sokal here.

Here is the excerpt regarding Syberia 3, translated with an online translator:



Ana

Not what I wanted to hear but thanks for the info Ana.

Who buys his games but the "pure and hard" adventure gamers? Yes, the antique technologies in Syberia I and II would satisfy almost anyone looking for an outstanding game like either of those.

I doubt that the commercial possibilities, by which I assume he means making the games playable on Nintendo, et al, are very great unless he has plans to have Kate mow down her enemies with an AK-47 in glorious 3D and in timed sequences.

Pardon me, perhaps something was lost in the translation, but it sounds as if he's being a prima donna or Anuman is being foolishly obstructive.

Gil.

You know, they should just take up a collection. Or ask fans to buy into it or something. I don't know how that would work, but I'd be willing to contribute to get it off the ground, little money that I have. Seriously.

I agree Trav...I would be more than satisfied with the old "technology" and I'm sure most real adventure fans would be. Hey, I'm all for updated technology, but I still love the "old" techs... sometimes more than the new techs. All it means to me is "money", if you use new technology then us old adventurers will have to get an updated machine. Mine is not that old, but I'm sure that some of the new stuff coming out soon will be too tough for mine. Bah Humbug, Benoit... get with the program.

Traveler and jody, I agree with both of you. While I would love a Syberia with the latest graphics, this is most likely not practical, and the older Syberias are still some of the most beautiful games I've played irregardless of technology. I really don't think Syberia fans would complain. Too bad.

Quite frankly, I don't understand the desire to "upgrade" pc games to 3D. Does everything have to look as real as the view out our windows? Can't we appreciate real graphic artistry?

Gil.

I liked the game engine the way it was also. I still think the graphics are spectacular.

Ana

Me to Ana. That's what made Syberia so great!

You know, I'm glad I started games when they were still new and going through all of their different phases. I remember how amazed I was when I played KQ 5 for the first time and thought the graphics were so beautiful. And they still are.

When I first saw The Longest Journey and Syberia, I was even more blown away. I couldn't believe how detailed graphics had become. Granted, graphics have come even farther since then, but I still don't think that TLJ and Syberia look "old." They still look shiny and new to me. I generally don't understand complaints about "bad" graphics. Gray Matter, for example, looks absolutely beautiful to me, and I don't understand how anyone could find fault with its graphics. (Well, okay, from what I've seen from brief glimpses on YouTube, the dialogue portraits do look a little odd, but I always turn subtitles off anyway. )

Guess I'm just of the wrong generation to understand.

I, too, likes the Syberia game engine; it is an OK engine, I find for adventure games. I can't understand why Sokal wants graphics a la Assasin's Creed? Probably Sokal wants a full 3D engine? If he does, I can sort of understand if it means that something in the game's design can't be made or done without the game in full 3D.
However, I still find the graphics, or more correctly the art design in the Syberia games, and Nikopol etc. to be some of the best in the adventure game genre.

Thanks Ana for the info. From what I can glean, that to produce syberia 3 using the same technology as the first two would not bring enough remuneration to make it as there would not be enough investment in the game engine.

To put things into perspective, I think it has to be considered that the first two games were also produced on consol as well as PC & possibly did better than most AGs because of it. So if Benoit Sokal is considering making a 3rd he has to consider the advance in graphics expected by consol players. I haven't myself played Assassins Creed but I have watched parts of the game played by someone else & this was a few years ago! The graphics were outstanding - particularly the movement of characters which was so fluid & natural - I remember thinking at the time how wonderful it would be to have AGs made with this level of technology.

I've played AGs with very basic graphical styles which I've thought were superb & will always try them. But I do prefer better graphics for the more realistic & immersive worlds - many AGs have achieved this on an environment level but never the movement of characters up to the standard of a game like Assassins Creed.

So I can see why Syberia 3 may have to be a little different - all I ask is please include a very easy option!

Sorry to here this news. Syberia 1&2 were my introduction to video gaming...what a start! Very near and dear to my heart. Superb graphics, great storyline, adventure gaming at its best. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but sometimes moving forward to fast is not in the best interest of all. As an example, I'm still experiencing unresolved compatability issues on Windows 7, even if the software developers say it is hardware compatible. Seems basic, yet problems prevail. Even without the latest and greatest 3D genre, Benoit Sokal is a master in his field!

It's too bad the possibility of a Syberia 3 is so near zero. I really enjoyed the artwork and game play of 1 & 2. It's almost like saying that since the motorcycle was invented, no one will want to ride a bicycle, and we'll make more money on motorcycles, so let's stop making bicycles. The experiences are completely different and there will always be a demand for both.

Also, when I play a game with newer graphics on my laptop, the microprocessor generates a lot of heat and the fan goes into it's highest, loudest mode...very distracting.

I wonder if you estimated how many PC adventure gamers could be counted on to buy the game, designed with older technology, at a given price, would the budget and profit motivation be enough to be practical? Maybe assume downloads only at first, to reduce cost? Or are our numbers just not high enough?

Thanks, Ana

I agree with everyone....keep the old game engine...It was just "Beautiful" Enough for me..

"Please" Benoit Sokal take a look at what people are saying...

Ergggo -- all interesting questions! It would be fascinating to find out how well, for instance, Lost Horizon has been selling, since it is about as Syberia-like as a game gets in these later days.

I also suspect (though I don't know for sure, of course) that if the sales of Gray Matter are stellar, developers will talk more seriously creating more 2.5D adventure games.

Becky, I would love it if that happened for Gray Matter.

I don't think Sokal is interested in making Syberia 3. I think he's interested in working with 3D graphics, and if the only way he'll have access to a top-of-the-line 3D graphics engine is by continuing the Syberia story, he's willing to do so.

It's not about sales or money. That's just an excuse -- and not even a good one. We all know 3D graphics do not make an adventure game better, or make it sell better. 3D graphics didn't help with Broken Sword 3 and they didn't help with Dreamfall. Both of those games lost money.

Benoit Sokal is an artist and right now he's interested in the artistic possibilities of 3D graphics. If he has to work with 2.5D again, he'll do it with something other than Syberia. Unless he can experiment with 3D graphics while making it, Syberia holds no artistic interest for him.

I don't get the whole thing about the graphics. I failed to see any difference in Dreamfall's graphics than Syberia's. I just know I liked the games!

Jenny, I think you hit the nail on the head.

Gil.

It is going to be interesting to see how this all plays out. 3D graphics or not it would be hard to make a game more beautiful than Syberia.

Just my opinion, but I don't think it's going to ever happen. If they were interested, it would have been done already. I'll happily eat my words if they do, but I'm pretty sure I won't have to.

Ana

This is so heart breaking to me .

I loved playing the Syberia games .

I thought Syberia grapics was beautiful

enough .

A 3rd one with the same graphics as the others

will do just fine and sale great .

But I guess they have other ideas, too bad .

Same with me - and my "eating my hat" on the other thread, BrownEyedTigre

I got turned off and at their April Fools marketing ploy that made no sense and it ruined their credibility with me. Since then, I'll believe it when it's released. I personally think they just like the attention.

Ana

Certainly sounds that way.

Sounds like I might not be able to play the new game on my old computer. Maybe by the time it is released I will have a new one. I sure do hope that the developers don't mess with the quality of the first two. I agree. 1&2'S graphics were beautiful!

I love everything about Syberia games! Change is not always for the best!

I'm just replaying Syberia 1 and 2, and the graphics are still beautiful today. I wish they'd do a 3. We don't need no stinkin new graphics!

Lets face it. We're Adventure gamers here. Most of us don't play 1st person shooters like Call Of Duty or Fear. We play Adventure games. Weather it's Myst or Syberia, Scratchs or Rhem...Give me good puzzles or an interesting story with some nice graphics & a cherry on top & most if not all true Adventure gamers are leaving work early to get a copy. Last year my wife found our copy of Blackstones Chronicles so I had to go back & play it again.To me...That's what Adventure games are all about. Not 3D graphics. But hey, what do I know?

I agree with most here. I'm looking for good story, puzzles, with graphics being that "cherry on top." I loved both Syberia games and would really want the new game to look and work much like the other two. That is the Kate Walker world I know.

When I played the first Zork it didn't have graphics at all and this is probably the adventure I enjoyed most, but that was many many years ago. Now I play both FPS and adventure, I do not enjoy as much a game with less than good graphics, without really wanting because I understand the value of the other attributes, I still make comparison with the last shooter I had played.

I agree with everyone here.

If they made Syberia 3, for me they could use the exact same game engine as the previous 2, and I would be there like a shot.

If they mess about too much with 3d or controls etc, I would just be put off.

I also agree with others and lisandbag, if they make S3 the same as S1 and 2, I will be in line to buy the game.
The Graphics, voices and puzzles are more than good enough = A+.
So please, finish the game already so we can get our hands on it.

NUT'S. Not wanting to hear this! Syberia 1 & 2 were fabulous and the graphics were, as Ana said, "Spectacular". I for one thought everything looked real. I have two copies, one not opened, because I will continue to play the game(s). I wish they would reconsider.
Terri

"If it ain't broke, then don't fix it!"

example :
* "The Longest Journey" ~ Fantabulous!
* "Dreamfall: The Longest Journey" ~ Reeked!

tks for the info...darn it!

I can't help but think of the transition from the previous Gabriel Knight games to Gabriel Knight 3. The 3D transition was painful and essentially ruined a game that was otherwise great.

I agree with you completely, DaveHT.