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Dark Void dev diary focuses on that guy in front of the jetpack

by David Hinkle { Nov 5th 2009 at 6:30AM }

For us, the worth of protagonist Will in Dark Void isn't measured by his strengths as human being, but really just his awesome jetpacking. Airtight Games wants us to know there's more to like about the guy and aimed to make Will more in line with the typical Japanese game protagonist -- more believable and less of a "caricature."

The above video diary also shows us how Nikola Tesla ended up in the game. Tesla is just one cool dude, whether he's being played by David Bowie, building super awesome defense towers for the Russians, or -- in the case of Dark Void -- spearheading an entire rebellion by inventing jetpacks and gigantic airships.

Secret Dark Void event going down this Monday, Oct. 12

by David Hinkle { Oct 8th 2009 at 9:40PM }

If you fancy yourself a would-be jetpacker, know that Capcom Unity is holding an event to show off Dark Void to San Franciscans this Monday, October 12. Before you get all giddy and start causing a scene in your cubicle/classroom/mom's basement, you'll need to do a few things:

Make sure you can clear your schedule from 2pm - 7:30pmish on Monday, October 12 and you can get yourself to the downtown San Francisco area
Be at least 21 years old and have a valid I.D.
Hit up this link and drop a note stating why you should be chosen

And that's pretty much it. Best of luck to those of you trying to attend!

Keiji Inafune says Japanese game industry is over, man

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 27th 2009 at 4:30PM }

Giving Tokyo Game Show attendees a chance to get some hands-on time with Western-developed Dead Rising 2 at a party this week, Capcom's Keiji Inafune stated, "Japan is over. We're done. Our game industry is finished." Bionic Commando producer Ben Judd translated the Mega Man creator's claims to the crowd (that Destructoid captured on video, found after the break), explaining the eulogy as Inafune's reaction to the show floor at this year's TGS.

Unsurprisingly, his words were less harsh about his Japanese company's upcoming titles. "Just so that you all don't think that the game industry is finished, Capcom is doing our best," he said. Next year's Dark Void and Dead Rising 2 -- both Western developed games, mind you -- can't hurt Inafune's confidence, eh?

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Dark Void pre-order bonus: A gold jetpack!

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 1st 2009 at 12:29PM }

Did you know that at this very minute, millions of people worldwide are sitting on a fortune in gold? It's true! And you could be one of them! Capcom wants to help increase your gold treasures by one full jetpack, offering the item as a pre-order bonus with Dark Void when it lands on GameStop shelves early next year.

Rather than be way boring and send out a press release (though Capcom did that too), we've got the full faux commercial you see above, hilariously detailing the bonus; though a bit of gameplay of the jetpack can be found on the promo's website.

"My life used to be miserable and meaningless, but thanks to GOLD4JETPACK.com, I don't cry myself to sleep anymore!" Thanks GOLD4JETPACK.com!

Gallery: Dark Void

New Dark Void videos to fill the dark void in your heart

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 21st 2009 at 3:45PM }

We realize that Capcom chose to move Dark Void into 2010 for one reason or another, and we know how that makes you feel. You feel angry and sad and betrayed all at the same time but, mostly, you feel empty. Allow us, then, to provide you with some new Dark Void media fresh from GamesCom. Above we have a cinematic trailer for the game, which sets up the overall plot very nicely.

What you really want, however, is gameplay footage, and we've got plenty. After the break you will find a video with nearly five minutes of gameplay. So, go grab that old, homemade Rocketeer helmet -- we know you have one -- and strap in.

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Capcom: Dark Void delay made room for more features

by JC Fletcher { Aug 21st 2009 at 10:00AM }

Dark Void wasn't just pushed back into 2010 to avoid "the crowded fall game season" (the crowded Q1 game season is so much nicer). Dark Void associate producer Shana T. Bryant offered another, more content-related reason to Kotaku, presumably right before she shot their correspondent out of a cannon.

"The main reason we delayed Dark Void was because we really wanted to spend the extra time we needed to re-polish it and add a new feature," Bryant explained. The new feature is hovering: by hitting the jump button twice, you can now hover in place, rising higher by continuing to hold the jump button. In happy news for people who want to play Dark Void without going insane with frustration, the damage model has also been tweaked such that wall collisions don't result in instant death.

It actually sounds like we're benefiting from the Dark Void delay. Don't tell anyone, though! We don't want the few publishers who haven't moved everything to spring 2010 to think it's a good idea.

Gallery: Dark Void

Dark Void touching down January 12

by Justin McElroy { Aug 19th 2009 at 9:40AM }

Sure, we were upset when the gorgeous and fun Dark Void got pushed into 2010, but we guess if you have to be next year, this isn't a bad spot: Capcom announced this morning that you'll be able to strap in to Will's jetpack and helmet on January 12th in the US and January 15th in Europe.

So, just hold on to that electric beard massager for an extra week or two before you exchange it, and Aunt Stephanie will have bought you a totally bitching Christmas gift.

Capcom reveals GamesCom 2009 lineup, safety hazard

by Xav de Matos { Aug 11th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Capcom has dropped word on the titles it plans to feature at the GamesCom Conference in Cologne later this month, and (for the most part) the games feature a hearty scoop of violence. Kicking things off with the oft-delayed Dark Void, Capcom will feature Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars, Monster Hunter Tri and Spyborgs for the Wii, along with Lost Planet 2 and MotoGP 09/10 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

To promote the Rocketeer/alien battle simulator Dark Void, Capcom is hosting an event in which attendees can take flight in the Dark Void Body Flying Machine, a rigged, vertically-oriented airstream shooting gamers into the air at speeds of up to 180km/h. Luckily, Capcom is also sponsoring taxis throughout Cologne, so if something goes wrong during its "sounds like a tremendous idea on paper" gamer cannon event, attendees can make their way safely to the emergency room. GamesCom runs from August 19-23 in Cologne, Germany.

Bear McCreary explains inspiration for Dark Void score

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 6th 2009 at 8:00PM }

The pangs of despair we felt upon seeing the recent delay of Dark Void came in two distinct, yet equally heartbreaking flavors. For one, we became that much further removed from the title's jetpack-infused gameplay we've come to know and love. However, almost as upsetting was the fact that we'd have to wait even longer to hear the game's seemingly breathtaking musical score, created by former Battlestar Galactica composer Bear McCreary.

Machinima.com recently helped ease the pain by releasing a video interview (posted after the break) with McCreary conducted at San Diego Comic Con '09. It doesn't really feature any of the game's musical accompaniment, but provides us with an interesting look into Bear's creative process -- a process that thankfully extends further than "learn title of game, write entire score in one sitting, give music to developer, earn check, cash check, buy Jet Ski."

[Via Capcom Unity]

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Capcom delays Dark Void into 2010, avoids 'crowded fall game season' - that's it, we quit

by Christopher Grant { Jul 30th 2009 at 2:03PM }

You know, when you're stuck in traffic and you think about changing lanes, but decide not to, reasoning with yourself that everyone else will and you're better off staying put? The lane to the left keeps moving and yet you stand still. So you go left and, what happens? Yup, you're stuck, while the right lane starts moving. Briskly.

Capcom finds itself in just such a position today, as it announces the delay of Dark Void into 2010 "in order to get the game out of the crowded fall game season," the company's Chris Kramer tells Joystiq. The Airtight Games-developed jetpack-'em-up will find a new home in Capcom's fiscal fourth quarter ... which is the increasingly crowded Q1 2010 calendar period, which ends in March.

Precisely what competition could Capcom be so afraid of? GameStop (of course, never an accurate reflection of actual release dates) listed Dark Void as touching down on September 22 ... the same September 22 in which Halo 3 ODST finally stops preparing, and just drops. When asked about the delay, Kramer said, "The move will be great for the game and for gamers: less competition in the market (curse you, Halo!), more time for polish."

So, just to make sure we've got this right: Capcom avoided releasing Dark Void in the relatively open September '09 period to avoid a "crowded" gaming season, opting instead for 2010 ... the same 2010 that now houses release dates for the similarly delayed Splinter Cell: Conviction, Bioshock 2, Singularity, Bayonetta, Red Steel 2, and probably Mafia II and Red Dead Redemption. Oh, as well as the already planned God of War 3, Heavy Rain, MAG, Darksiders, Aliens vs. Predator, Alan Wake, Dante's Inferno, Mass Effect 2, Sin & Punishment 2, White Knight Chronicles, Split/Second, and Capcom's own Dead Rising 2 and Lost Planet 2.

... boy, that right lane is looking awfully appealing again.

Gallery: Dark Void

Dark Void figure lights up our eyes

by JC Fletcher { Jul 29th 2009 at 1:00AM }

Dark Void looks like a pretty good video game or whatever, but its real contribution to the world is this figurine. Sold at Capcom's Comic-Con booth, the figure depicts protagonist Will taking off on his totally sweet jetpack. One detail that probably netted Capcom a few impulse buys: both the helmet and the flames light up.

Capcom-Unity says to "stay tuned for more info on these guys," suggesting that there will be some way to obtain one outside of the Comic-Con setting. Either that or the site will offer more info about how awesome it is, which could honestly fill a few additional blog posts.

It has lights.

Another video game soundtrack to suffer Bear attack

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 10th 2009 at 9:15PM }

Listen, we don't have a dude-crush on Battlestar Galactica and Dark Void compose Bear McCreary -- rather, we have an ear-crush on his musical creations. Once you finally get your hands on Capcom's jetpack-infused action title, you'll understand why -- though during a recent interview with Examiner, McCreary revealed that those who suffer from unbearable jetpackphobia might be able to hear his work on yet another video game in the near future.

In the Examiner interview, McCreary revealed he's "doing another video game this summer," as well as "a couple other non-science fiction projects [he] can't announce just yet." We hope one of those projects is following us around, composing live musical accompanyment for our every action. We'd just love to hear some sweeping violins as we enjoy our daily bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, you know?

Dark Void dev diary takes flight

by David Hinkle { Jun 22nd 2009 at 7:45PM }

Airtight Games' upcoming Dark Void is a title on many a gamer's radar, not only because Airtight is comprised of some of the developers responsible for Crimson Skies, one of the original Xbox's gems, but because flying around with a jetpack is really awesome. You don't have to take our word for it, though, as this developer diary does a good job of showing what makes jetpacking around so fun (hint: it's the jetting). Disney, we hope you're taking notes for that inevitable The Rocketeer reboot!

E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jun 12th 2009 at 11:45AM }

E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

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Hands-on: Dark Void

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 3rd 2009 at 4:30PM }

There's not much we can say about our latest hands-on session with Dark Void that we haven't said five times before. The jetpackery? Still breathtaking. The vertical cover system? Still brilliant. The visual presentation -- well, you get the picture. Needless to say, Capcom hasn't taken any of the previously seen awesome stuff out of the build we just played -- but they've added more than a few subtle differences that caught our eye and quickened our pulses.

The most important difference we noticed? The build of Dark Void we just played featured a helmetless Will, so perhaps it's time to cut out all the "toasterhead" jabs. Dude's got feelings, too.

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