[PS3] [360] Max Anarchy

[recoil]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/0 ... x_anarchy/

Bayonetta and Vanquish developer Platinum Games has a new multiplatform PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 game in the works. Titled Max Anarchy, the game is an online action combat game with support for large numbers of players. This will be the first online combat game from the developer.

Famitsu has a first report on the game this week. Screens in the magazine show players wielding chain saws and torches to do battle. Jack from Wii's ultra violent Madworld will be a playable character.

We can probably expect to hear a lot more about the game shortly, as Famitsu has a lengthy developer interview with Platinum's Atsushi Inaba.

Max Anarchy will be released through Sega some time this year.

[El Chaos]

The article has a follow-up: http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/0 ... x_anarchy/

As reported earlier today, Famitsu has a first look this week at Max Anarchy, a new PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 online action combat game from Bayonetta and Vanquish developer Platinum Games. Producer Atsushi Inaba shared some commentary on the game in an interview with the magazine.

Max Anarchy represents Platinum Games' attempts at trying out online combat. This will be the developer's first online combat game.

On top of that, Inaba feels the game's genre is something that doesn't actually exist yet: "Massively Multiplayer Melee Fighting Action." It should be noted here that I've translated the genre's name to include "Massively," but there's no indication in the article about a specific player count, so it's possible that the term may not be appropriate. Inaba did say that the game will have a "large number" of people combating at once, though, and it fits in with Inaba's comments about possible synchronization issues (see below).

The magazine has just one gameplay screenshot. This shows a character raising a foe up with a chain saw as another foe, this one hooded and wearing a hockey mask, approaches with what looks like a torch as a weapon.

Max Anarchy started development in a trial and error phase two yeas ago, Inaba explained. The title we'll be getting has a number of differences from that early version, though.

Asked to describe the game, Inaba replied "Fighting Game." The game will show characters who've had their abilities strengthened fighting it out all at once in a situation where, similar to a group fight, you may end up getting pounded suddenly from behind.

The game will have at its base an offline story mode with a solid story. On top of this will be a variety of options that allow players to enjoy themselves online. These will include cooperative elements in addition to free-for-all combat.

Inaba didn't share details on that solid story, but he did reveal one of the game's playable characters. Jack, the main character in Platinum's violent Wii title MadWorld, will be playable. The Platinum staff had wanted to make use of the character again, explained Inaba, and he fit Max Anarchy perfectly, even though he has nothing to do with the game's story and world setting.

It was mentioned above that Inaba feels the game's genre of "Massively Multiplayer Melee Fighting Action" doesn't exist yet. The reason for this, Inaba explained, is because of synchronization issues when you have large numbers of online players. Although it's difficult work, it's one of the things they're challenging, he said.

Noting that it's difficult to get an image for something if the genre is new, Famitsu asked Inaba to compare it to something. He replied "fighting game" again, but added that even though it may look like Sega's long lost arcade multiplayer fighting series Spikeout, the gameplay is different.

Asked how he feels about the game in its current state of development, Inaba said that he has confidence in the gameplay areas. Balancing the game is tough, though, as due to it being a new genre they have to make it, to a certain extent, more easily accessible.

Platinum is aiming for a Fall 2011 worldwide simultaneous release for Max Anarchy. The game will be published by Sega.

If all this sounds a bit vague to you, there's a reason. This first look at Max Anarchy actually isn't one of Famitsu's usual fact-filled previews. The discussion of the game came as part of an interview looking back at Platinum Games since the studio's 2006 formation. This is presumably why the magazine doesn't have clear details on combat, options and characters. We'll hopefully get these details once the game gets a more formal announcement.

[icycalm]

One more reason to play Madworld in the meantime.

These guys are rather prolific, aren't they? Cool news.

[Icemael]

http://www.segabits.com/?p=7308

Platinum Games has just tweeted that they will be showing something about Max Anarchy online on their website. But one new piece of info is that the game is being called Anarchy Reigns in the west.

“@platinumgames: We announced ANARCHY REIGNS (MAX ANARCHY in Japan) for PS3 and 360 today. Look for info on our website soon.”

That sort of sucks, I was actually liking the sound of ‘Max Anarchy’, even though it did remind me of Max Payne.

I agree with the guy. Anarchy Reigns doesn't sound nearly as nice as Max Anarchy.

Also, Hideki Kamiya tweeted this: http://i.imgur.com/vsQy5.jpg

Masaki Yamanaka was Madworld's art designer.

[JoshF]

It reminded me more of Max Headroom for some reason. Anyway, here are some screens: http://www.flickr.com/photos/segaeurope/5392880549/in/set-72157625917994168/

I'm excited to see how this turns out. I always wanted a good fighting game with stage designs instead of non-interactive backgrounds or symmetrical rings.

[Icemael]

Here's a teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTnTlgYye4

[Icemael]

Here's the first footage of the game being played: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozpUcUzy ... r_embedded

Looks like a multiplayer Bayonetta. Very cool.

[icycalm]

Nothing like what I imagined it would be. It really looked bland and boring from the first screens. Has anyone else done an online deathmatch 3D brawler before?

On a largely unrelated note: I wonder when we'll get a Border Down port. It's about time I should think. Between that and this the Japanese are certainly injecting some variety into the mostly FPS-dominated deathmatch scene.

[Some guy]

A new trailer is up: http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/0 ... a_trailer/

[icycalm]

New screens:

http://videogamerx.gamedonga.co.kr/zbxe/1585375



Only the one above looks good. The others are terrible.

[Icemael]

Here's a new interview with lots of footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-tOAXKwkDs

The game looks fun as hell.