You know, when we said EA's Dante's Inferno seems to look and play a lot like SCEA's God of War franchise, it wasn't entirely an insult. And Inferno writer, producer and director Jonathan Knight doesn't take it as an insult, either.
In a recent Official PlayStation Magazine interview, Knight was asked how he felt when everyone kept comparing his game to God of War , perhaps implying there has been some "ripping off" going on. Knight's answer was a little surprising, but when you consider the comparison, and the fact that GoW is one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed franchises in history, perhaps it makes sense:
"We never get sick of hearing it because it's the greatest compliment we can be paid. We hope to be worthy of that. Those guys are at the top of their game and there's no question God of War III is going to be spectacular. I'll be the first in line to get it. I hope those comparisons are being made because of our combat system and is just as responsive – the control over the character is very immediate, it's very fast-paced, you can branch out of moves very easily, you feel very powerful and overall is a very fun game to play."
Of course, he's not saying they "stole" anything from GoW but the bottom line is that games continue to influence developers with every passing day. If a mechanic works well and is accepted by the majority, designers will implement a similar mechanic in their game. Is there an entertainment venue that doesn't practice this? No, there isn't. As for other influences for Dante's Inferno , Knight brings us back to the classic novel the game is based upon; Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy." This allowed the team to come up with ideas for the Holy Cross weapon, the chance to absolve or punish the damned, and the giant, horrific demons we'll encounter.
Now, the character in the book is initially in search for his beloved, Beatrice, but it eventually becomes more of a quest as he works through Hell (Inferno), Purgatory, and Heaven. He never fights anything and if I remember correctly, he never has to, even in Hell. It's more of a guided tour. But I suppose EA is allowed to take creative license with a book that's about 600 years old…maybe also 'cuz almost nobody has actually read it. Well, besides me. 😉
Well played response by EA.
Yes. One of the (very) few smart responses of EA.
I don't mind that it rips off GOW's combat system – if it's a good game. I think EA's response is kind of funny – nobody's played the game yet, we're obviously not complimenting it on the responsiveness of the controls. But whatever. I'm really looking forward to it. I don't see anything wrong with an unofficial GOW spin-off.
That was a pretty smart response from him.Perhaps Dante could become my warm up to GOWIII.
i was thinking the same thing, lol
So, mabey Dantes inferno is a three parter, mabey its gonna be Dantes Purgitorio then Dantes Paradiso. just a thought, all I know is that is looks so good.
If this was a rock concert, God of War III would be the headliner, and Dante's Inferno warming up the crowd after the opening performance by Bayonetta.
They are pretty similar games too.
I still need to finish reading Inferno. 🙁
I have faith that Dante's Inferno will be a decent Multiplat, and now I just discovered I have to get GOWIII and Bad Company2 in March. Hahaha Great point Blinkboy.
Maybe if they had ps3's 600 years ago Dante would of added fights to his own creative license…imagine what generation of console we'd have in 600years?
nice to see a developer say it's a compliment instead of saying we're better blah blah…
dantas inferno havent really been looking into to much but i'm afraid of keep looking at all these titles being talked about ect… i'm already trying to figure out when i can play all these games i have on preorder lol. Man can we stop time please just for me to catch up lol.
This guy needs to be commended for his honesty and humility .
@ Ben,
I read it… and Milton's Paradise Lost, too.
My MBA is in English with a specialization in writing. 😉
As a great reader of literary classics, I too have read Paradise Lost. Next up is Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina."
I've already made a vow to read as many of the classics as possible before I die. Current favorites are Eliot's "Middlemarch" and Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude." 🙂
@Ben
Nice, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a great book. What a crazy family!
"A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read."
-Samuel Clemens ("Mark Twain")
Anyone else thinks the above includes text-books?
No, I always want to read the classics.
I've also read it, partly in Italian. BTW it's not a novel, but an epic poem, just like Paradise Lost.
I find this bastardization infuriating, but that doesn't mean it can't be a fun game, even if it is an abomination.
There is nothing in the poem that remotely suggests it should be an action game. It's mostly the 14th century equivalent of The Daily Show, commentary on contemporary public figures.
@ Orvis
MBA in English? Typo?
Last edited by Fane1024 on 10/2/2009 3:19:47 AM
I know it's considered an epic poem but it reads exactly like a novel; at least in the English translation. An epic poem to me is something like Beowulf, which fits the definition better, IMO.
If you have a prose translation, I can see why you would feel that way, but The Divine Comedy (despite its lack of action) is technically more of an epic poem than Beowulf, which comes from a different tradition.
Novels (= "new") didn't exist until much later.
End of lesson. ; )
Dante's Inferno is one of my top wanted action/adventure for 2010. others include: Darksiders, Bayonetta, Castlevania Lords of Shadow, Nier, and ofcourse, GOWIII
Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 10/1/2009 4:56:19 PM
Played it at PAX. Dante's Inferno is fun, fun, fun! Ripping the giant tree monster looking things jaw out was awesome!
A great story, great controls, etc. etc.
At least this guy isn't trying to convince people that their game is better and more innovative, like Microsoft does with Forza and Grand Turismo.
Right now i'm playing Dead Space (I know i'm late to the party lol), and I seem to notice a bit of Resident Evil 4 on there, which isn't a bad thing.
Good response, that's how you handle PR people. Now if this one works out maybe we will see Milton's "Paradise Lost" think about that, you get to be Satan.
Well what do you know? A big gaming company that doesn't talk out of it's ass. From EA's recent behavior I'm thinking they've either gotten their act together or have hired the right people. Knight sounds like a genuine gamer… and I like that.
i find it extremely ironic how Italian, and Greek mythology has been going head to head for century's.
well anything Greek against anything Italian really and now we just happen to have 1 Greek mythology game and one Italian.
let the battle for ancient superiority commence!!!!
Not really.
90% of Roman (Italian) mythology was directly stolen from Greek myth, with the names of native Italian gods substituted.
And this mythology is Christian, not Italian. And the poem's not really about the mythology, but rather immorality in Florentine society.
And it wouldn't be ironic, even if everything you said was true, which it isn't.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 10/2/2009 3:32:26 AM
Humility still exists!?! Mark me as truely amazed! Wow, only if Dan Greenwald (Forza 3) sounded like this…