Ben-DutkaInsomniac's new multiplatform game was originally announced as Overstrike , but it has since been re-branded as Fuse , and it's coming to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2013.
We'll be taking a closer look at Fuse in the weeks to come but in the meantime, we're interested in what Insomniac CEO Ted Price told GameSpot about leaving single-player-only projects behind for good.
The studio that brought you Ratchet & Clank and Resistance has not only gone multiplatform, they've also embraced multiplayer for the future. Said Price:
"I can't imagine that any game we'd do from here on out will be single-player-only. The [game industry] has changed. As gamers, we have always been social, but thanks to the way technology has evolved, it's much easier for us to play together. And it's much easier for developers to create experiences where you can play together. So we want to encourage that with all of our games because ultimately, in my opinion, it's often more fun to play with a friend."
Of course, this doesn't mean the team is abandoning campaigns for their future titles, as the upcoming Fuse will boast both single-player and multiplayer action. Price reminds us that many gamers are simply interested in having both and as a developer, they don't have to "skimp on either side." It's just about having that balance. Finished Price:
"We understand that a large portion of players are interested in that single-player experience. A lot of us gamers are interested in both. I love single-player games but I also love multiplayer games, and I think that Fuse offers you the opportunity to do both without having to skimp on either side."
Some could argue that if a team put all their time and resources into a single-player-only game rather than splitting everything up to incorporate multiplayer, we'd get a superior campaign experience. …but that may be a moot point in this day and age.
Related Game(s): Fuse
I think I like the new name even less. While the game seems tailored to multiplayer from the get-go I still think MP is crippling SP in action games at least. Maybe in the next gen there will be room for both.
I predict good review scores and little gamer interest for Fuse.
THe new screenshots lack the volume I've come to expect from Insomniac's stuff.
They changed it from something that looked unique to something that is photo realistic. Good lord why, why is it that devs think that if it looks similar to CoD it might draw in some of those players?
But guess what, I saw this coming, EA is notorious for doing this when they take a dev under their wing. Happened with Bioware, and its happening here. Multiplayer only? That doesn't much sound like insomniac that sounds like EA.
I wonder when EA will reach my hatred cap? It seems every couple of months they show me that they can be even more scummy than I though.
yah, not certain why they went more realism. I was somewhat optimistic for this, but I just don't see anything compelling because it looks so dang familiar other than the brighter explosions and gunfire. This game just seems way late to the party. I'm getting feelings of Xbox's Brute Force mixed with Binary Domain with the added twist of Insoaniac's art style from the photos. I'm getting the feeling it's gonna flop.
I'd sooner play Starhawk than this at this point.
Starhawk is pretty stellar 😀
I've had every intention of getting and playing Starhawk, actually. Short of funds and time sadly. I did enjoy Warhawk more than I'd have expected, too.
Free map packs doesn't hurt starhawk either. Im going to pick it up again when its cheap, I traded it in for guild wars 2 as I played it a lot the first couple months i had it.
Its already had a price drop i think its about 40 bucks now?
They really switched up the character design, eh? It used to be very quirky and cartoon-y looking. This seems more gritty…grey, and generic. I'm sure it'll still be a good game, as I enjoyed Resistance 3 and some of the Ratchet games. Right now it just looks like it could easily get lost in the sea of shooters to the casual gamer.
As far as SP vs. MP, I'm in the camp that believes that if a developer is talented enough and given enough time from the publisher, the single player should not suffer. See: Uncharted 3. There was no evidence whatsoever that the single player suffered because a good portion of the team worked on the multiplayer component. There were people whining and crying that they shouldn't have wasted their time with MP, but honestly, how much better did you want the single player campaign to be?
Although I have nothing against MP for those who enjoy it, let's hope they don't wind up gimping the SP mode in any way for us Sp mode players who actually enjoy playing alone, at our own leisurely pace, and without any added distractions that could be caused by adding other players.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/12/2012 12:37:43 PM
I guess I'm late to the party, because this is the first time I've heard of Overstrike. Anyway, it's unfortunate that the implementation of multiplayer has just become the norm now. I just don't get how it's necessary in every game. Ahh well, here's hoping it either turns out great or comes out horrible and they learn their lesson.
Damn. They just HAD to join forces with EA, didn't they? I'm not disappointed by this news, it's impossible at this point knowing the direction of gaming. I can only hope that Insomniac stays true to the narrative quality of Fall of Man, Resistance 3 and Ratchet and Clank Future as they go forward from here.
While something is better than nothing, I just can't place much faith in a narrative about a squad of 4 mercenary brutes blowing stuff up.
I'm sure Insomniac can handle the multiplayer well still retaining a solid single player mode. One of, if not the best Ratchet & Clank (Up Your Arsenal)had a solid a wonderful single player mode with a enjoyable multiplayer mode. Deadlock and the Resistance series also goes to support this.
I'm sorry, but what happened to the original game design and characters? I agree with most people here. This one seems A LOT less interesting, let alone fun.
I was kind of freaked out when Insomniac posted those weird YouTube videos where they were playing with mercury and ferrometals. I guess they explain the shields in the screenshots.
I hate when single player gets gimped for multiplayer, however I think Insomniac has proven that they can produce stellar experiences on both sides of the same game. The only thing I am worried about is how much sway EA has over this project. As others have stated the looks of this game have changed along with its name. But with that said, I still have faith that Insomniac will deliver on this one.
Is there actually a SP mode in this game? I'm a bit confused, not the first time for me and certainly not the last.
sigh.
all ill say is just because ive always said insomniac going MP would be the death of them, does not mean you had to prove me right!
guess we only have ourselves to blame though.
insomniac has been making brilliant games for decades now, but has never really gained the financial success they deserved!
so now they have branched out and started whoring themselves out.
well, sadly, thats what happens when people support this COD crap instead of unique innovative interesting games!
sigh, so sad and disgusting how much power customers have over the industry these days!
So long as they stand by their comments on All4One. We love a good single-player and also enjoy playing mp with our friends, but sometimes that mp is 4 people sitting together in a big room playing on one console. Just remember that Insomniac, online is nice, local is a MUST!!!
Bye bye Overstrike/Fuse(really REALLY stupid name change IMO), and it looks like bye bye Insomniac since they are going multiplayer only… I for one MUCH perfer single play games to be the main and multiplayer to stay in the realm of fighting games and a few (VERY FEW) other genres, but oh well, the whole industry seems to think the ONLY way to sell games is for them to have multiplayer. This keeps up and I'll have to move back to some of my other hobbies…