Cool Interview: PS3 Flow

[Titanio]

I was only able to play it briefly last night, down a few levels until you get to the more aggressive prey..

Very beautiful, very relaxing. Motion control took me a little while to get used to, but it's perfect now.

I love that you can leave your creature swimming around on its own in a safe area when you pause the game..something nice to leave on your TV when you're away from the game.

 

[Gradthrawn]

My initial impressions were "what the ****? This has to be the worst implementation of the SIXAXIS yet!" The creature kept moving to the top. I didn't understand why it would only boost in one direction (up). It seemed like I had to hold the controller still in order for it to move down. Which led me to believe that I wasn't actually controlling the creature, only lightly influencing where it would move. Seemed like a complete waste of a game to me... Until I tried another controller and realized that the one I was playing on was actually broken! From that point on, it became a much better experience. I agree with Titanio, it's beautiful and relaxing. The audio is subtle but sounds great on a nice surround sound setup. The controls actually seem to work pretty well, the best implementation of the SIXAXIS I've seen yet in terms of precision and intuitiveness. Don't buy this game if you're looking for some action oriented, deep, and/or fully flushed experience. It is calm, serene and very simple. Don't expect anything more than that and you'll likely enjoy it. It's a mini-game at its finniest. Worth the cost to me.

P.S. It's also a great way to test to see if you're SIXAXIS is working properly!

 

[Gradthrawn]

Another flOw interview, over at 1up.

1UP: Overall, how much bigger of a project would you say the PS3 version is compared to the Flash game? Do you worry that people will assume the two are the same exact thing?

KS: We think of the relationship between the Flash version of flOw and flOw PS3 as like a student film compared to the feature length picture. The PS3 game is a much deeper, fuller experience. It tells the whole story. The Flash game was a starting point, as well as a guide to how we wanted to make the player feel. It's strange to me that people now assume the two are the exact same thing. I mean, of course, the gameplay is similar, but it's definitely a different experience.

1UP: Do you view the version of flOw that will be available soon as something that will evolve over time with new content being added to it? Any ideas as to what that content might include?

KS: Oh man, we have so many ideas as to what that content might include. But, we want to see how players react. flOw, as well as many downloadable games, has the ability to evolve with its players, which is another reason it's so exciting to be developing in this online space.

1UP: Now that the PS3 game is more or less done, are you guys heading straight into extra content support for it or moving on to your next project? Or both?

KS: Again, we'll have to see how people react, and then if it seems like content support is really important to the fans, then we have a million ideas. But, we also have plenty of ideas of another project for which we've already started prototyping, so we'll see.

 

[Bobbler]

It's definitely one of those "experience" games

The music is fantastic (I ended up leaving it on playing when I was falling asleep - hah).

As a couple others said, the control was strange for the first 5-10 minutes until I got used to it... then I started playing with one hand and talking on the phone with the other... it really is absolutely intuitive once you understand how it works (that may seem contradictory, but once you understand that sixaxis movement is controlling the direction and nothing more, it's easy). I found it almost easier to use one hand, as that was all that was necessary and it was easier to twist and turn the controller that way.

Entirely worth the 7.99!

 

[Crayon]

I remember a copy of Strike Commander with the speach pack was a beastly 40 meg install. Seriously huge. But there was alot there! It was worth 1/6th your hard drive!!

As I play Flow, I think, "where the hell are these 125 megs?" And then I think... I should be going to bed soon.... and then I think, oh tomorrow's friday.... and then I think.... hey these dolphin-esque animals are smarter then the rest.... and then I think.... I sure do have alot of laundry to do.... and then, good god what is that down there? Maybe I'll just swim past it....

Point is, the mind wanders alot when playing Flow and the level of player involvement wanders with it. There's moments when you challenge yourself to eat something much larger than yourself and it the game consumes you for a few minutes. Then there's moments where you twirl the the controller around with one hand, swim in circles and just look and listen to the very pretty things as you think about your laundry.

It's a nearly perfect casual game in that way. I'd say it's worth the hype only because we aren't getting enough of this sort of thing.

 

[Gradthrawn]

Cool Credits

Coolest ending credits I have seen in a game, thus far. It makes sense that they would do it that way, but my hat's off to them for their creativity nonetheless. On a side note, the special thanks to "George Lucas," I wonder if it's the George Lucas they're referring to, or just a George Lucas?

 

[pakotlar]

Coolest ending credits I have seen in a game, thus far. It makes sense that they would do it that way, but my hat's off to them for their creativity nonetheless. On a side note, the special thanks to "George Lucas," I wonder if it's the George Lucas they're referring to, or just a George Lucas?

I would guess that it is too much of a coincidence if it was not referring to the.

 

[Eagle-Vision]

People actually paid 8 bucks for a screensaver? wow

 

[Nesh]

hmm??

I dont think people are viewing it the same way as a screensaver judging by their reactions

 

[TheChosenOne]

The game was entertaining while it lasted. It's one of those games that are easy to just pick up and play for a few minutes if you are strapped for time or want to take a quick break from work. I think we need more of those...

On a side note, the special thanks to "George Lucas," I wonder if it's the George Lucas they're referring to, or just a George Lucas?

It's most likely referring to THE George Lucas, being that the game was developed by students within the USC Interactive Media Division which is part of the USC Scool of Cinematic Arts which I know for a fact has been a long time recipient of many donations and resources from him. ...he shows his face around here once every so often too.

 

[Gradthrawn]

The game was entertaining while it lasted. It's one of those games that are easy to just pick up and play for a few minutes if you are strapped for time or want to take a quick break from work. I think we need more of those...

I just had a thought... net-based remote play support for the PSP, along with the oft-delayed tilt sensor, would make for one heck of a nice work distraction with this game. Responsiveness and image quality would be an issue that needs to be addressed, but the possibility is still attractive.

It's most likely referring to THE George Lucas, being that the game was developed by students within the USC Interactive Media Division which is part of the USC Scool of Cinematic Arts which I know for a fact has been a long time recipient of many donations and resources from him. ...he shows his face around here once every so often too.

Oh, I see. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[jams]

As I play Flow, I think, "where the hell are these 125 megs?" And then I think... I should be going to bed soon.... and then I think, oh tomorrow's friday.... and then I think.... hey these dolphin-esque animals are smarter then the rest.... and then I think.... I sure do have alot of laundry to do.... and then, good god what is that down there? Maybe I'll just swim past it....

Considering the point of flOw and the thesis it was built upon, this post is an astounding confirmation of its complete success

The problem is that flOw (and the thesis of flow in games), obvously completely fails when applied to hardcore (or power) gamers. We always find a way to break the flow, even if only in our heads.

Cheers