819 replies to this topic

[K1Bond007]

Interesting to note the use of the cool location font for "ATHENS, GREECE" similar to what they did with the ones in Quantum of Solace.

Yes... and there's another nasty filthy QOS habit... no gunbarrel

You don't know that. For all you know it's included in the "pre-game credits" a la GoldenEye or it occurred prior to the scene.

[Matt_13]

Either that or they just want to save it for when the game is actually released. And Casino Royale didn't have the gunbarrel at the beginning either, so it's hardly a filthy habit...

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Either that or they just want to save it for when the game is actually released. And Casino Royale didn't have the gunbarrel at the beginning either, so it's hardly a filthy habit...

But CR was a reboot, so I can understand that. But if they want to give the game a "movie look" they should put it as they did in NF, EON and FRWL.
I don't mind if it's before the main menu like in GE64, tough.

[dinovelvet]

Comic-con interview & some footage with one of the designers:

[Quantumofsolace007]

Comic-con interview & some footage with one of the designers:

Ok even though it's TPS I gotta say Blood stone looks really awesome.

Of course annoying nearly every shot and clip is from the first level which the level looks great but I'm curious about say the level at the casino hinted at in the website and about some of the other locations.

[Matt_13]

A fine interview, he looked nervous but he did great. Can't wait to see more on this.

[OHMSS Spion]

I've been tempted to do the same, terminus, tho for a Xbox 360 so I can get Kinect as well. Has there been any word on the PC requirements yet? Vista or 7? perhaps even XP? I have one computer running each so I think I've got all the possibilities covered.

[DamnCoffee]

A fine interview, he looked nervous but he did great. Can't wait to see more on this.

Agreed. I love the idea of realistic gadgets. Hope to hear more about this.

[Marketto007]

Don't know if someone already said this here, but this is the first time I've seen our future Bond movies producer, David Wilson.

xxx

[sharpshooter]

I love the idea of realistic gadgets.

Yes, that piqued my interest as well. We'll probably have Splinter Cell-esque items.

They're not going to stray from the Craig model too much, as Blood Stone will be a CR/QoS based greatest hits package. In that regard, I wouldn't expect any drastic changes or revelations to the Craig-verse. I think they will play a straight bat. Just as Q will be absent - as he has not appeared in the Craig films thus far.

They should just roll with what the films have already established, even if this game is seperate to them. Games should not impose anything on the films. Those decisions, such as the appearance and function of Q, or Moneypenny for that matter, are best left for Bond 23 and onwards, IMO.

A popular idea could set expectations for the real thing, and be detrimental in some way. The film makers may feel they have to go in another direction. Or something like that. Bottom line, don't do it.

[Matt_13]

The Bloodstone official site is using different music, and if I had to pin it down I'd say it's a cross between TWINE and TLD. It's really good, and way better than what we've been getting for music in past games.

[DamnCoffee]

Just noticed this, as well. It sounds great!

[Matt_13]

Ooh, it looks like we'll have some Dev Diaries to look forward to as well, here's a brief one of Joss Stone, where she confirms she had attempted to write a song for one of the films not too long ago!

[Captain Tightpants]

also hoping the video game plot is down to earth I really don't need cloning or nano bots in bond again.

The plot apparently revolves around a missing scientist and a top-secret biological weapon. Diamonds also factor into the story somehow; they're rife in the title sequence video, as is DNA, and the title itself - 'Blood Stone' - could well refer to conflict diamonds, which are also known as blood stones because they paid for in blood. Joss Stone is apparently a socialite who Bond meets, and the villain is a Eurotrash terrorist named Greco. Locations are said to include Siberia, Athens, Istanbul and Thailand.

That, in and of itself doesn't do too much for me. Conflict diamonds have been overused of late and conjure up images of DIE ANOTHER DAY, whilst a virus isn't exactly the most original plot point. That said, there is potential here: I could see the plot revolving around a virus that works by interfering with mitosis (the body's ability to regenerate cells, caused by DNA splitting and replicating itself) and causing a zombie-like state that proves fatal (culchisene, a gout medication, blocks mitosis to a certain extent). My interpretation of BLOOD STONE would see Bond investigating a scientist who has developed this zombie-virus, but has been kidnapped by Greco, who wants to sell it to the highest bidder. However, the scientist doesn't have the formula for it - he has hidden it by inscribing it with a laser on the surface of a diamond, which he has given to his fiancee, Joss Stone's character.

[Dustin]

also hoping the video game plot is down to earth I really don't need cloning or nano bots in bond again.

The plot apparently revolves around a missing scientist and a top-secret biological weapon. Diamonds also factor into the story somehow; they're rife in the title sequence video, as is DNA, and the title itself - 'Blood Stone' - could well refer to conflict diamonds, which are also known as blood stones because they paid for in blood. Joss Stone is apparently a socialite who Bond meets, and the villain is a Eurotrash terrorist named Greco. Locations are said to include Siberia, Athens, Istanbul and Thailand.

That, in and of itself doesn't do too much for me. Conflict diamonds have been overused of late and conjure up images of DIE ANOTHER DAY, whilst a virus isn't exactly the most original plot point. That said, there is potential here: I could see the plot revolving around a virus that works by interfering with mitosis (the body's ability to regenerate cells, caused by DNA splitting and replicating itself) and causing a zombie-like state that proves fatal (culchisene, a gout medication, blocks mitosis to a certain extent). My interpretation of BLOOD STONE would see Bond investigating a scientist who has developed this zombie-virus, but has been kidnapped by Greco, who wants to sell it to the highest bidder. However, the scientist doesn't have the formula for it - he has hidden it by inscribing it with a laser on the surface of a diamond, which he has given to his fiancee, Joss Stone's character.

Hey, that sounds interesting. Or how about a virus that first is spread wide without causing effects and needs a trigger to suddenly strike?

[Captain Tightpants]

So a virus in two parts? One that infects everyone in a dormant stage that has no apparent symptoms, and a second that then sets it off? It sounds like it could work, but it's also a little redundant - the second stage of the virus would simply spread like a normal virus. The only way it would work properly would be if there was some way of guaranteeing everyone got infected with the second stage at exactly the same time so that there is no spread of the virus and no way to trace it back to a patient zero.

The only other problem is that most viruses spread via their symptoms. If I cough on you, I'm expelling viral microbes that you can pick up. But if there are no symptoms like that, it's ineffective. It won't spread, unless I start going around kissing everyone. Viruses are spread by bodily contact, but we have things like saliva - an acid - that are designed to combat things like viruses by killing them before they can take root inside the body. The other way they can spread is through is via water, but if you contaminate a water supply, you can predict the progression of a virus

The other idea that I had was a virus that can target specific people by being built in combination with someone's DNA. That way, you could release your virus over an entire city and only infect one person provided you had a sample of their DNA to begin with. However, NCIS did that in the episode "Toxic" (and not really that well, either), and I'm pretty sure ALIAS had something like that in one of its episodes (which would have been done even worse).

[coco1997]

The plot apparently revolves around a missing scientist and a top-secret biological weapon. Diamonds also factor into the story somehow; they're rife in the title sequence video, as is DNA, and the title itself - 'Blood Stone' - could well refer to conflict diamonds, which are also known as blood stones because they paid for in blood. Joss Stone is apparently a socialite who Bond meets, and the villain is a Eurotrash terrorist named Greco. Locations are said to include Siberia, Athens, Istanbul and Thailand.

Actually, CT, Chris and I learned while in San Diego that Greco is only the villain of the PTS--the true mastermind behind the whole villainous plot has yet to be revealed.

[Aris007]

Will there be a PC release too?

[zencat]

The plot apparently revolves around a missing scientist and a top-secret biological weapon. Diamonds also factor into the story somehow; they're rife in the title sequence video, as is DNA, and the title itself - 'Blood Stone' - could well refer to conflict diamonds, which are also known as blood stones because they paid for in blood. Joss Stone is apparently a socialite who Bond meets, and the villain is a Eurotrash terrorist named Greco. Locations are said to include Siberia, Athens, Istanbul and Thailand.

Actually, CT, Chris and I learned while in San Diego that Greco is only the villain of the PTS--the true mastermind behind the whole villainous plot has yet to be revealed.

Oh! I somehow missed this. That's a major bit of info. Thanks.

[Matt_13]

That's what I was hoping for, this is great news. I really hope we see a villain that is a bit more OTT than we've been seeing in the Craig era, and in Bond games in general. All of the villains we've had are guys in suits. Now, I'm not saying a kimono would be right in the Craigverse....but you know...wouldn't complain.

This is shaping up to really be something else. All it comes down to now are the controls. If the controls are solid, we're set for a stellar adventure.

[terminus]

I wonder if they'll have sought out an actor, as they did with Diavalo in EON, to 'play' the villain in Bloodstone. Might make it a bit more fun if they have - in addition to using Stone, Craig, Dench and Kinnear (?).

[Aris007]

This is shaping up to really be something else. All it comes down to now are the controls. If the controls are solid, we're set for a stellar adventure.

What I'm worried about is the controls for the hand-to-hand combat. It seems that there are amany moves to choose and it'll be hard to memorise everything especially for those who'll be playing this in PS3.

[Matt_13]

I think the hand to hand is being handled in a similar vein as Splinter Cell Conviction, essentially only 1 button. You run up to an enemy and hit B (for XBOX owners anyway), and if you aren't seen you can drop the enemey quickly. If you run right at them and try, they'll push you away, but you still can charge again, hit that button, and you'll do a stylish take down. Really simple. Can't wait to see what Ben Cook has...ahem, cooked up for us in that department.

In any case, it's the shooting and driving controls that are most important. If they keep it along the same lines as Splinter Cell, we're good.

[Quantumofsolace007]

The plot apparently revolves around a missing scientist and a top-secret biological weapon. Diamonds also factor into the story somehow; they're rife in the title sequence video, as is DNA, and the title itself - 'Blood Stone' - could well refer to conflict diamonds, which are also known as blood stones because they paid for in blood. Joss Stone is apparently a socialite who Bond meets, and the villain is a Eurotrash terrorist named Greco. Locations are said to include Siberia, Athens, Istanbul and Thailand.

Actually, CT, Chris and I learned while in San Diego that Greco is only the villain of the PTS--the true mastermind behind the whole villainous plot has yet to be revealed.

Oh! I somehow missed this. That's a major bit of info. Thanks.

Me to. What I find fascinating is that we honestly know so little about this game.

That's what I was hoping for, this is great news. I really hope we see a villain that is a bit more OTT than we've been seeing in the Craig era, and in Bond games in general. All of the villains we've had are guys in suits. Now, I'm not saying a kimono would be right in the Craigverse....but you know...wouldn't complain.

This is shaping up to really be something else. All it comes down to now are the controls. If the controls are solid, we're set for a stellar adventure.

Controls i'm hoping for to be solid.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

' personally do not think they will include it. Not that it has bothered me in the last two films, as we have had it albeit in a different manner. And it bothers me even less in a videogame.

They allude to it with the walk and turn at the beginning of the titles, minus dots, just like the QoS titles allude to it as well, with the dots darting across the screen, minus Bond. I can't speak for Bond 23 or whatever happens with it, but I suppose it is possible Craig may never get one at the start.

I think we'll get the barrel at the end because Bond shags with Joss Stone and suddenly remembres Vesper betrayed him, so he throws the love knot to the Egean Sea.... or mayve we get it right before the titles when Bond kills a henchman and has his 00 statis confirmes for the third time! Oh dear!

[coco1997]

I wonder if they'll have sought out an actor, as they did with Diavalo in EON, to 'play' the villain in Bloodstone. Might make it a bit more fun if they have - in addition to using Stone, Craig, Dench and Kinnear (?).

Don't hold your breath, termy. We tried to press members of the creative team to see if there would be some more recognizable names amongst the cast but they gave us the impression that there wouldn't be anyone else, aside from some more well respected voice actors in the industry. Unless they're hiding something...

[terminus]

Damn.

Still, by the time I get my hands on this, I might have finished QOS. Only just got through the Mr White's Villa levels and onto the market-chase in Siena - and I've had the game for almost two years!

[Captain Tightpants]

Actually, CT, Chris and I learned while in San Diego that Greco is only the villain of the PTS--the true mastermind behind the whole villainous plot has yet to be revealed.

That's a bit of a shame, because Greco looks interesting: a stylishly-dressed (possibly gay?) Eurotrash playboy who is a terrorist on a suicide mission.

But even if he's only the villain of the pre-title sequence, the whole zombie-virus-formula-inscribed-on-diamond-ring-of-missing-scientist's-socialite-fiancee plot could still work very well.

[terminus]

Not trying to pick an argument - but why postulate he could be gay based on the sole fact he's dressed stylishly? I'm not saying that he couldn't be gay (but if the rights organisations kicked up a fuss about the henchman in DaVinci Code being an albino, I don't want to imagine what organisations like Stonewall would do with a gay villain) but to assume that because he's a classy dresser is a bit off.

[Captain Tightpants]

Because it makes him more interesting. If I say "terrorist on a suicide mission", what's the first thing that comes to mind? It's not the image of a stylishly-dressed Eurotrash playboy. Am I right? No, it's something else entirely. Making Greco homosexual just further removes him from the stereotype of a terrorist. It also isolates him from the likes of Hans Gruber, who was also a stylishly-dressed Eurotrash playboy (well, sort of on that last count ...). It's that 'touch of the bizarre' (not that homosexuality is bizarre, of course) that was throughout Fleming's works: interesting, larger-than-life characters. I'm just describing Greco as I'd write him.

And who cares what Stonewall thinks? Gay people can be evil people. So long as the story does not state or imply that Greco is evil because he is gay (rather, he would be an evil man who happens to be gay), they have no ground to stand on and nothing to complain about.