LGF: MotorStorm rolled out of garage

Evolution Studios demonstrates the PlayStation 3 off-road racer and confirms motion-sensor support.

LONDON--Attendees of the London Game Developers Conference were treated to a live demonstration of MotorStorm on Wednesday as part of a session on applied physics in games. Developer Evolution Studios was highlighting how the PlayStation 3 title used the Havok engine to create object destruction, environmental deformation, and character animations in the game.

MotorStorm

Check out Evolution Studios' off-roader in action in a September demo.

Evolution's Scott Kirkland argued the case for middleware such as Havok in the creation of next-generation titles, as he said it allowed the developer to concentrate on creating the game itself. The engine has been used primarily to tackle the destruction of vehicles and roadside objects, in addition to the rag-doll physics of motorcycle riders. The demonstrations used by the team re-created these elements in an impressively realistic way.

The majority of the presentation focused on the technical issues surrounding these elements in MotorStorm, but attendees were also treated to a number of video clips of the game in action. The clear highlight of the session was a live demonstration of the game played on PlayStation 3 development hardware. Using a motorcross bike in a race against 10 other vehicles, the assembled developers were able to see some of the advanced destruction of cars, which would buckle and bend upon impact, and the rag-doll physics of the rider as he fell to the ground.

After the demonstration, Kirkland confirmed that the game would support the motion-sensitive features of the PS3's Sixaxis controller. However, Kirkland would not be drawn on how this has been implemented into the game. The game is due out in the US and Japan later this year and will launch alongside the PS3 in the UK and Europe next March

67 Comments

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 10, 2006 4:25 am PT

    Later this year?? DAMN i hate bleak news from sony all the time.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 9, 2006 5:44 pm PT

    the video was ok

  • dcoy8

    Posted Oct 9, 2006 7:36 am PT

    aww, its not out at launch?..they say "later this year"...anyway..

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 9, 2006 5:00 am PT

    ALL desert? Man, too much sand just makes me want to blow something up.. (lol). I like the desert, but there is only so much you can do in it.. well, in a game anyway. Sand racing isnt always the fastest sport either. I hope it throws some sort of grand canyon type areas into it, or some crazy off road places to go. Not just racing through dirt tracks over and over and occasionally bumping people to random rocks and holes.

    In one respect, i am kinda glad its all desert, because it would give the developers more time to perfect the environment. But the power of the ps3, and the space on that bluray.. i would expect MORE you know?
    If this was a wii game, it would be great. Because the cheap console price and the new controls could make the game more fun.
    But the ps3, i think, should really think out of the box, especially for that massive price.

    If this game had more terrain, and upgradale vehicles, etc, it would be awesome. But just plain desert racing for $600.. i hope they throw alot into the mix thats all.

  • rikhan_z

    Posted Oct 8, 2006 3:51 am PT

    i hope this game has alot of replay value, i also noticed some reader wanted to get out of that desert setting, good point, i wouldn't mind that option too.

  • standcm12

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 9:31 pm PT

    just so ya know, they said in an interview at E3 its all the desert environment.

  • Alcotamaysees

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 8:20 pm PT

    Have to agree with you there GrimBee. I hope they get out of that desert environment in the game.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 2:08 pm PT

    If this game is anything like SLEDSTORM on the ps1.. man, its going to be well good.

    I just am a bit peeved that the terrain is mostly dirt and dust. I'm hoping for some mountain trails, some alaskan wilderness with loads of snow, or some yellowstone type tree-dodging and river crossing...

    If its all dirt and mud constantly, its going to get boring. Sledstorm was great because the terrain mixed things up a bit, one moment you are in a standard snowy area, the next you are going up the wing of a plane wreck, the next you are going scross a frozen lake..

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 1:40 pm PT

    nasim007 - More time wont make it look like the E3 2005 trailer. But it already looks good.

  • ultimate_zero

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 1:36 pm PT

    The fanboys are hating on this game because they don't have it for the Xbox 360.

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 11:18 am PT

    The havok engine is amazing in Saints Row. Imo it is what made the game better than GTA, maybe next time the storyline will catch up to GTA's quality.
    Btw i just saw desolaters comments You keep believing that if you like but we all know Sony's almost always used pre-rendered footage because its a way to make the product look good and most people believe anything you tell them to believe. They and most others have done it at every E3 for the last 10 years, the most you can hope for from all the manufacturers is that they aren't hiding $5000 dollars worth of high tech computer towers behind the nearest wall to run the prerendered footage.

  • nasim007

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 8:23 am PT

    hey waitttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

    the video on gamespot is a very old one...........if i am not wrong...........this video was displayed at GC 2005!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    tht makes sense .............1up,joystiq,gamesradar voted MOTORSTORM as the best game of 2005

  • nasim007

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 8:18 am PT

    damn it.......................this game is amazing

    PLEASE NOTE:- MOTORSTORM is just 60% complete.

    the final version would look even better than e3,2005 trailer trust

    here is the confirmation of its partial completion

    Formula One Championship: 60%
    MotorStorm, SCE: 60%
    Bladestorm: 60%

    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/735/735909p1.html

    the article was released on SEP 27,2006

  • DylanDJK

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 6:46 am PT

    Is it just me but the people that are bashing this game owns a 360? Guys, dont bash this game jsut because its better then lots of 360 games out there right now.

  • Jebril

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 6:24 am PT

    The Havok Physics Engine is one of the best Physics Engine's out in the gaming market, as far as I can tell from the ausome rag doll physics in Saint's Row

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 3:55 am PT

    bathyj..

    "I just this the 6ax will be practical for more games. I cant see Tekken with the Nunchuck. (Soul Caliber, maybe) but you get my point."

    Oh yeah, i totally see what you mean. I didnt mean to dig at ya I just was pointing out that the wii isnt limited. Especially since its got TWO control designs going for it.

    The classic controller is there especially for those which want their games to be like in the old days. It caters more for the gamers which want to play fifa with a standard analog on the left and right. And i truely think that after the launch, (especially devs like retro with metroid) will make the classic controller a selectable device.

    The advantage with the wii that its safeguarding the investment with the classic controller. I cant see the wii remote working too well with games like metal slug (you need jump, grenade and fire at quick disposal) but its hard not to see games like soul calibur, metal slug etc etc being designed ONLY for the wii remote. With the wii, its pretty safe to think that the games will be standard AND innovative aswell.

    Im not too sold on the ps3 sixaxis just yet though. I feel because of the ps2's design of the pad, that i will be used to playing the games as they were on any playstation. And will always revert to the old style just for comfort. With the wii i think the way you hold the wii remote etc will feel new, and maybe be a longer lasting enjoyment.

    I have the old warhawk for the ps1, and its hard enough as it is, and i think i would find moving the pad around (like that crazy bloke with the hair in e3) will just frustrate me no end.
    And games like motorstorm, in my experience, need a little bit more to them to make the moving experience a bit more... oomphy you know?

    I think its a good idea, but its quite limited.

    Using the ps3 pad as a mouse on one side, and a selector on another wont work. Well, it WOULD, but it certainly wont be comfortable or accurate for it to be any good, i think.

    The wii remote (dont forget) KNOWS where it is in 3d space. You can use the wii remote as a pointer, OR, the wii remote is actually the object you are moving in the game. As in, if you held it above your head, it would know it was there. and no matter where you move it, it will know where the "above head" position was.

    The ps3 pad just senses how YOU move, so technically if you get a bit frantic with the pointing, you could find that the DEADZONE of where the mouse pointer would be, would be not in the same centered place, and you would have to adjust your position to suit it.

    I think the ps3 pad would only be good for LOCK ON aiming. Like aiming in a small area. It sucks to aim for heads with analogs, and so i think, if you hold r1 and it makes this ZOOM crosshair come up, and if you aim with the pad motion.. i think that is more ideal as the deadzone would be reset everytime you press r1.

    I think the wii remote is more practical for older games, to make them more involving. Like, driving with the nunchaku with one hand and shooting out the window with another.

    I totally know what you mean though, the wii remote will suck for cross platform games like soul calibur.. but im glad the classic controller is there. And i think nintendo will release themed pads for games which require these pads. Like, if soul calibur NEEDED this pad, it could come with a soul calibur branded logo on the pad or something.

    Well, who knows which way it will go. But i think the ps3 pad isn't accurate or shaped very well for anything else except dodging, shaking off enemies, steering etc.

    Oh, and i cant WAIT to see what Hideo Kojima does with the motion. He always does something out of the box with his games. And I really cant wait for him to make wii games.
    Snatcher would be a PERFECT wii game!



    Overall this motorstorm game looks great, but PERSONALLY, i would really like to see sega rally make a comeback.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Oct 6, 2006 12:09 am PT

    sweet`

  • Bathyj

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 9:16 pm PT

    I think MOST games you will be able to pick your control type but a game like Lair, that was built around the 6ax, you wouldn't be able to. It makes no sense to have only the motion control type in a racing game.

  • Carpe_Noctum

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 9:07 pm PT

    After the demonstration, Kirkland confirmed that the game would support the motion-sensitive features of the PS3's Sixaxis controller. ~~ I am hoping that this feature can be turned-off in all games. I am far from lazy but after a long day of whatever and the gym the last thing I want to mess with is moving my controller around, no matter how subtle it is.

  • matttrd

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 9:06 pm PT

    I hope the PS3 can do better than this. Otherwise i'm going to be one unhappy Sony gamer.

  • sjustememe

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 9:03 pm PT

    heres a better vid http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/6641
    download it cause its looks better if you do. and the dev said that this game is not complete the sense of speed from e305 will be there.
    its just like GS to post the worst vid available just to give ps3 haters a extra ammo for the war.

  • rbarahona

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 7:57 pm PT

    The game looks awesome and it showcases some of the things the PS3 is able to do. I was a little surprised to read that the game will be implementing the SIXAXIS controller and I'm really worried that this feature was added in the last minute. Fortunately they have some time to polish the controls and offer a great experience.

  • Bathyj

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 6:19 pm PT

    GrimBee.

    I was not trying to diss the Wii at all. I just think the controller is not practical for all games and it will only truly shine when a game is built around it. Thats why they are releasing a "Classic" controller as well. I think games are better when only made for 1 console. That way they can really concentrate on its strengths and not have to worry about porting. My example would be Lair (read the IGN interview) or Zelda. Both these games were built from the ground up with there respective controllers in mind. If they had been made on another console, then ported over they would not be as good.

    "It will be more practacle than the Wii's which will only be good when a game is built just around that." - Bathyj

    I still stand by that, but I am not bagging anyone. I just this the 6ax will be practical for more games. I cant see Tekken with the Nunchuck. (Soul Caliber, maybe) but you get my point.

    I plan to own all 3 consoles just like last Gen. It does me no benefit to belittle someones product and I dont do that except the occassional constructive criticism, only in hopes of improving things. Never just to make my favourite look better.

    PS I like your idea about the handle bars and agree its a shame about the rumble missing, but if they had to to include Motion sensing then it was worth it. What does everyone think about the mouse idea in my previous post?

  • jmahartley

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 4:52 pm PT

    This game looks real good to me.. I am a M$ fanboy but I will still own this game with the PS3.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 4:48 pm PT

    "It will be more practacle than the Wii's which will only be good when a game is built just around that."

    NOOO! The post was going good until you started to promote the ps3 by slashing another console down.

    dang i hate it when people do that.. "it will be better than.." and all that stuff. Just say the ps3 part and END. No need to make the ps3 look better by making another console worse. Good post though!

    Although, i degress the wii comment. The wii remote/nunchaku combo will be perfect for a steeringwheel. Not just holding the wii remote, but the nunchaku on the left, wii remote on the right. Or you could even hold them like handle bars and "rev" up by twisting the wi remote or something

    I dont think the ps3 pad is more practical for racing games, its missing rumble for a start, a feature which would be PERFECT for this kind of game (knowing the texture of the terrain by how it FEELS etc). And there are only so many ways you can hold a ps3 pad. gameplay would almost be like grasping a plate by both hands and stopping the peas from rolling off (hehehe makes me laugh).

    I think this game is going to be good, but i will miss the rumble for sure. And i think the wii's controls arent limited at all.. a basketball game where you do the bouncing action with one hand.. etc etc.

    Like i said, good post, but easy on the wii stuff

  • Bathyj

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 3:39 pm PT

    Resistance, Lair, Motorstorm, Warkhawk. Those are the 4 games I want to buy at launch. I think the physics will be more than eye candy. It will affect the way your suspension works. The way your car bounces on the road and the way bigger vehicles can push you around when your on a bike. When it comes to racing games I dont want lots of them. For sims I only want GT. For arcade I only want Burnout. This is something different and its about the only race game I am excited about.

    PS. Once we get our hands on the 6axis (Mo-Con would have been a better name) I think we will be very impressed. It looks like the all round controller. It will be more practacle than the Wii's which will only be good when a game is built just around that. Alot of games it wont suit but the 6ax (try it, it rolls off the tongue. 6 ax.) will be great for all types. I'm hoping thaey use it somehow for FPS's. Whats to stop you using a 6ax in one hand as a mouse and using another in your left hand to move around and whatnot. Use that idea developers and I will only charge a small royalty. Hehe.

  • PMB960

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 3:19 pm PT

    THE_DESOLATER

    The problem is Sony repeatedly said that it wasn't pre-rendered over and over until all their fans believe them. Then when they actually get their hands on the games people were disappointed because it turns out the console will never be able to do that. Its okay to show stuff like that off as long as you make it clear to people that it is pre-rendered and not actaully what the game will look like.

  • estebanhi

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 3:19 pm PT

    You guys might watn to check out ign, yhe videos are better there or gametrailers but i have to say that this game will be great.

  • THE_DESOLATER

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 3:03 pm PT

    This game looks pretty good. I hear people say that "ohh this doesn't look as good as the E3 footage" or "the grphics look like crap. First of all the PRERENDERED footage at E3 was not to show what the game's graphics were going to look like, it's to give you and IDEA of what they are aiming for. Ever since the PS1 Sony has always used Prerendered footage to show the gamer what they were aiming for, or what things were going to be in the game. Sony is't the only one who does this, other companies do this aswell. Take Rockstars new trailer for example, L.A. Noire, the trailer was all prerendered and showed you what L.A. Noire was going to feature. they showed you that you will be able to chase people on the street and through buldings, they showed you it would be open world and you will have a partner. It shows many other things but i can't list them all. As for the Motorstorm E3 vid it showed that the races were going to be quick, furious, the tracks were going to be messy, muddy, it showed you you would be able to chose from a wide variety of vehicles to race with. Graphics wse, the game looks good since the studio thats making it is working on a brand NEW console, unlike the 360 which like the OG XBOX just with a bit more power, the PS3 is new technology in which you can't expect fantastic visuals from a studio that learning about the PS3's power. Please don't be ignorant about this post, think about what i said, i'm not here to change what you believe or what you think is right, i'm here to make you think about this issue. Thanks for readin'

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 3:00 pm PT

    WOW! looks great! but i would of liked to of seen some more detail at the bottoms of the mountainous terrain (when the bike is colliding with it). You can see just plain and simple joined FLOOR and MOUNTAIN. Looks like a game when you see that. IMO. Some little rocks etc with physics would do this the world of good.

    This game actually looks GOOD, although a little too slow looking for what im used to. Plus, there seems to be a bit too much SLIDE and AIR time. Hope that they tweak this (they probably wont though).

    For me, there was only ONE racing game i looked forward to, and that was Gran Turismo.. but then after 4... and after burnout 3... racing games have a new standard to meet, and its great that this game is going in a different direction of the whole "the more cars i have the better i am" sort of thing.

    This games looks wicked to play, heres hoping for some great free-riding and LOADS of shorcuts and pitfalls to force your opponents into. This game looks FAR more exciting than Ridge Racer 7.

    Nice one sony, some good news at last!

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 2:53 pm PT

    it looks pretty good

  • drewt003

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 2:32 pm PT

    Alot of game websites including 1up.com and gamepro.com said that motorstorm was the best looking game at TGS!! These videos off of gamespots website don't do it justice!! Wait untill you actually see it in action people.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 2:27 pm PT

    No its not as good as the videos. BUT, I still think all the mud-effects looks great! The maps look HUGE. I hope for PS3 sake this is a killer app.

  • Furbyballistik

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 2:23 pm PT

    wow, u guys like to find ever y lil detail to complain about! really..why cant u guys just be postive for a change, and let the development take place! ive already seen this game, and seen it action! its a VERY impressive game, and i will be picking it up the first day it comes out!

  • neoand12

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 2:14 pm PT

    I love Havok on anything!

  • grimhope

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 2:11 pm PT

    Wow that gameplay looks totally generic

  • joeamis

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 2:05 pm PT

    Looking forward to this game more than any other, except Bioshock.

  • razu_gamer

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    "I3urn
    Omg!! This game totally looks like crap! When I first saw it (like a couple of months ago) I was like damn!! Great looking game. I guess those were vids i was lookin at back then.
    Now that I see a real demo of it, It totall looks like sh**!!! "

    I just get it...they come to wii and it has crap graphics and then they go to PS3 and say crap graphics. No offence but wtf will satisfy you??

  • matttrd

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 1:20 pm PT

    That wasn't very impressive imo.

  • demonik_360

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 12:43 pm PT

    One of my first games for shure!

  • Charlie2688

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 12:33 pm PT

    Its looking pretty good !

  • degrassirulez

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 12:18 pm PT

    My 3rd most wanted PS3 game, after Assasin's Creed and MGS4.

  • Bananna2

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 12:09 pm PT

    this game looks great, and lemming plz gte out untill you have a better looking game out you have nothing to say

  • I3urn

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 11:58 am PT

    Omg!! This game totally looks like crap! When I first saw it (like a couple of months ago) I was like damn!! Great looking game. I guess those were vids i was lookin at back then.
    Now that I see a real demo of it, It totall looks like sh**!!!

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 11:40 am PT

    This game will be mine when I get my PS3.

  • tonyleo01

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 11:35 am PT

    for an off road game, I rather have my dual shock back.....

  • jjm1024

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 11:29 am PT

    I AGREE THAT THE CAMERA SEEMS TO LAG BEHIND OR NOT DISPLAY WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU AT ALL TIMES. THAT COULD PRETTY MUCH RUIN ANY RACING GAME. OVERALL, I WASN'T TERRIBLY IMPRESSED WITH THE GRAPHICS EITHER. ALOT OF THE CLOSE UP ENVIRONMENT (IE. ROCKS AND BUSHES) DIDN'T SEEM TOO HIGH OF A QUALITY. I PROBABLY WILL BE HOLDING OFF ON THIS TITLE. I THINK FULL AUTO MIGHT BE A BETTER OPTION FOR ME. I'D LOVE TO SEE A NEW TWISTED METAL GAME COME TO PS3!

  • GameonDerek

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 11:10 am PT

    The graphics look great, but I REALLY hope you'll be able to change the camera angle!

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 11:07 am PT

    I'm a graphics junkie but honestly at the end of the day Gameplay > Graphics

    This was a poor demo

  • ghostadv

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 11:00 am PT

    whoever was driving sure seemed to suck. & for what they showed off with the trailer, this looks pretty boring.

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

MotorStorm Boxshot
MotorStorm

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close

Related Games

Site Blogs