Another E3 Vid: John Landau and Ubisoft Producer Talk "Avatar"

Hi, Michael here with another video from E3, this one from the Associated Press:

Highlights:

-John Landau explains the level of divergence between the game and movie, saying that the plot of the game takes place a full two years before we ever arrive at Pandora in the movie.

-Landau calls the game "a great tease to the movie." He mentions how they want to educate people about the world of Pandora before the movie opens, as there "is so much there." Letting audiences step in the theater with some ground knowledge will help the movie "take them on a transportive story."

-Executive Producer of the Avatar Game Patrick Naud describes the insane levels of security within Ubisoft's Montreal offices, including what he calls "the bunker."

-Landau: "My Star Wars comparison is simply that they created a whole universe. I don't have the hubris to suggest that we will have the same success. But why do people turn to entertainment? They turn to it to escape the world we live in today. I think what Jim has done is created a world that people will want to escape to. Both in the video game, in the movie, in the toys, and elsewhere. And that's the similarity between Star Wars and Avatar."

Avatar Game Demo Impressions + John Landau Interview

Michael here.  The Avatar game demo at Ubisoft's booth is the hottest ticket at E3 this year.  It's behind closed doors, invitation-only, and the security, as per everything Avatar related, is super tight.  According to Entertainment Weekly, "Purses, satchels and picture-taking cell phones had to be checked."

This high level of precaution might also have something to do with the fact that, as reported by IGN, "concept art was hanging from the wall, showing off a few alien plants and animals. More art was scrolling on the massive 103 inch television being used to demo the game."  Damn, I wish I could have been there.

Another surprise has been that John Landau has been personally on hand at each demo session to talk about the game.  And he even brought along his Titanic oscar!

Check out a video interview that Midnight Update did with Landau below.  The Landau portion of the video starts at the 10 minute mark:

The game seems to be great.  The third person perspective was a great choice, and I love how the story is separate from the film's storyline while at the same time introducing new ideas that impressed Cameron so much he is considering them for sequels. Ubisoft has invested a huge amount of time, money, and R&D into creating the best possible gaming experience.  And it seems that the impressions so far are filled with excitement for what Cameron and Ubisoft have created.

Read below for multiple in-depth impressions of the game:

Entertainment Weekly impressions

IGN impressions

Gamespot impressions

1Up impressions

NowGamer impressions

G4TV impressions

The Times Online impressions

BBC impressions

Finally, here is a peek at the some of the gameplay and features from the game, as posted to the game's recently launched official Facebook page.  Become a fan here!

• Immerse yourself in James Cameron’s world.
Peer deep into the heart of Pandora and see James Cameron’s universe, from your own perspective.

• Engage in a massive conflict between two worlds.
Fight for you cause; RDA or Na’vi. Customize more than 60 RDA and Na’vi weapons, combined. Choose your skills: 20 for each clan. Drive all of the vehicles and ride the animals. Expand the battleground in online multiplayer.

• Develop your character and acquire new skills
Create your very own character and acquire skills as you progress through the game.

Read the impressions articles for much more detail on the game.  There's some great stuff there!

Multiple James Cameron Interviews from E3!

Michael here.  James Cameron interviews from E3 are popping up left and right.  There's a lot of fascinating detail about the game and movie in terms of both story and technology.  It's great to hear the level of thought, effort, and collaboration that is going into the game.

Also, the Avatar game demo is apparently behind closed doors, and is only being shown to select people, according to a Tweet from El Guapo of Latino Review.  I'll still try my best to check it out, but that's the most recent word.

Official Playstation Magazine Interview (3 Parts)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

IGN Interview:

Gamespot Interview:

An edited text version of the OPM interview: Read it here

I'm hearing all the right things about the game.  And it's great to hear that Cameron thinks he has leapt over the uncanny valley in 9 shots out of 10 from the movie.  The sequel talk is exciting, too.  What do you think of the possibility of collaboration between Ubisoft and Cameron on developing the sequels' stories?

More as I get it.

Video: Cameron at Ubisoft E3 Press Conference

Hi, Michael here.  For those that missed the live stream, here is a video of James Cameron at Ubisoft's press conference.  Check it out below!

Video Games - E3 2009 - E3 '09 Live

Avatar Game Screenshots! Awesome!

Edit: replaced the pics with full resolution HD versions from IGN

Click the pics to see them in 720p!

And that night shot...it's the most exciting thing I've seen from Avatar yet, and it's not even a shot from the movie itself.  It looks like concept art to me, but the other three pics look amazingly detailed as well - so I cant be sure.  If it is artwork, then I'm guessing it was created by Ubisoft's team, but it could be from the film team too.  In either case, I'm already trying to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Michael here.  Wow.  I'm so pumped right now. 

From http://avatargame.us.ubi.com

Watch Ubisoft Press Conference (Conference Now Over)!

Michael here.

Live streams:

http://www.gametrailers.com/e3/video-press-conference/ubisoft

http://e3.gamespot.com/press-conference/ubisoft-e3/?tag=live;press-conf-list

Live Updates:

-Host just STRONGLY hinted that Cameron will be showing up.

-Yves Guillemot just announced that Ubisoft will be working with Steven Spielberg on Tintin games.

-Ubisoft is developing over 100 shots for Avatar with its new VFX studio!

-Cameron speaking now!

-Cameron says there will be 1000 ft tall trees.  Na'vi will be 10 feet tall, striped like tigers.

-Cameron says that game will have its own characters, vehicles, weapons, and settings.  Will also embellish on Na'vi culture and technology.

-Ubisoft started work 2 and a half years ago.

-WETA created assets for the game that will not be in the movie, just as Ubi created assets for the movie that won't be in the game.

-Player can choose either human or Na'vi perspective.  Moral theme in the game - who the "bad guy" is depends on who you play as.

-Cameron suggested that the game be 3D.  Ubi was a bit hesitant at first, but ended up showing Cameron a demo that blew him away.

-The game will be demoed over the next few days at Ubisoft's booth!

-Cameron leaves stage.  No footage or stills from game, yet.

-At beginning of conference, one of the Ubi guys implied that the game would be unveiled officially tomorrow.  I wonder if he means that the playable demo will be unveiled tomorrow - I think there's still a  chance we will see a clip from the game later in the conference.  We'll see!

-Ubi showing off Red Steel 2 and other non-Avatar games.

-Still showing off other games, all with trailers.  I wonder why they chose not to show footage from the Avatar game?  Maybe a surprise reveal at the end of the conference?  Although I would suspect they would have wanted Cameron to introduce the clip.

Conference still going on!

Conference is over.  Next stop: game demo on show floor tomorrow!

Watch Ubisoft's E3 Press Conference Live - Will Avatar Game be Revealed?

UPDATE: Michael here.  Reader Adam Loncar pointed me to an Ubisoft press release promising "special guests that are certain to thrill attendees and web viewers."  It would certainly be awesome if Cameron showed up to help show off the Avatar game.  More as I get it!

Michael here.  Ubisoft is holding their E3 press conference on Monday at 5:00 PM, PST, and you can watch it as it happens via Ubisoft's official live stream.

Will the Avatar game be shown? MCV is reporting that it will be unveiled at E3.  The site reportedly spoke to Ubisoft's European Executive Director Alain Corre, who told them that “People will be dreaming about Avatar after seeing it at E3. People will have never witnessed anything like it before. This is an investment in technology we will be able to put into our future products.”

Referring to 3D technology, Corre said “This is a brand new visual approach to gaming and movies.  Hopefully, it will capture everyone’s attention. We know not all the gamers will be able to own that technology. But we’ll be able to get it to many of them. This 3D aspect will one day become must-have."

So far MCV seems to be the only source reporting that Ubisoft will be revealing their 3D technology - and the Avatar game - at E3.  I am unfamiliar with the site, so I cannot personally vouch for their credibility.  However, I do think there is a solid chance that we will see something from the game at the press conference.  

Stay tuned to MarketSaw for more on Ubisoft's E3 plans as we learn more!