All Black Rugby Challenge
- King James
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All Black Rugby Challenge
From an early preview
All Black Rugby Challenge
All Black Rugby Challenge is an upcoming sports title in development by Wellington based studio Sidhe. Earlier this week we were invited to our nation’s capital for the day to check on the game’s progress.
New Zealand is a rugby mad nation, so the responsibility of developing a Rugby video game must come with a degree of trepidation. Kiwi rugby fans tend to be a fairly unforgiving lot, especially in a World Cup year, and we’ve seen a few second-rate attempts at simulating our national game over the years.
Fortunately this is not Sidhe’s first rodeo –in fact they recently celebrated 14 years in the business. With over 100 staff they are the largest game production studio in New Zealand, producing numerous titles for a variety of platforms – some of the more notable releases include Shatter, Jackass, Madagascar Kartz, Rugby League 2, and Gripshift.
There is little doubt that Sidhe has the people and the skill to create quality games, and when Managing Director Mario Wynands began to talk passionately about what they were doing with All Black Rugby Challenge, any fears that I may have held were quickly replaced with both anticipation and genuine excitement.
If you’re an unashamed rugby-head like me, there’s a lot to be excited about. All Black Rugby Challenge will feature fully licensed teams including the All Blacks and the Wallabies. Competitions such as Super Rugby and our own ITM Cup are included, along with multiplayer online options, a multi-year franchise mode, tutorials, wide-ranging customisation options, and dynamic real-time commentary by Grant ‘Nisbo’ Nisbett and Justin Marshall.
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To make the game more realistic the motion capture has been done at Weta studios. During a match, every single member of the cheering crowd can be seen moving individually. Rucks become a tug of war where surrounding players can be encouraged to join in to either secure the ball or try and force a turnover. I also liked the way the wind direction was displayed, which can affect your kicking game.
New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu also makes an appearance in All Black Rugby Challenge. It will be the first time Lomu has appeared in a videogame in over a decade. In addition to including his name, likeness, and motion capture in the game, Lomu will also bring his experience to the development process by working directly with Sidhe.
Sidhe has incorporated some impressive detail into All Black Rugby Challenge; the level of customisation offers more variety than any current EA Sports game. The attention to detail is astonishing, even going so far as to include current player’s favourite boot colour and headgear design.
“After achieving success with other sports videogames, we are extremely proud to be taking on the national sport of New Zealand” said Mario Wynands, Managing Director of Sidhe, “This is an exciting time for rugby both within New Zealand and internationally, and it is fantastic to be a part of that”.
Sidhe is leaving no stone unturned to make All Black Rugby Challenge the best rugby experience ever in a video game. It is due to release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Sony’s PSP Vita and PC in the coming months. We’ll have lots more for you between now and kick off, including an interview with Mario himself.
All Black Rugby Challenge
All Black Rugby Challenge is an upcoming sports title in development by Wellington based studio Sidhe. Earlier this week we were invited to our nation’s capital for the day to check on the game’s progress.
New Zealand is a rugby mad nation, so the responsibility of developing a Rugby video game must come with a degree of trepidation. Kiwi rugby fans tend to be a fairly unforgiving lot, especially in a World Cup year, and we’ve seen a few second-rate attempts at simulating our national game over the years.
Fortunately this is not Sidhe’s first rodeo –in fact they recently celebrated 14 years in the business. With over 100 staff they are the largest game production studio in New Zealand, producing numerous titles for a variety of platforms – some of the more notable releases include Shatter, Jackass, Madagascar Kartz, Rugby League 2, and Gripshift.
There is little doubt that Sidhe has the people and the skill to create quality games, and when Managing Director Mario Wynands began to talk passionately about what they were doing with All Black Rugby Challenge, any fears that I may have held were quickly replaced with both anticipation and genuine excitement.
If you’re an unashamed rugby-head like me, there’s a lot to be excited about. All Black Rugby Challenge will feature fully licensed teams including the All Blacks and the Wallabies. Competitions such as Super Rugby and our own ITM Cup are included, along with multiplayer online options, a multi-year franchise mode, tutorials, wide-ranging customisation options, and dynamic real-time commentary by Grant ‘Nisbo’ Nisbett and Justin Marshall.
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To make the game more realistic the motion capture has been done at Weta studios. During a match, every single member of the cheering crowd can be seen moving individually. Rucks become a tug of war where surrounding players can be encouraged to join in to either secure the ball or try and force a turnover. I also liked the way the wind direction was displayed, which can affect your kicking game.
New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu also makes an appearance in All Black Rugby Challenge. It will be the first time Lomu has appeared in a videogame in over a decade. In addition to including his name, likeness, and motion capture in the game, Lomu will also bring his experience to the development process by working directly with Sidhe.
Sidhe has incorporated some impressive detail into All Black Rugby Challenge; the level of customisation offers more variety than any current EA Sports game. The attention to detail is astonishing, even going so far as to include current player’s favourite boot colour and headgear design.
“After achieving success with other sports videogames, we are extremely proud to be taking on the national sport of New Zealand” said Mario Wynands, Managing Director of Sidhe, “This is an exciting time for rugby both within New Zealand and internationally, and it is fantastic to be a part of that”.
Sidhe is leaving no stone unturned to make All Black Rugby Challenge the best rugby experience ever in a video game. It is due to release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Sony’s PSP Vita and PC in the coming months. We’ll have lots more for you between now and kick off, including an interview with Mario himself.
- Blenderer
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Oh man that is primo, I've been wanting a decent rugby title for a while. Those screenies look primo.
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- Bull
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
EA are also making a Rugby game, but is supposedly only featuring international teams ... most likely a cash in on the RWC this year.
Ive had my eye on that Sidhe Rugby Challenge for a while now, looking good.
Ive had my eye on that Sidhe Rugby Challenge for a while now, looking good.
- KSR Aaza
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
EA are only making their game because of this one being made. At least the World Cup EA game is in competition, Rugby 12 will cater for the European teams (since Sidhe have the exclusive Super 15 licence).
It does look promising, especially with the Super 15 (and guessing ITM Cup from screenshots) licences. Just gotta hope the gameplay is good as that will be the deciding factor in whether I get this or not.
Only downside is that Grant Nisbett is doing the commentary for this game (as well as Justin Marshall but he's tolerable, for now).
http://rugbychallengegame.com/
It does look promising, especially with the Super 15 (and guessing ITM Cup from screenshots) licences. Just gotta hope the gameplay is good as that will be the deciding factor in whether I get this or not.
Only downside is that Grant Nisbett is doing the commentary for this game (as well as Justin Marshall but he's tolerable, for now).
http://rugbychallengegame.com/
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- Munis
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
this could be the best game ever,
the main part of the old rugby games was the lack of depth, meaning only 1 season. there was the other part but that was stupid.
ohh and itm cup so long as the create player doesn't make your player have the worlds biggest head like rugby 08
the main part of the old rugby games was the lack of depth, meaning only 1 season. there was the other part but that was stupid.
ohh and itm cup so long as the create player doesn't make your player have the worlds biggest head like rugby 08
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- Bull
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
I just hope there is a mode similar to the EA Rugby games where you start off with an average team in bottom division and make your way up getting better players and up through the divisions etc
- KSR_Fangin-It
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Any new guys?
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- Ugmo
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
No South African players or super rugby teams etc will be in this due to them not being able to agree to the licencing for player likenesses and teams.
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- KSR Aaza
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Can pre-order through Mighty Ape - $90 for PC, $115 for 360/PS3
http://www.mightyape.co.nz/search/?m=Al ... +Challenge
http://www.mightyape.co.nz/search/?m=Al ... +Challenge
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Gameplay footage..
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- Bull
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
With release getting closer, maybe an idea to get a bit of idea of what platform everyone is getting it on? Would be good to have some online matches and even set up a mini tournament
- steve
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Pc and + 1 on that. Ksr provicincal rugby Tornament :PBull wrote:With release getting closer, maybe an idea to get a bit of idea of what platform everyone is getting it on? Would be good to have some online matches and even set up a mini tournament
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
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- Obsc3ne
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
If I end up getting it, it will be on PS3
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- Chris56
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Hands on preview courtesy of GamePlanet.
http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/playstation ... nge/page1/
Career mode
http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/playstation ... nge/page1/
Career mode
- Obsc3ne
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Release date on Rugby Challenge is September 16, so it's giving the Rugby World Cup game a good 3 week head start when that releases in 10 days
From all accounts it does sound like Rugby Challenge is the superior game however
From all accounts it does sound like Rugby Challenge is the superior game however
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
this game looks sik cant wait for it to come out hopefully it wont be to long to get to aussie for ps3
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- Obsc3ne
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Lies!Obsc3ne wrote:Release date on Rugby Challenge is September 16, so it's giving the Rugby World Cup game a good 3 week head start when that releases in 10 days
From all accounts it does sound like Rugby Challenge is the superior game however
Next Friday gentlemen!
- Obsc3ne
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Lies again!Obsc3ne wrote:Lies!Obsc3ne wrote:Release date on Rugby Challenge is September 16, so it's giving the Rugby World Cup game a good 3 week head start when that releases in 10 days
From all accounts it does sound like Rugby Challenge is the superior game however
Next Friday gentlemen!
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- Chris56
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
got mine
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- Blenderer
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Re: All Black Rugby Challenge
Early feedback from some players points at the game been utter crap, hopefully they are wrong.
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