New Velocity 2X Trailer and Update: So Far, So Good!

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New Velocity 2X Trailer and Update: So Far, So Good!

Hi folks. Today I’m here to reveal a brand new video showing alpha footage of Velocity 2X; to talk through some of the things we’ve been working towards; and to outline what we’re going to be adding next!

First, the video:

It’s starting to look the part, but there’s still a lot to do. The major thing left to do is improve the animation on the player character Lt. Kai Tana. We’re working on that right now.

The art style

One of the major influences for Velocity 2X was the art style of Flashback on the Amiga. For those of you too young to have played Flashback (poor you, play the original!), it was a stunning visual achievement, using rotoscoped animation and a simple yet stylish art style to create a highly atmospheric experience. 12-year-old me fell in love with it.

Artistically speaking, we wanted Velocity 2X to be the spiritual successor to Flashback (and indeed Another World), and also to create a level of atmosphere and production value that is rarely seen in 2D games.

Art style mockup 1 of 2

Click here to see the full gallery


Despite being a small team of 10 (only three of which are artists), we set ourselves the ambitious challenge of reaching the kind of visual fidelity that makes people say “oooh” and “ahhh” and “take my money!”.

These are the benchmark images that we started with at the beginning of development. Chris (Goff) didn’t really know what was going to be possible visually, so he spent most of his time getting the art style in shape.

Art style mockup 2 of 2

Hussain (Sheikh) our technical director, who worked as visual effects lead on Split/Second, was confident he could bring his experience in creating high end effects to the PS Vita, so Chris (Goff) set about creating some benchmark images that we could aim towards.

Chris set the bar pretty high, but when Shahid Ahmad at SCEE asked if we could raise the bar higher for PS4, Chris created these images:

Benchmark for PS4 2 of 2

Benchmark for PS4 1 of 2

Most of the team got very excited about what we were aiming for on PS4, but Hussain shrugged and smiled a quiet smile to himself.

When we showed the game at Eurogamer Expo, it had none of the effects that Hussain had been working on, and the artists had yet to make use of the dynamic environment lights. We also didn’t have a PS4 build underway yet.

However, as time went on it became clear that the game was actually going to visually exceed our original benchmarks, and it was even starting to look as good as the PS4 benchmarks on PS Vita.

It was then that Hussain told me he knew all along we could achieve the PS4 benchmark on PS Vita, but didn’t want to make any promises in case something came up.

But we have achieved and surpassed what we hoped to achieve, and now have the following high-end effects in the game:

  • Particle explosions
  • Dynamic environment lighting
  • Vignetting
  • Environment effects such as leaves in the wind, twinkling stars etc
  • Bloom
  • Light refraction
  • Anamorphic lens flare
  • Colour correction
  • Smooth 3D camera zoom
  • Screen shake & camera turbulence

As I said, there’s still plenty left to do. The artists have only just begun dressing the levels with all the effects at their disposal, and the design team still has many levels to design. And of course the animation on Kai is getting another pass. Rest assured we’ll put every drop of energy we have into making this game a delight.

If you don’t have a PS Vita, we want Velocity 2X to help convince you to pick one up. Why? We absolutely love the system. Pure and simple, it’s the best handheld ever, and that’s something I hear people saying more and more as time goes on – because it’s simply true. The amount of ENLIGHTENING FUN you get from the wealth of great games on PS Vita – indie and otherwise – makes it the most worthwhile gaming investment you can make.

We’re supporting PS Vita with Velocity 2X, and we suggest you do likewise!

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64 Comments

25 Author Replies

  • ^^^^continued^^^^

    Although, even if the two versions were drastically different in terms of visuals, the fact that you guys are providing your fans with a cross-buy & cross-save game is not only the best way to go for both camps (devs & gamer’s), but it’s also a gesture that we the fans don’t forget. So thank you a million times over for being so generous!! Because most companies in these situations would charge for each version in order to maximize profits (again understandable)… but because you guys ARE the way you ARE, you would rather your game be distributed to as many gamer’s as possible. That is what true gaming is all about!!!

    With all of that said… the only “negative” aspect about this article that I’ve now noticed is that after seeing this new trailer AND reading about all of the your progress thus far, it has only confirmed to me that waiting for your game to come out is going to be an absolute torturous experience! : )

  • So wait, this is a sequel? If it is, I’ll be sure to pick up.

  • @ GLOOMstickbhg

    Do you know what this blog post is about? It’s not about Sony’s business strategies, that’s for sure. Get a clue.

    Indies are keeping the Vita alive right now, and in many cases, they competently serve as the bridges between the major releases. They’re like the glue that holds the whole thing together. Do you want that to stop? Your subtle implication that a boycott is in order is surely feeble… but also reckless, and would only encourage the implosion of the industry, whether you realize it or not. Really shortsighted, and really stupid.

    Like I told you before, you should find a new hobby if gaming is causing you so much trouble. Stop talking about what you’re going to do and just do it. But keep it to yourself.

    @ James Marsden

    Don’t worry about ol’ Debbie Downer gloomstick. This is the usual for him. He purposely posts depressing things on every blog to derail the fun vibe.

    Let’s get back to the excitement for this awesome game!

  • @ zepified

    You nailed it!

  • Loved Velocity. Got to try this!

  • CommandingTiger comman to my question are you a friend of Death8u4u cause i don’t like this dude at all!!!

  • I am so excited for this!!!

  • Thanks for updating the art! I think gameplay matters more than graphics, but by all means give us both when you can! 2D or 3D, cartoonish or realistic, just make it pretty! There are so many ways to make a game look great!

  • Can anybody tell me whats going on with other gamers cause it seems like they don’t want to talk to me!!! And i’m kinda tired of it man not ya’ll kinda the mean gamers on playstation blog!!!1

  • I flipping love the trailer. I sure hope you quit teasing us soon! My Vita almost short circuited earlier because he was drooling over Velocity 2X!!! :P

  • LOVED Velocity & Surge Deluxe (only 12 million trophy to go…High of 9 so far). DEFINITELY buying Velocity 2X on day one (VITA). Thanx for the most well balanced games I’ve played in a while: Flawless blend of challenge & sense of reward. Keep up the great work!

  • I just got the first one….. guess i need to hurry and finish it lol.

  • completed velocity ultra, the best vita game,
    i will take velocity 2x on 100% :)

  • Looks very nice. I’m having a lot of fun with Velocity Ultra for the Vita. It’s definitely worth more than the $2 I paid for it during the sale so I’ll get this one on or near release.

  • Good to see a developer with so much stock into Vita’s success. I bought one for the remakes, staying for all the awesome development. Been a while since I’ve had such a good first year with a gaming platform.

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