I hope the weekend has been a good one for you all. Productive and full or hearty gaming, me I've logged some hours on one of the free offerings from the PlayStation's PS plus, Mafia III. To my shame I failed to pick this up when it was released, being the cheapskate I decided to bide my time until it dropped in price and then hey presto there it was free to download, result.
Any older gamer or one with a family will understand that sometimes we just can justify buying every new title out, family, kids etc can dictate a lot of our finances.
Strong game so far. Good solid story of double cross/revenge seeking retribution, and our main protagonist is an absolute unit. Definitely check it out if you were like me and haven't played it.
Anyways on with our main piece, cult classics and one in particular. Like movies from the past games and gaming franchises in general are now privy to the reboot magic, always a gamble if the game was a roaring success in its heyday, it can also breathe new life into a game and open it up to a whole new audience, as I have stated in past articles the gaming scene has evolved well and by combining old titles with some new modern day feature you have a recipe for potential success.
My cult classic I pose today to be given a modern day make over is Bitmap Brothers "Speedball II Brutal Deluxe" right away those in the know will say but yes it has already had this and to an extend I can agree, we had Speedball 2100 on PS1 a reboot on Xbox 360 as well as Speedball II evolution on PS3 none I wouldn't say were roaring successes and when you say Speedball II what title would be the first one you think off?
Now since Xbox 360 and PS3 I would say there has been an even bigger jump forward in the online scene and that's where I reckon a reboot for Speedball II would work wonders. Bitmap could do one of 2 things rehash what they have currently with speedball, keep the game the way it is and give it some sleek new graphics and control system or rip it up and start again, that's for Bitmap Brothers to decide, I am just the gaming minion that waits for it to be released, buys it plays it and critiques it, I merely would like to get down today some features I think could be added to ensure its success.
Career Mode
In previous versions of the game we never had something like this, the world of Speedball should be opened up and have layers and levels, all well and good having the established 1st and 2nd division pitting the mighty Brutal Deluxe against Steel Fury and Rage 2000. Can we just stop for a moment and pay homage to how badass and awesome the teams names were, just names of pure anger. Playing this as a youngster it just fell damn cool with the names Bitmap came up with for the teams.
Divisions 1 and 2 could and still would be the holy grail of speedball but the introduction of lower and lesser leagues, sort of development leagues where by we take our player as a youngster and develop his attributes gradually, win lower league glory and seal moves to other teams and progress up the ladder. the only real downfall of this is that it no longer becomes Speedball II Brutal Deluxe more just Speedball II but I would be ok with that, the sacrifice of possibly never playing with Brutal Deluxe is something I could forego to expand the speedball world.
As an additional feature to the speedball world we could also see the introduction of call ups to national sides, Speedball world cup, upon creating your character you would be given the choice of nationality, play well enough and develop your attributes you may well make the national side.
Online 1v1 and Co-op/Multiplayer features
Multiplayer has featured in some of the newer versions of the game but as I alluded to earlier the progression in online gaming means more people than ever are playing online and the audience is far greater, the platform is much bigger, we have You Tube and Twitch meaning more exposure (take Rocket League for example, at one point one of the most streamed titles on twitch and still boasts big numbers and has also progressed into what I will talk about next)
Most games have in game purchases now that you can make, this makes the game more money and ultimately increases game longevity and at he same time allows developers potential to add new content, Speedball II would be no different, custom armor, items and player purchases could all be a part of the speedball online world.
Speedball II - E-Sport
E-sports are a massive deal now, who ever thought back in the 80's and 90's that one day someone could say when I grow up I want to be a professional gamer, but here we are in present day, people craft their skills on games and some become good enough to the point they can make a successful living from it. TV and internet channels dedicated to coverage of said e-sports with commentary, amazing to see frankly.
Speedball as a e-sport for me would be a massive pull, combining that mixture of sports, skill and brutality would tick a box for most surely. For this to work Bitmap Brothers would definitely have to get any potential reboot to the tee other wise it just wouldn't work.
Speedball II was an epic title for me, I first played this on the Atari st and have subsequently played it on other platforms and even still do on WinUAE Amiga emulator on PC.
Do you agree or disagree with any of what's been said, let us know.
Happy reading and happy gaming, have a good week.
Any older gamer or one with a family will understand that sometimes we just can justify buying every new title out, family, kids etc can dictate a lot of our finances.
Strong game so far. Good solid story of double cross/revenge seeking retribution, and our main protagonist is an absolute unit. Definitely check it out if you were like me and haven't played it.
Anyways on with our main piece, cult classics and one in particular. Like movies from the past games and gaming franchises in general are now privy to the reboot magic, always a gamble if the game was a roaring success in its heyday, it can also breathe new life into a game and open it up to a whole new audience, as I have stated in past articles the gaming scene has evolved well and by combining old titles with some new modern day feature you have a recipe for potential success.
My cult classic I pose today to be given a modern day make over is Bitmap Brothers "Speedball II Brutal Deluxe" right away those in the know will say but yes it has already had this and to an extend I can agree, we had Speedball 2100 on PS1 a reboot on Xbox 360 as well as Speedball II evolution on PS3 none I wouldn't say were roaring successes and when you say Speedball II what title would be the first one you think off?
Now since Xbox 360 and PS3 I would say there has been an even bigger jump forward in the online scene and that's where I reckon a reboot for Speedball II would work wonders. Bitmap could do one of 2 things rehash what they have currently with speedball, keep the game the way it is and give it some sleek new graphics and control system or rip it up and start again, that's for Bitmap Brothers to decide, I am just the gaming minion that waits for it to be released, buys it plays it and critiques it, I merely would like to get down today some features I think could be added to ensure its success.
Career Mode
In previous versions of the game we never had something like this, the world of Speedball should be opened up and have layers and levels, all well and good having the established 1st and 2nd division pitting the mighty Brutal Deluxe against Steel Fury and Rage 2000. Can we just stop for a moment and pay homage to how badass and awesome the teams names were, just names of pure anger. Playing this as a youngster it just fell damn cool with the names Bitmap came up with for the teams.
 |
| Speedball 2100 on PS1 |
Divisions 1 and 2 could and still would be the holy grail of speedball but the introduction of lower and lesser leagues, sort of development leagues where by we take our player as a youngster and develop his attributes gradually, win lower league glory and seal moves to other teams and progress up the ladder. the only real downfall of this is that it no longer becomes Speedball II Brutal Deluxe more just Speedball II but I would be ok with that, the sacrifice of possibly never playing with Brutal Deluxe is something I could forego to expand the speedball world.
As an additional feature to the speedball world we could also see the introduction of call ups to national sides, Speedball world cup, upon creating your character you would be given the choice of nationality, play well enough and develop your attributes you may well make the national side.
 |
| Gameboy cover art work |
Online 1v1 and Co-op/Multiplayer features
Multiplayer has featured in some of the newer versions of the game but as I alluded to earlier the progression in online gaming means more people than ever are playing online and the audience is far greater, the platform is much bigger, we have You Tube and Twitch meaning more exposure (take Rocket League for example, at one point one of the most streamed titles on twitch and still boasts big numbers and has also progressed into what I will talk about next)
Most games have in game purchases now that you can make, this makes the game more money and ultimately increases game longevity and at he same time allows developers potential to add new content, Speedball II would be no different, custom armor, items and player purchases could all be a part of the speedball online world.
Speedball II - E-Sport
E-sports are a massive deal now, who ever thought back in the 80's and 90's that one day someone could say when I grow up I want to be a professional gamer, but here we are in present day, people craft their skills on games and some become good enough to the point they can make a successful living from it. TV and internet channels dedicated to coverage of said e-sports with commentary, amazing to see frankly.
Speedball as a e-sport for me would be a massive pull, combining that mixture of sports, skill and brutality would tick a box for most surely. For this to work Bitmap Brothers would definitely have to get any potential reboot to the tee other wise it just wouldn't work.
Speedball II was an epic title for me, I first played this on the Atari st and have subsequently played it on other platforms and even still do on WinUAE Amiga emulator on PC.
Do you agree or disagree with any of what's been said, let us know.
Happy reading and happy gaming, have a good week.
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