Kotaku – Dante’s Inferno Preview: Looks Like Hell – Dante’s Inferno

Go to the article linked above to read first impressions on EA’s game.

The author points out several ways that the game could be more true to the original poem–even stating that Limbo in the game does not . . . → Read More: Kotaku – Dante’s Inferno Preview]]>

Inferno Diagram

Kotaku – Dante’s Inferno Preview: Looks Like Hell – Dante’s Inferno

Go to the article linked above to read first impressions on EA’s game.

The author points out several ways that the game could be more true to the original poem–even stating that Limbo in the game does not quite match up with Limbo in the poem. See? I am not the only one who thinks about this stuff.

Apparently the game is going to be very much like another EA game, God of War, a game that is highly praised. So, for me, having not played God of War (give me a break, I only have one console, and if I only have one console, it will be a Nintendo console), this will be a new experience for me. For more seasoned players, the similarities to God of War may make the Inferno redundant.

Not much more to say about the game at this point … still no release date as far as I can see.

Since I do not own a PS3 or a 360, I will have to rent this game when it comes out and play it at my cousin’s house. Have hell, will travel …

Hell just keeps popping up. So, there is a Dante’s Inferno video game coming out and there is movie coming out that is based on the video game. Now, there is another movie coming out; this time, it is an animated version.

Hell depicted in a cartoon? Well, it . . . → Read More: Dante’s Inferno – Animated?]]>

Yosemite Sam in Hell

Hell just keeps popping up. So, there is a Dante’s Inferno video game coming out and there is movie coming out that is based on the video game. Now, there is another movie coming out; this time, it is an animated version.

Hell depicted in a cartoon? Well, it has been done before (see image above as Yosemite Sam decends via an escalator). But this time the cartoon is a full-length movie … I think. This movie will go straight to DVD and will probably be available at the same time as the video game and may even come packaged with the video game. Why? Because this animated movie is headed up by EA, makers of the video game.

EA has done this before with one of their other franchises, Dead Space. It proved to be successful (so much so that apparently there is a theatrical-release movie in the works). It is good to see that EA is going all out with the Inferno. “A” for effort, so far.

Going one step further, EA is having separate animation studios each handle a different circle of Dante’s Hell. That means nine different studios designing one circle each. Now that is a creative approach. Each area of the Inferno would have a different tone, look, and feel. Hmm, this direct-to-DVD release could possibly turn out to be the best of these three takes on the Inferno (the movie, the video game, and the cartoon).

I continue to watch this news with great interest.

Source: Ben Fritz report from Variety

The news continues for Dante’s Inferno and its adaptation to a video game by EA. Yes, a movie is being made, too, but like all things in Dante’s vision of hell, it is all backwards. The movie is based on the video game, and the video game is based . . . → Read More: Dante’s Inferno Movie – Writer Confirmed]]>

The news continues for Dante’s Inferno and its adaptation to a video game by EA. Yes, a movie is being made, too, but like all things in Dante’s vision of hell, it is all backwards. The movie is based on the video game, and the video game is based on the epic poem (loosely).

The adaptations made to the poem in order to make it a video game are quite understandable. Video games are about action, fantasy, and interactivity. The actual plot of the original poem does not make for the greatest interactive experience. EA had to heat things up a bit (har har, pun intended) by making your hero a warrior from the Crusades and not an exiled poet. You have a weapon, a scythe (and a crucifix from what the trailers present), and not a pen. In video games, the sword is mightier than the pen (unless the game is Okami). Yet, for movies, they are nothing without a good script.

Enter Dan Harris, recently named the writer for Dante’s Inferno‘s screenplay. He co-wrote X-Men 2. Cool. He co-wrote Superman Returns. Hmm … well, okay. There is some excellent drama in both of those movies–pretty good action, too. Not too bad a choice, I guess. But basing the movie on the video game, to me, is a missed opportunity. The original text is rich with themes that would translate quite well to a cinematic experience–especially the visuals.

In the end, however, I’m fine with the video game character of Dante being, more or less, an action hero prototype, but the movie character of Dante ought to be someone with which I can identify. I should experience his journey through Hell through his eyes–he should feel how I would feel when encountered with this sojourn in the afterlife. He should be a sympathetic character; instead, he is going to (probably) be some wise-cracking meathead. This could be bad. This could be hell.

Sources: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001343.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

http://kotaku.com/5181302/dantes-inferno-the-movie-has-a-writer

Now we get some (what I presume to be) gameplay footage of Dante’s Inferno the video game from EA. A bit of plot seems revealed as Dante (your character) is lots in the woods (i.e. The Dark Wood of Error) and sees who I believe must be Beatrice. I thought then that . . . → Read More: Dante’s Inferno – New Trailer]]>

Now we get some (what I presume to be) gameplay footage of Dante’s Inferno the video game from EA. A bit of plot seems revealed as Dante (your character) is lots in the woods (i.e. The Dark Wood of Error) and sees who I believe must be Beatrice. I thought then that she would be replacing the role of Virgil and show Dante the way in and the way through Hell. But instead she gets captured.

Captured? How? Some demon rises up, just grabs her, and pulls her down to the abyss. Dante tried to stop the demon by throwing some weapon at it which did about as much good as you would think a dagger would do against a creature from the underworld. Zero.

So … that is the story, eh? The tried-and-true-and-so-cliché “damsel in distress” that has been used in video games for the last 25 years? The original text has Dante rescuing his own soul through this journey while Beatrice is safe and sound in Paradise. Demons have as much ability to do that as I do flying to the moon by jumping really high.

But, that’s the book. This is a video game. And when you make a video game you follow certain patterns and that often involves obtaining or saving something physical. So if Mario and Link are out to rescue their respective princesses, why not Dante, too? The difference now is that the setting is not the Mushroom Kingdom nor Hyrule, it is Hell.

In the end we get a video game, with a video game plot, and video game mechanics. Good. This time, however, it will have thrilling new backdrops and perspectives. From text to game the story may be changed, but just as important is the vision, Dante’s vision, remains. And that is what has me interested, the visuals. Dante describes what Hell looks like. Let us see how EA models it in interactive 3D graphics. Judging from the trailer, it looks as frightening and disgusting as it should be.

Wall Street Journal To Disney: “Buy EA”.

Electronic Arts (EA), the biggest video game distributor who makes games like Madden football and the upcoming Dante’s Inferno (as discussed here before), has not had the best financial year–well, nobody really has had a good year, financially. I’m sure Disney has taken a . . . → Read More: Wall Street Journal To Disney: “Buy EA”]]>

Wall Street Journal To Disney: “Buy EA”.

Electronic Arts (EA), the biggest video game distributor who makes games like Madden football and the upcoming Dante’s Inferno (as discussed here before), has not had the best financial year–well, nobody really has had a good year, financially. I’m sure Disney has taken a hit or two, but perhaps it’s still in the black due to inventing and owning a quarter of the world’s intellectual properties (perhaps a conservative figure).

Anyway, Wall Street is advising Disney that buying up EA would be both a good financial move and a win-win situation for both parties. While this isn’t a sign of the apocalypse (that chihuahua movie sure was close), it’s a pretty big prospect. The kotaku page linked above shows the concern of gamers that if Disney made the deal, they might significantly tone down the violent (i.e. fun) content of some titles. But really, who knows how Disney would handle the games that aren’t directly developed by them? I think combining such talent from these two companies could produce some fantastic games. But, what would it mean for the Inferno game in which I’m interested? More-assured financial backing, I suppose … as long as they don’t make the movie a musical.

Dantes Inferno: Universal Buys Rights To EA’s Dante’s Inferno.

Here’s an update to my previous post. Universal Studios will bring us the Inferno movie (same studio that did Dante’s Peak which had absolutely nothing to do with the Inferno). So, big name studio to do the movie … check. Not a . . . → Read More: Universal Buys Rights To EA’s Dante’s Inferno]]>

Dantes Inferno: Universal Buys Rights To EA’s Dante’s Inferno.

Here’s an update to my previous post. Universal Studios will bring us the Inferno movie (same studio that did Dante’s Peak which had absolutely nothing to do with the Inferno). So, big name studio to do the movie … check. Not a bad start. Hopefully future announcements will include a great director, great cast, great composer, and most important of all, a great script.

If the movie will not have these ingredients, they shouldn’t bother at all. Otherwise critics (and audiences) will have too easy a time ripping the movie apart saying how awful it is and how it is like going through hell to watch it. Universal, don’t give them that chance–not a chance in hell! (sorry, couldn’t resist)

Dante’s Inferno: EA Developing Game Based On Dante’s Inferno.

I fully expected a movie of Dante’s Inferno to come out and then, possibly, there would be a video game based on it. But like the essence of hell itself, everything is backwards; a video game is being made first, then a . . . → Read More: EA Developing Game Based On Dante’s Inferno]]>

Dante’s Inferno: EA Developing Game Based On Dante’s Inferno.

I fully expected a movie of Dante’s Inferno to come out and then, possibly, there would be a video game based on it. But like the essence of hell itself, everything is backwards; a video game is being made first, then a movie based on it.

This has the potential to be great, except for the fact that most all video-game-to-movie adaptations completely suck. See the Nostalgia Critic for proof. What it takes to be great is dependent on the skilled hands of a good director (for the movie … and a great director/developer for the game).

A movie based solely on the poem could be quite good and interpret Dante’s vision for the modern day and could even transcend its own art. The game will only be concerned with action and fighting your way through the levels of hell. What the game will miss is the inherent love story that provides the motivation for Dante the character (and the author). I always envisioned a story that goes something like this: Dante loves Beatrice. Beatrice dies. Dante falls into despair, letting go of his faith. Beatrice, moved by his love and concerned for him and his soul asks God to help him. God puts Dante through hell (literally) so that Dante can recognize what his own life, his very self, could become if he doesn’t change. Good setup for a movie, not so great for a game.

The game’s story probably won’t go that deeply. Its premise need nothing more than: “You’re in hell, fight your way out from beginning to end.” The movie, would need a little bit of that, too, actually. There would need to be some supernatural action (add that to the deep story and great characters, you got a great movie). But if that’s the premise of the game, and the movie will be based on the game, then I think we’re going to miss a great opportunity here.

All I need to do is write that movie script of Dante’s Inferno that has always lived in the back of my mind. Where the hell will I get time for that? And if this game/movie idea is already in motion, my time is pretty much up. I can relish all I want in the potential of this project, but it will not/could not live up to my expectations. So, I just gotta go into this with the right frame of mind: this is gonna blow!

P.S. And in case you missed this news, Heaven, the Game, is coming out, too. … OMG …

It’s good to know I’m not the only one with odd interests. Dave Lafferty, over at davelafferty.com hosts the “Dante Explorer.” A cool blog about all things Dante including articles on sections of the Inferno. Use that site and my own Virtual Tour of Dante’s Hell and you’re set . . . → Read More: You’re Not Alone, Not Here]]>

It’s good to know I’m not the only one with odd interests. Dave Lafferty, over at davelafferty.com hosts the “Dante Explorer.” A cool blog about all things Dante including articles on sections of the Inferno. Use that site and my own Virtual Tour of Dante’s Hell and you’re set to be an expert … an expert of the afterlife.