This game should have a proper title

[Edward_Carnby]

This game seems to be officially known simply as "Alone in the Dark", god knows why.

http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module/100747/aidlogo_qjgenth.jpg

No numeral and no subtitle at all. Just that.

Do both Edgen Games and Atari know that this is the fifth installment of the series? That's right, the FIFTH.

The fourth installment, even if it didn't portrayed a numeral like the first three games (which would be the ideal thing), at least featured the "The New Nightmare" subtitle to distinguish itself.

But this game, with this title, which is also the very same title of the first game in the series (and it's NOT A REMAKE OF THAT GAME). What's supposed to be the point of this? Purchasing the game and putting it in the shelf along with the four previous Alone in the Dark games, just to notice that it doesn't follow any kind of continuity? Instead, it screws it?

Oh right, they are telling us that this Edward Carnby is the very same of the original 1920s trilogy, even if he looks the same than modern The New Nightmare's Edward Carnby (which was already another person) rather than the 1920s trilogy's Edward Carnby.

But, if this is true, something which would show continuity with previous games... then why it's called simply "ALONE IN THE DARK"? Am I missing the point of something?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/86/Alone_in_the_Dark_5_%28PC%29.PNG

And this boxart... it doesn't feature any resemblances to the artistic path that all the previous Alone in the Dark boxarts followed, which despicted Edward Carnby from a back view and facing the danger while holding a lamp. Even "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare" had its boxart in that way (Carnby was holding a flashlight).

I don't know how the game itself will eventually be in terms of quality, but one thing is sure: it's absolutely ruining the relationship with the previous Alone in the Dark games in the series.

[kalniel]

I couldn't disagree more.

When was the last Alone in the Dark game released? Are you going to see this new game on the same store shelf as the old ones? No way. After such a long break it's daft to make a game number 5 - you alienate the current generation of mainstream players who never played the previous games. This is a fresh look at the series, so why not keep with something accurate and simple?

[tenebra]

I'm slightly puzzled. How can the lack of a number alienate the strong following the series has? :mefiant:

As for Carnby's looks, this installment takes place in 2007 hence his modern appearance. The reason why he is still young will be revealed in the game.

[Edward_Carnby]

When was the last Alone in the Dark game released?

In 2001, it hasn't been so long.

It's funny you are saying this, because that game was released 6/7 years after Alone in the Dark 3 and it wasn't labeled just "Alone in the Dark". At least it beared "The New Nightmare" subtitle, which game it a proper identification in the whole series.

Are you going to see this new game on the same store shelf as the old ones? No way.

Nope, but if I purchase it, I'm going to see it in the same home shelf where I have my previous four Alone in the Dark games.

And believe me, when you see a line followed by "Alone in the Dark", "Alone in the Dark 2", "Alone in the Dark 3", "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare", and then, "Alone in the Dark", something has gone wrong for sure.

After such a long break it's daft to make a game number 5 - you alienate the current generation of mainstream players who never played the previous games. This is a fresh look at the series, so why not keep with something accurate and simple?

That is a very poor excuse.

Then, what about the players who have followed the series since the first game and actually have the whole series in their collection? This game isn't targeted to them, right? Just to the "current generation of mainstream players". Well, start a new series then and leave aside a classic one.

Just look at Capcom and Konami, and the success they have with their Resident Evil and Silent Hill series, giving "fresh new look at the series" each time, but while they keep the logical continuity in their new titles. Japanese companies take a lot more of care about these matters. Atari should learn of them.

I'm waiting for Resident Evil 5, Silent Hill V and... Alone in the Dark? What kind of joke is this? Did they run out of simple ideas in their heads as these are?

I'm slightly puzzled. How can the lack of a number alienate the strong following the series has? :mefiant:

As I said, "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare" also lacked a numeral, but at least it had its own and identificative subtitle.

However, this game has nothing of it, neither numeral nor subtitle. It is simply called "Alone in the Dark", god knows why. Not being a remake, there's no excuse to bear the very same title of a previous game, which confuses both fans and databases.

As for Carnby's looks, this installment takes place in 2007 hence his modern appearance. The reason why he is still young will be revealed in the game.

Giving his modern appearance and the year which it takes place, this 2007's Edward Carnby must be the same 2001's Edward Carnby from Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (they share the same looks), which was already another different person as was stated in the official Alone in the Dark chronology.

But this is noticeably not only because of the look and the year, also because the 1920s Edward Carnby was actually far more aged than this Edward Carnby is. Play any of the three first Alone in the Dark games and you'll see what I mean.

[tenebra]

Actually I've played previous AITD games (I'm pretty older than you ;)), and I've been following the development of the new installment for the past year or so.

I'm sorry, as a long standing gamer I've never had your issues and I really can't empathise with your problem, from my point of view is the quality and depth of the game that counts, not the title. If it makes you feel better, I'll allow you to call it Alone in the Park as I do (Central Park * hint hint *). I always rename games, especially the ones I like ;)

[Edward_Carnby]

Actually I've played previous AITD games (I'm pretty older than you ;)),

It's true, you're older, but I started playing the series very young them, since 1992-1993 with the first installment in floppy disks and in an old 486, so I guess we must be pretty in the same conditions.

I'm sorry, as a long standing gamer I've never had your issues and I really can't empathise with your problem, from my point of view is the quality and depth of the game that counts, not the title.

Then it's as simple as developing a whole new game instead of a sequel in an established series.

If it makes you feel better, I'll allow you to call it Alone in the Park as I do (Central Park * hint hint *). I always rename games, especially the ones I like ;)

You see? Something like "Alone in the Dark: Central Dark" would be quite good and would identify accurately the game in the series.

But then again, the title of the game is still repeated and ambiguous, and that's what it counts officially, not to mention what we'll see in the proper boxart and game itself.

[tenebra]

It's true, you're older, but I started playing the series very young them, since 1992-1993 with the first installment in floppy disks and in an old 486, so I guess we must be pretty in the same conditions.
Sorry, by then I already had some 15 years gaming life.

Then it's as simple as developing a whole new game instead of a sequel in an established series.
Nope, that's not how it's been developed. Ditching a sequential number is not such a bit deal. It's a title, it's just a title. Have you seen any of the material? Would you be so kind as to comment on what you've seen? Sorry, I really don't understand your focus on something so irrelevant and semantic like a title. Would you be happy with an average game as long as it was called AITD 5?

You see? Something like "Alone in the Dark: Central Dark" would be quite good and would identify accurately the game in the series.
That's your opinion, which is fine, but it's personal.

But then again, the title of the game is still repeated and ambiguous
I'm failing to see the ambiguity, beyond the ambiguity of the title in the first place. Care to elaborate how more ambiguous AITD is compared to AITD 5 would be?
not to mention what we'll see in the proper boxart
Because your seeing Carnby's face? :mefiant: I'm confused, you claimed that the artwork was novel (hence you didn't like it), now you say it's repeated and ambiguous?

and game itself.
I'm pretty sure you haven't seen the game itself, correct me if I'm wrong confusedb

[Edward_Carnby]

Sorry, by then I already had some 15 years gaming life.

I meant with the Alone in the Dark series in mind, not with the actual whole gaming life. There was no Alone in the Dark game in the Magnavox Odyssey, you know...

Nope, that's not how it's been developed. Ditching a sequential number is not such a bit deal.

You always go solely to the point of the sequential number. I already showed you how actually "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare" proved continuity and self-identity in the whole series providing a subtitle, which would have been another choice.

It's a title, it's just a title.

And it's repeated.

Have you seen any of the material? Would you be so kind as to comment on what you've seen?

I'm not arguing about that in this topic.

Sorry, I really don't understand your focus on something so irrelevant and semantic like a title.

Oh, would you prefer that I just appeared around here saying "wonderful things" about the actual game simply like others do?

To me it's not neither irrelevant nor semantic. I'm a fan (and collector, because I keep them) of the series (among others) and I don't like absolutely nothing the fact than the fifth installment of the series portrays the very same exact title of the first one, in a great "proof of creativity".

Would you be happy with an average game as long as it was called AITD 5?

No, I would be happy if all things are done right. And they aren't.

That's your opinion, which is fine, but it's personal.

It's also the yours when defending this issue.

I'm failing to see the ambiguity, beyond the ambiguity of the title in the first place. Care to elaborate how more ambiguous AITD is compared to AITD 5 would be?

Because there already is an "AITD" and it was released in 1992. Simply as that. Subsequent releases differentiate themselves with numerals or subtitles.

That is how always has been, not only in the videogame industry, but also in others like the film and literary.

Because your seeing Carnby's face? :mefiant: I'm confused, you claimed that the artwork was novel (hence you didn't like it), now you say it's repeated and ambiguous?

What it's repeated and ambiguous is the title, the game's name, not the artwork.

But yes, if you ask me, the artwork is also very poor, mostly in comparison with the artistic path that previous installments (including The New Nightmare) followed. This looks more like a bad american action movie rather an Alone in the Dark game.

I'm pretty sure you haven't seen the game itself, correct me if I'm wrong confusedb

No, but right now I can imagine the logo appearing in the title screen, with a sole "ALONE IN THE DARK", and that's what I meant.

[tenebra]

Edward_Carnby, we all have different tastes when it comes to game play, plot, graphics etc, let alone presentation like title and box artwork. I'd hate sounding dismissive but maybe - just maybe - you're putting too much emphasis on the packaging. Maybe that would put you off for your own reasons, maybe you'll still buy the game and enjoy it. I hope it's the latter.

[charmed699]

Well for me I only ever played it on the Dreamcast and I got the Sega Saturn game around that I played a lot too. The boxart might be a lot different but the designeds must have their own reasons for doing so.

After all the market of gamers is a lot diffferent from when the other games were released and the game needs to capture the attention of all kinds of gamers.

In my opinion it does look very good and I didnt even recognise that to be the main characters from the games before! All I want really is for the time when a demo and the real game turns up to start playing it. :)

But everyone has their own views and I am sure there are many that agree with you too.

[ShadowMKII]

Ever since I came to know of this game I've always known it as Alone in the Dark: Near Death Investigation...? I don't really see the fuss in the packaging your personally going to know it's AITD5. I'd expect it to have some form of information on the box anyway pointing out that this game is part of a series (for newcomers).

Yeah the cover has't followed the similar portrayal of the darkness involved in AITD 1-4 but then this game is set in modern times. With a more modern approach taken to it's packaging design. Maybe it would of been interesting to see him stood pointing a torch into a dark Central Park. But I don't see anything wrong with the cover as it is. In my eyes it still conveys the 'dark' background of the game and it doesn't make me want to cry about how it's going to look sat next to the other games in the series.

If the cover annoys you that much, bloody draw a 5 on it... :)

[chimto]

IMHO Edward_Carnby has a good point there
u c, the fifth installment is the 1st one that really draw my attention, due to its awesome graphic visions, genuine motion capturing and especially its soundtracks by Olivier Deriviere ... and the idea to surround it by the Central Park = brilliant!!

BUT: "Alone in the Dark" (2008) is still a sequel of the famous "Alone in the Dark" series origined in 1992 (which is considered to be one of, if not the first, survival horror game in 3d). Due to its long heritage, it naturally builds up a fanbase, which is interrested to see this series be carried on.
Now, if u leave the fifth installment the same name as the first one, it leads to inconsistency and conveys the impression that it break its long tradition and start the series new, from scratch. And that impression ratchets up, if u consider all the subtile changes, not only in the boxing and naming, but also in the protagonist himself. This change i think already began with "Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare" (the 4th installment) where the character had longer hairs and a more "gloomy" appearance.
The plot of the current installment (fifth) takes place in present time 2008, therefore the protagonist is a more mordern-type-character (and i have to admit that this is much more appealing one than the predecessors, although that's just my opinion :rolleyes: ). Furthermore the newest installment obviously .. kind'of .. aimes for a more mainstream kind'of audience ... ya know :rolleyes:

Maybe the devolopers decided to ... well ... start something new ... also u have to keep in mind that infogrames is no longer making this game but atari and eden game .......... now don't get me wrong, i love atari :atari:
... but it might not have been the wises idea from the developers to cut off the prequels of the series (although they were not really successful ..... not to mention the disaster in the movie-spinoff weirdblue .... uwe boll *harrumph*... do i need to say more?!), because they might lose some ... well ... lets say support from the fanbase.
But i guess its far too late now to change anything in boxing or naming .... since all has been confirmed and printed ... and certainly is close for shipping ... so it wouldn't make sense to order everything back and rename it.
Thus this game will always be titled as ..... "Alone in the Dark" (2008 version) ... not to be confused with "Alone in the Dark" (1994 version) ...... lols .. weirdblue
hopefully the PR-department will keep that to their heart for future developments

:atari: i love u guys :salut2: