29-Mar-2024 12:48 GMT.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Anonymous, there are 26 items in your selection
[News] First Payback Update ReleasedANN.lu
Posted on 16-Mar-2001 02:28 GMT by Christian Kemp26 comments
View flat
View list
James Daniels wrote: Apex Designs have released their first update for Payback. It mainly fixes a few bugs that have been reported but a screen scaling feature for slower machines and new graphics have also been added. An update is also available for the demo, which also increases the time limit from 3 to 5 minutes. They've also added a new section called What The Press Said to their website and the Payback FAQ has been updated. Remember that you can now buy the game from Apex's secure on-line shop.
First Payback Update Released : Comment 1 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by leki on 15-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
glad to see some updates :)
i just wanna see a PPC update now :)...any news from DCE about ur PPC card?
First Payback Update Released : Comment 2 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by James Daniels on 15-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 1 (leki):
No, unfortunately DCE haven't fixed my PPC card yet. :(
First Payback Update Released : Comment 3 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Olsen on 15-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 2 (James Daniels):
Hey, let's all send a mail to DCE pushing them to repair Daniels' card first :)
First Payback Update Released : Comment 4 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Paolo "Mod3m" D'Urso on 15-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
I wish Daniel to sell more than 10.000 copies of his game! He really deserves this... his previous (pd) titles always offered a great gameplay, but this game is a real masterpiece! My deepest congratulations (again).
First Payback Update Released : Comment 5 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by James Daniels on 16-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 4 (Paolo "Mod3m" D'Urso):
Thanks, although I'd be very surprised if I sell 10,000 - even 500 is
looking extremely optimistic at the moment. :(
Oh, by the way, my name is James not Daniel. :) People keep on getting
it wrong, although I'm not sure why. :)
First Payback Update Released : Comment 6 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Olivier Fabre on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
The increase to 5 minutes is a really good thing, 3 minutes was NOT ENOUGH ;)
(5 minutes is really limited too, though...)
I'm too lazy to send an email, so since James is reading, here is what I dislike in Payback :
- it's difficult to see where the main character is headed (I'm somehow starting to get used to it though)
- the demo just crashed my Amiga while loading; I had only 4Megs of free fast ram...
- it's not possible to redefine the controls
- the main character is running a bit too fast; maybe it's just a question of getting used to it... dunno.
- it's possible to enter/exit a moving car... when exiting a car, the character just stands still even though the car drove at 50km/h ... it's just like .. *zap* teleportation ! *magic* .. ;-)
- I think that the cars are accelerating too fast. They are sliding too much, too, but perhaps this is because of the snow...
- the cops capture you too fast (when their car is stopped next to yours)
- the cars are not very nice... and the graphics, in 320x240, are twisted : right angles are not at 90 degrees... ;-}
Okay, I'm posting this before trying the demo again (and optionnaly crashing again; I hope not ;p).
If I find something to add or correct, I'll post again...
First Payback Update Released : Comment 7 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Olivier Fabre on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 6 (Olivier Fabre):
Oh yes, how could I forget that...
- is it really too hard to make the cars drive on the right part of the road and to get into the cars using the left door ? :->
- the road/sidewalk look all dull and grey and flat... Ok, it's certainly partly due to the snow :-] But it's difficult to see the relief (not always evident that there is a wall)
- the joypad controls are set in such a way that it is impossible to shoot and run at the same time... Very annoying. (just to prove that the ability to customize the controls is really a must have)
- the streets are often empty.. (from cars as well as walkers)
- i'm not sure that the specular on the cars is a good thing (especially under a snowy grey sky !). Some yellow cars look really ugly. Okay, I suppose it's the price to pay for having vehicules in 3D (with no textures)...
First Payback Update Released : Comment 8 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Olivier Fabre on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 6 (Olivier Fabre):
Hm, perhaps I was wrong about the cops capturing you too fast... Hmm... The problems is perhaps that the action of entering/exiting a car is instantaneous.
The main character really is running as fast as some cars, too...
First Payback Update Released : Comment 9 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by nihilvor on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 7 (Olivier Fabre):
As far as there being times where there are not any cars, it is because the cars follow the rules of the road [eg. they stop at red lights-- unlike the players :) ].
First Payback Update Released : Comment 10 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by redrumloa on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 6 (Olivier Fabre):
Being a little overly critical? Personally I thought the game was VERY well made:-)
First Payback Update Released : Comment 11 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Dave on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 6 (Olivier Fabre):
4Mb fastmem free? I thought the demo needed 16 (sure I seen that in the readme).
First Payback Update Released : Comment 12 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by James Daniels on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 6 (Olivier Fabre):
- it's difficult to see where the main character is headed (I'm somehow starting to get used to it though)
Yes, various suggestions have been made about how to fix this - one
person suggested giving the main character a really big nose! :)
Having said that, it's actually quite easy to figure out which way you
character is facing once you realise that the game always looks
slighty in front of the character - i.e. your character always looks
towards the centre of the screen.
- the demo just crashed my Amiga while loading; I had only 4Megs of free fast ram...
That's because you ran out of memory. This is the only known way to
crash the game.
- it's not possible to redefine the controls
Not yet.
- the main character is running a bit too fast; maybe it's just a question of getting used to it... dunno.
I've got to disagree with you here. It's true that you can catch up
with the slow cars, but that's because it's one of the earlier levels
so that CPU drivers go slower to make the game easier.
- it's possible to enter/exit a moving car... when exiting a car, the character just stands still even though the car drove at 50km/h ... it's just like .. *zap* teleportation ! *magic* .. ;-)
I don't see anything wrong with being able to jump out of a moving car
- in fact, it's essential for some missions because you have to drive
some cars into a lake to hide them from the cops.
I agree that the guy should roll when he dives out, but that wouldn't
actually make the game more fun so it's not a high priority.
- I think that the cars are accelerating too fast.
That depends what vehicle you are in. The bus, for example,
accelerates very slowly.
- They are sliding too much, too, but perhaps this is because of the
snow...
It's because of the snow. You get much better grip on dry tarmac.
- the cops capture you too fast (when their car is stopped next to yours)
People have also told me that the cops are too easy, so I guess that
means that I've got the balance about right. (But remember that the
cops are easier on earlier levels and harder on later levels.)
- the cars are not very nice... and the graphics, in 320x240, are twisted : right angles are not at 90 degrees... ;-}
That's not a fault of the game - that's because of the limitations of
a resolution of 320x240. (And the game does support higher
resolutions.)
Okay, I'm posting this before trying the demo again (and optionnaly crashing again; I hope not ;p).
It won't crash unless you run out of RAM.
- is it really too hard to make the cars drive on the right part of the road and to get into the cars using the left door ? :->
Yes, it's extremely hard - it would take weeks to modify all the maps,
routing information, etc. I'd much rather spend the time adding more
fun features - after all, I got used to driving on the right in GTA in
about 5 minutes so I can't believe it's a major concern (especially
since most of the time you're ignoring the rules of the road anyway).
- the road/sidewalk look all dull and grey and flat... Ok, it's certainly partly due to the snow :-] But it's difficult to see the relief (not always evident that there is a wall)
This is because it's a snowy level. I've never had problems with not
being able to see walls, especially since they all have dark shadows
which helps make them obvious.
- the joypad controls are set in such a way that it is impossible to shoot and run at the same time... Very annoying. (just to prove that the ability to customize the controls is really a must have)
They're fine on a PSX pad, but I can see it would be difficult to do
both on a CD32 pad. However, redefineable controls are planned.
- the streets are often empty.. (from cars as well as walkers)
The number of cars on the road depends on many factors:
1) The number of roads the converge on that location
2) The business of those roads
3) Luck :)
- i'm not sure that the specular on the cars is a good thing (especially under a snowy grey sky !). Some yellow cars look really ugly. Okay, I suppose it's the price to pay for having vehicules in 3D (with no textures)...
The reflections on the car help make them look more 3d. Incidentally,
a lot of the vehicles are tmapped as well as environment mapped (e.g.
buses, cop cars, taxis).
> Hm, perhaps I was wrong about the cops capturing you too fast...
> Hmm... The problems is perhaps that the action of entering/exiting a
> car is instantaneous.
It's not. The door opens first.
Cheers,
James.
First Payback Update Released : Comment 13 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Paolo "Mod3m" D'Urso on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 5 (James Daniels):
I know (we developed Tales from Heaven, and the low sales of the game stopped our next planned Amiga titles), but your game deserve to sell 10.000 copies ;-)
Hmm.. maybe if every Amiga user buys 10 copies each... 8-)
Ups, sorry also from the mistake in the name :)
First Payback Update Released : Comment 14 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Olivier Fabre on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 12 (James Daniels):
> one person suggested giving the main character a really big nose! :)
Eheh :))
> i.e. your character always looks towards the centre of the screen.
Hm, thanks for the hint, I'll try that.
> That's because you ran out of memory. This is the only known way to crash the game.
Memory allocation failure should make the game exit gracefully, not crash... :-(((
> I don't see anything wrong with being able to jump out of a moving car
Neither do I :)
> I agree that the guy should roll when he dives out, but that wouldn't
> actually make the game more fun so it's not a high priority.
To me, this looks too "artificial"... Goes too fast, like a teleportation, as I said... Well...
> People have also told me that the cops are too easy, so I guess that
> means that I've got the balance about right. (But remember that the
> cops are easier on earlier levels and harder on later levels.)
Uh, ok... :-]
>> the graphics, in 320x240, are twisted : right angles are not at 90 degrees..
> That's not a fault of the game - that's because of the limitations of
> a resolution of 320x240. (And the game does support higher
> resolutions.)
Err.. but 320x240 is a 4/3 resolution; so is my monitor screen... 320x240 is
perfectly fitted to a monitor screen (or a 4/3 tv).
> after all, I got used to driving on the right in GTA in
> about 5 minutes
You're smarter than me then... (but I'll try to improve ;))
> so I can't believe it's a major concern (especially
> since most of the time you're ignoring the rules of the road anyway).
Well, yes, but it's often better to drive on the good side to avoid collisions ;)
> I've never had problems with not
> being able to see walls, especially since they all have dark shadows
> which helps make them obvious.
Not all walls have shadows.. For example, the ones on the bottom-right
side of the main character, at the beginning of the demo.
> However, redefineable controls are planned.
Great :)
>It's not. The door opens first.
Well, err.. it opens too fast :p
First Payback Update Released : Comment 15 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Olivier Fabre on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 10 (redrumloa):
redrumloa :
> Being a little overly critical? Personally I thought the game was VERY well made:-)
To say the truth, I was expecting a lot from Payback, and I was disapointed by the demo.
At first sight, GTA looks better to me (I played it a lot).
I'll continue trying Payback's demo though... Perhaps I'll change my mind.
First Payback Update Released : Comment 16 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Olivier Fabre on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 12 (James Daniels):
Oh, and is there a button to see again the previous message ? Sometimes I can't read it completely, or don't remember what was the mission exactly...
First Payback Update Released : Comment 17 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Nihilvor on 17-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 15 (Olivier Fabre):
I have to disagree; I've played both GTA and GTA2 and both pale in comparison to Payback. Make sure you installed the game correctly (if you install the game with 3.9 unarch many of the graphics will not show up). A great game which looks and plays better than GTA
First Payback Update Released : Comment 18 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by James Daniels on 18-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 16 (Olivier Fabre):
Not yet, although it is on the 'to do' list. (As is fixing the aspect
ratio, which you mentioned in a different post.)
First Payback Update Released : Comment 19 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by leki on 18-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
well i have got to say payback is a great game and everyone should buy
it.
although the new update is giving me some problems:
i think the game crashes if i go on rampage mode and then go back to
the title screen and load up a game and then play a level....software
failure from /maps/script.00 i think....i`m not totally sure about
that but its happend a few times.
the english update installer is in itallian.
some cars dont seems to take corners properly...they sometimes go too
far over the pavement....and the big vehicals like the bus cant seem
to be able to get round tight corners with buildings.
when theres a pile up with cars they just keep driving forward a
little bit then stop and eventually ram the car in there way...cant be
completly still or try to drive around the crashed car infront of
them?
on the nighttime city the car headlights shine though walls
where is the tank?
on the 1st city at the very top of the map where the river goes out of
the city there is a information icon and a box(i think) on the top of
the border wall.....how do i get up there?
i finished the game with an overall bronze rating (i like to take my
time on levels :) ).....is there a different ending if you get the
gold rating?
also wouldn`t it be better to make the missions random....because
every time you start a level you have to go though the same missions
all the time and when you complete the level you dont get to see other
missions
btw how many missions are there for each level?
have you contacted DCE about them hurrying up with your PPC card?
First Payback Update Released : Comment 20 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Roj on 18-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 19 (leki):
> on the 1st city at the very top of the map where the river goes out of
> the city there is a information icon and a box(i think) on the top of
> the border wall.....how do i get up there?
"I really didn't think anyone would figure out how to get this - Well done."
hehehe gotta love secrets, right James?
P.S. Buy Payback!
First Payback Update Released : Comment 21 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Amifan on 18-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
I guess i'm a little spoiled by the PPC speed...that's why I only buy PPC games at first :)
A fast 68k on a fast G3/G4 could change that....
While playing the demo I couldn't use my left cursor key, and i'm sure it's functioning....any suggestions?
BTW....I'll buy the game ASAP, because I wanna suport the amiga and its developers no matter what..........
First Payback Update Released : Comment 22 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by alan on 18-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 5 (James Daniels):
>Thanks, although I'd be very surprised if I sell 10,000 - even 500 is
>looking extremely optimistic at the moment. :(
Please don't give up, your game looks great! I've ordered mine this morning.
Buy Payback NOW! and support modern amiga development!!
First Payback Update Released : Comment 23 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by Olivier Fabre on 18-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 18 (James Daniels):
> Not yet, although it is on the 'to do' list. (As is fixing the aspect
> ratio, which you mentioned in a different post.)
Excellent :)
Did you try to put the specular more on the top-left of the cars ?
First Payback Update Released : Comment 24 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by James Daniels on 19-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 19 (leki):
> i think the game crashes if i go on rampage mode and then go back to
> the title screen and load up a game and then play a level....software
> failure from /maps/script.00 i think....i`m not totally sure about
> that but its happend a few times.
>
> the english update installer is in itallian.
Update 2 will be released shortly and it fixes both these problems.
(Although don't expect Update 3 quite so quickly. :)
> some cars dont seems to take corners properly...they sometimes go too
> far over the pavement....and the big vehicals like the bus cant seem
> to be able to get round tight corners with buildings.
Yes, I hope to improve this soon.
> when theres a pile up with cars they just keep driving forward a
> little bit then stop and eventually ram the car in there way...cant be
> completly still or try to drive around the crashed car infront of
> them?
The cars would stay completely still in earlier versions which could
cause massive traffic jams. I've made them shuffle forward as a sort
of easy fix for this problem. I might make them drive around crashed
cars in future although it's quite tricky so I can't promise anything.
> on the nighttime city the car headlights shine though walls
Yes, but this is because I went for the fast rather than the accurate
approach to keep the framerate as high as possible.
> where is the tank?
Ignore the phones on the first level, leave the park and follow the
road North, then East across the bridge. Turn North and follow the
road around to East. Drive down this road until you come across a
ringing phone - answer it and all will be revealed.
> on the 1st city at the very top of the map where the river goes out of
> the city there is a information icon and a box(i think) on the top of
> the border wall...how do I get up there?
That would be telling.
> i finished the game with an overall bronze rating (i like to take my
> time on levels :) ).....is there a different ending if you get the
> gold rating?
No, although you do get the prestige of being able to say you've
completed it and got gold overall. :)
> also wouldn`t it be better to make the missions random....because
> every time you start a level you have to go though the same missions
> all the time and when you complete the level you dont get to see other
> missions
Yes, but unfortunately it's too late to change now.
> btw how many missions are there for each level?
It varies. Anything from 1 (i.e. escape from jail) to 12.
> have you contacted DCE about them hurrying up with your PPC card?
Yes, many times. :/
First Payback Update Released : Comment 25 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by James Daniels on 19-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 21 (Amifan):
Are you using mroocheck.driver? This can cause input problems on some
machines.
First Payback Update Released : Comment 26 of 26ANN.lu
Posted by James Daniels on 19-Mar-2001 23:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 23 (Olivier Fabre):
Yes, the specular reflections are slightly shifted towards the upper
Anonymous, there are 26 items in your selection
Back to Top