Destructoid is a gaming discussion community updated nearly every 20 minutes by a tight-knit group of independent dirty uncles. Get involved by creating an avatar to post comments, upload videos, create your own blog, and meet new people that love gaming. Returning Dtoider? login!
For those of you who are sick of the Madden monopoly on football games, here’s something that may pique your interest. Backbreaker is a football videogame under development by NaturalMotion. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because they’re the creators of Euphoria. It’s the “next-gen” physics engine that does away with canned animations in favor of simulating real bodies, and it will make an appearance in GTA IV and two upcoming LucasArts games: the still-untitled Indiana Jones game, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.
We don’t have many details on the game yet — there’s only a general release window of “2008”, and the fact sheet only says “next-gen console(s)” as the platforms it’s being developed for — but from these six 1280×720-res images, I think it’s safe to assume that the game will be coming to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The trailer above is called “Tackle Alley”, and it showcases a single player trying to get from one end of the field to the opposite end zone (check the press release for more info).
The video is a fantastic demonstration of what the Euphoria engine can do — I’ve never seen players move so realistically in a sports videogame, and the sounds also really bring the game to life. Unfortunately, the screenshots aren’t as praiseworthy. Motion blur aside, NaturalMotion is going to need to put a lot more detail into these player models; their clothing just looks ridiculously smooth. Texture mapping, anyone?
IGN has been following this game for a while in the form of developer diaries that they’ve put up. The most recent one discusses this Tackle Alley trailer, and there are five others that precede it. A cool tidbit from the developer is that Tackle Alley may actually make it into the retail release as a mini-game. NaturalMotion is touting this game as “a fast-paced, on-the-field gameplay experience that’s more Burnout than Madden,” so we’ll have to see how it turns out. Are you guys impressed so far?
NaturalMotion Reveals First Backbreaker Gameplay Video
New Assets Show Upcoming Football Title’s Intense On-The-Field Action
NaturalMotion Ltd. has released the first-ever gameplay video from its highly anticipated American football title, Backbreaker. The company behind the revolutionary euphoria engine featured in Grand Theft Auto IV and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is bringing the same technology to sports gaming.
The video and screenshots demonstrate Tackle Alley, a minigame that shows off the stunning visuals, bone-crunching sounds and, most of all, the dynamically generated tackles made possible by euphoria. As the runner makes a mad dash for the end zone, opposing tacklers do their best to take him down in a stadium where no two tackles are ever the same.
Do want!
I'll admit it. I buy Madden every year but it looks like I might wait and get this. Great Animation. Nice sense of speed.
Looks nice.... read more
After playing so many sports games with their ultra realistic textures but robotic animation, it's actually refreshing to see a game where the higher priority is movement and motion.
You won't be able to see the individual threads of a football jersey during the actual in-game action anyway.
I'm looking forward to seeing developments of this.
“a fast-paced, on-the-field gameplay experience that’s more Burnout than Madden”
Someone must have overheard my idea to make a football game with more emphasis on what makes it a fun sport to... you know, "play". Too many football games replicate what it's like to WATCH.
Holy shit! Now thats what I'm talking about! Over the shoulder view and realistic big hits. I'd play that game and probably do nothing but kick returns all day long. I can't wait for someone to make video comparisons to Madden so I can die laughing.
Great trailer. I think that would be a good mini-game so hopefully they will put it in.
I agree that the game could use some extra gimmicks to kind of "sex it up" a bit. IMO that won't happen though because these guys are really just using the game to show off Euphoria.
I'm really excited about this. I could see myself playing this game forever if the game-play is solid. Seeing the same canned animations over and over can become rather dull.
Unfortunate thing, though, is that in gameplay execution, a player spends so little time doing a downfield run in a football game (simulation style anyway) I'm really interested in how this approach translates to a full downfield campaign. And defense.
while it really looks great it takes much more then just having nice animations for a few guys on screen. Having a full team and good gameplay needs much more. But who knows maybe they pull it of and EA will buy them ;P
I cant even put into words how incredible it would be if Naturalmotions became the DICE of sports games. EA NEEDS! to buy out the dev house and technology and get the whip cracking.
FIFA and MADDEN that look and move like these guys do and i will literally stop playing real life sports
Impressive stuffs. Although the ball handler looks like he has to poo, butt yeah it's a work in progress.
I also like the different perspective. It's more interesting than the sideline view, but not as claustrophobic as first-person. I'm putting it on the list.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just Create an avatar now - it's fast and free: PLUS you also get your own gaming blog and begin posting stories and uploading videos in our open community area that may also appear on our home page. Sign up and we'll guide you through it, it's easy and 100% anonymous.
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming industry's need of accountable enthusiast press Living the dream since March 16, 2006
-icon.gif){kind=icon}
21 comments + 95764 views
I don't really play sports games but watching that video makes me want to... that game looks extremely fluent.
Needs more gimmicks.
i really like tha cam! looks promising.
After playing so many sports games with their ultra realistic textures but robotic animation, it's actually refreshing to see a game where the higher priority is movement and motion.
You won't be able to see the individual threads of a football jersey during the actual in-game action anyway.
I'm looking forward to seeing developments of this.
Oh my... been a long time since I've been excited about a sports game.
Yes indeed something different its about time. I don't think I've been able to purchase a football game for almost 6 years now or longer.
“a fast-paced, on-the-field gameplay experience that’s more Burnout than Madden”
Someone must have overheard my idea to make a football game with more emphasis on what makes it a fun sport to... you know, "play". Too many football games replicate what it's like to WATCH.
NaturalMotion, stay far, far away from EA.
Holy shit! Now thats what I'm talking about! Over the shoulder view and realistic big hits. I'd play that game and probably do nothing but kick returns all day long. I can't wait for someone to make video comparisons to Madden so I can die laughing.
Great trailer. I think that would be a good mini-game so hopefully they will put it in.
I agree that the game could use some extra gimmicks to kind of "sex it up" a bit. IMO that won't happen though because these guys are really just using the game to show off Euphoria.
I'm really excited about this. I could see myself playing this game forever if the game-play is solid. Seeing the same canned animations over and over can become rather dull.
Smooth animation, but the sound effects were hilarious. It sounded like an explosion every time he got tackled.
Gears of Football.
They've got my attention.
Unfortunate thing, though, is that in gameplay execution, a player spends so little time doing a downfield run in a football game (simulation style anyway) I'm really interested in how this approach translates to a full downfield campaign. And defense.
That is a killer mini game though.
Ill be shocked if this game hits retail.
Ill be super extra double shocked if it plays worth a damn.
while it really looks great it takes much more then just having nice animations for a few guys on screen. Having a full team and good gameplay needs much more. But who knows maybe they pull it of and EA will buy them ;P
this looks really interesting. It would appear their actually using rigs with IK as opposed to just FK rigs placement node moving around.
I want this game... NOW.
I cant even put into words how incredible it would be if Naturalmotions became the DICE of sports games. EA NEEDS! to buy out the dev house and technology and get the whip cracking.
FIFA and MADDEN that look and move like these guys do and i will literally stop playing real life sports
Impressive stuffs. Although the ball handler looks like he has to poo, butt yeah it's a work in progress.
I also like the different perspective. It's more interesting than the sideline view, but not as claustrophobic as first-person. I'm putting it on the list.
Do want!
I'll admit it. I buy Madden every year but it looks like I might wait and get this. Great Animation. Nice sense of speed.
Looks nice.
Returning Dtoiders: login now to post a comment
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just Create an avatar now - it's fast and free: PLUS you also get your own gaming blog and begin posting stories and uploading videos in our open community area that may also appear on our home page. Sign up and we'll guide you through it, it's easy and 100% anonymous.