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Too Human will make it if we just BELIEVE! photo

Silicon Knights president Denis Dyack has made a heart-tugging statement explaining why he's stuck with Too Human, despite its notorious problems.  

Say "Too Human" to any gamer right now and you can expect a retort tinged with a hint of cynicism. Because of the huge development time that's spanned almost a decade, not to mention the infamous Silicon Knights vs. Epic lawsuit and Dyack's own inflammatory statements, it can be argued that this is a game more famous for its controversy than anything else.

Dyack could have been forgiven for just scrapping the whole debacle, but he has stuck to his guns throughout, convinced in the potential that Too Human has. For those unable to fathom one man's devotion to his creative baby, let Mr. Dyack tell you the reasoning himself, which comes after the jump:

"Growing up, when I was younger, I’ve had so many people telling me that I can’t do x or I can’t do y. When I was in grade school, I didn’t do particularly well in a couple of classes and the teachers told me I’d never grow up … and never get out of high school. I ended up becoming more educated than they did. I have three degrees. I got a Masters degree in computer science.

I think it comes down to never let anyone tell you you can’t do something. I really mean that for everyone. It is so easy to be cynical. It is so easy to be negative. And it’s so easy to say, 'This is not going to be good' or 'This is going to be trash.'

And I think about Too Human and some of the rough spots we went by or just recently came through and I think about the documentary on the making of the Titanic where they're interviewing the actors. Because if you remember the movie Titanic was completely panned by the press before coming out. It was going to be the next 'Waterworld,' a terrible movie. And when we were going through the tough times and before we had shown anything for Too Human we were watching that and going , 'Wow, we kind of relate to those guys. We really believe in what we’re doing.' You just can’t stop believing."

That's the spirit, Dennis! You've got to hold on, hold on to the dream! With Pikachu by my side, ANYTHING's possible. Our hearts are one and our spirit is true and Team Rocket's blasting off again!

Sarcasm aside, I kind of feel bad about all the times we've poked fun at the guy now (and note I used "we" to try and pass some of the blame onto everyone else). This is a guy who clearly believes in his game, and thinks it's worth sticking by through both the easy times and the trying times. Okay, he's done a lot of buck-passing and whining, but at least he's not letting himself get discouraged. Fault him for many things, but you can't fault him for that.

You can view a video of Dyack's tearjerking performance on MTV's Multiplayer Blog, but only if you have a US IP address, because MTV is a hive of racism. 

Keep on trucking, Dennis! Keeeeep on truckin'.








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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44 comments | showing # 1 to 44
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Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 13:37
Kryptinite
hive of racism...I fucking knew it.

I hope this guys game turns out great and I do look forward to trying it out. I guess only time will tell and time is a stingy bitch. Trust me, I know.
The7thLevel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 13:37
The7thLevel
Him and the guy who presided over Lair's developer should get together for lunch and compare notes.
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 13:39
Cheeburga
This game sucks.
Chocobo Knight's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 13:48
Chocobo Knight
Believe in you, who believes in yourself!
Leathersoup's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 13:53
Leathersoup
@Chee

But this game isn't out yet... :(
Rockvillian's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 13:55
Rockvillian
I'm still trying to figure out why I should play Too Human besides it's inherent priority of "looking cool".

Also, prematurely releasing info about a game with a poorly managed development cycle spells problems. Sounds like they have a mismatch of ideas over there.
BluDesign's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:01
BluDesign
Yeah, the hype machine for Assassin's Creed hit a wall when it got released to panned reviews and so-so gameplay.

So, I fail to see how this game is going to be any more revolutionary than say... Crackdown or Gears of War (which it appears to me to be a mish-mash of both.)

That said, I'd really be interested in it when it comes out if it can truly live up to it's expectations. And my expectations for this game right now are about as high as AC were at this same point in it's dev cycle.
xper's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:03
xper
i tried to watch britney's vma performance or whatever... the one where she did her comeback and looked like the biggest slut ever on stage... on mtv... they wouldn't let me. because, as you said, they're a hive of racism
adultswim810's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:13
adultswim810
saw some gameplay on GT and honestly it looks sort of like a dull hack and slash. it was probably an old build but i hope this game is good mainly because i feel sorry for these guys, i mean this game has been through like 3 or 4 consoles
Sphinx 13's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:26
Sphinx 13
This game is filed in my, "Don't Care if it Comes Out" folder right next to Duke Nukem and Spore.

When game companies delay games years, I tend to get over the game fast.
Jim's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:36
Jim
I want Too Human to be a Mass Effect, but with better graphics and more sex scenes... *LULZ*
dataset's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:39
dataset
HOLD ON TO THAT FEEE-LIII-II-I-IIIIING.
robotplague's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:53
robotplague
I personally am really looking forward to the game. I don't know people are hating on it so badly.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 14:54
ArrestedDeveloper
@DvDdesign
I've heard Dennis and some of the guys at 1up talk about the game and it seems a lot of people get the wrong idea of what the game will play like. A lot say it looks like a devil may cry game but the game is supposed to me more of a Diablo 2 on consoles (Tech trees, millions of items, simple controls, classes, co-op) than a standard action or shooter game.
vishusdelishus's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 15:24
vishusdelishus
Hey, how 'bout we all just guard our grills and make a jugement on the game AFTER it comes out. Our opinions don't actually have merit until we actually PLAY the game, right?

Oh wait, this is the internet. Sorry about that.
SuitcoatAvenger's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 15:24
SuitcoatAvenger
I'm impressed there is so much to-do regarding such a bland property. In all honesty, I've seen nother about Too Human that makes me take more interest in it than anything else coming out this summer (or, well, whenever). They're making it sound like it's going to be some grand, conceptual uber-franchise, but I really don't see anything that makes it unique or intriguing. A large, bald man swinging a sword at robots you say? Dear lord - videogames have never experienced such concepts!
UltraSatan's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 15:25
UltraSatan
fuck mtv
-europe
Steel Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 15:32
Steel Squirrel
BAH! This game will be crap. When has Crystal D made anything that great? The new Tomb Raider stuff is barely passable just because it's Tomb Raider.

Plus, all the recent videos on this game look horrid. Just some random bald guy sliding around, performing stiff looking combos on generic robot bad guys.

His game is crap and he should have had the respect for himself and his company, to just can the damn thing.
When the hell has anyone wanted a futuristic spin on Norse mythology? Especially from some blowhard like Dyack?

It's just retarded, he's just saying that he's sticking to his guns and to "follow your dreams", but there'll be some weak ass cop out when the game fails. "At least I tried" he'll probably say. Fuck that.

Maybe he should work on pulling the Legacy of Kain series out of the toilet and not creating an all new franchise of failure.
Steel Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 15:36
Steel Squirrel
or..... Silicon Knights.... whatever, they're almost the same right?
Crapsh00t's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 15:56
Crapsh00t
I just started up a new Diablo 2 character last month with an old college buddy. Methinks I'll be replacing that with Too Human.
TheRemedy's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 16:06
TheRemedy
I've always been a big fan of SK, but lately it's felt like Dyack has been bordering on the John Romero. I just have this feeling that if the game isn't good Silicon Knights won't be around to redeem themselves.
Eschatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 16:20
Eschatos
Please prove me wrong and make it not suck.
vitus's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 16:23
vitus
I stand by wanting to play this game... i think it could be good.

and if its not what have i lost... maybe 10 hours? D.D. has more then a few years of his life invested in this.
angusm's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 16:57
angusm
I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
Please make it good.
I don't want this guy to end up sounding like Uwe Boll, violently defending his shit work.
Andrew5329's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 17:16
Andrew5329
Mabye instead of wasting time by doing things like going on MTV and yapping about how everyone thinks the game is gonna be shit, he should be spending his time working on the game and proving the cynical assholes (self included) who think his "dream" will crash down in flames.
Darkjad's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 17:28
Darkjad
I've got faith in Silicon Knights, I've enjoyed all their (admittedly) few releases. Plus, they're Canadian (what the hell is he on anti-Canada MTV for then? :D )

If it sucks, it sucks. If it's good, it's good. But if it's great, then I can't WAIT for every single person on the Too Human message board to say that they supported Dyack from day one. Just like the Smash fans who loved Sakurai until Geno & Ridley didn't make it and now "SAKURIA SUCKS" and so forth (yes, the "Sakuria" error is intentional, there are a LOT of people that make that mistake).


Go Denis. You've got a buy from me if it comes out when I have money.
CSampson's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 17:40
CSampson
I can't believe some of the sheer stupidity found in these comments. You cannot base your opinion on the game on what you've seen in screenshots and trailers. It's a new sub genre, and it's been said multiple times that you have no idea how it plays until you play it.

This game is striving to do things differently, for example, right analog combat. Yes, all combat is done with the right stick. Have you seen that in this type of game before? It's also been called a "FANTASTIC diablo clone" by one of the EGM guys who previously disliked the game (referred to it as a "Brute Force".) Diablo on the console. That is awesome. Add in the same co-op abilities found in Diablo and you have a great game to play with friends.

Not only that, previews have already stated that the story is very good and the production values are amazing.

"When the hell has anyone wanted a futuristic spin on Norse mythology? Especially from some blowhard like Dyack?"

I do. That debunks your generalized opinion already. And insulting the guy? Kind of pathetic. Denis Dyack has achieved a lot and him and SK have given Canadian game development a good name. He's put his heart and soul into this and I for one will at least give the game a chance before writing it off.
Clockwork's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 18:04
Clockwork
I do not believe. That's all I have to say.
McSnow's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 18:13
McSnow
The power of Heart!

catsithx's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 18:21
catsithx
we gotta belive. keep hope alive people so that the dream of playing then razzing on to human can come true one day
Boolean's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 20:07
Boolean
I watched one of the new gameplay videos the other day, Jesus fucking Christ I nearly fell asleep. This game looks B.O.R.I.N.G
Steel Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 21:35
Steel Squirrel
@ CSampson

BAH! This game will be crap. I would like to be proven wrong, but so far..... I see nothing but fail.
media haze's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 21:50
media haze
I am really looking forward to this game. Any game that tries to break the mold and push gaming in new directions is what I want to see. I am sick of playing knock offs. I want content not 18 variations on the gravity gun.

If anything you have to give Dyack credit for putting his balls out there.
Boolean's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 22:17
Boolean
You this is a bad thing to say, but I really hope this game bombs big time, Lair style. The reason being the resulting shit Denis Dyack will take on the internet will be immensely more entertaining than the game could ever be.
Boolean's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 22:18
Boolean
You know*
Steel Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 22:22
Steel Squirrel
@ Boolean

HAHAHA, exactly.
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/05/2008 23:30
mistic
Well I for one still hope this game comes out and is a blast to play :-)

allthough I do realise that this is becoming a harder feat with the day...
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/06/2008 00:09
Noah
"dataset says:
HOLD ON TO THAT FEEE-LIII-II-I-IIIIING. "



Glad someone else got that impression....
Yes, cue the Journey
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/06/2008 03:05
vexed alex
I HATE THIS GAME EVEN THOUGH I'VE NEVER SEEN IT OR PLAYED IT!

Cause I'm a gamer.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/06/2008 04:06
Darren Nakamura


How am I going to develop this game that everybody seems to hate already? Yeah, I know! I gotta believe!
HarassmentPanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/06/2008 18:47
HarassmentPanda
Waterworld is AWESOME! He better hope Kevin Costner doesn't see that statement.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/06/2008 20:19
Bob Muir
I'm still hoping it will be fun, because the whole techno Norse gods concept seems cool.
morbo47's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/07/2008 10:30
morbo47
I saw this demoed a few week's ago when the team came to speak at my school. It's still really buggy and VERY glitchy, and I hate to say it, but the gameplay looks pretty generic. But I'd never heard about the looting system, and trading armour online sounds sort of like a new... take... on things.

I don't know though, without other people seeing rare awesome looking armour, will I even care?
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