The Ultimate SOMA Discussion Thread

**Statyk** · 10-09-2014, 01:06 AM

To be honest, I'm just excited to not see the castle assets ever again.

**Newsman Waterpaper** · 10-09-2014, 08:49 PM

(10-09-2014, 01:06 AM)Statyk Wrote: To be honest, I'm just excited to not see the castle assets ever again.

^^^^^^^^^

**SeanieTheMan** · 10-10-2014, 09:28 PM

(10-05-2014, 11:52 AM)Googolplex Wrote: I hope that every Outlast and Silent Hill enthusiast get scared by SOMA more than ever before.

What do you have against Outlast? That game was scary as hell. I thought Outlast is right there with TDD as the scariest game I've ever played.

But, according to the press reviews during last Spring when they were playing the demo of SOMA, most were saying they weren't that scared when playing it. So, not good news for us.

~~Googolplex~~ · 10-12-2014, 10:17 AM

(10-10-2014, 09:28 PM)SeanieTheMan Wrote: What do you have against Outlast? That game was scary as hell. I thought Outlast is right there with TDD as the scariest game I've ever played.

Outlast was scary, but that's not the kind of horror I like. There was too much splatter. I think TDD was scarier and even AMFP was a much better game at all. It was decent without a huge amount of blood and dead bodies. But I want, that everyone outside the FG universe who got scared by Outlast or Silent Hill 3 (which is probably the most disturbing game I ever played) will get scared even more with SOMA.

(10-10-2014, 09:28 PM)SeanieTheMan Wrote: But, according to the press reviews during last Spring when they were playing the demo of SOMA, most were saying they weren't that scared when playing it. So, not good news for us.

I really hope FG won't fail.

**silfrus** · 10-12-2014, 09:07 PM

I'm very worried about much silence of Frictional Games.

Over 6 months ago they not publish new screenshots, information, or new videos of SOMA.

are they going to delay the game? I Hope not.

**Paddy™** · 10-12-2014, 10:20 PM

(10-10-2014, 09:28 PM)SeanieTheMan Wrote: But, according to the press reviews during last Spring when they were playing the demo of SOMA, most were saying they weren't that scared when playing it. So, not good news for us.

I just re-read/re-watched all of the previews, and the one thing for which there seems to be some consensus is that SOMA is as tense and scary as Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Only one previewer had a negative reaction to the game as a whole, and everyone else praised the atmosphere even whilst criticising other aspects of the game, such as the voice acting for Simon. For a brief demo of a slow-burn game showcased in a hotel room at a busy games conference, I think these reactions are very encouraging.

(10-12-2014, 09:07 PM)silfrus Wrote: Over 6 months ago they not publish new screenshots, information, or new videos of SOMA.

Here are some new images Frictional have published over the last couple of months:

Screenshots
http://cdn-static.gamekult.com/gamekult-...1953_2.jpg
http://cdn-static.gamekult.com/gamekult-...1955_2.jpg
http://cdn-static.gamekult.com/gamekult-...1957_2.jpg

Concept Art
http://thedarkswarm.com/media/soma/conce...eeding.jpg
http://thedarkswarm.com/media/soma/conce...eepers.jpg
http://thedarkswarm.com/media/soma/conce...tunnel.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Byx-JJQIIAAiWK0.jpg:large

You can also find some new information about the game in the latest previews (scroll down).

**Paddy™** · 10-13-2014, 03:30 PM

Some news from Thomas, via Giant Bomb:

Thomas Grip Wrote:About 8 months ago we finished the alpha version of SOMA. This was a version of the game containing about 2/3rds of our intended content and story, featuring full voice overs and reasonably polished graphics. This was tested internally and sent out to a few trusted people. We collated all the feedback and then sat down and went through the game using it as a guide. As a result we've made major changes to some of the levels in the game, as well as to some of the overall systems. Implementing those changes and then finishing off the last 1/3rd of the content is what we've been doing since then.

The development process is quite different from our previous games. In the past we've fixed on a design at an early stage and then done our best to get something done to a specific deadline. But with SOMA we've been much more iterative. We've been testing out various designs, seeing how they feel and then revising. We know that this can sometimes lead people into a dangerous spiral - there have been cases where games never get completed - but we feel we're on the home stretch now, with most of the features locked down. In a little more than a month, the whole of the game will be pretty much set in stone. After that several months of polish will follow and then we'll be finished and the game will be ready for release.

After more than four years of work it feels nice to finally have a goal in sight. I'm very pleased with what we've got and believe we'll deliver a very special experience. With SOMA we've aimed to go beyond simply scaring the player and instead to tap into disturbing thematics concerning our very existence. This has been far from easy, and is why the iterative process, while painful, has been so vital. The end is near! We'll have major updates for all of you before the year is over.

And a new piece of concept art:

http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/orig...nnamed.jpg

Many thanks to Halid, who informed me of this through the Info Portal!

~~Googolplex~~ · 10-13-2014, 05:23 PM

Cool.

**GrAVit** · 10-13-2014, 07:34 PM

It's great to get at least some sort of progress report and estimate. I'm guessing we're going to get another trailer before the end of the year.

**SeanieTheMan** · 10-13-2014, 10:32 PM

Several months of polish? I'm thinking this will be a Summer 2015 release.