Kotaku: Too Human

Courtroom Setback in Epic Fight 'Tis a Flesh Wound, Says Silicon Knights

Owen Good — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:00:00 EST

Much has been made of a recent ruling adverse to Silicon Knights in its long-running lawsuit with Epic Games, the Gears of War maker whose Unreal Engine was to have been the guts of 2008 flop Too Human. Basically, a judge tossed out an expert witness for Silicon Knights; he was going to give his estimates of the losses Silicon Knights suffered when its deal with Epic went in the crapper. More »

Silicon Knights Cuts Half of Staff, Refocuses On "One Of Its Most Requested Titles for the Next Generation"

Brian Crecente — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:20:00 EDT

Massive layoffs hit Too Human and X-Men: Destiny developer Silicon Knights last week, cutting the Canadian developer nearly in half after an unnamed publisher pulled out on a project the team was working on, the company told Kotaku. More »

Rumor: Most Too Human Devs Given the Boot

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:45:00 EDT

A rumour on 1UP reckons that nearly 75% of the staff at Too Human developers Silicon Knights have been laid off, leaving only 25 at the studio which last worked on X-Men: Destiny. More »

"Social Gaming Is Going to Crash"

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 12 May 2011 05:00:00 EDT

Game designer Denis Dyack, who labored on action game Too Human for years, thinks that social gaming is a bubble waiting to burst: "The trend that I see is it's probably going to be one of the biggest bubbles and explosions that our industry's seen in a long time and I think when it crashes it's going to crash very hard." [IndustryGamers] More »

Too Human Trilogy Will Be Finished, Says Silicon Knights

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:40:00 EDT

Silicon Knights, the creators of Xbox 360 game Too Human, says it still "intend[s] to finish the trilogy" despite meager sales, middling critical reception and a very long development cycle. Studio founder Denis Dyack tells Industry Gamers it has no further comment, noting "You know, there's very public litigation around that." We know! More »

This Is Going To Be Epic: Too Human Creators Gear Up For Legal War With Shooter Giant

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EDT

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Gears of War's success was built on broken promises and the neglected developers who helped fund the creation of that game, a 2007 suit from the developer of the disappointing Too Human alleges. More »

Canadian Gov't Gives $4 Million to 'Too Human' Studio

Owen Good — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:30:00 EDT

The bunch that brought you 2008 dud Too Human is now on the public dole, getting a $4 million gummint check the studio says will help it build its next AAA-game. More »

"Too Early" To Talk About Silicon Knight's Unannounced Projects

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:00:00 EDT

A press release from Canada Telefilm listed projects approved for government aid. Included in that list is a Siren in the Maelstorm from Too Human developer Silicon Knights. More »

Silicon Knights Exec Leaves Company

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 04:00:00 EST

Rob DePetris, vice-president of finance for Canadian developer Silicon Knights, has left the company. His reason? More »

The Most Disappointing Games of 2008

Owen Good — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST

This year had no shortage AAA releases. But it also had plenty of games where we held them and said, like a saddened parent, no we don't hate you, we're just ... disappointed in you. More »

Too Human Soundtrack Hits CD and iTunes

Brian Crecente — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Too Human had a mixed reaction from reviewers. I thought the game had merit, but was flawed. Now you can buy what some may say was the best part of the title: The music. More »

Rumor: Sega Drops Silicon Knights' Unannounced Game

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:30:48 EST

The newest issue of EGM, the one with Watchmen's Rorschach on the cover, contains a rumor that the unannounced game that Eternal Darkness and Too Human developer Silicon Knights is prepping for Sega may have to find a new home. The title is said to be looking for a new publisher but doesn't expound upon the reasoning for the alleged change. More »

Silicon Knights Lays Off 25 to 30

Brian Crecente — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:30:00 EDT

Silicon Knights laid off 25 to 30 employees today. More »

What's Working for Denis Dyack Like

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00:00 EDT

Right before you go to sleep, ever wonder what it's like to work for Too Human creator Denis Dyack? Neither do we. But let's say, hypothetically, that you did wonder that. Read what some Too Human employees say about Dyack: More »

Oh, So Too Human Didn't Take Ten Years To Make

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:30:00 EDT

Too Human was first announced as a PS1 game back in 1999, but does that really mean it's been ten years in development? Nope, no, no way, no dice says Silicon Knights boss Dennis Dyack, who says development on the title only begun in earnest once they'd finished with their Metal Gear Solid port for the GameCube. So not ten years in development, then, but four. Course, that gives them even less of an excuse for some of the game's more outdated elements, but hey, if Dennis wanted that cleared up, he's cleared it up! More »

Too Human Review: Dyack's Human Too

Brian Crecente — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Too Human is neither as good nor as bad as many have made it out to be. The action role-playing game, nearly ten years in the making, built up quite a storm of controversy and expectations as it tumbled its way to completion and release. The game tackles a retelling of Norse mythology with a cyber twist and works to reinvent the way people play button mashers. In the game the most loved god in Norse mythos, Baldur must contend with enemies on all sides and balance his desire for revenge with thoughts of the greater good. More »

No, Famitsu Does Not Hate Too Human

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:40:00 EDT

Adding to our Too Human Frankenreview, Famitsu has given the game a score of 7, 7, 7 and 7 — 28 out of 40. Not amazing, but not terrible. The publication liked the game's online and co-op play features. One Famitsu editor even slated the game as a "Pick of the Week". Stay tuned for our review later in the week. More »

Microsoft Compares Too Human To Star Wars And Lord of The Rings

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:00:00 EDT

Once again that Microsoft has "Never Say Die!" tattooed in neon green across its corporate chest, the company has announced it is sticking by Denis Dyack and Too Human. While the reviews have been mixed at best, Microsoft states: More »

Frankenreview: Too Human

Brian Crecente — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Too Human has been in development for more than a decade by Denis Dyack and the crew at Silicon Knights. The kick-off for the Cybernorse trilogy was critically panned when previews hit and Dyack was quick to attack those who dug into the early code. But now the game is in stores and there's no more room for excuse making. We've gathered together a cross-section of critical analysis from across the web to try and find a bit of insight into whether the game is worth buying and playing. Hit the jump for our Epic Frankenreview. More »

Dyack: Canadian Town's Future Riding on Too Human

Brian Crecente — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:20:00 EDT

Too Human isn't just a science fiction reinterpretation of Norse mythology, nor is it just a philosophical look at humanity's growing reliance on technology, nor is it just a cautionary tale about the nature of war, nor is it just an action game. Definitely don't judge it as just an action game. No, Too Human is, among all of these other things, a chance at salvation for an entire city in Ontario, Canada. Or thus spake Dyack in a recent interview with his home town paper. More »

It Finally Happened. Too Human Went Gold.

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:00:00 EDT

Almost a decade and a couple platforms later, Microsoft has announced that, yes, Too Human's gone gold. There's even a demo of Denis Dyack's game up on LIVE to prove it. It's apparently been downloaded more than another action demo on LIVE Marketplace in its first week. That's what Microsoft says! Feel free to download it. Or not. It's your choice. More »

Denis Dyack Explains Too Human (In Bed)

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:40:08 EDT

Watch as Silicon Knights' Denis Dyack exercises Herculean strength of willpower, describing the concept behind his Xbox 360 game Too Human to women in underthings, maintaining constant eye contact. Penthouse Pets Heather Vandeven and Jaime Lynn are wooed and wowed by the concept of cybernetic Norse mythology, a story told in two parts. More »

Dyack Promises "Dynamic, Intelligent Camera" For Too Human

Leigh Alexander — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Look who's writing a column in the recently-revamped Edge Online! It's Silicon Knights' Denis Dyack, and he's talking about cut scenes. That's been sort of a hot-button issue lately, hasn't it? On one hand, it's difficult to tell a story without cut scenes. On the other hand, they fly in the face of a video game's ultimate goal: interactivity. More »

Too Human Gets Euro Release Date

Leigh Alexander — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EDT

Silicon Knights' Too Human is coming to our shores on August 19th, and we now know our neighbors in Europe will get the Xbox 360 exclusive precisely ten days thereafter, on the 29th. More »

Molyneux Is Sorry For Denis Dyack

Mike Fahey — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:20:00 EDT

VideoGamer.com sat down with Lionhead's Peter Molyneux at E3 last week, where he apologized for Denis Dyack not living up to his creative vision. "I feel sorry for Denis Dyack because you know, I think a few things were said wrong," he explained, responding to criticism that his original plans for a more dynamic, more interactive Dyack didn't come to fruition. Molyneux's original vision for Dyack was of game developer that matures with time, reacting to the environment and society in a natural way that would be appealing to all gamers. Players were promised a Dyack where you were fully free to explore, and were instead presented with a final product stubbornly set in its path. More »

What Did You Think Of The Too Human Demo?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:00:51 EDT

Most of us at Kotaku were busy worker bees when Microsoft and Silicon Knights unleashed the Too Human demo on the Xbox 360 owning masses. Speaking to Microsoft Games Studios folk at E3 this week, we heard nothing but glowing reception to the game. Universal acclaim we did not expect, so I was personally curious about the Kotaku readership's opinion of the demo. More »

Too Human Demo - There's a demo for Silicon...

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:30:00 EDT

Too Human Demo - There's a demo for Silicon Knights' upcoming giant bear sim Too Human up on Xbox Live. Go see if you can make out what all the fuss is about. More »

Too Human Demo Coming To LIVE Next Week

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:40:07 EDT

As part of its "Bringing It Home" E3 campaign, Microsoft will finally let loose the public demo of Too Human via Xbox Live, reports IGN. Anticipation for the demo is likely at an all-time high, as Silicon Knights' bossman Denis Dyack has been teasing a demo since August of '07. We expect a flurry of varying opinions upon its release. More »

Dyack vs. NeoGAF, Part II

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT

Oh, the drama. In the latest 1Up Yours podcast, Too Human creator Denis Dyack explains just why he went after the NeoGAF Too Human haters. In his own words, Denis Dyack: More »

Too Human Online Co-op Hands On: Does Double The Baldur Mean Double The Fun?

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:20:53 EDT

Stephen Totilo from MTV Multiplayer and I tag-teamed a Troll today. Multiple Trolls, actually, and dozens of Goblins, as we tackled Too Human's online multiplayer co-op mode. Having completed the core single player campaign last night - it took me about 11 hours and change, for the record - and whipping through the first chapter again with my Champion class Baldur, I was a pretty good candidate for a Totilo power-leveler. More »

Too Human: "This Has To Be The Worst Game I've Played In The Last 5 Years"

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:00 EDT

Poor Denis Dyack. Too Human's not even out yet, and already, the knives are out. None sharper than this one: over on the Eurogamer boards, one of the site's mods - a chap who claims to be a journo - says his Too Human review NDA is "against [his] human rights". He also says "this has to be the worst game I've played in the last 5 years", citing everything from the game's animation to its supposedly repetitive combat. This follows on from a few hands-on impressions hitting yesterday that range from the wary to the downbeat to the cautiously damning. None of which are the final word. But all of which will nevertheless be taken as final gospel/reviews by the impressionable and trollish (despite the potential that one is a complete fabrication), which should make a fascinating case study in the construction of internet preconceptions for some student, somewhere. More »

Too Human Hands-On: Six Hours In And Half-Way Home

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:46 EDT

It's puzzling to think that Silicon Knights has been plugging away at Too Human for well over a decade now. Sure, it's been planned as epic stuff from the get go, back when it was a PlayStation title and boasted of a scope that would require four game discs over 80 hours of gameplay. It later became a GameCube title, a transition that obviously required much of its previous iteration to be scrapped. More »

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:40:53 EDT

While wrangling coverage of Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational will consume a portion of my weekend, spending more time hands-on with Silicon Knights' Too Human will swallow up quite a bit more of my Saturday and Sunday. Expect extended impressions on that game throughout next week. To wind down, I'll be devoting some personal time with Team Fortress 2, playing as one of the many Pyros clogging the ranks on the hunt for Steam Achievements and new weapons. Oh, and there's Soul Bubbles to finish. Lordy! More »

Denis Dyack Tells Too Human Trolls "Put Up Or Shut Up"

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:00:31 EDT

Silicon Knights bossman Denis Dyack is sick and tired of the Too Human bashing at popular gaming board NeoGAF. From the lowly rank and file to the very folks running the GAF circus, there's nary a Too Human thread to be found without its share of detractors. Dyack has, rather unwisely we think, issued a challenge to the teeming masses at the board, an attempt to... fuck if I know, but something Denis says is intended "to draw the digital line" between the SK haters and the faithful. More »

Too Human Just Days Away From Completion

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:30:04 EDT

Silicon Knights head Denis Dyack writes on his IGN blog that Too Human development is finally coming to an end and that the team expects to deliver a gold master of the Xbox 360 game after squashing a pair of bugs. A positive Dyack writes that "this is likely just days away." He calls Too Human's development "a very rough road" but talks of "staggering" depth and an "awesome experience," something we look forward to evaluating for ourselves when the game is finally complete. More »

Too Human Screens Got Giant Bears

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:40:00 EDT

It's easy to forget about Too Human. Not because it looks bad or anything, just because...it's one of those games that's been coming for so long that your brain just doesn't want any more to do with it. Know what I mean? Looks like Silicon Knights have found a way around this, though: giant ghost bears. And giant other stuff, too, like giant ghost wolves, but shit, Dennis, how'd you know the quickest way to my heart is with giant, angry bears? More »

Dyack Stepping Down?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:00:00 EDT

Denis Dyack (right, wearing glasses) might be stepping down. The Silicon Knights president has led the developer through the lengthly Too Human development process, and it seems Dyack is thinking of calling it a day. Says Denis: More »

Two Humans' Hands On with Too Human

Brian Crecente — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Denis Dyack kept things short and sweet at yesterday's Xbox 360 Spring Showcase event. He wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to play through some co-op on Too Human. More »

More Too Human, Ninja Gaiden II Gameplay Video

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:40:31 EDT

Some footage that you may have missed from both Silicon Knights' Too Human and Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden II is now available for your streaming pleasure. Both Xbox 360 exclusives are packed to the brim with the whacking of foes, which you're most likely aware, but did you know both feature giant spider bosses? It's true! Clearly we've not begun to come close to tapping the well of ideas. Too Human does have more than giant spirit bears, though, as shown in the clip above. Extended bloody ninja slicing action courtesy of Ryu Hayabusa after the jump. More »

Too Human Co-op Scaled Back To Just Two Humans

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:40:51 EDT

When Silicon Knights and Denis Dyack showed off the epic Too Human to IGN last year, the outlet was right to call its four-player cooperative multiplayer mode "ambitious." The feature has been scaled back, Microsoft revealed today, keeping Too Human's campaign buddy system limited to just two players. More »