Get SMART with Brink

[Spectre-7]

As part of the lead-up to the game's quickly approaching May 10th release, Splash Damage and Bethesda have been releasing some of the in-game tutorial vids from their post-apocalyptic-class-based-parkour-scifi-shooter, Brink. The two videos released so far detail the different classes, objectives, and gameplay modes available.

Have a look...

[digitalErich]

Any word on a PC demo for this? I'm interested in the game, but not enough to buy it without trying.

Also, I'm pretty sure their UI needs more status bars.

[Spectre-7]

Nope, no demo planned, unfortunately.

[Wackman3000]

Bah, I am not a fan of being forced into challenges to unlock gear.

Still hopeful for this one though, the fluid combat system will make or break it for me.

[Uatu]

Each video or write up on this just makes me want it more. These next two weeks are going to drag.

[Sandman]

I came here looking for a shoe phone, I leave disappointed.

[Spectre-7]

The way I've seen it described, the challenges are pretty much glorified tutorials. Each challenge is designed to train you in some specific part of the game and you get weapon unlocks for simply running through them. If you want, you can run through them again, amp up the difficulty and try to get higher ratings, but that's just for giggles.

The tone seems to be that this isn't TF2's achievement unlocks, and the devs have made a real point of making equipment and skills easy to come by. If memory serves, you get 1,000 free XP and your first level-up/unlock just for watching an introduction video.

As for the smooth movement, definitely remains to be seen how it plays. There are better examples in some of the videos, though. This one has a bunch of small touches, and one player using it quite a bit (wall-runs and slides) around 2:32 --

[Typhus]

I cannot express how much I want this game right now. I've been playing a lot of Section 8: Prejudice which is fantastic and a whole bunch of the Gears of War 3 beta which is just a chore because I'm a whore for unlocks. Still, I've been 1-shot killed more times in Gears than I ever thought possible and it's been slowly eroding my will to play shooters. But the Brink devs did say that there will be no one shot kills. No even headshots with a sniper rifle. And grenades knock you down and stun you rather than killing (unless you're low on health already.) I'm not exactly sure how good those things are, but right now, after that last death fest in Gears I really do want to see what it's like.

[Hawkzombie]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I came here looking for a shoe phone, I leave disappointed.

I love you.

[bryan]

This game just gets more and more brilliant every time I watch a video of it.

[CES]

If I'm completely honest, I can't see why everybody is looking forward to this game. It looks like a hybrid of Borderlands, MW2 and TF2 with nothing really new in terms of gameplay to add.

[Spectre-7]

Another day, another tuturial video. This one is called General Gameplay and covers a handful of topics including: different weight-classes and their relative parkour ability, deployables, buffs and melee attacks.



They also released information about dedicated servers today, which I've Ctrl-C/Ctrl-Ved below:

We’ve always been dedicated to our PC fanbase, and with Brink hitting shelves in less than two weeks, we’re here today to clarify just what we have in store for PC players regarding dedicated server support.

One additional note before we get down to business — we’re currently shooting to have Brink available to pre-load on Steam prior to the game’s release. We’ll have more specific info on that in the days to come.

Now, let’s get this FAQing underway:

What is the Brink Standalone Dedicated Server?
The Brink Standalone Dedicated Server allows anyone to run multiplayer servers for the PC version of Brink. As the server is standalone, it does not require a full version of Brink to be installed and is completely free.

Where will I be able to get the Brink Standalone Dedicated Server?
The Brink Standalone Dedicated Server will be available for download via Steam prior to release. Once the server is available, you can simply browse to the Tools tab in your Steam client and grab it from there.

Will I be able to run several instances of the Brink Standalone Dedicated Server on a single machine?
Yes. The Brink Standalone Dedicated Server comes with several pre-made bat files that automatically define different ports for each instance. It’s also possible for you to set your own, custom ports.

In terms of available game options, how customizable will the Brink Standalone Dedicated Server be?
The Brink Standalone Dedicated Server includes several different game configuration files covering all of the regular game modes, including campaign, stopwatch, objective, and co-op challenges. In addition, there are a variety of server-side commands available that allow you to further customize your server, including team sizes, time limits and overtime, warm-up rules, friendly fire, voice chat, availability of Command Post buffs, rank restrictions, number of bots, and password.

I represent a Game Server Provider. How can my company offer servers for Brink?
Easy! Once the Standalone Dedicated Server is available on Steam, you’ll be able to start getting Brink game servers up for your customers. We’re currently aiming to have the server files available before release so you’ll be all set when the game comes out.

[Gerbs]

Looking good. Let's hope it plays well on 360.

[Uatu]

Originally Posted by CES

If I'm completely honest, I can't see why everybody is looking forward to this game. It looks like a hybrid of Borderlands, MW2 and TF2 with nothing really new in terms of gameplay to add.

Some (some, mind you) mechanics that caught my eye:

-There is only one combination of weapon VS body type that will produce a one shot kill.

-Grenades cannot kill you unless you are already seriously fucked up

-No sniping because sniping is for tools.

-Body type effects speed, SMART, and weapon capabilities.

-Class options are varied.

-Medics toss you revives and you choose when to use them (no retard medic point farming a la BFBC2)

-Killing gets you nowhere as far as points in the game. Participating in the multiple objectives are the only way to get high on the scoreboard.

-Progressive objectives, that are varied. None of this capture the point bullshit.

-SMART is going revolutionize FPS if its implemented as well as it has been shown, which everyone at PAX says it was.

I believe this game is taking the good from some of the games you mentioned (and a few others) and ironing out a lot fo things that lessen the experience. It seems to be trying a few new ideas. SMART is definitely something unique that is being brought to the table and I am going to venture will probably become a staple of FPS after this game sells big.

[Squidbot]

Hurry up and release it! Myself and a couple of friends have it on preorder on Steam, and are all chomping at the bit to get co-oping.

Originally Posted by CES

If I'm completely honest, I can't see why everybody is looking forward to this game. It looks like a hybrid of Borderlands, MW2 and TF2

Yeah....you just described exactly why I want it. Love Borderlands, love TF2.

Originally Posted by CES

with nothing really new in terms of gameplay to add.

Really? The parkour/SMARt system adds nothing new?

[SilentScreams]

What is with all these nice looking games coming out while I'm trying to save up £500-£600 for a tattoo? Not helpful.

[Cavalier]

I'm a bit worried about the map sizes, they all seem small and enclosed compared to the openness of Quake Wars.

I'm still looking forward to this though

[Reverant]

This game has an uncanny resemblance to the HL1 mod, Desert Crisis. And that's a good thing. I like the progressive objective idea. Section 8: P has random objective missions throughout the match, and I think it works fairly well.

I also like the idea that kills don't help scores much. It'd be great if they didn't even let you see your kills until the end of the match... or at all. That way, people wouldn't have an incentive to eschew objectives at all.

[Squidbot]

Originally Posted by Cavalier

I'm a bit worried about the map sizes, they all seem small and enclosed compared to the openness of Quake Wars.

I'm still looking forward to this though

I don't know, some of the maps look pretty big. Enclosed certainly, and I think the reasons for that are to discourage sniping/camping and also to give plenty of opportunity for parkour style movement.

[c0m3d14n]

i was pretty excited for this game, then a few weeks ago they released a gameplay trailer that was pretty uninspired and looked quite static.
the trailers in this thread have reignited my anticipation and i will preorder it soon