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How Sony changed WipEout HD to pass health tests


17:4111/09/2008Posted by David Scammell5 Comments

Following this morning’s news that WipEout HD will “probably be out late September”, we’ve been comparing the final version with our old preview build to see if there was any evidence behind the rumours that the game originally failed health tests due to seizure-inducing results.

We’ve put together a short comparison video of the game’s Zone mode that shows the differences between a build from March and the final build – and the results seem to suggest that the rumours were true. As you can see, the busy visuals have been toned down somewhat, removing the bouncing equalizer from the track surface as well as various other changes. We have to admit, we prefer the headache-inducing visuals of the older build. For the sake of a fair comparison, the video was taken on the same track and using the same craft.

Sony has never confirmed the rumours that WipEout HD’s delay was health-related, instead stating that it was “due to the many improvements we have been making and the numerous features we’ve added to the game.”

WipEout HD is expected to be released on PSN over the coming weeks, and our review will be hitting the site soon.

Have you downloaded the latest issue from GamerZines yet? Check it out here!

5 Comments »

  • Barry said:

    I think you should make it clearer that this only applies to Zone mode which has completely different visuals to the real meat of the game.

    - 11 September 2008 at 11:27 pm
  • Rob Haswell said:

    Damnit, watching that video makes me wish there was an “I don’t have epilepsy, honest” mode.

    - 26 September 2008 at 8:28 pm
  • MultiCore said:

    I’m so heartbroken. The old Zone mode was the most awesome thing to happen to Wipeout, and the PS3, ever.

    I would pay another 10 bucks for the old zone mode.

    - 28 September 2008 at 7:26 pm
  • dartmerc said:

    Zones IS the real meat of the game.

    - 14 October 2008 at 8:21 am
  • evydaemon-austria said:

    is the old build available anywhere? I want a “rage mode” mod or something. this game could be so much more exciting, I just miss the lightning from F-zero GX – thats awesome design and gameplay in there! There should also be some night/rain tracks in Wipeout – as there was already 15 years ago in Wip3out. O gosh, that game has so much potential that’s not been used!! And still it’s cool, but i get sick if i think of all the things I would have done.

    I hope the sequel will feature:
    - dynamic weather / daytime
    - more extra crafts and far more insane tracks
    - online radio support
    - more features like 32 ppl like f-zero
    - cram-full with epilepsy stuff!!!

    PS4 2010 maybe :) ?

    - 30 January 2009 at 6:11 pm

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