[insane_cobra]

I'm sure most of you remember Outcast, Appeal's game that's often regarded as one of the best PC action adventures of all time. Well, after Appeal dissolved, a new studio was formed, Elsewhere Entertainment. One of their first projects was to be a game called Totems, announced a couple of years ago, but then seemingly disappearing off the face of the Earth.

Today the game has been re-announced.

It's being developed for the PC and the Xbox 360, and it's supposed to come out sometime during the next year. In the meantime, Elsewhere has joined the 10tacle group and became 10tacle Studios Belgium so don't be surprised when you notice that name being thrown around.

Here's the official press release:

10TACLE STUDIOS AG and 10TACLE STUDIOS BELGIUM announce TOTEMS for PC and Xbox 360

Darmstadt, August 22nd 2007 – Today 10TACLE STUDIOS AG and 10TACLE STUDIOS BELGIUM officially announce the development of TOTEMS for PC and Xbox 360. Inspired by the urban sport „Le Parkour“, TOTEMS is a super-heroic platform game with tactical elements that let the player magically transform the world and story to their own style and skill.

This third-person 3D action adventure offers non-linear gameplay in a highly interactive environment and is designed to be accessible to the widest audience while offering depth for the core gamers. The player character as well as the enemy is able to use the environment to full extent thanks to the innovative Semantic Environment Sensing System (SESS). Super-heroic movement and combat come alive in a never seen before manner. The Belgian developer’s proprietary NeoReality Engine™ sets new standards for next-gen platforms and provides an unparalleled atmosphere and experience. Based on an elaborate and original mythology, TOTEMS offers an exciting new world to explore.


The PC and Xbox 360 release is scheduled for 2008.

I managed to find several early screenshots, concept art images and this promotional video (love the different architectural styles they'll be using for different parts of the city). Also, this website is supposed to be a part of the viral campaign for the game.

[Ninja Dodo]

Looks promising. Good to see they're still at it.

[Starflux]

We'll see what this becomes. For all we know, Outcast may have been a lucky fluke -as in, the company doesn't really have a track record. Then again, Outcast was excellent and some of this should echo through in Totems.

[SoccerDude28]

Never heard of Outcast before, but this does sound interesting. Will keep my eyes on it.

[Kolzig]

Outcast was a unique great game, here's hoping that Totems will be like that too.

[ozzie]

Yeah!
I found out about this title yesterday.
I'm superexcited about this game.
I think a completely new original game is even better than a Outcast sequel.
Planet Adelpha has also many interviews and infos about Totems!

[aries323]

Great news. Outcast really was a great game Will be following this game, too

[insane_cobra]

IGN has put up a new preview. Sounds promising.

Originally Posted by IGN

In addition to a heavy parkour influence, Totems is also inspired by super heroes and Cirque de Soleil. During our demonstration one of the game's handlers played it on a 360 and had Gia running around what appeared to be ancient ruins. She was leaping over walls, squeezing through gates, and wall jumping in between buildings. Wherever she goes, power streams from Gia's hands.

...

The enemies Gia encounters also possess similar acrobatic abilities, which means there will be no escape -- they can follow you wherever you go. The game's camera is used to make combat more dramatic. One example we saw was when two Tiger Warriors got hold of Gia, picked her up like a rag doll and threw her into a wall. The camera zoomed in close and dove under the action, looking up, then shot into the sky when Gia was thrown. The whole event was like a violent ballet -- exactly what 10tacle is going for.

[VoodooFX]

I loved Outcast. I was just thinking the other day what happened to the company they've created after Appeal closed it's door, for I too remember reading about new game in development quite some time ago and then hearing nothing about it ever since.

Lets see what they come up with.

[Henke]

Outcast was great, Le Parkour is fun. This should be a winner.

[insane_cobra]

A slight update in the form of a new promo spread.

[ozzie]

It looks really awesome.
2009?
I guess it gets enough polish then...

[Ninja Dodo]

They do like their acronyms.

Anyway, sounds like it could be good.

[Starflux]

I think it's funny that for all the unlimited possibilities in games, here is an example of the real world sparking new ideas in gaming. Free running / parkours is now the one thing a lot of developers are scrambling to get in their games.

[insane_cobra]

10tacle Belgium had to close the shop because of financial problems and poor management. That also means that Totems is no more, at least for now

I'm shocked. You might want to look here and here for more information.

[Ninja Dodo]

Yeah I heard about this. Dammit. At this point all the Outcast developers have scattered to the winds I suppose. I know of a few Appeal alumni here in Lyon, but who knows where everybody else has gone off to now. Even if they don't get back together maybe we'll see some of the same spirit return in a small way in the other games they work on.

Tis a pity.

[Ninja Dodo]

Also, down with corporate takeovers and re-branding. First Activision-Blizzard, now this? No company should ever go public. Stockholders are idiots.

[UPtimist]

Aww, man...

One of my most anticipated games for a long time. So now what, Mirror's Edge and the long, long wait for Open Outcast?

I guess one can just hope that someone picks this up again.

[insane_cobra]

Maybe not all is lost yet.

[UPtimist]

So that one is still under production? I didn't completely get if this is a way to refinance Totems, just a different project or something that replaced Totems?

And if it's somewhat of a success, could Totems maybe get back into production?

Looks good though, not exactly the kind of game I'd normally find myself playing but it's done in such an interesting way that I would definately consider it, although it would apparently require XBox live to get most out of (or just access to the internet if bought for PC, but my computer's so outdated I'm sure it couldn't run the game).