It was announced at Ubisoft’s recent Ubidays event that there will actually be two versions of Shaun White Snowboarding. A HD version for the Xbox 360 and PS3 and a version for the Wii. However, both seem to have an emphasis on the casual player. Despite only showing builds that were pre-alpha, the game was able to suitably impress a lot of the event’s attendees.
Firstly, we’ll start with the Wii version. In terms of gameplay, players will have the option of using the Wii balance board or just the Wiimote. The balance board seemed the most fun and the demonstrating developer showed that it is not only very responsive but something that would work extremely well for the game. Players could also perform a number tricks with simple combinations of the wiimote’s A and B buttons.
The Wii version will really make you go "wii!!".
In terms of game modes, the Wii version has an endearing mode called the “Road Trip”. Apparently, there will be a focus on gathering friends and contacts across this mode, to appease the ‘facebook generation’. In-game events will include your staples such as races and half pipe events as well as many more. Obviously, there is a less serious and less realistic focus in the Wii version.
The HD versions were a slightly different kettle of fish, but also a very impressive one. It takes a similar perspective to Burnout Paradise but instead of one open city, players will have four different mountains to explore, totalling up to 14 square kilometres in size. Each of the mountains will be based on the following locations: Alaska, Utah, Europe and Japan. Each location will have slightly different styles, terrains, difficulties and features. All four mountains will be completely open for exploration, though there will be hazards.
However, the developers were pushing the openness of the game’s progression. Basically, virtually all in-game events will be open from the start and players can tackle them as they want. So you can get away with finishing all events with only one star, but there is a dangling carrot that encourages players to ‘five star’ all events. By doing so, players unlock the “Ultimate Competition”. Completing all four ultimate competitions will unlock a direct challenge on Shaun White himself.
The HD versions are real stunners.
The HD versions will also have a staple set of events, including Races, trick challenges and the half pipe. There will be plenty more in the final game. The gameplay will be based around performing tricks with the analog sticks. There is apparently no real tutorial, though the game will make suggestions from time to time. Apart from customising your character, you get to pick your cameraman and utilise a number of dynamic angles. You will also have real hazards to contend with. One such hazard is death, as the mode ‘death race’ eludes.
The death punishment relates to the in-game measurement system: reputation. Dying will have a negative impact on you reputation. Winning events and beating challenges will have a positive effect, which in turn will increase your sponsorship potential. The more sponsors you have, the more money that you’ll eventually earn and the better boards and equipment you can buy. With better boards and equipment, the better you can compete and so forth.
The game is being heavily pushed towards the casual audience, as it is being designed so that you earn something, no matter how (reasonably) briefly you play. The online mode is similar to Burnout Paradise, where you can allow your single player mountain to act as a lobby as well. So you can challenge others on the same mountain, all while completing single player activities on the way.
Aw man, how am I going to get through all those trees?
For being very early builds, the Xbox 360 and PS3 version were visually exceptional. Built on the Assassin’s Creed engine, the visuals so far are only promising to get better, which makes our mouths water in anticipation. The Wii version was far less impressive, though given how well the balance board controls were working, we’re willing to accept that the visuals so far haven’t been their number one focus.
It is hard for us to envisage snowboarding being more popular than skating, but Shaun White Snowboarding is looking to provide gamers with an experience that hasn’t been seen in gaming for a little while. Both the Wii and HD versions look to be serving their respective audiences very well, and a lot of the game's aspects promise to get even better, particularly as this build was reportedly very early. So if you are into your extreme sports, Shaun White Snowboarding is something worth looking forward to. And word has it that a skateboarding game mightn’t be too far away either.
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