Silent Hill Experience coming to the PSP

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25 Jan 2006, 07:26 PM
Ashen Victor

Silent Hill Experience coming to the PSP

http://psp.ign.com/articles/683/683276p1.html

Quote:

January 25, 2006 - Konami today announced Silent Hill Experience, a new form of interactive UMD that promises to submerge players in all manners of spookiness. The UMD will include content from all four Silent Hill games and the upcoming feature film. You can expect interviews with the director of the movie, as well as a chat with the composer, and a slew of other DVD-like extras.

There will also be movie stills and game stills, along with a series of trailers. Perhaps the coolest aspect of the release will be a string of exclusive animated comics written by longtime Silent Hill author Scott Ciencin. There should be six in all, with each lasting around 15 minutes. From a recent presentation, these comics, illustrated by Steve Perkins and Alex Shibao, look downright impressive and should please any fan. Basically, they're a mix of 2D and 3D hand drawn art, but they're edited in a way to make them feel very dynamic. They're also partially interactive with animated transitions.

"Konami has created an entirely new genre for the PSP system, combining a variety of media onto one package and showcasing the renowned Silent Hill franchise in a way that has never been done before," said Wilson Cheng, Product Manager, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Fans of the Silent Hill series and horror fans alike will appreciate all the exclusive content as well as get a unique behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Silent Hill movie."

You can also expect music content such as a selection of songs from the Silent Hill videogames. The disk will pack some 20 tracks hand-picked by Akira Yamaoka.

Stay tuned for more information. And watch out for a video clip of Silent Hill Experience.

not even a game at all. i guess it's like that Documentary of MGS2, or the extras disc in a 2-disc dvd release.
25 Jan 2006, 07:29 PM
Joust Williams

lawl
25 Jan 2006, 07:31 PM
animegirl

This actually sounds cool. Silent Hill music FTW.
25 Jan 2006, 07:33 PM
Andy

It's being done by Kojima Productions, along with Metal Gear Solid B.D. I think these have the potential to be awesome, and if they actually turn out good, it'd be very cool to see one for Zone of the Enders, or, perhaps, Castlevania.

Here's a screen of the Silent Hill one:

http://pspmedia.ign.com/psp/image/ar...726491-000.jpg

Looks good to me. :)
25 Jan 2006, 08:03 PM
Rocca

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

[...]it'd be very cool to see one for Zone of the Enders, or, perhaps, Castlevania.

YES. :link:
25 Jan 2006, 08:38 PM
Korly

I think this is awesome. I guess it'll be out kinda soon, if it's gonna hit before the movie.
26 Jan 2006, 12:51 AM
Cheebs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen Victor

not even a game at all.

On the PSP? I'm shocked! ;)
26 Jan 2006, 01:27 AM
Ashen Victor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheebs

On the PSP? I'm shocked! ;)

hardy har har... :p
26 Jan 2006, 01:28 AM
avatar

Why not just make it downloadble off the internet? If it's not even a PSP game then why are they restricting it to this platform.
26 Jan 2006, 02:21 PM
StriderKyo

Silent Hill Experience

EDIT: You go watch cool trailer now : Here.

After watching, A) I like the dialogue, B) I love the surrounding animations, C) love the way they've made the static artwork more dynamic, but D) I hope they're not charging full game price for it - its cost should be more in line with movie UMDs.

Either way, it's something different (never seen a digikome done in that style), and I'm looking forward to checking it out.
26 Jan 2006, 02:59 PM
Ashen Victor

there's already a thread for this. noob!
26 Jan 2006, 03:14 PM
StriderKyo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen Victor

there's already a thread for this. noob!

pwned & merged.
26 Jan 2006, 03:28 PM
Beefy Hits

I doubt we'll see anything this cool outside of EUR or JP.
26 Jan 2006, 03:40 PM
Bacon McShig

Yeah we will, you idiot. Pretty much the entire point of it is to coincide with US release of the US-made movie.
04 Apr 2006, 10:56 PM
sixteen-bit

Okay. Apparently Silent Hill Experience is out now.

Question: It's not a game, but it's not a film either. So, anyone know if it's region coded or not?
04 Apr 2006, 10:59 PM
Joust Williams

Games are region free on the PSP...aren't movies?
04 Apr 2006, 11:05 PM
ChaoofNee

Nope.

There's also one other big difference: PSP games are actually profitable.
04 Apr 2006, 11:10 PM
StriderKyo

WTF!? Shipping already!? This was never even listed on EB. This is so 100% mine tomorrow. Thanks for the heads-up.
04 Apr 2006, 11:21 PM
Bacon McShig

Sweet, only $19.99... I was expecting it to be more.
05 Apr 2006, 01:25 AM
Korly

This looks like it's gonna be so awesome.
05 Apr 2006, 02:51 AM
Andy

Quote:

Originally Posted by dementia_

Okay. Apparently Silent Hill Experience is out now

wtf?

Damn, where can you actually buy this? I'm kind of interested, but EB and GameStop are showing nothing.
05 Apr 2006, 04:13 AM
Ashen Victor

i tried searching over at Best Buy, Circuit City, and even Target, and came up with nothing.

SH Experience official site
05 Apr 2006, 07:51 AM
J2d

I hope ncsx stocks it but no sign of it yet.
05 Apr 2006, 03:05 PM
bahn

Received this the other day, I'll check it out and post try to post some quick impressions later tonight.
05 Apr 2006, 03:56 PM
StriderKyo

Called the store, they said they'd be getting it tomorrow. I'll probably hold off until next Wednesday; I'm at the end of Metal Gear Acid 2 & I want to finish that first. Still haven't polished off the Sigma's Palace stages of Vile mode in Maverick Hunter X, either.
06 Apr 2006, 05:11 PM
Korly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newsarama

GOING INSIDE THE SILENT HILL EXPERIENCE

Released this week for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) system, Konami has made its first entry into merging comics with what it sees as a new delivery system in The Silent Hill Experience, a multi-media presentation based on the videogame (and soon to be movie) franchise, Silent Hill.

Konami has provided Newsarama with preview images from the program, as well as information about how it all fits together.

From Konami:

Unique among PSP system products available on the market, The Silent Hill Experience combines a variety of compelling media – comics, music and movies – to deliver a complete behind-the-scenes look at the popular Silent Hill franchise. Using an intuitive 3D interface, Silent Hill fans will be able to view all-new digital interactive comics, listen to music from the long-running series of Silent Hill video games, and watch exclusive video content, including an interview with the director of the highly-anticipated upcoming Silent Hill motion picture.

”Konami has created an entirely new genre for the PSP system, combining a variety of media onto one package and showcasing the renowned Silent Hill franchise in a way that has never been done before,” said Wilson Cheng, Product Manager, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Fans of the Silent Hill series and horror fans alike will appreciate all the exclusive content as well as get a unique behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Silent Hill movie.”

There are three primary components to The Silent Hill Experience:

The comic content will feature a new book written by longtime Silent Hill author Scott Ciencin and illustrated by Steve Perkins and Alex Shibao. Based on the upcoming film’s story and delving into the origins of Silent Hill, the comic will be designed specifically for viewing on the PSP system. It will include animated panes and interactive transitions for an enhanced experience. In addition to the new Silent Hill comic, the UMD will also include the acclaimed comic series “Dying Inside,” naturally optimized and adapted for viewing on the PSP system.

The music content will include a selection of songs from the previous four Silent Hill video games. A total of twenty hit tracks, chosen by Akira Yamaoka, famed music director and composer for the Silent Hill series, will be included on the PSP system UMD.

The video content will include an interview with Mr. Yamaoka, where he explains why he selected specific songs for The Silent Hill Experience. In addition, the product will also feature an exclusive interview with Christophe Gans, director of the upcoming Silent Hill motion picture, where he discusses adapting the Silent Hill story for the big screen. Other video content will include a featurette on the film, a theatrical trailer and the opening cinematics from all four titles in the Silent Hill video game series.

The Silent Hill Experience, a first of its kind product for the PSP system, will be released in April 2006 to coincide with the film’s theatrical release. For more information on The Silent Hill Experience please visit: www.konami.com/gs

May will see the release of a similarly-themed Metal Gear package from Konami. Look for more information and screens from that soon at Newsarama.

The original article (with screens) can be found here:
http://www.newsarama.com/forums/show...threadid=65840
06 Apr 2006, 05:34 PM
bahn

So I check this out briefly last night and well... I am sure avid Silent Hill fans will probably be the only ones that will gush over this. Korly's quoted post above pretty much explains everything to expect. I really wish there was some sort of gaming angle to it, interactive documentaries just aren't that entertaining.

I'd probably dig this more if I was a genuine fan of the series. On that note, I am looking forward to the forthcoming Metal Gear PSP release which will adopt a similar theme.
06 Apr 2006, 05:38 PM
burgundy

Is it being marketed as a sleep aid?
06 Apr 2006, 05:41 PM
bahn

Quote:

Originally Posted by burgundy

Is it being marketed as a sleep aid?

LOL. Possibly. Like I said, integrating a gaming angle would have been much cooler. If I recall correctly, the upcoming Metal Gear game will apparently go down that route, you will have to inspect parts of the panels and it will reveal new pieces of information. Supposedly the game will reveal more stuff each time you play.
06 Apr 2006, 05:46 PM
Korly

Yeah, but for 20 bucks, I think this is a really cool idea, even without the gaming. I'd rather see this same content delivered on DVD (actually, the comic would probably be hard to read on a TV) but that probably would never happen.
06 Apr 2006, 06:33 PM
StriderKyo

This is worth the $20 just for the soundtrack. When you consider the Dying Inside graphic novels cost more than that alone, then consider there's a new story, you can't complain about the package.

That said, I thought the comics would be more interactive, with some SH style puzzles, but that doesn't put me off this at all. If I like it I'll check out the Metal Gear one as well.
12 Apr 2006, 03:25 PM
Yoshi

I ordered this today. My ass still hurts from $8 ground shipping, but nowhere seems to be carrying this.
12 Apr 2006, 03:31 PM
mollipen

Yeah, I'm going to have to just break down and order it as well. I'm sick of people at stores looking at me like I'm speaking a foreign language when I ask about this.
22 Apr 2006, 12:51 AM
Korly

Well, did anyone get this?

It's definitely not in stores, and I want it.
22 Apr 2006, 10:23 AM
Yoshi

I did. I hate that I paid $28 shipped for it from Konami, but I'd have hated it even more if I missed it due to being cheap. There is definitely no game here, but the digital comics and all the series music is very, very cool. It even has trailers for all the games and the movie.
22 Apr 2006, 10:28 AM
Korly

I wish it would come to retail. Some EB asshole said "What the hell is The Silent HIll Experience?" to me when I asked about it yesterday, and it made me hate myself even more than usual for walking into that cesspool.

Also, if it's 20 bucks, I wanna pay 20 bucks, not 28 bucks.
25 Apr 2006, 04:07 PM
Ashen Victor

GameStop is stocking it online, and so is EB, but according to the latter it's "online exclusive" (when you check their PSP front page).
25 Apr 2006, 05:16 PM
Dolemite

Any chance this will come out on DVD?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen Victor

GameStop is stocking it online, and so is EB, but according to the latter it's "online exclusive" (when you check their PSP front page).

So is Best Buy.
12 May 2006, 03:40 PM
StriderKyo

I finally saw this in a store yesterday and grabbed it. It's fucking excellent! Totally worth the $20. The digital comics are freaking amazing, I was shocked at how intense the experience was. They use Yamaoka's Silent Hill music as the background, with various atmospheric effects and animations enhancing the images. It's really well written, pulls even less punches than the games, and ends up being genuinely kinda scary. Best use of the UMD format outside games so far - this sold me on the upcoming Metal Gear digital graphic novel, just because I want to support the approach. In a way, I kind of enjoyed it more than the SH games, because the plot and the atmosphere are the real draws of SH, and it was nice to get it with no filler.

The soundtrack is also incredible, with vocal versions of several of the SH themes (is that Nick Cave I hear?). I listen to this, and I'm like okay, Yamaoka is way too talented to be working in videogames, where 80% of his audience is skipping over his music to get to the shooty parts. I hope whatever he does with the rest of his time results in him being fellated by bikini idols and ridiculously overcompensated. This is just about the best music in gaming.

Basically, if you're a Silent Hill fan, you want this.
13 May 2006, 01:10 AM
Korly

What store?
13 May 2006, 02:17 AM
sixteen-bit

Quote:

Originally Posted by StriderKyo

Basically, if you're a Silent Hill fan, you want this.

I really want it, but I'm Region 2 UMD Video pwned. This coming to Japan?
13 May 2006, 08:55 AM
StriderKyo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korly

What store?

I walked into an EB right in the heart of downtown Toronto and they had three sitting out in the PSP section, go figure. Their website was advertising it fairly prominently a couple of days ago, so maybe they got more in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dementia_

I really want it, but I'm Region 2 UMD Video pwned. This coming to Japan?

No idea. It was released to coincide with the movie, is that out in Japan yet?
13 May 2006, 02:09 PM
animegirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by StriderKyo

I finally saw this in a store yesterday and grabbed it. It's fucking excellent! Totally worth the $20. The digital comics are freaking amazing, I was shocked at how intense the experience was. They use Yamaoka's Silent Hill music as the background, with various atmospheric effects and animations enhancing the images. It's really well written, pulls even less punches than the games, and ends up being genuinely kinda scary. Best use of the UMD format outside games so far - this sold me on the upcoming Metal Gear digital graphic novel, just because I want to support the approach. In a way, I kind of enjoyed it more than the SH games, because the plot and the atmosphere are the real draws of SH, and it was nice to get it with no filler.

The soundtrack is also incredible, with vocal versions of several of the SH themes (is that Nick Cave I hear?). I listen to this, and I'm like okay, Yamaoka is way too talented to be working in videogames, where 80% of his audience is skipping over his music to get to the shooty parts. I hope whatever he does with the rest of his time results in him being fellated by bikini idols and ridiculously overcompensated. This is just about the best music in gaming.

Basically, if you're a Silent Hill fan, you want this.

You have the same thoughts as me, this is such a good idea for comics. I really enjoyed the Hunger comic and the music enhances it so much. I have high hopes for the Metal Gear Experience.
13 May 2006, 08:22 PM
StriderKyo

I saw this at another EB today, so I'm thinking it must be widely available now.