Eragon game producer Tim Ramage was interviewed by GameZone and they talked about development issues and went over some gameplay details. The interview gets a bit lengthy, so if you guys just want the meat of it, here are some of the bits that stand out more.

When asked about the difficulty involved in developing a game inspired from an unfinished trilogy, Ramage says that the game is actually based on just the movie, which according to him, is only about the first novel. So they didn't have much trouble with the storyline. He does add that they hope that they would be able to make follow up games based on The Eldest.

They didn't get to work closely with Christopher Paolini as they worked more with the creative personnel from the movie (the product they have rights to), but they were able to get some feedback from Christopher on some of the book-based levels in the Microsoft Xbox 360 version of the game. As far as transition goes, Ramage said that their goal was to close the gap between the book version and the movie version of the tale.

When asked about the flow of the game and the challenges involved with linear plots, Ramage wonders why "linear" is considered a bad word in gaming...he adds that it is a very narrow point of view. He claims that with linear path games, it is what you do in the path that makes the game shine. Here's exactly what he said:

Eragon, at its core, is a hack-and-slash action adventure... with this very cool dragon flight mechanic. So as you progress through the story, it’s the action within the context of the story that makes or breaks the game.

Okay so now the meta-game stuff is over with, we can now focus more on the game-play side. Ramage says that next gen versions of the game will have two unique levels that are drawn from locales in the book as well as a new enemy character - the Kull.

Spellcasting in the game was problematic for them, as the story actually specifies that using too much magic can kill a caster. They can't just have the character die from using spells, so their workaround was this: Eragon cannot simply use magic any time he wants, as the story dictates, he has to make judicious use of it. So they work with that concept and apply it to game language.

When you start the game the "recharge rate" for casting is slow as molasses. It does get faster as the game progresses though, and the effects of each cast are "worth" the casting time. Don't expect spell-slinging action here. Eragon will be released on November 14 for the Xbox 360, PS2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, PSP, DS, mobile, and PC.

Buy: [Eragon for PSP]
Buy: [Eragon for Xbox 360]
Buy: [Eragon for DS]
Buy: [Eragon for PC]

Let's get one thing straight first. Eragon the game is based on Eragon the movie, which in turn is based on Eragon the book (which is undoubtedly based on an amalgamation of fantasy books written in the last half-century or so). Now that we got that out of the way, let's move on to the news.

IGN has recently reported that the Eragon videogame has gotten a helping hand from the cast of the film adaptation of Christopher Paolini's bestselling Eragon novels. When Eragon the videogame is released next month, gamers will hear the voices and see the likenesses of the stars from the upcoming movie on which the game is based. Cast members who will appear in the game are Edward Speelers (Eragon), Sienna Guillory (Arya), Garrett Hedlund (Murtagh), and Robert Carlyle (Durza).

In the videogame version of Eragon, players will get to control the title character, Eragon himself, as he and his trusty dragon Saphira wage an epic struggle against the cruel King Galbatorix and his hordes of Urgals. This multi-platform game will be released on November 14 for the Xbox 360, PS2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, PSP, DS, mobile, and PC.

Pre-Order: [Eragon (DS)]
Pre-Order: [Eragon (PSP)]
Pre-Order: [Eragon (Xbox 360)]

G'day, mates! Ol' St. Nicky will be coming around in a few short months, and if you're reading us from Oz, then we here at QJ will be glad to help you with your Chrissie wish lists! It's no big, as we say back here; we do this courtesy of your fellows over at PAL Gaming Network Australia who've compiled this list. After all, the Pacific should never be a barrier to people who share the passion for gaming.

All dates are subject to change if their respective game publishers decide to change them, though (it's happened before, right?). Stay tuned to QJ for any new updates to this list as we find them.

September 2006:
21: Starfox Command, Joytech Accessories
28: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Blue Rescue Team
30: Disney's Little Mermaid Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long, Age of Empires 2: The Age Of Kings

October 2006:
  5: FIFA 2007
19: Break'em All
22: Crazy Frog Racer
23: Top Gear Downforce
25: Tony Hawk Downhill Jam
26: Clubhouse Games, Mario Hoops 3 on 3, Ys Strategy, Surge Hive, New Zealand Story, The Sims 2: Pets
31: Lunar Knights, Eragon, Justice League Heroes, Tomb Raider: Legend, Arthur and the Minimoys, Bionicle: Heroes, Tom and Jerry Tales

November and onwards at the full article (click on the Full Article link below)!

Whenever a book-to-movie-to-game title comes out, there's bound to be mixed feelings about it. Now we have the game Eragon, based on the upcoming movie, which was based on the Christopher Paolini book. With that alone said, some of you (perhaps fans of the book, like me) might be whooping for joy at seeing this boy-meets-dragon story unfold as a game. And some of you might just be groaning your pants off, because when we posted Eragon's first trailer, ThisStinks (#7) commented that the game was "...based off of a crappy movie based off of a ripoff (and boring) book." We all have our biases, and we're all entitled to share them too.

But as for the game itself, no one can really judge until it's out, right? And maybe this new trailer will help people decide. Make sure you watch the video through to the end, to see Saphira!

The graphics are a bit iffy, considering it's for the 360. But do note that Eragon is being released across a lot of platforms! The game will also be released for the PSP, Nintendo DS, Xbox, ps2">PS2, and PC. Of course, all these platforms have different video output, so surely some versions will be suped up more on the graphics-side.

But graphics are graphics. What about the dragon? Honestly, I'm quite impressed when I saw Saphira flying through towards the end of the video. It seems like you can actually control her and fireblast, dragon-claw, and tail-whip your way through hordes of orcs and goblins... Now, that's what I call fun!

Download: [Eragon Official Movie - Gameplay Trailer]

We have already mentioned that Eragon is based on the worldwide literary phenomenon by Christopher Paolini about a boy named Eragon whose destiny is revealed with the help of a dragon. It also appeared as Fox 2006 film starring Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons and Academy Award nominee John Malkovich. This game immerses players into a world filled with dragons, destiny, adventure, magic, and power.

Eragon will be released this November for PC, ps2">ps2">PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and PSP. Gameplay for the console and PC will be different from the handheld. The PC and console version focuses on intense battles with an unparalleled combo and magic-based combat system, including stunning finishing moves, multiple grapples, and degradable blocks with unique counter attacks. The adventure is heightened with breathless dragon flight-based combat and devastating dragon summon attacks and players can opt for a 2-player co-op, featuring team attack bonuses and dragon fight/flight combo gameplay. Eragon for Nintendo DS players offer an action-filled combat-RPG with touch screen spell casting and unique dual screen attack mode.

Without further ado, we deliver you the freshest trailer of Eragon. Enjoy!

Download: [Eragon Trailer]

Most of you guys probably know that an Eragon game is expected to be released this November for the PC, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, DS and PSP. Stormfront Studios was tasked to develop it for the PC and other consoles, while Amaze Entertainment was assigned to do it for the handheld.

In case you're not familiar with it, Eragon is a book made by Christopher Paolini, about a boy named Eragon, who unexpectedly finds a blue stone one day. Now, we don't want to give away any spoilers for those who haven't read the book, so we're just going to stop there (*winks*). Eragon was released last August 2003, and is the first book of the Inheritance trilogy written by - of course - the same author.

While waiting for its release, maybe you could check out some screens we have for you. See Alaga?a breathe into life with these screens lifted from the game for the Xbox 360.

We recently reported on an Eragon coming out for the DS. We now have some more details. It looks like it will differ from the GBA version, something that's very refreshing after going through horrible GBA ports with a "touch level" attached. The DS version will be an Action-RPG, unlike the GBA Turn-based RPG. The DS will feature a touch-screen driven spellcasting system and a unique dual screen attack mode. There will be an elaborate weapon, skill, and combo system. There will also be two minigames to train your spellcasting and dragon-riding skills!

VU Games announced that Eragon will becoming to all of the popular gaming systems November 2006. It's coming to the PC, PS2, XBox, Xbox 360, DS, and PSP. Stormfront Studios is developing it for the PC and consoles while Amaze Entertainment is doing it for the handhelds. The game is being based off of the upcoming film and the novel.

The handheld versions and console/pc versions will offer different styles of play. The DS will take advantage of the dual screen and stylus and the GBA will focus mainly on the deep story and RPG elements.

Based on the best-selling novel, this epic fantasy-adventure centers on a young farm boy named Eragon whose destiny is revealed with the help of a dragon. Eragon, now a Dragon Rider, is swept into a world of magic and power, discovering that he alone has the power to save -- or destroy -- an Empire.

The Dragon Rider Legacy will be revealed at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3 Expo) when Fox and Vivendi Universal Games will be premiering exclusive footage from the studio and a first look at gameplay from Xbox 360, PS2, Xbox, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance.