Concept art from Dungeon Duel.

The creators of the wildly ambitious BioShock Infinite have delved into their archives to reveal a game that never was. Irrational Games has published its original pitch for a console based fantasy outing known as Dungeon Duel. Though described as a real time strategy title, Dungeon Duel’s combat system was seemingly inspired by turn based trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon.

Players were to explore randomly generated dungeons, and slay their opponents using the best combination of cards at their disposal. As they progressed, they would unlock additional cards and be encouraged to improve their custom decks by trading online or via memory unit with friends. The game was to feature an epic single player campaign and at least five multiplayer modes. Work on the title took place during 2002 and it isn’t yet clear what led to the project’s abandonment.

This isn’t the first time that Irrational has opened up about a failed project. A year ago, the studio revealed that it had considered developing action game Monster Island back in 2001.

Developer Playlist is The Black Panel’s occasional column devoted to industry figures and the games that inspire them. Each instalment features a ‘playlist’ of influential titles hand-picked by a talented creator.

Men (I mean manly men, I mean Daniel Boon style men) are not often associated with the video games industry. Daniel Visser may make many rethink their positions. Just look at his photo. If that doesn’t scream “I would eat Bear Grylls for breakfast” then nothing does. Visser is the Managing Director of Wicked Witch Software, an Australian development company that specialises in mobile gaming but has also worked on many console titles. Visser is so manly that he even scared the NRL and the AFL into letting Wicked Witch take charge of their respective licences for mobile gaming. He also worked in the past for Melbourne House, Torus Games and CrawFish Interactive. These studios have had an undeniable impact on the local games industry and with a pedigree like this, Visser’s playlist is something everyone should take note of.

—– Daniel Visser’s Playlist —–

TETRIS makes another appearance in a developer’s playlist. Visser says “While there are many classics like Tetris and Asteroids, and some great remakes or evolved versions such as Geometry Wars or slants like Bejeweled or Zuma, Tetris remains high on the list for the ultra-simplicity and its role in defining the casual continuous game. This game continues to influence me as much as being a solid reminder for how simple games can be, and how complex they end up getting!” Originally issued in 1987, Tetris has since been released on almost every platform imaginable.

For his second choice, Visser went with Ensemble Studio’s 1998 strategy classic AGE OF EMPIRES II: THE AGE OF KINGS, “While it is hard to pick a favourite RTS from Warcraft, StarCraft, Command & Conquer: Generals and other greats that may even include the Civilization and SimCity series, Age of Empires II still holds a special place for me because we played it the most over the years (perhaps we had more time then) and this game features a great end game with multiple ways to win that still holds up against modern RTS games, even its own sequel! This game is also an influence when we discuss balancing issues, unit counters, learning curves and end game play.”

Finally Daniel picks one of the most addictive game experiences ever created in Blizzard’s 2004 money making machine, WORLD OF WARCRAFT. Visser had been impressed with 1987’s Ultima Online, but when he played the Wow beta, he was “amazed at the level of detail in the world, and at the great storyline and artwork that we knew and loved from the previous Warcraft games brought to life in full 3D. This game is a great influence for everything fantasy, and is the undeniable benchmark in MMO gameplay.”

So what’s next for this manliest of games developers?

Well, the iPhone is clearly in his sights, with multiple sporting games coming out this year for the iOS platform. He also hopes to port these games to Android early in the new year. Visser is particularly excited about an upcoming casual game Wicked Witch is bringing to the iOS system. He says “our first casual game is as beautiful as it is addictive!” So readers, watch out for Visser and Wicked Witch… putting the MAN back into gaming.

Other editions of Developer Playlist: John Halloran (PopCap); Jon Paquette (Insomniac Games)

Image Credit: Moby Games (Tetris)

NanoBITES captures those small but important morsels of gaming information that otherwise might slip between the cracks.

ITEM! After closing original developer Kaos Studios, THQ has entrusted the next instalment of its jingoistic Homefront series to Crytek. According to CVG, the FPS project will be handled by Crytek’s UK studio, once known for its work on the TimeSplitters franchise.

ITEM! Nintendo has unveiled a handful of 3DS titles, with fantasy action epic Monster Hunter 4 the big ticket item. As reported by 1UP, New editions of role playing saga Fire Emblem and arcade sports favourite Mario Tennis are also in the works.

ITEM! Square Enix is working on an HD version of its decade old JRPG Final Fantasy X, according to a report published by Game Informer. After a spit and polish the PS2 classic will be making its way to both the PS3 and the PSVita.

ITEM! Importers will be pleased to hear that Sony’s forthcoming PSVita handheld will be region free. As reported by Kotaku, the platform holder’s President of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida confirmed the news via Twitter.

ITEM! The recently announced circle pad attachment for the Nintendo 3DS is to receive some high profile third party support. Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D and Ace Combat 3D will all support the peripheral, according to Eurogamer.

Recent instalments of nanoBITES: 14.09.11 l 07.09.11 l 01.09.11 l 25.08.11 l 18.08.11

Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.

Already reeling from the closures of the likes of Team Bondi and Blue Tongue Entertainment, the Australian development community has suffered yet another blow. As reported by MCV, EA has called time on one of its Victorian developers. Though it didn’t enjoy the high profile of its US based progenitor, Visceral Games Melbourne contributed to the success of the Dead Space and Dante’s Inferno properties.

According to the local chapter of the International Games Developers’ Association, the decision will result in 21 job losses. EA has stated that there was “no active project in development at that location” at the time of its closure. A studio source recently informed Kotaku that Visceral Games Melbourne spent the past three years working on a major multiplatform title only to see it cancelled by senior management at EA.

The news comes less than two months after EA told Joystiq that it was expanding its Austin, Texas operations by some 300 positions.