jakncoke
03-27-2008, 09:53 AM
GN AU: Last time, Dre and Eminem were in the game. Will they be returning? Who else is going to turn up along the way?
Aaron Blean: Actually, we're currently negotiating with some high-profile actors to play some parts within the game. I can't reveal too much of that yet, because it's still being negotiated, but in the coming weeks, we can't wait to unveil which other actors will be in the game. One thing I can say is, the music score in the game – we're pursuing a very high-profile and one of the biggest hip hop producers in the world to score the game.
IGN AU: Australia's classification board, the dreaded OFLC, actually banned the original game for a while. I'm curious, first of all, if you remember that, and secondly, if you're working with all the classification boards to make sure 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand gets through the classification process?
Aaron Blean: Oh, absolutely. When we first presented it to the board, we had some challenges. But we made a low-violence version for Australia, so it did end up shipping. As for the sequel, we're creating a mature title here for North America and we're getting heavily involved with not only our international partners here but also with the ratings boards, so that we get ahead of any concerns about the game that would hinder the game from shipping there. So, we're already taking the necessary steps to ensure that this game will be shipped in any territory that has violence concerns.
Blood on the Sand takes the Gears of War cover system and adds a couple new moves, too.
IGN AU: So has the content of the game been drastically altered for these other regions, then?
Aaron Blean: Um, I wouldn't say radically. Definitely there's a lot less visceral violence in this game, compared to the first game. We're not trying to create an overly gory or violent game – that's not our intention at all. We're trying to make a very cool shooter. And for countries where this kind of violence is of particular concern, we definitely don't see [these changes being] a major impact on the quality of the game in these countries.
IGN AU: Finally, there's this sort of known stigma that surrounds a licensed game like this. Do you think it's going to be hard to separate yourself from this?
Aaron Blean: There's always challenges when you're making a license-based IP. But we took into account the success of the first Bulletproof game, which sold 2.5 million units. It was a great success – and it was attributed to 50 Cent's fanbase, which is huge. Not only are we targeting 50 Cent and G-Unit fans, we're also targeting gamers with a very high quality game that gamers will like, we feel. Hopefully that will translate when you see it on screen soon and when you get your hands on it. The quality and attention to gameplay has definitely been a bigger focus for this title.
We want to get the word out there that, not only does this game exist, but it's a game that you should pay attention to. It's not going to be anything like the first game.
Admit it - it looks like fun so far. Now excuse me while I repent in the bomb shelter.
IGN AU: Well, that's the strongest thing you could possibly say, I guess. And we're going to hold you to your word there, Aaron. And I guess 50 is going to, as well. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of that guy. Dude got shot nine times and lived.
Aaron Blean: [laughs] This is definitely going to be a higher quality and better experience. And believe me, 50 is very particular. He comes by the office and not only does he review the game, he's very particular about how the game should look and how the game should play. So he's been heavily involved in this second iteration. A lot of this stuff that we talked about – as far as the driving and things like that – have been his ideas. And that's something we can shed a little bit of light on as we reveal more of the game.
Gamers seriously
http://th158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/jasonbay1988/th_fail.jpg
on this occasion
Aaron Blean: Actually, we're currently negotiating with some high-profile actors to play some parts within the game. I can't reveal too much of that yet, because it's still being negotiated, but in the coming weeks, we can't wait to unveil which other actors will be in the game. One thing I can say is, the music score in the game – we're pursuing a very high-profile and one of the biggest hip hop producers in the world to score the game.
IGN AU: Australia's classification board, the dreaded OFLC, actually banned the original game for a while. I'm curious, first of all, if you remember that, and secondly, if you're working with all the classification boards to make sure 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand gets through the classification process?
Aaron Blean: Oh, absolutely. When we first presented it to the board, we had some challenges. But we made a low-violence version for Australia, so it did end up shipping. As for the sequel, we're creating a mature title here for North America and we're getting heavily involved with not only our international partners here but also with the ratings boards, so that we get ahead of any concerns about the game that would hinder the game from shipping there. So, we're already taking the necessary steps to ensure that this game will be shipped in any territory that has violence concerns.
Blood on the Sand takes the Gears of War cover system and adds a couple new moves, too.
IGN AU: So has the content of the game been drastically altered for these other regions, then?
Aaron Blean: Um, I wouldn't say radically. Definitely there's a lot less visceral violence in this game, compared to the first game. We're not trying to create an overly gory or violent game – that's not our intention at all. We're trying to make a very cool shooter. And for countries where this kind of violence is of particular concern, we definitely don't see [these changes being] a major impact on the quality of the game in these countries.
IGN AU: Finally, there's this sort of known stigma that surrounds a licensed game like this. Do you think it's going to be hard to separate yourself from this?
Aaron Blean: There's always challenges when you're making a license-based IP. But we took into account the success of the first Bulletproof game, which sold 2.5 million units. It was a great success – and it was attributed to 50 Cent's fanbase, which is huge. Not only are we targeting 50 Cent and G-Unit fans, we're also targeting gamers with a very high quality game that gamers will like, we feel. Hopefully that will translate when you see it on screen soon and when you get your hands on it. The quality and attention to gameplay has definitely been a bigger focus for this title.
We want to get the word out there that, not only does this game exist, but it's a game that you should pay attention to. It's not going to be anything like the first game.
Admit it - it looks like fun so far. Now excuse me while I repent in the bomb shelter.
IGN AU: Well, that's the strongest thing you could possibly say, I guess. And we're going to hold you to your word there, Aaron. And I guess 50 is going to, as well. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of that guy. Dude got shot nine times and lived.
Aaron Blean: [laughs] This is definitely going to be a higher quality and better experience. And believe me, 50 is very particular. He comes by the office and not only does he review the game, he's very particular about how the game should look and how the game should play. So he's been heavily involved in this second iteration. A lot of this stuff that we talked about – as far as the driving and things like that – have been his ideas. And that's something we can shed a little bit of light on as we reveal more of the game.
Gamers seriously
http://th158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/jasonbay1988/th_fail.jpg
on this occasion