We Asked, They Answered.
Part one of a chat with developer Blitz about The Mummy Returns.
Next month sees the release of The Mummy Returns on PS2. As a primer for this momentous occasion, we would like to present the first of a two-part Q&A session about the game with developer Blitz. If your appetite is anything near whetted for The Mummy Returns, then read on, and don't forget to come back tomorrow for more.
In case you're not familiar with The Mummy Returns story, here's a brief rundown. Set in 1935, 10 years after the events of The Mummy, a band of treasure-hunters unearths the remains of the high priest Imhotep. Transported to London, Imhotep is resurrected, and once more embarks on his ruthless quest for immortality. His old nemesis Rick O'Connell is on the case though, and soon they'll both do battle against the evil Scorpion King to stop him from rising up and taking over the world…
How is The Mummy Returns different from the previous Mummy game?
It's bigger and better in almost every way! It's a 3rd person action adventure title but that's where the similarities stop. We've been able to do much more with the license on the PS2 than the previous developers could and we've also injected a much more entertaining gameplay idea too because you can now play as either the good guy or the bad guy. It's up to the player to choose whether they want to control all-American hero Rick or the evil and ugly Mummy himself, Imhotep. The game will play quite differently depending on who you choose so it's really two games in one.
So how close to the film is the game?
The game's pretty close to the film in most ways. The settings and the basic plot are the same but because of the option to play as either Rick or Imhotep we've had to tweak things slightly to make them work in the game. As well as the plot similarities we've also worked hard to maintain the look and feel of the film throughout. Blitz has had plenty of experience with recreating a film's atmosphere in a game and we're pleased with what we've achieved this time.
How have you made use of the PS2's power to recreate the atmosphere of the film?
The locations in the game are every bit as mean and moody as in the film and we've included plenty of dynamic lighting and multiple-action cameras which will give you dramatic views of the environments and the action. We've also included depth-of-field views, animated fog and soft-skinned characters to help recreate that authentic look. As well as that, the levels and audio stream in seamlessly direct from the DVD and we've an average polygon count of between 8,000 and 10,000 for each individual room, as well as up to 3,500 polygons for each of the main characters. It all looks simply stunning now that it's nearly finished and the team are all really chuffed with what they've created.
We'll recognise the game's settings from the movie then?
Definitely - there are plenty of familiar locations from the film included in the game and we've made sure that you'll be able to recognise them straight away if you've seen the film. You'll be able to explore the British Museum, fight off the pygmy warriors in the jungle and even visit the ruins of Hamunaptra. There are 12 huge levels in all with some of them exclusive to either Rick or Imhotep. Although you'll visit several of the locations as either character, they both play through the game in a different order so it's a different experience each time.
Tomorrow, you’ll be able to learn about the team behind the making of the game, and all about the characters involved, real and virtual. The Mummy Returns returns (ha!) tomorrow.
In case you're not familiar with The Mummy Returns story, here's a brief rundown. Set in 1935, 10 years after the events of The Mummy, a band of treasure-hunters unearths the remains of the high priest Imhotep. Transported to London, Imhotep is resurrected, and once more embarks on his ruthless quest for immortality. His old nemesis Rick O'Connell is on the case though, and soon they'll both do battle against the evil Scorpion King to stop him from rising up and taking over the world…
How is The Mummy Returns different from the previous Mummy game?
It's bigger and better in almost every way! It's a 3rd person action adventure title but that's where the similarities stop. We've been able to do much more with the license on the PS2 than the previous developers could and we've also injected a much more entertaining gameplay idea too because you can now play as either the good guy or the bad guy. It's up to the player to choose whether they want to control all-American hero Rick or the evil and ugly Mummy himself, Imhotep. The game will play quite differently depending on who you choose so it's really two games in one.
So how close to the film is the game?
The game's pretty close to the film in most ways. The settings and the basic plot are the same but because of the option to play as either Rick or Imhotep we've had to tweak things slightly to make them work in the game. As well as the plot similarities we've also worked hard to maintain the look and feel of the film throughout. Blitz has had plenty of experience with recreating a film's atmosphere in a game and we're pleased with what we've achieved this time.
How have you made use of the PS2's power to recreate the atmosphere of the film?
The locations in the game are every bit as mean and moody as in the film and we've included plenty of dynamic lighting and multiple-action cameras which will give you dramatic views of the environments and the action. We've also included depth-of-field views, animated fog and soft-skinned characters to help recreate that authentic look. As well as that, the levels and audio stream in seamlessly direct from the DVD and we've an average polygon count of between 8,000 and 10,000 for each individual room, as well as up to 3,500 polygons for each of the main characters. It all looks simply stunning now that it's nearly finished and the team are all really chuffed with what they've created.
We'll recognise the game's settings from the movie then?
Definitely - there are plenty of familiar locations from the film included in the game and we've made sure that you'll be able to recognise them straight away if you've seen the film. You'll be able to explore the British Museum, fight off the pygmy warriors in the jungle and even visit the ruins of Hamunaptra. There are 12 huge levels in all with some of them exclusive to either Rick or Imhotep. Although you'll visit several of the locations as either character, they both play through the game in a different order so it's a different experience each time.
Tomorrow, you’ll be able to learn about the team behind the making of the game, and all about the characters involved, real and virtual. The Mummy Returns returns (ha!) tomorrow.
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