 |
Irrational Games Interview |
|  |
Posted on Friday, September 1 at 10:11 AM GMT -6
1Up had the opportunity to chat with Irrational Games' Ken Levine about the many games he has worked on over the years, including System Shock 2, Freedom Force, and Bioshock.
Q: Storytelling is important in your work, but, at the same time, it always seems to come back to killing something--is that the unavoidable nature of modern gamemaking?
A: I'm a games-first man. Stories come pretty late for Irrational, much to the dismay of my producers. I don't usually have the story in line until halfway through development. In fact, if you go back and look at the first previews for BioShock, the story line and setting were very, very different. As my punishment, BioShock's listing at GameStop.com still talks about Nazis and other story elements that have been gone for well over a year.
At the end of the day, we're here to serve the player. Gameplay has to work. If you can fit story to gameplay, it's going to be a better experience.
And I've got a message for game writers who put in unskippable cut-scenes: I hate you. You suck. Go write a graphic novel and leave us gamers alone. If you look at Irrational's games, we're big believers in allowing gamers to skip whatever they want and play the parts they enjoy. My goal as a writer is for the player to want to see the cutscenes. Earn your audience. Forcing people to sit through your glorified fanfic is the gaming equivalent of date rape.
|
|
|
 |
|
| Message
Board |
Banshee Forums
If you're looking for a little extra gaming help, stop by our forums and exchange strategies, tips, and spoilers with 35,000 other members! |
|
| RPG Store |
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The fourth installment in Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls series earned several 2006 "Game of the Year" and "RPG of the Year" awards. |
Knights of the Nine
Bethesda's Knights of the Nine add-on for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion includes all of their official plug-ins and an entirely new noble quest line. |
Jade Empire: SE
BioWare and LTI Gray Matter have teamed up to bring their RPG set in a mythical version of China to the PC. |
TQ: Immortal Throne
Venture into the depths of Hades to stop the advance of an evil army in Iron Lore's ambitious Titan Quest: Immortal Throne expansion pack. |
Neverwinter Nights 2
Obsidian Entertainment's RPG sequel offers players a chance to return to the city of Neverwinter in the Forgotten Realms. |
Gothic 3
Pirahna Bytes' third installment in the Gothic series includes non-linear quest lines, new civilizations, a new combat system, and more. |
Dungeon Lords CE
Heuristic Park and DreamCatcher's action RPG has been re-released as a Collector's Edition, complete with the latest patches and new content. |
NWN Diamond
A massive compilation that includes the full version of BioWare's Neverwinter Nights, its official expansions, and several premium modules. |
DDO: Stormreach
Turbine's Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach allows you to experience the tabletop game with countless others around the world. |
|
|
