Starcraft: Ghost Updated Interview
A few weeks ago it was revealed that Blizzard decided to make some changes in the development of the long awaited tactical shooter Starcraft: Ghost, including getting a new developer for the console game in Swingin’ Ape Studios, makers of the critically acclaimed title Metal Arms. HomeLAN got a chance to chat briefly with Blizzard’s producer of the game John Lagrave to get more info on their plans for Starcraft: Ghost.
HomeLAN – First, can you be more specific as to why Blizzard wanted to take another direction into the gameplay of StarCraft: Ghost?
John Lagrave – I wouldn’t say we’re looking to take StarCraft: Ghost in a radical new direction. We just felt that given the gameplay expectations for titles in the tactical-action genre, we needed to expand and evolve the game’s design.
HomeLAN – Why was Swingin’ Ape Studios picked as the new developer of the game?
John Lagrave – The team at Swingin’ Ape Studios is a very talented group of developers with a proven ability to deliver extraordinary games. In fact, their previous project was nominated for Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Because of their professionalism, expertise, and enthusiasm, we’re confident that this partnership will result in a level of quality that players have come to expect from Blizzard products.
HomeLAN – How will Blizzard work with Swingin’ Ape on the game?
John Lagrave – We’ll be thoroughly involved with all aspects of the game’s development, including, but not limited to: collaborating on design decisions, providing art direction, and conducting regular story reviews.
HomeLAN – Since this game was designed as a console only title, will StarCraft: Ghost now show up on next-gen consoles (PS3, Xbox 2, etc) rather than the current next generation consoles because of the delay?
John Lagrave – StarCraft: Ghost will still be available on the Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2, and we don’t have any plans to develop it for the upcoming generation of console systems.
HomeLAN – There have been some rumors about StarCraft: Ghost being used as a lead-in for an eventual StarCraft II PC RTS title. Can you comment on those rumors?
John Lagrave – We haven’t announced any plans along those lines. With Ghost, we’re excited to be offering a new perspective on the StarCraft universe and sharing some of the cool aspects of that universe with console gamers. The stories of the original StarCraft and Brood War RTS games take place within the same universe as Nova’s story, but that doesn’t mean that players would have to have experienced the RTS series in order to follow and enjoy the console game, and vice versa.
HomeLAN – Blizzard has cancelled development of games that they did not feel were coming along correctly. Was there a chance that such a move could have happened with StarCraft: Ghost?
John Lagrave – We’re very excited to be continuing development on StarCraft: Ghost, and we have no intentions to cancel it.
HomeLAN – Is Blizzard and Swingin’ Ape working on any other console only projects at the moment?
John Lagrave – StarCraft: Ghost is our sole console focus at the moment. However, while we haven’t made any announcements, we are continuing to consider future console-development plans.
HomeLAN – Finally is there anything else you wish to say about StarCraft: Ghost’s status?
John Lagrave – Just that the evaluation process is coming along well, and we look forward to being able to release further details about the game’s progress in the months ahead.
Related posts:
- Starcraft: Ghost Delayed ‘Indefinitely’
- StarCraft: Ghost Revealed at Tokyo Game Show
- Starcraft: Ghost… by Swingin’ Ape Studio’s
- Starcraft: Ghost Trailer
- StarCraft Ghost at E3?
