Crackdown Interview

[JCalCGM]

Microsoft's first big Xbox 360 game of 2007 is Crackdown, an open world action game from developer Real Time Worlds that promises to have more than a few new wrinkles in the genre. FiringSquad got a chance to chat with the game's lead designer Billy (http://www.firingsquad.com/games/crackdown_interview/) Thomson to find out more (as it turned out, a lot more) about Crackdown, which is due for release on Feb. 20. Here is a snip:
FiringSquad: How would you catagorize the game? Is it an action game? Is it a super hero title? Is it sci-fi?

Billy Thomson: Now that is a difficult question, is it an action game? Absolutely, I don’t think I’ve played a game that can produce the same type of intense sweaty palmed action that Crackdown does, but I wouldn’t limit ourselves to being tagged as a simple ‘action’ game. Is it a superhero title? Well we obviously don’t have a movie license with an already established superhero, but I’d say that our Agents could give Spiderman, Superman, the Hulk or Batman a run for their money! We have a solid RPG based progression system for our 5 skills, but I can’t see us ever being labelled as a dedicated RPG. We have explorative platform based gameplay throughout the entire game world, but I wouldn’t want to say we were just a ‘platform game’, and we have as much combat focused gameplay as any of the recent ‘shooter’ titles that have come out in the last few years, yet I wouldn’t say all we were was a ‘shooter’ game. We also have a vehicle physics model that’s as good as most driving games out there as well, but there’s no way we would say that Crackdown is a driving game either. I think this type of game is almost impossible to categorise, it’s not a basic action game, it’s not a Superhero game, it’s not an RPG, it’s not a platform game, it’s… well it’s just Crackdown!

[Dr.Finger]

This game looks really promising. Even without the Halo 3 beta invite.

[Goronmon]

For some reason the answer to the quoted question rubs me the wrong way. I read it like...

FiringSquad: How would you catagorize the game? Is it an action game? Is it a super hero title? Is it sci-fi?

Billy Thomson: I would classify it as the bestest game evar, biatches! Booyah!

[CaptStu]

Billy Thomson: I would classify it as the bestest game evar, biatches! Booyah!

Maybe it is.

[Vandenh]

This game is sounding better and better. I am so ready for some co-op *if* it gets good reviews.

[Goronmon]

Maybe it is.I was speaking more to the tone of the response. Its like he's insulting action games, driving games, and FPSs all in one fell swoop. In other words "I wouldn't lower the level of awesomeness of our game by classifying it as just a stupid shooter/driving/action game."

[NotJeff]

Near the end, the article mentions that the demo drops on Jan. 18 via XBL. Certainly some of his answers are over the top, but the guy gives a decent interview -- not the nonanswers you get in some marketing interviews.

[Grifter]

If you guys are interested BlimBlim over at Xboxyde (http://www.xboxyde.com) has spent the last couple weeks playing the Beta of crackdown and posted a small write up (http://www.xboxyde.com/news_3921_en.html) about what he thinks so far.

Keep in mind that English is his second language while reading the article.

[Wonka]

For some reason the answer to the quoted question rubs me the wrong way. I read it like...

FiringSquad: How would you catagorize the game? Is it an action game? Is it a super hero title? Is it sci-fi?

Billy Thomson: I would classify it as the bestest game evar, biatches! Booyah!

You can't really fault the man for being proud of his work.

[Heretic Machine]

He over complicates things. It should sound something like this:

BT: I would classify it as a GTA clone with super powers added in.

Me: I would classify it as something I have to buy, ASAP.

[Goronmon]

You can't really fault the man for being proud of his work.True, but I'd rather read some actual info on the game. ;)

[Pluvious]

Huge amount of cool pictures of Crackdown here: http://www.gfdata.de/archiv12-2006-gamefront/2635.html

The 7th one of the city scape is amazing. Looks a bit cell shaded though.. >hmm<

[Roc Ingersol]

Near the end, the article mentions that the demo drops on Jan. 18 via XBL.
That's all we really need to know.

Game exists; demo on 1/18/07.

[Sandman]

I wonder how many people will buy Crackdown, get the Halo 3 invite and then trade it in at Gamestop the next day.

[Grifter]

Huge amount of cool pictures of Crackdown here: http://www.gfdata.de/archiv12-2006-gamefront/2635.html

The 7th one of the city scape is amazing. Looks a bit cell shaded though.. >hmm<

The game is cell shaded, just not in an overbearing manner.

[Mr.Green]

True, but I'd rather read some actual info on the game. ;)
There's like 387 previews around the net. Help yourself.

There's an extremely positive hands on (http://www.xboxyde.com/news_3921_en.html) here. The guy has been playing a beta for a few weeks and likes it a lot.

[BrainDrain]

It's funny that I find myself now looking forward to this game just so I can jump around on buildings:) I played City of Heroes, when it came out, for about a month. One of my favorite characters I made was one with Super Jump (or whatever it's called). Jumping around like the Hulk pleases me:)

[roboninja]

This game may be what drives me to buy a 360. It looks that promising to me.

[YoungAlCapone]

This game may be what drives me to buy a 360. It looks that promising to me.

Yeah, I have waited a year on that sucker and think that there is finally enough on it that I am going to get one. Mass Effect and this have me even more interested.

Not Bioshock though, that is for the PC.

[Morratut]

This game looks and sounds awesome. I can't wait to play it.

[nnanji]

If you guys are interested BlimBlim over at Xboxyde (http://www.xboxyde.com) has spent the last couple weeks playing the Beta of crackdown and posted a small write up (http://www.xboxyde.com/news_3921_en.html) about what he thinks so far.

Keep in mind that English is his second language while reading the article.


This preview really got me excited again! The way he describes crawling around the rooftops, looking for collectables, and rooftop racing reminds me of Spider Man 2, which I loved! Add to that cars, explosions, and a Mercenaries style gang take down and I may be in love. Who knows, I might even enjoy the Halo 3 beta too!

[Dr.Finger]

I wonder how many people will buy Crackdown, get the Halo 3 invite and then trade it in at Gamestop the next day.Interesting thought - What would that do for Crackdown's retail sales? If you have a glut of copies that sell for $5-$10 less than the new version how will Crackdown's sales fare?

[ldi222]

I wonder how many people will buy Crackdown, get the Halo 3 invite and then trade it in at Gamestop the next day.

I think the CD itself is what unlocks the HALO3 beta. According to Bungie:

Anyone who purchases the upcoming Xbox 360 game “Crackdown” will get automatic entry into the Halo 3 beta. If you have a Crackdown disc you’ll be able to activate and download the beta once it goes live next Spring.

So maybe the next question is "I wonder how many people gamefly Crackdown when the HALO3 beta gets close?"

[nnanji]

Interesting thought - What would that do for Crackdown's retail sales? If you have a glut of copies that sell for $5-$10 less than the new version how will Crackdown's sales fare?


Well, since sales of used games don't get reported as New game sales, I imagine they would hurt it. However, who would buy the used copy when the Halo key is removed? :)

[torrefaction]

Sounds like a hell of a lot of fun. I've really been lookin forward to this for a while.

[Goronmon]

There's like 387 previews around the net. Help yourself.Yeah, you're right, who wants to hear information from the lead designer anyways?

[Rirath]

I don’t think I’ve played a game that can produce the same type of intense sweaty palmed action that Crackdown does

I guess he hasn't played many games then. Or maybe it's just because his career rides on it.
Call be cautiously optimistic. Well, optimistic may be too strong... call me hopeful.

[dena miscreant]

The draw distance continues to impress me. I don't think the game can actually be called cel-shaded, though it has a comic book feel.

[Telefrog]

I'm intrigued. So far, Saints Row has really impressed me with it's freeform GTA-type gameplay and missions. Much better than the inspiration, IMHO. I may have to get this.

[Dr.Finger]

Well, since sales of used games don't get reported as New game sales, I imagine they would hurt it. However, who would buy the used copy when the Halo key is removed? :)You know that, and I know that, but teh1337nizz from the GameFAQs board may not get the distinction. ;)

[Deadend]

I am so stupidly hyped for this game.

[Sl1pstream]

I wonder how many people will buy Crackdown, get the Halo 3 invite and then trade it in at Gamestop the next day.

Before or after the invite gets stolen by the gamestop employee that sold them the game?

[GrinR]

I've been looking forward to this for months. I'm prepared to be crushed, like I was with Gears of War and Superman Returns, but ever optimistic I pray it will be as Eva Mendes hot as it looks.

[ldi222]

According to Bungie its the Game CD Itself that unlocks the beta ...

[Rirath]

I've been looking forward to this for months. I'm prepared to be crushed, like I was with Gears of War and Superman Returns, but ever optimistic I pray it will be as Eva Mendes hot as it looks.

Good grief man, did you really just put Gears of War and Superman Returns in the same sentence? :confused:

[BleedTheFreak]

Good grief man, did you really just put Gears of War and Superman Returns in the same sentence? :confused:

Maybe he thought GoW would be a racing game?

[Twigz'N'Berries]

GoW is a hell of a lot of fun.

But to each his own. The game sounds like a lot of fun, but I'm not getting my hopes up. He was very right about Superman being a letdown...and that game was ugly too! I have found that if you go into a game with low expectations and disbelieving all of the hype, you tend to enjoy it more.

(unfortunately I didn't take that advice on Superman and believed it would be as good as the forums would of had you believe...it obviously was not)

I'll pick this up day one. Even if the game stinks at least I bought myself a ticket to the Halo 3 Beta testing.

[YoungAlCapone]

I have a question. How long do you think this Beta key will continue to be put on the Crackdown disks?

I mean, lets say I don't get my 360 until April and I pick this up with it, will I still be able to enter the Halo 3 beta.

Rethorical question really, as I doubt anyone here knows.

[Goronmon]

I'm prepared to be crushed, like I was with Gears of War and Superman Returns, but ever optimistic I pray it will be as Eva Mendes hot as it looks.Comments like that could get someone banned from participating the East Coast EvAv Smooth Ride.

[The Continental]

Crackdown had me psyched before the Halo 3 beta. The good impressions people are having of the game, combined with a demo being released a month in advance of the actual game are very good signs.

[ElectricMonk]

could that guy manage to squeeze in the phrase "sweaty palms" any more?

[GrinR]

Aww give it a rest. My thinking Gears of War was a big disappointment because I didn't find the gameplay fun doesn't make it any less fun or wonderful for anyone else - obviously.

[Disgustipated]

Aww give it a rest. My thinking Gears of War was a big disappointment because I didn't find the gameplay fun doesn't make it any less fun or wonderful for anyone else - obviously.

MOTHERFUCKERS! I'VE LOST ANY AND ALL ENJOYMENT I HAVE HAD/COULD HAVE HAD WITH GEARS OF WAR BECAUSE IT WASN'T UP TO GRINR'S STANDARDS! DOWN WITH EPIC! DOWN WITH MICROSOFT! DOWN WITH CLIFF BLESZOSNEKISNAKO!!!!!

Bastards.

[YoungAlCapone]

GrinR, you are not entitled to your own opinion, agree with the masses or go find another hobby.

Just for the record, I have yet to play Gears of War or even see more that a few seconds of gameplay.

[Deadend]

MOTHERFUCKERS! I'VE LOST ANY AND ALL ENJOYMENT I HAVE HAD/COULD HAVE HAD WITH GEARS OF WAR BECAUSE IT WASN'T UP TO GRINR'S STANDARDS! DOWN WITH EPIC! DOWN WITH MICROSOFT! DOWN WITH CLIFF BLESZOSNEKISNAKO!!!!!

Bastards.
You mispelled Cliffy B's name. Failure, just for that... you did not overthrow the man, the man overthrew YOU.

[Disgustipated]

You mispelled Cliffy B's name. Failure, just for that... you did not overthrow the man, the man overthrew YOU.

You misspelled "misspelled." And who the fuck can spell that guy's name anyways?

And I wasn't really trying. I mean, I'd get it wrong no matter what. Blesozozni? Bleszonkoi? Bleszonkieislz? Fuck it.

[Sandman]

Blizenski

I swear I didn't use Google.

[Disgustipated]

Blizenski

I swear I didn't use Google.

Shut up, you know his name is Cliff Bleszonko.

[Sandman]

Shut up, you know his name is Cliff Bleszonko.

Funny thing is....I think I didn't spell it right either.

[Disgustipated]

Funny thing is....I think I didn't spell it right either.

Nobody can. It's an anomaly of spelling. BLESZONKO!

[GrinR]

If you say his name 3 times he appears with a copy of Duke Nukem Forever. This has had zero effect on the release date.

[Sandman]

I think Crackdown will be similar to Zone of Enders 2 actually....it came packed with MGS2 demo and how many people bought that game just for that demo?

[Rirath]

Aww give it a rest. My thinking Gears of War was a big disappointment because I didn't find the gameplay fun doesn't make it any less fun or wonderful for anyone else - obviously.

Yes but, it's just... it's just... GoW... and Superman Returns?

It hurts man, it hurts.