With the new “Aliens Vs. Predator” game on the verge of being released to eager gamers everywhere, computerandvideogames.com got the chance to catch up with Rebellion co-founder Jason Kingsley to talk about the highly anticipated update of the original – massively successful – 1999 game.
While many have said that “Batman: Arkham Asylum” changed the perception of many that film tie-in games are always disappointing, Kingsley rather takes exception to that. “In modern times, “Batman” definitely did, but we made the original “AVP” back in 1999, which was considered to be a very excellent game on its own,” he notes. “Then they did a movie of the franchise and it met with (a) mixed reception. That was the age old adage (of movies making poor computer games) turned on its head. We’ve always felt that just because something comes from a movie or a book, it doesn’t mean you can’t do a really great game of it.”
He does admit, however, that some tie-ins just can’t be done, saying “There are some licenses that are next to impossible to make into a great game. I remember someone once asking to consider doing a game based on “Desperate Housewives”.” We just sat down over an amusing lunch and realised that, for us, it was impossible – but in terms of action films, given enough time and enough budget, you should be able to make a good game out of pretty much any major motion picture concept. I don’t see any excuse.”
