80 Days Interview
November 3,2005 - The adventure game isn't dead. At least, not if Frogwares Game Development has anything to say about it. We recently had a chance to sit down with the developers of the upcoming PC adventure title 80 Days. Can they breathe new life into the classic genre? See for yourself.
Amped IGO: Firstly, could you introduce yourself? What is your role on the production of 80 Days?
Alexander Nagorny: Hello, my name is Alex Nagorny, and I am one of the project managers of “80 days”.
IGO: How did the idea for 80 Days come about?
AN: The idea came the day after we finished "Journey to the Center of the Earth". Jules Verne is one the best classic adventure writers and “Around the World in 80 Days” is his most readable book. Nowadays it sounds funny to spend 80 days traveling around the world when anyone can do it in less than one day, but this is still a very popular book and we love it very much.
IGO: How long has the game been in development?
AN: It took more then one year to finish this game.
IGO: Explain the engine used for 80 Days and the control interface that has been developed for the game?
AN: 80 days engine is our own creation. It has clothes animation, lip-synch, shaders, physics, particles system and a sound engine. To play you should use both the mouse and keyboard. You need the keyboard to move the hero (walk, run, crouch, jump). With the mouse you are turning the camera and using your inventory.
IGO: Why did you choose a 3D approach for 80 Days?
AN: The idea of 80 days is the race around the world. What kind of race can be with point and click. For us, 3D was the only way to use time pressure in the game.
IGO: Apart from the 3D, what will be unique about the game?
AN: There are many unique elements (for the adventure genre) in this game. One of them is a life management system and an inalienable part of it is money. The player will have to sleep and eat and it will cost him some money. Of course players can sleep on the street but do not expect that after such night your hero will be in good shape. With money, the player can rent a car, disguise, bribe, etc.
IGO: Give us a basic plot outline. Who will the main character(s) be, and so forth?
AN: When young Englishman Oliver Lavisheart returned from America he found out that his parents prepared a “small surprise” for him. They decided to marry him (in the 19th century such flagrant things were pretty common!). At the same time his eccentric uncle (a well known inventor) hastily bat that Philias Fog’s journey was not so incredible and that any one can easily repeat it. Being rather old for such a trip he asked his young nephew to make it instead of him in order to protect the honour of the family. Of course deer uncle will finance this trip which is supposed to be, from his words, “just a nice cruise – easy as a pie”. Oliver agreed and further more it will give him a chance to runaway from his probably very beautiful, nice and unknown fiancée. Last thing to mention - Oliver will have to bring four patents which prove that four distinguished inventions belong to his uncle.
The player will plunge into the atmosphere of the 19th century, into the atmosphere of adventures and the undiscovered. You will meet and interact with more than 100 characters: indians, samurais, Scotland’s heroes, beautiful singers and many others.
You will become an archeologist, psychologist, diplomat, pilot, spy, producer, vampire hunter… it is not just travel but also a discovery; the discovery of the world and discovery of yourself.
Written By: Edward Love | Tags: 80 Days, PC, Matrix Games, Frogwares
Amped IGO: Firstly, could you introduce yourself? What is your role on the production of 80 Days?
Alexander Nagorny: Hello, my name is Alex Nagorny, and I am one of the project managers of “80 days”.
IGO: How did the idea for 80 Days come about?
AN: The idea came the day after we finished "Journey to the Center of the Earth". Jules Verne is one the best classic adventure writers and “Around the World in 80 Days” is his most readable book. Nowadays it sounds funny to spend 80 days traveling around the world when anyone can do it in less than one day, but this is still a very popular book and we love it very much.
IGO: How long has the game been in development?
AN: It took more then one year to finish this game.
IGO: Explain the engine used for 80 Days and the control interface that has been developed for the game?
AN: 80 days engine is our own creation. It has clothes animation, lip-synch, shaders, physics, particles system and a sound engine. To play you should use both the mouse and keyboard. You need the keyboard to move the hero (walk, run, crouch, jump). With the mouse you are turning the camera and using your inventory.
IGO: Why did you choose a 3D approach for 80 Days?
AN: The idea of 80 days is the race around the world. What kind of race can be with point and click. For us, 3D was the only way to use time pressure in the game.
IGO: Apart from the 3D, what will be unique about the game?
AN: There are many unique elements (for the adventure genre) in this game. One of them is a life management system and an inalienable part of it is money. The player will have to sleep and eat and it will cost him some money. Of course players can sleep on the street but do not expect that after such night your hero will be in good shape. With money, the player can rent a car, disguise, bribe, etc.
IGO: Give us a basic plot outline. Who will the main character(s) be, and so forth?
AN: When young Englishman Oliver Lavisheart returned from America he found out that his parents prepared a “small surprise” for him. They decided to marry him (in the 19th century such flagrant things were pretty common!). At the same time his eccentric uncle (a well known inventor) hastily bat that Philias Fog’s journey was not so incredible and that any one can easily repeat it. Being rather old for such a trip he asked his young nephew to make it instead of him in order to protect the honour of the family. Of course deer uncle will finance this trip which is supposed to be, from his words, “just a nice cruise – easy as a pie”. Oliver agreed and further more it will give him a chance to runaway from his probably very beautiful, nice and unknown fiancée. Last thing to mention - Oliver will have to bring four patents which prove that four distinguished inventions belong to his uncle.
The player will plunge into the atmosphere of the 19th century, into the atmosphere of adventures and the undiscovered. You will meet and interact with more than 100 characters: indians, samurais, Scotland’s heroes, beautiful singers and many others.
You will become an archeologist, psychologist, diplomat, pilot, spy, producer, vampire hunter… it is not just travel but also a discovery; the discovery of the world and discovery of yourself.
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