Interviews// 007 Blood Stone, Level Designer Peter Collier

Posted 22 Sep 2010 14:09 by
SPOnG: Casino Royale was pretty well received, but Quantum of Solace much less so. Was there anything that you looked at in the films that you felt was worth avoiding?

Pete Collier: That's a really good question. (Pauses) I guess it's not just about specific parts of the previous films, it's just the essence of what Daniel Craig brings to the role. And that's what we're trying to get across. Obviously things that he's not doing in the films is stuff we're going to be avoiding – like gadgets. There'll be nothing like laser watches because it's not what this Bond does.

In terms of avoiding any material because of the quality of the films, I have to say that I'm one of the rare people that actually enjoyed Quantum of Solace (laughs)! I know people generally did prefer Casino Royale though, because it was more gritty and it was more about the journey of Bond starting out as this 00 Agent. Quantum of Solace was maybe never going to be as exciting, because it's like he's come along now and he's just fulfilling that role rather than going on this personal journey.

You're always going to struggle, getting that level of subtlety in terms of a character. Games have a long way to go yet before they can achieve that same level that can be found in films. For us, it is going to be more about the action sequences, but... it's an interesting thing, looking at the films and looking at the convergent side of it as well, as games can offer a more immersive aspect to that world. You can dip in to a game and access secondary information and get a more fleshed out view of the universe, as watching the films is a very passive experience.


SPOnG: In some ways then, it's more difficult to try and convey Bond in a game because the player is immersed in the role of 'being Bond' rather than watching passively.

Pete Collier: Exactly, yeah. So it's always going to be about 'doing' in the game – you are doing something so that the backstory of subtlety, the emotion and the whole journey is always going to be more difficult to convey. You're kind of reading those aspects in a film by looking at the character's reactions, in the game you're actually doing it and do those reactions have to come from you.


SPOnG: That must put a lot of pressure on you at Bizarre, because you're not really known for doing licensed games. Did you feel any of that pressure? Did you feel confident in the tools you had when you took this project on, or was there a lot of preparation involved?

Pete Collier: In some ways, it's creatively liberating that you have such a well-defined world with the Bond universe. It's probably one of the best defined worlds going – the franchise has been going on for so long and everybody knows what it's about. On the flip side, you have to make sure you deliver, because so many people know what the universe is it's more obvious if we mess something up. So there's that pressure.

It's also a great challenge, and in great challenges you learn an awful lot. As a studio, we always want to be taking on new challenges and expand our skillset in how we approach things. Narrative is something we've never really done before. PGR, Blur, The Club... they're all very light on the story. So we've learnt a hell of a lot in that regard.


SPOnG: There's been a lot of news about the suspension of the new James Bond film's production. Whether it's a money issue or a popularity issue, do you think the success of the James Bond franchise is riding on the performance of Blood Stone?

Pete Collier: I don't think so, at all. There's so much appetite for Bond – I've seen that for myself when I was demoing this game all over the place, like Gamescom. People really want more from that universe. So I think it's the opposite. We, like every other Bond fan, want there to be another film... and [the franchise owners] aren't stupid. They know there's demand for it. I just can't see it discontinuing at all. I know nothing about the dealings of MGM, but I don't see why they wouldn't be able to carry that on.


SPOnG: If Blood Stone gets popular, do you think they'd be inclined to start work on a new film again?

Pete Collier: [Nods] Maybe not even a new film, but another game perhaps, and a stepping up of what games offer as a medium in terms of entertainment. If we can prove that we can contribute to the franchise as a whole, just as equally as film - but just do X, Y and Z differently as in the immersion side of things – hopefully heads will turn and notice what we can offer, really.


SPOnG: Thanks a lot for your time!

Pete Collier: My pleasure, thank you!
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Comments

connery 23 Sep 2010 18:36
1/7
this interview is so yawn... another brilliant article from spong... i wonder why youre not as popular as eurogamer, or popular at all...
TimSpong 24 Sep 2010 11:40
2/7
@connery - How about some actual criticism pal? Because frankly this sort of tedious, pointless 'commentary' is a waste of everybody's energy. I'd suggest you either contribute something positive or you just go and do some salmon fishing somewhere quiet.
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TimSpong 24 Sep 2010 11:40
3/7
@connery - How about some actual criticism pal? Because frankly this sort of tedious, pointless 'commentary' is a waste of everybody's energy. I'd suggest you either contribute something positive or you just go and do some salmon fishing somewhere quiet.
connery 24 Sep 2010 19:59
4/7
salmon fishing? maybe it's that kind of wit that makes this site so great
Dreadknux 24 Sep 2010 21:17
5/7
connery wrote:
salmon fishing? maybe it's that kind of wit that makes this site so great


I think the fact you're still here shows that you have no interest in offering anything constructive and every interest in being a negative pillock. I don't normally address people who just want to sling unwarranted and unnecessary insults around - and your command of the English language and grammar doesn't really show a respect for the written word, if I'm being honest - but I'm curious about a few things.

1. What exactly about this article has got you in such a tizzy?
2. How exactly is this any different from other interviews elsewhere?
3. Were you expecting something tabloid, perhaps?
4. Did we do something to offend you in a past life?

Cheers
Svend
connery 24 Sep 2010 21:43
6/7
1. the interview is boring
2. on one level it's not different, which is a problem in itself. on another level the quality of the writng and the questions make no one in their right mind want to read it.
3. something tabloid? you mean you think this is some masterpiece? tabloid would have been better.
4. probably.

also, Svend, your command of 'the English language and grammar' leaves a lot to be desired. as if people bother speaking properly in comments anyway.

i'm only still here coz it's humourous to see that this thread of a few comments in the longest on this site and i'm wondering how long it'll get.
Dreadknux 25 Sep 2010 07:22
7/7
Thanks for answering the questions, although they were neither helpful or constructive. And again, insults won't really get you any respect. I don't think you can put yourself on any pedestal of literary greatness when you admitted that you're simply a troll. This is far from the longest comments thread, by the way.

So I'll leave it at this, thank you once again for your input, and realise that we can't please everyone with every editorial. Some features are fun and witty, others are more informative. You wanted the former, by your own admission, when we provided the latter. To call it outright 'boring' and imply that it is worthless as a result is more than a little bit harsh. But that's your prerogative.

But hey, at the very least we bothered to respond to your comments directly, eh? See you around.

Cheers
Svend
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