Exclusive: FlatOut
Added 03/09/2004 by Jman
Talk Xbox: First of all, tell us what position you are in charge of in the making of FlatOut.I'm a business development guy, which means that I work pretty much with everything else than the game design myself. I spend a lot of my time working with our publisher, hardware manufacturers and other parties. As far as the game goes my task is more to make sure that the team will have access to all the stuff they need and can focus on doing a brilliant job with their own tasks.
Talk Xbox: What does Bugbear Entertainment want to accomplish with this game?
We're in fact pretty ambitious with FlatOut. Our goal is to revitalize the racing genre! You see from our perspective we've been a little frustrated with the few innovations that you normally see in the racing genres. Sure rally games with better textures and more polygons are great, but what we'd like to see is more games in the rally genre that truly push the envelop and execute well with completely new innovative features.
Talk Xbox: What is this game all about?
FlatOut is about dynamic environments, insane damage and violent driving!
I guess I should explain a bit about the background of the game. You see when we started to work on FlatOut we were thinking about a completely different genre of games. Namely we were looking at FPS shooters and seeing so many cool things happening with that genre that we just had to see if some of those could be introduced in a racing game!
So when you're playing FlatOut you'll notice that we're blending interactive environments into game play elements in a very similar manner as Half Life 2 does. You'll also notice that damage modeling is more realistic and this time around the drivers really do get hurt. FlatOut is a darker grown up racing title which will make you genuinely concerned when you're hurtling through the tracks...
Talk Xbox: What made you want to make this type of game over all of the other genres out their?
We... do... racing... games. Bugbear is all about racing and driving. :) Working with FlatOut has been very satisfying because it's the kind of game that we'd be drooling over to play! It's always most fun to work on a title which you'd really, really want to play yourself.
Talk Xbox: Will the damage modeling affect your cars performance?
Yes. *sinister smile* Oh, yes...
Talk Xbox: How have the guys at Bugbear Entertainment liked working on the Xbox?
Working with XBox has been simply a blast. We've really enjoyed the console and find it flexible and easy to develop for. No complaints what-so-ever.
Talk Xbox: In what ways are you guys using Xbox's powerful hardware?
Sorry, but I'll keep details like this under wraps for now. Soonish you should be seeing FlatOut trailer and then you'll see some of the stuff that we're pulling off.
Talk Xbox: Does FlatOut support 480p and Widescreen play?
Most likely yes on both accounts.
Talk Xbox: What type of sound engine are you using in this game?
We're using our own technology which we've been developing since founding of the company. Most impressive part is how the graphics engine blends together with our physics engine. When people think about physics and driving they typically only think about the way the car handles and physics as driving simulation. FlatOut is the first racing game ever where you'll see that we've really gone all out with physics! Everything in the game is dynamic and interactive. We're literally calculating physics and all related parameters for all the objects in the game. You can use the environment to your advantage as shortcuts or to slow down your opponents in different imaginative ways.
Talk Xbox: How many players can play on one box?
There's two player split screen for a single XBox.
Talk Xbox: Will FlatOut be playable on Xbox Live? System link?
Yes. Absolutely. Most certainly yes! An aggressive racing game like FlatOut
really comes alive in multiplayer.
Talk Xbox: Is downloadable content in discussion?
In discussion yes, but we haven't made the final decisions.
Talk Xbox: What makes the Xbox version special?
As consoles go I have to take my hat off for the power that Xbox offers for developers. It is simply very impressive. We're currently getting our kicks out of racing with Xbox Live! When someone rams into your side doing 140 kmph and tears away your driver side door, it's amazing how personal that feels.
