Peter Molyneux Interview (Project Ego & BC)

[Bond]

*Shakes fist at TeamXbox getting the real life interview Bond didn't!*

Peter Molyneux Sit-Down: Day 1

http://teamxbox.com/article.php?id=376&t=f

During E3 last week we were invited to sit down with Peter Molyneux to discuss two of his current projects, Project Ego and B.C. Both games are sure fire jaw-droppers and we have long been anticipating each of these titles for some time now, but we had no idea just how amazing these games really were until we actually sat down and had Peter walk us through a bit of each game. Today we will look into Project Ego, followed up by B.C. on Day 2 of our sit down with Peter Molyneux.

The gaming media and gamers everywhere have been talking about Project Ego and B.C. for months, and many publications have already labeled these titles among the most detailed RPG’s in history. You better believe it! After talking with Peter and watching the game in action, we were almost speechless when Peter then asked if we had any questions. It was an awe inspiring event in that we found ourselves at a loss for words due to the pure depth of each game. We have since been able to gather our thoughts and bring you this detailed look behind the story of both Project Ego and B.C.

Before we got into the games themselves, Peter explained to us why he has spent so much time thinking about the development of his titles and why he has decided to put so many resources into making these games everything they are. Peter has always been a huge fan of RPG titles, but he said that he always found himself asking why he couldn’t do certain things that he naturally wanted to do. After a while, Peter had amassed a large number of problems he found with RPG titles of the past and with this in mind he set out to create games that will allow the gamers to do everything possible and give players the ability to do all those things Peter had always wanted to do while playing a great RPG. Peter has taken the RPG genre and shoved the conventional rules right out the window and in the process he has created two of the most elaborate gaming titles of all time.

Project Ego
Stemming from the great heroic stories that have fueled the RPG genre, Project Ego allows the player to totally immerse themselves in the game by giving them the opportunity to create a character that truly reflects their personality. Where most games put you in the role of the hero as created by the game, Project Ego’s character will evolve as you play and by how you play.

The game will start out with a basic character that you have complete control over. In a technique Peter calls “morphing,” the character will seamlessly develop according to how you play the game and the actions you choose to take. Throughout the game, the main character will age from around 15 to 45 years old, but you will be in charge of the paths the character takes during the game. For example, if you choose to become a fighter and are involved with a high number of battles, you may begin to notice scars or wrinkles that develop on your body. If you spend a great deal of time in the sun, your character will tan, and over time develop a darker skin tone. Working out and taking part in combat or athletic activities will help build your muscles and increase your overall body mass. This will boost your combat skills, but this will also make you heavier on your feet, so your stealth skills may not be as finely tuned.

Peter made sure that almost every feature of your character is controlled by you. You can determine your character’s clothes, physical features, and even your characters hair style. You character’s hair will actually grow during the game and you will be able to stop in barber shops and get your hair cut and styled to your own personal liking. You might choose to go bald, or have your hair long and flowing. You might feel like a clean cut look, or have a long burly beard. However you feel, you can make your character show those feelings and desires.

Peter also wanted to point out that he has always had a problem in that most RPG titles offer you a positive hero role. Peter expressed his desire to be able to be a bad guy sometimes as well.

"Sometimes people might be having a bad day, so they just want to take their frustrations out in a game. I wanted to make a game that would reflect this."

The bottom line here is that you make the rules, and those rules will determine the outcome of the game. If you want to be a noble hero that is adored by all you can choose to do so, but if you want to be a murderous thief who kills by night, so be it. You can also have two sides, or three, or four...it’s totally up to you. Your character’s personality will greatly affect the gameplay and not just the character himself. If you are known as a valiant fighter, the townspeople may cheer you as you walk through town, or they may sing songs of your defeats mocking your poor fighting skills.

"Things will happen in Project Ego that have never happened before in a role playing game."

Finally a game has been created that gives players almost complete freedom to take control of a totally customizable character that lives and evolves depending on your playing style and personal feelings. The game itself will change and adapt according to how you play and the paths you take. The people around you and the environments you meet up with will be affected by your actions. Almost every aspect of Project Ego is completely customized to you, which will enable each of us to experience our own take on the game. Project Ego is a giant leap forward in the gaming world, and gamers everywhere will certainly be sharing their heroic stories once they get the game for themselves, and you can bet that no two stories will be alike.