Andy: I tip my hat off to you, it's an incredible feat. How long has Just Cause been in development?
Christofer: From concept to finish, about three and a half years. Considering we had nothing when we started, it’s not very long I think. We added the PS2 version after ten months and the Xbox 360 version in December ’05, so it’s been a very unique and interesting project.
Andy: And do you feel that it turned out as you had envisioned? Looking back, was there anything about the game that you'd like to change, or thought you could improve?
Christofer: Pretty much, and I’m very happy with it as I did the original design. There are a few things that I wish was in the game and some things that was not. Sometimes you need to let go of things (I hate the expression “kill your darlings”) and compromise. To be more concrete, I’d like to see more incentive for the players to explore the world and perform stunts, but on the other hand it’s not a feature that is missing and I hope that the effect of the player’s actions will be rewarding enough.
Andy: And what aspect of it are you most proud of?
Christofer: The fact that we pulled this project off. It’s our first game and we started out with nothing and now it’s released on four platforms (everything from PS2 to Xbox 360) and in total 12 SKU’s (basically a model number for systems that vary in terms of specification. For example, the Xbox 360 has 2 SKU’s, the Core and the Premium packs). To go more into detail on the game, I’m really proud of the fact that we managed to develop a game where players can shape their own style and pace of gameplay. I think the game is quite thought provoking as it allows player to more freedom than in most games. It can also be played through as your every-day run-and-gun game if you want, but it’s all up to you.
Article comments
1 - Andrew Ogier
Slight edit I'm afraid folks. The game is released on the 26th of September 2006, not the 22nd. Oops!
2 - Andrew Ogier
Damn, what is wrong with my fingers today? I meant to type that it's released on 26th September for the US, and 22nd September for Europe
3 - Ken Edwards
Wait a minute, that cannot possibly be right. It ships in Europe first? That never happens. It looks like the US date is the 27th, though.
4 - Christopher Rose
If you'll allow me the slight fiction that Europe is actually a country, Ken, it's a much bigger market than yer USA, so why not?
;-)
5 - Ken Edwards
Chris, this is in the books man! Europe gets all their games last, and consoles six, 12, or 18 months after launch in the US (this is dependent on a heavy array of market conditions of course -- much to complicated to get into here.)
6 - Matt Paprocki
At leas they'll have something to do while they wait for the PS3...
Great interview again!