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Q&A: Starbreeze Studios on The Darkness

Darkness is spreading! Starbreeze Studios' Jens Matthies talks about The Darkness, in-game advertising, censorship, and Rick James.

Starbreeze's Jens Matthies.

Starbreeze's Jens Matthies.

One of the most anticipated shooters of the year--The Darkness--blends an established comic book franchise storyline, tentacles, and the Mafia to create a macabre mix of first-person action and horror. GameSpot AU had a quick catch up with Jens Matthies--art director of Starbreeze Studios--to discuss their upcoming ultra-violent shooter, in-game advertising, and the technical limitations of developing for two very different next-generation consoles.

GameSpot AU: How closely did you work with comic book publisher Top Cow Productions, and how true to the series is the game storyline?

Jens Matthies: Top Cow was primarily represented by Paul Jenkins, and we worked very closely with him when developing the story and the characters for the game. The story in the game is rather loosely based upon storylines from the comic. The game is very much a self-contained unit and we've picked material from several Darkness comics, but mostly from the Resurrection storyline that Jenkins wrote and our own brains.

GSAU: The Darkness features an all-star audio cast with celebrities such as Mike Patton, Richard Steven Horvitz, Kirk Acevedo, and Lauren Ambrose all lending their voices. How important has it become to attach well-known names to game titles?

JM: The fact that some of our actors are well known had very little to do with our casting decisions on this game. Above all we have picked actors that are right for their parts. The known actors we hired for the game are all people whose work we have followed and loved for many years. Nice to see you mention Richard Steven Horvitz. We are massive Zim fans at Starbreeze.

GSAU: The concept of displaying real television or movies inside the gameworld was brought up early in your development announcements. Do you feel it's a feature other developers may adopt in the future?

JH: Quite likely. There's a lot of potential for this kind of feature.

GSAU: Could this feature be used to provide additional revenue streams (like existing in-game advertising) to offset development costs? And do you think it could be successful enough to potentially reduce the purchase cost of games to consumers?

JM: Who knows, as far as I know there are plenty of games out there already that are "free" to the consumer if they can put up with the ads.

GSAU: What are some of the technical limitations you faced developing the game for two next-generation consoles with very different storage systems?

JM: All of them! The storage systems were not that big of an issue, but this game as a whole has been the single most challenging experience of my life. The fact that we did it for two new platforms that are fundamentally very different is bordering on stupidity. It wasn't easy, let me tell you.

GSAU: The game is obviously quite violent. Were any modifications required to meet the Australian restricted MA15+ rating and pass classification?

JM: Australia has been supercool. As far as I know the Australian version is completely intact. Much unlike the German version, which is severely modified.

GSAU: One last question--Rick James?

JM: One of the baddest mothers of all time, one of the best singers, and one of the best-looking mothers you've ever seen. What did the five fingers say to the face? *SLAP*

GSAU: Jens Matthies, thanks for you time.

43 Comments

  • _Doomsayer_

    Posted Jun 27, 2008 8:10 pm GMT

    Starbreeze all the way!

  • a_user

    Posted Mar 8, 2008 11:18 pm GMT

    I'm Rick James,

  • 1PSman

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 11:24 am GMT

    I'M RICK JAMES BI**H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  • Open-Mind

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 12:47 pm GMT

    please guys I need help in the game TV there is a channel called POPEAR

    the first song in this channel what is called (the song with animeated picture) i will be very greatful if you helped me

  • Wayoftheninja

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 6:35 am GMT

    Watch them cut out all parts referring to the Darkness' home-world, since it looks exactly like WWII! Nazis? Vat do you means by ze Nazis? Der ver no Nazis in Germany, and ve had no powers of darkness, eizah. jah jah!

  • clidey2

    Posted Jun 4, 2007 12:06 am GMT

    DO WANT

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Jun 3, 2007 8:21 pm GMT

    I've played this game several times during development and I can assure anyone it is ultra violent.

  • Silicon_Noob

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 10:49 pm GMT

    It's kinda funny to hear about their censorship problems in Germany, I guess they're still ultra sensitive to anyone refering to their role in WW2.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 10:06 pm GMT

    ya I don't know

  • Somini

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 6:40 pm GMT

    Starbreeze FTW... These guys are so talented... I promise, this game will be so awesome... (Sorry for promoting my fellow Swedes).

  • HazeInhaler

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 6:19 pm GMT

    The Darkness - is definetley a great comic series - I will place a watchful I on this game, sounds interesting...

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 5:34 pm GMT

    You know the game is good when Rick James is randomly mentioned in an interview.

  • angkawsw

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 4:04 pm GMT

    this better be good... this better be good... this better be good .... this better be good... ^.^

  • SilentHillX

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 3:10 pm GMT

    Hell Yeah! cant wait. The new Darkness arc 'Level' issues has been pretty decent and is supposed to be tied into the game. Needless to say but I have every darkness issue, crossover, one shot, wizard 1/2, etc. bottom line is I simply cant get enough Darkness. Ive been wanting this game so long that ill probably buy it for both my 360 and PS3, just to support its sales lol. Now if only I can get a street date on the new Darkness action figure coming out from the Legendary Comicbook Heroes line...

  • Demmi_Argo

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 2:21 pm GMT

    This game looks way sweet, I can't wait.

  • the_real_VIP

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 2:17 pm GMT

    LOL, Dave Chappelle & Charlie Murphy are soo funny! "I'm Rick James B*tch! Hold my drink b*tch!" - Chappelle's Show (Comedy Central)

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:45 pm GMT

    I WANT!

  • GreenGoblin2099

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:29 pm GMT

    One of the games I'm waiting for

  • white_sox

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:22 pm GMT

    I am really hoping for a June release(no delays please).

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:19 pm GMT

    the game looks amazing

  • mummyattack

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 11:09 am GMT

    the comics where good the game will be godlike

  • 0dazubeN

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 10:43 am GMT

    I am excited about this game....just need something good to play this summer.

  • NandoSupes

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 10:28 am GMT

    I want this game ,it looks like a sure hit,but visuals only don't make a game,don't get me wrong it looks awesome,but I want to see the gameplay as well,I'm a Darkness fan, so my PS3 is ready!! lol.

  • sonofabear17

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 9:22 am GMT

    I like that you can bite peoples faces off........and i mean that in the most pure and jesus like way i can.

  • kevy619

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 8:36 am GMT

    Mike Patton + Starbreeze = must get for me

  • Lumenadducere

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 8:23 am GMT

    Yay...need to get a 360...

  • jmangafan

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 8:05 am GMT

    I love these guys! His interviews are always oddly worded, but hilarious.

  • JohnWinger

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 7:46 am GMT

    A must own!!! Excellent interview. Thank you Gamespot!!

  • Chrissyc86

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 6:40 am GMT

    really want this game. Assuming it lives up to expectations...

  • artiebillymac

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 5:29 am GMT

    Cant wait til i get the darkness.

  • MoeGreen07

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 2:35 am GMT

    i can't wait

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 2:27 am GMT

    Another interesting game published by 2K

  • qaz88aof

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:39 am GMT

    HAHA... Dave Chappelle is so funny

  • Reciprocation

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:32 am GMT

    Rick James?.... wtf...

  • Rusty_m

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:21 am GMT

    i disagree gaming_deity. Instead of buying the directors cut, wait for the upcoming remake on the 360 which apparently still has all the directors cut content.

  • diablobasher

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 1:10 am GMT

    fattyxboxbutt:

    Personally i would think Bioshock 'should' be better as long as they dont balls it up, but this looks awesome too.

  • fattyxboxbutt

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 12:59 am GMT

    This should be the best single player FPS experience this year, I hope...

  • jackle2071

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 12:46 am GMT

    can't wait for this game. but im glad im not a german!

  • jussimple

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 12:42 am GMT

    I'm sold on this concept. The story line alone merits the purchase and all the videos I've seen have gotten me all anxious to put the term "Yiolence is Necessary" to the test.

  • fkholmes

    Posted May 31, 2007 10:47 pm GMT

    Sweet, this is one of my most anticipated titles!

  • Gaming_Deity

    Posted May 31, 2007 10:41 pm GMT

    Really, buy the Director's Cut of Chronicles Of Riddick. All of the commentaries Jens Matthies does are HILARIOUS. After you listen to him for long enough you feel like he's an old pal.

  • Cz-100

    Posted May 31, 2007 10:31 pm GMT

    Where the hell did the Rick James thing come from. Mind you it did give me a laugh, but WTF.

  • Trigun1

    Posted May 31, 2007 10:25 pm GMT

    lol. Wow, I now want to go work for starbreeze. What a tight company.

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