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Q&A: Killzone 2 devs on meeting the hype

Guerrilla Games producer Steven Ter Heide chats about the anticipation surrounding Killzone 2, whether it will live up to the hype, and what he thinks about the game being used as a weapon in fanboy wars.

Killzone 2--one of the PlayStation 3's most anticipated games for 2009--is about to be released amid an intense wave of hype and expectation from PS3 fans. We chatted to Guerrilla Games producer Steven Ter Heide to see how the Amsterdam-based team coped with the pressure surrounding the game, what comparisons could be made between this and the first Killzone, what downloadable content is being planned now that the game is about to ship, and whether all the fanboy adoration (or denigration, in some cases) made developing the game more difficult.

GameSpot AU: There's obviously a lot of hype and anticipation around Killzone 2. Do you think it will meet the hype?

Steven Ter Heide: Ever since the infamous 2005 trailer, we've been under pressure to deliver. And it has been a long journey for us--four years in the making--and hopefully the result is exactly what people expected.

GS AU: How did the team work under so much pressure?

STH: Especially the first couple of years, it was very hard. You kind of have to be quiet and try and ignore the forums as much as you can. In 2007, when we were finally able to show a level and say this is actual gameplay, put your hands on the controller yourself, that was the big moment we were working towards. Last couple of years it was just finishing up the game and making sure we got everything we wanted in there.

GS AU: Do you see any parallels between the hype here and what happened with the first Killzone?

STH: I'm not sure exactly how they compare. It's a different thing--there's so much more anticipation riding on this title now. We were a little bit overambitious, I guess, with the original Killzone. We weren't able to live up to expectations there, so we didn't want to make the same mistakes. So we decided these are the things we keep, these are the things we need to do better--delivering on our promises was one thing we were very keen to do this time around.

GS AU: There's almost universal praise when it comes to the game's looks. Is this the best you can get out of the PS3 at this stage?

STH: Absolutely not. If you look at PlayStation 2 launch titles, then look at God of War II and see what products at the end of the life cycle were able to achieve, then there's a lot more power left in the PS3. I'm pretty sure we can do better. Right now, we're firing on all cylinders at certain times in the game, but I'm sure we can do things smarter.

GS AU: What can you reveal to us about what DLC the team has planned?

STH: The plans are that there will be DLC, but I can't go into specifics yet. The important thing for us is we want to be listening to the community, we want to see people play the game, and we're anxious to get online ourselves. As soon as the game hits and we see what people really like, what they want more of, we'll try and incorporate that into our DLC plans. The guys back home are already working on content, so it's not quite holidays for us yet.

GS AU: Killzone 2 is being held up by many PlayStation 3 fans as being their flagship game when it comes to online flame wars. Are you happy to be the flagship bearer for PS3?

STH: It's a bit of a blessing and a curse at the same time. What can I say about it? It's good to be such an anticipated title. Certainly there's a lot of enthusiasm out there. But it can be difficult at the same time, because you have to ignore it at times and not get too involved, and just get on with making the game we want to make and that hopefully will live up to everybody's expectations--no matter how unrealistic those expectations are.

GS AU: Steven Ter Heide, thanks for your time.

For the full interview, check out this week's edition of Crosshairs, GameSpot AU's weekly video show. The Killzone 2 interview will be aired this Thursday.

54 Comments

  • TheWarMachin3

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 12:51 pm GMT

    Got it yesterday, played it for about 2 hours so far. Kicks ass and the AI is very impressive. They change position as you try to flank them, they use grenades, blind fire at you and try and suppress. Good fun. Still.... it amazes me that G-spot still haven't done a review on it yet... they are falling behind other gaming sites.

  • knifey

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 5:00 am GMT

    we haven't seen and done everything there is still alot of ideas floating around that haven't been done

  • Acronex

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 4:00 am GMT

    Alright, well now I'm going to have to buy a PS3 =D
    all ways wanted one anyway. The animation/graphics look fantastic, thanks for the awesome game!

  • slipknot61174

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 8:41 pm GMT

    Gotta say, I fired up the demo and immediately had to put down the controller and call a friend. I kinda figured, before the demo, like, yeah... I might get Killzone 2. I had no idea. This game seriously could be a system seller. And from what I understand, the finished product looks even better, as the demo is old. I can't imagine anyone playing this demo and not wanting to at least see the finished product. This is not even making the PS3 break a sweat, people. These are the kinds of games we need more of. It can never live up to the hype surrounding it (hell, nothing can these days, we've seen and done everything), but it still looks to be one hell of a ride.

  • gulamh

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 10:56 am GMT

    I'm definitely going to buy this. I really enjoyed the demo. I hope the online is solid and fun, then I'll be addicted.

  • Autolycus

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 7:22 am GMT

    its impossible to live up to the hype. Not downing the hard work that was put into it, but humans are never happy unless it makes them money for nothing...

  • fritigoerd

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 2:48 am GMT

    I liked the first Killzone , so this is already a win win situation for me

  • beardrewz

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 2:22 am GMT

    Its not as flash as you guys think in terms of textures/graphics..its very nice solid game but nothing new..not very organic..BUT i hope the levels are different and more eye catching..as the demo level was well just plain. But about time there is a ps3 game that is nice to look at. I think street Fighter 4 is the game at the moment and Res evil to come. I just hope the levels are all different and not a repeat like Fear 2 or Doom.

  • xdeiri

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:23 pm GMT

    will it live up to the fake trailer?

  • Zidaneski

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 8:25 pm GMT

    Played the demo and its amazing on a huge television and 5.1 train wrecking sound. When the guy catches on fire its such a sad thing to see because it sounds so real. I play the demo nearly daily and eagerly waiting for Friday. I'm looking forward to the single-player campaign the most. I'm not really an online buff and also because I bet there will be a lot of annoying people online when the game comes out.

  • RingCollector posted Feb 23, 2009 5:53 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    RingCollector

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 5:53 pm GMT (hide)

    Proboally wont get this game for a while im gonna be to busy playing street fighter4

  • JackHoleFace00

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 5:23 pm GMT

    What? Can't comment on the DLC at all?? Oh you suck. J/k you made KZ 2 so I can't hate you.

  • bennae66

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 5:00 pm GMT

    i said a comment on bottom of this and i will repeat it. there would have been no expecations if sony haddnt pandered a full motion video sequence as 'in game footage' back in 05. demo was pretty but just diddnt scratch the itch that expectation back then built. i will get the game, make no mistake, but it isnt what i would call a 'buy on launch at full retail price title' its a 'wait for as long as it takes for it to drop fully in price title'.

  • halokila

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 4:05 pm GMT

    god i can't wait, lol. to bad the demo was short as fuk just got me more hyped up hahaha

  • ahpuck

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 3:39 pm GMT

    I'll wait for the review, after buying street fighter 4, i don't know if i want to spend another $60.00+ on a game, especially with Resident evil around the corner. . hopefully it will be good, god know i need to stop playing CoD4!!

  • akiwak

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 2:28 pm GMT

    I played the demo and it was pure eye candy. May it deliver on it's promise. I would also like to have Co-Op so I hope that is set for a future DLC. That is all I do in Resistance 2, I haven't played the campaign or the competitive. I will hold off on buying this game right away though. I want to hear more feedback from fellow gamers and friends first.

  • SoNin360

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 2:04 pm GMT

    I still havn't played the demo yet because I don't have it preordered. I honestly can't wait to play it, but only the hype got me interested in this game and I'm hoping not that many people will let the hype get to them in a bad way that will ruin the game once they play it, but again I can't help but be excited. I'll see what the community thinks of this game before I do.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:59 pm GMT

    Only four days left. Its finally coming. hell ya it will live up to the hype. Just play the demo. Ya that was just the demo and it was fantastic. Also seems as if my entire union is in here commenting lol.

  • kenken2g

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:56 pm GMT

    I can't wait!!! 4 days left!

  • PolskaKing

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:55 pm GMT

    Cant wait for this game. Seems really great. I did not have a chance to play the demo though. sadface

  • GDCalibur

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:39 pm GMT

    Can't wait for the game, it's almost here!!

  • maverick_76

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:35 pm GMT

    I can't wait!

  • antsaround

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:31 pm GMT

    Gonna rent it first. Hope I am wrong when I say I think this game is gonna be more about the eye candy and less about game play. After seeing several game play videos I am on the fence with it. If I judge this one based on the first Killzone, I would give my 60 bucks to a homeless person first. And if you can post a comment here, you are not homeless so don't ask ; )

  • TheDecoy2124

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:22 pm GMT

    To be honest I wasn't really impressed by the demo. It made me cancel my preorder actually. It just didn't really feel right to me, like they tried to be a little to real, anyway it's hard to explain. I still plan to get the game, but I'm going to have to rent this one before I consider a purchase. And to all of you saying that all the PS3 has at this moment is MGS4, you need to widen your search, but most of my games are for the 360, so yeah.

  • onething77

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:20 pm GMT

    I`d take a bullet for this game. I can`t wait to play it.

  • salvucci91

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:02 pm GMT

    I simply cannot wait. Well, actually, I CAN wait; but I really don't want to.

    and SUL6AN, the online never works? ... you truly are a FOOL

  • SUL6AN_THE_FOOL

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:48 pm GMT

    ppl i have the full game and its coooooooooooooooooooooool but the online never work add me sul6an_the_fool

  • Thomasdeleo

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:40 pm GMT

    Sendmn23, I absolutely agree with you, I am also excited for a good reason to fire up my ps3. Mgs4 was the first time I was glad to be a ps3 owneer and come Friday I'll be really happy.

  • PSdual_wielder

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:15 pm GMT

    "As soon as the game hits and we see what people really like, what they want more of, we'll try and incorporate that into our DLC plans."

    One thing for sure everyone will like is that the DLC is free, you can take my word for that.

  • ratavaquera

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:12 pm GMT

    no install to HD required √
    awesome console graphics √
    awesome control √
    awesome effects and sound √

    want more?

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:01 pm GMT

    berkeley
    Easily works as a contendar for Game of the Year 2009!
    ------------------

    I'd have to agree. While I don't think the game has any new innovative features that will make it the next FPS standard, the visuals and overall experience should make this game a true GOTY contender and system seller as well.

  • Sendmn23

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 11:56 am GMT

    Yes Finaly a reason to fire up my playstation 3 other than a blu-ray movie!!! "Just for saying that just watch how many thumbs down I'm going to get." I don't care though I'm happy to play an awesome Playstation 3 game other than Metal Gear Solid!

  • cowalsky

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 11:55 am GMT

    The demo looked awesome!! Can't wait to play the full game!! PS3 rules!

  • dmish82

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 11:15 am GMT

    Well, based on the review scores it has received, it's definitely met, if not exceeded, the hype! 4 more days!!!!!

  • AzureWind213

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:33 am GMT

    for the record, the wii's controls for a shooter/platformer like metroid are TERIFFIC. I hope they're just as good for the Conduit...

  • killzone_gamer

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:28 am GMT

    DLC!!!
    DLC!!!
    D L C!!!!!!!!
    Oh I'm so happy. I really hope that there will be like a map pack as well as a full co-op mode. Ah, heaven could soon arrive (IN 3 DAYS!!!)

  • northprophet

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:24 am GMT

    Personally, I'm tired of all the griping about which control layout is best for FPS. It's all in personal taste and what you're used to. I like the paralell stick most, mouse-and-keyboard as a second choice, and offset stick the least. I haven't tried a FPS with the Wii's motion control, so on that I have no opinion. Of the offset stick designs, I've only used the GameCube and origional XBox. Nintendo I liked, Microsoft I hated. But this is all in my own taste, and has no bearing on anyone else's playing prefference. I poke fun of 360 users from time to time (I honestly don't like the harware), but only in good fun. As for fanboy wars, maybe we should all remember that we're all gamers first, and loyalty to your console should come second to that.

  • deadruler08

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 8:37 am GMT

    4 more days!!!!

  • berkeley0

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 6:52 am GMT

    Easily works as a contendar for Game of the Year 2009!

  • aaronobst

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 6:05 am GMT

    Damn right V-dubs this game met the hype big time judging by what i experienced in the demo!

  • GodOfSyn

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 4:21 am GMT

    Actually PS controller works quite well for FPS, it seems odd at first specially after playing a 360 game but it really does work just fine, once you play for a good 10 minutes or so. Don't worry GreatEye you get used to it bro, just give it a shot! =]

  • OneShot45

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 3:40 am GMT

    Played the demo so much and it was great! I can't wait to get the full game this weekend! I especially want to play the multiplayer!

  • TheGreatEye6

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 3:36 am GMT

    Might get a ps3 for this, when the price of the system comes down in a year or so. Looks like a really good game and I hear the online side is pretty deep and lets face it - it has to be, if it's gonna compete with the likes of CoD and Halo. But the one thing that puts me off is the awful thumbstick layout on the PS controller; it just ain't built for solid fps handling, as the 360's is. The true test for this game will be for it to stay near the top of people Most Played lists, even in three years time, as is the excellent online aspect of Halo 3.

  • V-dubs

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 3:17 am GMT

    lol at bennae66. The demo lived up to all the hype for me. Played through it countless times. Cant wait to get my hands on the full game this week!

  • bennae66 posted Feb 23, 2009 12:02 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    bennae66

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:02 am GMT (hide)

    demo was alright but im not a fan of invisible walls. (in case your not sure what i mean in the demo as you look up to the helghast on the bridge, to your right is water and what appears to be a nice way around to avoid gunfire. oh no it isnt, its an invisible wall! my character does not have the capability to step around a knee high piece of minor debris despite the water being barely just over a foot deep) i also found it a matter of being herded very specifically in one direction with one path. maybe i diddnt play the game long enough? i have deleted the pretty demo. its certainly not up to 2005 'in game footage' but you know, it comes close to what we could achieve 4 years ago!

  • bennae66

    Posted Feb 22, 2009 11:55 pm GMT

    there never would have been expectations if sony haddnt played a full motion video pretending to be in game. sorry, but look inward.

  • PodXCOM

    Posted Feb 22, 2009 11:54 pm GMT

    Killzone 3 needs this:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcZVlOPcbjU

  • tevic

    Posted Feb 22, 2009 11:51 pm GMT

    of course fanboy talk is good, the more people speak of your game, the better.

    BTW I think a lot of the so called "fanboys" are just guys hired by some marketing department to create hype around a title, like all those "posts" about Saints Row 2 referring to GTA4 which were just a way for SR2 to gain some of the hype around GTA4.

  • xchiefmegadethx posted Feb 22, 2009 11:25 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    xchiefmegadethx

    Posted Feb 22, 2009 11:25 pm GMT (hide)

    well when i saw the vids for game i thought amazing!
    I got my brother to get ps3 for it,he did
    we played demo and im like oh not so good...it was ok but compared to xbox 360 standards of games it was OK?
    but ill wait and see for the full game,hopefully im wrong!

  • mjk_1

    Posted Feb 22, 2009 11:08 pm GMT

    cant wait

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