Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Q&A
Spiral House technical director Bobby Earl gives us an update on the PC version of the new Alone in the Dark.
When the original Alone in the Dark was released in 1993, there was nothing else like it available. The game featured an unusually, distinctively cinematic presentation--the game's perspective would constantly shift between fixed, claustrophobic camera angles as you helped the main character, the investigator Edward Carnby, navigate a haunted, dangerous mansion. The game inspired a couple of sequels, as well as Capcom's PlayStation game, Resident Evil, which in turn inspired a number of similar games, and with them, an all-new genre, typically called "survival horror," was formed. Now, after a hiatus since Alone in the Dark 3, the series is making a return with Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare. We sat down with the technical director at Spiral House, Bobby Earl, and asked him how he felt this latest installment in the series would fare.
GameSpot: Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare is being developed simultaneously for the PC and for various console platforms. How do you feel the game's market has changed since the last installment in the series? Do you think the game will get a warmer reception on the consoles?
Bobby Earl: The game will get a very good reception on the consoles. Although the core plot and functionality is the same, each version has been developed with each particular platform in mind. Consoles players will welcome the control mechanism and game features implemented on the consoles. Similarly, PC gamers will also welcome the PC-specific functions that have been developed for the PC.
GS: How is the PC version different from the console versions?
BE: Spiral House is developing the PC version. The PC version is not much different from the console versions, although we have changed a few features. In the console versions you have to find and use amulets to save your progress. We enhanced the PC version and implemented "quick save" and "quick load" keys. This basically enables you to save and load anywhere, anytime, and we felt that PC gamers would prefer this. The controls have also changed: You can play on the keyboard, but you can also plug in a controller and play it like a console if you wish.
GS: The game features many dark environments, which can be illuminated with the player character's flashlight. Is this an important gameplay feature or more of a graphical detail?
BE: The torch is a key item in the gameplay and is used in many instances to solve puzzles. It is considered to be one of the games main unique selling points. It basically has many functions, and you can even use it to interact with the monsters. I don't want to give too much away, but you will see what I mean when you play the game.
GS: You can choose from two different player characters in Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, including the original hero, Edward Carnby. Why does he appear so much younger than in previous installments? And who's the other character?
BE: One fundamental reason why the character is so much younger than in previous versions is to appeal to a wider audience. This is key in keeping the franchise going. If the character was to age as each installment was developed, then I don't think it would be much fun any more. The other character is Aline Cedrac, a new character in the series.
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare Quick Links
Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Downloads | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum
- Infogrames
- Spiral House
- Horror Action Adventure
- Release: Jun 25, 2001 »
- ESRB: Mature
Games you may like…
-
Alone in the Dark: The Trilogy 1+2+3
(PC) -
Alone in the Dark
(PC) -
Alone in the Dark 2
(PC) -
Alone in the Dark (1992)
(PC) -
American McGee's Alice
(PC)
Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.
See More Similar Games
1 Comments