It’s been some time since I’ve updated, but that’s because I’ve been busy working on Crackdown 2. It’s been a whirlwind project with little to no time to really look around and take in the scenery. This month marks my final month working on the project and I have to say I’m quite pleased with the result.
I find it amazing how quickly the game has come together in these last few weeks – it now looks and plays like a finished game. There’s obviously a lot to do for the rest of the team (read: programmers) but as far as I’m concerned, my work is done. Time to move onto something new…
…which I can’t talk about right now, but the future is all very exciting. As is the past. I’ve recently been working through a rather large backlog of games spanning various platforms, one of those games was Metal Gear Solid.
It’s a game that needs very little introduction, Metal Gear Solid was released in 1998 to critical acclaim - though I personally didn’t play it until 2000 when I finally realised what I was missing.
I had missed out on one of the most cinematic experiences of the decade - an experience that still stands up today; from it’s excellent voice acting, rich characters, it’s deep and engaging story to it’s ground breaking graphics and convincing environments.
The game had it all and offered an unprecedented level of interactivity for a console game, sometimes even breaking the fourth wall. Moments such as placing the controller on the table for the mind reading boss, Psycho Mantis to manipulate the controller using the dual shock’s force feedback, and having to check the back of the CD case for a code required to progress the story - though the latter was possibly an attempt to foil piracy. 
There are too many moments to list where Konami broke the mould, my personal favourite being the first time I played around with the genome soldiers – placing my back to a wall just around the corner from said unsuspecting guard, rapping my knuckles on the wall to get his attention, and then sneaking around behind him as he cautiously investigates my knock. Awesome.
The only flaw I could find playing it today was regarding the use of the analogue sticks which don’t appear to take into account the sensitivity curves, so any first person action feels clumsy, and although that is a nitpick, it did make one of the final battles more difficult than it needed to be. Saying that, the controls for all other player actions are excellent.
I think I will always go back to MGS when I’m looking for character inspiration or a reminder of how varied the design of a game can be. A reminder that you can change perspective for dramatic effect, you can limit a player’s movement when the situation demands it, and again, you can break the fourth wall whenever you want to ‘play’ with the player.
Also, it’s worth playing to hear Sniper Wolf’s ridiculously sexy voice. Schwing!
Metal Gear Solid is available for download on PSN and is playable on both Playstation 3 and PSP.
I must address some sad news. On July 14th, 2009, my previous employer Midway Studios – Newcastle closed it’s doors as a result of Midway’s continual financial woes. 
Subsequently this also resulted in the death of it’s project, “Necessary Force”, a game which I had a personal attachment and a great deal of faith in it raising Midway’s reputation. Alas this was not to be.
Not all was lost, as most of the team went on to other development studios. Several designers had already joined Ruffian Games before the collapse, and a large portion of the programming team moved to CCP. Others scattered to Ubisoft, Sega, Sumo Digital, People Can Fly and Ninja Theory. Shortly after the closure some artists banded together and formed Atomhawk Design, a studio specialising in concept art.
I wish everyone involved the best of luck.
Posts
