The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was released today for the Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PC, Nintendo DS and the PSP and Superhero Hype! got a chance to talk to the game’s producer, Jason Ades.
The game lets players take on the role of their favorite Autobots or Decepticons, picking from the largest, most diverse range of playable Transformers – each with their own distinct abilities and weaponry. Set in unique environments across the globe such as Cairo and Shanghai, the game allows players to instantly switch between vehicle and robot modes as they drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. After engaging in single player action, players for the first time ever will be able to go online and battle friends in all-new multiplayer modes.
SHH!: Obviously when people go into a game called “Transformers” there’s a certain expectation for giant robots beating the crap out of each other. Could you give us a quick rundown of which ones made it into the game? Also, do they in fact beat the crap out of each other?
Jason Ades: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” is definitely a wholesome part of your nutritious “Giant Robot on Robot” ass kicking experience. However, “ass-kicking is only one ingredient in a hearty game that is replete with driving, flying, shooting and transforming your way to Earths salvation or annihilation. You’ll also get to do this with the largest cast of playable Transformers ever assembled in a game.
NOT including our upcoming downloadable content (which you’ll hear much more about soon) we have 15 playable characters including Optimus Prime, Jet Powered Optimus, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Ratchet, Breakaway, Megatron, Flying Megatron, Starscream, Grindor, Longhaul, Sideways, Seeker, Aerialbot and Protectobot. We also have a number of G1 skins for many of these characters.
SHH!: The game features voice acting from Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, reprising their roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron from the original series. Why was the decision made to use Frank instead of Hugo Weaving since he had been the voice of Megatron in the films? Who else will we hear in the game?
Ades: Although Hugo Weaving voices the role of Megatron in the “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” film (which he does exceptionally well) we all felt passionately that Frank Welker, the voice we all grew up listening to, is the one true Megatron. All Hail Frank Welker! J
Aside from Peter Cullen reprising his role as Optimus Prime, we have also brought in a number of the film talent to reprise their roles including Megan Fox, Shia LaBeouf, Mark Ryan as Bumblebee, Charlie Adler as Starscream, Robert Foxworth as Ratchet and Jess Harnell as Ironhide. Also, for all the Futurama and Gears of War fans out there, we brought in John Di Maggio to voice Sideways.
SHH!: Was there a temptation to have Megan Fox voice every character in the game, just so she’d visit more often?
Ades: Is this on the record? All I’m going to say is that we definitely don’t have two versions of every single recorded line in the game. I repeat we DO NOT have two complete versions of the entire 10,000+ lines of game dialogue. And we certainly don’t know anything about Megan Fox attending 163 VO sessions where only I attended. That is rumor and speculation. And I 100% don’t have any special cheat codes where she says “Transform and Roll Out, Jason” or “Jason, are you free for coffee?” or “Jason, can you rub my shoulders?” Nope. No way. Not me. J
SHH!: Transformer fans are extremely passionate. What kinds of things have you put in the game for those folks? Any easter eggs or hidden unlockables that might keep them coming back for more?
Ades: It is true that Transformers fans are extremely passionate. How do we know this? We are members of the elite collective known as “Minions of Unicron.” Okay, it’s not so much a collective as it is a fan club, but it’s growing rapidly in obscurity. Soon we will rival the “Disciples of Battle Unicorn” as the smallest slowest growing Transformers cult… er… club in the galaxy… um… world.
Fans can expect a number of G1 character skins, comic art as well as SIX full episodes of the original animated series as unlockables. There are also more announcements forthcoming as we get closer to our DLC launch, as we’re confident G1 fans will be really excited.
SHH!: The online multiplayer mode is brand new for the “Transformers” franchise, right? Can you tell us about all of that? It seems like the combination of the robot and vehicle modes could make things pretty chaotic.
Ades: It only makes sense that after years of waging war in chat rooms and online forums that Autobot and Decepticon fans around the world should finally have an opportunity to put the hateful words aside and blow one another up in multiplayer.
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” has 5 modes of online play with 15 selectable characters for up to 8 players. Modes include Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Control Points (similar to Domination and War), Battle for the Shards (inspired by Capture the flag) and One Shall Stand (Assassination).
Multiplayer is a big part of this game and has been developed with the same commitment as the single player experience from day one. Each character has their own unique abilities which helps maintain the balance between ground and air based vehicles. Teamwork and character selection are essential. If the opposite team is heavy with flyers, you’ll want to select a character with a deployable turret. Also, Bumblebee has lock on rockets which are very helpful to counter incoming Choppers. Ratchet and Longhaul are both healers and a critical part of any team. Sideways is a sniper and can be very helpful in holding down a control point from a distance. There are many combinations and strategies that can be employed depending on the map, game type and character lineup of the opposing team.
If you are a Decepticon fan, the multiplayer is deliciously chaotic. If you are an Autobot fan, it is a wildly frenetic and heroic experience. If you’re a gamer, you will get our PWNage on.
SHH!: The Wii game looks completely different from the PS3 and Xbox 360 ones. Why the change? How is the game different on that platform?
Ades: The Wii game is a wholly unique game built from the ground up specifically for the Wii by Krome Studios. The team behind the Wii and PS2 is the same team (formerly known as Melbourne House) behind the “Transformers: Armada” PS2 game, which until now had been considered the best “Transformers” game.
The focus behind the Wii and PS2 titles was to create a game that was designed with the Co-op experience in mind. As the Wii tends to be a much more social platform it was important for us to create an experience that was both pick up and play as well as one that highlights the unique controls on the Wii.
There are a number of advantages to not porting a next gen game to the Wii console. The obvious benefit is that the development team could first design a game with the Wii controls in mind first and foremost. Second, they did not have to spend their efforts on squeezing next gen assets onto the platform, not did they have to worry about any asset or design dependencies from the next gen development teams. Instead, all of Krome’s efforts could be singularly focused on building the best Wii game possible.
SHH!: Right here, tell us something you’ve never told anyone about the “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” game.
Ades: Okay, here is a new little tidbit. Luxoflux’s Associate Producer’s name is Adrian Murphy. He is 100% convinced that nobody can beat him in multiplayer. His X360 gamertag is FATHEAD 009. Find him, destroy him and then tell him I said “hi” as you “robo-bag” his defeated scraps. J
SHH!: What will be better, the film or the game?
Ades: The film and game have a symbiotic relationship. While both can stand alone on their own merits… together, they are an unstoppable force.
Source: Superhero Hype!
