The pre-production game, Xavier, is shown and described by Stealthyfart. It has raised many people interests, as well as my own, and it left me no choice but to have a Q&A session with Stealthyfart (Daniel for short) to find things out for myself.
Since both Daniel and I figured the Q&A held some pretty good information, we though it would beneficial to share it with the community. Maybe this thread can spark up some more questions for Daniel, and help get the ball rolling.
NOTE: My questions are bolded, Daniel’s answers are not. Also remember the main character of Xavier is named Michael. May contain early spoilers.
1. Your game Xavier seems to have been created with the intentions of having a very realistic feel to it. As I'm sure you know, many people shun extreme reality in video games. How do you intended to appeal to that audience of gamers or change their mind?
Reality is what some game developers strive to achieve. These past generations of consoles and software have pushing the envelope in terms reality with their graphics (Doom 3's first screenshots blew everyone away with their realistic graphics for its time). I intend to create a game that takes that envelope and throws it across the table with its realistic graphics, gameplay, and sound. To create a gaming experience that will be unmatched. Being that there are problems for a video game being hyper realistic, I have made some adjustments for the realistic gore by making an option to turn it on or off. If a gamer chooses to not turn the option on or off, he/she will have the choice to be violent or not. In some instances, revenge changes a lot of peoples views of violence, whether it be in the news, movies, or video games. Senseless violence in video games (GTA series) is what turns some people off; but when there is a reason behind it, it seems to change some things. Xavier will be about choice and what you, as a person, would do in a certain situation.
2. The storyline. How does this game start out? What is the initial motivation that gets things rolling? And in what time period does it cover?
The game starts out in a dream, a kind of foreshadowing of what will happen. Michael is suddenly woken up by his phone, with Derek Johnson on the line (his informant and contract negotiator) telling Xavier that he has the final contract in order (a writ of assassination for Isabel Kain) and wants him to come in as soon as possible. Once he arrives and is armed and ready to go, Derek drives you to your destination. Things go as planned, but in due time, his actions come back to haunt him. Xavier starts out in the mid 90's and ends up in the near future (2015).
3. You mention how Andre Alejandras is envious of Michael's position. What position is that, and what does Andre want it for?
Michael is Phoenix Office's only hitman. Their main gun for hire. When a contract is in order, he is the first one on the scene. Andre has always wanted to be more than a Mercenary, a hitman, and to be that, he has to go through Xavier. He is a very jealous man and anything that he does is overseen by Michael's feats.
4. Concerning the reality of the game, anything could be used as a weapon, but what are the primary weapons in the game, for instance guns, knives, and chemicals?
In the shed in your back yard and at the office are Outfitting Rooms, huge areas filled with the weapons, body armor, and clothing that have been confiscated or found. However, in your shed, their are many chemicals that can cause horrible burns if mixed together correctly. But the basic equipment you have on you in the beginning are your two pistols and Michael's cherished double edged sword. As time changes, so does technology.
5. Another question dealing with the reality - if you die once, is the game completely over? Or can you load from a save point and start again? I would imagine the game being quite difficult and frustrating if you died from a lucky shot to your heart moments from the end.
There is a save feature in Xavier, I call it Mental Notes. If you press start and enter Michael's mind, by the pressing of a certain button, he will take a "Mental Note" of his surroundings, thus making a checkpoint to go back to if Michael dies. Once you have beaten the game, there will be new features called Memories and Wishes, which are easily accessed through Michael's mind.
6. What platforms do you wish to cover with Xavier?
I wish to cover either Microsoft's next generation console or the PC. Hopefully both, but only time will tell.
7. What company do you wish to develop Xavier under?
Rockstar, Bethesda Softworks, Ubisoft Montreal, 2K Games and even Blizzard have all been on my mind for production and development. But I plan on making my own company, even though I don't have the money or resources for it at the moment.
8. Will there be any multiplayer features in Xavier?
I am focused on single player gameplay for now. But I have put a bit of thought into multiplayer, and I hope that there will be time to make Cooperative modes, traditional and new Versus modes, and maybe my Chaos mode; a "room" of up to 8 people, running around and blowing stuff up.
9. A game of this magnitude will need lots of skilled workers and time. How large will your team be and roughly how long will it take to create Xavier?
I have recruited (not hired) nearly 175 talented team members, and I hope to get Xavier finished and ready to ship within the next 3 years.
10. Where does Xavier primarily take place, and is the world fully explorable? If so, how far can you go?
Xavier takes place in Washington, mostly in Seattle. But towards the end of the game, you will be traveling to New York and Los Angeles. My dream is to bring a fully explorable Washington to gamers around the world.
11. You mention there is a holding facility in Xavier's back yard for weapons and things, but will there be a garage for vehicles and other prized possessions?
Michael's house is fully explorable and interactive, along with his property and garage. Since the car that you start out with breaks down, you have the choice to buy, steal, or borrow another car which can be stored in your garage. And if you have the money, you can buy other storage facilities to store your novelties and other cars.
12. Will you be able to customize the looks of the main character, Michael?
Michael will look like he does in the concept art. But just like Frank from Dead Rising, you will be able to dress him any way you see fit. Depending on what you wear, the game world will react to that, this gives Xavier that more realistic touch.
13. Will the engine of Xavier spawn any more interesting modifications?
I look forward to see what people will do with the Xavier engine. Although I haven't mapped out the plans for supporting the Mod community, I certainly will implement a feature once the game ships. I definitely want to include an easy to use Map Editor because people will want to make cities, houses, sky scrapers, huge landscapes, etc. To be able to search for and download your city or town will give the game an extra long shelf life and an even broader audience.
14. Since Xavier strives to be the closest game to compare to reality, will there be realistic effects and destructive environments?
I have been looking into Geographical Modification Engines. I have also had a talk with my programmers about fully destructible environments. Most developers say they have this feature, but it usually comes out feeling weak or totally absent. Red Faction, in my opinion, was the closest game to having fully destructible environments. We have also discussed realistic smoke and fire effects, since fire will play a major role in Xavier. Imagine, fire that spreads and grows into huge infernos.
15. And finally, what is the most exciting part for you while you continue to create Xavier?
The most exciting thing is, is seeing my dream finally become a reality. And mostly, the thought of people being able to play my creation in the near future, is something that gets me up in the mornings.
Bethsoft, Blizzard and Rockstar won't do it. They won't use outside ideas and they won't hire the amount of people you would need. You are better off starting your own development team and company and finding a publisher. 1C Games and Strategy First publish a lot of games that aren't very well known from smaller companies.
Ah, the first interview that I actually enjoyed. I thank you, Alex, for taking the time to do this and put it all together for people's viewing pleasure. And I also thank those who have replied to this and the other thread. I cannot wait for Xavier to finally hit the shelves in the future, it will truly be the happiest day of my life.
Quote from "goodguy8705" »
Bethsoft, Blizzard and Rockstar won't do it. They won't use outside ideas and they won't hire the amount of people you would need. You are better off starting your own development team and company and finding a publisher. 1C Games and Strategy First publish a lot of games that aren't very well known from smaller companies.
Yes, I know this now, and I have come to the conclusion that it would be best to start my own company. I still have yet to come up with a name.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You cannot fight fire with fire, but you can make one hell of a glow." - Michael Xavier Hyde (December 1994)
Ahahaha... sorry there Stealth, I suck at names.
I'll just do my own questions on here from now...
Q: Will the damage system be realistic? Will weapons be realistic?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Cards and flowers on your window, your friends all plead for you to stay,
sometimes beginnings aren't so simple, sometimes goodbye's the only way."
Q: Will the damage system be realistic? Will weapons be realistic?
A:Yes, the damage and weapons will be more realistic than most games. If you want more stopping power, just load up your weapons with hollow point ammunition. Or, if you would like to bring a knife to a gun fight (which can be used very effectively once your Adrenaline is at a peak), just grab the other swords that are in the Outfitting Rooms. You definitely don't want to be standing and shooting in a gun fight; instead, use cover, run slightly crouched, use your Acrobatic Combos to make it harder for you to be hit, and maybe use stealth to avoid chaotic gun fights altogether. You might think it would make the game easier if you were to shoot someone in the "kill" areas (i.e. torso and head), but really they are almost as skilled of a marksman as you would be, so you will have to take your time and use cover to your advantage. Some other "kill" areas would be Bleed Out spots, such as the neck, upper leg, and lower arm. Might I add, there is no "Easy" mode in Xavier, my creation will be very challenging.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You cannot fight fire with fire, but you can make one hell of a glow." - Michael Xavier Hyde (December 1994)
I'm not trying to answer your quesetion to Stealthy for you doppel, BUT, imo, there are no games that can come close to inspiring this game. There are just none like it. Anyways, that's imo. He might have something different to say
But for the second part of your question... that one is totally up to Stealthy.
Btw that all was a compliment to you Stealthy
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Cards and flowers on your window, your friends all plead for you to stay,
sometimes beginnings aren't so simple, sometimes goodbye's the only way."
Very cool Acid! Thumbs up.
I think this should be a sticky.
And too Stealthyfart aka Daniel good luck at making the game, i really hope it gets to see the light of day (or the darkness of night, wichever the gamers wish ;))
I can not believe how incredible ambitious the game is, great, it must have been hard to get something like that going.
I have a question if you want to answer.
What game(s) inspired you to make Xavier and what game(s) at this point resemble Xavier the most?
Yes, it was very tough to get the ball rolling. It all started out with a hot summer day, I sat down with a pencil in my hand and came up with a character. I thought, 'What should I name this fellow?' and it hit me, Michael Xavier Hyde. It just kind of played out from there.
A:I really had no inspiration. Being that I am a gamer, I wanted to make something that made me happy and, in turn, every single gamer out there. But the closest game that even scratches the surface of Xavier is The Darkness. I have yet to play it, but judging from the videos I have seen, it looks to slightly resemble Xavier. For example: how Jackie is a hitman and is bestowed with an evil power, the way the point of view is set back so you can see more of his arms, how Jackie's body interacts with the environment, and of coure, the gore.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You cannot fight fire with fire, but you can make one hell of a glow." - Michael Xavier Hyde (December 1994)
Overview: Even though the game is completely in first-person (no cutscenes what-so-ever, since there aren't any in real life) and being able to do whatever you want will actually feel like you are controlling somebody. But, doing what ever you would like to do has consequences. If you were to run your car into another doing 100+, Michael probably won't survive and thus that is "game over" (or life over, if you will). Doing this will cause a Death Scene, everything will be slowed down and you will be able to see bones break under the impact of the collision, his blood being spattered across the windows, and his car being crumpled and totalled all in real time.
Think of the game as a giant tree. The trunk being the beginning/origin of all things, and the different branches being the many different Death Scenes, plot turns, and the different things you can do (i.e. raiding a nuclear facility to become telekinetic but ultimately dying from the radiation, traveling to a secret military base, being arrested and put in prison, etc.). And finally the tip-top being the 5 main endings.
Setting:
I chose Washington as the setting for the game. I have driven all around Washington and I realize now that it has a very diverse environment. You have the coast, the desert, the highlands, the lowlands, mountain ranges, lakes, forests, grasslands, large cities, small towns, and so much more.
Realism:
Have you ever played any of the Soldier of Fortune's? Now imagine the gore being completely realistic. Yes, it might turn some people off (reason for an option to disable it), but that adds much more realism that other games fail to accomplish. Being able to see the brain matter and bits and pieces of bone scattered all over the walls and floor would be something to talk about. Or the blood foaming from a fallen enemies mouth while their entrails spew from their gut. I aim to blend the line between gaming and reality just enough in which no game has done before.
Menu System & Sensory Display:
Like many First Person Shooters that are out today, Xavier has no Heads Up Display. Do you have a HUD when you do your everyday tasks? Of course not. Again, I aim for realism; like you really are Michael Xavier Hyde. When you run, what do you do when you get really fatigued? You start to breathe heavy, irregular breaths, and in some cases, you might see "stars" because your brain is deprived of oxygen. What happens when you get seriously injured or hit in the head? Most the time your vision becomes blurry, you see red, your perception of reality and the things around you tend to get distorted, and like many of other times, you see those "stars" fly around. This is just an example of what I call the Sensory Display. But what about the games menu sytem? Do you have a menu in real life? Kind of. It's called your mind, and Michael has one, too. Press start, and instead of a menu popping up on your screen, time comes to an abrupt halt and you pull back from his eyes to enter his mind. Press the back button, and he will tilt his head and think of his imaginary Objectives List. Michael even has a conscience; his conscience will tell you what it thinks you should do, make little comments here and there, and later in the story, will conflict with itself. One little thing might tip you off, though, there is no crosshair. If you really want to aim, why don't you bring up your weapon and have a gander on down the ol' iron sights, or, for the fast paced action (will get more into the combat at a later time), turn on your laser sight. And what about looking around? Most games, to me, seem very static in that matter, it's like you are looking through a very steady camera. Hold the analog stick all the way to the left to look behind you while standing still will make Michaels neck turn, not his whole body. Spin a little more and his body will turn, too. This aspect of the game is a little hard to explain, so you will have to see what I am talking about in the future builds. But whatever happened to a characters body in a shooter? In most, it's totally absent. In Xavier, you look down and voila, Xavier has a body! Being able to see what weapons you have picked up, how many wounds Michael has upon his body, and what clothes you chose to wear really adds to the Sensory Display.
Combat:
There are two main parts of combat: Ranged combat and Melee combat. Most First Person Shooters incorporate these two in some way. Whether it be a lot of shooting and only a smidgen of melee combat (Halo series and others), or one that involves both, equally (Condemned series). I, again, intend to blur the lines, kind of blend the two into one. Fighting in Xavier, is a rather heated situation, one that will make your palms sweat. There is cover to be taken, enemies to be spotted, ammo to be checked all before you go into a fight. But once you enter that room or area, all bets are on you on how well you can aim, how fast you can shoot, and how many acrobatic combos you can pull off before taking a fatal hit. Speaking of acrobatic combos, double tapping the Y button on the Xbox controller will put you in a Jump Stall. It's not just any regular jump, it's one where time stalls and you have the slight moment to pull or push anywhere on the left analog stick to put you into a cart wheel, back flip, front flip, spin, and pretty much anything you can do standing still. But when you are moving or sprinting you can do different moves like a barrel role, a running gainer, wall walk, dive over an obstacle or person, etc. Now this whole acrobatic combination scenario isn't just for looks or being able to dodge enemy fire, you will do it so you have the upper hand on an enemy. Imagine the whole new gameplay aspect of shooting someone in slow motion upside down while doing a back flip or trying to fire at an enemy while doing a barrel role. Xavier is also a game about skill, and those who take the time to learn the deep combo system will be rewarded with a few surprises (i.e. running up to an enemy, doing a gainer, and instead of shooting them, you snap their neck in mid-air or grab their head, plant Michael's feet, swing them over head and slamming the help-less enemy's body into the ground). But I haven't left out the melee aspect of the game, which is one of the most brutal features of the game and one many people will use. The B button activates the melee combat. Pressing that while holding a pistol or rifle will make Michael pistol whip or use the butt of his rifle against an opponent. Holding the B button, however, will unsheath his trusty sword or Michael's very own mittens.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You cannot fight fire with fire, but you can make one hell of a glow." - Michael Xavier Hyde (December 1994)
Just looks awesome.
Do you have a releasedate in your mind (this is not an official question) and plz post some pics of the gameworld when ready.
I'm hoping for 2009-2010 release date, but this could change. But I will surely put some screenshots up. I will probably open up an official website/forum in the near future. I will surely keep you guys updated.
Most of you can brag about the fact that you are the first to know any information.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You cannot fight fire with fire, but you can make one hell of a glow." - Michael Xavier Hyde (December 1994)
I'm very fond of your idea. I'd like to say a few things, and then ask you a question.
Your aiming for realism, How will this effect gameplay alltogether.
I dont know about this game's gameplay exactly, it seems kind of bland.
How the game is played and its features on what to do is what Sells it. Makes people love it. And makes it fun all together.
No HUD? No Crosshair?
I know your aiming for realism. But If your going to do this , make sure its easy and fun to operate, and not stressful and annoying.
This if for your FPS mechanic of the game.
You were also talking about Melee combat.
With Xavier's sword etc, this is mixing Complex melee combat with FPS.
How much does the game depend on each of these?
Maybe players will find themselves just running and gunning. Instead of swordfighting etc.
-------------------------------------
Now for the last thing, and my big question for you.
You said, The Darkness came close to your idea for Xavier.
What exactly makes Xavier's gameplay unique and different. Seeing that the game itself is unique and different.
Take: The Darkness. Jackie is infected with The Darkness in this game. Giving him new powers. And Ultimatley: New Gameplay.
The darker it is, the more powerful Jackie's dark form is. The Darkness can break off from Jackie, going in small places to complete small mini games and puzzles etc. The Darkness is slowly taking him over. So he must find a way to control it "Advancing the Story".
This all blends in with its FPS aspect.
Also will Xavier just start off with all this open ended content and weapons?
Or will you slowly unlock it all, special moves and what not.
Or maybe RPG elements, to advance your character.
So the player can change Michael, and make him into a different class/play style to fit their own.
Like stat points or skills to choose from, to make Michale more effective in one area then the other, this makes replayability.
My question: Will Xavier have something like all of the above, like in most games to make it truley a unique and fun experience.
You have a great idea stealthy.
And I wish that you succeed in your dream, and I'll probly be buyin this one.
How will Xavier appeal to both the hardcore and casual gamers out there?
A: Xavier will capture both of these audiences very well, I believe. A hardcore gamer is someone who spends a lot of time in a certain game or prefers a game with complexity which takes significant time and practice. Whereas, a casual gamer can be found playing games across all genres and of varying levels of complexity and difficulty and may not devote the amount of time or practice to video games spent by hardcore gamers. Xavier has a deep and complex Combination system, both Acrobatic and Melee. So, for the hardcore audience who will want to play the longest and learn the best moves will be rewarded, unlike the casual gamer who will just learn the basics and "diddle-daddle" with whatever they have. Hardcore gamers, like myself, will devote their time to the leveling system, relating to most RPG's.
Quote from "Sessler" »
I'm very fond of your idea. I'd like to say a few things, and then ask you a question.
Your aiming for realism, How will this effect gameplay alltogether.
I dont know about this game's gameplay exactly, it seems kind of bland.
How the game is played and its features on what to do is what Sells it. Makes people love it. And makes it fun all together.
No HUD? No Crosshair?
I know your aiming for realism. But If your going to do this , make sure its easy and fun to operate, and not stressful and annoying.
This if for your FPS mechanic of the game.
You were also talking about Melee combat.
With Xavier's sword etc, this is mixing Complex melee combat with FPS.
How much does the game depend on each of these?
Maybe players will find themselves just running and gunning. Instead of swordfighting etc.
-------------------------------------
Now for the last thing, and my big question for you.
You said, The Darkness came close to your idea for Xavier.
What exactly makes Xavier's gameplay unique and different. Seeing that the game itself is unique and different.
Take: The Darkness. Jackie is infected with The Darkness in this game. Giving him new powers. And Ultimatley: New Gameplay.
The darker it is, the more powerful Jackie's dark form is. The Darkness can break off from Jackie, going in small places to complete small mini games and puzzles etc. The Darkness is slowly taking him over. So he must find a way to control it "Advancing the Story".
This all blends in with its FPS aspect.
Also will Xavier just start off with all this open ended content and weapons?
Or will you slowly unlock it all, special moves and what not.
Or maybe RPG elements, to advance your character.
So the player can change Michael, and make him into a different class/play style to fit their own.
Like stat points or skills to choose from, to make Michale more effective in one area then the other, this makes replayability.
My question: Will Xavier have something like all of the above, like in most games to make it truley a unique and fun experience.
You have a great idea stealthy.
And I wish that you succeed in your dream, and I'll probly be buyin this one.
A: Yes, Xavier will have many different genres mixed into one. Most game developers who try and do this end up making the whole game feel weak and dilluted, which makes for horrible reivews. I don't like horrible reviews. The reason for the large amount of employees will be for teams. Each team belongs to a specific genre, and if the whole team works together, this will cut back on stress, large work loads on certain people, and on the release date. The controls and gameplay are to benefit those skilled based players, since only a little bit of the game is based on chance, while those that aren't very interested in getting really good at a certain "skill" will be able to work very well with the basics. But as far as players that will want to run and gun more, you can do that if you choose; there are so many different options to take. The game wont really depend on doing a certain thing. You will be put into scenarios, and you will decide what to do. Oh, and about Xavier relating to The Darkness or vis-versa, I meant that there are only a few features that are "similar" to Xavier. Have I missed any questions?
Quote from "Doppelganger" »
I think you are comparing it to much to the Darkness.
I think Xavier is really about realism, and then i'm not talking realism like we see it in todays games wich is basically realism in graphics and sounds, not so much gameplay.
I am annoyed at how almost every gamedev goes for the wrong kind of realism and i always wanted to play a real realistic game whitout making it overly complex with a zilion commands.
Thats a bit what i'm expecting from Xavier, hope it turns out well.
Xavier will not be complex in the commands what-so-ever. It's either a press or a hold on a certain button on the controller. Those who will want an awesome combo, will need to learn the deep and 'complex' fighting system, just like a Fighting game (i.e. Hold and release Y, then press B, X, RTrigger, B, B, A, Y, etc.).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You cannot fight fire with fire, but you can make one hell of a glow." - Michael Xavier Hyde (December 1994)
All im trying to say is that this game realistic atmosphere should be accompanied with fun ambitious gameplay.
So it appeals to a bigger audience.
Of course there will be fun and ambitious gameplay. It wouldn't be a very good game if it didn't have those qualities, now would it? Xavier will be, in a sense, like every single game; an escape from reality. But with the realistic touch, it will feel like you are living another life, so to speak. A life where the consequences of your actions won't necessarily harm/effect you.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You cannot fight fire with fire, but you can make one hell of a glow." - Michael Xavier Hyde (December 1994)
To be honest, I think Xavier could be extremely popular online with just a simple Deathmatch multiplayer mode or something of the like. Realistic effects in a Deathmatch would be very interesting. If fans can develop their own maps and arenas and have a couple different competing options (such as capture the flag or team deathmatch), the game would have much success online I think.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
The pre-production game, Xavier, is shown and described by Stealthyfart. It has raised many people interests, as well as my own, and it left me no choice but to have a Q&A session with Stealthyfart (Daniel for short) to find things out for myself.
Since both Daniel and I figured the Q&A held some pretty good information, we though it would beneficial to share it with the community. Maybe this thread can spark up some more questions for Daniel, and help get the ball rolling.
NOTE: My questions are bolded, Daniel’s answers are not. Also remember the main character of Xavier is named Michael. May contain early spoilers.
1. Your game Xavier seems to have been created with the intentions of having a very realistic feel to it. As I'm sure you know, many people shun extreme reality in video games. How do you intended to appeal to that audience of gamers or change their mind?
Reality is what some game developers strive to achieve. These past generations of consoles and software have pushing the envelope in terms reality with their graphics (Doom 3's first screenshots blew everyone away with their realistic graphics for its time). I intend to create a game that takes that envelope and throws it across the table with its realistic graphics, gameplay, and sound. To create a gaming experience that will be unmatched. Being that there are problems for a video game being hyper realistic, I have made some adjustments for the realistic gore by making an option to turn it on or off. If a gamer chooses to not turn the option on or off, he/she will have the choice to be violent or not. In some instances, revenge changes a lot of peoples views of violence, whether it be in the news, movies, or video games. Senseless violence in video games (GTA series) is what turns some people off; but when there is a reason behind it, it seems to change some things. Xavier will be about choice and what you, as a person, would do in a certain situation.
2. The storyline. How does this game start out? What is the initial motivation that gets things rolling? And in what time period does it cover?
The game starts out in a dream, a kind of foreshadowing of what will happen. Michael is suddenly woken up by his phone, with Derek Johnson on the line (his informant and contract negotiator) telling Xavier that he has the final contract in order (a writ of assassination for Isabel Kain) and wants him to come in as soon as possible. Once he arrives and is armed and ready to go, Derek drives you to your destination. Things go as planned, but in due time, his actions come back to haunt him. Xavier starts out in the mid 90's and ends up in the near future (2015).
3. You mention how Andre Alejandras is envious of Michael's position. What position is that, and what does Andre want it for?
Michael is Phoenix Office's only hitman. Their main gun for hire. When a contract is in order, he is the first one on the scene. Andre has always wanted to be more than a Mercenary, a hitman, and to be that, he has to go through Xavier. He is a very jealous man and anything that he does is overseen by Michael's feats.
4. Concerning the reality of the game, anything could be used as a weapon, but what are the primary weapons in the game, for instance guns, knives, and chemicals?
In the shed in your back yard and at the office are Outfitting Rooms, huge areas filled with the weapons, body armor, and clothing that have been confiscated or found. However, in your shed, their are many chemicals that can cause horrible burns if mixed together correctly. But the basic equipment you have on you in the beginning are your two pistols and Michael's cherished double edged sword. As time changes, so does technology.
5. Another question dealing with the reality - if you die once, is the game completely over? Or can you load from a save point and start again? I would imagine the game being quite difficult and frustrating if you died from a lucky shot to your heart moments from the end.
There is a save feature in Xavier, I call it Mental Notes. If you press start and enter Michael's mind, by the pressing of a certain button, he will take a "Mental Note" of his surroundings, thus making a checkpoint to go back to if Michael dies. Once you have beaten the game, there will be new features called Memories and Wishes, which are easily accessed through Michael's mind.
6. What platforms do you wish to cover with Xavier?
I wish to cover either Microsoft's next generation console or the PC. Hopefully both, but only time will tell.
7. What company do you wish to develop Xavier under?
Rockstar, Bethesda Softworks, Ubisoft Montreal, 2K Games and even Blizzard have all been on my mind for production and development. But I plan on making my own company, even though I don't have the money or resources for it at the moment.
8. Will there be any multiplayer features in Xavier?
I am focused on single player gameplay for now. But I have put a bit of thought into multiplayer, and I hope that there will be time to make Cooperative modes, traditional and new Versus modes, and maybe my Chaos mode; a "room" of up to 8 people, running around and blowing stuff up.
9. A game of this magnitude will need lots of skilled workers and time. How large will your team be and roughly how long will it take to create Xavier?
I have recruited (not hired) nearly 175 talented team members, and I hope to get Xavier finished and ready to ship within the next 3 years.
10. Where does Xavier primarily take place, and is the world fully explorable? If so, how far can you go?
Xavier takes place in Washington, mostly in Seattle. But towards the end of the game, you will be traveling to New York and Los Angeles. My dream is to bring a fully explorable Washington to gamers around the world.
11. You mention there is a holding facility in Xavier's back yard for weapons and things, but will there be a garage for vehicles and other prized possessions?
Michael's house is fully explorable and interactive, along with his property and garage. Since the car that you start out with breaks down, you have the choice to buy, steal, or borrow another car which can be stored in your garage. And if you have the money, you can buy other storage facilities to store your novelties and other cars.
12. Will you be able to customize the looks of the main character, Michael?
Michael will look like he does in the concept art. But just like Frank from Dead Rising, you will be able to dress him any way you see fit. Depending on what you wear, the game world will react to that, this gives Xavier that more realistic touch.
13. Will the engine of Xavier spawn any more interesting modifications?
I look forward to see what people will do with the Xavier engine. Although I haven't mapped out the plans for supporting the Mod community, I certainly will implement a feature once the game ships. I definitely want to include an easy to use Map Editor because people will want to make cities, houses, sky scrapers, huge landscapes, etc. To be able to search for and download your city or town will give the game an extra long shelf life and an even broader audience.
14. Since Xavier strives to be the closest game to compare to reality, will there be realistic effects and destructive environments?
I have been looking into Geographical Modification Engines. I have also had a talk with my programmers about fully destructible environments. Most developers say they have this feature, but it usually comes out feeling weak or totally absent. Red Faction, in my opinion, was the closest game to having fully destructible environments. We have also discussed realistic smoke and fire effects, since fire will play a major role in Xavier. Imagine, fire that spreads and grows into huge infernos.
15. And finally, what is the most exciting part for you while you continue to create Xavier?
The most exciting thing is, is seeing my dream finally become a reality. And mostly, the thought of people being able to play my creation in the near future, is something that gets me up in the mornings.
Vote:
http://www.diablofans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17929
"Cards and flowers on your window, your friends all plead for you to stay,
sometimes beginnings aren't so simple, sometimes goodbye's the only way."
Yes, I know this now, and I have come to the conclusion that it would be best to start my own company. I still have yet to come up with a name.
I'll just do my own questions on here from now...
Q: Will the damage system be realistic? Will weapons be realistic?
"Cards and flowers on your window, your friends all plead for you to stay,
sometimes beginnings aren't so simple, sometimes goodbye's the only way."
A: Yes, the damage and weapons will be more realistic than most games. If you want more stopping power, just load up your weapons with hollow point ammunition. Or, if you would like to bring a knife to a gun fight (which can be used very effectively once your Adrenaline is at a peak), just grab the other swords that are in the Outfitting Rooms. You definitely don't want to be standing and shooting in a gun fight; instead, use cover, run slightly crouched, use your Acrobatic Combos to make it harder for you to be hit, and maybe use stealth to avoid chaotic gun fights altogether. You might think it would make the game easier if you were to shoot someone in the "kill" areas (i.e. torso and head), but really they are almost as skilled of a marksman as you would be, so you will have to take your time and use cover to your advantage. Some other "kill" areas would be Bleed Out spots, such as the neck, upper leg, and lower arm. Might I add, there is no "Easy" mode in Xavier, my creation will be very challenging.
But for the second part of your question... that one is totally up to Stealthy.
Btw that all was a compliment to you Stealthy
"Cards and flowers on your window, your friends all plead for you to stay,
sometimes beginnings aren't so simple, sometimes goodbye's the only way."
I have always dreamed of having my own company. Hostile Studios was the preferred name.
Yes, it was very tough to get the ball rolling. It all started out with a hot summer day, I sat down with a pencil in my hand and came up with a character. I thought, 'What should I name this fellow?' and it hit me, Michael Xavier Hyde. It just kind of played out from there.
A: I really had no inspiration. Being that I am a gamer, I wanted to make something that made me happy and, in turn, every single gamer out there. But the closest game that even scratches the surface of Xavier is The Darkness. I have yet to play it, but judging from the videos I have seen, it looks to slightly resemble Xavier. For example: how Jackie is a hitman and is bestowed with an evil power, the way the point of view is set back so you can see more of his arms, how Jackie's body interacts with the environment, and of coure, the gore.
(Recap)
Overview: Even though the game is completely in first-person (no cutscenes what-so-ever, since there aren't any in real life) and being able to do whatever you want will actually feel like you are controlling somebody. But, doing what ever you would like to do has consequences. If you were to run your car into another doing 100+, Michael probably won't survive and thus that is "game over" (or life over, if you will). Doing this will cause a Death Scene, everything will be slowed down and you will be able to see bones break under the impact of the collision, his blood being spattered across the windows, and his car being crumpled and totalled all in real time.
Think of the game as a giant tree. The trunk being the beginning/origin of all things, and the different branches being the many different Death Scenes, plot turns, and the different things you can do (i.e. raiding a nuclear facility to become telekinetic but ultimately dying from the radiation, traveling to a secret military base, being arrested and put in prison, etc.). And finally the tip-top being the 5 main endings.
I'm hoping for 2009-2010 release date, but this could change. But I will surely put some screenshots up. I will probably open up an official website/forum in the near future. I will surely keep you guys updated.
Most of you can brag about the fact that you are the first to know any information.
"Cards and flowers on your window, your friends all plead for you to stay,
sometimes beginnings aren't so simple, sometimes goodbye's the only way."
Your aiming for realism, How will this effect gameplay alltogether.
I dont know about this game's gameplay exactly, it seems kind of bland.
How the game is played and its features on what to do is what Sells it. Makes people love it. And makes it fun all together.
No HUD? No Crosshair?
I know your aiming for realism. But If your going to do this , make sure its easy and fun to operate, and not stressful and annoying.
This if for your FPS mechanic of the game.
You were also talking about Melee combat.
With Xavier's sword etc, this is mixing Complex melee combat with FPS.
How much does the game depend on each of these?
Maybe players will find themselves just running and gunning. Instead of swordfighting etc.
-------------------------------------
Now for the last thing, and my big question for you.
You said, The Darkness came close to your idea for Xavier.
What exactly makes Xavier's gameplay unique and different. Seeing that the game itself is unique and different.
Take: The Darkness. Jackie is infected with The Darkness in this game. Giving him new powers. And Ultimatley: New Gameplay.
The darker it is, the more powerful Jackie's dark form is. The Darkness can break off from Jackie, going in small places to complete small mini games and puzzles etc. The Darkness is slowly taking him over. So he must find a way to control it "Advancing the Story".
This all blends in with its FPS aspect.
Also will Xavier just start off with all this open ended content and weapons?
Or will you slowly unlock it all, special moves and what not.
Or maybe RPG elements, to advance your character.
So the player can change Michael, and make him into a different class/play style to fit their own.
Like stat points or skills to choose from, to make Michale more effective in one area then the other, this makes replayability.
My question: Will Xavier have something like all of the above, like in most games to make it truley a unique and fun experience.
You have a great idea stealthy.
And I wish that you succeed in your dream, and I'll probly be buyin this one.
I did abit didnt I..well.
I meant to provide an example. And I exampled The Darkness Just because he said it was close to his idea of Xavier.
All im trying to say is that this game realistic atmosphere should be accompanied with fun ambitious gameplay.
So it appeals to a bigger audience.
To find the truth, you must risk everything.
A: Xavier will capture both of these audiences very well, I believe. A hardcore gamer is someone who spends a lot of time in a certain game or prefers a game with complexity which takes significant time and practice. Whereas, a casual gamer can be found playing games across all genres and of varying levels of complexity and difficulty and may not devote the amount of time or practice to video games spent by hardcore gamers. Xavier has a deep and complex Combination system, both Acrobatic and Melee. So, for the hardcore audience who will want to play the longest and learn the best moves will be rewarded, unlike the casual gamer who will just learn the basics and "diddle-daddle" with whatever they have. Hardcore gamers, like myself, will devote their time to the leveling system, relating to most RPG's.
A: Yes, Xavier will have many different genres mixed into one. Most game developers who try and do this end up making the whole game feel weak and dilluted, which makes for horrible reivews. I don't like horrible reviews. The reason for the large amount of employees will be for teams. Each team belongs to a specific genre, and if the whole team works together, this will cut back on stress, large work loads on certain people, and on the release date. The controls and gameplay are to benefit those skilled based players, since only a little bit of the game is based on chance, while those that aren't very interested in getting really good at a certain "skill" will be able to work very well with the basics. But as far as players that will want to run and gun more, you can do that if you choose; there are so many different options to take. The game wont really depend on doing a certain thing. You will be put into scenarios, and you will decide what to do. Oh, and about Xavier relating to The Darkness or vis-versa, I meant that there are only a few features that are "similar" to Xavier. Have I missed any questions?
Xavier will not be complex in the commands what-so-ever. It's either a press or a hold on a certain button on the controller. Those who will want an awesome combo, will need to learn the deep and 'complex' fighting system, just like a Fighting game (i.e. Hold and release Y, then press B, X, RTrigger, B, B, A, Y, etc.).
Of course there will be fun and ambitious gameplay. It wouldn't be a very good game if it didn't have those qualities, now would it? Xavier will be, in a sense, like every single game; an escape from reality. But with the realistic touch, it will feel like you are living another life, so to speak. A life where the consequences of your actions won't necessarily harm/effect you.