Following on the heels of its successful videogame based on Disney Pictures blockbuster, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Disney Interactive Studios and developer Traveler's Tales are collaborating on the second live-action adaptation of author C.S. Lewis' beloved Narnia works. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian game will ship in May 2008 in conjunction with Disney Pictures' theatrical release that summer for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Nintendo DS. (Disney-owned Fall Line Studio is creating the Nintendo DS game.)
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According to Samantha Parker, producer of the game at Disney Interactive Studios, the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian will feature even more collaboration between the filmmakers and the game creators than the first venture.
"Just as there is continuity between the crews involved in the first and second films, there is also with those responsible for making the video games," said Parker. "As such, the relationships formed during the making of the first film will be built upon. In regards to the video game's development, there are elements of the land of Narnia and the characters, which we are now more familiar with. Our intention is to develop those characters in line with the film narrative but also to put their abilities to the test in situations not directly portrayed in the film."
Parker said Traveler's Tales also has access to the assets they used to generate the first game, but now the developer can re-visit those models in the context of next generation hardware. She added that their hope is to create even closer video game representations of the amazing creative content depicted in the film.
The new game is being developed in tandem with the big budget movie and the creative teams from the film side have opened the doors to the interactive team.
"We work closely with the filmmakers in terms of content," said Parker. "There is a steady stream of assets, which we use to build the content of our game. Particularly with the creatures and the characters. The better the reference we get, the more we can faithfully represent them in the video game. The same goes for the locations, although there is an amount of deviation when the game warrants it; some of the film's sets just aren't big or complex enough to allow for exciting gameplay."
With many more Hollywood creatives now familiar with video games, Parker said the filmmakers consequently give the game makers the latitude where they believe it will benefit the game. She said they understand that gamers have different needs that they need to cater for.
"Obviously, we get to see the script and physical assets taken from the shoot itself, as well as some bespoke items," said Parker. " In Prince Caspian, we are intentionally building out some of the story elements alluded to but not shown in the game or the book. Similarly, where the game will not do justice to set pieces in the film, we won't try to emulate these scenes, but we'll be sure they're included in some form."
One thing that the new game will bring to the table is next generation processing power. Parker said the new consoles give game developers the opportunity to be able to re-create the film experience more faithfully. In addition, she said words like "epic" are no longer aspirational.
"We are able to take source assets from the film and use them directly in our games with greater effect.," said Parker "For the player, the experience becomes more akin to exploration rather than a guided tour and now more at their own discretion. Ultimately, all of this leads to greater immersion."
Parker said the goal for the new game is to include the film voice talent wherever possible. The game will also feature the likenesses of the actors. "There are even plans in the pipeline to create sequences, unique to the video game, using some of the actors and sets from the film," said Parker.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian will allow players to assume the role of 20 different characters from the film, including non-human Narnians. In addition, the game supports two-player, drop-in/drop-out cooperative gameplay.
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