Rob Atkins is the Ritual president, and also one hell of an artist. We checked up with him to see if we could get any info on the game Ritual is currently working on.
Rob dude, just wtf are you guys working on?
Good question! Not really sure myself sometimes…
What I'm able to share (because pre-hyping sucks, right?)… the title is being developed for EA. It was in pre-production for over 3 years internally before they handed it to Ritual Entertainment. Richard Hilleman and Terry Smith, along with a few others, are the brain trust behind the concept. Our very own, Tom Mustaine is leading game design on the project.
It's primarily a FPS, but there are other gameplay types to keep it interesting.
We have built even more cool stuff onto the FAKK\Q3 tech, which by the way is used in American's \ Rogues' Alice and 2015's Metal of Honor, something that we are very proud of considering how outstanding both these games look.
Even though the tech in this game just so happens to be the best thing out there (IMHO), the hand full of tech enhancements we've made all center around story and gameplay. This time around, it's the content and storytelling that we get to focus our energy towards.
That means our programming team gets to concentrate on making the game fun, not chasing down bugs.
Any idea when the game might be announced?
Not really sure? With this title being an EA owned property, they sorta run the show when it comes to PR and Marketing. I have no doubt that when the time is right, the press release will come… and in the days to follow, the community will get sick of us uploading screenshots and LEVELORD doing silly interviews about how cool he (our game) is…
Personally, I'm glad that we are not talking to press on a daily basis already about the game. It leaves us more time to make the darn thing.
Seems like a lot of games these days are going the multiplayer or singleplayer way, instead of both. What about your upcoming project?
Yep, that is the way. Makes sense, they are totally different types of games to develop. Getting one mode correct is hard enough, both simultaneously can be a total nightmare. That is unless you are a masochistic company like Ritual Entertainment… who needs sleep, family time and sunlight? We've got games to create!
What was the question again? Multiplayer, right right … Yes. We are going to have multiplayer! There you go, something new about the game.
Besides this one unannounced project, are there other unannounced projects you guys are working on? Console stuff, or anything?
Right now, the tribe is working hard on EA's baby… she is so needy. The early morning breast feedings are the worse. My nipples stay sore.
According to the Ritual website there are now 8 artists working at Ritual. What does this mean for graphics in the next title compared to the art in SiN and Heavy Metal: FAKK2?
It's more like 10-11 artist. A few of these guys also pull double duty as level designers. There are some drawbacks (pun intended) of a big art team. It means I'm spending more time making list and that hated word, "manage."
(eyes start to glaze over)
Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy! Making list makes Robert a dull boy!
Not really. It would take more than list making to mellow me out… the big problem, list making cuts into my porn download time.
Sure having a large art team will result in killer graphics, but most importantly, the level of creativity which has gone up company wide with the addition of the new team members. In many ways, Ritual has always been an artist driven company, that's one of the major reasons our games are beautiful. However, it's the uniqueness of the ideas and style of our games that set Ritual apart.
By the time this product ships it will be the best looking game Ritual has created and that's saying something considering, but it's often the process that we go trough as developers that dictates the success of the product. The key is to surround yourself with people who have similar passions, work ethics, mucho talent and above they must be able to think creatively.
It's taken five years, but Ritual finally has the right mix of people and the results will prove it.
How's Sally doing these days?
The poor dear is doing good, but really tired… it's been a real shock to her system with all the new tribesmen hitting on her. Some of these guys don't really know how to treat a lady.
And are you able to keep Eric Fowler away from Sally?
The question should be, how to keep Eric from the pizza? This guy would knock his own grandmother down for a slice of pepperoni. The way he stacks his plate, leaves you wondering… can you say "tapeworm."
How was E3 for you guys now that you finally didn't have to show a game?
Best E3 ever!!! I am so glad that I let the guys talk me into going. Not showing was so nice… it's darn hard to talk about something for 8 hours a day without a break. The only thing that makes it bearable is the positive feedback you receive when showing your game, which I did miss.
However, not showing, allowed us time to relax, check out games, smooze and talk biz with the suits. Not to mention party with friends, sleep in late and laugh at CliffyB's ridiculous pimpdaddy suits. I kept waiting for Ice-T to show up and start filming an installment of HBO's "Pimps Up and Hos Down."
Let's not forget, there was more time to hit on the school girls at God's Promise Lot.
Well, that's it for now. There are only so many things you can ask when the game is unannounced. But you can be sure, if there's any more info concerning this game, you'll see it here first.
