Since Acclaim Studios, the developers of the previous Turok games, has ceased operations, it was only a matter of time before another video game developer picked up the torch to guide the Native American hero Turok back from extinction. Buena Vista's Propaganda Games development arm, based in Vancouver, B.C., has been announced as the studio responsible for new Turok: Dinosaur Hunter adventures.The GlobeandMail.com website features an interview conducted in Los Angeles at the recent E3 Entertainment Expo with Josh Holmes, Studio General Manager, Jorge Freitas, Director of Technology, and Howard Donaldson, Vice-President of Studio Operations.
Q: Turok was with Acclaim for the longest time, and Acclaim is no longer with us. It's been a rough ride for Turok fans, and they're probably a little worried. What would you like to say to the fans to reassure them?
Josh Holmes: "I think if you look at the history of the Turok franchise, when it first came out on the N64 it was an amazing game. It was the first game to really get it right as a console first-person shooter, which is something a lot of people forgot with the advent of GoldenEye. Turok was there first and really nailed it."
"From there, the franchise kind of lost its way and I think we all know where it's been. We're looking at it from a fresh new perspective. We want to totally reinvent, reinvigorate the franchise. We're wiping the slate clean and starting again anew. We think there's a lot of opportunity to incorporate some of the signature elements of the Turok games, but presented in a way we think is going to surprise a lot of people."
Jorge Freitas: "I think [gamers] should be excited about a new developer having it. We've been all been working in the industry for a really long time, we are fans of the series, so we're going to be sensitive to what other fans are going to be expecting. So don't worry. Be excited."
Sounds like Turok is aligned with some great creative talent. Read the article for more insight on the direction of the franchise. Also stay tuned for a special edition of the Paleo-Path articles where I'll discuss the history of dinosaurs in video games!
Turok is © its current copyright holder. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter image courtesy of The Grand Comics Database Project.
