This is an interview with Dave Stalker (Fox producer of AvP and AvP2) with Sadogoat. Although it mostly relates to AvP2, it is extremely interesting in regard to what Fox and the public eye saw as successful and unsuccessful with Aliens versus Predator, and it also contains insightful information on how Monolith was chosen for AvP2.
Link: http://web.archive.org/web/20020806110644/http://www.avpnews.com/community/interviews/dsint1.html
Interview with Dave Stalker
Conducted by Sadogoat, April 2001
Dave Stalker is a very elusive individual - and even when cornered, he's as cryptic as a top-level Weyland Yutani transmission. But still, we managed to hijack one of Fox's infamous black vans and drag Dave kicking and screaming into one of our virtual interrogation booths. With the threatened physical application of our facehugging mascot, Gordon, to Dave's "ain't gonna tell" expression, we managed to worm some information out of him about the highly-anticipated Aliens Vs Predator 2.
A huge thanks to Dave for taking time out to answer our questions, and also to Pezman for making it happen.
SG: Hello again, Dave – I believe it's been at least since late 1999 that we last chatted and now we find you still effectively 'joined at the hip' to the AvP gaming franchise.AvP2– to all reports – is coming along nicely. Are you happy with it's progress so far, and is everything still on track?
DS: Everything's going along swimmingly! We're moving along as we've intended and are hoping for a good showing when E3 rolls around.
SG: What made Fox decide on bringing Monolith in as the development crew for AvP2? Amusingly, I seem to recall a Predator's trophy room (with Alien skulls) making a 'cameo' appearance in Monolith's old Blood 2: The Chosen title. Almost prophetic, you might say?
DS: Heheheh! You can't throw a rock in this industry without finding people that LOVE Aliens and Predators…that's because we all have incredibly good taste in our sci-fi action movies! While Rebellion busied themselves with AvP Gold and the downloadable levels, we sought a team with the right kind of technology and the right kind of energy to bring AvP2 to reality.
SG: Looking around the AvP community, it seems Aliens Versus Predator 2 is constantly (and inevitably) being weighed up against Monolith's last FPS, No-One Lives Forever. Aside from the fact that NOLF used an earlier version of the LithTech engine, in what other areas do you feel that AvP2 will improve dramatically on its spy-shooter predecessor?
DS: Well…I think it's hard to improve on a game that has such an impressive Scotsman in it :) but we've certainly tried to come up with goods for AvP2! Seriously, NOLF isn't really a predecessor of AvP2; I don't think the two games can be fairly compared. I mean…it's not like Cate Archer was ever going to start climbing walls or using thermographic vision now is it! Hahahahahahaha…
(Note to self: talk to Chris Miller re: Cate being able to walk on walls with thermographic vision)
SG: It's been said that AvP2 will be a lot less 'hectic' than it's predecessor – in other words, it will have a lot more pacing and less constant 'in-your-face', Quake-style gameplay (which seems to have divided the AvP community in terms of preference). So does this mean we can expect a pace not far removed from other story-based shooters like NOLF and Half-Life?
DS: I don't think it's going to be SLOOOOW but I think you will find there's more of a ramp up in hectocity and inyerfaciousness. William Westwater and the gang at Monolith are very conscious of the fact that AvP lost some people by being WAY too steep with its curve.
SG: Some concern has been raised over NOLF's multiplayer facilities, which some have stated were somewhat lacking. The original AvP also had it's own share of problems. Can we expect a much-improved multiplayer facility in AvP2? And what priority is it receiving – in terms of attention – in contrast to the single-player game? There's been talk of ten playable character types across the three species and other new features. Can you elaborate on some of these?
DS: Monolith has spent (and is continuing to spend) a lot of attention to the multiplayer side of things. Improvements that have been made to NOLF will find their way into AvP2 as well as new requirements and improvements necessitated by the game.
SG: Will we see the return of original AvP multiplayer modes such as Co-Op, Skirmish, Alien & Predator Tag, and Species Deathmatch?
DS: Some will make it this time…some won't. We've got some cool new stuff cooking as well.
SG: NOLF introduced a lot of fancy gadgets in addition to the range of weaponry. Now it seems AvP2 will enjoy similar additions – such as the Marine's hand welder, an electronic lockpick, the shoulder lamp (much missed from the first AvP) and other goodies. Will these play an important role in the game? And can you tell us about some of the gadgetry that the Predator will receive?
DS: Well…all the Marine stuff you mentioned is going to be TOTALLY crucial. There will be situations where you need to use the torch to cut through to gain access…and that's gonna get puh-retty hairy if there's Aliens coming towards you at the time. Likewise you're going to have to seal doors and vents behind you using that welder to keep them from piling up at your back.
At this point we don't really want to say too much about Preddy's gadgets…but I think you'll dig 'em!
SG: The story picks up not long after the Hadley's Hope incident and sees a scientist named Eisenberg establishing a research base on LV-1201 where an ancient Alien Hive has been discovered. Then, in time-honoured fashion, the Aliens escape and go on the rampage again. I assume since early reports indicated that the storyline would receive a higher prority in this sequel that there will be many unexpected plot-twists and developments to enhance the basic premise?
DS: Monolith has crafted a single story told from three different perspectives that takes place at the same time in the same place. We're thrilled with how this has come together. As much as I love it, AvP1 was kind of invent-your-own-story. This time we're really trying to tell you a cool tale of these three species.
SG: Will Eisenberg be a Dr Wren-ish style character who will be the chief (human) villain and opponent in the game?
DS: Well…he IS very driven and intense and he is trying to study Aliens but does that make him a bad guy…?
SG: Some of the screenshots that have been floating around suggest that elements from the Alien quartet of films have been merged in with the new and original content. For example, one shot has shown a very Nostromo-ish interior. Will there be many direct movie references in the game? Maybe there will be some movie-based multiplayer levels as well?
DS: Monolith has approached the art style with a view to making it cohesive so it seems like the world you see in this game is the same world that you've seen in the movies. There are some features and styles that are reminiscent of things that you've seen before to give you the feeling that all these tales take place in the same universe.
SG: How will the levels be laid out in comparison to the original AvP? I understand that this time around, they will effectively 'overlap' each other at certain points. Can you elaborate on this concept?
DS: The three 'campaigns' start at different times and in different places but they sometimes overlap in time and location as they all move towards their end points.
SG: I understand there will be seven levels for each species – but with each broken down into "chapters" as in NOLF? I always felt that the original AvP somehow felt a little 'short'.
DS: It's the ole "3-for-1" deal. We don't have time (or money) to make 3 full-sized games in one package. The differences in weapons, abilities and styles of gameplay of the three species make for a lot of challenges along the road. We're never going to try and con you that this is three big games but I definitely think it's one nicely proportioned game with three incredibly cool characters that you get to play as…which is good, right?
SG: There seems to be a lot more variety in environments this time around. We've seen the surface of LV-1201 and the interior of the research base – but there's also been mention of an assault cruiser, a volcanic plateau, the obligatory Alien Hive and other hinted locales. Will we perhaps see underwater areas this time too? AvP had wonderful water effects – but they were never used for much more than mere paddling pools.
DS: Yes, there are some VERY different environments in the game that I think people will really get of on and, yes, we have water plans!
SG: NOLF was noted for the often humorous tones used in the storyline and dialogue. Will AvP2 contain any of the dry humour from the films perhaps? Biting one-liners? Maybe the sort of comical heroics and gung-ho bravado shown by Hudson in Aliens?
DS: Although very different in tone from NOLF, Aliens has some of the coolest, funniest, most enjoyable lines I've ever heard in a movie. I think you'll find…let's say…'appropriate' amounts of humour in AvP2.
SG: It seems the Marine and Predator will be receiving buffed-up arsenals for this new title - how will the Alien be compensated? Many fans have suggested the option to "cocoon" enemies (first used in the original 1994 Jaguar game). Given that quite a few modern FPS titles (like the Thief series, for example) allow you to pick up and carry enemies, has this idea been considered for AvP2? In essence, how will the careful balance between the species be achieved this time?
DS: Let's just say that you DO get to do stuff as the Alien that you NEVER have before…maybe not exactly what you mention but some sweeeet stuff.
SG: One thing I noticed about the Smart Gun in the original AvP is that it had no vision-based infrared targeting (as seen in Aliens and described in the Colonial Marines Technical Manual). Many people also wondered about the lack of audio waveform analyser in the Predator's vision modes (ie. The 'distortion' of sounds from the Predator films). You seem to be opting for a more 'realistic' or 'faithful' approach to the Aliens universe this time around – does this mean features like this have made it this time around? Or at least have they been considered?
DS: Oh! Believe me ALL things have been considered…they may not make it IN but they have been bloody well considered to death :). The smart-gun wouldn't really make much sense against Aliens with the IR-tracking ("Maybe these things don't show up on infrared at all.") so we've always fudged that one a little.
SG: Will and yourself mentioned in the recent CGM interview that the Predator's netgun was the most requested weapon voiced by fans. I would have thought it was the Predator's spear (or "combi-stick") – at least according to opinions in the AvP community forums. I understand both will actually appear in AvP2?
DS: I don't think I remember talking about the combi-stick. Hey William! Did you mention the combi-stick? Hmmm…we'll have to see if we could squeeze that in there. :)
[Interviewer's Note: Since this interview was conducted, the Predator spear HAS been seen in video footage of AvP2 as an actual player weapon]
SG: I also hear talk (some of it from Will himself) that the Marine won't be so alone this time around – he'll be able to communicate with other human characters in the game. Considering this seems to be a chief feature of Check Six's forthcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines on the PS2, to what extent has it been implemented in AvP2? In other words, how comprehensive will the ability to communicate be?
DS: Oops…it's plug-time!! The Producer on ACM is Chris Miller (formerly AvP1's Associate Producer AND, more recently, the Producer of NOLF) and the Associate Producer is former AvP1 Lead Test, Aaron Blean…so you KNOW that is gonna rock! Squad comms & behaviour is a special focus of ACM, so you won't see as much of that in AvP2…but we WILL see the main character interacting, helping and being helped by buddies. By the way…don't worry that those guys aren't directly on AvP anymore because we have Peerless Paul Pawlicki as AP and Groovy Glenn Dphrepaulezz as Lead Test…and Krazy Igor Krinitskiy always keeps his beady eye on us! Hmmm…how many more Fox Staffers could I mention in one answer???? :)
SG: As you may remember, one gripe that often came up regarding the original AvP game (from myself included) was the omission of long-time Aliens universe staples such as Chestbursters and Eggs that hatched Facehuggers. This time around, will the full Alien life-cycle be represented in AvP2?
DS: Fuckin' "A"!
SG: On the subject of Facehuggers and Chestbursters, will it be possible for the Marine and Predator to be actually impregnated – as was done in Argonaut's Alien Resurrection on the PSX?
DS: Well yeah…but you'd die. Don't go looking for no fancy AutoDoc to help you out in AvP2. If you're impregnated…you're dead!
SG: I also understand that there are also more different strains of Alien in this sequel, other than the returning PredAlien from the original game?
DS: There sure are!
SG: A lot of people are asking about the strange arachnid-like creatures shown in the GDC tech demo footage, as well as the gas-spitting plants. Personally, I've assumed these were added to bring more variety to the game than just Alien, Predator, and Human opponents – was this the intent behind the decision to introduce them? And what exactly are these creatures actually called?
DS: They're one of the indigenous lifeforms from LV-1201. They're called 'Spindlicus Spideroficus'.
SG: In NOLF, you provided the voice for Scottish heavy, Magnus Armstrong (a nod to "Fat Bastard" from Austin Powers 2?). Will you be doing any cameo voice-work for AvP2 as well? Is there such thing as a Scottish Predator and what does it wear underneath its kilt?
DS: Oh shucks…you noticed that was me?? There are currently no plans for a repeat performance in AvP2 but I DID suggest that one of Armstrong's descendant's could put in an appearance! If Monolith would like me to consider that role, they know how to contact my agent.
SG: Anyone who saw the tech demo footage at Gamespot has seen the Custom Level screen in the game – which obviously suggests the unlike it's predecessor, AvP2 will be customisable from the outset. Will AvP2 ship with a level editor (like Unreal), or will that be released online afterwards? Or is that still dependant on time constraints at this point?
DS: It'll happen…not sure yet exactly when but it WILL happen.
SG: Is there any sort of plan to release a trilogy of game demos this time around, as with the first game?
DS: Stuff like this will be finalised with our whoever our co-publishing partner is but I'd kind of like to go that route again.
SG: Worries have been expressed about system requirements to run AvP2 – especially in view of the fact that NOLF could be quite resource-hungry. At a rough estimate, can you give us a set of minimal specs that would be needed to enjoy a decent game of AvP2?
DS: I'm don't think it's been announced but if you thought NOLF-like you probably wouldn't be far wrong…it IS LithTech after all…it's unlikely to change THAT much and it is one year on from NOLF's release.
SG: Although AvP2 is being developed for the PC at the moment, early talk suggested it would also appear on Sony's Playstation 2 console – and, to a lesser extent – possibly Microsoft's X-Box. Do you think there will be any ports to other formats, or is that still up in the air at the moment?
DS: Mmmm…next generation console… We'll see!
SG: Do you still keep up to date with goings-on regarding the original AvP game? Although all eyes are now hinged on the forthcoming sequel, several modification projects such as AMP and Invasion are still in development in order to inject a little life back into the first game. Have you watched these at all, or do your current projects demand your full-time focus?
DS: If I miss stuff, Pezman does a great job of bringing it to my attention. I love the fact that there are people who are still working with the admittedly tricky-to-modify AvP1! I love you guys!!! I hope you find the transition to AvP2 one that makes your lives MUCH easier and I look forward to seeing the cool stuff you put out there!
SG: Fox Interactive seems quite intent on really pushing the Alien franchise lately. We've had Aliens Versus Predator (PC), Alien Resurrection (PSX), Aliens: Thanatos Encounter (Gameboy), and we've got more titles forthcoming, including AvP2 (PC) and Aliens: Colonial Marines (PS2). It seems – like Capcom and their Resident Evil series – that Fox are trying to expose the Aliens to fans all modern gaming formats. Given that there's been no new Alien/Predator films for four years now, why do you think Fox has suddenly brought the franchises screaming back into production on the videogame front?
DS: It's a really simple and short answer: because they are SO effing cool! People love these characters and they deserve the GREAT treatment they've been getting in these games!
SG: Do you have any thoughts on Aliens: Colonial Marines at all? It's interesting that it's being developed by a team consisting of many ex-Activision members – given that Activision used to be the chief licence holder of the Aliens and Predator franchises before Fox Interactive came onto the scene. You have an advisory position of sorts on A:CM's development. Are you happy with the way it's coming along? Is it comparable in any way with what you're doing with AvP2?
DS: As mentioned above, ACM is in very capable hands, both at Fox and at Check Six. There's some really cool stuff coming in that game…just you wait!
SG: What are your thoughts on the recent explosion of Alien 5 and Aliens Vs Predator movie rumors? I assume you've heard or read Sigourney Weaver's comments on the current interest shown by Twentieth Century Fox in making an Aliens Vs Predator movie at long last. Do you think it'll make it this time around, after the failure of the "Briggs Project" almost a decade ago? Is there anything you'd like to see in it? And do you think – hypothetically- that an Aliens Vs Predator 3 game may even be a tie-in to an actual movie?
DS: I think there was perhaps a fear that it would be too cheesy to have a crossover movie. There was probably (and it's pure speculation on my part) a question of economics here as well. For example: if you make a Superman movie and a Batman movie and they both make tons of money wouldn't you keep making separate movies even though people would really love to see a Superman & Batman movie?
I think may have been the wisdom at the time of Peter Briggs script (which of course was based on the great Dark Horse comic book series) but I think things are different now...
I think we've shown with the games that the crossover can be handled in a really cool way, not at all cheesy and that there's a definite shot in the arm for both of these franchises by putting them together.
SG: Is there any further comments you like to add? Any advice you'd like to provide to the slavering fans out there in the community?
DS: Check those corners!
SG: Well, I'd like to thank you for your time and input. From what has been seen so far, Aliens Versus Predator 2 is shaping up to be a very remarkable game – quite possibly the 'dream game' that many fans of the franchises have been waiting for. We wish you the best of luck.
DS: Well, we keep on trying. We may never make the 'perfect' game but we think we come a little closer every time. Spread the word!