The upcoming Rat Race surprised everyone when it was announced a few weeks ago. Now, Greg Easley and the rest of the Rat Race team must figure out the finer points of comedy, as they venture into new, unknown territory. See our exclusive interview below.
The game is currently announced for PS3. Do you intend on keeping it a PS3 exclusive, or will it appear on XBLA as well?
Rat Race is a first-party Sony title and will remain a PS3 exclusive.
What was the inspiration for an episodic comedy game?
Back when we were a tiny startup, a friend of the company suggested we avoid traditional genres and set our sights on making a totally original game. Knowing what our engine could do, he suggested setting the game in an office and incorporating over-the-top comedy. It didn't take long to figure out nearly everyone on the planet has funny and outrageous office stories to tell. (Don't you? Admit it!) We realized that with material this rich we should just go for it.
Did the team originally intend on an episodic model?
One of our primary goals from the beginning was to make the video game experience feel like a TV show, especially sitcoms. We wrote and designed Rat Race as a series of individual episodes, so it wasn't a huge leap to offer those episodes on the PSN. We are huge fans of digital delivery, and the instant gratification of clicking, downloading and owning a game.
How do you view the success of a game like "Sam & Max," which is also an episodic comedy game? Do you view the franchise as a direct competitor?
We're glad to have Sam & Max out there creating awareness for the episodic model, but we don't think of it as a competitor to Rat Race. First, Rat Race is less of a traditional adventure game, and more like an interactive sitcom: our goal is to give you the experience of "playing" inside your favorite TV show. Second, Rat Race is a console game at heart and we believe the gameplay strongly reflects this.
What kind of gameplay will be featured in the game?
As I mentioned above, the gameplay is console friendly and occasionally intense. Just because the action takes place inside an office doesn't mean all hell doesn't break lose. In addition to various puzzles and conversation games, we use crowd-pleasing mechanics such as stealth, racing (on foot) and even shooting.
Is there an option to simply eat popcorn and watch the game?
Nope, you'll need a controller in your hand. If we're doing our job, you'll want a controller in your hand! Humor in games can be quite difficult to achieve.
Will different "episodes" leave you in the shoes of a different "cast member" or are you just the one person?
At this point you play the game as the same character through the episodes we've designed up to this point. This could change in the future, especially if player feedback warrants it. Also, the Rat Race experience is more about the characters around you than the actual player character.
How will your team approach the varying taste of gamers, many of which are quite cynical?
We work with incredibly talented writers and actors who get paid for being funny. These people are not repurposed game developers but professional comedians you see performing under spotlights. They are also writers with credits on some of the best shows on TV. Our people have appeared on or written for Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, Conan O'Brien, My Name Is Earle, Saturday Night Live, South Park, Flight of the Concords, Sex in the City, and Ugly Betty, to name a few. Fans of those shows are likely to think our game is funny.
When's the first release, and how often can players expect episodes? How much will they cost?
The first episodes will be released this winter, with episodes following regularly. I can't really discuss pricing yet, but our goal is provide major bang for the buck.
