Last year, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was released to reviews that ranged from glowing (Variety) to anything but (Wired). It was those negative reviews that made the game’s developer glum.
According to the title’s project lead Haden Blackman, “But part of it… is that I’m watching this team that has worked so hard on this game for two, almost three years. And they’re reading this stuff. And you’re right; all the air gets sucked out of the room. People were miserable for the whole day. It’s hard to keep them focused.”
Two things: 1. Don’t confuse hard work with good game making. Everyone works hard. That’s what it means to be a professional. 2. This is the nature of the beast. You work on something and put it out to be judged. It can be judged by critics, and it can be judged by consumers. The Force Unleashed was judged favourable enough by consumers, it seems, racking up 5 million copies sold in North America and Europe.
Some games critics love, but consumers hate. Other games critics hate and consumers love. Chin up, Haden Blackman! Remember critics don’t play the bills. George Lucas does.
Dining With Developers, Vol. 2: Haden Blackman, Part 1 [Crispy Gamer via GameBizBlog][Pic]
Mr Waffle
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 12:20 PMI thought the game was a hoot. There were a few dodgy bits, but overall, it was a whole bucket of fun, smashing around Stormtroopers and leaping all over the place. And I assumed I’d hate the game, too…
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Friday, April 24, 2009 at 6:47 PMI haven’t finished it, but it’s been fun so far. Nothing to spend 10 hours straight on, but until Battlefront 3 comes out, it’s perfectly sufficient (glowing praise!)