Yesterday, it was Star Ocean 4 designer Yoshinori Yamagishi going on about how video game storytelling could exceed books or film. Today, it’s Mad Max director George Miller. Tomorrow? Who knows.

According to the filmmaker, “Games were the poor cousin to feature films when it came to storytelling but I think it’s flipping. Games allow you be much more like a novelist.”

He goes on to describe the title as a “hybrid game”, adding that he’s interested in both the game-play and the emotional investment. “I’m curious how much you can engage with the characters through the game-play,” Miller says. “It’s the opportunity to make a novel.”

Miller has teamed with God of War II director Cory Barlog for an upcoming Mad Max game. Last fall, Barlog stated that he had no idea when actual production on the game would begin. Miller presently states that they are still in the early stages of writing an designing.

When can we expect the game? Says Miller, “A really good game you need two and half years.” So, pencil you in for late 2011, then?

Mad Max Director: Games Surpassing Films In Storytelling Potential [Mulitplayer]

Yes, it’s going to be a long wait for your digital Mad Max fix, kids, with Barlog writing that they’re “working with some publishers to get a deal locked down so we can start making this bad boy.” Temper your excitement for now, as Barlog warns “I have no idea when actual production will begin.”

Fortunately, Barlog notes that he’s also got a “little multi-player ditty” in the works, which is in the negotiations stages as well. He says it’s “freaking awesome.” It better not be Calling All Cars 2, Cory.

Shhh…it’s the Tree’s. They’re mad…they’re trying to kill us! [Don't Play Games With Me!]

While Miller’s been working on the film, Barlog’s been responsible for coming up with a “script” for the game, using the same resources and material as the film crew have had access to. Once he’s done, Miller says they’ll be doing something not that common in the games industry: they’ll workshop the story. The film guys, the game guys, they’ll chew through the title’s outline and collaboratively brainstorm. Miller says of this breaking down of traditional borers on a movie project:

My expertise is in cinema, but it’s about seeing where those disciplines overlap and bringing people together–by workshopping or whatever you want to call it–bringing together all these disciplines and basically telling the story of the same characters and the same world, but putting them out in all these different platforms. Does that make sense?

I see myself not so much as a filmmaker but as a storyteller. If I’m a storyteller first and a filmmaker second, then all of this other stuff is a legitimate part of telling the story. So that’s how I’m seeing it. And my job–my specific job is to tell the story through film; at the same time it’s someone like Corey’s job to tell the story through the game. But there’s a cohesion between the two.

Rest of the interview’s definitely worth a read, especially if you’re interested in finding out the chances of Mel Gibson reprising his role for the upcoming movie…
The George Miller Interview, Part II [Level Up]

I am going to be doing some work in games as well as in film. I started out wanted to work in film way back when. Unfortunately I worked on some stinky projects that made me question whether or not I really wanted to be in film. so I decided to take a break from film and go to do some work in games…Now that I have more free time and freedom to explore other things I am going to be taking full advantage of it.

Barlog stalkers and those holding out misplaced hope he’s working on a God of War film will be interested to know he plans on revealing more info on this film work in the next month or so.
Questions, Questions, Questions…[Barlog's Blog]

The producer writes that fans can “rest assured that [God of War III] is all in good hands,” heaping praise on the Santa Monica team who will undertake the inevitable sequel. As far as known progress on GoW III, Barlog reveals that “immediately after I finished God of War 2 I was already working on the story and design for the third game.”

He indicates that the third game in the series proper will wrap up the series’ main story arc, ending with “very big, very epic bang.” Is anyone else thinking Kratos foursome?

Here’s to hoping that the series will finally make the jump to the PlayStation 3 and that we’ll get our hands on God of War III in some form before year’s end. And that free copies will rain down upon the staff. Plus, I want a pony.

Welcome Back! [Barlog's Blog]

[Cory Barlog's Blog]

We can confirm that Cory Barlog, Game Director for God of War II, is leaving the SCEA SM Studio and we are grateful for his work and creative vision for the critically acclaimed God of War franchise… Moving forward, we are confident in the God of War team, as they are an extremely talented group of people that are passionate about the franchise and dedicated to creating even more epic content with God of War: Chains of Olympus for the PSP and God of War III for PS3.

There’s chatter that other members of the SCEA Santa Monica team are also leaving with Barlog. However, SCEA said this is untrue. No idea where Barlog will turn up next. How about in casual games studio Eat, Sleep, Play run by fellow former God of War director David Jaffe? As MTV’s Stephen Totilo pointed out, it’s already a stretch to think one GOW director has left to make casual games; but a second? Hrm. God of War: Chains of Olympus is out March 2008, while God of War III — hey, wait a minute… Sony just publicly confirmed GOW III. Seeing how successful the series is, that shouldn’t be a shocker. Barlog leaving, well, that sure is!
Barlog Out [1Up]

It’s just as enjoyable as the translated Ueda piece , but might have less of an immediate impact, partially because we get to hear from Barlog and his peers fairly often, while it’s a rare treat to have the opportunity to hear from the creator of two of the best PlayStation 2 games of all time. Regardless, it’s a good read, only because Barlog’s entry about his personal discovery of the beautiful intricacies of SotC’s gameplay is so easy to relate to.

God of the Colossus [Don't Play Games With Me!]