2002’s The Factor is broadly thought to be among the finest horror video games primarily based on an present media franchise. Many licensed horror video games are sadly relegated to genres that require a selected setup, comparable to asymmetrical multiplayer or quick VR experiences, however The Factor — a third-person squad-based shooter — dared to go one step additional, telling its personal distinctive story that serves as a correct sequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 film masterpiece.
It is not a recreation that frequents mainstream remaster wishlists, however Nightdive Studios is nonetheless delivering what few of us realised we wished with The Factor: Remastered. Introduced throughout IGN Dwell and scheduled to land on the Change later this 12 months, Pc Artworks’ unique is getting the total revamp therapy, with up to date visuals, improved lighting, quite a few quality-of-life tweaks, and extra.
To seek out out a bit extra concerning the undertaking, we spoke with Larry Kuperman (Director of Enterprise Growth) and Stephen Kick (Studio Director) at Nightdive Studios. They focus on what led the choice to revisit The Factor, what Change followers can anticipate from the sport’s efficiency, and which horror movies the group thinks would translate properly into video games…
Nintendo Life: To start with, why The Factor? What made you need to revisit this title?
Larry Kuperman: To start out with, we’re all followers of the traditional film in addition to the sport itself. Keep in mind that the sport was initially launched in 2002; we felt that the sport was sensible, however flawed within the sense that the unique builders took it so far as the know-how of the time would enable them to go. Now, with trendy gaming methods, we’ve got an opportunity to fulfil their imaginative and prescient.
Stephen Kick: I’ve all the time been an enormous horror fan and when the sport was launched I performed it day one. It was the primary licensed recreation that lived as much as the legacy set forth by the movie and the truth that it was a sequel and formally deemed as canon made it extremely particular. The Factor is a title I’ve wished to remaster for the reason that inception of Nightdive and I’m honored that we’re getting the chance to introduce a brand new technology of followers to this superb recreation.
Nightdive has dealt with a number of enormous IPs up to now, however The Factor is arguably one of the revered horror franchises of all time. How did it really feel taking the reins with this undertaking?
Larry: I believe that “reverence” was precisely the best phrase. It’s each really thrilling and a bit terrifying on the identical time.
Stephen: I’ve bought Drew Struzan’s legendary Factor poster hanging outdoors my workplace. It feels unreal engaged on the property, however it says loads about how far Nightdive has are available delivering a few of the finest remastered experiences. I couldn’t be extra pleased with what our group has completed. My solely hope is that followers of each the sport and film love what we’ll ship.
The unique title was printed by Vivendi’s Black Label Video games on PC and Konami on consoles – was it tough acquiring the rights to work on this undertaking?
Larry: I can’t touch upon the small print of the contract, however followers ought to know that we had been engaged on getting the rights to this recreation for a number of years.
How vital was it to have Mark Atkinson, one of many unique administrators, on board to help? What sort of perception has he supplied? Did anybody else from the OG group assist out?
Larry: Completely! Ron Ashtiani was the primary of the OGs to hitch us on this undertaking, and it was Ron who launched us to Mark. Each Ron and Mark work immediately with our group every day. They’ve been instrumental in serving to us to know the imaginative and prescient of the unique recreation, by stating the issues that they might have modified or improved if that they had the know-how and the time.
Apart from the visuals, are you able to discuss concerning the different enhancements which were utilized to the sport?
Larry: I can’t actually go into specifics, each as a result of we would like followers to be stunned and in addition as a result of the sport remains to be in improvement. However followers ought to anticipate vital enhancements to the standard of gameplay whereas staying very true to the unique imaginative and prescient. As all the time, our objective is to present followers a remaster that ‘performs the best way you bear in mind it’ solely considerably higher.
Stephen: One factor I’ll point out is the lighting is receiving an enormous overhaul. The Factor was a terrifying cinematic expertise, and we’re wanting carefully on the movie and the way it was lit to imbue the identical ambiance within the recreation.
What sort of challenges have you ever confronted with this undertaking? Have any difficulties cropped up that you just maybe haven’t encountered with earlier video games?
Larry: I wouldn’t contemplate this a “problem” however by means of Ron and Mark we’ve got obtained an unlimited quantity of unique property and supplies. Some we’re utilizing within the recreation itself. For the rest, we are attempting to determine on one of the best course for preservation. That is the sort of problem that it’s good to have.
Your video games can have nice attraction to older audiences who maybe performed the unique, however how will you entice new followers with The Factor: Remastered?
Larry: The fan response to our announcement of The Factor has been spectacular and has prolonged properly past players who performed the unique. Followers of the film and horror movies usually, individuals who may not in any other case be all in favour of video games, comprise the most important new sector of our viewers. Wanting on the variety of views of the trailer, in addition to another components, reveals us that this title can have mainstream attraction.
We all know you’re focusing on 4K decision and 144fps efficiency, however what are you able to inform us concerning the Change model particularly? Will efficiency match that of earlier releases like PO’ed and Darkish Forces?
Larry: Sure, The Factor can have the entire efficiency enhancements that followers have come to anticipate from Nightdive titles. Change can even obtain Gyro aiming.
Many Nightdive video games characteristic choices to permit for a extra ‘retro’ look that may attraction to followers of the unique title. Is that this the case with The Factor?
Stephen: With this particular title as a result of complexity of the property there received’t be an possibility to modify backwards and forwards between unique and remastered visuals.
Lastly, do you will have any well-loved horror films or TV reveals that you just suppose would translate properly to video video games?
Stephen: I’d personally like to see the movie Mandy tailored right into a recreation, however as a sequel in the identical method The Factor recreation was tailored. One thing about controlling Nicolas Cage in third particular person as he fights demons and new-age cultists with chainsaws and that big axe will get me excited.
I’d additionally wish to see Annihilation get some sort of adaptation – it’s principally a contemporary tackle H.P. Lovecraft’s The Color Out of House, however it’s extra suited to a recreation. Play as a squad of explorers with totally different disciplines thrust into an ever-changing, evolving surroundings filled with surprise and horror. Coincidentally there was a film adaption of the unique story that stars Nicolas Cage, so a technique or one other we’re getting Nick Cage in a horror recreation!