Stargate SG-1: The Alliance Q&A Feature

Based on the multi-award winning TV series, Stargate SG-1: The Alliance is currently in production at Perception Pty in Sydney, Australia. Weary of a 36 hour flight to New South Wales , Derek dela Fuente travelled through time and space to deliver a set of questions to Jean-Marie Guitera, Marketing Manager at Jo Wood (the publisher of The Alliance), who eagerly answered them!

What core expertise at Perception do you feel will present the game in a good light?

Australia is quickly becoming one of the worldâ??s games development hotspots, especially since many studios closed their doors in Europe. An extraordinary international team of talents has been assembled at Perception, combining Australians, Europeans and US veterans to make a unique gaming experiment. Every field is covered from beautiful concept arts to an original gameplay combining FPS and Squad based characteristics, with great level designs, refined graphics and strong AI. All is present to deliver a game as strong as its license.

Firstly do gamers have to be familiar with Stargate to fully enjoy the game and what kind of interaction, involvement, with the studio did you have in creating the gameâ??s story and features and what final say did they have?

The Stargate principle of traveling to other planets using a gate allows for immediate understanding by any gamers and boundless stories and situations. We worked closely with the studios and the producers, writers and cast of the TV show to ensure that the essence of the Stargate universe has been put in the game. But weâ??ve invented new enemies and worlds to make the gaming experience fulfilling both for Stargate fans and newcomers. One of our self-imposed challenges consisted of making a game anybody could start playing intuitively and enjoy immediately; and we feel we pretty much succeeded in that!

What do you feel makes the Stargate TV program such a popular series and what elements of the show will you pull over into the game?

Stargate has combined our mythological past with advanced technology, space travel and intelligent alien races. This cocktail proves to be very strong and appeals to a large audience of all ages. The quality of the writers and the cast, make the viewers stick to the series. Obviously, for anyone whoâ??s enjoyed the show, they understand immediately the importance of the showâ??s dry humour. Weâ??ve preserved that in the game.

As the game starts what are some of the initial tasks the player will face and undertake?

The game begins with SG-1 returning from an off world mission with a member of their team injured. The player then has to go through training to get reinstated to active duty. A call comes out from one of SG-1â??s allies that they need assistance and they head off to the rescue. We donâ??t really want to give too much away about the game at this stage. Suffice to say, the game starts off with a bang!

Stargate has a strong team focus but what are the skill sets on offer from the different cast members you assume that make the game innovative and different from other FPS titles. To add, with such a competitive genre, do you feel you have to pull out all the stops to ensure this game gets the kind of attention you wish?

Using a buffed-up Unreal engine with a very talented team of seasoned game developers we feel confident we have a quality product up with the best standards. We included all the â??must-havesâ??; shooting from several vehicles and driving them, canons, a wide range of weapons and all the multi-players modes you want! But to go farther than all the other FPSs you have a unique squad command system, very intuitive and simple, but enriched by specific abilities from each of your team mates.

The game offers a vast and diverse universe, with more than 15 different worlds, an exciting and addictive storyline that can be played both solo or in co-op, allowing for a very high play and replay value.

Tell us about one really exciting weapon and event in the game that really shows off the real ethos of the Stargate brand!

We do have to keep some secrets but as Stargate is a universe of magic and science, the players will be confronted and will be able to use certain â??Goaâ??uldâ?? special powers, as well as the Jaffasâ?? armour and staff weapons. But to be honest, your team is a weapon in and of themselves. Combining the unique abilities of your fellow SG-1 members can be used to very deadly effect. Commanding them well will lead you to victory.

What kind of material script, set designs, information have you been given by the studio and do you have to ensure full continuity with cast and settings?

MGM are extremely professional and the series is so well documented that weâ??ve had a full â??bibleâ?? of artworks to pick from for every season of the show. Using those and the series fundamentals weâ??re then able to recreate the Stargate Universe authentically. Full face mapping of the SG1 teams and using the actors to record all in-game voices ensures the closest possible association with the series; a real â??Allianceâ??, pun-intended.

Tell us about the mission types on offer?

There are many different types of objectives in each mission. We have a number of mission types including a Foothold situation at Stargate Command, where the base is overrun and you have to retake it. Others where you must infiltrate one of Anubisâ??s bases and of course we have the Haakenâ?¦ Making missions challenging and new is an ongoing task that takes many months.

Films and licenses built on a popular brand are an easy target to knock down and many games based on a license have not done well. What will make Stargate different and a game not to miss!?

We focused on making a good game first and foremost irrespective of the license. Once again we feel the game stands equal among the best FPSs, and itâ??s often the quality of license-based games that made them targets to gamers, and to be honest, often rightly soâ?¦We already detailed what will make the game an original, unique, atmospheric and strong gaming experience. Just to reassure gamers everywhere I can repeat that the team is composed only of seasoned, hard core gamers, and there is no way they would allow Stargate SG1-The Alliance to be a bad game!

Many thanks to Jean-Marie Guitera at JoWood.

Stargate SG-1: The Alliance is a first-person shooter with many of different and visually stunning worlds to explore, some based on episodes from the show as well as some new ones. It offers a strong storyline along with humour and the player will be able to draw upon the SG-1 team members special combat abilities or employ them him/herself when playing the particular character. A lot is on offer and much is expected and so letâ??s hope it plays as good as it sounds! Stargate SG-1: The Alliance is set for release on October 7th 2005 on Xbox and PlayStation 2 and PC.