Cory Barlog has been dreaming of a single shot game for some time. Speaking with Daily Star, the God of War creative director revealed that he pitched the concept to the Tomb Raider team during his spell at Crystal Dynamics, but the idea was rejected. A video released yesterday revealed how Sony Santa Monica made the ambitious cinematic technique work in Kratos’ latest adventure.
“I wanted to do [the single shot camera technique] and I had pitched it to Crystal Dynamics when I was there working on Tomb Raider and everyone was like, 'That’s crazy, we don't want to do that!’” he told the website. “And, my reaction was like, 'Yeah, y’know, I don't know if this is the best place for me anyway.’”
Sony, however, creatively supported the concept. “I guess, for me, there was just a lot more creative support and faith with Sony,” he added. “Like they’d say, you’ve got a crazy idea, we’re going to support you, regardless of how much of a leap off of a cliff it is.” Of course, pulling the presentation technique off was no walk in the park, but the Santa Monica team got there in the end.
[source dailystar.co.uk]
Comments 15
It's really cool sony support people like that, like it or not, game industry is creative industry, sony as console manufacturer can't play it safe.
Who knows how it could have turned out, but Tomb Raider was pretty spectacular as it is. But I am glad he found a way to try out his idea and we’ll see how it goes in GoW. It’s great that Sony is so supportive of creative license and thinking outside the box. The new ideas and techniques of today become commonplace standards tomorrow.
Sony supporting stuff like Media Molocule's Dream shows that they're not afraid to support crazy and unique ideas.
I don't want to be too harsh because it's not a big deal, but this quote sums up modern Tomb Raider for me. Happy to do what's been done before, but not really willing to get creative.
I actually think that this will actually make a big difference to the narrative experience. It won't be a conscious thing but it will influence how the game goes. Tomb Raider reboot in one shot would have been amazing.
Sony is the best. We all know that.
@RogerRoger TR used to be bigger than GoW but sales of the last couple games have shown the reputation dwindling.
I wonder if the Nintendo president had similar thoughts when Miyomoto presented ocarina of Time and Mario 64.
@get2sammyb Completely agree here.
The ‘no loadong’ aspect is great, although that could have been done whether they had camera cuts or not. What I want to know is, what’s the benefit to the game of it just being a single shot? It’s obviously challenging to do, but I don’t see what benefit it brings, other than no loading? Is it just to give it that Blair Witch filmed on a camcorder vibe? Well, a 4K/HD camcorder anyway 😀
Right or wrong I don't really care until I see how god of war is for myself.
I don't get it. "Single shot" as in film terminology? Isn't that just like...any game that doesn't have cutscenes? Every game that just deals with presenting the story in-engine? I feel like it sounds a lot cooler on paper than it is in presentation.
I remember when Tomb Raider was an innovative masterpiece, so many exciting new ideas that had never been done before. Good times. Daring to make something new and making history, fantastic.
I mean, he worked on God of War 1 and directed God of War 2. It isn't like Sony gave a big check to some random guy from Crystal Dynamics...they have an over 20-year relationship lol.
If I recall it right, MGS V uses also this technique. Except that, in Kojima's latest Snake adventure, the game has a mission structure that breaks the "one move" dynamic. But when we were in a mission, everything was single framed, from the gameplay to the cinematics, really giving you the feeling of playing in a movie.
If God of War does apply this technique to the all game, it sure will be fantastic. Can't wait !
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