New James Bond Game Won't be a Cash Grab; MGM Praises IO Interactive
MGM seems to be taking its expansion into the video game market seriously. Project 007 is set to be a polished title standing on its own two feet, as evidenced by the partnership with IO Interactive.
- MGM representatives commented on Project 007;
- According to them, the game is to be a polished production, not a quick cash grab;
- It was important for the label to choose the right studio, which turned out to be IO Interactive.
It's been over six months since Project 007 was first announced. While the production has a lot of potential, it's clear that video game adaptations of movies are often not top-notch. This time, however, we are to get our hands on a fully polished project. It is guaranteed by MGM, which holds the rights to the brand associated with James Bond.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, the company's deputy director, Robert Marick, spoke about the upcoming game.
"When you look at James Bond, for instance, the opportunity to be able to tell an origin story and express that in terms of the [quality] that fans expect, we needed a console partner to be able to help tell that story. We're not here for a quick buck, we're here for what extends the brand."
More on how choosing IO Interactive was important to the project comes from Matthew Suser, director of interactive business development at MGM, who said:
"It all comes down to identifying the right development partner. IO is the authority in stealth and agent-oriented games, so they truly were a dream come true in terms of studios to partner with on James Bond. They have a deep, deep passion for the IP, and they're extraordinarily talented. It's a match made in heaven, IO Interactive and James Bond, and we're working on something we think is going to be very special for fans."
Suser confessed, however, that passion for the brand wasn't everything. It was also important to make sure the studio could design engaging gameplay. The game needed to stand on its own two feet, not on the James Bond name.
"We really look for partners in development and publishing that are talented but also understand the IP and brand in a way that will flourish through the gameplay. Gameplay is king, the experience is king, and we want to make sure we're providing great experiences with or without the IP."
We'll have to wait and see how those words will translate into reality. IO Interactive is still in the early stages of work on the game, and so far there's no word on an estimated release date of Project 007. We have to admit, however, that the studio responsible for Hitman is probably the best candidate to create a game about James Bond. We can only keep our fingers crossed for the developers.
