A Forgotten Zombie Game: Rockstar’s Unreleased Project
Hey there, gamers! Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of game development? Well, buckle up because I’ve got an interesting story for you. It turns out that Rockstar, the brilliant minds behind the Grand Theft Auto series, once tried their hand at creating a zombie survival game set in Scotland. Yes, you heard that right!
A Change of Pace
According to Obbe Vermeij, a former Technical Director at Rockstar North, the studio’s developers decided to take a break from the GTA franchise and explore something different. Some of the artists had a fascination with zombies, while the programmers were more drawn to fantasy. And so, the idea of a zombie survival game was born.
The Working Title: “Z”
The game, given the working title “Z,” was meant to utilize the code from Vice City. Picture this: you find yourself on a windswept, foggy Scottish island, constantly under attack from hordes of zombies. To survive, you would need to scavenge for fuel to keep your vehicles running. Sounds intense, right?
Short-Lived Dreams
Unfortunately, the game didn’t make it past the initial stages of development. It seems that the idea lost its spark and quickly became too depressing for the team. Even the people who initially came up with the concept eventually lost faith in it. And just like that, the zombie game was abandoned, and the team shifted their focus to creating the iconic GTA San Andreas.
Agent: Another Unfinished Gem
But wait, there’s more! Vermeij also mentions another project called Agent, a James Bond-style spy game. This game made it as far as being announced at E3 2009 before the team was pulled into the massive undertaking of developing GTA 4. They had to make cuts and sacrifices, removing entire levels like Cairo and maybe even a space section. Eventually, the project was handed over to another company within Rockstar but never saw the light of day.
Conclusion
It’s fascinating to peek into the game development process and learn about the projects that never made it to our screens. Rockstar’s attempted foray into the world of zombies and their ambitious spy game, Agent, remind us that even the most successful studios face challenges and have ideas that don’t pan out.
So, the next time you’re facing a difficult challenge in a game, remember that even the best developers encounter setbacks. Just like Rockstar’s abandoned projects, you have the power to adapt, innovate, and overcome obstacles. Keep pushing forward, fellow gamers, and who knows, maybe one day we’ll see a zombie survival game set in Scotland that truly captures our imaginations.
Now, go out there and conquer your virtual worlds! Game on!
(Source: Obbe Vermeij’s blog)