2002’s The Factor is broadly considered the most effective horror video games based mostly on an current media franchise. Many licensed horror video games are sadly relegated to genres that require a particular setup, resembling 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 isn’t a recreation that frequents mainstream remaster wishlists, however Nightdive Studios is nonetheless delivering what few of us realised we needed with The Factor: Remastered. Introduced throughout IGN Dwell and scheduled to land on the Swap later this yr, Pc Artworks’ authentic is getting the total revamp remedy, with up to date visuals, improved lighting, quite a few quality-of-life tweaks, and extra.
To seek out out a bit extra in regards to the undertaking, we spoke with Larry Kuperman (Director of Enterprise Improvement) and Stephen Kick (Studio Director) at Nightdive Studios. They talk about what led the choice to revisit The Factor, what Swap followers can anticipate from the sport’s efficiency, and which horror movies the crew thinks would translate nicely into video games…
Nintendo Life: To begin with, why The Factor? What made you need to revisit this title?
Larry Kuperman: To start out with, we’re all followers of the basic film in addition to the sport itself. Do not forget 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 expertise of the time would enable them to go. Now, with fashionable gaming methods, we now have an opportunity to fulfil their imaginative and prescient.
Stephen Kick: I’ve all the time been a giant 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 needed 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 wonderful recreation.
Nightdive has dealt with a number of enormous IPs previously, 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 suitable phrase. It’s each actually thrilling and a bit terrifying on the identical time.
Stephen: I’ve obtained Drew Struzan’s legendary Factor poster hanging outdoors my workplace. It feels unreal engaged on the property, but it surely says quite a bit about how far Nightdive has are available in delivering a number of the finest remastered experiences. I couldn’t be extra happy with what our crew has achieved. My solely hope is that followers of each the sport and film love what we’ll ship.
The unique title was revealed by Vivendi’s Black Label Video games on PC and Konami on consoles – was it difficult acquiring the rights to work on this undertaking?
Larry: I can’t touch upon the main points 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 essential was it to have Mark Atkinson, one of many authentic administrators, on board to help? What sort of perception has he offered? Did anybody else from the OG crew assist out?
Larry: Completely! Ron Ashtiani was the primary of the OGs to affix us on this undertaking, and it was Ron who launched us to Mark. Each Ron and Mark work straight with our crew day by day. They’ve been instrumental in serving to us to grasp the imaginative and prescient of the unique recreation, by declaring the issues that they’d have modified or improved if they’d the expertise and the time.
Other than the visuals, are you able to discuss in regards to 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 likewise as a result of the sport continues to be in improvement. However followers ought to anticipate important enhancements to the standard of gameplay whereas staying very true to the unique imaginative and prescient. As all the time, our purpose 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 trying carefully on the movie and the way it was lit to imbue the identical environment 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 think about this a “issue” however by way of Ron and Mark we now have obtained an infinite quantity of authentic belongings 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 form of problem that it’s good to have.
Your video games could have nice enchantment 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 nicely past players who performed the unique. Followers of the film and horror movies typically, individuals who won’t in any other case be keen on video games, comprise the biggest new sector of our viewers. Wanting on the variety of views of the trailer, in addition to another components, exhibits us that this title could have mainstream enchantment.
We all know you’re focusing on 4K decision and 144fps efficiency, however what are you able to inform us in regards to the Swap model particularly? Will efficiency match that of earlier releases like PO’ed and Darkish Forces?
Larry: Sure, The Factor could have all the efficiency enhancements that followers have come to anticipate from Nightdive titles. Swap will even obtain Gyro aiming.
Many Nightdive video games characteristic choices to permit for a extra ‘retro’ look which may enchantment 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 belongings there received’t be an choice to modify forwards and backwards between authentic and remastered visuals.
Lastly, do you will have any well-loved horror films or TV exhibits that you just assume would translate nicely to video video games?
Stephen: I might 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 prefer to see Annihilation get some form of adaptation – it’s principally a contemporary tackle H.P. Lovecraft’s The Color Out of Area, but it surely’s extra suited to a recreation. Play as a squad of explorers with completely different disciplines thrust into an ever-changing, evolving setting stuffed with marvel 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!
