Irwin Chen, Associate Producer of GUN, talks about this upcoming Shooter
by Steven Hopper

"Combat in GUN is brutal and fast paced. Pump some lead into the knee of your foe and watch him stagger and collapse before putting your final shot between his eyes."

Take it from the folks at Neversoft; the Old West was a vile, nasty place. Their latest game, Gun, is really getting set to drive this point home, as the open-ended Western action/adventure deals with mature themes and downright brutality in its post-Civil War period epic. Gun explores the West on a realistic and downright vicious level, showcasing the kind of kill-or-be-killed society that would make Hoss and Little Joe pee their pants and run screaming back to the Ponderosa.
 

GameZone recently got a chance to ask a few questions to Irwin Chen, the Associate Producer of Gun, to find out some more info on what could be one of the biggest releases this holiday season.

What are some of the story elements that you can divulge?

Irwin Chen, Associate Producer: Ned White, the man who raised you like a son is killed by an assassin’s men on steamboat traveling up river. His last words to you before pushing you overboard to save you are “I’m not your father”. After you wake up washed ashore, your desire for revenge pulls you into an epic adventure filled with greed, lust and brutality on your way to discovering who you really are.  

Gun takes a notably darker approach to the western theme than most people are used to. What were the reasons behind this?

IC: To fully experience the west the way it was requires a dark approach. This was a lawless time on the edge of civilization where money and power were taken at gunpoint. The game has to convey the brutal reality people dealt with everyday just to survive in this new frontier.

How non-linear (free-roaming) is the game?

IC: We’ve created the old west and dropped you into it. Gunfights, gambling, whores, train robberies and cattle rustling, it’s all there. The story of the game gives structure and shape but you are free to explore the entire world created for you at your own pace. With side missions that let you collect bounties, mine for gold, herd cattle, hunt wildlife and even play poker, we have plenty to do outside of the main story arc.    

What can you tell us about the combat system?
 

IC: Use quickdraw to get the drop on your opponent shooting the gun out of his hand, stick him with your knife at close range and then blast him across the room with your double- barreled shotgun watching his innards spill out as he slides down the wall you stuck him to. Combat in GUN is brutal and fast paced. Pump some lead into the knee of your foe and watch him stagger and collapse before putting your final shot between his eyes. With the pinpoint aiming possible you can even shoot the hat off someone’s head. Each weapon has its own specialties and is most useful for different tasks. With sharpshooter rifles that can rip a man’s arm off from across a valley to a brace of pistols that can drop a room full of outlaws before they can even draw, we have plenty to keep the blood pumping as you fight your way across the territories.        

What can you tell us about some of the voice talent being used in the game?
 

IC: Thomas Jane (The Punisher, Deep Blue Sea), Kris Kristofferson (Blade, Planet of the Apes), Brad Dourif (Deadwood, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers) Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Enemy at the Gates) and many more bring this epic screenplay to life. Having such amazingly talented actors and actresses really helps immerse the player in the world. After spending so much time and effort getting the old west just right, we needed a good set of people to fill it out and bring the player in. All of the voices came out perfect and it really helped complete the picture of that time.

 

Big thanks to Irwin Chen and the fine people at Neversoft for the great interview.

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