GZ Interview
12/16/02

Dracula rises from the coffin again to thrill fans in a new DVD-video adventure
By Michael Lafferty

The fog rolls in, carrying the echoes of evil along the darkened streets. Somewhere out there, the master of malignant night walks, searching for a new victim, or maybe a new bride.

For more than a century, a mythic character has been the subject of pop culture worship as well as nightmares. When Bram Stoker penned and published Dracula in 1897, he set in motion a series of events that would captivate generations.

History seems to indicate that the legend of Dracula was based on Vlad Tepes, a 15th-century prince in Romania who was fond of impaling as a form of execution. Apparently Vlad (also known as Vlad the Impaler) sometimes used the name Dracula in letters and documents, which can still be found in Romanian museums. As for the name … the Romanian word ‘drac’ is derived from the Latin ‘draco’ which can mean either dragon or devil. Vlad’s father, Vlad Dracul, was granted the Order of the Dragon in 1431 by the name "Dracula" has links with the Romanian word "drac" (derived from the Latin "draco") which can mean both "dragon" and "devil." The general consensus among historians now is that Vlad adopted it as a sobriquet derived from the Order of the Dragon, which had been bestowed upon his father, Vlad Dracul, in 1431. This was primarily a chivalric order created in 1408 by Sigismund for the purpose of protecting the royal family.

But regardless of the historical background, the Count Dracula legends have been extremely popular and have spawned numerous books, films and games.

Dracula Unleashed is the product of Infinite Ventures, an independent production and consulting company founded in 1997. In a consulting capacity it has worked with a number of leading companies including Zipper Interactive (SOCOM on the PlayStation2) and Mythic Entertainment (Dark Age of Camelot, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game for the PC), as well as other media companies including Big Idea Productions, Nickelodeon and Noggin.

And now the company has taken a step in another direction with the release of Dracula Unleashed, the first interactive horror game for DVD video. This production is playable on any DVD video player and because of its design the same DVD disc can be played on a PlayStation2, Xbox or a PC with DVD-ROM drive.
 
According to the press release, the game is faithfully based on Bram Stoker’s classic novel, and “sets players against the Prince of Darkness himself, challenging them to solve a gothic horror mystery. Over 90 minutes of original video spin into hours of game play as players assume the role of Alexander Morris and follow a grisly trail of decapitated corpses, vampire brides, and wolf tracks through the blood-drenched streets of London.”

Eugene Evans, president of Infinite Ventures, talked with GameZone about the title.

Question: While the legend of Dracula has its basis in fact, the mythological figure is by far more popular. What do you think is the reason, generation after generation, there has been a fascination with this creature?

Eugene: “You're absolutely right and that is why Dracula is such a recurring figure not only in games and movies, but all sorts of other medium. I believe it is because although a creature of pure evil he has an almost romantic, sophisticated air that attracts people at the same time as
repelling them. He cloaks his cruel intentions in such an elegant almost aristocratic appearance. Dracula is such a creature of mystery and that is why he works so well in a game such as Dracula Unleashed. We don't know where he is, what his ultimate plans are, or what intentions he has for those involved. These are all elements of any great Dracula novel or movie and in this case an essential part of making a great Dracula game.”

Q: Dracula has been portrayed in a variety of ways, from sympathetic creature that is as much a victim as those he victimizes, to an evil malign creature without conscience. Which characterization do you prefer and how is he portrayed in your game?

Eugene: “In Dracula Unleashed there is a great deal of mystery surrounding Dracula's actions, his intentions and location as you would expect from a game. In our game, his is quite evil and without any conscience at all as he demonstrates several times throughout the game.”

Q: What kind of environments will players be treated to in your game, and which are your favorites?

Eugene: “In Dracula Unleashed we get to visit many of the classic locations that you would expect from a game which is essentially a sequel to the original novel. Dracula has survived the events of the novel and traveled to London. My favorite environment is Purfleet Asylum, where
the lunatic Renfield is being held, clearly still under the influence of Dracula.”

Q: What is so dynamic and special about this game that warranted it being on DVD? What did that format allow you to do? Will there be any difference in how the game plays on the various platforms?

Eugene: “This is first and foremost a DVD video game. It is one of a small number of products that have explored this way of developing a game. It takes all of the technology that we've become used to with DVD menus on movie releases to the ultimate level. The result is a game which uses DVD quality video and audio to draw you into a rich world inhabited by an unwelcome Dracula. We get to interact within that world with the characters and attempt to solve the mystery. Dracula Unleashed isn't for hard-core gamers, but...for those that have come to love DVD movies we bring together the very best of that experience and combine it with the challenge of a good murder mystery. The result of this type of development means the same DVD disc will run on any equipment that will play a DVD movie, including the DVD video player that now occupies so many peoples homes, the Sony Playstation2, the Microsoft Xbox and a PC with a DVD-ROM drive.”

Q: Can you tell us a little about the game's plot?

Eugene: “Like any good mystery the least said the better. What I will say is that the player takes the role of Alexander Morris, the younger brother of Quincy Morris who was murdered during the altercation near Dracula's castle in the original Dracula novel. Alexander has come to London from the U.S. in search of the truth about his brother's death. In the process he falls in love, then quickly determines that Dracula has made his way back to London and is already leaving a murderous trail behind him.”

Q: Does the game have multiplayer options? What kind of game play does this program have (such as arcade/adventure, role-playing, et al)?

Eugene: “There are no multiplayer game options. At this time there is no way for a DVD player to act as a networked device.

“We believe that this will appeal to adventure game players. It is not a fast-paced twitch game, but will present adventure and perhaps role-playing game fans with a unique new challenge. This is a game with which to settle down in the living room or den, in front of your TV and DVD player (or PS2 or Xbox), dim the lights and grab your remote control. Before you know it dawn will have arrived and you will either have brought Nosferatu to his knees or you'll have to return another evening afresh.”

Q: What elements do you consider essential in creating a good horror game? How does your title fill those requirements? Is there such a thing as going too far, or is pushing the envelope the goal?

Eugene: “A great horror movie has a strong air of mystery. What you don't show is almost as important as what you do show. As important are the characters that inhabit the world. Dracula has such an affect on the people who he targets, from the insane Renfield, to the women that he has turned into his own wanton vampires. Of course, any good horror game or movie has its fair share of blood and gore and we have our fair share. There is a limit. Our goal was not to do a complete gore fest. In a game the repetition would diminish its effect. However, there are still plenty of shocks and surprises.”

Q: There have been several games that either key on Dracula or on vampires? How does your game differ from the others?

Eugene: “There have been no Dracula games to my knowledge that are as true to the original novel and certainly none that present the world of Dracula in rich DVD quality video.”

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