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Sega's Midwest Alien Horror Plans

Posted by simoniker on from the they're-in-the-grain-silo dept.

Thanks to GamePro for their report discussing the Sega Japan development team researching a next-gen horror title in the exotic environs of Carbondale, Illinois. The original report from the Southern Illinoisan mentions that the Sega team are "..documenting Carbondale from every conceivable angle" for this unannounced alien-invasion horror title, which, according to Sega producer Cord Smith, is "..being built from the ground up for the U.S. market, [and] will be one of the biggest Sega titles of next year." But this unexplored environment is evidently most educative for the Japanese developers, as Cord says: "It's a challenge for them to see even the most mundane details. What does a normal U.S. bathroom look like? What does a family room look like? How do people watch TV? How do people decorate?"

2 of 17 comments (clear)

  1. Built for the U.S. Market, But... by TPIRman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The article and writeup both mention that the Midwest visit is part of an effort to build a game for the U.S. market, but wouldn't a detailed recreation of Midwestern environs hold a certain appeal for Japanese gamers, as well? As the article noted, what seems mundane to a Midwesterner -- e.g., the typical U.S. bathroom -- could seem exotic and intriguing for someone from Japan.

    This is not to be too orientalist about it -- the phenomenon works both ways. I remember how much fun it was, when I played Shenmue, to experience Japanese small-town life to some degree. As I have traveled in Japan over the past two years, it has been even more fun to see how accurate the Shenmue designers' attention to detail was. (Well, OK, I've never had to perform a Quick Time Event in a back alley, but otherwise--)

  2. Re:They should talk to the folks at Konami... by robson · · Score: 2, Insightful
    ...as I've never seen any better digital representation of an utterly decayed New England town. I've lived most of my life on the North Shore of MA, and aside from the dam (there aren't a hell of a lot of dams out here) the familliarity of the locations (like the bowling alley and the decrepit museum/old prison *shiver*) Whoever did the art direction for that game deserves a medal.


    Sounds really sweet... now what game are you talking about? :)