interactive deal

Gray Matter, a Toronto-based company employing more than 50 animators, programmers and producers which has been producing video games for all formats since 1985 and is currently producing the Star Trek Generations video game for Super Nintendo, has signed two deals to produce cd-based interactive videos with major game suppliers in the u.s.

Number one is the $1 million-plus Dragon Rising for 3DO, a mix of live-action and 3D digital animation set within what Chris Gray, head of Gray Matter, calls ‘a cinematic story line.’

Gray and company will be playing with digital elements – to create the likes of flying spaceship sequences, which will be turned into 3D elements in the game – and live-action sequences, which will be shot on Beta in the Global Television studios.

Two factors in interactive game production Gray is keen to explore are more sophisticated narratives that will appeal to both North American and Asian markets and what he calls ‘the vividness factor.’

‘Previously we have been limited to more unrealistic images, fewer colors, no video capability, not enough memory. Now we are dealing with cd-based machines which store about 600 times the size of a typical video game cartridge. That allows us to explore film and video techniques and more complicated story lines. As a result, our vividness factor is going up significantly.’

While Gray says he is not at liberty to discuss the sci-fi plot of Dragon Rising in detail, he claims the narrative is ‘much more sophisticated (than similar titles in this genre). It will appeal to an older audience and a broader one. There are several female characters, not in the lead, but in major roles.’

Dragon Rising is being targeted at both Japanese and North American audiences. For the Japanese market, Gray says not only does he need a more sophisticated story line, but he must also satisfy high expectations for playability.

Game number two, as yet untitled, is an adventure fantasy with a supernatural theme for the Sony PlayStation, Sony’s new game machine. Gray says it’s another live-action and game-sequence multimedia mix, but details won’t be available until spring.

Jonathan Freedman is executive producer, Ron Oliver (Prom Night iii) is directing, Nick White (The Dark) is production designer and Phil Earnshaw (Degrassi High) is the dop on the Feb. 8-22, 1995 Dragon Rising shoot.