Hey everyone, I’m Travis Williams, I’m a senior producer for SCEA in San Diego and working on an upcoming title for the PlayStation Network called “PAIN.” In the spirit of this Q&A series, I, along with many other first party developers, were posed with the following questions from the SCEA PR team. Here are my answers…enjoy!
1. What game do you have at E3 this year?
PAIN for the PlayStation 3 PlayStation Network and it’s being released soon. I would love to give myself the “finished game” Christmas present.
2. Tell us more about your game. What’s the story?
PAIN is cool in that there is no story. I could come up with a reason why seemingly “normal” people climb inside of a huge slingshot and fling themselves into dangerous situations, but you wouldn’t buy it.
SO NO STORY FOR YOU, SORRY!
The “more” I would like to say about PAIN is that although PAIN is meant to be funny it’s really a skillful sandbox game. The challenges start off pretty easy but trust me the game gets pretty daunting at the PAINful levels. You can play for five minutes or five hours.
3. If you could sit one person in front of your game for an hour, who would it be?
I dunno. Maybe Super Dave. That dude could take a hit for real.
4. What did you do on this game that you couldn’t do on another platform?
PAIN is different in that it’s made specifically for the PlayStation Network. Before PSN, we didn’t really have a dialogue with the people who play PlayStation games. That’s changed with PS3. That means we’re looking to the PSN community to help us shape future PAIN themes. So there’s a level of interaction with the game players that we couldn’t achieve until now. We’ve got cool ideas, but I’m really looking forward to see how other people play PAIN. We are also always making launchable characters for PAIN so if you guys have some ideas for characters you wanna fling (famous or not) chime in here on the comments thread. Of course, no guarantees, but we’ll do what we can.
5. Do you have any “firsts in this game that have never been done before?
If you can find a game where you can Toss Mimes and Spank Monkeys for points that I can play then I can stop working on this one.
6. What do you think is the coolest aspect of this game?
I’d say the coolest part of PAIN is how I never get tired of playing it. I know that might sound self-serving but it’s true. I’ve made some games that I was just sick of playing near the end. I can actually sit down with Coker (the associate producer on PAIN) and play for hours. When you first start playing PAIN it’s all about the funny. Soon, it’s all about your skillz.
7. What game do you most want an hour to sit in front of yourself (besides your own)?
Killzone. I hear it looks AMAZING.
8. How many E3’s does E3 2007 mark for you?
Been to EVERY one. Man I am old.
9. Describe the pre-2007 E3 experience in five words or less.
It’s hectic, but exciting too.
10. Most overused phrase(s) or expression during E3 Season.
- Dude! Have you seen the new Metal Gear Trailer?
-Huh? I can’t hear you. (Because there are explosions in the background)
-So, what company you working for NOW?
-I’m not waiting in that line to see a demo (and then you go wait in THAT line)
11. You are asked to make suggestions for an E3 survival kit- what three
items HAVE to be included?
Breath mints – To make sure you’re fresh to def
Comfortable shoes – To make sure you’re a Gellin
A Backpack – To make sure you can carry all the schwag
12. What advice would you have for someone who has never experienced E3?
Don’t ask me for Sony Party tickets. I don’t have any!
13. Describe what you anticipate from 2007’s newly formatted E3 in five
words or less.
A lot less booth babe-age.
14. What’s your favorite part about developing games for a living?
My mother told me that my knowledge of elves and magic was would never pay off…Having the last laugh on that one makes my whole career worth while. IN YOUR FACE MAMA!!
Was that disrespectful? Sorry Mom….
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139 Comments Add your own
51
Ragingwhisky | June 26th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
OH GOD PLEASE HAVE:
SANTA !!!!!
Certain Lawyer Who Hates Video Games!
Hello Kitty!!!!
52
dreamkin | June 26th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Jack Thompson
and didn’t anyone mention Uwe Boll yet? I would love to fling him…
53
40cal | June 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
It looks like Jack Thompson is the winner, or the looser? Either way lets cause some PAIN!
54
Ron Eagle | June 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
For those of you that had not heard of PAIN, here the link to the Gamer’s Day round up on PlayStation.com.
http://www.us.playstation.com/News/Editorials/58
You can find individual impressions via google as well, but IGN and Gamespot are certainly good places to start.
ron
55
Makasu | June 26th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
What about flinging your character from HOME?
56
soulscreme | June 26th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I’ve got a person I’d love to toss into pains of glass, Dick Cheney. Please!
57
PSheddy | June 26th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Thanks a lot Ron for the quick info response!
58
Godofwar55555 | June 26th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I wish I could fling Master Chief from the overated Halo series. It probably would not be possible due to trademarks and copyrights, but it would be fun to do it.
[]^XO
59
Travis Williams | June 26th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
OMG! My wish list of people/things that need to be in PAIN looks a lot like everyone else’s. Keep the suggestions coming. I use your screams and kicks to shake more money out of the Sony “money tree”. Look for more mode details during E3. I am sure I can talk more then. Gotta make the press work for some news right?
Hey Mom! My Wizard is Level 70 and he specializes in FIRE MAGIC.
In the meantime if you all have any hints on how I can sneak into the Killzone event let me know. I think I think I left my Ninja outfit at home.
60
Game Stooge » PAIN Producer Q&A on Sony Blog: The most up to date gaming and tech news blog on the planet. | June 26th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
[...] you’re interested in the PSN game PAIN, hit up Sony’s blog. They’ve got an interview Q&A with the Senior Producer Travis WIlliams talking it up about the game. It’s an interesting [...]
61
PSheddy | June 26th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
So that’s pretty awesome if your list is like this. Kinda makes you feel like a normal person.. haha.
This blog is awesome!
62
fireras | June 26th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Hey Travis you know what would be really AWESOME?
Make me a knock off MasterChief…
do you see where I am going with this.
And while you’re at it:
- George Bush
- Paris Hilton
- That Guy From Fox New
- Jack Thompson (Mr. I hate violent games)
- Bin Laden
- Peter Griffin (that would be awwwwwessome!
- Peter Moore (he’s an idiot killed my DC)
- Dick Chaney
yeah, half of those people you probably can’t use but work on that Master Chief one for me…lol
BTW!!! your looks like weird fun…very creative…I have to check it out.
63
Godofwar55555 | June 26th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I think you should fling villains from Playstation games, like Sephiroth from Final Fantasy, or the Helghast, any of the Villains from MGS would be good too, or DMC villains, maybe a zombie from Resident Evil. Some villains that you usually hate in games.
[]^XO
64
rukusa | June 26th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Oh.My.God.. Travis listens to our requests!
hahaha, dont forget to add some awesome trophies! I need my PS3 “achievements” fix!
65
fragged_23 | June 26th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
hey Travis, if you do find a way to get into the Killzone event, i would like to accompany you. i will provide smoke grenades.
66
psquare | June 26th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
-Oprah
-Donald Trump
-Paris hilton (in regular and jail clothes)
-Bill gates with a funny shirt that would read something like this “O how I love having one out of every two 360s break down
-Osama
-You
-Diane Sawyer
-Jack Thompson
-Animals
-Rosie O’ Donell
-Regis Philbin
-HOME avatar
-AKON
-Fergie
-Kratos
-Solid Snake
-A steaming pile of [DELETED]
67
jedIAN | June 26th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I can’t wait. Nice Super Dave ref.
68
Jamaicangmah | June 26th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I never did give pain a second look because it just sounded like a game that will get old really quick. However the spankin a monkey for point sounds like fun to me lol!
Killzone is really gettin me pumped. I can’t wait to see what they have done.
69
nmc75 | June 26th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
here’s my idea for sneaking into Killzone event: dress up as a Helghast.. they’ll think you are part of the costumed crew.. what costumed crew.. why you of course! I read about how “Luigi” got away with this at a Nintendo event. Would help if you can get a few people to do it too so that it looks more ‘official’ haha!
ok, since people are throwing out ideas for “fling-ables”, I’ll contribute mine:
- the 12 galaxies guy in downtown S.F.
- Dorothy from Wizard of Oz, oh hell.. the rest of her crew including the dog and the flying monkeys
- the entire Jackass crew
- the Red Hot Chili Peppers (band endorsements!!)
70
Floyd Bishop | June 26th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Can we put you in the catapult and fling you down the street?
71
Everaldo-players | June 26th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Interesting game.
Characters:
Goofy (With you hilarious cry)
Coyote
Jack Thompson
Chuck Norris
Heirachi Mishima
Crash Bandicoot
Lemmings
Generics:
Elves
Dwarfs
Trolls
Nerds
Emos
Soldiers
You…err…
ok, it’s it.
72
Godfather_of_gaming | June 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Atleast this Q/A was alot better than the last one.
73
TristanMike | June 26th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us Travis.
Nice interview guys/gals, keep ‘em coming.
74
tearsofash | June 26th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Pain is going to be awesome. Good thing there’s no story. Leaves more up to the imagination.
75
dragNdrift | June 26th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
hehe yeah, this game looks like a hoot!
-Paris in a jailbird outfit would be awesome.
-Billy Gates wearing a T-Shirt bearing the Red Circle of Death (I’m going to have to go make myself one of those…)
niiice set of Qns by the way. I know this must chew up a bit more of the developers time, but great interview!
76
Globox82 | June 26th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
@ Travis Williams
You seem like a very nice guy. Thank you for this informations and keep up the good work.
77
Dark_king | June 26th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Are Home Avatars i sorry if its been mentioned but i didn’t have time to read all the other post yet.
78
KevinP | June 26th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I can’t wait for E3..This site rocks!! Pain is goin to be fun game to play with buddies..I hope you guys have some unannounced games for us this E3!! Ill make sure to check here everyday.
79
self.confessed.cynic | June 26th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Just putting this out there - but I think a number of us would pay to see a ‘celebrity’ package, an ‘enemies of the state’ (characters from other platforms) package, and a ‘famous political figures’ package (ie, Stalin or something, there shouldn’t be any barriers stoping you from doing dead people).
I’d pay $2US for the celebrity edition (whether I like the game or not) to $5US (if I end up playing the game heaps).
I’d pay $10US for the Enemy of the State pack (no matter what - just let me at Link any day, although I doubt this’d ever happen - maybe a fanboy dressed as link? You can call it cosplay and skirt around the red tape).
… And I’d pay $5US for a Political Figures pack (I doubt it’d be distasteful to see someone like Hitler flung at landmarks - just include several disclaimers, and call it a day).
Packs involving movie characters would warrant my money too.
Ah well - just putting it out there.
BTW: I love the new questions and extended nature of the Q&A, kudos to the entire Sony group for taking feedback and running with it. I’m almost lost for words when it comes to how impressed I am.
And thanks Travis, for taking the time off to do so.
80
MarkyMark PS3 | June 26th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
This game looks very fun indeed, one word: SWEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
81
EvoAnubis | June 26th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
@ #28
I love that list. That list is the business! That’d make this game even more fun. Bonus points if Oprah bounces a few times when she actually hits the ground, or Fergie marks things slightly yellow and damp when she hits hit.
82
jigglywiggly | June 26th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
A cow. It’s all the game needs. If you stick a cow in a slingshot, with comedy mooing as it flies through the air, the udder (ZING!) zaniness, like Earthworm Jim’s cow-launching, will give PAIN a special place in the hearts of everyone who buys it.
I’d challenge ANYONE to not break a smile at it.
83
Kurse | June 26th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Nice post & the game looks awesome.
Wanna sell a million plus on day one?
Put a George Bush look-alike in there!
Mission Accomplished!
84
Garinol | June 26th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Travis, I like you man. And you get an extra point for your knowledge of elves and magic. If you want to sneak into the Killzone event, I suggest you use Snake’s Octocamo camouflage. It is also rumored to allow the wearer to blend in with any surface. Just contact Kojima, I think he can let you borrow it for a few days. Good luck! (Oh, and don’t forget to bring us some photos while you at it).
85
Gavi | June 26th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
A good read, this is how the interview should read unlike the first attempt although it was saved by the second installment. I understand that you guys don’t want to spill all the beans before the big show. Keep up the good work.
Oh, and flingable character, there can be only one. Stick Paris in that catapult. I think you could really make something of this game if you could use real characters from games, but that’d be quite a tough one to do won’t it with licences and whatnot.
86
tearsofash | June 26th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
In PAIN can you please have a free play mode? I dunno if it’s going to be mission-based or whatever, but a free play pain-fest would be awesome for parties and such.
87
EViD | June 26th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
looking forward to PAIN (and super excited about Killzone)
88
ogshady | June 26th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I’m sorry that your great post just became on giant place for people to post how much they are wanting to see Killzone. So now I’ll apologize in advance.
I LOVE MY KILLZONE!!! GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!!
89
Clinton514 | June 26th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Yes, we need to fling around some Helghast and other Killzone charaters.
90
Talal | June 26th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Any Words On HOME?
91
Rockwallaby | June 26th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Looks good
92
jaydogg691 | June 26th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Sound interesting, but I need more than just a screen shot. Hopefully more will be unveiled at E3.
93
omegasyde | June 26th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
You can not Fling Chuck Norris. If he was actually flung a rip in a space time continuim would happen creating a massive black hole.
Upon this event, surrounding buildings would implode into the hole creating a massive Catastrophe in the likes of The Tsunami of 2004 and Hurricane Katrina.
No one man handles Chuck Norris but Chuck Norris, even in Videogames.
Other Safe Suggestions:
The whole case of “The View”.
The Sherriff in Charge of Paris Hilton
Monica Lewinski
Carrot Top
Gay-Robot (Look on Youtube.com)
Tom from Myspace
Jim Carrey
Mariah Carrey
Vanilla Ice
Rosie O’Donnel
-KEVIN FEDERLINE AKA K-FED.-
Ellian Gonzales
The Cat in the Hat
drop dead fred
Dr. Phil
Right Said Fred (artist - I’m Too Sexy)
Animal from the Mupphets
Latoya Jackson
Trojan Man! w/ Horse.
Urkel or Erkel or Jamal White.
Razor Ramon “Hard G#Y” Sumitani’s
Jenny Craig
O.J. Simpson
Backstreet Boys
Ricky Martin
Tim Allen
Care bears
Meg Ryan
The cast of the “Golden Girls”
Jack Thompson’s Mom
94
Catharz | June 26th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I love suggestions of characters to fling.
Personally, I’d pay a little extra for a celebrity pack (especially if Jack Thompson and George Bush are in there).
Be great if you could have them blurt out some famous quotes, just before they get flung. The Microsoft guy saying “things break” right before he’s flung into a moving car would be awesome.
95
Herby | June 26th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Great Post.
Right now at the top of my head Paris Hilton. I know I am the 20th person that has said that.
I love your comment about Killzone. Damn, Now I really can’t wait for E3. This game sounds like it is going to be cool. I wonder how much they will charge for it in the PSN store.
96
darkgeekrocker | June 26th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
man, i just think i will love this game.
but here are a few suggestions:
>DEEP custimizing of characters (and maybe levels) and by DEEP custimizing, i mean like that of smackdown vs raw 2006… you could almost make anybody!
> home avatar upload?
>course the things we all want (luanch the game from home, multi player action, and maybe even something like flatout 2 mini games?)
> and i guess maybe MORE custimizing….its the #1 thing i look in games (unless its a game with a great story like mgs4)
97
Dark_king | June 26th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Sony we the playstation 3 user demand to know if MGS4 and FF13 are going to be exclusive?I really think you should tell us we want to know what going on the silince is killing us.Just come out and answer if there going multi platform then we should be told.I think the rumors are making people question buying a ps3.I think these rumors need to be put to rest fast.I know these games are not made by sony but still you should already know the answer to my question.If the rumor is true then the ps3 will fade away.there would be no reason to buy a ps3 if these games could be played on a cheaper system.
98
ace2ace | June 26th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
i agree wit Dark_king fully… seriously i won’t be upset if you guys just come out and say it… in fact i think things would be alot better if you just came out and said things up front…
don’t be like F*****G Bill Gates and literally dodge every question that is thrown at you… thats not good business!!!!
also i’m looking forward to “Pain”… in fact i’m looking forward to alot of PSN games coming out but for the love of god can we get some more PS1 titles out there. Seriously i would love to see “final fantasy 7″ and the original Playstation “wipeout” on there… that would be awesome.
99
Asmadeus | June 26th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Travis,
If you can get Right Said Fred into the game (complete with the song) could you add an “I’m too Sexy” bonus round to your Monkey Spanking game?
100
Travis Williams | June 26th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Jigglywiggly… we have a man in a cow suit. So I guess your cow dreams are answered. Sorta… I am not sure why people want to put me in a launcher. You guys don’t even know me.
Garinol… Dude you have no idea how much I know about Elves. It shames me.
Nice lists everyone. I hope I can make some of these happen… Besides the cow.
See ya after E3
MOO
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