Inside the Developers Studio: Dylan Jobe

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Warhawk image_3
1. What game do you have at E3 this year?
Warhawk, baby!

2. Tell us more about your game. What’s the story?
Warhawk isn’t about a story – plain and simple. Warhawk is about fast, fun, full spectrum warfare with the stuff that players should expect to see in a war game. While there are numerous clever elements in Warhawk that we’re very proud of, we actively tried to adhere to proven conventions that players are already familiar with.

I’m not about to write a bunch of marketing and PR spew here…if you’re interested in learning more about Warhawk, check-out Warhawk.com.

3. Describe it (your game) in five words or less.
OPTION#1 = The love child of Unreal Tournament and Battlefield.
OPTION#2 = The fastest war-game you’ve ever played!
OPTION#3 = One of our Public BETA testers referred to Warhawk as a “Super Hot, psycho, girlfriend”. This description works pretty well.

4. What did you do on this game that you couldn’t do on another platform?
It’s hard to answer this and not sound like a gratuitous SONY sales pitch :)

Although I would say it’s the sum-total of all of our natural phenomenon in the game. Our clouds, procedural water, atmospheric scattering, terrain, etc. All of this stuff runs in parallel on all 7 SPUs simultaneously every frame – I’m still not sure if the game community is giving enough credit to just how fast the SPUs really are.

5. What do you think is the coolest aspect of this game?
I’m really proud of our Quick-Split technology. It’s something that once people see how easy and fast our split-screen works, they are often left wondering why it isn’t done like that in other games.

Players might remember back to the last game I produced, War of the Monsters; we had a cool split-screen to single screen transition in that game. Split-screen is really important to me as a developer and I’m a firm believer in “couch-appeal”. Games that are not only fun to play, but fun to *watch* being played.

“Couch-appeal” is a common denominator among most successful titles. I kinda got of topic there for a second :)

6. If you could sit one person in front of your game for an hour, who would it be?
Jade Raymond (Assassins Creed) – I have a purely innocent, *professional* crush on her :)

7. What game do you most want an hour to sit in front of yourself (besides your own)?
Hmmm, probably Starcraft 2 — I’m a Protoss Zealot IRL! Most people don’t know that about me. I have a Pylon in my office. One of the other games that I am dying to play isn’t announced yet – The PR folks will shank me if I say anything about it.

8. How many E3’s does E3 2007 mark for you?
Since ’99 – so this year will be 9…OMG, I feel so old now!

9. Describe the pre-2007 E3 experience in five words or less.
Well last year’s E3 was insane – needless to say my pre-E3 experience last year was not spent refining my SIXAXIS interpretive dance!

10. You are asked to make suggestions for an E3 survival kit — what three items HAVE to be included?
Who knows what the kit should have in it for this new format? Probably a great map or GPS since people are going to be driving all over LA!

The old-school E3 kit would have included earplugs, Excedrin and a small sketch book. It was always great to play so many games and take notes about what they were doing well and what elements didn’t work.

On an unrelated note, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to attend E3 with a high-powered directional mic. It is *truly* staggering how open some people are with confidential information. An acute ear at the cafeteria can yield some really interesting info :)

11. What advice would you have for someone who has never experienced E3?
Wow, not even sure where to begin! It’s like 3 separate high schools having high-budget pep-rallies all in the same gymnasium.

Sadly, people won’t be able to experience the sensory pressure cooker of E3s past – Who knows how this new format will turn out.

11. Describe what you anticipate from 2007’s newly formatted E3 in five words or less.
Not much – I’m skeptical. (that’s actually only 4-and-a-half words so I should get some kind of prize)

12. Most over used phrase or expression during E3 season.
The team and I are soooo sick of devs saying that they are “taking things to the next level!”

I think the press should call shenanigans on any dev who drops a line like this in an interview. “So what we’re trying to do here with Super-Ultra-Tea-Party-Turbo EX-HD is take the first-person, turn-based, MMORPG, Tea and Biscuits simulation genre to the next level!!”

*dylan vomits on floor*

*dylan takes note of stomach’s evacuated contents*

*corn is observed*

13.When is it being released?
Warhawk is coming to the PlayStation Store *and* on Blu-ray at brick-n-mortar Stores nationwide in early Fall.

14.What’s your favorite part about developing games for a living?
This will sound giga-dorky but…I really like the people. This industry pulls together such an eclectic group of people – it keeps work very exciting.

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159 Comments

  • this game cant come soon enough

  • :'( no PSN update today? Am cry.

  • Warhawk will be another peice of software that moves hardware.

    With all of the online games that Sony is pushing out for this year I think that X-Box Live is about to take a beating.

    Also Microsoft just extended the 360’s warranty to 3 years because of systems crashing. Still!

    Well I guess that you get what you pay for.LOL

  • I just got to say that I loved the Warhawk beta. It was the best experience I’ve had with my PS3.

    With that aside, whats up with the lack of new PS Store content this week?

  • I have an innocent professional crush on Ted Price O:

  • another must have… score 1 for PS3…

  • Wierd, they havent updated the ps store today. The day isnt over, they are probably working an a redisign for the ps store for tomorrow.

  • CitizenInsane27

    Yeah, its a bit off topic, but WTF guys? No PS store update today??

  • @CitizenInsane27

    Yeah, looks like we have to wait until next week for the Heavenly Sword demo. And no trailers either, blah. Hope for something big next week.

  • actually, i was kind of glad when they announced that warhawk would be online only. imo the art doesn´t really look right for a serious single player experience. i will probably download this asap when it comes out.

  • DUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDDDDEEEEE!!!! i hear there is a PRICE DROP in the works, and if this is true or not true i still have the perfect idea. Three words: PS3 WarHawk Bundle!!! MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!

  • oh crap! there’s a price drop coming up….

    IN 4 1

    ^__^

  • I completely agree with split-screen part.

    It’s amazingly easy!!!
    Can drop in and out whenever and it has no effect on the game. It’s super fast too. I am really happy with this feature. I bought 3 controllers and I enjoy being able to use them at the same time with my family and friends.

  • @balliinn

    They are saying maybe a $100 price drop will be coming soon. It would make since, with E3 around the corner. Also PS3’s Fall lineup is just killer. Sony may recover any losses with game sales alone. Specially not being region locked, that means people buying any game that looks good to them, from anywhere in the world!!

    Also, when will we get a (playable) WarHawk Demo on PSN- I’m itchin for the Heavinly Sword Demo comin soon (very soon) :D

  • I kind of feel bad for Sony, the price drop was probably a large part of their press conference, and it’s unfortunate that people had to ruin it. They should be fired.

  • i lost interest in this game when they said it was online only and i really got p’od when i didn’t even get the beta.

  • @GFXology, do you recall Kotaku stealing Sony’s thunder just ahead of Gamer’s Day about Home. I don’t think this would have been the highlight of their press conference, but they’ll work an angle on it anyhow. Good idea about the WarHawk bundle, get that mic in there, throw in HD cables and it looks the complete set, good to go.

  • This game sounds great!!! BTW, if you want us to pay attention to what you’re saying avoid Jade Raymond mentions. ;)

  • This game was a really good game, I was a beta tester and besides the freezing I played the game alot. BTW, How big is the final version of the game gonna be? Is it gonna be the same size as the beta or bigger?

  • If you dont got a PS3 go out and get one look at all the huge games coming out this year. I personally cant wait for this game, and my two non virtual friends ( who own a ps3) cant wait either. Its new gameplay that looks awesome. I love the inside the devs studio i like hearing from all these devs. Its dope.

  • Dylan,
    The BETA was excellent. a must buy for me my friend. I wanna thank you for keeping in touch with us on the BETA forums and letting us know what was going on. See you in the skys!

  • yo What HAPPEND TO TODAYS THURSDAY UPDATE ON THE PS STORE I KNOW THIS AINT THE PLACE FO THIS BUT DAMN MAN!!!

  • No update today, but it was fine since theres quality games to be played this week, Stardust and Ninja Gaiden Sigma especially. I’m hoping the pricedrop is announced @ E3 with some bonus like a pack-in Resistance. That would be ace.

  • HE is the MAN. I didnt know Devs can me so friendly !! TheGoatAss owns!!!! Still miss warhawk!! ! :—(

  • alright so i was wondering about this split screen everyone is talking about. 4 player online multiplayer right?

    when just jumping into a game, 2 friends want to pop in, the server becomes filled up or not? when online, will one ps3 be one person in the server than having 3 players added to the server?

  • Can you get to the top of those huge buildings on foot? there looks to be an amazing scope of scenarios if so.

    can’t wait to get this.

  • incog rulez

  • Truly excited for Warhawk (ps3) was wondering if the facts have been laid down for any pricing scenarios, differences of bought online, or in brick n’ mortar stores as you put it… I heard rumor of headset pack in if bought in stores on blu-ray, if this is true, how good would the value be in comparison to buying the game online in the PSN, and picking or chosing my own headset… suppose in less words, does the pack in, if not only a rumor… kick royal rear?

  • Nevermind found the blog thread dedicated to this topic above… ignore…

  • Funny interview, but i’d like those high res screenshots next time : )

  • HappySpaceInvdr

    Dear Mr Web Admin,

    Please consider changing the title of these topics to either:

    “Inside the Developer’s Studio” (if there’s only one developer working there)

    or

    “Inside the Developers’ Studio” (if there are lots of developers working there)

    Because right now, it doesn’t look very impressive or professional to educated native English speakers.

    Thank you.

  • HappySpaceInvdr

    “I’m really proud of our Quick-Split technology. It’s something that once people see how easy and fast our split-screen works, they are often left wondering why it isn’t done like that in other games.”

    Is he talking about the similar technology employed in Toejam & Earl on the Sega Genesis?

  • the beta testing was fun! I can’t wait till the full release :) thanks Dylan and the Dev team for the opportunity to help test the game, I’m still hoping that the single player part of the game can still be available some day :)

  • Hey Dylan, give me match-making and a deep clan customization option and a party system and Warhawk will be perfect….great game man….its even hotter and crazier than my last girlfriend…and she was crazy.

  • I really enjoyed the beta (after the patch update…lol).
    I am going to be buying this game for sure.
    The only thing that you need to add to make it an even better online experiance is a SQUAD SYSTEM like in Resistance.
    Give the option for people to team up in different squads and not have to press the analog stick to talk.
    It’s extremely difficult (for me anyway) to fly or drive or be in a combat situation and have to press down on that damn stick to talk or shout out a warning.
    If you add that, this game is golden

    Thanks
    SPARDA

  • “couch appeal” – I like that! Having been a beta tester on Warhawk I was impressed with the game… especially a way to stop my husband from being a “back seat gamer”… a quick press of the “start” button and suddenly he’s in the game… and no longer critiquing my performance! :)

    … and there’s a lot to be said for blowing your husband up with a tank!

  • This game is a example that better hardware means better gameplay also. I have high expectations from this game.

    I love fast action games

  • Can SONY create a game like SIM Manager for Soccer or NHL?

    can you please make RGP maker as well, thanks

    I dont like war games :)

  • Please make the US PSN Store so all NTSC U/C regions can buy stuff, I want Tekken (and will want Warhawk) but I can’t buy it since I don’t have a US credit card, and Sony Mexico sucks there’s no official launch date, everything comes really expensive and they give pretty lame support. So please SCEA save us.

  • I am from Mexico too and I have my money ready but no product.

    No product no money.

  • @HappySpaceInvdr,

    The usage of apostrophe has become meaningless nowadays. Even English professors still argue its usage. So I don’t see anything wrong with it.

  • Warhawk = Best game I’ve EVER played on ANY system.

  • Hi:

    The game looks great. I’m waiting for the games.

    Now I want to comment about other theme. How SEGA didn’t include the online and all the stuff that the X-Box 360 Virtual Fighter 5 has. What are in the mind of those developer (SEGA) that the way to pay us because we are in the PS3 side. I was a fanatic of SEGA games until they do that to us (PS3 FANS). That’s the way that SEGA and other developer are treating us, I think that us PS3 Fan need to take our voices to those developer that bring games in the PS3 without the extra that they bring to other consoles. I don’t see any reason for that, from now on I’m going to forget that SEGA exist, no matter the game they bring, that’s the way to teach those developer that I cannot going to put my money on their games.

    Thanks.

  • One thing I think that would be nice for the final game would be if in some games you could turn off the radar. I for one think if in some games they did not have the radar it would make the game more fun. So I hope to see that added into the final game.

  • I think MS is bribing other developers :) it is the pure Gates Style, at any rate any game I love has gone to Xobx so I do not care what happens around.

  • The warhawk beta was awesome, can’t wait to get the full version. Interested in hearing about what that secret game you were talking about is, and all the other surprises at E3. Very interesting interview.

    -DH

  • Well I wasn’t invited to the Warhawk beta, but was able to play it on a friends system, and I must say this game is the most fun I’ve had on the PS3 so far! It runs incredibly smoothly and looks amazing. Warhawk is a must buy for PS3 owners. It is absolutely amazing, and surpassed my expectations.

  • PreOrderPlayStation3.net » Blog Archive » Inside the Developers Studio: Dylan Jobe

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  • Yea idunno we’ll see, I think Warhawk will be great, but honestly most ps3 users have played almost everything on ps2, and pretty much everything on pc, and the other systems as well… let’s start bringning the doom!

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