David Cage, the man behind Heavy Rain

Sometimes the most interesting interviews come when you least expect them.

While wandering around the Sony Computer Entertainment Europe room at this month's E3 expo in Los Angeles, I ran into Heavy Rain creator David Cage, from Quantic Dreams, the brains behind the PlayStation 3 game Heavy Rain, who had five minutes free to chat about the game.

You took a lot of risks with Heavy Rain

Oh, yeah, many risks. Everytime you try to create an experience with a character who doesn't use a gun, doesn't drive a car, doesn't jump off platforms, doesn't solve puzzles, you are taking a risk.

So you were obviously comfortable with taking a number of risks with Heavy Rain? What did you think the reaction to Heavy Rain would be?

Oh, the reaction has been amazing and we were really surprised. We certainly hoped for a good reaction but we didn't expect such positive feedback and the game got critical acclaim worldwide. The reviews were just as good in Japan as they were across Europe and in the US, which is something really surprising. In many games where you try to take risks and create something different you can get critical acclaim but the sales are kind of average, but here the sales were just amazing, so it really sends the message to the industry that the market is now ready and eager for something new, something different. Stop making the same games about shooting something and driving, try something else. There is a market for that.

Why do you think a lot of game makers would rather stay within a comfortable box rather than try something different?

The answer is in your question: because it's comfortable. You don't take any risk. Innovation is a big risk, it can also be a big reward, but a big punishment if you fail. Most of the time it's more comfortable to be just in the middle.

Even if Heavy Rain had failed, would you still have been proud of the game and the risks you took, or would you have thought perhaps we should have done things differently?

Honestly, I would have been very disappointed when you work so hard on something you believe so much and people don't like it. You know, this game was our baby. We're not a developer doing work for hire, we're not doing this for money. We're here because we're passionate about what we're doing, and you always want to share that passion and have people liking what you do. So it would have been a major, major disappointment [if Heavy Rain had failed].

OK, there's going to be Move implementation added to the game. How is that going to work?

You know, the initial version of Heavy Rain was really based on motion control and we really imagined this device and were wanting to use the two fists, and really it was slightly different from what Sony finally developed so the initial design for Heavy Rain was based on motion control, so we developed the Dualshock version and when Sony came back to us and said "Oh, by the way, we have this motion controller, what do you think?" it was quite an easy step, a natural step for us to go back to what initially Heavy Rain was.

Does using Move bring a completely different game play experience from the one using the Dualshock controller?

From the first user groups we have done so far, yes, it seems it is very different, especially because you are physically involved. I hear from the users that especially the action sequences are really breathtaking and they were really surprised how immersive they became because of the Move. All the interface was really based on gestures, from the beginning, so you only had this physical dimension to the experience by adding Move.

Xbox has the Kinect, Sony has the Move. Do you think that gesture and movement is going to become the way of the future for gaming?

All console manufacturers are trying to find a way to expand their market to people who aren't impressed by controllers and don't want to go for a Dualshock because there are too many buttons to play it. They find that gesture is the best thing for these people to come in and enjoy games and I think to a certain extent that is the right thing. Now is that the ideal solution for every single game?  Do we all want to play by moving on the couch? I'm not sure but it's an interesting new approach, especially if we can use motion controllers to do other things than party games and family entertainment. If we can use them for more adult and emotional experiences then it's going to be very interesting.

Are you working on other games at the moment? Are they the same sort of thing as Heavy Rain?

You know, it's difficult to do video games the old way again after Heavy Rain, to be honest with you, because it transforms the way you think but we're working on something that is similar, in the same direction but certainly not a copycat. We're not going to just duplicate Heavy Rain, because we are passionate about innovation and discovery so we're trying to discover new ground and see how we can move from Heavy Rain and create something even more immersive.

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RoriM6   #1   01:19 pm Jun 29 2010

Still Havent tried this game is it worth picking up or is it a bit overhyped please let me know what you think (Bearing in mind the releases between now and Christmas)

Eric   #2   02:15 pm Jun 29 2010

Heavy Rain was awesome even before the launch of move. It's truly immerseve as you're having to operate your current character by using your controller to create real gestures. It already uses six axis control so the addition of move will make it an even better experience.

Also, whilst there is a core story, there can be multiple plots depending on what happens to your characters (e.g. one of them dying can change the story dramatically).

I'd recommend this game to anyone who likes a good storyline but is looking for something else other than the same old FPS/RPG game structure. Pick it up, if you don't like it, trade it in!

Bruce   #3   03:34 pm Jun 29 2010

This game is awesome!

Although it's relatively quick to get through, its like an action packed thriller movie.

Definately worth the pingers!

Simon   #4   03:48 pm Jun 29 2010

@ RoriM6 #1

I can't recommend it enough although it does take some getting used to if you've been playing alot of shooters (as I had at the time). You really have to think of it as a long interactive movie, cut scenes are not skippable. I found it very fun and would be keen to replay with Move support. A little bit annoyed that the DLC is on the back burner now because of Move but nevermind there's still plenty of other titles to work through. I think Heavy Rain's pricepoint is now $60 or so and it is well worth that.

Zedek   #5   03:50 pm Jun 29 2010

I would agree with Eric #2, buy the game but make sure you can return it. IMO it is very hit and miss depending on your personal preference as I didn't enjoy the game (did try to get through about 5 hours but didn't get into it at all).

Beastman   #6   04:45 pm Jun 29 2010

Imagine if spiders had breasts the same as people but really small. I think this would make them far less fearsome. I would probably quite approve of spiders instead of directly spraying them with Raid for a minute and a half if this were the case. I could design tiny bras for them to wear and they would thank me for providing the support they need with hardly any chafing at all. Oh lordy, imagine if ALL bugs had mammaries - wouldn't that be something? That's a lot of tiny bras.

Mazzykins   #7   08:59 pm Jun 29 2010

I enjoyed the game quite a lot, though, it isn't for everyone. It certainly makes an impact as people walk past - my sister and father have commented that "wow, that looks just like a movie" and they've sat down to watch.

I do recommend a rent at the very least - for a couple of days. Play it at night, as while it's not scary it gets quite suspenseful. Play it once, at least; make your choices, don't worry about doubling back (though I did double back once because I pressed a button that was on the screen and the characters did something I completely didn't expect, and didn't want them to do). As Simon mentioned, I'd find it hard to justify blowing a full $110 on it, but if the price is down to $60 or less, it's definitely worth getting. And hey, if you rent it... even better. ;)

name   #8   11:27 pm Jun 29 2010

first id like to thank David on taking a leap of faith and releasing a game that does not follow the sheep, also on releasing a game thats so story driven and emotional.

now thats out of the way, heavy rain is by far the best game i have ever played!!!! the storyline is so moving, and i never thought a game could make me feel like the characters would feel but it did, as they say hit the nail on the head! i never believed a game could truly have a emotional effect on the player, but heavy rain proved me wrong. its the storyline and the way its executed that makes this the best game ive ever played bar none! the storyline is so deep, interesting and moving that id say its the best storyline in a video game ever! better than assassins creed, or even MGS and we all know how famous hideos storytelling is!

i cant thank David enough for going against the grain, and giving us something different. screw GOTY, heavy rain should get game of the century!!!!!

Ka$ha   #9   05:55 pm Jun 30 2010

@ Mazzykins #7 Heavy Rain is $69.99 from EB Games and Mighty Ape

Simon   #10   12:27 pm Jul 01 2010

@ Mazzykins, Heavy Rain is now only $49 from Noel Leeming

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