The Team Speak Out Part 2 (1998)
GameSpot.co.uk
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We talk with Andy Sandham who designed the London levels in Tomb Raider III.
How did you decide London?
Because London has a rich and varied history. And I can save me-self a lot of work by driving down and taking loads of photos.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
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The best thing is the hours. I find a 36 hour day provides you with an efficient mental enema. The worst thing is realising you'll probably have to do it all again in about 6 months.
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
The best thing about Lara is her breasts. The worst thing is her arse. (too many polygonal gaps.)
Who do your think should play Lara in the new film?
Catherine Zeta Jones.
Any tips for playing Tomb Raider III?
Perseverance. Some of it can be quite frustrating, but you'll be amply rewarded in the end.
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
I'm sticking with my fiesta, although I've just had to get a new spare tyre.
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We talk with Tom Scutt who worked on the artificial intelligence (AI) programming for all the animals and baddies. Up until ten months ago he was a lecturer in AI at the University of Nottingham.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
Best thing: Having an idea for the AI; programming it; and then watching someone who's playing the game being surprised when an enemy does something clever (like ducking behind a wall or leading Lara into an ambush).
Worst thing: Working 12+ hours a day, virtually every day for the last three months.
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
Best thing: Her shiny black leather cat-suit on the London levels.
Worst thing: The fact that she can continually jump from side to side while still firing her guns... it gives Lara a big advantage over the baddies (so it's a nightmare if you're writing the AI).
Who do your think should play Lara in the new film?
Kate Moss? ;) Seriously, I think it should be a British actress, and one chosen for her acting ability rather than her bust measurement.
Any tips for playing Tomb Raider III?
Follow the monkeys. Don't shoot people before you know if they're friendly or not. Try sneaking past guards rather than blowing them away. Use the duck button to take cover behind walls during shoot-outs.
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
I'd just be happy with a car that started reliably in the morning and didn't leak when it rained :(
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We talk with Jamie Morton who designed many of the levels.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
Help creating a game that people enjoy. Not having much social life towards the end of the project.
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
That she's a strong Character. There is no worst thing about Lara.
Who do your think should play Lara in the new film?
Hmm, I think Eric Cartman would be excellent, also Catherine-Zeta Jones would be really good. Take a look at the new Empire magazine front cover.
Any tips for playing Tomb Raider III?
Phone the help line.
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
A nice car that gets to A - Z.
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We talk with Richard Morton who was head map designer.
Did you work on the other Tomb Raider games?
I sat in on meetings and helped design the original Tombraider levels, I also created the Temple of Xian for the original.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
The best thing is designing something on paper or in your mind, then when you put this design into the game it works perfectly. The worst aspect of my job is the last two months of no sleep, it's all worth it though.
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
Lara is so versatile, you can put her in any situation, give her any costume, any weapon, any vehicle and she still looks cool. The worst thing. Mmmmmmmmmm...... I think she needs a hair change.
Who do your think should play Lara in the new film?
Catherine Zeta Jones. What a Babe.
Any tips for playing Tomb Raider III?
Don't just run in to a situation with guns blazing, in TR3 some adversaries aren't as hostile as they first appear. Also on the T-Rex if you are low on ammo or want to show off, use flares to distract him while you sprint away.
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
My heart is set on a BMW M3 evolution, but only if the game sells 20 Squillion copies.
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We talk with Phil Chapman who created and animated all enemy characters and various background objects.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
The best....the freedom of creativity and enjoying what I do The worst... the hours!
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
Best.....somebody else has to sort her stuff out. Worst....you keep getting asked questions about her all the time !
Who do your think should play Lara in the new film?
Jennifer Conelly (hubba - hubba!).
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
A Duccati and a housefull of naked ladies!
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We talk to Peter Duncan who created the Antarctica level. On Tomb Raider II he helped out on the Barkhang Monastery level.
How did you decide on Antarctica as a location?
Mostly just by sitting down and thinking about what would be fun to build, whilst also trying to get plenty of diversity for the game as a whole. For me personally, I've always liked John Carpenter's The Thing, and this was part of choosing Antarctica.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
One of the best things for me has to be the freedom to let your imagination run riot at the beginning of a project, working out the locations that you'd like to see Lara running around in, and researching them. It all gets a bit hectic later on when you've got to get to work and try and realise all the crazy stuff your imagination came up with earlier.
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
Best of course are more her prominent features, (she stands out from all other game characters) and I reckon she's streets ahead in terms of animation and refinement.
Worst is all the baggage that she carries with her, and the thin line between tacky and cool she's been treading since the first outing.
Who do your think should play Lara in the new film?
John Cleese or Uma Thurman.
Any tips for playing Tomb Raider III?
Plenty of valium.
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
Porsches or something a little different? If so, what? Nice new unbreakable thermos.
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We talk with Martin Gibbins who is part of the programming team.
So what was your role in Tomb Raider III?
I did most of the visual effects in the game and helped Chris Coupe out with the new game engine, plus the general bits and bobs that come with the job.
Did you work on the other Tomb Raider games?
No, which, in hindsight, is probably a good thing because it meant that we were all eager to make it better, which we did, and then some.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
The best thing is the immense satisfaction of completing something that will be played by millions of people. The worst is the ridiculous hours of work that we, as a team, have to put in to get the game out in too short a deadline.
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
Lara is so well known now that it makes making Tomb Raider games more worth while. This is the best thing as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately it's probably the worst thing about her as well because the pressure to make TR3 better and please the general public is far greater.
Any tips for playing Tomb Raider III?
Take the time to look around. Don't shoot first and ask questions later, the 'baddies' aren't as thick anymore!
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
I'll be paying off my mortgage and buying a new car for myself and my girlfriend. The rest will be invested wisely for my family's future. If you want specific car names, I'll probably be having a Honda Civic and my girlfriend wants a Golf GTi.
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We talk with Chris Coupe who was part of the programming team.
What's the best thing and worst thing about your job?
Best - money. Worst - Gibby (Martin Gibbins, fellow programmer!!!).
What's the best thing and worst thing about Lara?
Best - won't have to look at her again 'til after Christmas. Worst - after Christmas.
Who do your think should play Lara in the new film?
David Hasselhoff!
Any tips for playing Tomb Raider III?
Jump about and shoot things... very carefully.
If Tomb Raider III sells 10 zillion copies, will you all buy Ferraris and Porsches or something a little different? If so, what?
A wig.
