Vivendi announces Scarface game
Perhaps inspired by EA's decision to develop product based on The Godfather, Vivendi-Universal Games has announced its intention to create a game based on Brian DePalma's epic Scarface film.
Following in the footsteps of Electronic Arts, who recently began work on a videogame adaptation of Francis Ford Coppola's classic early 1970s work The Godfather, Vivendi-Universal Games has announced its ambition to publish a game based on Brian DePalma's legendary Scarface film in autumn 2005.
VU Games' adaptation is being developed by Radical Games (makers of The Hulk), and will be a third-person action shooter in which players take control of Al Pacino's character from the film, Tony Montana, and attempt to build up a criminal empire in a historically accurate recreation of 1980s Miami, where the film was set.
The French publisher has drafted in screenwriter David McKenna to write an original event-driven storyline, and is planning to touch on the politics, news items and events of the day in its recreation.
Vivendi-Universal Games' Worldwide Studios executive vice president Michael Pole described the world of Scarface as a "natural property" for adaptation. "The game will feature cutting-edge technology, a compelling storyline and the unprecedented experience of playing as one of Hollywood's most notorious gangsters, Tony Montana," he said.
Meanwhile, Bill Kispert, vice president of Interactive at Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, reflected on the fact that Scarface has already inspired many movies and indeed games (most notably Grand Theft Auto: Vice City). "Having the chance to now bring gamers the authentic experience is an opportunity and challenge we are looking forward to," he said.