News for Oct. 13, 2005

Peter Jackson's King Kong

10/13/05, 9:45 am EST - Xoanon

We've had games that are based on, inspired by and have plainly stolen from movies for as long as we can remember. The two are linked if for no other reason than the remarkably simple fact that they both feature moving images, involve a great deal of staring and... no, we can't go on. They are similar in some respects but it is still their differences that make them stand out from each other. Both create an experience, but only games offer something that's truly interactive; only games enable you to be part of the story and amid the unfolding action. IMAX screens and a sound system that makes your eyes wobble make for a larger spectacle, but not a deeper one. You are in your seat, the images dance about 50 feet away and the distance between the two is the let down. It's this space, between movie and the viewer, that Ubisoft's Montpellier Studios has designated for occupation, and it's doing it with the help of a hairy giant gorilla and an even hairier director, Peter Jackson. [More]