Former developer reveals Rockstar’s scrapped plans for a zombie survival game set on a remote Scottish island
In a surprising revelation, former Rockstar North developer Obbe Vermeij recently disclosed that the renowned game studio had once toyed with the idea of creating a zombie survival game set on a desolate Scottish island. The concept, which circulated within the company for approximately a month in 2002, aimed to repurpose the code from the popular game Vice City. However, the project was ultimately abandoned due to concerns about its dark and gloomy nature. This article delves into the details of this lost game and explores what might have been.
Undead Nightmare?
Vermeij’s now-removed blog post shed light on Rockstar North’s artists’ desire to create a zombie game, citing their inexplicable fascination with the undead. The plan was to transform Vice City’s code into a thrilling zombie survival experience, with players navigating an eerie Scottish island overrun by hordes of the undead. The key to survival would be constant movement, as players would rely on vehicles to traverse the island’s treacherous terrain. Fuel, a scarce resource, would need to be diligently scavenged to keep the vehicles running.
However, despite the initial excitement surrounding the concept, the project was ultimately deemed “too depressing” by those involved. Rockstar North shifted its focus to the development of the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, which would later become the critically acclaimed San Andreas.
Oh, what might have been.
The abandoned zombie game concept, though never realized, would resurface almost a decade later in Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption. The popular Undead Nightmare expansion allowed players to experience a zombie-infested Wild West, showcasing the studio’s penchant for revisiting and reimagining discarded ideas.
The revelation of Rockstar’s abandoned zombie game highlights the creative process behind game development and the numerous ideas that may never see the light of day. It invites speculation about the potential success and impact such a game could have had, given Rockstar’s reputation for delivering immersive and groundbreaking experiences.
Conclusion:
The tale of Rockstar’s abandoned zombie game serves as a reminder of the intricate and unpredictable nature of game development. While the concept may have been too dark for its time, the subsequent success of Undead Nightmare demonstrated the enduring appeal of the zombie genre in gaming. As fans continue to speculate about what could have been, Rockstar’s legacy of pushing boundaries and embracing unexpected ideas remains firmly intact.
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