Posted by boyo on Oct 2, 2010 22:47 (Oct 2, 2010 22:47)
The Joe Blade series of games were perfectly playable and appropriately priced; no-one could begrudge handing over some loose change for a few hours of run and gun fun. Players had a successful little series on its hands and was planning to deploy dutiful Joe on another mission, but the fourth game ended up MIA. Martyn Carroll spoke to coder Paul Griffiths to find out how much work was done on the title and why it was canned.
How did you come to be working on Joe Blade IV?
Well the original author of Joe Blade, Colin Swinbourne, left Players prior to progress starting on Joe Blade IV. As the previous games were such good sellers it was decided that I would write the next one in his wake. Jabba (Martin Severn) had already done some graphics for it so it was quite easy to jump in the driving seat.
Was the game more of the same, or did you try and deviate somewhat from the previous games in the series?
The game was similar, but not based on the German theme, more the current event which was the Gulf War. It was different in the fact that it featured two-player simultaneous gameplay; one player being Joe Blade, the other being the main enemy. The screen was split into two, Spy vs Spy style. Some of the gameplay style elements from Spy vs Spy were going to be included into the game to make it more tactical rather than just point and shoot.
What computer was the game developed on, and were there any plans in place to port it to other machines?
The game was written on a PC using PDS and sent to the Spectrum via the interface port. It was also planned to have an Amstrad CPC version as well.
How far along was the game, and why did it never see the light of day?
I'd say it was about 80% complete. Most of the maps and graphics were in. You could move around all the rooms. It was the 'extra' gameplay which wasn't finished. It never saw the light of day as Interceptor Ltd went into liquidation thus stopping all development.
At the time were you sad that the game was unreleased?
It's always a shame when something you have worked on never actually makes it to the market. Unfortunately, it happens quite often for a variety of reasons.
What year did Interceptor go under?
I believe it was in January 1991. I got back from a skiing holiday to find out the company had folded owing me thousands in royalties.
There was talk a in 2004 about the game finally being released on the Alten8 label. What happened with that?
I have no idea. Considering I am the only one with the source code, I doubt that. I do know a Joe Blade IV was made out to be released, but it was really a modified version of Prison Riot that had the graphics changed.
Did Prison Riot start out as a Joe Blade game?
No. It was similar obviously. It was actually coded because of the prison riots on the television at Strangeways I believe. It got slammed by the press and was even on the news. Probably the 'first' controversial game to actually get noticed outside the industry!
Finally, do you think Job Blade IV will ever see the light of day?
I still have the source code somewhere. I'll see if I can dig it out...
