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Hollywood Reporter
September 2, 2003
'Alias' Infiltrates Game World
by Chris Marlowe
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams didn't initially envision his spy drama as a video game, but it also didn't take him long to realize the show was well suited to the idea.
The ABC series, which Abrams describes as a "weird twisted family drama set against the world of international espionage," has a structure that he recognized would translate easily into gaming.
"As a fan of video games myself, I knew this would be an excellent video game," Abrams said. "So many games have used this sort of episodic adventure paradigm, from something as simple as 'Tomb Raider' to as dark as 'Max Payne,' where it's a character you're following."
Even so, he admitted to some trepidation.
"With the linear experience of television, you can structure revelation and storytelling, and you're able to be elusive when necessary and spoon-feed when necessary," Abrams said. "But how do you make an interactive experience that you control into something that delivers emotionally? And on an aesthetic level, it has to be a satisfying game-play experience if it has the 'Alias' name on it. I was a little nervous."
For Abrams, the answer was to be involved from the very earliest stages. He also made sure that game developer Acclaim used series star Jennifer Garner and the other actors along with the writers, composer, set designers, costume designers and other members of the "Alias" team.
"It had to stand on its own, but at the same time, it had to feel like an extension of the show," Abrams said.
The bargain bins are full of tie-in games that were poorly done or unsuccessful for other reasons. Abrams, being a game fan, was well aware of the need to avoid that fate.
"Many games were inspired by a movie or TV show but ultimately were uninspired," he said. "The key to making it work is the personality of the characters and not having them secondary to the special effects and the spectacle."
Abrams has taken great pains to prevent the "Alias" game from being generic. Besides striving for authenticity, he also was particularly happy with a split-screen innovation Acclaim devised. While the main action is on one side, the other side is showing impending disaster.
"Your heart starts pounding because you see the bad guys coming after you, and know your time is limited," Abrams said, adding that this echoes the pacing of the television show.
Ultimately, the bottom line for Abrams is that the "Alias" game is not just a licensing deal but is a legitimate extension of his creation into another medium.
"There's a reason why someone like Steven Spielberg was smart enough to get involved in video games early on," Abrams said. "He knew that they weren't just products."
In addition to creating the series, Abrams executive produces along with John Eisendrath, Ken Olin, Alex Kurtzman-Counter and Bob Orci.
"Alias," which also stars Victor Garber and Michael Vartan, is about to begins its third season.
© Reuters/Hollywood Reporter 2003
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