PX360: Has Vin Diesel had any input on the game, and if so, how was it like working with him on the project?
Simon Woodroofe: Vin has been involved with the game longer than I have! He and his production company Tigon were there right from the very beginnings of the idea. His input isn't just limited to the story and cutscenes either - Vin is a gamer through and through - and he knows exactly what great games should feel like. It's really good to be able to work with a star who really takes his games seriously and understands the processes by which they are made.
PX360: For those who rely on the multiplayer aspects of their favorite video games for replay value, what does The Wheelman offer for multiplayer fans?
Simon Woodroofe: We are not supporting traditional multiplayer it is a single player focused experience but we will be supporting the game with DLC post release.
PX360: How long will it take for gamers to complete the single-player campaign of The Wheelman with all the side-missions included? On top of that, are there any favorite missions you’d like to fill us in on the details?
Simon Woodroofe: Our tests shows it would take in excess of 30 hours to complete the entire game for average gamers - with the main story taking up around half of that time. I guess my favourite mission is one called Recover the Documents - where Milo goes after a speeding subway train on a motorcycle! It's 15 minutes of some of the most intense gaming you're ever likely to experience.
PX360: How do you feel about Vin Diesel’s other video game project, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena that releases in spring 2009? Do you think that it’ll benefit both games having Diesel’s named attached to both products due to large amount of fans he has in the action genre?
Simon Woodroofe: I think Vin is carving his own niche as a genuine video game star. There are lots of celebrities that lend their voices and likenesses to games (usually via a movie) but Vin is kind of approaching things from the other direction. It can only benefit Wheelman to be associated with incredible titles like Riddick and Vin's name is becoming a seal of quality for a game these days.
PX360: Has the team had much coordination with the film production that is adapting the title for the big screen? Also, is the film adaptation still on track to release around the same time frame as the video game?
Simon Woodroofe: Tigon has been handling all of the film production aspects, not sure on the timescales of that but I know discussions are ongoing. We have helped them by providing key art and game demos which really help.
