In a recent interview, Obsidian Entertainment spoke to Joystiq, about developing games in previously established universes and how it can be both challenging and rewarding.
"Working with franchises can be challenging, but at the same time I really did enjoy working on Star Wars, for example, and I have done a lot of Dungeons & Dragons games, but I still enjoy it very much," Obsidian creative director Chris Avellone told Joystiq. "And there's plenty of franchises out there that we would love to work with still."
Avellone told the website that the developers newest game based on the South Park universe is the perfect example of the benefits of working with established intellectual properties.
"The fact that you're implementing game system mechanics that cater to the South Park franchise, in the sense of rude and obnoxious different weapon types," Avellone said. "We rarely get a chance to flex our design skills in those directions, and it's a lot of fun to do. We're actually learning a lot while we're doing it. That's another advantage of working on someone else's franchise. You sort of get inside their head for a sense of how they think, and how that stuff can be converted into game mechanics."
South Park: The Stick of Truth is being published by THQ and developed by Obsidian Entertainment. The game is a role-playing title that is being written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who are also overseeing the project.
Here is a synopsis of the game's plot from its official site:
"From the perilous battlefields of the fourth-grade playground, a young hero will rise, destined to be South Park's savior. From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes an epic quest to become... cool. Introducing South Park: The Stick of Truth.
You begin as the new kid in town facing a harrowing challenge: making friends. As you start your quest the children of South Park are embroiled in a city-wide, live-action-role-playing game, casting imaginary spells and swinging fake swords. Over time the simple children's game escalates into a battle of good and evil that threatens to consume the world.
Arm yourself with weapons of legend to defeat crabpeople, underpants gnomes, hippies and other forces of evil. Discover the lost Stick of Truth and earn your place at the side of Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny as their new friend. Succeed, and you shall be South Park's savior, cementing your social status in South Park Elementary. Fail, and you will forever be known... as a loser."
The game will be released on March 5, 2013 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles, and Windows PC. The first three-planned DLC will debut on Xbox 360 first and the DLC pack Mysterion Superhero will be an Xbox 360 exclusive. You can check out the rest of the interview on Joystiq here.
Watch the game's trailer below...