Noclip has published the great video documentation about the history of the Arkane Studios. Next Prey, Dishonored and Dark Messiah of Might & Magic the three discontinued projects The Crossing, LMNO and the Half-Life-2 branch “Ravenholm” are also dealt with, the Ravenholm part (from 33:00 min.) being very interesting.
Ravenholm was initially planned as another episode for Half-Life 2 (quasi episode 4). The main character shouldn’t be Gordon Freeman, but Adrian Shephard, who played the main role in the Half-Life expansion Opposing Force. Next to Shephard, “Father Gregory” would have been the central figure as a mad scientist (“milking headcraps”). Nine or ten missions were designed, in which Shephard and Gregory had to solve several tasks and puzzles to restore Ravenholm’s electricity. Electricity should be an important part of game mechanics and puzzle design. For example, Electric traps are built for the enemies / zombies. In addition, a “leaf blower” was designed for double jumps and a chain saw as a weapon.
Other than Shephard and Gregory, there weren’t many other characters in Ravenholm – just a lot of zombies (including Sure-spitting zombies), big zombie hordes, and mutant monkeys, the fear of light to have. The zombies were not so “bld” and could, for example, lift doors off their hinges. Arkane Studios described the project as an “immersive simulation” with a half-life-like structure – and compared to Dishonored and Prey with rather smaller rooms.
“Half-Life 2: Return to Ravenholm” was in development between 2006 and 2008. In the end the project was stopped. Raphael Colantonio (Arcane co-founder) believes that Valve Software ended the project because it was no longer financially viable and the game was still more than a year away from completion. They also needed more employees.
The following games are covered in the documentary: Arx Fatalis (02:56), Dark Messiah of Might & Magic (05:04), The Crossing (14:21), LMNO (22:00), Ravenholm (33:00 ), Bioshock 2 (49:32), Dishonored (56:11), Prey (1:05:31) and Dishonored 2 (1:09:44). The Arkane Studios are currently working on Deathloop for Bethesda.
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