Matt Damon wanted Myst-like Bourne Game

Matt Damon apparently wanted the Bourne game to be more of a Myst-clone. Why? We don't know either.

If you've been following the development of the Jason Bourne game Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy then you may have noticed that the player character in the screenshots doesn't look especially like Matt Damon. There's a reason for that, though MTV had to contact Damon's mother to find out what it was.

"Matt and I don't share the same views about violence in adult films, but we do see eye-to-eye on the importance of protecting children," said Mrs Damon when questioned. "We both support regulations to stop the marketing of violence in films to children through violent toys, products, and video games."

Yeah, it does seem a bit of a double-standard to associate yourself with violence in one medium but not the other, doesn't it?

Delving a little deeper though MTV found that actually the main reason he decided not to work on the game wasn't because of the violence, but because he thought the action genre wasn't a good match for the franchise. He wanted something a little more puzzle-y.

"I lobbied hard [with the video producers] to not make a first-person shooter game but to make it more like Myst," said Damon. "You know, to play with his amnesia or his memory... They weren't interested."

Hardly a surprise, but it's at least nice to hear that Damon was trying to actively get involved in the development of the game. Or is it? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
Quote Redbeaver 1st May 2008, 12:01
nice effort Damon. more puzzly is good. but we all need abit of action. just abit. we'll see how it goes when its out....
Quote DXR_13KE 1st May 2008, 12:11
the game is going to suck anyway...... even if a myst like game would be a breath of fresh air considering the types of games we have.....
Quote sam.g.taylor 1st May 2008, 12:45
After seeing the previews for the game that are available, I'm really disappointed. I think Damon's idea sounds much more intriguing.
Quote sotu1 1st May 2008, 12:50
"By following the rules of the Film Actor's Guild, the world can become a better place; that handles dangerous people with talk, and reasoning; that, is the fag way. One day you'll all look at the world us actors created and say, "wow, good going, fag. You really made the world a better place, didntcha, fag?"

MatT DayMurN....DURR....

hehe, sorry couldn't resist the jab!

at the end of the day, I don't really expect any film actor/producer to haver that big an impact on the way a game is made. they're in the film industry, not the game industry. they may overlap, they may share similarities but require completely different expertise. but hey, Matt, nice to see you've got good opinions about the violence in games not being presented to kids. shame it clashes with your film ethics. good effort, fag.
Quote p3n 1st May 2008, 13:06
no-one will play it anyway
Quote julianmartin 1st May 2008, 13:17
Quote:
Yeah, it does seem a bit of a double-standard doesn't it? It's alright for him to play-fight for money on screen, but not for the rest of us to use a realistic representation of him to perform on-screen violence for free? Pfft.

typical joe martin again.

i COMPLETELY disagree. his films are hardly marketed at children, whereas the games could quite possibly be. you're the most biased "journalist" ever with a narrow minded hippy view. hardly good reporting.

i for one, would probably play the game because i though the myst series was GREAT.
Quote Mentai 1st May 2008, 13:19
I'm suprised when an actor starts in a movie production they don't automatically sign their face to whatever spinoffs the film has. Eh, I didn't actually notice he didn't look the same till now.
Making a bourne adventure game wouldn't really work, I mean, you have to have action Somewhere in a bourne storyline. Combining the two game types would be kinda jarring. Hmm.
Quote airchie 1st May 2008, 13:23
Thing is, even with all the action in the bourne films, its the storyline that keeps you interested.
I think the more puzzle-y game might have been more interesting.

Something along the lines of splinter cell might have been good?

Still, even if it is an FPS, they may still have the sense to include a really good story etc instead of another tired movie-tie-in rip-off. :(
Quote sotu1 1st May 2008, 13:37
Quote:
Originally Posted by julianmartin
typical joe martin again.

i COMPLETELY disagree. his films are hardly marketed at children, whereas the games could quite possibly be. you're the most biased "journalist" ever with a narrow minded hippy view. hardly good reporting.

i for one, would probably play the game because i though the myst series was GREAT.

Ok, joe ain't my favorite writer either, but I think you're missing the point.... there was a bit of sarcasm there....
Quote boggsi 1st May 2008, 13:55
Quote:
Originally Posted by julianmartin
Quote:
Yeah, it does seem a bit of a double-standard doesn't it? It's alright for him to play-fight for money on screen, but not for the rest of us to use a realistic representation of him to perform on-screen violence for free? Pfft.

typical joe martin again.

i COMPLETELY disagree. his films are hardly marketed at children, whereas the games could quite possibly be. you're the most biased "journalist" ever with a narrow minded hippy view. hardly good reporting.

i for one, would probably play the game because i though the myst series was GREAT.

Also I feel the point was that it wasn't going to be anything like Myst? Kinda like saying im TOALLY going to eat that apple.... because I think bananas are really cool.
Quote CardJoe 1st May 2008, 14:11
Quote:
Originally Posted by julianmartin
typical joe martin again.

i COMPLETELY disagree. his films are hardly marketed at children, whereas the games could quite possibly be. you're the most biased "journalist" ever with a narrow minded hippy view. hardly good reporting.

i for one, would probably play the game because i though the myst series was GREAT.



Sorry. I feel my point stands though, without having to get too deep into it. The game is marketed to adults, just like the film, but what his mother seems to have implied is that Matt believes violence in films is fine, while violence in games is deplorable. For a man that actually made an action film, that is a bit of a double standard no matter how you look at that. Sure, you can say that kids would likely buy this game - but that's mooted by the fact that kids would likely see the film too. All I was doing was pointing out that if a man is going to put his face to a violent film character, it's odd that he wouldn't want to put his face to the same character in a game. I've edited the article to make this idea more clearly stated.

I actually think his idea for the game sounds good too, but I don't think it would have sold. Mass audiences wouldn't buy it.

And I'd go as far as point out that considering someone a hippy on the basis of the above point is hardly fair and is, in fact, a tad narrow-minded in itself.

I've no problem with criticism, and indeed welcome anyone to contact me directly with feedback, but at least make sure that feedback is constructive and non-inflammatory. And properly punctuated too, please.
Quote Bauul 1st May 2008, 14:45
Quote:
Originally Posted by CardJoe
I've no problem with criticism, and indeed welcome anyone to contact me directly with feedback, but at least make sure that feedback is constructive and non-inflammatory. And properly punctuated too, please.

So:

Bad:
Joe SUXORS!!1!!!

Bit better:
Joe, you suck!

Bit better still:
Joe, I'm afraid that I believe you suck, and this doesn't sit well with me at all

Perfect:
Joe, I'm afraid that your sucking is, personally for me, an undesirable quality, and I would much prefer it if you would, and I speak only for myself here, cease your sucking. If you could instead actually blow more often, if it's not too much trouble, that'd be really beneficial to my happiness. Thank you
Quote Faulk_Wulf 1st May 2008, 15:19
Either I'm missing some big in-joke or we somehow found some very pent up and viscious members on our forums today. I come here to read and post because it doesn't contain the bs-n00b-kiddies that places like Engadget does. I've never seen someone on here go: "I like Macs" and then someone go "[profanity] fanboy [lude comment about his mother]" etc. Sure there are still the devided camps, just like with everything else but its not venomately degrading to where you're scared to voice your oppinion.

My point is, Joe, just like the rest of the writers at this site, work their butts off to bring us good content and reviews. No one is forcing Bit down your throats. No one is forcing you to log in and post a comment. If you don't like the site, find another, or another. The internet is a big place.

You say Joe is bias but I read an article here or somewhere where a reviewer is always a bit biased because a video game is a subjective experience. And Joe is usually up front in his reviews saying things like "well this isn't my type of game but..." and sometimes even he is surprised how much he likes the game.

Think you can do a better job reviewing or writing articles? Apply to write for Bit. Or any other site, or start your own. But for bloody sake, don't sh*t in Bit's yard with flaming comments that are nothing better then childish abuse. You have every right to voice your oppinion but you don't have every to insult his character.

I mean seriously:
Quote:

Originally Posted by julianmartin
typical joe martin again.

i COMPLETELY disagree. his films are hardly marketed at children, whereas the games could quite possibly be. you're the most biased "journalist" ever with a narrow minded hippy view. hardly good reporting.

i for one, would probably play the game because i though the myst series was GREAT.

What the ****!

1) "Typical Joe Martin again." - This right off the bat implies that anything following is probably going to be close minded.
2) "You're the most biased 'journalist' ever..." - Most of Joe's work is a constructed subjective opinion modified into an analyse that the public can digest. Its his friggin' job. If you don't like his work, don't read it. And certainly don't b*tch in such a manner. This is miles away from constructive feedback.
3) "...ever with a narrow minded hippy view." - I can't break down all the things wrong with that but lets start with: I have friends' parents who are/were hippies. One is a very successful lawyer. One teaches Wicca. In their time, Hippies (some/most) were rallying for peace and an end to a senseless war. They saw the future more clearly then the politicians at the time. (Which kinda makes us the new Hippie-generation; but that's a conversation for another time.) In fact the only narrowminded thing I can think of is your sentence itself.
4) "Hardly good reporting." - This explains Soooo much. Refer to #2 for more.
5) "I for one would..." (et all) - This is the closest thing to a competent sentence that you wrote. Good job.

Oh and for the record. Who the hell thinks its a smart time to flame an Admin/Moderator/Author of a site ON their site ON A THREAD THEY JUST POSTED IN. You don't do that. Its not civil, its not smart, and it SHOULD get you banned.

No one's perfect. If you disagree with a review or an article you should have the right to say something. But to say something INTELLGENTLY.

------------------------------------------------


@On-Topic

I like action games, and I like puzzles. I have never played Myst, but who says they have to be mutually exclusive. You could blend it like Max Payne's dream scenes, hazy flash backs between levels, or any other of a dozen ways. I agree that its a bit of a double standard to say: "I hate violence in games; but i'll shoot everyone in this movie." I mean reverse that: Let's say they made a Max Payne movie but instead it was a Love-Drama with almost no guns. That would be retarded, right? Same deal here. I like his idea, but his logic is flawed. There's ratings on Movies and there's ratings on Games. Kids will still see what kids want to see. This marks the first time that I recall an actor talking about video games since Vin Disiel. I see this as a good thing.

------------------------------------------------


P.S. - Any typos are blamed on this craptop's IE6. I am way too dependant on Firefox's spell check. And to all the intellgent respectful members of Bit: Thank you for making this place all that it is, and to all the Bit Staff: Keep up the amazing work. ;)
Quote steveo_mcg 1st May 2008, 15:26
The only thing i would say i Damon's defence is that US games don't have a legally enforced rating so would very easily and legally find there way into the hands of minors.

/off topic, Personally don't see the problem with the article.
Quote MrMonroe 1st May 2008, 15:57
The movie is about jumping through windows and shooting people. Why should the game be untrue to that? It's a movie to video game transfer, it's going to be bad no matter what you do with it, so why not be true to the content and let people who were in love with the movies drive sales?
Quote mrplow 1st May 2008, 16:00
Quote:
Originally Posted by Faulk_Wulf
words

Faulk_Wulf and CardJoe, sitting in a tree....

:D
Quote Fishlock 1st May 2008, 16:05
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMonroe
The movie is about jumping through windows and shooting people. Why should the game be untrue to that? It's a movie to video game transfer, it's going to be bad no matter what you do with it, so why not be true to the content and let people who were in love with the movies drive sales?

From this post, we can clearly establish that you have either confused yourself with other films, or infact haven't seen said films.

Yes a first person shooter based around The Bourne trilogy would suck, and making it more 'puzzley' would be good. However, insulting the Trilogy just isn't cool.
Quote willyolio 1st May 2008, 17:16
Quote:
Originally Posted by airchie
Something along the lines of splinter cell might have been good?
yeah, i was thinking that too. bourne doesn't kill anyone unless he absolutely has to. it should be mostly a stealth/exploration game.
Quote Dr. Strangelove 1st May 2008, 17:26
Well I would never get this game, but that has more to do with the fact that I read the books before watching the movies and it seems all they actually kept from the books were the titles and some of the character names. The books are fantastic, the movies are probably good if you have not read the books, but if you have they are bad :-(
Anyway I see no reason why you could not merge action and myst.. could be quite cool.. I liked Myst!
Quote themax 1st May 2008, 18:24
Quote:
Originally Posted by julianmartin
typical joe martin again.

i COMPLETELY disagree. his films are hardly marketed at children, whereas the games could quite possibly be. you're the most biased "journalist" ever with a narrow minded hippy view. hardly good reporting.

i for one, would probably play the game because i though the myst series was GREAT.

I think you missed the boat entirely. I agree with Joe. And your disgreeing arguement is ammo enough to support the point Joe was making. It's hypocritical to think the same kids who could get ahold of an M rated game won't get into an R-Rated movie. You can't draw your arguement at "quite possibly be". They aren't plain and simple. You don't see GTA IV or God of War marketed to the children do you? Unless images of ingame play are enough to warrent the wow factor a child will get out of the commercial as advertisement to them specifically, I'm sure Matt Daemon's leaping through a window from the rooftop in the Bourne Ultimatum's trailer has the same effect on a youngster.
Quote pendragon 1st May 2008, 18:28
i really could care less whether Matt thinks violence should or shouldn't be in a movie-based videogame of his.. it's a parent's job to educate and monitor their children's entertainment ... that aside, I agree with many of you that a non-violent game like that sounds nifty ... especially a splinter-cell esque sneaky-sneak game where he has to venture around to find out clues about his past.... I think we could all get behind a game like that :) ..sadly it will not be so :-/
Quote julianmartin 1st May 2008, 19:20
Ha! Laughing at the argument I've started here...

Yes indeed I did take it the wrong way and I apologise, sorry Joe, and sorry to all of bit-tech. I won't do it again. *slaps himself on the wrist*

Edit:

What I thought dearest Joe old buddy old pal meant, was that MD is a muppet for be anti a game that might sell because he wouldn't get equivalent royalties to a film from a game, so thereby declaring he would want it as a myst game, it wouldn't sell anyway and therefore no-one would get any royalties...
Quote julianmartin 1st May 2008, 19:27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Faulk_Wulf


Oh and for the record. Who the hell thinks its a smart time to flame an Admin/Moderator/Author of a site ON their site ON A THREAD THEY JUST POSTED IN. You don't do that. Its not civil, its not smart, and it SHOULD get you banned.

No one's perfect. If you disagree with a review or an article you should have the right to say something. But to say something INTELLGENTLY.

Firstly, the amount of times I have tried to make criticism of dearest Joe ole buddy ole pal's writing before is numerous and it never gets noticed or I have decided I can't really be bothered. And you wonder why I was a bit slapdash with typing and a bit hasty to respond when so many people get responses like this on this forum, hardly ****ing text typing was it? UGH!

Plus, if you are going to have the audacity, and even gall to have a go at my punctuation/grammar and so on, at least have the courtesy to spell properly too, else you haven't even half a leg to stand on bud, let alone two.
Quote CardJoe 1st May 2008, 20:07
I've never received any email or anything or seen anything in the past, but no biggie. It's all cool.
Quote The Chugnut 1st May 2008, 21:12
Biased (apparently) CardJoe with his own opinions at bit-tech - or everywhere else with "Yes Men" journalists who's opinions can be bought and sold? I know where I'm staying.
Quote Mentai 1st May 2008, 22:10
I have to admit there are a few (very few) times where I find Joes final comments in an article to be slightly off, but then I figure it's to provoke discussion in the forums. It's obviously his opinion, and doesn't take any of the facts stated away from the article. In the end, I'd rather the writers at bit had their opinions stated, it makes a generic news item more interesting to read, and sometimes gives you another perspective.

I pretty much agree with Faulk_Wulf's defense, keep up the good work bit :)
Quote ToMMo 1st May 2008, 22:11
To be honest, they should make it a comedy... just search for Jimmy Kimmel I'm f*****g Matt Damon on youtube ;)
Quote Veles 1st May 2008, 23:17
Quote:
Originally Posted by CardJoe
Sorry. I feel my point stands though

I don't think it does either. It doesn't seem to me like he's saying violence in films is fine but not in games. What I get from that quote is that he doesn't agree that there should be so much violence in something that a minor can get their hands on so easily.

If I remember right, the age ratings on films in America are just like ours, you have to be of the stated age (or over) to legally watch/buy the film. However, the games are just recommended ages, a baby can still technically go into a store and buy GTAIV.
Quote koola 2nd May 2008, 00:21
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bauul
So:

Bad:
Joe SUXORS!!1!!!

Bit better:
Joe, you suck!

Bit better still:
Joe, I'm afraid that I believe you suck, and this doesn't sit well with me at all

Perfect:
Joe, I'm afraid that your sucking is, personally for me, an undesirable quality, and I would much prefer it if you would, and I speak only for myself here, cease your sucking. If you could instead actually blow more often, if it's not too much trouble, that'd be really beneficial to my happiness. Thank you

haha :)
Quote LordPyrinc 2nd May 2008, 00:27
I for one am not all that into FPS games, more of RPG or RTS fan. But as someone pointed out earlier, it doesn't make sense to make an FPS based on the Bourne movies. Seriously, Jason Bourne didn't do all that much killing. What would the game plot be? Bourne is dropped into a den of baddies and he must shoot every single one to get out alive?

If I were Matt Damon, I wouldn't want my likeness tied to a game that really doesn't follow the flow of the movies either. Especially considering the success the franchise has had so far that spawning additional movies might be a possibility. I also agree that a more puzzle related/find clues type of game is a much better follow up to the movies. Some violence necessary, but not just the same old run around and shoot people crap.
Quote CowBlazed 2nd May 2008, 05:36
The game isn't actually an FPS, is a third person action game with different camera angles, and lots of emphasis on hand to hand combat as well as using the enviroment in combat.
Quote Aankhen 2nd May 2008, 08:58
bit-tech is a little late to the telephone game. :p
Quote CardJoe 2nd May 2008, 10:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by CowBlazed
The game isn't actually an FPS, is a third person action game with different camera angles, and lots of emphasis on hand to hand combat as well as using the enviroment in combat.

Aye, it looks to be more of a Splinter Cell clone than anything else, which is never a bad thing.
Quote sotu1 2nd May 2008, 13:04
aanken, very interesting link. I think this is the first time bit-tech's noremally very reputable reporting has gone awry. Joe, rethink on the article perhaps? I know it's old hat now but still, it should be corrected really.

then again, who's to say the article on quartertothree.com is right? they too are on the end of the 'telephone'
Quote LordPyrinc 3rd May 2008, 00:26
Oops... my bad about calling it an FPS game. Didn't do my homework on that one.
Quote julianmartin 4th May 2008, 11:14
Quote:
Originally Posted by sotu1
aanken, very interesting link. I think this is the first time bit-tech's noremally very reputable reporting has gone awry. Joe, rethink on the article perhaps? I know it's old hat now but still, it should be corrected really.

then again, who's to say the article on quartertothree.com is right? they too are on the end of the 'telephone'

I think the article on quartertothree.com sums up my opinion and investigates the poor reporting very well. Reporting with assumptions...the bane of this world
Quote Rebourne 5th May 2008, 02:41
Fair enough, I would have rather seen it be a good puzzle game too, they are really underated. Would be pretty hard to take the action and violence out of this sort of story though.
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