Richard Leinfellner

Ferrago chat about the upcoming Catwoman game...

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Ferrago sits down for a brief grilling with Catwoman executive producer Richard Leinfellner, to try and delve a little deeper into EA's intriguing licensed game, based on this year's film and the cult DC comic. Catwoman will be released on the 8th of August on the PS2, PC, Xbox and GBA - whilst the Cube version is currently due out a little earlier on July 30th.

Ferrago: Before we move on to the game proper - have you seen the film, is it any good, and how closely will you be working to establish ties between it and the game?

RL: You get to play the "worlds sexiest woman" Halle Berry as Catwoman and follow the movie plot closely. I can't really comment on the film other than to say WB have been consistently great at delivering top movies.

Ferrago: EA are becoming famous for slick and cinematic licensed titles, will Catwoman be continuing this trend, and in what manner?

RL: Catwoman has her roots in the DC comic and when developing her in-game character we took this into account as well as the obvious movie link.

Ferrago: What are the most notable pros and cons in developing a game-of-a-film?

RL: I guess hitting movie dates is the only real issue. We used a massive team to deliver the 95+ man years of effort required to bring this to all platforms day and date with the movie at AAA quailty.

Ferrago: What mixture of gameplay can we expect in Catwoman?

RL: Catwoman is an action adventure. In it you have all the abilities Catwoman has in the movie and more, you can fight your enemy, hunt them down and use your whip to punish them. There is also a cool puzzle element. Whatever you do, do it with style and the game rewards you.

Ferrago: What visual 'look' are you opting for in the game, and what has been your main influences?

RL: Twilight, wet Neon. Cats are nocturnal hunters and as such love to hunt in the dark, Catwoman does this also making the best use of her Catsense to see what the prey cannot. Catwoman herself has 700+ animations making her the best animated video game character of all time.

Ferrago: Plotline: can you give us any clues on it, and its relationship with the big-screen Catwoman?

RL: Don't want to give the film away, but I can tell you she tries to find her killer.

Ferrago: Will multiplayer be forming a part of the new game? Tell us about it.

RL: There is only one Catwoman, so its single player.

Ferrago: What kind of world will players find themselves in - and what kind of activities will be available - is gameplay linear of more free-form?

RL: You follow the plot of the movie, so events happen in the same sequence as they do on celluloid.

Ferrago: Soundtrack - what kind of atmosphere do you hope to engender?

RL: Its a mixture, we wanted good fighting music when Catwoman is in combat mixed with a more atmospheric treatment when she is sneaking about, I think its really come off.

Ferrago: Enemies, weapons, levels, etc. Indulge our desire for specifics!

RL: Catwoman has 4 main weapons, 360 right hand stick Capoeira combat, her formidable whip, Catsense (see in the dark and smell fear) and her sex appeal with which she can use to confuse the enemy.

Ferrago: Finally, what are your aspirations for Catwoman and the reception it'll receive at launch?

RL: From what we have seen so far players really like the character and her moves, which is a great sign.

Ferrago: Thanks for your time, Richard.

By Luke Guttridge