The Godfather

Rob proffers his preview of this upcoming EA title

The seminal 1970s mafia/mobster/gangster film is getting a video game makeover. It is a stark and deeply sad reminder of the state of mainstream videogaming today: find a film that everyone's seen, something brilliant, unblemished, and then turn into a videogame that does its cinematic counterpart no favours.

Now I say all this prior to the research I'm about to do into this videogame. I am, forgive the pun, jumping the gun. I know only that Electronic Arts are someway involved in this game which reminds me of every single rubbish 007 game, the gorgingly numerous Harry Potter titles and the autonomous production line that is their sports division. I’m not, for one second, saying that EA, as huge and monopolising are they are, are a scourge on the industry – indeed, many of their games that don’t involve licenses are top notch. But if there's a quick buck to be made then EA seem to be experts in milking it.

And, sadly, with the first bit of research, my fears come somewhat to fruition. The genius behind the original Godfather film, director Francis Ford Coppola, unanimously disapproves of the videogame, even going as far as saying, "I knew nothing about it. They never asked me if I thought it was a good idea." What a comforting thought to know that your faith is being placed in a development team that hasn’t even bothered to consult with the film’s director. Coppola goes on to say, "I had absolutely nothing to do with the game and I disapprove. I think it's a misuse of film."

Now his main reason, it seems, for disliking the game appears to be its rather jaunty use of violence. Anyone who has seen the Godfather knows that while it is brutal and there are murders, these moments are used like a scalpel: with acute precision. It would seem that EA's Godfather will bludgeon its gamers with gun warfare – and the rumour is they're replacing the horse's head with a thermonuclear device. Alright I made the last one up.

But let's get down to business shall we? The Godfather boasts big things in that, although the developers will never admit it, it wants to take on the Grand Theft Auto genre and win with plenty of sprawling, real-world interaction, mafia type extortion, collection and protection rackets, and, of course, some badda-bing and badda-bam – provided, no less, by some, but not all, of the original cast, including the late Marlon Brando.

The Godfather game is open-ended meaning that rather than following a linear track that sticks to the film, you, as a fledgling rookie of the Corleone outfit, will influence the path and the story your character takes through the ten years in which the game is set. – although events from the film will occasionally intervene to ensure your character's development is compatible with original Puzo storyline. Your reputation very much depends on the actions you take during the game. If, for example, you enjoy the occasional sport of terrorising the locals and beating shop keepers to within an inch of their lives then the people on the street will begin to fear and avoid you. If, however, you prefer to deal with problems quietly via the use of shallow graves in the middle of nowhere, and then spoil the locals with your charming image of public benevolence then they're more likely to warm to your presence. This intriguing idea mirrors the way in which the characters from the film lead their lives. Sonny Corleone was an aggressive impulsive who eventually got his comeuppance via a hail of bullets, where as Michael Corleone's measured but ruthless approach to his enemies earns him a feared but respected reputation, and the seat of power within the Corleone family.