Interviews

Interview Conducted by Randy Sluganski

The hottest movie this Christmas season is sure to be Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events starring Jim Carrey in a multitude of roles. Activision, who has recently released some wonderful games based on movie licenses (Spider-Man, X-Men) now hopes that their Lemony Snicket franchise can rival the success of the Harry Potter series.

Though Lemony Snicket is primarily a children’s franchise, its witty humor also appeals to adults and makes it very attractive as an adventure game property.

Our thanks to Brent Boylen, Associate Producer, Activision, Inc. for taking the time to respond to our unfortunate questions.

JA - Did any of the Lemony Snicket actors lend their voices to the game?

Yes, we had the great fortune of working with Jim Carrey, Liam Aiken, and Emily Browning. It was a really wonderful experience. We had rewritten several parts from the movie script to fit the needs of our game and in each case the actor/actress was right on board with us and delivered amazing readings just like in the movie.

JA - Are there any noticeable differences between the console and pc versions?

Yes. We have actually created an entirely unique and independent adventure for the PC version that shares the same story with the console versions. There are a few levels that are unique to the PC, and a few that are unique to the console, so it really is an entirely separate game!

JA - What types of unfortunate puzzles should the player expect to encounter?

We’ve worked hard to put several really fun and cool mini-games into Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Throughout the game the player must use Violet’s incredible inventions to solve tricky puzzles and get out of sticky situations, like making a creaky old piano explode using harmonic resonance, breaking into Stephano’s suitcase of treachery using Violet’s lock pick, and saving Aunt Josephine from the horrible Lachrymose Leeches with the Peppermint Popper.

JA - The movie follows the events of the first three books in the Lemony Snicket series, does the game also adhere to the original source material?

We have spent a great amount of time and energy capturing the story from both the books and the movie, as well as creating levels that are unique to the game. For example, the games follow the story progression of the movie, hitting all its really cool and exciting parts, and we have filled in the gaps with a lot of the best stuff from the books as well.

JA - The author, Mr. Snicket, is a mysterious character, did he have any input – unfortunate or otherwise - into shaping the gameplay?

Well, everyone on the team has read the entire book series five or six times over the course of this project, so in a way, he was always with us. We feel we have always looked back and tried to guess what direction he would have taken, and what choices he would have made to make our game as close to the miserable lives of these orphans.

JA - What can each of the Baudelaire children do to overcome Count Olaf?

Throughout the game the player uses Violet’s inventing skills to solve puzzles and build things that Klaus uses to defeat Olaf’s treacherous henchmen. Sunny Baudelaire, an infant, is small enough to crawl into very tight spaces and has four sharp teeth with which she likes to bite things—useful qualities when one is faced with terrible treachery.

JA - Count Olaf or Lord Voldemort - who is the bigger baddy?

Allow me to present some facts about Count Olaf and let you be the judge. Olaf’s villainous career includes the following despicable (a word which here means really, really, REALLY evil) deeds:

• Burning down many people’s houses with or without them inside.
• Doing away with the Baudelaire’s various guardians in hopes of getting his grubby hands on the children’s fortune.
• Masquerading in such insidious disguises as (a phrase that here means dressing up to look like someone he is not) a sailor, a receptionist and a fashion designer.
• Constantly trying to get rid of not only the Baudelaires, but several other orphan families as well.
• And worst of all, he makes the children do his chores all the time.

JA - Is this a game to - in the words of Lemony Snicket - be avoided at all costs?

It is my unfortunate duty to inform you that if you are looking to play a game where there is a happy ending that involves slaying a dragon or rescuing a princess, this is certainly not the game for you.