While
talking to the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine, Martin Hollis, lead developer of the original N64
GoldenEye 007, had this to say about Activision and their upcoming remake:
"I imagine it is a business decision isn't it? This name is valuable, let's use it. I find it hard to picture Activision's top management being excited about the original and wanting to do it justice. In fact, I find it hard to imagine them being excited about any game. It's my perception that they are trying to be EA, only more so. I think they are doing a fine job at that."
Yikes. Harsh words, but it seems they are directed at Activision and not Eurocom, the developers of the remake. Hollis added that
"I know and like Eurocom," and "I think they are a good company. I'm confident they have done their very best."
I admit to sharing some of Mr. Hollis's skepticism. After EA used the GoldenEye name to sell GoldenEye Rogue Agent, a completely unrelated and mediocre game, most fans have been gun-shy of anyone reworking the N64 classic or using its name. I'd also have to agree that Eurocom is up to the task, after playing their spectacular but criminally under-appreciated Dead Space Extraction.
That said, I don't think Mr. Hollis is in a very good position to criticize. Sure I have the utmost respect for a man who created one of my favorite games of all time, but his independent Zoonami studio hasn't exactly been burning up the charts. They've released only three casual puzzle games in the decade since they were formed.
