Inside The Chinese Room, as it enters a fresh era.
So we’re going to be evolving smoothly."
It was an idea about a game set on a Scottish oil rig in the 1970s.
“I knew exactly what this should feel and look like.”
At this point, McCormack then took over as project creative director to guide the game to completion.)
So, why a Scottish oil rig in the 1970s?
For one, oil rigs present the perfect laundry list of fears.
“And the distance from land, if communication drops, you’re cut off.”
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture - which featured voices straight from The Archers - this is not.
“Politics and class are the backdrop to the oil rig working environment.
A lot of them are talking about industrial action, and having that included is really important.”
“It’s tough to direct multiple games at once.
That’s been an interesting and successful change this year.
Exactly what that third project will be, it’s too early for The Chinese Room to yet say.
“We’re just starting to look at spinning something up at the moment,” Daly teases.
Early signs are already promising.
“It’s not Spider-Man 2,” McCormack adds with a chuckle.
“I love Spider-Man 2, but this is a harder game to sell [the vision of].
For me, Game Pass is a thing that can spark that.
And the Xbox showcase massively did that as well…
‘what?!'”
After all, who else is making a video game about a Scottish oil rig in the 1970s?
“I remember what the smells were,” McCormack says, reminiscing about his Glaswegian youth.
“I go in there all the time,” McCormack says.
“Weirdly, my 11-year-old son just loves it.
And that’s because it’s like time travel?
It feels like this magical place, and it is kind of - he’s absolutely fascinated.”
