February 26, 2009

50 Cent opens up about his latest game, Blood on the Sand
By Michael Lafferty 

“I was happy with the last one’s performance and I think this one (Blood on the Sand) is well thought through” 

There’s a lot to be said for an accomplished artist in one area tackling a whole new element, and doing it with the same aplomb that could be attributed to his or her more-familiar turf. For hip-hop artist 50 Cent, the newer territory is the video-game industry. 50’s first foray into the video-game industry was the 2005 title, Bulletproof.  

On Tuesday [2/24/09], 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand was released on the 360 and PS3 consoles, and according to 50 Cent, the game is a big step forward in terms of character control, with 18 exclusive tracks for the game.  

The game, an arcade style third-person shooter that is fast paced and allows gamers to play as 50 Cent. The storyline goes something like this: After performing for a sold-out crowd in a fictional war torn middle-eastern country, 50 Cent discovers that his payment has been stolen by the local crime baron – a former CIA operative and death-dealing organ harvester. 

Gathering an array of journalists for the conference call, the questions, and responses flew fast and furious and didn’t always have to do with the game.  

One reporter asked what contributions 50 made to the game. The hip-hop artist was matter-of-fact when stating that “What I did is I came in because I was conscious of what I was saying and I didn’t want to over-inject myself. I listened and I injected what I thought was cool.”

And it’s important to note that 50 was involved in the production, and got to see the directions the game was moving in. 

“Absolutely, they sent over storyboards,” he said, “and showed me things as they were progressing in actually getting it together. This is like a two-and-a-half year process, it didn’t just happen.” 

What was your favorite aspect of the game? 

“My favorite aspect of the game was actually being able to move the character; it’s a lot easier for it to function.” 

What was your favorite weapon in the game? 

“The handgun,” he said, matter-of-factly, “the 9mm weapon. The other guns fire a lot more and there’s a lot more action, but that one is fun to use for me.”

What’s the process in creating original music for the game as opposed to writing tracks for an album? 

“Totally different process,” 50 said, “when I’m writing an actual album, I create a theme for it prior to actually going in to write it. From the current album to this project, which is kind of like a fantasy, my range is different, I can go anywhere and not actually have to explain it.” 

One of the elements about 50’s music is the emotional content portrayed. For Blood in the Sand, some of the musical influences were drawn from a trip 50 made to the Middle East to entertain the troops. And he also credited other games, like Grand Theft Auto, with giving him the impetus to get involved in the gaming business.  

“When Vivendi and Activision merged, they had different intentions for what they thought the company was going to be so THQ is the perfect place for me.” 

Where does he see the future of the 50 Cent franchise going, even though the latest game, Blood on the Sand, just released.  

50: “We have to try to collaborate … I mean, we got the guys who actually make the video-games and they are the best at the game. They sit there and play all of them and got the best ideas. When I collaborate with them, I can come up with what my next move is. Personally I have an interest in being a part of marketing and promoting a project that doesn’t have me in it. I’m a big fan of Tetris and some of the older games – Pac-man, Ms. Pac-man, Dig Dug – when you have one joystick and one button. I want to be able to create something different.”

Are you looking to create a development studio? 

50: “I’m not developing a full studio myself, but I’m into developing a new project that I’m not actually starring in the game.” 

Does he see a jump in music sales after the release of a game? 

50: “I do see a change in the actual response to the music. People who play the games play them religiously, they spend a lot of time on the actual game. What I’ve learned is that they will turn the television down and play music from another source because the quality and the material in the actual game is not up to standards right now. So the opportunity to provide that (quality music) I mean I think it intensifies the actual experience.” 

Were there any specific lessons you took from Bulletproof and took to Blood on the Sand? 

“I definitely didn’t want to make it difficult to control the characters in the game, as difficult as it was in Bulletproof,” 50 said. “And there are two games that have a similar engine and they are Gears of War and Army of Two. Both of those games are great games and that bracket ain’t a bad bracket to be in.  

While the game description purports to have 24 missions over nine chapters, 50 admitted that there is an Easter egg for those who play through the game in the form of a secret mission. 

What does he think the reception will be for this game, as opposed to the last one? 

“I think the reception will be great,” 50 said. “I was happy with the last one’s performance and I think this one (Blood on the Sand) is well thought through. I think the game is like me, as a person – I’m a work in progress.”

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