Co-Designers Shred Light on Amped 2

Amped 2, the sequel to the highly successful and utterly addictive snowboarding title Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding, is nearing release, and no one is more excited than co-designers Nate Larsen and Brenner Adams. Recently, Xbox.com had the opportunity to talk with Brenner and Nate about Amped 2 and how they bring snowboarding to life on your TV screen. Of course, they were sitting on top of a mountain somewhere, attending a snowboarding event, and I was stuck in my windowless office. But, hey, it's their job to visit beautiful resorts, so I'm not bitter. (A little jealous, maybe …)

One of the defining characteristics of both Amped and Amped 2 is the startling level of faithfulness with which they recreate real-life courses. I've often wondered how they are able to do that, so naturally, I asked Brenner and Nate about the process for mapping out a course.

"It's really one of the best jobs ever. We take four or five people with us around the world to these great resorts. We start with digital terrain maps and aerial survey data, and that's what the level builders start with. We also take pictures of every feature and every building on a run, and we recreate those features in 3-D. We also ride down every run and videotape them for accuracy… they [the level builders] use that video for reference."

Now, that's what I call a good mix of technology and fun-filled ingenuity.

Beyond the technical side of creating a course, both Brenner and Nate are very conscientious of the more intangible aspects of bringing a resort to life.

"We take one of the level builders with us, and we get someone from the resort we're visiting—a local expert—to show us around, show us the features, and show us what the essence of that resort is. What about that resort makes it fun? We really try to capture the essence of that resort, so it has the distinct feel of its location. This does a couple of things. One, if someone has been there, they'll remember the feeling they had when they rode in front of that building or went off that table-top. They'll remember the fun they had when they were at that resort. The other thing is that, for people who haven't yet been to that resort, they get excited about going there. They'll have a sense of familiarization, and they'll remember things, like where the runs are."

I have to say it's refreshing to hear game designers focusing so much on the "feel" of levels, instead of solely on the graphical element.

Amped 2 is obviously a sequel, so gamers and press can't help but compare the first with the second. In that vein, I asked Brenner and Nate if there was anything they were specifically proud of in Amped 2.

"I think one of things we're most proud of is the graphical improvements that we've made over the original Amped. It's awesome. you've got to see some of the stuff we're doing… when you stand at the top of a peak, look down, and can see all the way across the mountain. When you can look across and see the other levels that were in the first game, and see the runs cut into the side of the hill—it's incredible."

If you don't believe them, check out the screenshots. Good stuff!

Amped 2 also features a new mode that both Brenner and Nate were anxious to talk about.

"We're excited about the depth of multiplayer—not just the split-screen, but also Xbox Live—really being able to maximize the opportunities and go snowboarding with my friends all across the world. Being able to talk to them, tease them, and just have fun with them in real time… that's what I am most proud of. The ability to bring people together, to do what is most fun about snowboarding, which is riding with your friends, pushing each other, and having fun in a social environment, in a beautiful setting."

Above all, Amped 2 clearly has one edge over many other sports games: It's the passion these guys have not just for the game, but for the sport itself. They're out there snowboarding themselves, constantly. Just in talking with them, you can hear a glimpse of the love they have for the experience of snowboarding and for the community and culture of the sport. There can be little doubt that Amped 2 is in excellent hands!