With the release of Disney/Pixar's Cars 2 just around the corner (the 22nd of July, for those who haven't been keeping score), the hype's starting to build around the latest family summer blockbuster. With the franchise already having netted $10bn for Disney, it's safe to say expectations are high for the film - and, if the recent comments from Pixar are anything to go by, we should be looking forward to a top quality game as well.
Speaking to trade magazine MCV, Jay Ward, Pixar's "Franchise Guardian" for Cars, has assured fans that Pixar have been working hand in hand with the game's developers to ensure it's as good as it can possibly be.
"It needs to be consistent throughout," Ward told MCV. "If it's something related to Cars, it needs to have the same level of quality and care and concern that we put into the movie."
"And if it doesn't, then, it kind of brings the whole thing down. It dilutes the whole thing, so we are pretty careful about that."
"I've done a lot of work with Avalanche. They are very respectful of the Cars property, they did the Toy Story game previously and that was a great game. They don't want to do anything that lets us down from a Pixar standpoint in terms of quality."
Oh, I say! By jove, it's a car with a monocle!
Due for release on Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, DS and PSP, Cars 2: The Video Game runs parallel to the plot of the film, and takes players inside the Command Headquarters for Recon Operations and Motorised Espionage, or CHROME for short, as they take control of one of 20 characters and train to become world class spies. There's also going to be some form of connectivity with the PC's World of Cars Online, whereby unlocking new items in Cars 2: The Video Game will in turn unlock items in the World of Cars Online.
It's all very exciting, and with Cars 2 (the game) set for release at the same time as Cars 2 (the film), on the 22nd of July, we shouldn't have long to wait to find out how both of Pixar's labours of love turn out. Make sure you check back soon for the full review.
