Mad Max is an upcoming single-player third-person open-world action-adventure driving post-apocalyptic survival video game. It started development as a tie-in game for the upcoming film Mad Max: Fury Road, however has now been confirmed to be a standalone story in the canon.
Plot[ | ]
Following the theft of his V8 Interceptor by War Boy marauders led by Scrotus, Max embarks on a perilous journey to reclaim his legendary vehicle. Max joins forces with Chumbucket, an "idiot savant sidekick", and commandeers an all-new vehicle capable of heavy customization - the "Magnum Opus". Fighting his way toward his vehicle, Max will encounter many others throughout the outback, both friend and foe. Ultimately, Max quests to find the "Plains of Silence", a fabled land where he might find solace from his madness.
Setting[ | ]
Avalanche Studios have commented that the game is not based in any country in particular, choosing to base it more upon the mythology, or tone, of the Mad Max film series. Due to this, there are likely to be few recognizable story elements from the films within the game. This has given the developers the ability to shape a post-apocalyptic world that is distinct, yet reminiscent, of the world Max has previously explored. Several locations within the world have been revealed, including: Gas Town, a densely populated urban area; The Great White, a dried out sea-bed dotted with lighthouse-strongholds and rusted ships; and Dead Barren's Pass - an area linking The Great White with Gas Town.
Development[ | ]
Cory Barlog, game designer for the critically acclaimed action-adventure God of War II, has seen to the game's development alongside Miller. The game has been reported to take between 2 to 2 and a half years, and will hopefully be released alongside the premiere of the film.
Dr.D Studios (the animation studio Miller and Doug Mitchell founded) were originally going to develop a 3D animated film set in the Mad Max universe, but with focus on the live-action film, the studio then shifted their focus solely to the creation of the video-game title. Having acquired Team Bondi's intellectual property Dr.D Studios were going to utilize techniques that the developer used in the game L.A. Noire.
One of the reasons Miller was attracted to making a Mad Max video game was due to the potential within the video games sector, claiming it to be massive and a means forward for storytelling.
"It’s four-dimensional storytelling. A game can literally become the equivalent of a novel. That is the thing that people like me who write screenplays envy about novelists: that you can actually stop time and explore little cul de sacs. Whereas in a movie, you’d love to stop and examine that character, but you can’t." -George Miller on the video-game industry.
The first teaser trailer for the game was revealed at a Sony press conference at E3 2013. Dr.D studios were no longer involved directly with developing the game, with the developers from the Just Cause series - Avalanche Studios - becoming the main developers.
There has been notable controversy surrounding Max's accent. Several journalists who attended previews of the game-play reported that Max was portrayed with an American accent. This caused notable protest amongst fans, and a petition was created demanding for an Australian voice-actor. Avalanche Studios have since listened to the fans and have stated that Max will have an Australian accent, however, whether or not there has been a recasting is uncertain.
Gameplay[ | ]
In Mad Max, the player takes on the role of titular character Mad Max; a dangerous melee fighter and can use his attacks to kill almost anyone. His weapon of choice is his shotgun. He is assisted by another man called Chumbucket. Chum mainly works with Max to build and upgrade the Magnum Opus vehicle.
Mad Max will feature a variety of weapons which Max can use to defeat enemies. Though the shotgun is Max's weapon of choice, ammo is scarce, and so melee options are the smarter way to go. The 'thunderstick' is an explosive weapon that can be lanced into an enemy's chest, crackling like a lit dynamite fuse before blowing the victim to smithereens. The Harpoon is also one of Max's favorite weapon though it can only be used in-vehicle with Chum riding along. Max's Magnum Opus can be combined with a speedy V12 engine and powerful ramming ability to destroy enemies vehicles and weaponry. When simultaneously driving and aiming, the game enters slow-motion and allows you to toggle between targets. Not much is known about the vehicular combat and its features.
Mad Max will feature crafting system which can be used to craft new weapons and tools. Max's garage can also be used to change and modify the car's engines, chassis, wheels, body works including paint treatment and the “shell” of the auto-mobile and the car’s weight and attributes update accordingly. Max can also be upgraded though its plans hasn't fully been implemented.
Many choices are given in the game, such as, either playing silently or aggressively. Max can also get guidance from Chum about how he can complete his objectives strategically. However, its largely up to the player how he can complete the objectives.
Tie-In Motion Comic[ | ]
A motion comic series (titled: Mad Max: Motion Comic) by DC Entertainment was released at Comic-con 2013. The series serves as a prequel to the game, and introduces Max's side-kick mechanic, Chumbucket.