HBP computer game

WE CAUGHT UP with Chris Roberts, game designer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, to ask about some of the features in the latest game tie-in to the smash series.

Yahoo!: Is it difficult to turn such an intricate story into a video game? How did you approach it?

Chris Roberts: Due to our excellent relationship with Warner Brothers, the design team get early access to the movie script, which helps to identify key areas to focus the game design on. As we are developing an interactive experience, it allows us to expand on elements of the story in a different way from the movie or the book.

Y!: Do you tend to take inspiration more from the book, or from the movie?

CR:We initially take our lead from the book, and as movie assets / scripts are available, we use them to help focus the game experience. We work very hard to create a game that reflects all the excitement of the movie.

"Hogwarts is even bigger than last time -- you can find lots of new areas in the castle grounds -- and you can roam at will."

Y!: Have any of the cast been involved in the game's production? Are they providing voices?

CR: Yes. Many of the movie cast lend their voices to the game (including Rupert Grint - who plays Ron Weasley, Tom Felton - who plays Draco Malfoy, and Evanna Lynch - who plays Luna Lovegood).

Y!: Which locations from the movie or book will we be able to visit?

CR: We are really pleased to confirm that as a player you will have the opportunity to explore all of Hogwarts, from the Boathouse right through to the brand new Astronomy Tower, plus key locations such as The Burrow and The Horcrux Cave.

Y!: Romance is a big theme in Half-Blood Prince. Are you planning to capture those elements in the game?

CR: Yes we are. We are focusing on the trials and tribulations of Ron Weasley, and also the developing relationship between Harry and Ginny Weasley.

Y!: Will we be able to roam freely around the game, like we could in Order of the Phoenix?

CR: Yes. Hogwarts is even bigger than last time -- you can find lots of new areas in the castle grounds -- and you can roam at will.

Y!: When will the game be out -- and on what platforms?

CR:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released around the same time as the movie and will be available on the following platforms: Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft X360, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, PC, Macintosh and Mobile.