The Name

[Lengis]

Scott Miller said:
It's always better to be hated/loved, rather than meh'ed.

Those are my feelings when it comes to girls.

Kristian Joensen said:
How could it be anything else considering that you don't have the trademark to anything else ?

They could trademark a new name later down the track you know.

[X-Vector]

Scott Miller said:
Game's make character names, not the other way around, and so we know that even if we have a name now that few people like, if the game comes out and is a hit, then the halo effect will transfer to the name, too, just as it did with Max and Duke.

If that's true, then why is it necessary to give the protagonist a 'special' name ('special' as in 'special olympics' if it is indeed Tommy Hawk), especially when that name isn't mentioned in the (main) title of the game?

Also, we know the name is a lightning rod, but at least it has people talking. This is a key part of marketing for us -- we like to stir opinions and controversy. Lo Wang anyone? ;-)

This does not correspond with the following quote of yours from the PCG article:

Our research into American indians and especially the Cherokee has been extensive and time-consuming.
From the start we believed that authenticity was critical to the believability of the characters and their story arcs.
Yes, we're making a dark sci-fi game, but within that context we still want the characters and their mythology to ring true.

[Kristian Joensen]

Those quotes aren't contradictory at all.

[Scott Miller]

>>> This does not correspond with the following quote of yours from the PCG article: <<<

I can see your point, but when the game comes out, the character name will far better explained *within* the game's fiction itself. The lead character has an authentic Cherokee name, and goes by the adopted name Tommy (most Native American's use a Caucasian first name nowadays).

Scott

[Kristian Joensen]

Scott, the more I hear about this game the more excited I get.

[mysteryperfecta]

Scott Miller said:
All of this said, notice that I DID NOT confirm of deny what the name will be. But it will definitely be a name that polarizes people -- that's how we roll.
Scott

Word, money, but people are talking about Tommy Hawk because it's lame. I thought you guys were making a serious game, with characters we could empathize with and a story that would 'make us cry'. Goofy puns run contrary to those objectives.

The name 'Duke Nukem' is a carry-over from a cartoony side-scroller. 'Max Payne' fits in the context of an over-the-top noir setting. As far as I can tell, NOLF didn't make the name Cate Archer. Tomb Raider didn't make the name Laura Croft. Half-life may have the name Gordon Freeman, but did so discreetly. 'Tommy Hawk' may fit the context of Prey, but out of context, it's too obvious and silly. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Also, we know the name is a lightning rod, but at least it has people talking. This is a key part of marketing for us -- we like to stir opinions and controversy. Lo Wang anyone? ;-)

People are already talking about Prey, but due to it's feature list. Giving your main character a dumb name is counterproductive, IMO. Hopefully, development decisions like this are the exception to the norm.

[mysteryperfecta]

Kristian Joensen said:
Those quotes aren't contradictory at all.

Not directly, but look at it in the context of this scenario:

Scott Miller: "We spend a lot of time researching Cherokee heritage an effort to respectfully present it in-game."

PCG: "What's the name of your main character?"

Scott Miller: "Tommy Hawk. Get it? Tomahawk? 'Me smoke'm peace pipe!'"

[3DProgrammer]

From a thread in 2001, http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/sh...true#Post151172

Scott Miller said:
Wow, Lon, good sleuthing. Joe alerted me to this, so I took a look. Yes, Chase Venture was something we registered because George thought is might be a good character name in the future, but Chase Bank has an investment division called Chase Ventures, so we dropped the idea.<P>Can't really say anything about Tommy Hawk, though I can say 3D Realms is not developing a game with this name. We often get names and later drop them.<P>Did you see that we once had Max Heat? That was the first name we had for Max Payne.<P>Scott

[Reaper]

I don't see what the huffaw is about. Talon Brave was a quirky name, just as Tommy Hawk, if not more so. It's just a harmless pun! I have just as much attachment to Prey as anyone, and I didn't feel any different about Prey when I heard the name. It's just a name! It's not that bad. It's not like they are using really annoying voice actors or anything. I'm still hyped for this release.

[clayasaurus]

Vexed said:
Steven Hawk

lol. that's one way to stir up controversy

[Spooger]

At least the game isn't called "Tommy Hawk."

[DudeMiester]

Any chance Tommy Hawk can skateboard?

[Ronald McDonald]

Yes, and scalp ppl at the same time

Prey: A <font color="red">Tommy Hawk</font> Game

[Beelze]

I think he should just be called "The Prey Guy."

Beelze, please tell me your being sarcastic because calling the character the player controls 'The Prey Guy' would not be appropriate at all. Prey is going to be a game with a strong story and where the player's character talks. Therefore, I think he needs a name for people to refer to. And having 'The Prey Guy' would be boring in that regard. In addition, it would be a lost opportunity for better marketing of the game.

[Beelze]

It worked for Doom, didn't it?