Each 90s child will inform you there have been a number of motion movies they by no means grew bored of watching; something with Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, or Arnold Schwarzenegger in, after which Starship Troopers. The movie was an enormous popular culture hit, spawning a franchise nonetheless going at this time, and with a number of films, animated movies, comics, books, and naturally video video games.
Casper Van Dien was the hero of the story, taking part in Johnny Rico, a plucky personal with a degree to show, earlier than rising (and falling) by way of the ranks to finish up the place he’s now, main the upcoming console launch of Starship Troopers: Extermination, as a part of the single-player marketing campaign not solely contained throughout the identical universe of the movies however persevering with on our favourite 90s sci-fi hero’s story.
We had been fortunate sufficient to talk to the person himself concerning the upcoming entry into the franchise, what the longer term comprises, and the inevitable comparisons to Helldivers 2.
[This was a written interview, therefore followup questions weren’t possible. Some answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.]
Because the face of Starship Troopers, you’re no stranger to the Universe. Earlier than getting concerned with Offworld with the single-player content material, what did you make of the sport as an entire?
I like that I’ve been connected to the Starship Troopers world for 28 years and counting. It’s a thrill to be again as Basic J. Rico in Starship Troopers: Extermination. The sport has been one thing I’ve mentioned ought to be completed since I first noticed the completed movie. I informed a few of my pals at Sony that they need to make a Starship Troopers recreation.
Then I noticed many alternative video games that everybody would say, “This was like Starship Troopers” or “This was a tribute to Starship Troopers”… So to lastly have Starship Troopers Extermination which is precisely like being within the film, is a dream come true for me. I believe the sport is all the things I’ve dreamed of and extra. Offworld did it proper.
And would you take into account your self a gamer in any respect? If that’s the case, what do you play?
I used to play numerous video games. I typically play with my daughter Grace Van Dien, and we’ve now performed Starship Troopers: Extermination collectively and plan to play it collectively typically. We’ve got one of the best time with everybody on-line as I play as ‘generaljrico’. Troopers have numerous enjoyable once they hear me come by way of saying film quotes.
Do you suppose the sport has encompassed the universe you began in 1997?
Sure! It’s precisely like being within the film. It has all of the bugs and parts from all 5 movies, plus new, enhanced bugs, troopers, and weapons. I like the place Offworld has taken the tales 27 years later, ensuring to pay tribute to the genius of the movie whereas addressing a number of the points the followers had with the follow-up movies. They made it movement completely with the unique idea.
It’s really fantastic to have the inventive sorts, who you possibly can see clearly love the movies, put all the things that they’ve into the sport. Clearly, their fandom makes the sport even higher.
When taking the function all these years in the past, did you envisage it having such a major influence in your life?
Being Johnny Rico has been one of many best thrills of my life. The reactions I get from followers of the movie are rewarding and humbling.
How did you discover the variations between being on set and performing in entrance of a inexperienced display with the bugs, in comparison with the methods used for recreation improvement?
Each time I step into the function it’s an absolute thrill for me. I find it irresistible in each iteration that involves fruition. There isn’t any separation between dwell motion and animation and recreation VO. It’s all the identical function. Being Johnny has turn into a part of me.
And was there an excellent or memorable second you’d care to share?
The start of my daughter Grace Van Dien was one of many coolest moments I had whereas filming. The day earlier than she was born, I used to be within the water tank getting my leg “fastened,” so I felt like Luke Skywalker. The following day, Grace was born.
The day after she was born, I used to be again within the Tank, and Harrison Ford walked on the set as a result of Vic Armstrong was taking pictures the scene on the Second unit, and he had been Harrison’s Stunt Double for Indiana Jones. In order that was fairly epic.
With the sport being set in the identical universe because the movies, the place do you see Johnny going after the sport?
I stay up for the place the sport goes to take Johnny Rico. The concepts that Offworld has shared with me that I’m not allowed to share but, however I can inform you… it’s superior.
Do you suppose this opens the door for a live-action Starship Troopers 4 (or a TV present), which everybody so desperately needs, for the document?
I’d like to make a live-action Starship Troopers TV Present. I’d join it in a heartbeat. I’d need it to be completed along side Starship Troopers: Extermination as a result of they actually get it.
How do you are feeling concerning the comparisons the sport will get to Helldivers 2 when your universe is the idea for Arrowhead’s live-service shooter?
I like all of the video games like Starship Troopers: Extermination. Helldivers 2 is a cool tribute. However I’m, as you acknowledged, the FACE of Starship Troopers. And now… Lastly… Due to Starship Troopers: Extermination I’ve what I all the time needed.
The possibilities of a crossover are fairly minimal, however how would you are feeling about that, given the chance?
I’m too busy preventing the bug menace proper now. I’m from the Starship Troopers Federation, and I say be part of me, Basic J Rico, and let’s Kill some Bugs! Come on, All you Apes, You wanna dwell without end?
The chance for Easter Eggs and nods is nearly countless. Are there any within the single-player marketing campaign that you just requested for them to place in, and even ones you observed and had been shocked they included?
The sport designers are enormous followers of Starship Troopers and so they have put so many nods to all of the movies. I spoke with virtually all of them one-on-one, and so they requested me questions, and I informed them issues that occurred on set and behind the scenes and lots of of them mentioned they’d add what I mentioned to the sport. So they’re the actual deal. They respect players as a result of they’re players and they’re additionally enormous followers of the movie. That makes it a win-win for all of us that need this recreation.
Are there ‘deeper lower’ characters that we wouldn’t anticipate?
I’d love that, however at this level, I don’t know of some other present characters deliberate for the sport.
Starship Troopers was such an enormous satirical and commentary-based movie within the 90s, which nonetheless holds as much as at the present time for a lot of causes. How does the online game measure up with the identical satirical commentary on society at this time?
I believe everybody who’s a fan of the movies will see the humor and really feel what it’s wish to be within the film. The those that I’ve performed on-line with actually obtained it. Everyone seems to be taking part in with the passion of the troopers within the movie.
How has Johnny modified from the man who enlisted for a girl to the person he’s within the marketing campaign?
Johnny is older and wiser. He’s a seasoned warrior. The very best of one of the best. He’ll all the time get the job completed. However he additionally has a greater understanding of what the higher-ups are asking for. His Troopers imply extra to him. The individuals making this recreation actually honored Johnny’s arc.
Do you suppose the sport will turn into as huge part of popular culture as that of the movie?
I believe the sport has all of the potential on the planet. The players will find it irresistible. I find it irresistible!
How does Starship Troopers: Extermination recreate the enduring elements of the universe? Particularly the weapons and bugs.
They’ll have all of the bugs from all 5 movies finally. Proper now some are enhanced and so they have but so as to add so many extra. There are such a lot of weapons, skins, and completely different characters. 16-person shooter working collectively like we did within the movie. It’s epic.
In your opinion, how does this differentiate itself from the likes of Helldivers 2 particularly, and in the event that they [players] had to choose, why ought to they select this over that?
In Starship Troopers: Extermination, we care about each Trooper. We work collectively and attempt to make it again collectively. There’s nobody left behind. Besides it’s Starship Troopers so Troopers will die. However their dying all the time means one thing to their fellow troopers. We even have Carnage which is fairly superior. Having to cope with all of the lifeless bugs…
What does the longer term maintain for your self, and the Starship Troopers franchise?
I hopefully shall be tied to this superb recreation for its entirety. And hopefully, a sequence will lastly come to fruition sooner or later.
Is there something you’d like to inform our readers, be it concerning the recreation, the movies, different work of yours, or simply about you typically?
Starship Troopers: Extermination comes out on PlayStation 5, XBOX, and PC on Oct eleventh. Be a part of Now! Service Ensures Citizenship!
Lastly, are there any good bugs?
The Solely Good Bug is a Lifeless Bug!
