PREDATOR: HUNTING GROUNDS
PRINCIPAL WRITER
Narrative Development
Combat barks for players and NPCs
Enemy Banter
Mission Summaries
In-game mission instruction
Working with Fox / Disney to maintain brand cohesion
Narrative Development
Given the limitations of a strictly asymmetric multiplayer experience, it was important to me that we focus heavily on the themes found in 1987’s Predator. While elements from the entire Predator franchise were woven into the narrative, Fox (now Disney) was very receptive to maintaining the feel of the original film, as it was their most highly regarded, and for good reason.
Combat & BAnter
It was my responsibility to develop accurate, but entertaining combat barks and banter for the Fireteam (players) and Guerrilla (enemy AI) elements of Predator: Hunting Ground. Working with combat veterans, my goal was to create a feeling of verisimilitude that scan as accurate, but would err on the side of 80’s action tropes.
DLC - The Dutch Tapes
Narrative development detailing the return of Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to the Predator franchise.
Combat Barks for Dutch
Lore Tapes
The Dutch Tapes pick up after the events of the original Predator, following Alan “Dutch” Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) through the events of future Predator films and into the events of Predator: Hunting Ground. As principle writer, it was my job to take directions noted by the design team and create a narrative based on Dutch’s experiences.
Because of the unusual shift in direction between each Predator property, the films in particular, I decided to primary concern myself with themes and context of the original Predator: hunting, survival, guile, obsession. I would then add major timeline points from other films, but lens them through this established context.
DLC - THE ISABELLE TAPES
This DLC added Isabelle from 2010’s Predators as a playable character, performed by Alice Braga. I was brought in to create her canon return to the series and determine her fate after the end of the film and subsequent comic books. I decided the most efficient way of detailing this information was a military debriefing.
The OWLF Tapes VOL.1 & 2
Detailing the fall and return of the clandestine organization known as the Other Worldly Life Forms project, The OWLF Tapes follow OWLF agent Shawn Keyes (Jake Busey) as the project tracks predator activity, but is shelved in preference to Project Stargazer. These tapes tie-in the events of The Predator and bring them up-to-date with the events of Predator: Hunting Ground.
While the film Predators had a mixed reception, I found Jake Busey’s performance as Sean Keyes to be rather good. Even in a small part, he seemed one of few to feel real, reacting genuinely. His end was unclear, so I wanted to elevate the character and grant him more agency. In doing so, I believe I created a human face to what otherwise could have been a very thin and derivative take on the governmental clandestine organization.