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When Reality Meets Fantasy: A Look At The Mountains Of SSX
In the latest issue of Game Informer (#225),I had a chance to speak with SSX creative director Todd Batty about EA's upcoming reinvention of the beloved snowboarding series. While speaking with Batty, I asked him to go over some specifics on what we can look forward to seeing when we hit SSX's unique slopes.
The topography of SSX's mountains may be based off of real data gathered from NASA, but Batty says that info accounts for "about 2-3% of the totally player experience." Here are some of the crazy changes EA Canada has added to the 30-ish mountains featured in the game:
Rockies – This North American mountain range has a logging theme. Players will find train tracks to grind on and crashed rail cars to trick through scattered across the mountains. Also look out for logs that can be used to your advantage or act as deadly obstacles.
Patagonia – This incredibly steep region features some of the most narrow and deviously winding ledges in the game. Prepare to spend entire runs feeling like you’re seconds away from plummeting off the edge of a gigantic cliff. When you hit more open segments, you’ll need to watch out for wreckage from crashed airplanes.
Sibera – In the snowy wastes of Russia, boarders will need to contend with an abandoned nuclear power plant. Look forward to tricking your way through empty buildings and grinding across vast expanses on power lines.
Alaska – This setting features a ton of avalanches and one simple way to avoid being crushed by them: the Alaskan pipeline. Grinding across this series of pipes will let you watch over the chaos below without being consumed by it.
Himalayas – In case you needed proof that SSX is disconnected from reality, the Himalayan mountain range will feature sections of the Great Wall of China for players to get big air from. They don’t allow that in real life, for the record.
Africa – The mountains of Africa will feature a huge number of underground tunnels winding in and out of frozen volcanoes. Eventually you’ll reach active lava pits that you’ll need to jump over, Mario-style.
Alps – This high-altitude European range will be highlighted by a giant tunnel system with an underground track. You’ll also be able to ride down a huge gondola line leading to the wreckage of a ski resort that has been plowed over by an avalanche.
New Zealand – EA Canada discovered that one of the mountains in New Zealand has a lake at its summit, which led to the idea of a mountain with frozen rivers running all the way down it. While this provides unique trick opportunities, the real treat is at the end, with the biggest set piece created for the game: a giant dam that leads to the base of the mountain. Players will be able to jump off this for huge air, grind down pipes, or ride safely through tunnels.
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