Killzone: Axis Animation

Killzone Axis Animation
In the Axis Animation cinematic introduction to the new Playstation2 video game 'Killzone', Helghan leader Scolar Visari is not a happy camper.

Released in Europe on Nov. 26 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Dutch developer Guerrilla Games, 'Killzone' features all the usual dressing for a Class-A apocalyptic scenario, including persecution, exodus, invasion and a bloody and brutal war. When Axis created the introduction to give gamers the much-appreciated back-story, Scolar Visari was invented based on a 'blend' of three other characters. A classic Darth Vader type, he rallies his troops to battle, ranting, raving, and all but foaming at the mouth. It's quite a show, and quite a bit of top-quality CGI animation from Axis.

Axis Head of Production Sam McCarthy was willing to give credit for the script (or blame?) to Guerrilla Games' Martin Capel. Not wanting for raw emotion and the zeal of his fictitious cause, Capel's fantasy character Visari is a real monster, appealing to his troops of apparently mutant soldiers with all the gusto of an Armageddon anti-Christ, calling his troops, "The strength in my arm, the holders of my dream."

McCarthy says Capel's coined phrase often came up among the artists and crew who worked on the intro for about five months. "We'd go around saying that," she said. "T