For fans of first-person shooters, the name Gunman Chronicles may evoke a sense of nostalgia. Released in 2000 and built on the Half-Life engine, this title was published by Sierra Studios, a company that also had notable ties to Valve. Despite its intriguing background, Gunman Chronicles has never made its way to any official PC storefronts, including Steam. In a recent interview, Herbert Flower, the project lead for Gunman Chronicles, shared insights into the development journey, including the unexpected collaboration with Valve that ultimately led to an “anticlimactic” launch for what was an ambitious shooter.
Development Journey and Valve’s Involvement
Gunman Chronicles is fondly remembered for its innovative features, particularly its customizable weapons system, which allowed players to modify guns for different performance outcomes. While it may not rival the complexity of Call of Duty’s gunsmith system, it was a noteworthy advancement for its time. The game also captivated players with its eclectic mix of enemies, ranging from massive dinosaurs to extraterrestrial foes, drawing some parallels to the iconic Half-Life.
Flower’s interview sheds light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics during the game’s development. After assembling a diverse team of modders from various countries, Flower faced financial constraints that threatened the completion of Gunman Chronicles. In a moment of initiative, one developer reached out to Valve, given the game’s foundation on the Half-Life engine, and requested assistance.
This outreach resulted in Valve inviting the entire development team, which included modders from Italy, Ukraine, and Germany, to its Seattle headquarters. Initially intended as a brief stay, the team ended up working in an office space provided by Gabe Newell for approximately two and a half months. This arrangement was complemented by a ,000 funding boost and the support of a Valve QA tester, whom Flower humorously referred to as “the game Nazi,” acknowledging his critical role in the project’s success.
Challenges and Launch Experience
Despite the collaborative environment, Flower candidly admitted that his relationship with Newell was less than harmonious. “It’s not like we hated each other. It’s like two people with bad breath. We’re like, ‘OK, can’t wait to get out of the room with this guy,'” he remarked, illustrating the complexities of working under pressure.
While many developers today would eagerly seize the opportunity to create within Valve’s walls, Flower’s experience was tinged with challenges. He expressed disappointment over the financial arrangements, revealing that Valve, despite delegating publishing duties to Sierra, took a significant cut from the game’s sales. After Sierra’s share, Flower’s team received a mere 11% of the earnings, which, combined with the exhaustion from the development process, dampened their enthusiasm. “It threw water on the flame of my soul,” he lamented.
The game’s launch, rather than being a celebratory event, felt “anticlimactic.” Flower recounted how the team, worn out from their efforts, gradually dispersed after the release, with friends bidding farewell at the airport, leaving behind a sense of unfulfilled potential.
The Mystery of Availability
Despite the majority of projects associated with Valve being available on Steam today, Gunman Chronicles remains an enigmatic exception. When asked about its absence from the platform, Flower speculated that disputes over rights following Sierra’s merger with Vivendi, which eventually became part of Activision Blizzard, might be to blame.
Despite its solid sales and the bold innovations it introduced, the critical reception of Gunman Chronicles still stings for Flower. “When you see reviews saying, ‘Oh, this game is too much like Half-Life!’ And you’re like, ‘What, the best game that you ever rated? Too much like that, huh?'” he reflected, highlighting the irony of the situation.
In an era where Valve’s support has propelled many studios to success, Flower’s narrative serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by developers. For those feeling nostalgic about Gunman Chronicles, exploring lists of classic games or diving into dinosaur-themed titles might rekindle fond memories of gaming’s past.
