The ultimate archive website of the video game saga created by Pandemic Studios
and Published by THQ (now THQNordic)
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At the dawn of the 2000s, as Pandemic Studios expanded its operations in Australia, a mysterious game called
Oddballs kept the Brisbane branch of developers quite busy. Ultimately, the project was canceled by Microsoft in
favor of others deemed more promising, much to the developers' dismay. Information about this title is scarce
given that it has unfairly generated very little interest, and the game sadly never progressed beyond the
prototype stage. Let’s revisit a title that, through its unjust rejection, inadvertently laid the groundwork for the
first “Destroy All Humans!” game.
GLUTTONS FROM ANOTHER WORLD
When discussing the creations of the developers at Pandemic Studios Brisbane, diehard fans of the
famous little Furon immediately think of Destroy All Humans! and its
satirical humor. However right after their first game called “Army Men”, but quite
before Crypto, flying-saucers and disintegrator beams, the Australian studio was
working in 2002 on an inhouse developed game that perfectly encapsulated their
dreams, set in a diametrically opposed universe.
That project was called...
Welcome in the Spirit Woods, a luminous landscape
of gnarled tree trunks, grassy hills, and mosscovered standing stones. The world evokes a
cartoonish dreamlike fantasy world, where nature
shelters a fauna of amusing and rather unusual
beings! Conceived as an action-platformer with
party-game elements, the game centers on
whimsical funny little creatures. One of them, a
small, stocky monster with sharp teeth, little horns,
and tough skin, sporting a most expressive and
comical appearance, is moving quickly along the
paths by rolling. This red spiky Oddball, named
Targus, only communicates in gurgles and other
onomatopoeic sounds and is rather stubborn. Being
a notorious narcoleptic, its lifestyle consists mainly of eating and sleeping. The game
features this eccentric character available in, at least, five different colors, model
designs and names; Moogle Smoove for yellow, Targus Mood for red, Zip Greedle for
green, Odeo Murk for cyan and Dibble Doopy for purple. It's up to the players to
choose the one they prefer.
These gluttonous creatures have a habit, and not a
minor one… They compulsively eats blue inflated
chickens called Quockles at any cost. Strange,
bewildered-looking blue birds, Quockles populate the
landscape, floating a few meters above the ground
like feathery balloons drifting aimlessly. It's like they
inflated and, after rising in the air, could no longer go
anywhere. Their small legs and tiny wings certainly
don't seem to help them move properly, making them
easy prey for Oddballs who gobble them up whole.
But the Oddballs can spit them out remarkably easily
if they get slapped. Eating Quockles, that's all they
want in life. But beneath these austere-looking little
monsters lies a sweet dream!
With eyes bigger than its stomach, Targus’ ultimate goal is actually to open the large,
impenetrable golden cage that contains the giant Quockle Queen held prisoner by the
fearsome Clockwork King, a robotic devourer of these blue inflated birds and the main
antagonist of the game! To get keys he has to crack open some eggs that are in the
world, and there’s also mini-games! And to crack open the eggs in the world he also
needs ten Quockles! But beware of the other players who are there to give him a hard
time, because a party game means competition! These creatures will battle and
challenge each other on different locations, offering a nice diversity of fun gameplay.
Players can also activate traps to slow down the progress of other players. All this in a
lighthearted atmosphere and a very colorful world!
TO EAT A QUOCKLE
Inspired by the concept of Fuzion Frenzy developed by Blitz Games and published by
Microsoft Game Studios, the developers at Pandemic Studios Brisbane naturally
gravitated towards a party game, a sort of Fuzion Frenzy 2, or at least to hop on this
bandwagon. Dan Teasdale, senior designer who would later work on Destroy All
Humans!, describes the gameplay elements that gave Oddballs its unique and fun
atmosphere:
“We wanted to do something different. We were huge Mario Party fans,
but we didn't want to just do another board game and minigame collection.
Basically, instead of the board game, it's a platformer, like a 3D
platformer. The whole conceit for the turns is that you're controlling these
monsters. And these monsters are narcoleptic and so every 30 seconds
they just fall asleep in the world and the next player starts up. But it also
meant all of the players were in the world at the same time. So you can
go through and run and slap other players that are in the world to get
their currency and stuff like that”
Oddballs each have 30 seconds of movement before falling asleep. They can curl into
a ball to roll and get around faster. While it's not possible to eat Quockles while rolling,
it is possible to fart them out for a speed boost (which can save time by sacrificing
one of your feathery meal). Ten Quockles are needed to hatch an egg, trigger
minigames, and collect keys!
While one player is moving for 30 seconds, the others aren't just sitting idly by,
because another great aspect is that the paths are littered with traps. All these traps
in multiplayer are controlled by the other players. While an Oddball is moving, the
three other players can activate traps to try and stop it from getting to its destination.
As a trap approaches, its color changes for the player controlling it. It's like a quick,
three-second mini-game of timing: you have to press the button at the right moment
to neutralize the player. The trap whip you and knocks you over. That would take out
some of the precious time.
Among the many mini-games planned for the game, some have been prototyped and
made playable with four players, which allows for a better understanding of their rules
and how they work.
MARCO POLO:
A one versus three mini-game which plays exactly like Marco Polo (a form
of tag played in a swimming pool) essentially, with three Oddballs that are
underwater. When you move slowly, you couldn't see yourself moving, but
when you move fast, ripples would come off. Half the game consisted of
orienting yourself and finding the right position to avoid the other player.
But at the same time, if you were too close to the guy or you just needed
some kind of cue of where you were, you could just give yourself away. It
would rip all the water!
SLAP CLUB:
It's basically every Oddball for himself, just four creatures in a wrestling
ring and they just slap each other and every time they get slapped they
throw up a Quockle. And so it's basically slapping everyone as much as
possible. A round lasts 40 seconds, and to identify the person with the most
Quockles, a small golden crown is placed above their head. All these
Quockles are ejecting out and the one with the most Quackles at the end
wins!
Believing strongly in their party-game
concept, the Brisbane developers are
working tirelessly on Oddballs’ custom
engine and its physics, which takes them
eight to ten weeks to develop. They've built
virtually everything from scratch. Dan
Teasdale recalls during one of his interviews
regarding the game:
“We built it for “Oddballs” and we built basically getting a devkit, like blank
code to full game in about ten weeks. This is the
engine for “Destroy All Humans!”, even before “Destroy
Humans!” was released.”
In the upper part of the screen, the game prototype features an arrow reminiscent of
the one in “Crazy Taxi”, designed to alert players to the proximity of Quockles, eggs,
and keys, an element Pandemic did not want to include in the final version in that
form. However, the prototype trailer showcases a different design for this directional
arrow, resembling a mechanical clock hand. This choice aligns with the game's visual
style, conceptualized through extensive artwork by Mat Brady, which blends
mechanical elements with highly natural environments. These details offer further
insight into the game's story.
THE ODDBALL BARNYARD
During the game development, concept
artists Mat Brady and Lachlan Creagh
(who would go on to continue their
fruitful collaboration on the original
“Destroy All Humans!”) did their utmost
to bring the colorful world of “Oddballs”
to life. Mat Brady produced countless
preliminary sketches and concept
illustrations, meticulously detailing a
multitude of these colorful characters.
Each Oddball possesses unique physical
traits that make them instantly recognizable; they were designed to curl into a ball
and feature distinct colors, allowing them to be controled by different players. Mat
Brady recalls working on the design of these funny little creatures:
“I was spending a lot of time developing the Oddballs pitch. A
party game where you run & roll around a Crash Bandicootstyle pathway, while your friends, who are waiting for their
turn, can control the obstacles around you. They asked me to
draw little monsters that could also become balls that could roll.
When I had a first pass at these characters it seemed to
crystallise the idea in people’s minds what the game would
become”.
At Pandemic, Lachlan Creagh and Fiona François were both artists accustomed to
adding color using Photoshop, unlike Mat Brady. So he asked Fiona for a few quick tips
on the software. After taking his pencil drawing of Moogle home with him, he spent
the entire weekend creating an impressive colored and shaded version of that
character. Having a solid grasp of the interplay between light, shadow, and objects, he
simply needed to apply this principle to the clipping mask method.
“The reaction on Monday was fantastic, and the studio became very excited after this. People’s imaginations became fired
up, and it was terrific. I established myself as a proper Photoshop-using Concept Artist after that and was tasked with
doing the final character art for the rest of the characters. With this and a fairly good idea about how the game would
be played we had a strong pitch. Keep in mind, we were only meant to get on Microsoft’s radar as a studio that can do
“other things” besides real-time strategies”.
A funny anecdote, the pitch package for
“Oddballs” was delivered to Microsoft
Games in a box filled with multicolored
plastic balls. Apparently, they found it
interesting enough to greenlight the
project—much to the surprise of the
Pandemic team. Several Microsoft Games
representatives even flew out to meet the
developers at their Brisbane studio.
When the Microsoft representatives
arrived, they had not yet given their
official approval. They came to the studio
with questions, and after a brief
presentation of the project, a closed-door
meeting began in the boardroom. The
representatives left satisfied and won over
by the game's concept art. With Pandemic
having secured the contract, the Brisbane
team was overjoyed.
Mat Brady produced countless preliminary
sketches and concept illustrations,
meticulously detailing every character,
gameplay mechanic, key, gear, and minigame, right down to the last blade of
grass or bush making up the rich visuals of this wacky universe.
“From that point it was an intensely creative time for me, and the rest of the studio. I was literally tasked with creating
a fantastical world. It was wonderful. A career highlight.”.
Lachlan Creagh created highly detailed animations of the main character (over a
period of about eight months) as well as several variations featuring different designs
and colors; however, only the yellow version was modeled for use in a “Prototype
Movie” intro-cinematic. The prototype featured the Targus model rendered in various
color palettes.
“On Oddballs, I did a few bit of initial concept stuff with Mat Brady, and then I did all the animation of the prototype
ingame character "Targus". With every animation I was trying to convince Microsoft that I, as "the animator", was
capable of AAA level game animation, because apparently at the outset certain foreign "teabagging officionado's" weren't
so sure. At that point, it was just me animation wise at Pandemic, Microsoft 'encouraged' Pandemic to bring on an
animator with film credits to take charge/do the work, since Motion Picture experience was apparently a necessity(?)”
Concept art offers a tangible glimpse into the visual direction of "Oddballs," revealing
a bold artistic style and an aim to create a world that is both playful and organic. The
game was not intended to be limited to the Spirit Woods; plans also included other
areas such as Froston Peaks (an icy level), Vermillion Lakes (an aquatic level dotted
with rounded domes and curved bridges), Nimbus Reach (an aerial, celestial balloon
world), and, finally, the mechanical realm of the formidable Clockwork King.
Beyond the highly detailed graphics that reveal a coherent universe populated by
meticulously designed creatures and levels that make up this whimsical world, the
gameplay is also highlighted through the representation of certain elements that
encourage varied interactions. These include the different mini-games (boxing,
pinball, underwater hide-and-seek) and the traps (represented with the players’
colors) that players must control to give their opponents a hard time!
WHEN WORDS COLLIDE
Despite the pitch and the various elements shared
with Microsoft, “Oddballs” itself was still being
defined. The gameplay experience was constantly
being experimented with. The designers had even
created an in-house tabletop version of the game to
refine their ideas. To add a further complication, the
video game landscape of the time was also shaken by
the shockwave caused by the success of “Grand Theft
Auto III” from Rockstar Games. Upon its release on
PlayStation, the game sold millions of copies, and
sales showed no signs of slowing down. This
phenomenon influenced the very identity of the
industry. Titles like “Jak & Daxter” had set the tone
for what popular AAA games looked like, but after the
release of “GTA III”, public expectations (or at least
what studio executives “believed” those expectations
to be), began to shift. And games tried, as best they
could, to keep pace and adapt.
Pandemic Studios
certainly felt the impact of this tidal wave during the development of “Oddballs”.
Microsoft Games indicated that Pandemic’s game seemed to be "aiming at too young
an audience" and needed to be made "bolder" (or "edgier"). In short, with thee new
“Grand Theft Auto”, Sony had a new flagship title that was flying off the shelves.
Microsoft needed a darker, edgier title to compete, and launching “Oddballs” or any
other family friendly game as a response to “GTA” would likely have been
embarrassing. Mat Brady recalls this turning point:
“I get the feeling that Microsoft had already made up its mind by
the time they voiced these criticisms, and that it was only a matter
of time. No matter how we might have tweaked “Oddballs”, the
game would have ended up being canceled anyway. The designers
gave it a shot, but I think it was to the detriment of the game.
They introduced the idea that the monsters were addicted not to
crack, but to "Quockles." A "drug dealer" character was even
added to the game. As a concept artist tasked with creating a
magnificent, magical world, I strongly disapproved of this deliberate
shift in tone—and I made my point of view known. Through
illustrations!”
The team thus found itself at an impasse, having to steer “Oddballs” in a “GTAinfluenced” style direction
including more mature unengaging visuals even though the
project had initially been heading in a radically different one. This naturally created
tension within the studio, yet without this shift, the game would have been cancelled
immediately. It was a no-win situation: whatever Pandemic Australia team did, they
were bound to lose. Despite the unfortunate outcome, seeing "Oddballs" come to life
through early prototypes was a memorable moment for the entire team, even though
the project never ultimately came to fruition.
THE DAY THE GAME STOOD STILL
Clearly, the project no longer seemed to hold much
interest for Microsoft's decision-makers. The video
game world appeared to have moved on to other
things, pursuing ambitions deemed more lucrative,
following the path blazed by the unstoppable success
of Rockstar Games. This was a far cry from the
enchanting, lush forests and the gluttonous little
creatures of “Oddworld”. Lachlan Creagh remembers:
“Microsoft then dumped the project a year in- apparently because it skewed
"too young" in their demographics, and wasn't "edgy" enough....I'm not surethe
details were handed out on a need to know basis and couched in official
and concilliatory talk....but whatever- the end effect is the same. (I think the
same happened to everyone in the worldeverywhere every game character became dark
and edgy with a gun in their hand and a chip on their shoulder.) Briefly
we hoped beyond hope as the Pandemic LA big guns, who believed in us and our game,
tried shopping the property
around publishers... but because at that stage the overall story, and hook was hard
to describe to publishers simply (a
big no no for any would be game makers out there.) they met with refusal. And so,
the rule of lowest common
denominator thinking casts its shadow across the pacific.
Mat Brady recalls that “Oddballs” would have to compete with the GTA clones that
were coming out soon after. Certain franchises deliberately shifted away from the
lighter tone of their predecessors; influenced by the resounding success of “GTA III”,
the market turned toward a maturing
player base, favoring the complex
narratives and open-world freedom
characteristic of sandbox games. Tortured
edgy characters, weapons, and vehicles.
Even Jak & Daxter came out with their own
GTA-like sequel, “Jak II”, which featured
car stealing and gun play.
“No one in the game industry was spared. When the news
finally came that Microsoft was canceling the project, the
studio felt gutted. Morale was low. And everyone felt the
fear that their jobs may all come to an end.”
PLAN B FROM PANDEMIC
In response to the rebuttal of their dream
project and in order to bounce back as
quickly as possible, Brendan Andrews,
producer at Pandemic Australia, gave
everyone the chance to pitch a concept
for the studio's next game. The move
seemed a bit desperate, yet it was also
thrilling for every team member, offering
them the opportunity to put forward an
idea. Mat Brady recalls some of the
concepts that were suggested which
utilmately led to the final choice:
"If I recall correctly, we spent a full week developing our
internal pitches. That total freedom was exhilarating, but also a bit daunting, since we had to come up with something
quickly."
Among the many ideas proposed, Tristan Mott had a very pragmatic one based purely
on commercial potential: an underground street-racing game. While it would
undoubtedly have been a success, no one at the studio, not even Tristan Mott himself,
actually wanted to make it.
Dan Teasdale pitched "Avalanche!”, a tight, face-paced platform game in the style of
past hits like Sonic, Crash Bandicoot and Spider-Man featuring a hero Avalanche
McCracken equipped with his grappling hook; This allowing him to swing, climb, grab,
pull, lift and throw anything that gets in the way. The concept relied on the
possibilities offered by that tool and the game's physics, as well as the character's
ability to yodel.
Mat Brady had two ideas. The first was "Accident Town" (later renamed "Crash
Town"), a physics-based puzzle game where you had to achieve specific objectives
using the physics engine. The second was "Scope Creep," a cyberpunk game set in a
fantasy universe. You played as a colossus tasked with protecting a small elf with
magical powers (who was actually a hacker).
Matt Harding, a shrewd strategist, waited until all the other projects had finished
vying for attention before unveiling his own. He also had a clear understanding of
what Microsoft—and the video game industry at large—was looking for. He knew his
game had to be subversive and compete with titles like “GTA III” and the clones that
were soon to hit the market. He presented his project: “Destroy All Humans!”
“The description was very clear, and everyone got it. You play the alien instead and your mission is to do what it says
in the title. I think, what really helped, was the name he gave to it:
Destroy - All - Humans
It was perfect, and I think without the power of that title, the DAH! franchise wouldn’t be where it is today. It has the
same devastating simplicity as “Snake On A Plane”. You know exactly what you’re going to get when buy it. It
accurately sets expectations better than anything else. The marketing is built into the name. It’s brilliant.
Thus ended Oddballs. Long live Destroy All Humans!”
Beyond Microsoft's blatant disinterest in the "Oddballs" project, which ultimately led to
its cancellation, the Brisbane-based Pandemic development team quicly sought a new direction, despite their immense disappointment.
In response to that rejection, and among other proposals from team members, the game "Destroy All Humans!" rose from the ashes
of "Oddballs".
The initial concept was to incorporate everything the previous project and other proposals had lacked: a simple premise
(eliminating humans in inventive ways) and more accessible gameplay based on the good old method of "blowing everything up".
After several creative meetings to define the game's various aspects, the summary document below - an initial pitch draft -
was finalized on November 25, 2002, to present this brand-new game project to Microsoft Game Studios and THQ
An entire population held in the grip of fear by your menacing arsenal! Slice through buildings with your scorching death ray!
Destroy homes, eat pets, disintegrate men, and kidnap their provocatively dressed females!
Lead your very own zombie horde and hurl them against their Fellow man!
Suck humans into your ship and feed them to your menagerie of terrifying creatures! Once your pets get big enough, set themloose on a helpless populace.
Bring the puny Earthlings to their knees. Let this be Doomsday!
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Destroy All Humans is a 3rd person action conquest game that lets you attack
Earth from the perspective of the alien invaders. Pulling the best bits from
popular UFO mythology, the game will capitalize on Cold War hysteria, alien
abductions, cattle mutilations, and the classic War of the Worlds image of
flying saucers laying waste to our cities.
The game will indulge our malicious
power fantasies of indiscriminate
destruction in a real world setting,
and deliver it with the sensory
impact and grandeur that only the
Xbox can produce. The alien
arsenal will showcase a vast array
of outrageous effects, while the
persistent, destructible cityscapes
will make full use of the hardware’s
potential.
At the core of Destroy All Humans
is a reckless, nihilistic sensibility
that will click with the Grand Theft
Auto audience of young adult
males, while offering them an
entirely fresh and original gaming
experience. A much wider
mainstream audience will respond
to the game’s ironic take on 50’s
science fiction and its strong visual
appeal.
GAMEPLAY
The gameplay in Destroy All Humans will alternate between wreaking havoc
in a flying saucer and running around on foot. Players must switch between
these modes regularly to complete each level. The saucer mode will be pure
escapist fun – slicing through buildings like butter and melting tanks into
piles of molten ooze. But the saucer’s power is easily exhaustible, so the
player must exit the ship and seek out energy sources that will replenish it.
As the game progresses, players will earn the ability to grow and unleash
massive space beasts. They serve as superweapons, adding a fun twist to
the gameplay. These creatures require food to grow, which is provided by
the humans and other earthly lifeforms that can be found in each level.
To feed your space beasts, you need to suck
the food up aboard your ship with the Abducto
Ray. This is easy to do with livestock – simply
hover over them and lift. But humans will flee in
terror if you try the same method on them. So in addition
to gathering power, you will need to exit your ship on foot
to harvest humans. Your Hypno Ray will turn them into
mindless zombies that follow you around. Once
hypnotized, you can force them to do anything you want.
You can lead them back to your ship and abduct them, or
use them as cannon fodder against your enemies.
The process of hypnotizing humans takes time. Each one has a certain
amount of will to resist, which must be drained out of them before they can
be converted. In the thick of battle, this can be difficult. So the alternative
is always available of simply switching to an attack setting and vaporizing the
human target.
SAUCER WEAPONS
As the game progresses, new and
bigger saucers will become available
with increasingly powerful armaments.
All the different saucer weapons are
stored inside the body of each ship,
popping out when they are selected.
Saucer weapons are the big pay-off.
They will be the source of the key visuals
that can be used to sell the game.
DEATH RAY – The standard weapon on all Furon ships. It’s a red beam that
can burn through almost any substance in seconds.
Use it to slice through buildings. Fire it at
vehicles to make them glow, then melt
as they spray forth gushes of liquid
hot metal. When the beam streaks
across the ground, it leaves a wall of
flame in its path that can be used to
block enemy movement.
SONIC BOOM RAY –
A low frequency
soundwave cannon that makes things
crumble and fall apart. The visual is
a distortion effect that passes
through the air and changes the
shape of everything behind it. This
is one for the audiophiles to stress
test their speakers with.
ANTI-GRAVITY BEAM –
Reverses the gravitational effect on objects within a
radius, making them float up in the air. When the effect wears off, the
objects plummet down and splatter.
QUANTUM DECONSTRUCTER –
Sprays a stream of glowing particles at a
building. The building turns into a Matrix-like sea of moving particles, which
slowly disappear as the building dissipates.
ELECTRICAL SCATTER BEAM –
Bolts of lightning that travel from metal
object to metal object doing damage. Use it when enemy vehicles are
clustered close together.
NEUTRINO BOMB –
Floats into the core
of a building, then bursts. Beams of
light shoot out the windows,
followed by a flash. Once it
passes, all that’s left is ash
particles in the shape of the
superstructure of the building, which
then blow away in the wind.
BLACK HOLE BOMB –
All objects within a radius are sucked in towards a
point of singularity. Loose objects and bits of debris get pulled in from
everywhere.
OMEGA BOMB –
Disintegrates everything within its sphere. Objects that
lose their structural integrity fall apart after the blast fades away.
SPORE BOMB –
A little green plant spore that grows in seconds, quickly
spreading around an object and enveloping it, then making it crumble apart
from within.
HANDHELD WEAPONS
When on foot, the Furon pilot carries a multi-purpose rifle that changes
shape for each setting.
HYPNO RAY –
The basic weapon for extra-vehicular use. Allows you to
collect humans and lead them around.
EXPLODING HEAD RAY –
Pop!
SLUDGE PUMP –
Releases a stream of sticky goop that immobilizes your
enemies.
DESICCATOR RAY –
Sucks all liquid out of an
organism and leaves a
shrivelled heap on the ground.
BRAINWORMS –
A gun that shoots out little alien worms which scurry about
and attach themselves to peoples’ heads. The parasites makes their victims
mutate into musclebound zombie beasts.
SPACE BEASTS
These creatures are stored onboard the ship in miniature form. When fed
humans or cattle, they grow to enormous size and can be beamed down to
attack. Each space beast has a different number of lifeforms it needs to eat
before it can be released.
BLOB –
An amorphous ball of slime that grows when it eats organic matter.
It shrivels up and dies if it goes a few seconds without feeding.
FRACTAL OGRE –
A creature
that behaves like a rock in
asteroids. Every time it gets
shot, it splits into two
creatures half the size, until
its offshoots shrink down to
about human size and start
disappearing.
GIANT SLUG –
Slowly moves forward crushing things and leaves a trail of
slime behind it. Humans will try to dissolve it by dumping ocean water on it.
GIANT WORM –
Tunnels underground and weakens the soil, making the
ground cave in. Emerges in a vulnerable state to feed on humans.
GIANT ANTEATER –
Walks around sucking people into its trunk. Humans
will drop dummies strapped with bombs to make it explode from within.
GIANT HORNET –
Winged insect that takes down anything in the air.
Humans will lure it away from targets with spotlights.
ENVIRONMENT
The environments will be vividly detailed and highly realistic. However, the
world of Destroy All Humans isn’t the one we see on the news. The cars, the
signs, the buildings, and above all the people will have a distinctly 1950’s
flavor that will feel far removed from the world we live in. The game will not
be set specifically in that time period, but the style will be evocative of the
era. This ambiguity will free us up to use any reference, technology, or
location that suits the game.
The humans in Destroy All Humans
won’t be sympathetic characters
that we will feel any attachment
toward. Instead, we will identify
with the aliens and share their
perspective on the species. The
human race will consistently be
depicted as a bunch of sterile,
conformist, paranoid squares. In
short, they have it coming.
The levels in Destroy All Humans will be large, open landscapes filled with
objects to interact with and…well, destroy. The settings will range from
wooded country towns, farms, and deserts, to teeming cities filled with
skyscrapers. In any given environment, there will be a multitude of
completely separate objectives that can be tackled in any order. The feeling
we hope to evoke is that of a playground – a variety of fun activities
clustered together in the same location.
STORY
On a strange and distant planet, a race of aliens, the
Furons, stands in rapture before their exalted leader.
He has finally brought an end to a million years of
suffering. They are to put aside their warlike
tendencies and build a new world of peaceful
coexistence. It is the dawn of a new era.
This era comes to an abrupt end moments later, when,
in an occurrence of astonishing cosmic unlikelihood, a
space probe from Earth hurtles through the atmosphere
and crashes down on the exalted leader’s head.
Peering over the smoking crater, the crowd listens to
the probe’s pre-recorded message. “Greetings, space
brothers,” it says. “We, the people of Earth, known here as HU-MANS, send
you this message of friendship from across the cosmos.”
The Furons turn to each other in shock, horror, confusion. At last, one
among them raises his fist in the air and utters a rallying cry to make sense
of it all:
“GREB ZUB HU-MANS!”
Translation:
PART 1 –- IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE
You are the pilot of a scout ship, sent to Earth in advance of the Furon
invasion force. Your mission is to gather intelligence on the earthlings,
their ways, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Avoiding major
population centers, you must capture specimens from remote country
farms and townships.
You find that the humans are feeble
creatures, driven by
fear. Their leaders
wish to contain the
rumors of spacecraft
sightings. They
actually appear to be
aiding you in concealing
your activities from the
public.
Steal cattle from ranches
to grow your first space
beast, then set it loose on
a small town.
Carve crop circles into fields
to earn headlines and create
panic.
Abduct humans in the night with your Hypno Ray and bring them back
to your spacecraft for examination.
PART 2 – - INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN
With the full invasion imminent, a larger force has been sent down to
test the effectiveness of your weapons. You are part of the first attack
wave on a heavily populated city.
The military retaliates with everything its got: infantry, tanks, jet
fighters, helicopters, howitzers. They prove to be an unexpectedly
formidable annoyance.
The military has taken down a flying saucer and captured its surviving
crew. Allowing them to study your species and reverse engineer one
of your ships could prove disastrous. You must infiltrate their top-
secret research facility, eliminate all materials, and rescue your Furon
brethren.
You destroy the ship and retrieve the survivors. In the process, you
find another crashed ship that your superiors didn’t know about. It’s
triangular in shape and very different to anything in the Furon fleet. It
isn’t one of yours.
PART 3 –- EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS
At last, the full invasion begins. Release hordes of hideous space
beasts. Use your Hypno Ray to create an army of enslaved humans.
Destroy the major cities of the world. Leave nothing standing.
From their underground bunkers, the greatest minds of Earth work
feverishly to produce weapons that can repel the alien onslaught. One
after another, their giant mechanized robots and genetically altered
zoo animals fall prey to your relentless onslaught.
As the Furon fleet moves on to its next target, a lone human walks
amid the ruins of a crushed metropolis. He has a strangely indifferent
expression. He pulls his left pinky finger out of its socket and holds it
to his mouth. An antenna emerges from his dismembered appendage.
He speaks into it in an alien language.
Your flying saucers gather around the various power centers of Earth,
awaiting their surrender. The moment is at hand. But as the human
leaders bow in submission, a new fleet of triangular flying saucers
descends from the sky. They are identical to the ship you saw in the
research facility. It’s a second race of aliens, the Blisk, and they are
claiming the people of Earth as their own. Two alien races invading
the same planet. It is a cataclysmically awkward moment.
PART 4 –- WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
It’s invader versus invader in an all out war for control of the planet;
with the humans the unwilling pawns of both sides. The Blisk threat
demands new weapons and new strategies. They’re not going home
without a fight.
A captured Blisk pilot reveals that the human race is their creation;
livestock, bred for their minds. They are to be collected and fed to the
massive organism that leads his people.
Your mothership is destroyed by an even larger enemy ship. The ship
lands, and a tentacled monster of unfathomable proportions emerges.
It’s the Blisk leader, come to feed. You must slay the beast and
declare victory once and for all.
You destroy the hive mind of the Blisk. But you are weakened and
alone, your mothership a pile of wreckage on the surface of the moon.
The humans are still alive, and you must leave them that way for now.
You embark on the journey home, vowing one day to return.
1 Mission
Crop circles – tagging
– tagging stuff
– like tagging...
– overlay pattern ?!?
1 Mission – Crop circle + Bonuses later on.
2 Missions
Abduction – Collecting.
- Sucking up scarecrows
- Sucking up cows
- Getting shot up by farmers
Destruction – 1st Mission
- Blow up gas station
- Blow up Farms
- Blow up whatever
- Destroy all Farm trucks – machinery
1 / 18
MAPS DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
MAPS FINAL LAYOUTS
Click on the timeline tiles to explore the original 2003 synopsis!
INTRODUCTION
EXT. SPACE, THE FURON HOMEWORLD
The Furon Homeworld is a small planet that orbits the
red dwarf star of Proxima Centauri.
SUBTITLE (Bottom left)
FURON HOMEWORLD
INT. FURON COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
Several Furon scientists gather around a view screen.
ORTHOPOX-113 stands closest to the screen and turns to
the other two Furons.
ORTHOPOX-113
As you can see, the signals are coming from a
neighboring star, a mere 4.4 light years away.
FURON SCIENTIST 1
What sort of signals are they, First Scientist?
ORTHOPOX-113 (contemptuously)
HMPH! Primitive ones! They were simple to decode.
Observe closely…
The screen flickers to life, and we close in on the screen
to see a montage of B&W television images.
Images of the Berlin Olympics
FURON SCIENTIST 2 (VO)
These creatures appear to be highly competitive.
ORTHOPOX-113 (VO)
Competitive, yes. They show many aggressive
tendencies typical of primitive societies.
World War 2 sequence - Hitler speech, tanks rolling,
American jeeps and soldiers firing.
ORTHOPOX-113 (VO)
Watch what happens when a visitor attempts to engage
in friendly dialogue.
Alien walking down a UFO ramp in peace, getting shot at
by US Army soldiers.
V2 style checkered Rocket launching.
FURON SCIENTIST 1 (VO)
It seems that they have developed space flight, First
Scientist.
"Destination Moon" style rocket lands on the moon,
astronaut gets out and plants a US flag.
ORTHOPOX-113 (VO)
In a limited capacity, yes. Flying to the moon is their first
step on the path to the stars, and to us.
Atomic Bomb test explosion
FURON SCIENTIST 1 (VO – shocked)
Is that...?
ORTHOPOX-113 (VO)
Yes. Primitives with atomics. Savages with space flight.
Why couldn't they be a civilized species?
This information must be presented to Meningitis!
INT. FURON LEADER'S THRONE ROOM
The end of the atom bomb footage plays again.
Pull out to the Furon leader, MENINGITIS-69, seated on
his throne.
The view screen he has been watching quickly retracts.
MENINGITIS-69
This is very troubling, Orthopox.
ORTHOPOX-113
Indeed it is, exalted leader.
MENINGITIS-69
You believe they pose a threat to our homeworld?
ORTHOPOX-113
Yes, it is likely. They are primitives, but as you saw they
have rapidly developed atomics and space flight.
How long can it be before they come here with their
rockets and their bombs?
MENINGITIS-69
Your guidance has served us well in the past, Orthopox-
113. It seems it shall do so again.
We must deal with these humans before they truly
become a threat to us!
(barks into an intercom)
Prepare the mothership!
EXT. SPACE, BETWEEN EARTH AND THE MOON
Earth is screen right, moon is small and screen left. The
rotating mother ship moves in from frame left and
engulfs the moon, looming above the Earth (with the USA
visible directly below).
INT. MOTHERSHIP BRIDGE
Furons sit in pods spaced around the bridge, controlling
the mother ship's operation. Various view screens and
holograms are active and displaying scans of the Earth
and the Moon.
MENINGITIS-69
We need to conduct a thorough study of these humans to
determine if they are truly a danger to us. If it comes to
war, we must know their strengths and weaknesses.
ORTHOPOX-113
A wise move, exalted leader.
MENINGITIS-69
Of course it is, First Scientist, which is why I have
chosen to send in Scout First Class…
ORTHOPOX-113 (mutters)
Oh no, you don't mean…
MENINGITIS-69
...Cryptosporidium-137!
Orthopox hangs his head.
ORTHOPOX-113 (dejectedly)
...him.
CUT TO: INT MOTHERSHIP CLONING CHAMBER
The camera zooms in on a frosty hibernation pod. As the
camera closes in and the frost clears, behind the glass
we see Crypto with an evil glint in his eyes.
The first step on the
path to invasion is to
know your enemy.
Crypto has been sent to
investigate the Earth and
its inhabitants. Rockwell
is a small town located
in a farming area.
It was chosen as an out of the way place to conduct
investigations and experiments in secrecy. Orthopox has
no desire to tip off the human military to their
presence...yet. The images of human soldiers attacking
alien visitors is still fresh in his mind.
Orthopox informs Crypto that
he has been assigned a scout
ship to use in his
investigations. Crypto and Pox
constantly annoy one another
with their banter and
conflicting attitudes, but they
have been assigned to work
together and so they must do
as Meningitis wishes.
Crypto starts by familiarizing himself with his ship,
performing atmospheric tests and investigating the area.
He then proceeds to abduct cows and humans for
"research purposes". Finally he is given permission to go
out on foot and scare, abduct and probe humans all in
the name of Furon science.
With the initial analysis
complete, Orthopox
wishes to investigate a
more populous human
hive. Crypto is given a
jet pack to help him
navigate sprawling human settlements undetected.
Pox is intrigued by the humans' ability to control the
perceptions of their citizens. Coupled with the Furon's
innate psi abilities this
could be a quick path to
defeating the humans. Pox
decides he needs to
experiment! Pox discovers
that television is the most
effective means of control.
Perhaps there is some use
for this…
Crypto has several run-ins with the mysterious G-Men.
He overhears the name of their organization - Majestic.
Who are they? What is their purpose? These G-Men
seem to be far more capable than the average human
drone!
Pox wishes to conclude
his analysis of the
humans. A high density
of television broadcasts
seem to be coming from
Century City, so it seems
like an ideal target for
further experiments
in mind control.
Crypto has to abduct and brainwash famous humans, and
attempt to use them to manipulate the images seen on
their television screens. The images of these "stars"
seem to suggest they possess an amazing array of skills,
and Orthopox fears they will be difficult to capture.
The G-Men do not take kindly to this meddling with the
media. They are
obviously becoming
increasingly aware of
an alien presence
within the United States
of America and are not
happy about it!
Pox orders Crypto to
capture a G-Man with
the Abducto Beam, but
when they probe his body in the Vivisection Bay it
disintegrates into protoplasmic mush.
This is not normal behavior for a human! Pox decides to
further investigate the remains in an attempt to unlock
the secrets of the G-Men and Majestic.
This might take some time - there's not much left to
work with!
The mother ship has
intercepted a broadcast
from the human's leader,
President Huffman. They
have realized that aliens
are walking amongst them,
and wish to meet.
Meningitis warily agrees.
He instructs Crypto to
scout out the area then escort the Furon diplomat
Encephalitis-67 to the arranged meeting point – inside
a military base in the American northwest.
Both the military and the G-Men are present at the
meeting. The G-Men have strange devices, scanners
perhaps, but there is nothing Crypto can do about it
now - he has to guard Encephalitis.
The meeting proceeds slowly and tension runs high.
It seems neither side
wishes to reveal too
much.
A misheard statement
sets off the anti-red
General Armquist.
He pulls out his gun and
shoots Encephalitis dead,
screaming about "Those
damn Commies!".
All hell breaks loose as Crypto has to battle his way out
of the base and back to his UFO. Crypto returns to level
the base, but Armquist has jumped into a
giant attack helicopter. It is so big and heavily armored
it can barely lift off of the ground - victory is not going
to be easy!
Crypto eventually prevails, but not in time to catch a
group of G-Men who escaped eastward. Who knows
what information they have gleaned from their scans?
Amidst the ruins, General Armqist gets up and dusts
off his jacket. He sticks a stogie in his mouth and
watches Crypto's UFO head off into the upper
atmosphere.
Crypto reports back to Pox and Meningitis about the
human's treachery. There is to be no more investigation,
no more diplomacy - its time to teach these humans a
lesson!
The trail of the escaping
G-Men is followed east to
the town of San Fortuno.
Could this be the location
of a Majestic base?
The amount of electricity
consumed in the area
suggests an enormous
base of some sort.
It turns out that there is no base in San Fortuno, but this
isn't apparent until Crypto has destroyed a few casinos.
The Furon presence becomes public knowledge as
Crypto's ship is filmed in action and televised. America
is being invaded by flying saucers! Will anyone actually
believe it?
Both the military and the G-Men respond to the attacks.
Whilst both of these forces oppose the Furons, they do
not seem to work together very well. The military attack
Crypto whenever they
meet, but the G-Men
seem to be constantly
trying to clean up
evidence of an alien
presence. Why is
Majestic trying to hide
the fact that there are
aliens on Earth?
For the first time Crypto hears the name of Majestic's
leader - Silhouette. Not only that, he is in Union Town
inspecting the anti-Furon weapons research that is
being undertaken there.
A Furon ship has been
downed near Union Town
and it must be retrieved.
When Crypto arrives
human scientists and
G-Men are poring over
the ship.
Crypto probes the scientists to find out what the humans
know about the Furons and their technology. As Crypto's
investigations continue, he uncovers information on
Majestic and their goals to control and infiltrate
humanity.
It seems they see themselves as different from the rest
of humanity. Further
probing yields a little
more information on
the mysterious leader
of Majestic, Silhouette.
It seems his base of
operations is with
President Huffman
in Capitol City.
Crypto is feeling pleased with his success here when a
report comes in from Orthopox. Humans have fired a
mass of atomic rockets at the Furon mothership!
Looking out over the mother ship towards Earth, we see
several pinpoints of light appear in the atmosphere. Each
of the pinpoints resolve into a rocket hurtling at the
Furon vessel.
INT. MOTHERSHIP BRIDGE
Meningitis-69 leans forward in his chair, one hand on the
chair, the other in a fist - its a very "Captain Kirk in
combat" moment.
MENINIGITIS-69 (Shatner-ized)
Damn those humans! They have orbital rocket weapons!
Gunners, fire death rays at all incoming rockets!
EXT. SPACE, FURON MOTHERSHIP
We see a huge number of Death Rays fire on the
missiles, and they explode into balls of flame. Only a few
rockets get past the first volley.
EXT. SPACE, ROCKET CAM
We move past the nose of the rocket which pops off its
nose cone to reveal a mounted nuke, with the words
"Dead Reds" painted on it. As we move past the rocket
we see the US flag and the words UNITED STATES on
its side. In the background we see the remaining few
rockets get destroyed by Furon death rays.
EXT.SPACE, FURON MOTHERSHIP
We see the rocket race in towards the mother ship and
detonate in a white flash, then we see a huge pulsing
plasma explosion that expands and grows and washes
over the mother ship. The mother ship rides up on the
plasma wave as it is engulfed.
INT. MOTHERSHIP BRIDGE
The screen is shaking and blurring. Sparks shower down.
The power is flickering on and off. Meningitis-69
contacts Orthopox-113 in his view screen.
MENINGITIS-69
Is the ship still intact?
ORTHOPOX-113
Yes, it is. We have sustained significant damage, though.
We have not had to deal with an attack by atomics
before!
MENINGITIS-69 What sections of the ship have
sustained damage?
ORTHOPOX-113
Let me see. Hmmmn. Several of the power batteries
went down in the electromagnetic pulse. Shield
generators have been drained and are recharging.
MENINGITIS-69
I see.
ORTHOPOX-113
We lost seven scout ship bays. And…
MENINGITIS-69
What?
ORTHOPOX-113
The holo-crystal with our DNA storage has been
shattered. We've lost most of the cloning data.
(pause)
We've lost your DNA sequence, exalted one. If you die,
there will be no Meningitis-70.
MENINGITIS-69 (angry, growls)
These humans have gone too far. They kill our diplomat
at the peace table and now they assault our very
existence.
Meningitis is enraged
at the attack on the
mothership. It is time
to crush these humans!
Orthopox has analyzed
the trajectory of the
atomic rockets. They
were tracked back to
a launch in the desert north-west of San Fortuno.
There must be some sort of launch facility there.
Crypto heads in and finds a secret base with a research
facility and nuclear testing range. Both Majestic and the
military have compounds here. This area is heavily
defended and Crypto has to infiltrate the base to take
out the anti-UFO defenses.
The base contains components of downed Furon vessels.
The H-Bomb testing range is active and must be
destroyed before the
bomb is detonated.
There are also some
strange creatures in
stasis in the Majestic
research compound.
Further information
regarding Majestic's
headquarters in
Capitol City are found.
The locations of nuclear missile silos across the US are
also discovered. They will need to be taken care of to
protect the mothership.
Finally General Armquist leads the military here and
ordered the attack on the mothership. Once again he
ends up at the controls of a massive vehicle, this time
a battle tank. He has grievously harmed the Furon leader
and must die!
Crypto must return to Rockwell, Fort Macarthur and San
Fortuno and destroy the rocket launch sites to ensure
that the mother ship is protected from further attack.
Crypto then returns to Union Town and levels the
weapons manufacturing plant. There will be no more
atomic rockets built to launch at the Furon mothership.
Majestic seems to be controlling the military in the wake
of Armqist's death. Majestic and military forces are
working in unison, and the G-Men are no longer trying to
cover up the alien presence.
Pox has finished developing Hypno
Blast and Vivisection Bay upgrades
that allows them to work on G-Men.
He orders Crypto to capture a G-
Man for examination.
Crypto is successful and Pox finds a
parasite has grafted itself onto
the G-Man's spine.
These creatures were the same
as those found in the Majestic
research compound at Area 42.
The final detail is the most important. The analysis of the
chemical makeup and atomic signature of the parasite
has revealed it to be of extraterrestrial origin.
It's time to take the battle
to the heart of human
leadership and Majestic!
Crypto is given the task
of crushing the human
government and uncovering
the alien presence at
the heart of Majestic.
Crypto finds leads to the Majestic base, and it all points
to the Oval Office. President Huffman must be this
Silhouette person! It will make victory here twice as
sweet. He must be flushed out and his connections to the
alien life forms revealed!
After destroying the defenses arrayed around the
capital, President Huffman signals that humanity is ready
to surrender. The Furons are suspicious, but it is a prime
opportunity to uncover Huffman as Silhouette.
Meninigitis agrees, but he will bring bodyguards and
Huffman must come alone. Crypto flies overhead ready
to abuct Meningitis at the first sign of danger.
As the two leaders meet, President Huffman kneels in
front of Meningitis
subserviently.
He then looks up
and smiles. In an
unearthly voice he
congratulates the
Furons in their
conquest of
the Earth.
He thanks them for undoing years of work enslaving
humanity.
Huffman's head opens up to reveal a bomb inside!
It's a trap and the uncloneable Meningitis-69 is killed in
the blast. The Furons are outraged at the loss of their
leader and decide that this invasion has gone on long
enough. Orthopox takes command of the mothership.
The time has come to DESTROY ALL HUMANS!
In the distance a small, organic alien craft zooms away
to the south. Inside Silhouette carries the president's
brain in a jar. He promises the brain that he will yet have
revenge for the loss of his body!
With Meningitis dead and unable to be cloned, the entire
Furon race goes into a rage. Everlasting death is
something unknown in Furon society. They attack human
hives across the globe.
Furon UFOs appear in the
skies above Big Ben, the
Pyramids, the Eiffel
Tower, Mt. Fuji and the
Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Orthopox goes crazy with weapons development. He
creates huge bombs and powerful space beasts all
designed to annihilate the humans. Crypto thoroughly
enjoys being able to embrace his rage and take it out on
the United States.
Majestic musters all their remaining might to fend off
he Furon assault. Wherever Crypto goes he faces heavy
resistance. Sometimes the
humans help Crypto when
they go for a scorched
earth policy in trying to
take him out. The human
populace is caught
helplessly in the middle
of the ensuing chaos.
All of the human cities must be leveled. All that is to be
left is rubble!
The Furons have
eliminated all of the
major cities in the USA,
only the massive Chase
Island remains. It is
protected from attack
by the last of the
Majestic forces.
Silhouette is here, now exposed in his true alien form,
coordinating attacks from within a Majestic base. Several
Furon ships have already been shot down!
The city is protected by a shield system, as well as
destroyers out in the ocean. After taking out the
destroyers Crypto must go into the city on foot and take
out the shield generators. This is the humans' last stand!
Crypto almost manages
to capture Silhouette at
the Majestic base, but he
slips away, escaping in
his own UFO. There is
still work to be done
though, chasing Silhoeutte
must wait!
With the shield
defenses down, the city can now be leveled. Just as
Crypto is almost finished there is a great rumbling, and a
giant robot version of President Huffman appears, with
Silhouette tagging along inside his UFO. It's the final
showdown!
Huffman's brain can be seen inside the glass head of the
robot - and he is not happy! Silhouette darts around in
his UFO hindering Crypto with disabling devices while
Robo-Huffman provides the brute force.
In the end Crypto is victorious, and Silhouette, in true
villianous style, explains any remaining plots points about
his plans on Earth and his alien origins.
We see a montage of famous locations across the Earth
destroyed or in flames. Furon vessels hover over ahead,
and on some space beasts gnaw at the wreckage.
Eiffel Tower
Big Ben
Pyramids
Sydney Harbor Bridge
Great Wall of China
INT. CRYPTO'S UFO COCKPIT
Crypto is talking to Orthopox over his view screen.
ORTHOPOX-113
Where exactly are you going? Haven't you had enough
destruction to satisfy your urges?
CRYPTO
I am going to collect a souvenir.
ORTHOPOX-113 Ah Crypto, you are pathetic! Go ahead, I
will see you upon your return to the mothership.
CRYPTO
As you command, exalted leader.
EXT. DESTROYED WHITE HOUSE, CAPITOL CITY
Crypto's ship lands in front of the shattered White
House. Crypto descends in the abducto beam and walks
out into the sunlight. We see him silhouetted looking up
at the ruins of the White House, with a tattered flag on
the roof flagpole flapping woefully in the breeze.
MENINGITIS-69
Is the ship still intact?
Crypto jets up to the shattered dome and tears off the
flag, draping it over his shoulder. We see him walking
back into his ship, muttering about the foolish humans.
FADE OUT
(pause)
CREDITS
Done in a "bloopers reel" Pixar style - Furon ships on
strings in front of cameras, rubber Furon suits, etc.
Behold! The mastermind behind the creation of a memorable soundtrack recounting the Furon invasion of
Earth! Garry Schyman composed the original score of each game in the Destroy All Humans! series,
establishing the musical identity that gives the franchise its unique vibe. It would be an understatement to
say that his numerous compositions have accompanied generations of gamers with their melodies and
rhythms, instantly recognizable from the first notes, and which some know by heart. And yet, although it
may not be his most celebrated work, it remains (just as he remains in relation to this saga) inseparable
from his journey as a musician and his highly prolific career in the video game industry.
Schyman composed the soundtrack for this “Outer Space” franchise spanning years, a satiric universe
that invites musical creativity depending on the era explored and pays homage to cinema, pop culture,
and a musical knowledge mastered down to the last detail. His soundtrack doesn't just accompany each
video game—it truly gives them a soul and infuses them with an instantly recognizable identity.
From the beginning, after I had provided him with
some background, Garry Schyman generously
expressed his warm support and enthusiasm on his
contribution toward the DAH Tribute preservation
project I had undertaken. He offered invaluable advice
and assistance, which far exceeded my expectations.
Garry has a touching personality of deep humanity, and
knew how to find the right words during our exchanges
where the emotion was palpable, to that I will be
eternally grateful. We had the opportunity to share and
exchange our memories and anecdotes, allowing me to
provide a better understanding of his invaluable
contribution toward the Destroy All Humans! Saga. This
is the first installment in a series of four articles, each
one focusing on a specific game in the franchise
It is with the benevolent guidance of the composer himself that we set out to
shed light on the still dark corners and history on the Destroy All Humans! soundtrack.
FIRST STEPS WITH GIANTS
After studying at the University of Southern California (USC) with the goal of
becoming a film and television composer (games at that time, of course, were
not an option), Garry Schyman graduated and ultimately jumped on an
absolutely incredible opportunity. Through a friend’s father, actor Dennis
Weaver, he was invited to attend the score sessions for Mike Post and Pete
Carpenter, who were recording the famous television theme songs for various
cult shows, including: The A-Team, Magnum PI, and Greatest American Hero.
“Just out of college, I just asked Pete Carpenter if I could have continued to attend these sessions, and I
did. And eventually Pete asked me to join the team because they had so many shows going that they
needed what was called Ghosts. Ghosts are uncredited composers who get paid and receive performance
rights, royalties from the shows. But, you know, we don't get the screen credit in any event. For me, that
was a wonderful opportunity to start my career and to work on real stuff.”
Garry assisted Mike Post and Pete Carpenter on several of these famous series
and emerged from his Ghost composer status in the 80s, finally receiving onscreen
credits for his work on Magnum P.I., Father Murphy, The Greatest
American Hero, Tales of the Gold Monkey, This Is the Life and The A-Team.
These collaborations and his recognized work opened doors for him in the film
and television industry, leading to a very fruitful and prolific early career,
especially in the 90s. These various collaborations on television films and
compositions allowed him to refine and assert his style, but also to put to use
his remarkable ability to pay homage to his own musical references such as
Bernard Herrmann, whose style he manages to appropriate and emulate in a
rather impressive way.
IT CAME FROM “VOYEUR”
It was finally in 1993 that Garry Schyman
entered for the first time the still little-known
but burgeoning world of video games under the
impetus but above all the choice of his friend
Robert Weaver then creative director for Philips
Interactive on what would become the
interactive movie video game Voyeur… don’t
get caught.
This full-motion video game (following the
footsteps of Night Trap released by SEGA the
previous year) embarks the player on the role
of a private investigator hired by a member of
the wealthy Hawke family to gather the
evidence needed to bring down the corrupt Reed Hawke, CEO of Hawke
Industries. You control a surveillance camera installed in a building across the
street to spy on the family home and try to collect the evidence that will ruin
Reed Hawke's career. The game also featured gameplay with different
branching storylines and alternative endings depending on the player's choices.
“Voyeur was influenced by Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, which is why Robbie and I thought about
Bernard Herrmann, who was famously Hitchcock's composer. I didn't have to study his style because I
know it. I Love Bernard Herrmann. I listened to him. So no need to study anything. I didn't have to
spend any time studying it. I knew his music. I’m a huge fan. His music inspired me to become a film
composer and television composer because I heard it in movies when I was a kid, such as Mysterious
Island, and I was intrigued by the score. It's just such a great score. And it inspired me and influenced
me very much as a composer.”
Voyeur was able to benefit from a certain budget, a sufficient budget which
allowed to do some of the soundtrack with a real orchestra, an undeniable
added value to the title when the majority of games of the time were limited to
synthesizer music attempting to reproduce the sounds of a real band. Garry
Schyman hand written the entire music sheet.
“In those days that’s how it was done! So we recorded
that here in Los Angeles though a modest size band,
sounds pretty darn good! And that score, by the way, I
think you maybe know this, it's available on my YouTube
channel. It's the orchestral suite from Voyeur. I think it
is likely, the first game score to feature an orchestra!”
Voyeur might not mean much to newer generations
of gamers, but its release garnered enough
attention to be featured on the cover of the
September 27, 1993 issue of TIME magazine, which
focused on the rise of video games. According to
Jonathan Wiedemann, a producer for Propaganda
Films in charge of shooting Voyeur for Philips
Interactive, the video game cost $150,000 to
produce—expensive by video game standards of the
time, but peanuts by Hollywood movie standards.
Beyond its scenes intended for a mature audience,
Voyeur aimed to be an homage to Hitchcockian
cinema, bolstered by Garry Schyman's masterful
unsettling orchestral score and a solid cast. Notably,
Robert Culp stars as the antagonist; he was famous
for his work on I Spy, The Outer Limits and his most frequent appearances in
Columbo (he plays the murderer in three episodes and a supporting character
in a fourth).
A sequel, Voyeur II Watching is not enough… was
released in 1996, and although it took a similar concept
to the previous game, it was specifically requested to go
in a different direction regarding its music. This did not
prevent Garry Schyman from also composing the music
for the game, which this time, however, remained
confined to synth compositions without a real orchestra.
“That was in a different style, though. Yeah, that wasn't the same style as
the first one. It was something which was requested to me. Because it was
a whole different thing. It was just a new approach to the game.”
Between the two Voyeur games, the composer
continued his collaboration with Philips, working on the
music for Off-World Interceptor (1994), an off-road,
on-rails vehicle combat game that gives players a
certain freedom to drive (and sometimes fly) as they
please.
“That was all because it was part of Phillips Interactive. The only games
I scored were for Phillips Interactive in that period in the early 90s. And
that was because my friend Robbie was over at working to produce
content for them. He directed Voyeur and Voyeur II, but he did not direct
Off-World. I think it was Crystal Dynamics. When Philips Interactive left
the business along with my friend, I did not seek more video game work
because it was not a very interesting place for composers at that time; it
was mostly low budgeted projects that only permitted MIDI scores
triggering in-game synth engines.
FURON WITHOUT A SCORE
It was clear from the very beginning that Pandemic Australia team had been
aiming for a Bernard Herrmann-esque atmosphere. Monstrous Movie Music, a
Californian label specializing in the research, preservation, and re-recording of
classic monsters and science fiction film scores, began releasing their first
albums as early as 1996, and the Brisbane developers drew from their catalog.
The same is true for film score albums such as Psycho, On Dangerous
Grounds, North by Northwest and an even more famous one...
Bernard Herrmann's score for The Day the
Earth Stood Still is a quintessential example of
1950s science fiction cinema. He notably used
the theremin, one of the first electronic
instruments, characterized by a high,
sweeping vibrato. The sound is reminiscent of
a bowed saw, an instrument with a truly
unique and atypical tone. And of course,
anyone who has seen films from the 1950s will
recognize it. Herrmann was, in fact, the first to
use this instrument for a movie score; the
man had a particular penchant for
experimentation and an interest in electronic
sounds, which were then heavily marginalized
in cinema, a good way to find new distinctive sounds. From then on, he
launched a veritable trend; every producer demanded this sound from their
composer. Thus, most science fiction films, or at least a large number of them,
employed an orchestra and a thereminist. It is emblematic of this era and
ultimately became a kind of cliché, instantly associated with outer space
mysteries and monsters.
From the earliest prototypes, the game used It Came From Outer Space Main
Title for the main menu screen. Then, later in 2003, the Brisbane team opted
for The Day the Earth Stood Still Prelude, a track
they kept for the E3 2004 presentation and even
for several months afterward.
During this preview shown to the international
press, they also used Bernard Herrmann's On
Dangerous Grounds (Hunt Scherzo) for the
Rockwell Drive-In Cinema attack, The Day The
Earth Stood Still (Radar / The Captive) and
Psycho (The Rainstorm) for some on-foot
sections of Capitol City, and finally Mysterious
Island (Escape To The Clouds) when the Saucer
ravages the metropolis. They had no composer,
it was only temp music and the game itself at
that time was holding with duct tape.
There was some confusion back in 2004, with some articles claiming that the
game might use Bernard Herrmann’s music, or at least a mix of Herrmann's
compositions and remixes of period music. These remixes would be
reinterpreted by contemporary artists like Junkie XL and in collaboration with
producer Jason Bentley, who oversaw the music for films such as The Matrix
trilogy.
“It’s clear that Pandemic is having fun with Destroy All Humans! It was revealed at the event that in
addition to hiring LA DJ Jason Bentley, who helped craft the soundtrack for The Matrix, to remix classic
’50s songs for the game, the musical score will pay homage to the classic ’50s sci-fi movie scores by
Bernard Herrmann. Destroy All Humans! still needs a bit more development before it’s ready, but the
game is coming together well. Expect the PS2 and Xbox versions to ship in early 2005.”
Gamespot - August 26, 2004
But while Pandemic and THQ were clearly still looking for a composer, things
took an unexpected turn for Garry Schyman, with some coincidences proving
that the world is indeed very small.
“Rachel DiPaola was working at THQ as she was an
executive there. My resume just happened to be on the
fax machine at the time. That's when people still used
faxes in 2004. And she saw it. She says, I know him!
He a great composer! She was my girlfriend's roommate
from college. Rachel connected me in some way and
accepted my demo from my agent, heard one piece of
music on there that was Bernard Herman like.
She asked me if I had more like that. And I said, well
yeah, yeah, I do! I have! I sent her a whole bunch of the
recordings from Spooky House and Voyeur.
She sent them to Pandemic in Brisbane, Australia where
the game being made and the audio director there, Emily Ridgeway, really liked it.”
At the time, Emily Ridgway was working among
the Pandemic Australia team. She entered the
world of video games through the back door, but
with fierce determination. After completing her
Bachelor of Music degree, she decided to take
matters into her own hands. She spent her days
knocking on the doors of local Brisbane studios,
not to land an immediate job, but to understand
how video game sound is created.
She even offered to "make coffee" if it meant
staying in the creative environment she was
aiming for. This humble approach finally paid off
when Pandemic Studios contacted her to offer a
position as a Sound Designer. Garry Schyman
was put in contact with her
“Emily Ridgeway asked me to do an original demo or a pitch and I said no. It was bold, but I just felt,
you know what? I just gave you exactly what you asked for. You wanted Bernard Herrmann. I nailed it in
Voyeur, I think and it's not going to get any better. Remember, the samples and synths and things in
2004 were not nearly as good as they are now. So I just figured it would be a reason not to hire me
versus a reason to hire me. I didn't do it. And then they hired me anyways. Two months later they called
my agent, said we want Garry. So it worked. It worked that time.”
ORCHESTRATE THE INVASION
Garry Schyman was hired around October
2004 and began composing in November.
He wasn't really a gamer and found
himself literally blown away by the
possibilities offered by that new
generation of video games.
To familiarize him with the aesthetics and
atmosphere of Destroy All Humans!, Emily
Ridgway sent him reference materials
such as concept artworks, press images,
trailers, but most importantly excerpts of
gameplay videos in MOV format. Each
video, specially recorded for the occasion,
illustrated each time a specific Invasion Site in a particular situation:
"Disguised", "Normal" and "Hunted". Furthermore, at that time, Creat Studio
had already begun working on the game's three pre-rendered CGI cinematics.
As two of them, the Intro and Outro movies, required orchestration, earlyrendered versions AVI files of these cutscenes were also sent to the composer,
along with on-screen reference timecode.
“That's a really common way of working with a
composer. Because you're not at the studio, they don't
want to let the game out. So they'll do video game
capture of gameplay and send it to you. That happened
on dozens of projects that I've worked on. On video
games, it's a very common thing to do. They did the
same for the cutscenes of the game that I had to have
intact, because it was scored to picture. So I needed
those as a movie file. I composed the music in front of
these cutscenes, just like I would score a TV or film. When you write the music, it has one title that's just
a functional title for the game. So here they had “Hunted” would be the active action, “Normal” would be
a less intense version, and then “Disguised” would be like an ambient version.
That was me writing music that I thought was right for what they were asking me to work on. I was just
finding my way, I wasn't trying to imitate anyone. The Bernard Herrmann vibe was always in my mind,
but not that I had to, to slavishly copy it, you know. I had written a lot of music, so I was just doing my
own thing. So in the end a lot of it is just Garry Schyman!”
The first mock-ups of the Destroy All
Humans! soundtrack that Garry sent to
Pandemic Brisbane were created using
synths and samples as early preview
mixes, particularly for tracks that would
later be performed with a real orchestra.
Several of these mock-up versions, such
as the Furon Theme with its “Build at top”
beginning and the “Hunted” themes, were
notably included directly in the game's
Alpha (and following builds) as early as
November 2004; a good way to see how
everything fit together.
And all of this was composed in…
“Two months. Almost exactly 60 days! That's not fast
for TV or for films, but it's very fast for games. Of
course there is back and forth with the Pandemic team
but there was a deadline. It was right at the end of
2004. And they said you have 60 days to do that.
And you know what I thought, wow, that's plenty of
time! I was used to TV, and, yeah, that's where I would
get insane. I scored one TV movie, and I had to write 68
minutes of music in, like, seven days. And I did it. It
was insane. I hated that week. It was like the worst
week of my life. But in any event, Destroy All Humans!
was like a luxury for me.
But since then, I've worked on games sometimes for a
year, which is too much time. I'd rather finish it sooner.
But in any event, that was it. I had 60 days. It was
right at the end of 2004, like, I think it was like November and December of 2004 when I wrote the
music.”
The music of Destroy All Humans! combines pieces performed by a real
orchestra and pieces with a synthesizer as the main instrument imitating those
of an orchestra as closely as possible, more conventional for the time (and this
is still the case today), supplemented by instrument samples or real
instrument overdubs.
“This is very common, too, when you have a lot of music and they
don't have an unlimited budget, they'll record the important music with
an orchestra, and then the rest is out of the box, as they say, with
samples and synths. I got an orchestra to record not all the music, but
the most important music. You know, the big combat scenes and the
theme and a few other keys.”
The score Pandemic Australia asked Garry Schyman
to write was a total blast for him, finding himself in
front of an impressive orchestra to do it, emulating
the style of one of his favorite composer Bernard
Herrmann. Some sort of a dreamlike situation. Seven
specific musics for the Destroy All Humans!
orchestral score including the Furon Theme, all “Hunted” battle musics and
some little cues were recorded at O’Henry Sound Studio in Burbank near Los
Angeles, a commercial studio complex with a rich history.
“O’Henry no longer exists as a public studio, but it
still exists as a place where a guy bought it years
ago and he uses that as his personal studio. But it
was a wonderful place. I loved O’Henry, it had a
great sound. I recorded there a lot. And then they
closed it to the public and it's no longer available.
I conducted that fantastic 30-piece orchestra in
O’Henry. And there was this synthesized theremin
sound that we used and it was very easy to control
so we ended up working with that sound...
...And that is my one regret. I've only regretted it once. And that
has been continuously since I didn't do it. So I've continuously
regretted it. And I wrote to the end of my life that because it
wouldn't have been that expensive. It would have been as an
overdub. And I should have brought in a real thereminist because it
would have been so much cooler. In Los Angeles I could have found
it. Los Angeles, especially at that time, had everything. I could
have found a theremin player who could have done it. I wasn't even
listening that much to “The Day the Earth Stood Still” score,
because I remember listening to it sometime later and listening to
some of the theremin parts especially there was like a bass
theremin and it made such cool sounds. I went, oh, I fucked up. I
really should have had a real theremin, but I didn't. I can't change
that. But I do regret it immensely.”
At the end of the composition and recording process, Garry Schyman created a
total of 60 tracks for the Destroy All Humans! Score. These tracks include the 7
orchestral versions, the rest being the synthesized instrumentals considered,
as previously explained, "out of the box." These include the 5 pieces of music
dedicated to pre-rendered cinematics, 10 pieces dedicated to each Invasion
Site, and 38 short arrangement stings to accompany some in-game cutscenes.
“The Relation with Pandemic was nice. Everything went
fine, very much. I worked almost exclusively with one
person. That was Emily Ridgway and she was lovely
and easy to work with and, you know, it didn't mean
she liked everything, but she would. If I missed
something, she would, you know, tell me what it was. I
didn't even know how to loop music for. I'd never done
anything like that. Voyeur was not looped. It was like
scoring a bunch of scenes. So I didn't know how to loop. She said, I'll loop it for you. Don't worry. I've
since learned how to loop many times over, but at the time, I didn't. So I would just write the music and
send it to her, and she was, like, really digging it.”
DIAL M FOR MUSIC
“Schyman recorded his 60-minutes cinematic score in Los Angeles with some of Hollywood's top
orchestral musicians. Destroy All Humans! turns players' conventional expectations of playing the human
defending against an alien invasion to now allow them to play the alien hell bent on infiltrating and taking
over all of humanity. Commenting on his music for the game Garry Schyman said, "I never played the
humor of the game directly. Instead I wrote the score as if this was 1953 and I was a working composer
of that era. With that in mind I played it dead serious, which led to an overly dramatic score and the
humor that comes from that approach."
Worthplaying - June 6, 2005
Garry Schyman received praise from the press, as
well journalists specializing in video games and
music. Of course, some compared his score to
that of Bernard Herrmann, while others found
similarities to Danny Elfman's work on Mars
Attacks! (Elfman having himself drawn inspiration
from Herrmann for his own soundtrack). Given
that Tim Burton's film was released in 1996 and
Destroy All Humans! in 2005, the movie was still
fresh in the public consciousness. Indeed, the
game made no secret of the fact that it also drew
inspiration from the film. Greg Borrud, Director of
Production at Pandemic Studios at the time
saluted the brillant work of the composer:
"Garry not only nailed the style for Destroy All Humans!, he
helped shape the game with his brilliant score. The soundtrack
takes the game to a whole new level."
Greg Borrud
“I met him at the very beginning when I was hired. He was in LA and he was the guy that hired me and
you know, obviously upon recommendation from Emily and met him in Los Angeles and yeah, he was. I
didn't work with him creatively, but I worked with him just from the same project. He was very generous
to say that. Thank you very much, Greg!”
To his great surprise, Garry Schyman also found himself nominated at the
2005 National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers' Game Awards for
Best Original Musical Score, alongside Advent Rising, Jade Empire, Shadow of
the Colossus, and Dragon Quest VIII. The latter emerged victorious.
“I was nominated. I didn't win anything, but I was nominated. That's Pretty cool to be already nominated
for my first real big game. For my first one, I mean, I did the Voyeur stuff, but my first, like, modern
game score to get nominated was great. Of course, I was very grateful. Everyone loved the music, and
opportunities multiplied.”
“DESTROY ALL HUMANS!” nominations
The National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers 2005 Awards
Best Original Musical Score
The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) Awards 2005 Released Games
Music of the Year
Best Live Performance Recording
Best Original Instrumental Song
TO CATCH A DISC
THQ, in partnership with the Lakeshore Records
label, released the Destroy All Humans!
Soundtrack CD alongside the game's launch on
Xbox and PS2. Although the back cover claims
to feature "music from the video game," only
two tracks can actually be heard in-game:
The disc opening track Build at Top by Garry
Schyman and So Nice (Summer Samba) by
Walter Wanderley. In reality, this album
followed a trend common at the time of
releasing music "inspired by" a video game;
consequently, the CD consists almost entirely of
remixes than the actual in-game score.
“That was a common weird thing to do back then. You know, that happened when I did the score for
BioShock and when it came out, they released music “inspired” by BioShock. That's interesting. I had
nothing to do with that. Funny they got Junkie XL because he's gone on to quite a film career, film
composer. I didn't, I've never met him and I've never spoken to him. Funny they credited me along him on
that release.”
Some of these remixes, interspersed with dialogue from the game, feature
classic songs from the 1950s that were used during the game's presentation at
E3 2004. Tracks include Sh-Boom by The Crew Cuts, Little Star by The
Elegants, and Lollipop by The Chordettes. These songs have been remixed and
reinterpreted by contemporary artists such as Junkie XL, Ursula 1000, Meat
Beat Manifesto, and Static Revenger. Also included on the CD is the track Help
Me by Timo Maas featuring Kelis—a song that utilized samples from The Day
the Earth Stood Still and was used in one of the game's trailers. The collection
was compiled and produced by Jason Bentley, who also supervised the music
for films such as The Matrix trilogy.
No official CD or digital release of the complete soundtrack composed by Garry
Schyman was ever produced for commercial purposes. One would have to wait
for a vinyl release in 2021, produced by Limited Run Games in collaboration
with THQ Nordic, to finally obtain an official but partial version of the original
video game score.
As early as 2005, following the distribution of an THQ in-house CD to certain
media outlets, a few tracks began circulating online. Among the Destroy All
Humans! tracks available on various websites, three stood out because they
did not actually appear in the game: an orchestral piece titled "Rockwell
Disguised" (which bears no resemblance to the music found in the game) and
two other orchestral tracks, "Crypto" and "Saucer Attack."
After discussing this curious matter with Garry Schyman, it turned out that
these orchestral pieces were actually part of the demo his agent had submitted
to THQ when he applied for the job; he was easily able to identify the origin of
each one.
"ROCKWELL DISGUISED”
VOYEUR (1993)
Camera View Ext. House. Looking through the windows to spy at Hawke's Mansion
“CRYPTO”
VOYEUR (1993)
End Titles theme of the videogame Voyeur. It only plays during the end credits
“SAUCER ATTACK”
SPOOKY HOUSE (2002)
Family comedy film scored by Garry Schyman and starring Ben Kingsley
GENTLEMEN PREFER FURONS
Discussing the behind-the-scenes story of the first game's music with Garry
Schyman was truly fascinating; these are stories and anecdotes one could
share for hours, and I am deeply grateful to him for kindly sharing them. I
once again extend my sincere thanks for these delightful and engaging
conversations, as well as for your interest in the DAH Tribute preservation
project!
“I have a special attachment to this series, and for several reasons. One of them is that the first
installment introduced my work to the gaming community and offered me exceptional opportunities. It
really opened doors for me. But in any event without this game, you know, I would not have followed the
same path and my career would have been probably very different”.
With the extensive preservation work I began several years ago, which made
the creation of this archive website possible, as well as the generous and
invaluable assistance of Garry Schyman, the complete original soundtrack for
Destroy All Humans! has been fully recovered and preserved. It can be listened
to in the Jukebox section of the website. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this long
article and learned more about the original Destroy All Humans! Score.
But we aren't done yet! There is still so much more to discover!
See you in the next parts, where we explore the music of the other games of
this “Outer Space” franchise!
TO BE CONTINUED...
BONUS FEATURES
- SHEET MUSIC ARCHIVE GALLERY
A presentation of some of the musical scores composed by Garry Schyman between November and December
2004 for the orchestral version of various pieces performed at O'Henry Sound Studios:
- FURON THEME (build at top)
(Click to reveal the score!)
- ROCKWELL HUNTED
(Click to reveal the score!)
- SANTA MODESTA HUNTED
(Click to reveal the score!)
- AREA 42 HUNTED
(Click to reveal the score!)
- UNION TOWN HUNTED
(Click to reveal the score!)
- CAPITOL CITY HUNTED
(Click to reveal the score!)
- INTERVIEW FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
June 26, 2005 interview of Garry Schyman heard on Weekend Edition Sunday for the release of Destroy All
Humans! Interviewed by Liane Hansen for NPR:
1950. Humanity has already been invaded by aliens...
An action adventure with a B-grade Sci-Fi movie story about an alien from a distant planet wreaking havoc in 1950s
America. This work is shrouded in many mysteries. A shocking and controversial work brought to you by a super-strong
staff. Can you keep up with this world?"
Behold! Can your heart stand the shocking facts?
Let's proceed to a deep dive into the forgotten foreign but
already cult localization of this game from outer space!
デストロイ オール ヒューマンズ! is the Japanese version of
"Destroy All Humans!" which, unlike the American and
European versions published by THQ and released during
June 2005, came out on February 22, 2007 under the
publishing management of SEGA. THQ Japan would
eventually take back the publishing rights for "THQ
Collection" re-releases, however.
The localization of Destroy All Humans! included the
complete translation of the game and adapt its writing to the
Japanese culture, the creation of a brand new packaging,
promotion and visuals, in-game modifications of some
assets and finally a full Japanese dub including some big names in Japanese dubbing.
A localization team was formed by SEGA to adapt all of the game's text, jokes, and
character names. It was clear to the team that not all Japanese people had the cultural
background to understand the dark humor of 1950s American consumerism and the
oppressive atmosphere of communist fear. Quality takes time and it's worth noting that
some of the names in the localization team are big names in the Japanese video game
industry as well as well-known writers.
(promotional material published by SEGA for the release of the game)
The Creator of this new version, Masato Kozutsumi, remembers:
"From the beginning, the intention was to aim for something quite accurate. In that case,
accurate information about aliens and UFOs is required. If you make it carelessly, you'll
get licked!
So I thought about the person around me who had the most knowledge, and since it was
Hiroshi Yamamoto, I consulted him and asked, "Would you please cooperate?" That's it.
So are others. Daisuke Sato is the best person for military matters and Ryusuke Hikawa is
probably the best person for special effects and anime. When I brought in people I knew
who were knowledgeable in their specialized fields, I ended up with members like this.
Fortunately, everyone was enthusiastic about accepting the offer, and they did more work
than we requested."
As well reknown science fiction / fantasy writer and game designer Hiroshi Yamamoto remembers:
"Destroy All Humans! name pays a direct tribute to the 1968 TOHO epic kaiju film "Destroy
All Monsters" (怪獣総進撃) I thought it was a nice play on words. So I worked as a
supervisor". The circle was complete.
"Hey everyone. I'm a kind-hearted Furon alien! Can you listen to me for a moment? My brother has gone missing on a
planet called "Earth" at the edge of the galaxy. It's really a difficult situation.... All right! Don't worry. I'll look for him!
But Earth is a scary planet... There are a lot of ferocious creatures called "humans".
I wonder if I'm okay?"
"The time is the 1950s, the height of the American Dream. A UFO suddenly appears in a peaceful rural town. Even
though it's America, the scenery is familiar. Music that you've heard somewhere before. But it's somehow different.
This work has a mysterious worldview."
"An incredible game has arrived. A carefree alien wreaks havoc in the good old days of America. A chaotic character
causes a commotion. This game is set on Earth, but the main character is an alien.
The story has been completely adapted to the Japanese style. This software is full of original elements that can only be
experienced in Japan, while keeping the action elements of the original. The dubbing by the needlessly luxurious voice
actors is definitely worth listening to." (texts taken from SEGA's Destroy All Humans! promotional material)
RE-WRITING THE INVASION
Due to the brutality of the Western version, Sony Computer Entertainment was unable to
agree to release the game in its original state and the PS2 version was therefore marketed
as a silly game for ages 15 and up, featuring an altered storyline. In doing so, the various
cinematics and sequence of events were not altered, but the dialogues were changed to
something completely different from the Western version.
(main menu of the game and the invasion sites selection screen for the Japanese version of the game)
Masato Kozutsumi remembers:
"My first impression when I did the original version was, "It's such a waste!" It was. The
game is good and the graphics are great. But from an entertainment perspective, the gags
that appeared weren't aimed at Japanese people at all. "It'll be really interesting if you
mess with the lines!" That was my intuition.
Some of you may think that localization means translating faithfully to the original.
Although there is such a way of thinking, I am conscious that the original purpose is to
"make the specifications the most loved in the country". If it’s a game that sells its comical
aspects, the factors that inhibit those aspects must be fixed.
That's why I decided to replace it with content that Japanese people can directly enjoy.
The same reason is why I even messed with the scenario and the characters'
personalities. If you have to do it thoroughly, you will end up doing something half-hearted,
which will end up disappointing your customers' expectations.
I think that thanks to this, it has become a work that Japanese users can enjoy".
(exclusive warning notice for the Japanese public at the game's launch and translation of a mission end screen)
Following this principle of adaptation, the localization team also changed some characters'
names. Among them, "Orthopox-13" is now called Dr. Pox (a doctor with a disease name
to make it more ironic.) and Majestic's mastermind, "Silhouette", is now called "Major" in
reference to Motoko Kusanagi, aka "The Major", the main protagonist of Masamune
Shirow's manga and anime Ghost in the Shell.
"I was told who would be happy to make fun of a TV show from 40 years ago. But, inside, I
didn't just incorporate whatever I came up with."
"I thought I would give priority to choosing something that was relatively major, even if it
was said to be a strong topic. If you're interested in special effects or anime, you've
probably seen or heard about this story at least once... That's the standard. Of course,
there are also specific references for enthusiasts that no one will notice which I put in the
new script. We had to find the right balance.
What is truly important is that even if someone who doesn't understand the material plays
the game, it doesn't feel out of place. Even if it's a very interesting topic, when someone
who doesn't know about it plays it, they say, "Hmm?" If you think so, I think you're out. In
other words, it is important to create a scenario where people who don't know what's
important don't even realize it's a joke when they play it."
BRAINSTEMS OF THE DAMNED
On it's website, SEGA announced "Most of the characters and developments that appear are from the original game, but the story is rewritten as a
separate story with an exquisite scenario and dialogue changes. If you're a gamer who played the original, you'll be
amazed at how different it is!"
Indeed, the scenario underwent major changes, particularly on some of the main plot lines.
For example, while the original game shows Crypto collecting human DNA (by extracting
brainstems) in order to create better clones, restore genitalia for the next générations and
finally save his own race from extinction, the Japanese version explains:
Dr Orthopox, a leading genetic research expert on the planet Furon, has sent
Cryptosporidium-type clones to Earth with the mission to collect natural endorphins that
are being traded for high prices. The Furon doctor seems to have lost contact with the
136th clone that was dispatched.
Thus, any allusion or visual made to human brain stems was simply removed from the
game. Crypto collects colored crystals (blue, green, yellow or red) of endorphin (whose on-
screen unit is "mg") emerging from humans by minimizing the graphic side of the original
version. Small amusing anecdotes which testify to this kind of censorship, the heads of
humans do not grow and do not explode, although the sound of the explosion is still
present; the brain icon was completely removed from the game; the opening screen of the
sixth mission presenting a brain was altered and now presents Crypto's saucer instead...
even if in this mission, the saucer is not used.
ASTOUNDING CAST
According to SEGA this version of Destroy All Humans! is "A shocking work localized by a gorgeous development team and voice actors! Although it's originally a Western game, it
was thoroughly translated and adapted for Japanese users. Actually, the extremely luxurious staff and cast made the
game quite viral even before its release."
Masato Kozutsumi remembers: "For the voice actors, we didn't think about making them more luxurious from the beginning.
Acting ability and character image were my big priorities. While writing the script, I thought
that if it was this character, it would be Kappei Yamaguchi, and that I couldn't think of
anyone other than Takeshi Aono. When the character appeared, I thought of casting that
would be most naturally accepted by the audience, and it turned out to be an all-star.
Even those who are not familiar with games or anime may have heard of them at least
once."
Unlike the original version, which blended dark humor and social satire, the Japanese
version opts for a purely slapstick tone. The voice actors can improvise absurd lines,
sometimes completely unrelated to the original storyline—an approach reminiscent of the
Japanese anime "Beast Wars," famous for its freedom of adaptation and dubbing.
For example, Kappei Yamaguchi adopts a caricatured Kansai accent for Crypto, typical of
Japanese silly characters.
Hōchū Ōtsuka casted on Pox is best known for voicing Jiraiya in Naruto and Naruto
Shippūden, Xigbar in the Kingdom Hearts franchise, Yazan Gable in Mobile Suit Zeta
Gundam and more recently participated in the dubbing of Death Stranding 2.
Atsuko Tanaka, the official voice of "The Major" in the Ghost in the Shell adaptations, was
chosen to voice "Major" aka Silhouette, a casting choice that takes the reference and
parody to the next level.
Also, Takeshi Aono casted for President Huffman is known for voicing Colonel Campbell
and Director Granin in the Metal Gear series and King Piccolo and Kami in Dragon Ball Z.
The team has the luxury of having Taichiro Hirokawa as the Narrator, he was the regular
Japanese voice of American actors Tony Curtis, Roger Moore and Robert Redford.
Hover a voice actor !
SAME MISSIONS, NEW TITLES
As previously explained, although the sequence of events retains the same flow, the
localization team made sure to change the names of each mission to create multiple nods
to Japanese culture. Unlike other countries that also benefited from full dubbing, the
Japanese version has the privilege of having its cards reworked displaying the mission title
in Japanese. Interestingly, the sixth card was censored to avoid showing the brain. The
latter was replaced by the UFO.
Here is the complete collection of mission cards with their Japanese names and the media
they reference:
Mission
Mission Card
Title
Reference
Mission 1
クリプト大地に立つ!
Crypto Rising/Crypto Stands on the Earth!
from TV anime "Mobile Suit Gundam" Episode 1 "Gundam Rising/Gundam Stands on the Earth!"
Mission 2
人間標本5、6人
Human Specimens 5 & 6
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultraman" Episode 28 "Human Specimens 5 & 6"
Mission 3
無闇に光る牛
The Cow That Shines in the Darkness
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Seven" Episode 16 "The Eye That Shines in the Darkness"
Mission 4
超兵器プール1号
Super Weapon Pool No. 1
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Seven" Episode 26 "Super Weapon R-1"
Mission 5
笑われた街
The Laughed Town
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Seven" Episode 8 "The Marked Town"
Mission 6
回収総進撃!
"Destroy All Evidences!" / "Recovery All-Out Attack!"
from TOHO Epic Kaiju film "Destroy All Monsters" (Monster All-Out Attack)
Mission 7
宇宙から来た食いしん坊
The Glutton From Outer Space
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultraman" Episode 11 "The Rascal from Outer Space"
Mission 8
青月（ブルームーン）を見るな!
Don't Look at the Blue Moon!
from TV Tokusatsu "Mighty Jack" Episode 7 "Don't Look at the Moon!"
Mission 9
爆破っ子
The Explosive Child
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Q" Episode 25 "The Devil Child"
Mission 10
懐柔電波（前編）
The Prince of Radio Waves: Part 1
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultraman" Episode 26 "The Prince of Monsters: Part 1
Mission 11
懐柔電波（後篇）
The Prince of Radio Waves: Part 2
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultraman" Episode 27 "The Prince of Monsters: Part 2
Mission 12
兄、覚えていますか?
Brother, Do You Remember?
from Animated movie "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?"
Mission 13
その名は136
One-Three-Six, His Name is 136
from Manga "One-Zero-One, His Name is 101" by Yokoyama Mitsuteru
Mission 14
盗まれたウルトラボム
The Stolen Ultra Bomb
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Seven" Episode 37 "The Stolen Ultra Eye"
Mission 15
秒殺都市
The City That Vanished
from TV tokusatsu "Ultra Seven" Episode 34 "The Vanishing City"
Mission 16
島を見た
I Saw an Island
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Q" Episode 12 "I Saw a Bird"
Mission 17
怪しい軍人
The Suspicious Soldier
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Seven" Episode 10 "The Suspicious Neighbor"
Mission 18
ばけてくれ
Blow It Up
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultra Q" Episode 28 "Open It Up"
Mission 19
撃つな! クリプト
Don't Shoot, Crypto!
from TV Tokusatsu "Ultraman" Episode 36 "Don't Shoot, Arashi!"
Mission 20
宇宙人 投票に現る
"Votes from Space" / "Aliens Appear in Polls"
from Tokusatsu science-fiction film "Warning from Space" (Spacemen Appear in Tokyo)
Mission 21
プラズナーNo.7
Plasner - No.7
from the TV Series "The Prisoner" ("プリズナーNo.6" in Japan) and "Mankind's Ultimate Weapon, Plasner: Uncovering the Plasma Weapons Development Project Hidden in the UFO Cover-Up!" (Mu super mystery books)
Mission 22
どつきあい宇宙（そら）
Robo-Prez: Encounters in Space
from Animated movie "Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space"
KAIJU COUNTERATTACK
Among the changes made to the game, giant monsters are obviously not left out! For
example, "Gamera The Invincible" (大怪獣ガメラ) is the film used by Crypto to fight against
the Majestic's propaganda. The clip actually uses several extracts from the film, which,
combined together, last exactly the length of the mission (protecting the projector).
The end-of-mission news paper, however, remains unchanged from the original game.
Gamera was released in 1966 in the US (after the 1965 Japanese version), while Destroy
All Humans! is set in 1959. So, if this movie is shown at Rockwell's Drive-In during the
mission "Teenage Zombies From Outer Space," it creates a temporal inconsistency: the
movie didn't exist yet at that time. However, this change was well received by japanese
players and even fans of the original game.
Regarding the artwork used as promotional material, and especially the game box art, a
completely new design, quite different from the international version, was commissioned
from renowned artist Yuji Kaida. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he has
established himself as one of the most popular illustrators of kaiju—particularly Godzilla—
through his vibrant colors, unique visual appeal, and sense of direction.
SONG FROM SPACE
In addition to this funny adaptation, coupled with a zany dubbing by talented actors,
Japanese players were surprised to discover a brand-new theme song:
"馬鹿が UFO でやって来る" ("Baka ga UFO de Yatte Kuru"), literally "The idiots are
coming in UFOs".
This piece was entrusted to composer Daisuke Saito, already renowned for his pastiches
of tokusatsu series. Rather than recycling Western ambient music, Saito opted for a retro
arrangement.
The ensemble is carried by the Froebel Boys Choir, whose children's choirs immediately
contrast with the offbeat interjections of Kappei Yamaguchi, the official voice of Crypto,
who also participates in this song. Indeed, at regular intervals, Crypto interrupts the choirs
to deliver punchlines, reinforcing the wacky and slapstick humor that the adaptors wanted
to infuse into the game.
LYRICS OF THE SONG
ラッキョ頭に 真っ黒お目目
Lucky head, jet-black eyes.
自慢のビームで 頭がぐしゃり
My pride and joy beam smashed your head.
もしかしたら 痛かった？
Did it hurt?
ゴメンね でもボク エイリアン
I'm sorry, but I'm an alien.
クリプト クリプト クリプト
Crypto, Crypto, Crypto...
火星人
The Martian!
(誰が火星人やねん！)
(Who's a Martian?!)
----------
----------
大事なニーサン さらった奴ら
Those who kidnapped my precious brother.
倒すついでに 小遣い稼ぎ
I'll earn some pocket money while I'm defeating them.
出て来い 戦車も ロボットも
Come out, tanks and robots.
円盤アタックで デストロイ
I'll destroy them with a flying saucer attack.
クリプト クリプト クリプト
Crypto, Crypto, Crypto...
仮性人
The Martian!
(ちゃう言うとるやろが！)
(I'm telling you, it's not true!)
Visually the opening sequence exploits the Tokusatsu tradition, a true spoof of Ultraman: A
Special Effects Fantasy Series. Just like Ulraman opening sequence, shadow puppets
parade against a psychedelic backdrop. Silhouettes of different characters and objects
related to the game are easily recognizable, such as Robotprez, Pox, Crypto and his UFO.
But very quickly, the video game imagery shifts: rabbits preparing mochi, sumo wrestlers in
kimonos, traditional Japanese drawings... Each vignette lasts barely a few seconds,
creating an absurd patchwork, a jubilant, unbridled burlesque mix.
The Japanese version remains the only place where this minute of visual and musical
delirium can be heard. This music video is a testament to an unbridled adaptation that
manages to breathe new life into a game.
THE FUTURE REMEMBERS
This time, under the leadership of THQ Nordic and fifteen years after the game's first
release in Japan, Kappei Yamaguchi finally got the chance to reprise his role as Crypto137 while narrating the Japanese promotional video for the Destroy All Humans! Remake
(2020):
デストロイ オール ヒューマンズ! (2007)
CERO C 15+
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: Action adventure
Number of players: 1
Release date: February 22, 2007
Suggested retail price: 6,800 yen (7,140 yen including tax)
Compatible systems: PlayStation 2
Model number SLPM-66430
デストロイ オール ヒューマンズ! (THQ Collection)
CERO C 15+
Publisher THQ Japan Co., Ltd.
Genre: Action adventure
Number of players: 1
Release date: January 22, 2009
Suggested retail price: 2,980 yen (3,129 yen including tax)
Compatible systems: PlayStation 2
Model number SLPM-55141
JAPANESE VERSION STAFF
Production:
Masato Kozutsumi
Plan:
Yu Sakurai
Takaaki Suzuki
Screenplay / Supervision:
Hiroshi Yamamot
Daisuke Sato
Yuuji Muto
Masahiko Okura
Ryusuke Hikawa
Translation / Coordination:
Shinobu Shindo
Makoto Saito
Kaori Nukui
Mari Yamazaki
Marketing:
Yasushi Yamashita
Naofumi Shioya
Advertisement:
Mitsuru Takahashi
Takayoshi Ouchi
Daisuke Sekine
Public Relations:
Yasushi Nagumo
Seiji Aoyagi
Sales:
Akira Nomoto
Toru Yasuda
Package and manual production:
Yoshihiro Sakuta
Naohiko Iida
Yoshitake Ota
Licensing Manager:
Tetsuya Hotozuka
Quality Control Team:
Junichi Shimizu
Akira Nishikawa
Akira Terasawa
Kenji Takano
Keiichi Nakamura
With:
Kappei Yamaguchi
Hochu Otsuka
Kosei Tomita
Takeshi Aono
Roko Takizawa
Atsuko Tanaka
Yuichi Nagashima (Cho)
Toru Okawa
Shigenori Soya
Dai Matsumoto
Reiko Takagi
Keiko Nemoto
Takayasu Usui
Masato Funaki
Atsushi Imaruoka
Hajime Iijima
Yasuyuki Kase
Narrator:
Taichiro Hirokawa
Key Art / Cover Illustration:
Yuji Kaida
Sound Production:
AC Create Co., Ltd
Sound Supervision:
Hiroshi Nakano
Theme song:
"The idiots are coming in UFOs"
「馬鹿がUFOでやってくる」
Lyricist: Daisuke Sato
Composer: Meeon
Vocals: Froebel Boys Choir & Crypto-137 (Kappei Yamaguchi)
"1959. America has already been invaded by aliens...
This action game, worthy of a B-movie sci-fi movie, where an alien from a distant planet sows chaos in 1950s America,
goes beyond borders and crosses the Iron Curtain! Arriving right in the middle of the reds”
Behold! Can your heart stand the shocking facts?
Let's proceed to a deep dive into the forgotten foreign and
mysterious Russian localization of this game from outer space!
Знищити людство! is the Russian version of "Destroy All
Humans!" published by THQ and released in June 2005 on
PS2 alongside the international version (except for the Japanese
version which was not released until 2007)
Unfortunately, there is little information about this localization of
"Destroy All Humans!" which included:
- The complete translation of the game
- A complete Russian dubbing by popular Russian personalities
- A slight adaptation of certain dialogues
- The creation of a brand new logo
LITTLE RED MEN
A localization team was set up under the auspices of THQ to adapt all the texts and create
a dubbing team including some popular names in Russian entertainment. To complete the
package, Russian subtitles were also made available.
This version is notably known for the presence of a strong vulgarity in the dialogue, despite
the fact that they do not appear at all in the original game, suggesting that many voice
lines were made noticeably more profanity-laced.
Just like with other versions around the world, all the game screens, such as the
mothership menu, have been fully translated for the Russian audience.
MYSTERIOUS RUSSIAN COVERS
Several boxes and covers, some more legal than others, have circulated on the Russian
market. It's particularly amusing and easy to spot certain copies stripped of the THQ or
Pandemic logos and featuring fanciful fonts.
RUSSIAN TEAM CREDITS
Voice Actors :
Gennady Bachinsky (duo from the talk show "Two in One")
Sergei Stillavin (duo from the talk show "Two in One")
Alexander Ivanov (of NAIVE punk band)
Roman Ryabtsev (of Technology "Технология" Soviet-Russian synthpop band)
Russian Translation :
Vellod Impex (RUS-01880)
Game Serial: SLES-53641
Thanks to RGdb (Database of translations of console games into Russian), it was possible
to reconstruct and credit a tiny part of the Russian cast. Unfortunately, it is rare to find
information about this localization.
In order to preserve the Russian team's names and make them accessible to do justice to
their work on this game, if you have any additional information, please feel free to share it
with us. DAHTribute will be sure to update this page as new information becomes
available.
"1959. America has already been invaded by aliens...
This action game, worthy of a B-movie sci-fi movie, where an alien from a distant planet sows chaos in 1950s America,
goes beyond borders and crosses the Atlantic. The invasion of Europe has finally begun”
Behold! Can your heart stand the shocking facts?
Let's proceed to a deep dive into the forgotten foreign and
quite lost German localization of this game from outer space!
"Destroy All Humans!" published by THQ and released in June
2005 on PS2 and Xbox alongside the international version (except
for the Japanese version which was not released until 2007)
Unfortunately, there is currently too little information available on
this localization of "Destroy All Humans!" which included:
- The complete translation of the game
- A complete German dubbing by a renowned cast
- A slight adaptation of certain dialogues
EIN SCHPOON FULL OF SCHUGAR
A localization team was set up under the auspices of THQ Europe to adapt all the texts
and create a dubbing team including some popular names in German entertainment.
Germany is the only European country to have received a full German dubbing. Other
countries such as France, Spain, and Italy had to make do with the original English version
subtitled in the language of the corresponding country. Therefore, the subtitles had to be
localized in each country.
GERMAN TEAM CREDITS
LOCALISATION TEAM
Director of Localisation:
Susanne Dieck
Localisation Engineer:
Bernd Kurtz
German Translations:
Jörg Gräfingholt
Thomas Dalamitros
Andreas Herbertz
Additional Testing:
Patrick Fedtke
Thomas Dalamitros
Andreas Herbertz
German Voices Production:
G&G Tonstudios,
Kaarst
MARKETING GERMANY
Marketing Director:
Paul Ashcroft
Head of Product Management:
Christina Ettelbrück
Product Manager:
Claus Schmidt
Heard of PR:
Georg Reckenthäler
PR Manager:
Jochen Langenbach
Game Serial: SLES-53641
Thanks to the “Destroy All Humans!” Deutsch manual, it was possible to reconstruct and
credit a tiny part of the German team. Unfortunately, no other information about this
localization or voice cast is currently available.
In order to preserve the original 2005 German team's names and make them accessible to
do justice to their work on this game, if you have any additional information, please feel
free to reach us! DAHTribute will be sure to update this page as new information becomes
available.
The voice recording sessions for the game, regardless of the language, were filled with
improvisation, all sorts of pronunciation errors, and lines that were ultimately cut, but above all, a lot of laughter.
These audio recordings were preserved in the mothership's archives and made available via the bonus video "Goofy
Screenshots And Voice Overs." This page presents all the known voice actors for each localization of the game,
along with the corresponding recording sessions in extended versions and without background music.
It's impossible to imagine "Destroy All Humans!"
without its garish yellow, dramatically tilted logo.
Inspired by numerous science fiction movie posters from the 40s-50s it became instantly
recognizable and become inseparable from the game and the saga.
LOGOTYPE FROM OUTER SPACE
The first visual approach to the "Destroy All Humans!" logo was designed by the Pandemic
Studios team very early in the development process. The logo already featured almost all
the elements that would be retained in the final version.
Featuring a warm yellow/orange color palette contrasting with dark backgrounds to attract
the eye, this curve-shaped logotype evokes all stereotypes and collective imagery related
to alien invasion, destruction and more generally science fiction. This first preliminary
version of the "Destroy All Humans!" logo was already present in the menus of the very
first prototypes back in 2003 and also appeared on some promotional materials.
Firmly rooted in a science-fiction aesthetic, the logo pays homage to one of its most
famous icons. Indeed, it was designed using the "Godzilla" font, a simplified version of the
logo used as early as 1985 for the Japanese reboot of "Godzilla" and still used today for
promotional materials related to the King of Monsters.
During 2004, with the start of the game's marketing campaign, THQ/Pandemic
collaborated with the graphic designers at Origin Studios. From Crash Bandicoot to Final Fantasy,
WWE, Ratchet & Clank, Jak and Daxter and other iconic gems in gaming history, Origin Studios'
work has graced the covers of an astounding number of video games for over two decades.
In addition to contributing to the game's marketing materials, the studio has also been
involved in creating logos for some of the best-selling games on the market. It's only
natural that they worked on an update to the "Destroy All Humans!" logo in a spirit of
consistency with the future game's posters and marketing materials. First official logo used in the 2004 promotional videos (trailers)
Logos used in 2004 and 2005 promotional materials (posters) Logo used in 2005 for thee game cover and few goodies
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
It is interesting to note that in a desire for its localization, the logo has also received the
treatment of being adapted to some foreign languages through two alternative and unique versions :
The 2007 Japanese version put Japanese characters as subtitles right under the logo, and also
added a revised heavy black outline all around the letters.
Even if part of the original font was re-used for few letters, the Russian version completely
reworked the design from scratch with Russian letters.
Destroy All Humans! was released on consoles in 2005 with an objective as clear as its title suggested: reduce
everything to ashes… not without a healthy dose of satirical humor. But before a single player even pressed "Start",
another invasion had already begun the previous year: The Attack from the Marketing Department! And we all know how
powerful marketing can be! Designed by the talented team at Origin Studios, they laid the visual foundations for a
delightfully retro-futuristic universe.
ORIGIN STUDIOS STRIKES BACK
As 2003 draws to a close, the new year will mark the beginning of increased public visibility, including the launch
of the game's marketing campaign. THQ and Pandemic are renewing their successful collaboration with the graphic
designers at Origin Studios (who were already responsible for the logo redesign). From Crash Bandicoot to Final Fantasy,
including Spyro, Ratchet & Clank, Jak and Daxter, and other iconic titles in video game history, Origin Studios'
illustrations have graced game covers for over twenty years.
From the project outset, THQ/Pandemic took a bold stance: reviving the aesthetics of the
1950s, while simultaneously twisting them.
There are numerous references to various sci-fi works such as War of the Worlds (1953),
Earth Vs The Fluring Saucers (1956) or Mars Attacks (released a few years earlier in
1996), to pulp magazines or even the intense paranoia caused by Cold War propaganda,
to define an artistic direction that is both nostalgic and satirical.
As early as 2002, the Australian developers at Pandemic had already created a first draft of the game's poster, using the one
from the 1957 film "Invasion of the Saucer-Men" as a basis. This preliminary mock-up features one of the the first version of
the game's logo, already showcasing the choice of the Godzilla font. Other text elements were also added to the presentation,
which already hinted at the Fifties retro and humorous style desired by the Pandemic team. Other textual elements were also
added to the presentation, which already strongly hinted at the retro and humorous 1950s style desired by the Pandemic team.
Guided by these kinds of elements, supplemented by several other visual references provided throughout the game's early development
in 2004, all that remained was for the artists at Origin Studios to get to work producing the first drafts of the future marketing materials.
It all begins with sketches showing Crypto 137 in different poses, dramatic camera angles,
panicked human silhouettes, and more. Origin Studios quickly establishes a compelling
visual framework. These sketches are then transformed into digital paintings and refined
with the addition of visual effects like disintegrator rays, levitating cows and a starry sky
crossed by a saucer. Everything is there.
Creative researches and concept sketches for the box cover – Origin Studios
From an early concept art to the final version of the promotional poster – Origin Studios
At the same time, 3D CGI rendered models from the game or rendered by original Studio
themselves are used to produce realistic renderings and complete each key art, which the
studio refines through touch-ups: reflections, organic textures, and light halos.
Early sketches and final digital artworks using 3D high res renders by Michael Yeomans
High-resolution 3D model of the flying saucer for promotional posters, including the game
cover. It's worth noting that this model is not the one used in the game.
As project lead Derek Proud mentioned, regarding the main artwork for the game that
appeared on the box, a debate emerged from the very beginning of the graphic design
process: « Does crypto look too angry? » Some people were concerned that it would turn
off potential buyers to have the main character displaying such an expression. A debate
that will also return for the sequel cover.
Early concept for the box cover (left) and the final version of the digital drawing (right)
The colors are vibrant, and Origin Studios plays with the visual codes of old-school
science fiction while infusing them with a gritty modernity. The lettering features retro serif
fonts, sometimes irregular or grainy, reminiscent of old drive-in posters.
Finally, once the main visual has been approved, Origin Studios adapts the design in all
formats:
- Magazine formats
- Urban posters
- Point-of-sale advertising for game stores
- And even web banners via the website or ads on game sites
These posters not only made Crypto instantly recognizable, but they also anchored
Destroy All Humans! in the visual culture of gamers and delight collectors. The image of
the little alien brandishing his weapon against a backdrop of retro-futuristic chaos has
become iconic, largely contributing to forging the game's cult aura.
ABOUT ORIGIN STUDIOS
Origin Studios Inc., founded in the year 2000, is an award-winning design studio inspired
by its people, their innovative ideas, and the beauty they bring to life through their work.
The team's dedication to making professional, cutting-edge design while working on tight
deadlines is how they have become an international competitor with a proven record of
successful campaigns.
Focused primarily on the dynamic gaming industry, Origin Studios excels in crafting
captivating logos, impactful branding campaigns, stunning photography, engaging game
trailers. Their website closed in 2025 for an undetermined time.
Quick! Now's the time to act -- before the humans catch on! THQ and Pandemic are offering would-be humorists,
gamers, and alien-lovers the chance to become part of their innovative new parody of 1950s
alien movies, Destroy All Humans!
If you have one single ounce of creativity and verve in your bones, you absolutely must submit to THQ's
evil scheme to Destroy All Humans and partake in the master plan! In Destroy All Humans!, you take on
the role of an alien searching Earth for resources to aid your dying race. Among other superb "alien"
abilities, you can read people's minds.
This is where you come in. THQ and Pandemic are offering gamers the chance to examine one of five
images, each presenting a different situation. They want you to write in the funniest, wittiest or
most uproarious caption or "thought" to describe it. Once you submit your "thought," Pandemic will
hand pick the best (and funniest) one for each situation. Winning entries will become part of the game.
Included are a handful of visual examples of the kinds of captions THQ is generally seeking.
You'll see caption possibilities for a farmer, a farmer's wife, a housewife, a mayor, and a scientist.
Surely, you'll be able to think of something! The only real catch is that all entries must be 15 words
or less and you can enter one "thought" per image, for a total of five submissions per person.
Once you're finished, send the corresponding "thought" to the proper email (Farmer@thq.com,
Farmerswife@thq.com, Housewife@thq.com, Mayor@thq.com, Scientist@thq.com), and then sit back
and wait. THQ will announce the best "thoughts" on IGN soon thereafter.
Judging/Finalist Selection:
All entries meeting the requirements of these Official Rules will be judged as follows:
a) Humor - 50%
b) creativity/originality - 25%
c) subject matter appropriateness - 25%.
A total of 15 finalists will be selected (three per character). In the event of a tie, Finalists will
be determined by the judge's score in the category. In the event of a second tie, Finalists will be
determined by the judge's score in the category. Each of the 15 winning thoughts may be included in
the game in Sponsor's sole discretion. The names of the finalists will appear in the credit section
of the game if their entry is included in the game. The decisions of the judges on all matters
pertaining to this contest are final.
Winners:
Housewife: Charlie Grim, Colin Coughenour, Adam Skibbe
Scientist: Nick Atchison, Areku Korushi, Matt Gander
Mayor: Chris Reed, Will Roland, Robin Stone
Farmer's Wife: Sean Kearney, Robert M. Laine, Colin Coughenour
Farmer: Colin Coughenour, Scott Olson, Robert M. Laine
The Furon Empire's invasion of Earth continued, and with the advent of the promising mobile phone market,
THQ, through its Wireless service, launched the production of the mobile version of Destroy All Humans!, also
released in 2005. An adaptation intended to be an unbridled action-adventure game transposing the humor and
atmosphere of the console game into a compact top-down format for the phones of the time, it thus became
possible to annihilate humans wherever you were!
Mobile Uprising
Developed to coincide with the game's release on PS2 and
Xbox, Destroy All Humans! Mobile's primary objective was to
expand the franchise into the burgeoning mobile market of
2005 by offering a recognizable "DAH!" experience, without, of
course, attempting to replicate the technical richness of the
console versions. This was entirely unthinkable due to the
enormous technical constraints of the time, the small screen
sizes, and the graphics, which were still mostly pixel art.
The game was developed for the Java J2ME platform, a
specification of Oracle's Java platform, typically intended for
embedded and mobile applications. Development of the game
was entrusted to Big Blue Bubble Inc., a studio then active in
mobile and handheld titles, co-founded in February 2004 by
Damir Slogar and Claudette Critchley. THQ Wireless handled
publishing and distribution through the carrier channels and
download services of the time.
The credits show a team of nearly 50 contributors involved in production, testing, and
design. The mobile version was presented to the press simultaneously with the console
versions at E3 2005 in the wireless mobile games category among a selection of other
games including “Star Wars”, “Evil Dead Regeneration” and “South Park Save Kenny”
"THQ Wireless | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 January 2005 - Employees of THQ Wireless Inc. discovered today a new twist to a mysterious alien conspiracy plot
code-named "Destroy All Humans!TM", first exposed by its parent company THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) in May of 2004. The
new reports just released from THQ Wireless show that the Aliens' plot to attack users worldwide of the PlayStation®2
computer entertainment system and Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft has been extended to reach the rest of the world's
population: mobile gamers! On top of this shocking new twist, sources close to the company have uncovered the Aliens'
master plan to Destroy All Humans! by infiltrating Earth through the complete takeover of wireless entertainment via
mobile games, ringtones and wallpapers.
"We've discovered the mobile invasion is expected to begin in April of 2005 through leading carriers nationwide," said
Jeff Nuzzi, who, when not busy saving the world, oversees global marketing for THQ Wireless. "We're expecting the Aliens
to send their most horrifying homosapien vaporizer, 'Cryptosprodium-137', also known as Crypto, to immediately infiltrate
earthling's favorite form of entertainment on the go - the mobile game!"
This innocent-looking extraterrestrial is armed, dangerous and ready to Destroy All Humans! with 13 hostile missions
and two gameplay modes in order to accomplish world domination through wireless devices. Aside from protecting their
brain stems, citizens of Earth should also be warned that Crypto is expected to further infiltrate cell phones by
replacing civilian ringtones with his evil laugh and trademark taunts in the form of authentic Alien voice ringers
and wallpapers.
Earthlings can join in the hysteria by text messaging ALIEN to 69847(MYTHQ) to receive the latest invasion news,
cheat codes, and opportunity to download exclusive content like ringtones and wallpapers.
THQ Wireless will be announcing more details regarding the conspiracy to "Destroy All Humans!" throughout the next
few months as they are uncovered."
E3 2005 Press documents related to the mobile game
DAH! IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
Faced with the limitations of 2005 mobile devices, the developers at Big Blue Bubble opted
for a top-down perspective within a scripted path and meticulously rendered pixel art
environments rather than destructible open-world layouts. Animations and scripts were
simplified to maintain fluidity while adapting to the constraints of J2ME (Jobs to Mean
Events), and controls were redesigned for phone buttons. Despite these visual and
gameplay compromises, they aimed to preserve the essence of the console game's
gameplay while ensuring readability on smaller screens. Thus, two game modes—Alien
Mode and UFO Mode—are spread across 13 arcade-style levels with waves of enemies to
eliminate and abduct.
The game is structured around different action phases where the
player controls Crypto 137 on foot or aboard his flying saucer. Each
mission is interspersed with a special TV bulletin, "The Late Breaking
News with Taffy Walton" for Channel 2. This character, exclusive to the
mobile version, announces various strange reports and crack pot
theories of UFOs and alien presence linked to Crypto's actions. She
has a role almost equivalent to the end-of-mission newspapers from
the console versions. During the on-foot, top-down gameplay phases,
Crypto, moving in a vertical or horizontal scrolling environment, must
alternate between different weapons and abilities to successfully abduct and eliminate
humans. The mobile game's gameplay is curiously similar to what the early console
prototypes presented in the first months of development: hypnotizing groups of humans
with the Hypno Beam and bringing them back to the landing zone to collect DNA.
For the aerial sequences, the saucer sports the design of its initial
prototype appearance from between 2003 and 2004. Also viewed from a
top-down perspective, it moves in a forced vertical scrolling from bottom
to top, and Crypto must alternate between his weapons such as Sonic
Boom or Death Ray to eliminate his human opponents firing at him.
Military personnel and tanks are also present to deal with the Furon
threat. Several on-screen elements are destructible, such as enemies,
vehicles, barriers, and trees, to enhance the sense of destruction.
General Armquist also makes an appearance in the game, although his
dialogue icon depicts a character bearing no resemblance whatsoever to his console
counterpart.
MARKETING
The game was distributed through the mobile
channels of the time: carrier downloads, WAP
services, and THQ Wireless offers. A notable
promotional method was offering downloads via
SMS (for example, through a promotional code),
a common practice for mobile games in the mid2000s. The title was also included in the THQ
Wireless press kit presented at E3 2005,
highlighting the marketing effort to position the
franchise on mobile. Still rare at the time, console
game bonuses included a section dedicated to
mobile content, allowing users to purchase the
game wirelessly, as well as download exclusive ringtones and wallpapers, via SMS!
THQ Wireless collaborated with Pandemic Studios to integrate wireless into its marketing
campaigns with a full range of wireless products, including ringtones featuring the
authentic voices of the characters and wallpaper images taken
from the console game.
The marketing campaign extended to television, print and online media outlets, and the
distribution of cards with download codes at certain conventions, giving access to
wallpapers featuring images and graphics from video games, as well as authentic voice
ringtones with the voice of Crypto, Grant Albrecht.
This wireless Destroy All Humans! game made no attempt to compete with the console
versions but was perceived as a faithful adaptation in a smaller format, offering fans a
portable Crypto experience. It illustrates THQ's strategy: leveraging its strong licenses to
penetrate a rapidly expanding mobile market. The approach clearly paid off, given that the
game was also well-received by the press and players alike. THQ logically repeated this
strategy the following year with the release of the sequel.
While THQ is conquering the wireless mobile market, another, more global invasion is taking place on web
browsers. The advent of the internet allows Destroy All Humans to expand its marketing reach! Thus, a small,
free, official game running on Adobe Flash Player is developed for web browsers! It centers on a timed flying
saucer phase where players can compare their scores to satisfy their primal competitive urges!
DESTINATION WEB
Produced by THQ as part of their Multimillion dollar cross-marketing campaign, and
developed to accompany the game's release on PS2 and Xbox, the flash game Destroy All
Humans! aimed to broaden the game's visibility by offering a small, free experience
accessible via a web browser. Just like the wireless mobile version, the saucer sports its
design from the first development builds and the gameplay is oriented towards a top-down
view as the keyboard direction keys steer the ship while the mouse allows for orientation
and aiming. It didn't pretend to compete with the console versions, but rather offered a fun
game with a competitive element, as it did feature a leaderboard displaying players’
performance.
Crypto! You've been sent to wreak havoc on Earth and kill as many
humans as you can in as little time as possible. Take command of your
Furon scout ship and abduct at least 20 humans without wasting a
second! Time is of the essence! Use the arrow keys to move the
saucer and the mouse to aim and fire the paralyzing beam! Once a
primitive being is immobilized, fly over the puny human to abduct it!
Initially specializing in film, Creat Studio eventually turned to the booming world of video games, producing its
own games and offering its services for creating pre-rendered cinematics for major industry players. Thus, in
2004, after already collaborating with THQ and Pandemic Studios on the Star Wars license, they decided to
renew their fruitful partnership to create the three pre-rendered cinematics for Destroy All Humans!
IT CAME FROM THE COLD
Founded by Anton Petrov and Vladimir Starzhevsky in 1990, the studio was located in
Saint Petersburg. Russia was still called the USSR, and Gorbachev was still in power in
the Kremlin; time flies! The studio was initially created to work in the film and technology
industries. In the mid-1990s, it shifted its focus to video game development and CGI
animation, making it its primary activity.
1999 was a pivotal year for the company, with its first internationally acclaimed game,
Millennium Racer, bringing it immediate recognition. This success was followed by a
notable breakthrough with its involvement in the development of Civilization: Call to Power.
1999 will undoubtedly remain the Russian studio's defining year. Alongside this shift, Vlad
Starzhevsky pursued further studies at Harvard and worked with Papyrus Design Group
on several NASCAR titles.
“Our list of credits includes high quality pre-rendered cinematics for some of the best-selling computer games
worldwide. Our work received second place in the Video Game Trailer category at the 2001 Vancouver Effects
and Animation Festival. We were showcased at the SIGGRAPH 2000 Animation Festival and in Best Video for
Games at the 1999, 2000 and 2001 Game Developers Conference, as well as at Cartoombria 2000 and
Anima Mundi 2001 animation festivals.”
In a press release dated July 5, 2002, St.
Petersburg-based Creat Studio, LLC, was
pleased to announce the completion of prerendered 3D animations for Pandemic Studios'
new game: Star Wars®: The Clone Wars™.
Developed by Pandemic Studios LLC for
LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC, the
game is based on the recently released film
Star Wars®: Episode II – Attack of the
Clones™. It features ground and aerial combat
inspired by and delving deeper into one of the most dramatic and intense conflicts in the
Star Wars galaxy. Creat Studio produced 10 minutes of introductory animation and
cinematics featuring iconic characters such as Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin, and Count
Dooku. The game, slated for release in Fall 2002, marks the first collaboration between
Pandemic and Creat Studio.
The Studio also created advertising animations for international brands like Coca-Cola,
Konica, and Kodak, as well as on-air
graphics for Russian television
channels and digital effects for feature
films. With clients ranging from Los
Angeles to Moscow, Creat Studio has
developed a business model that
facilitates collaboration with remote
producers and directors, as well as
within a larger production team. The
studio boasts an impeccable track
record:
"We consistently deliver high-quality products, respecting both budgets and deadlines. Our studio's cinematics
combine imaginative storytelling with meticulously precise, photorealistic execution. Millennium Racer's graphic
style perfectly captures the game's core effect: an almost visceral sensation of speed. In short, we bring the
surreal to life!"
Building on its collaborations with other studios and its recognition in CGI animation, Creat
Studio added an "s" to its name in 2005 following the opening of a branch in Boston, which
gradually became its second headquarters. Creat Studios have welcomed veterans of the
video game industry, many in their fifties who experienced the Amstrad and Apple II era,
such as Peter Calabria, formerly of Legend Software, who contributed to the graphics of
Mission Critical and later worked at Reality
Bytes on Dark Vengeance. Another veteran of
the 8-bit era is Jason Benham, now the
assistant director of the Massachusetts
studios. Finally, the studio's defining
characteristic is its constant pursuit of
innovation. The CreateEngine game engine
allows them to be official developers for
PlayStation® Portable, PlayStation® 3,
Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360.
In 2016, Anton Petrov was still managing the Saint Petersburg offices and Vladimir
Starzhevsky those from Boston (or rather from Canton, a suburb of Boston).
THE FURON INVASION OF EARTH
The late 1990s and 2000s proved to be a very busy period for the studio, which had
produced cinematic-quality pre-rendered cinematics for titles such as Civilization: Call to
Power, Heretic II, Revenant, Quake II Mission Pack: Ground Zero, Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style,
Activision's X-Men and Spider-Man games, and even Star Wars Jedi Knight II. Building on
their previous successful collaboration on The Clone Wars, Pandemic has once again
turned to Creat Studio to create three pre-rendered cinematics for their upcoming game,
Destroy All Humans!
Creat Studio’s multidisciplinary team of over 30 artists, animators, technical staff, and
programmers masters every aspect of 3D animation: from storyboarding to facial
animation, from stop-motion animation to motion capture, from character design to the
simulation of hair, water, clothing, smoke, and fire. Their production process follows the
model of large-scale feature films, with extensive pre-production and rigorous production
cycles.
“We produced about 8 minutes of prerendered intro, cut scene and outro animation. Modeling was performed
within Softimage 3D environment. Animation produced by mixture of motion capture (by House of Moves) and
keyframe animation within XSI Softimage environment.”
With back-and-forth between Pandemic and Creat, the character models were redesigned
in more refined versions with higher polygon counts and facial rigs, allowing for more
expressive faces worthy of a film-style cinematic. The three cinematics thus combine 3D
riged models of objects or characters with 2D digital matte painting backgrounds, adding
more detail to the environment.
The three movie files were initially rendered at a resolution of 640x448 with a very smooth
frame rate of 30 frames per second. However, for the final version of the game on both
Xbox and PS2, the bitrate was ultimately reduced to 25 frames per second, thus reducing
the size of the video files. The original uncompressed 30fps versions were recovered
during the preservation work carried out by DAHTribute and are available in the Archives /
B Movie category of the website and on the Youtube channel.
Creat Studio's role in Destroy All Humans! follows a long tradition of providing prerendered sequences for the game's opening and closing sequences, delivering crisp,
impactful visuals that enhance the experience and complement the real-time scenes
produced by the developer. The three CGI cutscenes adopt a deliberately cinematic
aesthetic inspired by 1950s science fiction films. They even feature some visual clichés,
such as colors reminiscent of Technicolor film and framing borrowed from B-movies.
Certain animations, like Crypto's (during his monologue on the mothership), intentionally
exaggerated, reinforce the game's humorous tone. These visual choices are far from
insignificant: they establish the game's atmosphere from the very first minutes, even
before the player takes control.
Once completed and approved by Pandemic, the films were sent to composer Garry
Schyman so he could compose the soundtracks to accompany the visuals. However,
although the cinematics were finished in 2004, game development continued until 2005,
and some aesthetic changes resulted in inconsistencies with certain details of the
cinematics. The most notable are certainly the interior of the mothership, which is based
on its appearance during the 2004 prototypes and not its final 2005 design; Monroe Island
and the crash site, which do not correspond to the final versions of the game; and the
saucer's design, which features a different arrangement of its landing legs.
The three CGI movies produced by Creat Studios for Destroy All Humans! undeniably
helped cement the game in players' memories. Their cinematic quality strengthened the
narrative, giving Crypto and Pox, among others, a visual presence that far surpasses what
real-time animation could have achieved. Their work is all the more important because
some of the game's most iconic lines originate from these cinematics. This legacy is still
visible today thanks to the PS4 and Xbox One versions, demonstrating that Creat Studios'
cinematics have aged remarkably well. Their deliberately retro 1950s style makes them
almost timeless.
Welcome to the great agricultural plains of the Midwest, located in Grover County. This geographical area of the United States is ideal for
ranching and producing large crops: the soils are fertile and the population density is low. It should be noted that city dwellers like to
call the local natives "the yokels". Their intelligence may be limited, but they are truly the foundation of this human society.
PRESENTATION
The farm belonging to Harold and Martha Turnipseed, an incestuous farming couple, is part of a larger community that includes their residence
and several other farms scattered throughout the area. Facilitating the delivery and export of their agricultural products, a two-lane state
highway crosses the area, allowing quick access to the various buildings. One of the Turnipseeds' closest neighbors is Farmer Dixon, who
happens to live on the other side of this state road.
These unscrupulous farmers produce corn thanks to their large arable land, which they can easily irrigate thanks to the region's various
ponds. The humans in the region also raise even more primitive life forms, including lactating bovines and poultry, which are clearly
important for the diversity of their work but also for their personal survival.
Speaking of survival, with the significant increase in reports of UFOs in the skies, the military has decided to extend their range by
deploying ground-based weapons, including sentry turrets and guided missiles. In the event of an alert or strange noises in the vicinity
of the farm, a police vehicle can be quickly dispatched to the scene, along with a mobile army patrol and tanks.
After several investigations into the lifestyle of the region's natives, it turns out that one of the farmworkers mentioned that they
also raised sheep, even though none had ever been seen in the area. Such allegations have fueled rumors over the years that have perpetuated
the famous mystery of the invisible sheep at Turnipseed Farm, leading to a significant increase in tourism throughout the region.
For several months, a traditional traveling circus run by White Bros & Fillipellis roamed the highway, planning to set up shop and
present the world's most terrifying living creature, "Gargantua the Great," the largest gorilla ever exhibited. The circus truck then
mysteriously disappeared, along with the fantastic animal it was supposedly transporting, although no one had ever seen it.
The Grover County Gazette is the local newspaper in Grover County, and regularly publishes information on various cultural events
and other miscellaneous facts.
Coordinates
Country
United States
State
Midwest Kentuky
County
Grover Country
Government Type
Mayor-council
Newspaper
Grover Country Gazette
Languages
Boorish English
Named after
Dev's Neighboors
Nicknames
The Farm / Yokel Farm
MISSIONS
Main
"Destination Earth"
CHALLENGES
Armageddon!
Farmland Fiasco
Rural Race
Turnipseed Terror
Farm House
Landmark
This primitive human dwelling is the pride and joy
of Martha and Harold Turnipseed. Having prospered enough to afford it, the couple
recently indulged in the luxury of owning their own television. Martha is delighted
to see that she can now watch programs of a very high intellectual standard...
Turnipseed Lake
Landmark
Surrounded by barns, a boat house, cows and arable land, the Turnipseed lake is of
great importance for the maintenance of the farm's biosphere, since it is essential
for the reproduction of the mosquito which themselves participate in the fragile
balance of biodiversity and the survival of all species on the planet. The mosquito's
food of choice, primitive human life forms, have colonies all over that planet.
They aren't intelligent but they're very delicate. In fact, every time an asteroid
strikes their planet, they have to begin life all over.
Bovoids' Paddock
Landmark
Too stupid to go beyond the fence, these foul-smelling gasbags stay there grazing and
judging all those who cross their path with their soulless, glassy eyes.
Blue Moon Billboard
Landmark
In this rural region, the arable plains stretch as far as the eye can see, but
certain buildings remind the locals that civilization is not far away. The road
leading to the Turnipseed Farm was apparently deemed busy enough to allow for a
giant poster promoting a special screening at the Rockwell town's drive-in theater:
"Plan 9 From Outer Space". Going to Rockwell on very rare occasions, it is also
very unlikely that the Turnipseeds have ever put their boots in the Drive-In parking lot.
Farmer Dixon's House
Landmark
Located across the state road, this neighbor keeps an eye on everything that happens
in the area. He won't hesitate to call the police if he witnesses anything unusual or
hears strange, mysterious noises. Some neighbors have often wondered how he manages to
hear the noises coming from the other farms so clearly, even though they are so far
apart. Could the radiation have affected his ears?
Chicken Coop
Landmark
A small, primitive wooden structure under a rusty wind pump; chickens can clearly be crammed
in by the dozens! If the same is true for human dwellings, this planet is proving to be a
veritable DNA farm!
The Jetty
Landmark
A human-made wooden structure, not to say rustic, it shelters a few equally primitive boats
for anyone who might want to venture onto the pond in search of some catch, although the
pond's fauna does not seem to include any fish.
Grain Silo
Landmark
A tall structure housing one of the grain reserves is vital for the survival of human groups, as well
as for the few poultry they raise and from which they hope to obtain eggs. Therefore, mastering grain
storage is essential, as it is involved in three major human activities: food, agriculture, and trade!
Old Dead Tree
Landmark
It still stands there, unmoved for several years. But the once majestic and vigorous tree has
given way to a sinister, twisted trunk on which no leaf dares to grow. Visible from every
corner of the farm, it serves as a stark reminder to its owner of their inevitable fate!
State Road
Landmark
A perfectly straight road crossing the region's agricultural plains, frequented by some farmers'
vehicles, it doesn't seem very busy despite being adorned with numerous billboards on both sides.
It's an ideal playground for a little Furon seeking to destroy vehicles with impunity.
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Armageddon!
Challenge
Crypto, I've had enough of this accursed
Town!
Destroy all buildings! Leave no trace!
Reward: 200 DNA
Rural Race
Challenge
I wish to test your observational skills,
Crypto. Race to the locations I tell you
as quickly as you can.
Travel to each checkpoint as quickly as possible.
Reward: 175 DNA
Farmland Fiasco
Challenge
If we destroy the food producing humans
it will cause starvation and panic! I'm
brilliant! Get on it!
Destroy 6 farmers
Reward: 200 DNA
Turnipseed Terror
Challenge
Never forget our primary mission Crypto:
collect DNA from human brain stems. I
have quota to meet!
Collect 4 brain stems
Reward: 150 DNA
TRIVIA
Turnipseed Farm is the first invasion site visited by Crypto, but Rockwell was originally intended as a tutorial. The area was much
larger and featured many farms similar to those in Turnipseed Farm. The two were eventually separated in the run-up to E3 2004,
where the Turnipseed Farm invasion site was unveiled. Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback, the tutorial was slightly
reworked, and Turnipseed Farm was retained in the final game.
Regarding the inclusion of certain farm animals in the game, initially, in addition to cows, there were pigs (modeled and
textured, but ultimately scrapped). Chickens were added much later in 2004, as Dan Teasdale recalls:
"We had this huge threead leading up to E3 were people could sugest things to change. We didn't have any chickens and people
started complaining like you have chicken audio which means we have to go and model chickens now and so all of these chickens
were modeled for E3 because we heard it in the ambient in the game... So that's why we have chickens in the game".
Due to its late inclusion during game development and having only one mission (the tutorial), Turnipseed Farm is the only Invasion
Site in "Destroy All Humans" to not feature it's own unique music theme as it uses a version of Santa Modesta's music.
The name "Turnipseed" was chosen in reference to the name of a Pandemic Studios developer's neighbors. The name was so unusual,
funny, and memorable that it was decided to include it as a private joke in the game.
Roswell, Rockwell… that's the last time I take directions from a Cryptosporidium! I have detected a horde of humans up ahead,
congregating at some sort of holy ground. So this is Rockwell, population 3200, a small mid-western rural human hive...
This is our second Invasion Site Crypto, so stop wasting time and investigate the area immediately!
PRESENTATION
Pleasantly nestled among the valleys crisscrossing the landscape, located a stone's throw from Blackberry Hill Forest
and crossed by a peaceful river, Rockwell is a small, uneventful town that wishes to remain peaceful despite the recent,
rather strange, events that have occurred there.
The local authority alpha male figure, the Mayor of Rockwell, appears to be a very popular politician. His voter base is solid,
with some reporting having voted for him twice, and others seem to agree. The mayor has sought to improve his town so that it
reflects the image of the American Dream and the perfect modern American city, which contributes to a real rivalry between
surrounding towns, such as the Santa Modesta slums, who are unanimously despised in Rockwell.
In recent years, this country town has gradually acquired cultural facilities aimed at increasing its tourist appeal and
keeping young Americans in the area so they don't flee the city. The Rockwell Annual County Fair is an opportunity to
discover the region's products and activities, as well as the artists and artisans who bring the local culture to life.
A fairground is set up on the edge of town, and the Miss Rockwell Beauty Pageant is held there during the festivities.
The construction of a Drive-in Cinema to attract young people, as well as the development of a brand new residential
suburbia, allow residents to enjoy themselves and settle in the town to raise a family. These various initiatives by the Mayor
have allowed the population to maintain a reasonable average age and easily renew itself.
Part of the town is surrounded by fertile fields cultivated by local "yokel" farmers. They produce corn from their vast
arable land, easily irrigated by the numerous ponds and rivers. They also raise even more primitive life forms, including
lactating bovines and chickens, essential to local trade, but also for their own survival.
Speaking of survival, faced with the Red Menace and the significant increase in UFO sightings, the mayor, in collaboration
with the United States Armed Forces, has decided to establish two military bases near City Hall and the Drive-In.
They house regiments, army vehicles, and several warehouses. In the event of a potential threat to the town, police vehicles
can be quickly dispatched from the Rockwell County Sheriff's barracks, followed by a mobile army patrol and tanks.
The last annual fair was a disaster, with the entire fairgrounds inexplicably destroyed. The recently crowned Miss Rockwell
disappeared and then reappeared, completely insane, before being taken to the Shady Pines Sanitarium. It has also been noted
that the town is home to an unusual group of scientists who conducted strange experiments on nearby farms. Frightened farmers
claim to have seen ominous green glows accompanied by high levels of radioactivity. News of the fair's destruction and the
presence of exploding glowing cows in Rockwell were reported by the local Rockwell Gazette newspaper before being dismissed
as part of a random series of suspiciously coincidental yet easily rationalized events.
Coordinates
Country
United States
State
Midwest Missouri
County
Century
Government Type
Mayor-council
Newspaper
Rockwell Gazette
Languages
American English / Boorish
Named after
Roswell / Norman Rockwell
Nicknames
None
MISSIONS
Main
"Earth Women Are Delicious"
"Citizen Crypto"
"Teenage Zombies From Outer Space"
CHALLENGES
Armageddon!
Rockwell BBQ
Rockwell Race
Rockwell Rampage
Fairground
Landmark
A human amusement park is located on the edge of town. This fairground complex includes
numerous stalls (popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream), shooting galleries and carousels,
including a giant Ferris Wheel. For animal lovers, a petting zoo exhibiting a cow is located
near one of both entrances, as well as a stage for the Mayor's speeches. All these facilities
surround a circus tent that hosts various cultural activities. It is also here that the Pie
Eating Contest and Miss Rockwell Beauty Pageant Parade is held every year with the Mayor's
generous support.
Blackberry Hill
Landmark
Naturally, Lovers' Lane is full of frantic lovers, unnaturally the sky's is full of flying saucers!
A saying that doesn't stop these crazy teenagers from finding themselves in this remote corner.
They warn their parents that they won't be home too late, but with all the strange things happening
in this area, will they even be able to get home?
Blue Moon Drive-in Cinema
Landmark
A vast open-air parking lot topped by a huge screen, capable of accommodating numerous vehicles,
the venue welcomes the city's youth seeking thrills. They can also order food and cold drinks
from the snack bar, or enjoy a romantic moment under the small gazebo located nearby.
A double feature is offered for the price of one ticket: "Martians From Mars" and "Night of the
Naked Girl Monster." Admission costs 50¢ for adults and 25¢ for children. The Drive-In organizes
special screenings without prior scheduling, such as "Plan 9 from Outer Space," followed by the
premiere of the hit independent film "Meet the Furon!"
City Hall
Landmark
Perched on a hill in the heart of the town, Rockwell City Hall dominates its human hive,
not-so-subtly reminding residents who's in charge. It's also the city's largest building and
its courtyard serves as a social hub for human interaction during various cultural events
organized by the municipality, as well as Rockwell Mayor speeches.
Military Bases
Landmark
The mayor, in collaboration with the United States Armed Forces, has decided to establish two
military bases near City Hall and the Drive-In. They both house regiments, army vehicles, and
several warehouses. In the event of a potential threat to the town, police vehicles can be
quickly dispatched from the Rockwell County Sheriff's barracks, followed by a mobile army
patrol and tanks.
Military Bases
Landmark
The mayor, in collaboration with the United States Armed Forces, has decided to establish two
military bases near City Hall and the Drive-In. They both house regiments, army vehicles, and
several warehouses. In the event of a potential threat to the town, police vehicles can be
quickly dispatched from the Rockwell County Sheriff's barracks, followed by a mobile army
patrol and tanks.
Typical Suburban Homes
Landmark
A veritable row of houses recently emerged from the ground with the support of the municipality.
It constitutes the quintessence of an affluent, property-owning, individually mobile society seeking
to reconnect with the ideal of the American Way of Life. They have swimming pools, they have a garage
for their family car, their lawns are impeccable, their trees are perfectly trimmed, and their
topiary art reflects the success they try to display to their neighbors. Above all, don't move their
pink flamingo statue a few centimeters; you might trigger a panic.
Giant Bovine Statue
Landmark
The deity of these humans appears to be an imposing four stomachs lactating gasbag. Their devotion
to this God seems so strong that they chose to erect a giant shrine near the town entrance. It dominates
Rockwell landscape, proudly displaying the city's colors and population. Over time, it has become an
emblem and a must-see tourist attraction. Local authorities suspect that a sect of cows may be planning
to commit mass suicide there in order to leave Earth and join an alien spaceship.
Forest Dead End
Landmark
Lost in the forest, a stone's throw from Blackberry Hill, lies another spot popular with
estrogen-fueled teenagers. There, facing the pond, they indulge in their intimate encounters.
It's a quiet little area during the day, but it can be rather gloomy when the foggy night falls.
You can hear wild animals, the howls of wolves? There are even sinister rumors about the presence
of a hairless bigfoot.
Rockwell County Sheriff
Landmark
This wooden human dwelling clearly houses the local police force (judging by the police car parked
nearby) under the authority of the County Sheriff, who is responsible for maintaining order and
enforcing the law. The building is topped by a small bell tower, the ringing of which is presumably
meant to alert the punny humans of this town to any danger.
Main Street
Landmark
A long, straight thoroughfare cuts through the city, serving most of the downtown buildings,
such as the Barber Building and the Bob Dobbs Building. Parking spaces on either side of the
road provide easy access for punny humans looking to shop. However, the narrow alleyways can
be deceptive, with Majestic agents distributing flyers to unruly teenagers.
Suburban Farmstead
Landmark
Despite the surge of modernity the city is trying to embrace, a farm still remains near the city
center. With architecture similar to that of the Tunipseed farm, it is located near the gas station
and surrounded by a large plot of land. The owner raises a few chickens there, and some cows can
also be seen grazing.
Projection Room
Landmark
For some time now, the Blue Moon Drive-In Cinema has been under the control of Majestic since
they began their monstrous Mind-Altering Propaganda experiments on the population. Three G-men
agents stand on either side of the projection room, fiercely guarding its entrance.
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Rockwell Race!
Challenge
Time to test your memory, Crypto. Travel
to the to the landmarks I name as quickly as
possibleDestroy all buildings! Leave no trace!
Travel to each checkpoint as quickly as possible
Reward: 175 DNA
Rockwell Rampage
Challenge
I grow tired of these country bumpkins
and their cow-loving ways. Destroy them
all!
Destroy 20 civilians
Only the Zap-o-matic may be used
Reward: 300 DNA
Armageddon!
Challenge
Crypto, I've had enough of the accursed
towm!
Destroy all buildings! Leave no trace!
Reward: 200 DNA
Rockwell BBQ
Challenge
Is that cow mocking me? Destroy it and
the other bovine conspirators!
Destroy 20 cows
Reward: 300 DNA
TRIVIA
Rockwell is the second invasion site visited by Crypto but was originally planned to be the first explorable area
originally intended as a tutorial and for later missions. In early builds of the game back in 2004, this "perpetual
full moon night" area was much larger and included many farms similar to those of Turnipseed Farm. The area was
considerably changed and reduced with the creation of Turnipseed Farm level in the run-up to E3 2004. Final game
Rockwell still retains remnants of this previous organization with a large part of the map consisting of fields
and farms where only hidden probes are located.
The choice of the name "Rockwell" refers to several elements of American pop culture:
- Just as Pox points out in one of his dialogues before starting the second mission, the name is a direct
reference to the town of Roswell, New Mexico, very popular among alien enthusiasts, where a flying saucer supposedly crashed in 1947.
- This is a direct reference to the name of the artist Norman Rockwell famous for having illustrated the covers of
"The Saturday Evening Post" magazine from 1916 to 1963, where he depicted daily life in the United States in the
interwar and postwar periods in a naturalistic and realistic style. His Nephew, Dick Rockwell, a comic strip and
comic book artist, illustrated for DC Action Comics Weekly and Steve Canyon.
- Rockwell is also a fictional town in the Sci-Fi Warner Bros motion picture "The Iron Giant" (1999), a small town by the
sea near Portland, where all the events in the film take place. Set during the Cold War in 1957, the movie centers on
a young boy named Hogarth Hughes, who discovers and befriends a giant alien robot from outer space.
The original "Destroy All Humans!" promotional trailer mentions the "Rockwell Observatory," from which the journalist
broadcasts live on the radio. However, no such building is ever seen in the game. Since no observatory was found in
previous prototypes and early builds, it's likely this location was invented for the trailer narrative purposes.
"Here we are, Sunny Santa Modesta! This is the perfect postcard for the ideal life of the 1950s. Boasting a 360° ocean view,
you might think this paradise city is nestled on an island surrounded by the azure blue of the sea as far as the eye can see.
In reality, the unique geography of this area features a strip of land connecting it to the mainland, where cars flock here,
and traffic jams can be frequent. After all, every human wants to enjoy a piece of paradise."
PRESENTATION
An idyllic Californian seaside resort between blue waters and surrounded by magnificent fine sandy beaches, Santa Modesta has
experienced a boom in recent years that few other cities can boast, gradually rising to the top of the country's seaside resorts.
This sun-drenched coastline has equipped itself with cultural infrastructure designed to enhance its tourist appeal and attract
young Americans, focusing on the quality of the environment, the lifestyle, the leisure activities, and a wide range of
accommodation options. As a result, there's no doubt the city openly displays its high standard of living. It's impossible
to compare it to those thugs in Rockwell with whom a sort of rivalry had developed; Santa Modesta is worth far more, and
every resident knows it.
Various tourist establishments, such as the two spacious Ed Schully's motels, have sprung up on either side of town to meet the
high demand and accommodate a large number of newcomers. These popular establishments, ideally located near the beaches, welcome
guests under palm trees with barbecues and private gardens featuring swimming pools for a refreshing dip. Needless to say, many
people want to participate in these Pool Parties organized there by the Mayor himself. Sports activities are also in the spotlight,
with a large baseball field and a "Bowl World" bowling alley, numerous green spaces that can accommodate runners and cyclists,
and the city also naturally prides itself on being a paradise for swimmers.
But human culture doesn't stop there; after the effort comes comfort. The numerous beachfront diners and other tasty fast-food outlets
allow its inhabitants to satisfy their culinary desires. Modesta Mall is overflowing with just as many shops, designed to attract the
typical housewife, making her addicted to all the latest gadgets!
The sprawling suburbia with its perfectly aligned houses allows youth to have fun and settle permanently in the city to start a family.
These various initiatives taken by the Alpha Male of Santa Modesta, have allowed the population to remain young and dynamic. You won't
find any farmers or country folk here. Their presence would be perceived as a dark stain on this idyllic picture of a perfect American
city. Men wear polyester jackets, and the housewives stroll gracefully in their bathrobes through the streets; a luxury not all
Americans can afford.
The dissemination of information makes Santa Modesta a particularly strategic point, thanks to the local newspaper, "The Santa Modesta
Tribune," and its sensational headlines, but above all to the Santa Modesta Community Broadcast Station. Perched atop a hill, this TV
Station dominates the city and broadcasts its signals for miles. These are true strategic assets that the federal government cherishes
highly. Majestic has grasped their importance, to the point of having invested in a large part of the city and its peninsula in order
to secretly conduct experiments of human mind control via TV and food. It is clear that the military and the government are not about
to cede this corner of paradise to a handful of communists.
34°01′19″N 118°28′53″W
Country
United States
State
California
County
Sunnywood
Government Type
Mayor-council
Newspaper
Santa Modesta Tribune
Languages
American English
Named after
Santa Monica
Nicknames
Human hive
MISSIONS
Main
"Alien Pool Party"
"Televisions of Doom!"
"Aliens Stole My Brain Stem!"
"This Island Suburbia"
"South By Southwest"
"Foreign Correspondent"
"Suburb Of The Damned"
"It's A Wonderful Armageddon"
CHALLENGES
Modesta Massacre II
Santa Prix
Santa Modesta Mall
Landmark
A must-see in Santa Modesta, it's the pinnacle of this consumerist human society. An unmissable
place dominated by the gigantic shiny metal "MALL" sign. The true heart of the city where exemplary
housewives gather to satisfy their insatiable thirst for compulsive buying, but it's also the
perfect place to exchange the latest gossip in park nearby. Prestigious brands with high-quality
service have set up shop in this busy area, much to the delight of shoppers:
- Smith & Hodges Menswear
- Frank's Barbershop - Razor cutting & Hair Styling - Male & Female
- Martins Electrical Store - EST 1945 - Home Appliances / Radios / "Futurized" Ratheon Television
Bowl World Bowling
Landmark
For those who enjoy enriching physical activities, Bowl World is a great place to awaken their inner
athlete. This establishment, popular with the youth of Stanta Modesta, has five bowling lanes to
accommodate a wide range of customers, from beginners to big balls experts.
For those tired of their ball game or those who prefer to watch from afar, the Bowl Snack Bar can
quench their thirst or fill their stomachs with fresh drinks and dishes prepared on-site.
Ed Schully's Motel
Landmark
"A renowned resort in Santa Modesta, located just steps from the beach, the establishment allows
passing motorists and vacationers to make a planned or unplanned stopover while enjoying the sensual
elegance of the heavenly climate of the United States West Coast.
BE CAPTIVATED! from the moment you arrive by the large 16-space parking lot and the gentle fresh
salty breeze.
The motel is immersed in a heavenly setting, nestled facing the Pacific Ocean in a lush green area
where palm trees are reflected in the azure waters of the outdoor pool.
MUST SEE! For Lovers, a picnic on the beach behind the motel. So magical! So romantic!
Each room, equipped with all modern amenities including air conditioning and a king-size bed, is
optimally located with views of the sea, garden, and pool.
DON'T MISS! the pool parties organized by The Mayor of Santa Modesta, whose presence is sure to
surprise you! Summer samba, wild hip-swinging, and the Chef's grilled meats are on the menu!"
Information taken from the Motel brochure provided by the hostess.
Cassidy's Drive-In Diner
Landmark
Since its establishment in Santa Modesta, this diner has quickly gained popularity. Ideally
located nearby one of the city's largest beaches, it attracts attention with its shiny metal
exterior and diner-style interior, equipped with two jukeboxes, booths, a counter, and a high-capacity
stove. The restaurant's staff recently expanded with the arrival of German chefs. Since their
arrival at the restaurant, the new menu seems to have had a knock-on effect on the Santa Modesta
population, which has become incredibly hostile, paranoid, and xenophobic.
Cassidy's definitely preserves the spirit of the classic American diner with quality food,
courteous service, and fair prices.
Star Diner
Landmark
Formerly a direct competitor to Cassidy's, this diner has recently also hired German chefs to
improve the recipes and menus offered to customers. Ice cream trucks regularly park in the parking
lot. According to some people who have eaten in this diner, the taste of the food and the side
effects are almost identical to those at Cassidy's. Truly pure American cuisine apparently.
Lou's Diner
Landmark
Located not far from the SMCBS station, this diner benefits from its convenient location just
steps from a residential area of the city. Being relatively close to the Old Lighthouse Peninsula,
the establishment must occasionally supply this mysterious area with food. Meals are specially
prepared and hand-delivered by the Chef Carmine. Not everyone in the city can boast such a high
standard of delivery service.
Tasty Pete's Donut Shop
Landmark
After the effort, comes the reward. A hard day's work? Too much time spent at the beach? Tired of
going to church nearby? Then a break in the shade of the colossal donut shop at Tasty Pete's is
well-deserved. This pretty popular restaurant offers delicious homemade donuts both indoors and
on the terrace. Breakfast is also available!
Santa Modesta Church
Landmark
Complete only on Sundays, this small church welcomes its parishioners, already anxious about the Red Paranoia,
then further traumatizes them with sermons about the end of the world and the heretical debauchery into which
the entire city has allegedly fallen. Unforgettable sessions lulled by the sweet, melodious sound of the organ,
which causes interference with the local radio. It's common to hear the depressed priest say that people would
rather eat donuts at Tasty Pete's next door then come to Mass.
Residential Area
Landmark
Not far from the Shopping Mall, rows of detached houses line the roads leading into town. They represent the
epitome of a wealthy, mobile, property-owning society seeking to reconnect with the ideal of the American Way
of Life. They are proud, they have in-ground or above-ground swimming pools, a garage for their family car,
their lawns are immaculate, their barbecues are ready to be used to impress guests, their perfectly trimmed
trees and topiaries reflect the success they are trying to display to their neighbors. Above all, don't move
their flamingo statue a few inches; you risk triggering a terrible havoc throughout the neighborhood.
S.M.C.B.S TV Station
Landmark
Hosted by its star speakers and serving as the city's premier source of rapid information, this large radio
and television broadcasting complex overlooks Santa Modesta. Its two impressive radio transmission towers
broadcast various music and news programs. The station is a source of great pride for the town, as it allows
the surrounding humans to boast about having television and radio. They no longer even need to go to the
cinema to be brainwashed; the SMCBS do the job right in their homes!
Lighthouse Peninsula
Landmark
For many years, the lighthouse peninsula and its sandy surroundings were a favorite spot for
fishermen who set up multiple huts there for the maintenance of their boats and the storage of
fishing tools. These places are now curiously deserted and with the ambient paranoia, it would
seem that the federal authorities are using the peninsula as a strategic secret location. The
police regularly patrol the area and strange electrical installations seem to have been spotted.
The annexation of the peninsula and the old lighthouse by the federals is viewed with a very
negative eye by Puckerton Industries which planned to revitalize this area by means of
an amusement park.
Tin Pot Alley
Landmark
This discreet alleyway offers a view of the various culinary establishments under the
Majestic's influence, part of their population control scheme. It was here that a conversation
took place between the Mayor of the city and one of these mysterious G-men. Its name is a reference
to Tin Pan Alley, a collection of music publishers and songwriters in New York City that dominated
popular music in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Mysterious Lane
Landmark
Just a street away from Santa Modesta's Mall, tucked behind pristine facades, this small cul-de-sac
wedged between commercial buidings looks unremarkable at first glance. Yet, this lonely place and
its surroundings harbor a few lost probes that crashed across the city. It can also serve as a spot
for impromptu encounters with G-Men looking to thwart Furon plans... or simply as a checkpoint in
a timed race...
Modesta Lake
Landmark
Acting as a natural boundary between the city center and the peninsula, this stretch
of saltwater forces pathetic humans to go all the way around the bay to reach the
lighthouse peninsula. Yet, it is possible to soar over this cursed water via jetpack.
The banks of the inlet are dotted with various dockhouses and fishermen's cottages,
clearly indicating that the area is prime territory for fishing and a departure point
for heading out to open water.
Majestic Hideout
Landmark
At first glance, this motel looks like nothing more than a cluster of buildings similar to Ed Schully's,
hardly commanding any attention. Yet, it conceals a dual nature, serving as a point of operations
hideout for the dreaded Majestic ever since their agents arrived in Santa Modesta. Strategically located
just steps from the SMCBS TV Station and offering a view of the Peninsula, the motel is actually a
heavily fortified base equipped with mobile infrastructure, defensive turrets, and menacing heat-seeking missiles!
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Santa Prix
Challenge
Time for a geography lesson. Travel to
the landmarks I indicate as quickly as
possible.
Travel to each checkpoint as quickly as
possible
Reward: 175 DNA
Modesta Massacre II
Challenge
Crush the spirit of the humans by
destroying their precious females!
Destroy 12 female humans
Reward: 200 DNA
TRIVIA
This is a map that dates back to the very beginnings of the creation of "Destroy All Humans!" when the game featured a single
large map. The map, originally named "Bay City," had an aesthetic style that blended elements that would later be used for the
environments of Santa Modesta and Capitol City. By the end of 2003 and early 2004, wheen it was decided to create several
invasion sites instead of a single large area, the American coastal paradise map continued to be called "Bay City" for some
months before ultimately being renamed "Santa Modesta".
During the early stages of development in 2004, for the first mission, "City of the Future" (a title that was ultimately dropped),
set in Santa Modesta, a tutorial was implemented in a remote area of the map to teach players how to use the jetpack. At this early
stage of development, the city and its surroundings looked very different from their appearance in the final version of the game.
Just as with Rockwell, the developers felt they had designed the environments far too large. One of the city's previous iterations
even included a drive-in cinema.
Santa Modesta is an obvious reference to Santa Monica, California a city in Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on
California's South Coast. The city's name has sometimes been misspelled as "Santa Modesto" or "Santo Modesto," as seen on the
official "Destroy All Humans!™: Soundtrack" with "Citizens of Santa Modesto" or spoken by Richard Horvitz in the short film "Salad
Days with Pox and Crypto."
The giant sign advertising Ed Schully's Motels advertises air conditioning, television, and VCR access. While the sign is inspired
by the Landmark Lodge Motel in Fort Worth, Texas, the buildings themselves draw on the typical aesthetic of mid-century Californian
motels like the Holiday Inn, Isle of Capri Motel, and Howard Johnson's Motels. Although the heyday of the VCR for the general public
was the 1980s and 1990s, even though it was produced in very small numbers from the mid-1950s onward, it gradually became more
widely available starting in the 1960s with Japanese manufacturers like Sony and European ones like Philips. Ed Schully's Motel
was therefore clearly at the forefront of technology.
Although there is no passage of time in the game and it can be assumed that it takes place over a few days, Santa Modesta is technically
the invasion site that occupies Crypto the longest, as it contains the most missions in the entire game. Crypto makes the most trips
back and forth between Santa Modesta and the other locations, visiting it once, returning after going back to Rockell, leaving it
again for Area 42, and returning a final time to destroy the Shopping District.
A blazing sun, sand in your ears, and not a single drop of water in sight, you've just entered the hostile environment of
Area 42, a geographical area of the United States located in the Nevada Desert where a so-called 'secret' military base
is operating away from prying eyes. Little is known about this mysterious place. Doing everything possible to remain invisible
to the human population, it was built in this arid and unwelcoming part of the country to avoid unwanted visitors.
PRESENTATION
Nestled in a desert valley, bordered by mountains and canyons, Area 42 shares its border with the Atomic Testing Site, a sensitive
location where the United States Department of Energy is still conducting a large part of its nuclear testing. If the heat doesn't
put off curious onlookers, perhaps radiation will make them think twice before venturing into the perimeter. The military facility
is connected to the road network with one or more asphalted / tarred roads. A dirt road in good condition winds through Devil's
Canyon populated by wild cows, its winding course passing a sentry box, but the security perimeter surrounding the base extends
over very long distances. The surrounding area is marked by anti-aircraft batteries, landmines, and several warning signs stating
about the "RESTRICTED AREA" and "Photography is prohibited".
Originally, Area 42 was operated by the United States Air Force to conduct nuclear development and testing, as well as experimental
equipment for the four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, with other classified operations. Among some famous secret tests conducted
in the facility, the U.S. Air Force General Jack Higgs, notably attempted to dominate the skies and the communists by building their
own "Ultimate Weapon", the X-13 a saucer shaped fighter-like aircraft. The base airfield was used for these unsuccessful and
disastrous tests, which cost no less than forty million dollars.
However in recent years, the situation seems to have changed, with the massive upsurge in UFO signals and heavy paranoia about
communist invasion. President Huffman government has injected significant funds into the development of the Majestic branch, a
secret organization supposed to protect the public against extraterrestrial threats. Under the relentless leadership of Silhouette,
now an advisor to President Huffman, Majestic presence has become increasingly felt in Area 42, and their stronghold was even built
just a few meters from the military compound.
Far from the austere appearance of military buildings, this Majestic motherbase marks a break between soldiers and agents. True
modern active secret laboratory and vainglorious pride of Majestic, the base, with its imposing and futuristic architecture, has
the luxury of being surrounded by gardens and lawns... in the middle of an arid desert. It is reasonable to assume that the
arrival of Majestic and its rapid expansion into army territory was not viewed favorably by Higgs and Armquist.
42: 37°14′0″N 115°48′30″W
Country
United States
State
Nevada
County
Lincoln County
Government Type
Department of Defense
Newspaper
Star Spangled Banner
Languages
American English
Named after
Area 51 / Number 42
Nicknames
Paradise Ranch / Dreamland
MISSIONS
Main
"Whatever Happened to Crypto 136?"
"The Mutant Menace"
"Duck And Cover"
CHALLENGES
Armageddon!
Desert Rally
Majestic Mayhem
The Great Cow Race
Crash Site
Landmark
A radioactive area of vital importance to the military, which believes it finally holds the secrets of the
Reds and an inexhaustible source of Furon technology for Majestic, this is where Cryptosprodium-136 and his
Furon scout ship crashed. Surrounded by anti-personnel mines, this part of the desert teems with soldiers,
scientists, and G-men. Technicians have also been dispatched to the site to transport the mysterious Furon
derelict and its precious artifacts. It is said that these debris eventually reached the Majestic stronghold.
Military Base
Landmark
Connected to other sectors by three entrances guarded by sentry posts, the military complex forms the historical
heart of the base. It has since been expanded and equipped with more modern facilities to accommodate more
personnel and enhance security. Its rapid development in recent years has made this military complex one of the
largest, if not the largest, in the country. It includes barracks, workshops, training grounds, dormitories
capable of housing a large number of soldiers, a water tower, and various administrative buildings.
Airfield
Landmark
This vast, impressively long, operational concrete airfield allows employees access to the base via air shuttle,
but primarily serves as a test runway for classified test flights and other experimental devices such as the X-13.
The runway accommodates several Republic F-84 Thunderjets as well as two Boeing B-50 Superfortresses.
Nearby are several barracks, fuel depots, and the control tower, along with numerous giant hangars capable of
housing aircraft of various sizes and top-secret testing equipment.
Ammo Dump One
Landmark
Located in a remote area near Devil's Canyon, this fenced-off zone remains protected by a barbed-wire barrier.
It contains crates of explosive ammunition but also propane gas tank and explosive barrels. Aerial turrets are
deployed around the canyon for protection.
Ammo Dump Two
Landmark
Near the runway are four partially buried concrete bunkers containing, among other things, crates of explosives,
weapons, ammunition reserves, and ground mines. This area is enclosed by a fence topped with barbed wire; it would
be a real shame if someone were to get in and blow everything up.
Fuel Tanks
Landmark
Area 42 also has its own fuel storage facility consisting of two large-capacity cylindrical fuel storage tanks.
These two tanks supply fuel to a large number of ground and air vehicles present on the base.
Army Barracks
Landmark
Most of the soldiers garrisoned in Area 42 appear to be housed in dormitories, and numerous barracks are present
on the military base. These are groups of roughly hewn wooden or corrugated iron buildings, generally identical,
aligned and forming a cohesive unit, located near an amnesty box.
Army Headquarters
Landmark
A large, heavily guarded concrete building, protected by numerous aerial turrets, stands at the center of the
perimeter. Area 42, USAF Base Headquarters Logistics and Planning, is the nerve center of the military base and
the meeting point for the various branches of the American military. Air Force Warlord General Higgs was seen
there during the development of the secret X-13 Project, and it was from his office that General Armquist
received the televised calls from Silhouette following the total destruction of the airfield.
Devil's Canyon
Landmark
An arid landscape of intricate cliffs and deep crevices, the canyon forms a winding road network connecting the
military base to the Atomic Testing Site. The scorching cliffs bordering Devil's Canyon feature rock formations
typical of this wilderness, renowned for its fascinating geological formations, Joshua trees, towering rock peaks,
and natural stone arches. Wild bovoids roam the area when they are not being mistreated by nearby soldiers.
Radio Telescopes
Landmark
The Devil's Canyon heights overlooking Area 42 airfield consist of three identical parabolic antennas pointed skyward,
and a fourth, set apart from the others, located just beside the runway. Each massive antenna has its own receiver.
The signals from each receiver are transmitted to a central site where they are combined. The resulting high-resolution
image is equivalent to that of a very large radio telescope whose diameter would be equal to the maximum distance
between the antennas.
Atomic Testing Site
Landmark
A barren plain battered by sandstorms and devoid of life, the radioactive perimeter of the Atomic Testing Site stretches
across a vast desert area between the surrounding hills. A few scattered buildings and bunkers are positioned near the
front gate under the control of the U.S. Department of Energy. The cracked ground, where two meager dead trees still
stand, is the source of most of the iconic symbols of nuclear testing, the traces of which are still clearly visible.
The cratered landscape of previous tests is more reminiscent of the Moon than the Earth.
Majestic Base
Landmark
Secret Majestic stronghold and permanently protected by them, this base is a top-secret laboratory for experimentation
and research on extraterrestrial artifacts and wreckage. In addition to hand-held weapons, important defensive weapons
have been developed and tested on-site, such as EMP mines and the enormous, menacing Tesla coils surrounding the base.
This base is officially a laboratory actively fighting world hunger. God bless America! The world will now have enough
to eat!
Main Compound
Landmark
An impressive, highly secure concrete structure topped with a dome, heavily guarded by Majestic agents and a few EMP
Mines, it represents the nerve center of the stronghold. The electro-gate protects the main entrance, which leads to
a room where the remains of the crashed Furon scout ship were stored and where Crypto-136 was tortured and subsequently
dissected.
Research Lab
Landmark
An ultra-secret location accessible only via passwords known by nearby scientists, this building houses the training
center for the PSI Mutants, true genetic horrors derived from experiments conducted by Majestic, and created on-site.
New types of high-tech weapons (far more powerful than the primitive human weapons used in the military zone) have
been reverse-engineered from Furon technology recovered from the Crash Site.
Radioactive Cows
Landmark
Among many other unspeakable horrors and top-secret experiments, the German scientists seem to take pleasure in
creating highly unstable explosive radioactive zombie cows similar to those seen in Rockwell. These lactating
bovoids are taken directly from the surrounding area and transported to secure enclosures where they are fed
radioactive straw.
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Armageddon!
Challenge
Destroy what is left of the human base.
Destroy what is left of the human base.
Reward: 200 DNA
The Great Cow Race
Challenge
Your task is to test the relative speed of
your jetpack against that of the terran
quadrupeds.
Reward: 200 DNA
Majestic Mayhem
Challenge
You look a little tense, Crypto. Blow off
some steam by blowing up some Majestic
agents. Don't take too long, though!
Destroy 12 enemy humans
Reward: 200 DNA
Desert Rally
Challenge
Nothing like a run in the desert to get
the juices flowing! Don't let the heat or
Majestic get to you!
Travel to each checkpoint as quickly as
possible
Reward: 175 DNA
TRIVIA
This highly armed military facility, in its name and design, naturally refers to the famous Area 51, a secret military base in
Nevada, a near epicenter of modern UFO folklore and conspiracy theories. Among other things, it stores and studies extraterrestrial
devices (including material recovered from the Roswell Incident), studies their crews (living or dead), and manufactures devices
based on extraterrestrial technology.
As for the number 42, it primarily refers to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life,
the Universe, and Everything is 42
The general design and architecture of the two "futuristic" looking towers surrounding the Majestic Base main building are direct
references to the Los Angeles International Airport's Theme Building. The distinctive white building resembles a flying saucer that
has landed on its four legs (just as Crypto's UFO). Constructed near the beginning of the Space Age, the building is an example of
how aeronautics, pop culture, design and architecture came together in Los Angeles
The name Devil's Canyon refers to two films of the same name, both released in 1953. Although the area visually resembles Death
Valley National Park, located east of the Sierra Nevada in California, its name also corresponds to the geographical area of the
same name in Colorado, which has a similar landscape to that depicted in the game. Note that this is the only time in the series
that some of the natural rock formations present in this desert can be destroyed with the saucer.
The three parabolic antennas overlooking One 42 are a tribute to the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), a radio telescope
located in the San Augustin Plain in New Mexico (USA). Part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, it consists of 27
parabolic antennas that have fueled popular culture and science fiction in films such as "2010: The Year We Make Contact" (1984),
"Independence Day" (1996) and "Contact" (1997).
Events such as the mysterious crash in the desert, the secret government-organized transportation of the remains of the flying
saucer wreckage and the body of Crypto-136 are direct references to the Roswell Incident which started in 1947 with the recovery
of debris near Roswell, New Mexico. It later became the basis for conspiracy theories alleging that the United States military
recovered a crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft. Same thing with Majestic, in American folklore about strange and creepy individuals
dressed all in black whose goal is to prevent humanity, or at least the general public, from accessing knowledge of
extraterrestrial origin.
The mission "Duck and Cover", introduces the test flight and subsequent failure of the U.S. Air Force's flying saucer project.
A scene that alludes to the real Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar first flight in November 1959. The 3D model used during the cinematic
leaves no doubt regarding the reference as the two ship are identical. The Avrocar was a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
designed and developed by Avro Canada as a secret American military project launched in the early years of the Cold War. It
turned out to be a disappointment due to its overheating and its instability.
This same mission which involves destroying the base, is one of the invasion sites where the non-respawning of buildings,
which therefore remain permanently destroyed, is most noticeable. The entire landing strip area is devastated, and the Majestic's
base itself remains permanently destroyed. In addition, this last mission serves as a tease for the end of the game since once
the base is destroyed, it is possible to see Roboprez's foot in a hangar near the takeoff pad.
Proudly anchored on the misty shores of the East Coast, the tall, smoking chimneys of this hazy landscape stand out against
the horizon. This is Union Town, a city that buzzes with activity and not just because of its factories! A foggy industrial
port city that has long since forgotten the color of the sky and the warmth of the sun. Union Town is an off-the-beaten-path
destination... Quite an understatement considering you crashed there!
PRESENTATION
While Santa Modesta claims to be a true paradise on earth, Union Town is its blatant antithesis. The streets of this sinister city
are plunged into eternal darkness, a consequence of particularly persistent smog. Lacking the modern leisure infrastructure expected
of a coastal city, it remains a marginal place which doesn't attract mass tourism. Indeed, its hazy atmosphere evokes a working-class
town more than a seaside resort. For potential enthusiasts of military heritage and history, the Maritime Museum, housed in a former
hangar, is the city's main heritage site, boasting a modest collection of naval artifacts. Intrepid onlookers can also explore the
grimy working-class districts or venture into the imposing docks, still used for the transport of military and industrial goods
(although these are not open to the public).
It's easy to understand why tourism isn't a priority for Union Town, given that its economy relies primarily on industrial production
and its local population is largely made up of factory workers. The numerous plants produce goods and foodstuffs distributed throughout
the country. The local economy is heavily dependent on its port infrastructure and assembly plants, particularly those producing
Admirable ovens, Muttz dog food, or even Alpine Mist beer (served in workers' bars). These workers remain in town with the help of
bars, offering them a minimum comfort or allowing them to forget their day after a few drinks. Other unfortunates, seemingly having
lost their minds, wander the streets carrying signs warning of the end of the world.
There has been a curious resurgence of military forces and Majestic in the region. Faced with growing paranoia fueled by the fear of
Reds, various mobile military installations have been deployed throughout the town to easily counter any threat. The presence of army
patrols, scientists and the black suits has intensified along the docks, while a secret mobile base has been quickly established on
nearby Monroe Island, inside its old fort, a few kilometers from the pier. The authorities have been quick to deny any controversy,
claiming that this special organization aims to counter the nefarious presence of local delinquents whose actions tarnish the city's
image.
36°50′49″N 76°17′07″W
Country
United States
State
Virginia
County
None (Independent city)
Government Type
Mayor-council
Newspaper
Union Town News
Languages
American / Irish English
Named after
Norfolk Virginia
Nicknames
None
MISSIONS
Main
"Furon Down!"
"Armquist Vs. The Furons!"
CHALLENGES
Union Stem Collection
Union Town Tour
Maritime Museum
Landmark
Housed in a former warehouse, adjacent to a naval memorial, thid Museum features a decommissioned Landing Craft
Control (LCC MARK 1) and a modest collection of naval artifacts, including relics from the USS Ajax, two monumental
anchors, several models of sailing galleons, a world map from the USA perspective and a very large old American
flag. The location also served as a secret meeting place for General Dick Armquist during his summit meeting with
three other Human Warmongers
Monroe Island
Landmark
This gloomy island rises a few kilometers from the docks. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and crowned by an old fort,
the island emerges from the often misty and cold waters, a sight that reinforces its isolated and unsettling
character. Visible from the shore, Monroe Island has given rise to many theories. Rumors circulate among the workers
that unexplained events have recently occurred there following an explosion heard and felt in the town. Since then,
the surrounding area has been teeming with military forces and black suits.
Navy Recruitment Ad
Landmark
"President Huffman has called the Navy to action, to fight the evil red scourge. For security measures, our great
American government is trying to flush out evil commies from our country! So join the army and kill some communist
scum, as we need YOU in the navy!"
Admirable Plant
Landmark
The assembly line factories of Admirable Appliance Corp. are grouped together in this complex of warehouses and
industrial buildings. Thanks to the country's industrial boom, these factories produce the favorite accessories
of the typical housewife, including the magnificent and brand-new BakeMaster 2600 model, featuring only the best
components!
Muttz Food
Landmark
Their factories are clustered in this industrial zone where assembly line work reigns supreme. Thanks to the
country's industrial boom, these factories produce dogs' favorite treats. Despite a rather unappetizing smell,
Muttz Dog Food has enjoyed meteoric success, and its kibble is produced in impressive quantities.
Alpine Mist Bottling Plant
Landmark
With their grey sheet metal and concrete facades, nestled along the roads of Union Town, the Alpine Mist brewery
buildings look like a simple glass cold drink bottling plant – a refreshing, almost innocent name in a town where
the air is far from the freshness of the Alps and the atmosphere is miles away from a snowy mountain landscape.
Workers Bar
Landmark
Several workers' bars, such as J&B Bistro and Tom's, scattered throughout the neighborhood, welcome laborers and
dockworkers returning from their hard day's work. They offer their customers various refreshing beers, including,
most likely, the Alpine Mist, which some of them bottled throughout the day.
Union Hotel
Landmark
As the only hotel in the area, it still hopes to attract a few tourists passing through or workers without
accommodation. Since Union Town doesn't enjoy the same tourist appeal as other coastal destinations, the hotel
is likely counting on the presence of the Maritime Museum to draw in any potential visitors. A bar is, of course,
open to accommodate the local drunks.
Brownstone Factories
Landmark
Nameless and nondescript rows of dark brick buildings line both sides of the roads, along with a few rudimentary
wooden shacks. A large portion of the city's working-class population toils here in modest conditions. The activities
within these buildings remain unknown.
Industrial chimneys
Landmark
Dominating the urban landscape like smoking sentinels, rising above the roofs of factories and cramped warehouses,
the tall industrial chimneys bear witness to the history of a city that has traded its blue skies for a perpetual
haze. From their smoking dark silhouettes, etched against the sky, escape greyish plumes that fall back upon the
city like a veil of dust.
Docks
Landmark
Stretching along the waterfront not far from industrial chimneys, the port of Union Town is dominated by towering
metal cranes that loom over shipping containers and other wooden crates as mysterious as the men who move them.
Venturing into the perimeter proves dangerous. These containers, stacked in makeshift labyrinths, some bearing
Majestic seal, are guarded by military forces and black suits. A barge system has been installed to allow for
regular trips between Monroe Island and the shore.
Oil Drum Graveyard
Landmark
That place is sordid and resembles a kind of dump where waste and rusty barrels are stored. Some of them serve as
makeshift bonfires for a few homeless urban crazies who loiter in the area, and they are relatively numerous in
Union Town. But these very clumsy individuals, standing too close to the fires, often have an unfortunate tendency
to catch fire themselves.
Crash Site
Landmark
It was in the Monroe Old Fort that, after a dizzying fall, Crypto-137's saucer crashed violently. The impact was so
severe that 137 was ejected from the cockpit and lost consciousness. The crash site bore an indelible scar of the
impact, while the military and the Majestic quickly established a mobile base on the island.
Prison Hangar
Landmark
It is there, in an electro-gate cage still reeling from the crash on Monroe Island, that Crypto slowly regains
consciousness and realizes he is being held prisoner in a hangar. He manages to escape as quickly as possible
before the Majestic begins its invasive inspection.
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Union Town Tour
Challenge
How well do you know Union Town? Let's
find out!
Travel to each checkpoint as quickly as
possible
Reward: 175 DNA
Union Stem Collection
Challenge
Let's take a sample of some blue collar
brain stems. Quickly!
Collect the 15 brain stems
Reward: 150 DNA
TRIVIA
Union Town's appearance is inspired by 1950s industrial Norfolk (Virginia), its naval base, and the small islands that dot its
coastline. Both towns share a port and industrial aesthetic. Union Town shares certain characteristics with Norfolk, such as its
port and industrial docks, a strong naval and industrial presence, waterfront factories, and a working-class atmosphere. Both
locations share a geography that favors the concentration of naval and port activities, as well as architecture that evokes the
Industrial Revolution with its tall, dark brick chimneys.
Union Town is one of those invasion locations whose development began very early on, as it has always served as the setting for the
game's most scripted and memorable mission: "Furon Down." While the city's geography has obviously evolved over time, it has always
retained its image as an industrial port city.
In the prototypes compiled as early as 2003, Union Town offered a late afternoon atmosphere with a sunset. The area included the
port with its imposing metal cranes whose container handles moved. Several destructible water towers were scattered near the port
and Monroe Island. The port was also frequented by dogs, which Crypto could holobob.
During the early prototype builds in 2004, when the urban area of Union Town and its surroundings was being created, Monroe Island
early name was "Welch Island" (referring to Pandemic's Design Director, Brad Welch), as confirmed by one of the early newspapers
intended to conclude the "Furon Down" mission. No password was required to access the Island, and simply activating the lever was
enough to start the barge. Crypto hid in one of the wooden crates tagged "UFO" to infiltrate the military base undetected and
ultimately recover his UFO.
In its 2004 prototype, Union Town finally acquired its foggy and gray atmosphere, this time accompanied by torrential rain.
Having visibly had a significant impact on the game's performance, the rain effect was removed, resulting in a wet road in the
final version, as if after a downpour. Union Town's geography was similar to Rockwell in that the map was divided in two, with
the two parts of the city—the industrial zone and the urban zone—connected by an iron bridge. The urban part of the city featured
numerous buildings similar to those in Capitol City, as well as a drive-in theater on the outskirts of town.
Visually, Union Town's aesthetic is a departure from the other invasion sites, which are intended to be more welcoming. With its
gloomy atmosphere, the attention to lighting effects, its unsettling music, and its color palette almost entirely limited to black
and white, Union Town evokes a film noir atmosphere reminiscent of the 1940s and early 1950s (1947 was the period in which the game
was originally intended to take place).
This invasion site seems to suffer from an alert issue when Crypto is in his flying saucer. Indeed, once in control of the UFO,
the alert rarely exceeds level 1. However, during on-foot gameplay, the alert system reacts normally.
Some homeless urban crazies on the city streets can provide between 75 and 200 DNA samples when their brain is extracted, making
Union Town a particularly profitable DNA harvesting area.
How curious! I was tracking General Armquist in hopes of locating a his secret base. But instead he led us to what appears
to be the seat of all human power. Here we are Crypto! Capitol City! The biggest human hive we fell upon so far and one of
the country's main strategic epicenters. Its straight avenues, lined with monumental buildings, resonate daily with the
hurried steps of government officials, military personnel, and senators who shape the nation's future.
PRESENTATION
A vast federal metropolis and symbol of American power, Capitol City boasts colossal buildings, centuries-old institutions and extensive green spaces.
Its urban landscape is relatively open, thanks to wide avenues that frame the space and its numerous parks and gardens. Businesses, government buildings
and especially monuments occupy a significant portion of the city compared to residential areas.
Temples, memorials, and impressive monuments glorifying humanity are scattered throughout the area. At the center of this human hive stands the
unmistakable United States Capitol Building, which gives its name to the city, seat of legislative power and the stage for decisions concerning
these primitive monkeys' future.
Even if the city is dedicated in large part to the memory of America's past great leaders, it also remains a vibrant bustling metropolis. The nation
capitol is the heart around which revolves the politcal life of the United States, its grand institutional buildings towering the Capitol City skyline
like temples teeming with bureaucrats engaged in pointless tasks. The streets are full of civilians and federal employees, plenty enough to keep the
Concentration Meter full. However, every good thing has its downside: the presence of Majestic agents, swarming like flies, could potentially
jeopardizing any sort of infiltration attempt.
But for the past few months, an unusual tension has been palpable. Witnesses report highly unusual military movements and strange installations around
certain government buildings. The authorities refer to them as mere "security drills", and these paranoid, primitive humans, brainwashed by television
and so terrified by the prospect of a potential communist invasion, believe them blindly. Under the Majestic's influence, the city itself seems to have
turned into an ultra-militarized bastion. Tesla coils have sprouted up all over the city to bolster air defenses, Psi Mutants are also walking in the
streets and G-Men have reportedly escorted scientists to makeshift laboratories in the city's underground via elevators concealed within the flowerbeds
of public parks.
Capitol City is steeped in a strange atmosphere, teetering between bureaucratic routine and widespread paranoia. Residents continue to go to work, tourists
still visit the historical monuments, but this pervasive, anxiety-inducing fear keeps everyone on edge, scanning the skies as if an invisible threat looms
over this supposedly "defenseless" city. Speaking of defense, the Department of Defense headquarters, the Octagon, located on the outskirts of the city but
still an integral part of it, is connected to the metropolis by the Memorial Bridge spanning the Potomac River. It goes without saying that the entire area
is, of course, ultra-secure, with all personnel and equipment provided by the military and Majestic. The austere location has no intention of attracting
tourists, but rather of taking down Furons.
38°53′42″N 77°02′12″W
Country
United States
State
Capitol City
County
None (Independent city)
Government Type
Mayor-council
Newspaper
The Capitol Post
Languages
American & Irish English
Named after
Washington, D.C.
Nicknames
The Capital
MISSIONS
Main
"Mr. Crypto Goes To Capitol City"
"The Lone Gunman"
"The Furon Filibuster"
"Shocking Developments"
"Attack Of The 50-Ft President!"
CHALLENGES
Capitol Carnage
Capitol Tour
Monument Mayhem
Taxi Hunter
Capitol Building
Landmark
Another white building consisting of a giant dome and two wings, the Capitol serves as the seat of
Congress, the nation's legislative branch. Facing the Washington Monument, the building is located
at the end of Capitol City's central axis. The plaza, teeming with G-Men and Psi Mutants who constantly
monitor the perimeter, is the setting for speeches by President Huffman or senators rushing into the
building to vote.
White House
Landmark
Dwelling place of the nation chief executive, President Huffman, this big white building stands as a
symbol of freedom and dignity for these puny humans. It's no surprise that the building is heavily
guarded by Majestic, several Power-Suit Soldiers, and two Tesla coils in front of each side of the
building. The White House is also Robo-Prez's last stronghold.
Octagon
Landmark
Department of Defense and Armquist's headquarters! Built of reinforced concrete, this four-story stronghold
is the largest administrative building in the U.S. Named after its octagonal shape and surrounded by barbed
wire, army defense equipment and Majestic weaponry, this ultra-secure complex is teeming with scientists,
military forces and black suits. The latter, wielding increasing influence, have begun to take over the site
and launch a vast restructuring project. Several wings of the Octagon have been demolished so far. Despite the
demolition, it remains active, housing a target-shooting training camp, a helipad, and secret underground
elevator bunkers where vehicles and crates of equipment are stored.
Jefferson Memorial
Landmark
Coolidge Memorial! Or is that the Rutherford B. Hayes Monument? Oh, I should have kept a hold on that tourist map!
Wait… This large rotunda is dedicated to the third American president and author of that important old paper.
The open-air, white-columned structure houses a completely uninteresting empty space. Shouldn't there be a
statue or something?
Lincoln Memorial
Landmark
The white building! No, the OTHER white building! So many white buildings in this human hive! You know, the one
with the statue of the tall ugly guy with the beard, he's, like, Amish or something…
Washington Monument
Landmark
A white, obelisk-shaped tower and the tallest memorial in all of Capitol City, it pays homage to the
first president of the United States. How curious and fascinating to see how these humans always find
creative ways to compensate for something regarding their virility!
Business District
Landmark
This is where we first landed! A bustling, ever-evolving neighborhood, dotted with immense skyscrapers
scattered across the streets, high-end shops such as Finklestein's Consumer Goods, and hotels catering
to a large luxury clientele. Some older buildings have clearly been demolished to make way for more modern
housing and new parking lots.
Residential Area
Landmark
This more modest neighborhood is characterized by smaller buildings, a far cry from the skyscrapers of the
business district. Composed primarily of apartment buildings, it also houses a few department stores
catering to a less affluent clientele, as well as numerous restaurants and cafes. Here, too, entire blocks
of Victorian buildings have been demolished to make way for the rapid development of modern construction.
National Statistic Reserve
Landmark
Reinforcing the unnecessary institutional order under the pretext of preventing the entire country from descending
into chaos, this administrative building in Capitol City possesses an architecture typical of all federal
buildings in the country. Its entrance courtyard features the statue of the Horse-Man, similar copies of which
can be seen throughout the metropolis and decorating its green squares.
Unreserve Bank
Landmark
This financial building, whose importance these foolish humans revere, is useless to the Furon Empire, which
doesn't chase after money but seeks DNA. The state coffers appear empty, as the building's name suggests,
rendering it pointless and ineffective. Just another human construction, utterly useless.
Department of Immigration
Landmark
This city is dotted with institutional buildings of varying importance. Clearly terrified by the fear of being
invaded by foreigners, they built this office handling immigration applications, naturalization, and the
establishment of policies related to immigration services.
Walfords
Landmark
Located on the ground floor of a modest building far from the luxury standards of its rival chain Finklestein's,
the Walfords Department Store chain has spread to the four corners of the city's residential area, offering a wide
assortment of merchandise displayed in different areas; each area ("department") specializing in a product category.
Harry's Seafood Restaurant
Landmark
A neon sign depicting a stylized, electric blue fish wearing a top hat draws attention to the building, which
plays up its slightly kitschy charm. A typical American seafood restaurant, it also serves soft drinks and cigars,
and alcohol must be consumed in moderation, as reminded by the hand-crafted wooden vintage-style signs affixed
to the brick wall.
Francois Apartments
Landmark
Large buildings of about ten stories, this apartment chain has spread throughout the city to attract a clearly
affluent clientele. Located in the city's upscale district, the buildings are generally situated near major
department stores and the Capitol City institutional buildings, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline
and its major monuments. It also offers steam-heated rooms for men.
Finklestein's
Landmark
This large consumer goods store "For the man that knows!" is the biggest in Capitol City. Housed in a tall,
multi-story building, its storefront boasts that it sells just about anything for everyone, as seen on its
right side: "liquor, guns, magazines, cigars"; and on its left: "girls, monkeys, cigars & more". The large
Finklestein's windows display fashionable evening wear, jewelry, and also various paintings for art collectors.
Memorial Bridge
Landmark
These stupid humans and their explosive vehicles, clearly afraid of water, built this bridge to connect Capitol
City to the other side of the county. Supporting a road used by numerous cars, it spans the Potomac River and
leads straight into the heart of the nation's defenses; needless to say, it's best not to go there without first
assuming the identity of one of these stupid primates.
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Landing Zone
Monument Mayhem
Challenge
The humans like to build stone monuments
to their historical heroes. Let's show
them what we think of their heroes!
Destroy all buildings! Leave no trace!
Reward: 200 DNA
Capitol Carnage
Challenge
So many humans, so little time! Time to
thim the herd!
Destroy 18 humans
Onlyh the Zap-o-Matic may be used
Reward: 200 DNA
Capitol Tour
Challenge
Time to stretch your legs. Er, jetpack
wings. Whatever. Travel to each
checkpoint within the time limit!
Travel to checkpoint as quickly as
possible
Reward: 300 DNA
Taxi Hunter
Challenge
Those yellow taxi cabs prowl the streets
like predatory animals. Show them who
the real predator is!
Destroy 10 taxis
Reward: 200 DNA
TRIVIA
Capitol City is an obvious reference to Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, given that the two cities share a nearly identical urban
layout and possess the same monuments. Although it is the most urbanized city in the game, due to technical limitations and performance concerns,
Capitol City is a condensed version of Washington; distances are shortened and some monuments have been reduced in size. Pandemic chose to limit
itself to the city's most well-known monuments, hence the absence of certain other landmarks, in order to avoid too many unique 3D models. Most of
the administrative buildings are clones or use the model of Rockwell City Hall.
From the very beginning of development in 2003, the game was intended to have only one map: a giant city and Crypto's sole playground. Named Bay City,
it embodied all the stereotypes of a typical American city from the 1940s and 50s, divided into zones such as the industrial area, the residential
district, the port, the beach, and the city center. The city's appearance, with its skyscrapers, already evoked the highly urbanized section of
Capitol City. Later, for performance reasons, it was decided to divide the game into several invasion sites, the number of which also changed
throughout development.
During the game's presentation at E3-2004, Pandemic team cobbled together a pre-release version of Capitol City, combining a highly urbanized area
with the Capitol Building facing several buildings and skyscrapers, and a square with a gazebo. This version of the city was simply a preview of
what the Invasion Site would look like and was never intended to be in the final game. The infiltration mission that took place there was exclusive
to this build and has no equivalent in the final game.
The same year, after E3-2004, the true build of Capitol City had already taken shape, and it already featured the urban layout that the city would
have in the final game. A notable change was that, facing the Capitol, the city was urbanized on the left side (as in the final game) but also on
the right side, with many buildings and skyscrapers. For performance reasons, these buildings were removed, and some details, such as the
ventilation / elevator systems on the roofs of some skyscrapers, were also removed. Small sailboats were also placed along the banks of the
Potomak River; these were not included in the final version of the game.
By choosing to parody Washington, D.C., Pandemic references the countless science fiction films set in the famous capital, such as "The Day the Earth
Stood Still", "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers", "Independence Day", or "Mars Attacks!". This reflects the self-absorption of certain American
productions of the time, where it seemed as if every alien decided to land in Washington. The first mission in the city even parodies "Mr. Smith
Goes to Washington".
The Unreserve Bank is a blatant parody of the Federal Reserve Bank headquartered at the Eccles Building in Washington, D.C. Like so many other
administrative buildings in the area, they are simply clones, boasting the typical architecture of American federal buildings with their white
facades, columns, and grand entrances, whose names are cleverly parodies. The district mocks American institutions, complementing the political
and economic satire so prevalent in the game.
As for the Octagon, an obvious parody of the Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, it is depicted as half-destroyed,
with only five sides remaining. It is, therefore, in a way, a Pentagon. This partial destruction could also be a reference to the facade ravaged
during the September 11 attacks, just two years before the game's development began and still quite fresh in collective memory.
Those Humans never cease to amaze me, in the worst possible way!
By sheer chance, or rather thanks to an infiltration I orchestrated,
we managed to get our hands on some of their secret files, revealing
our existence and how they try to glimpse fragments of our society.
Their naivety is amusing, but it seems Majestic has been observing us
closely enough to glean such information!
A REPORT
TO THE
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
Re: Origin & Early Observations
of
FURONS
Includes Social & Cultural Studies
AF01 Briefing Notes
The Furon's planet Gorta orbits around the larger of the binary stars in the
Proxima Centauri system. Gorta is faintly visible from Earth. It is smaller
and cooler than Earth and its gravity is lower. The jetpack was developed
for Furon conquests on planets with a higher gravity than Gorta. Furons
commonly refer to Gorta as "homeworld".
[Proxima Centauri / Alpha Centauri C is the
closest planetary system to the solar system
within the Milky Way. It is located 4,244 light-
years from the Sun (and therefore from Earth) in
the constellation Centaurus. It is one of the
three components that form the Alpha Centauri
system, along with the central pair Alpha
Centauri A and B]
Furons don't need sleep. Their planet is also
never truly dark as it is orbited by 2 large
moons and is weakly lit by a nearby nebula.
Furons see the Human's need for sleep as a
weakness they can exploit. One great benefit of
this is the absence of breakfast television on
Gorta.
Furons themselves are small, frail creatures.
After studies of photographs and biological
samples it turns out that the Furons are very
close to the image of the little Greys that
popular culture has gradually appropriated over
the years. They are hairless, grayish-blue humanoids with
large (sometimes black, sometimes red) almond-
shaped eyes and a bald head.
These creatures have cavities in the sides of
their skulls that pulse with energy, apparently the source of their mental
abilities. To compensate for the great vulnerability of their puny little
bodies, they have developed high-tech suits equipped with energy-shield
technology.
Furons have only four fingers on each hand.
As a result their number system is base 8,
instead of our base 10.
This gave them an early leap in adopting
binary mathematics and understanding
computer systems still comes more naturally
to the Furons.
Furon mind power is directly proportional to the size of the brains -
meaning that a large head is a very prized attribute in Furon culture.
Status amongst the Furons is measured in large part by the number of times
one has been cloned. The fewer times a Furon is cloned, the more they are
seen as an elder. This has made the 'younger' Furons who have high clone
numbers into something of a clique. They are the biggest risk takers amongst
the Furons, and see themselves as better than the stodgy elder Furons.
[Our scientists once put forward the groundbreaking hypothesis that these
were space squids that had concealed their tentacles inside a humanoid
bipedal suit to ensure greater mobility during invasions of other worlds.
However, a thorough study of the specimens has refuted this hypothesis.]
FURON FACTS:
All Furons have the same size feet. Shoes theft is therefore very common as
is the purchase of shoe deodorizers.
Furons are tone deaf- they have no appreciation or understanding of music.
It is suspected that some of their species have infiltrated our recording
industry, acting to promote boy bands and teen starlets.
Furon Entertainment is very different to what we are used to because of
their ability to see into other's minds.
Comedians no longer exist, because everyone paying attention already knows
the punch-line, making hecklers particularly effective.
Movies do not have the same appeal in their culture, as so much of Furon
communication is unspoken that a simple image is unconvincing. The simpler
movie characters are therefore the most appealing in movies; and as a result
action movies and their actors are hugely successful.
By some strange quirk of fate, all Furon names translate as scientific names
for rather nasty diseases. Top Majestic linguists have been studying this
phenomenon but can find no explanation.
The worst gesture one Furon can make is to wave to another Furon. In Furon
history there was a dictator who would cut off the fingers of people who had
dared oppose him. Just before his downfall, many captured Furons were freed
before they had been harmed. As they ran away they raised their hands to him
to show their fingers were still there.
Furon politicians have no choice but to be honest as the voters know what
they are thinking all of the time.
Early attempts to infiltrate Human governments were dismal failures.
Furons see physical activity as beneath them generally, preferring to use
Psychokinesis for anything where Humans would exert muscular effort.
FURON HUMOR:
A favourite Furon pastime is klarping. Klarping is sneaking up behind
someone and tapping them on one shoulder while standing behind the other.
The most successful Klarp - of course - is one where the Furon looks the
wrong way.
One benefit of being a clone is that you already have a wardrobe that you
think is pretty cool. A common prank is to slip female Furon attire in
amongst the newly appeared clone's clothing. Close friends then express no
surprise when he broaches the subject, rather pointing out how short he
really is now that he's not in heels.
It seems that the surviving members of the highest court ruled that a clone
was in fact an extension of the original Furon's life and not a new one.
This means that honouring 'lifetime guarantees' now consumes industry
output. In a similar way no-one has since been able to collect on their life
insurance, but this hasn't benefited anyone as no-one's DNA in that
industry's was considered important enough to keep anyway.
One suggested reason for the declining reproduction of the Furon was their
unfortunate ability to read minds. Female Furons would of course know
whenever their partner's minds wandered to another or thought that their new
outfit really did make their bottom look big.
Now then, I know what you're thinking. Yes, yes, random gratuities,
electrocution, evisceration of bovoids and humans is all good fun,
Pox. But what's the point? What can I, a lowly novice, do to help
bring about the destruction of Earth and the inevitable reign of the
Furon Empire? I will indulge you with a bit of background
information... just this once.
It was in the earliest days of the Empire we realized out brilliant, indomitable
species was doomed. Eons of waging war on inferior races with unregulated
atomic weaponry had mutated our genes. As such, we could not propagate due
to our complete and utter lack of genitalia.
We had conquered the galaxy, but at a terrible price.
Fortunately, a Furon ship happened upon Earth on its way back from destroying
the Martians. Human society was young and... nubile.
Sailors on a foreign planet, letting off steam, one thing led to another…
Long story short, I needn't go into the messy details but, needless to say,
every human being alive today has, buried deep in his genetic code, a strand of
Furon DNA. Over the Eons, we've learned to clone ourselves, but with each
iteration the information has degraded and the results are increasingly
unpredictable. However, the Furon genes found in humanity's DNA are ancient
and uncorrupted, representing the future of the Furon race.
If only we can get at them.
So how can you aid the furon cause?
This is where you come in, Crypto. We are sending you to Earth to bring back
our fresh DNA found deep inside the human brain stems. We don't care if you
have to sacrifice the entire human race to do so - in fact we prefer it!
Since your brother, Cryptosporidium-136, disappeared during a similar mission,
it is now up to you to infiltrate the pathetic human society and get that DNA.
When you kill a human use your “Brain Extract” mental ability long enough and
the brainstem will explode from the human's body. You can consume the
brainstem and collect the Furon DNA.
the Empire is reinvigorated with fresh genetic building blocks and a grateful
Furon Emperor salutes you for helping us to DESTROY ALL HUMANS!
The clock is ticking on our invasion window and I don't have time to
handhold you through this. However, I will accompany you in the
Mothership and make sure you have the means to fulfill your mission,
but our fate rests squarely on your head.
"Hello, friends. Have you ever gazed up into the night sky and
wondered at the possibility of life on other planets? What
marvelous beings might exist out there, hands extended in friendship,
awaiting the moment when we humans take our first tentative steps
into space? What tales will be told of that glorious day when we are
first contacted by our bothers from beyond the stars?"
STORY SCRIPT
Beyond the stars on the Furon Homeworld, Gorta, the high
Commander of the Furon Empire and renowned scientist, Orthopox-
13, presents to the Emperor and the War Council his plan to obtain
pure Furon DNA to prevent the extinction of the entire Furon race.
Crypto-136 is thus sent to explore Planet Earth in search of the
precious genetic resource.
Nevada desert, Area 42 test site. Nearby a launch pad, from a
bunker, scientists and military personnel prepare for the launch of a
brand-new nuclear missile. As the countdown echoes in the dark
room, a mysterious flying object made of shiny metal suddenly
appears in the sky. The launch pad personnel, taken by surprise,
witness this apparition speechless: a flying saucer is hovering just
above the missile. Before they can stop the countdown, a bright
flash followed by an impressive explosion dazzle the surroundings.
A massive mushroom cloud rises into the sky as the shock wave
engulfs the bunker and its occupants.
It is a crashed flying saucer that military discovers not far from the
blast zone. As few soldiers surround and slowly approach the
mysterious object, an alien being from outer space painfully emerges
from the crater. Clearly hostile and intent on using its remaining
forces for deadly purposes, the alien lacks the strength to fire on
the soldiers as faints to the burning desert ground. At the same
time, light years from Earth, in a Mothership orbiting the Furon
Homeworld, contact with Cryptosprodium-136 is now lost, much to
the despair of Orthopox.
Then arrives Cryptosprodium-137, 136's clone, fresh out of the
Mothership's cloning chamber, who is trying as best he can to
understand the previous events. The now missing, Crypto-136 has
been urgently sent to planet Earth, where pure Furon DNA still
remains, imperative to the survival of the species. Understanding the
gravity of his clone brother's situation, Crypto-137, furious, decides
to leave for Earth in turn to continue his clone's mission and find
out what happened to 136. Pox, with a satisfied grin, triggers the
departure procedure to place the Furon mothership in Earth's orbit.
STORY TRIVIA
The opening narration is a tribute to Charles Criswell King aka The
Amazing Criswell who provided the very famous "Criswell Predicts"
opening of the equally famous 1959 Ed Wood film "Plan 9 From Outer
Space" and whose intro and outro of the game are almost visual
reproductions. Criswell and the Narrator share many things in
common, including a very strong physical resemblance.
The color palette chosen for the cinematics opts for tones
reminiscent of Technicolor films shot between the 1930s and 1950s.
It's also interesting to note that it's very close to that used by the
science fiction action-adventure film “Captain Sky and the World of
Tomorrow” released during the game's development in 2004.
United States of America, June 1959. Cryptosporidium-137 lands his Furon Scout Ship for
the first time on Earth and attempts to establish contact with the dominant race under the guidance of Orthopox-13.
Listen up Crypto! To ensure this invasion runs smoothly, it's
imperative we identify the dominant life forms on this world. My
sensors indicate that those lactating bovoids are likely candidates.
Get to it!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Turnipseed Farm
Approach:
Fon foot / in UFO
Unlock:
Zap-O-Matic / Anal Probe
Rewards:
250 Furon DNA
MISSION GOALS
1 - Enter the cow paddock.
2 - Read a beast's thoughts! Use the Cortex Scan on it!
3 - Use PK to mutilate the creatures.
4 - Kill the human farmer!
5 - Extract and collect the Brain Stem from the farmer!
6 - Kill the farmhands!
7 - Vaporize the inquisitive authorities!
8 - Enter the saucer.
9 - Destroy the human dwellings.
10 - Annihilate the military threat!
MISSION SCRIPT
After scanning two nearby cow, Crypto has a brief verbal exchange
with one of the herd. Unfortunately, it doesn't go as planned as he
quite literally ends up getting dumped on.
After a heated and relatively brutal "dialogue" with the paddock
bovines, Harold Turnipseed, the farm's owner, comes out of the
nearby house thinking he smells some good ol' country BBQ. What he
will find instead, is that he is on the menu!
Crypto vaporizes Harold with his Zap-O-Matic (and grab a souvenir in
the form of his brain stem!), making him the first human casualty of
the Furon invasion on Earth. As soon as the farmer's brain has been
extracted, his wife Martha Turnipseed emerges from the house and
scream with horror at the sight of an alien lifeform. Her screams
quickly sparks hostility throughout the farm. Alerted by neighbors
who heard strange noises, the local authorities finally intervene.
Police officers are met by a traumatized Martha. As one of them
approaches the saucer dangerously, Crypto eliminates the officers
and becomes the sole arbiter of Martha's fate.
Once the threat as been quelled, Crypto is called back to his saucer,
making sure to exact all the brain stems in and around the area and
then walk underneath the saucer to get beamed inside the ship.
Finally, at the controls of his flying saucer and under Pox's orders,
Crypto tests the destructive power of his death ray on all the
surrounding human structures. The moment Crypto drops the final
structure to the ground, the "human military industrial complex"
shows up. If their leaders find out about the alien presence, the
mission is cooked! Time to turn the Death Ray on them! The army is
overwhelmed by technologically superior weapons from another
world. As soon as the first set of vehicles and troops have been
destroyed, a new wave appears to the north through the bushes.
As both Pox and Crypto savor their victory, when the dust settles,
two mysterious black-clad men appear in an unmarked black sedan. "A
little green man in a flying saucer annihilating the best infantry unit
in the U.S. Army!". They mention something about Silhouette, the
worst scenario, and Roswell. The plot thickens…
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1950 American science fiction
film "Destination Moon" directed by Irving Pichel and produced by
George Pal.
The player has the option to leave Martha Turnipseed alive at the
end of the mission, which will make sense of the various rumors
about her in the following mission regarding what happened to her.
By scanning Martha's thoughts (her only appearance in the game), we
learn that her husband Harold is none other than her cousin.
Similarly, when the police intervene, the conversation with the
officer was originally intended to be much longer. These extra lines
of dialogue were reintroduced in the game's remake.
This is the game's tutorial mission, and also the only one that takes
place at Turnipseed Farm. The rest of the activities in this Invasion
Site are limited to the four challenges scattered around the area.
Night falls and the sunny sky gives way to a brilliant full moon. The Furon
Scout Ship finally lands in a secluded spot, amidst the fir trees of a
forest near the small town of Rockwell. Local teenagers seem to have
taken over this place, away from the watchful eyes of their parents, to
have fun in their cars, not far from the fairground.
Crypto, I see a horde of humans up aheard, congregating at some
sort of holy ground. Here’s the plan: I want you to enter the fair,
find a malleable human, and lead it back to your ship for questioning.
Get the picture?
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Rockwell
Approach:
on foot / in UFO
Unlock:
Weapon / PK upgrades
Rewards:
None
MISSION GOALS
1 - Enter the fair.
2 - Scan humans to find a test subject.
3 - Get Miss Rockwell back to the ship for probing!
4 - Walk toward the saucer to start the probing.
5 - Destroy the fair!
MISSION SCRIPT
Crypto’s new mission objective is to enter the nearby fairgrounds;
which is located directly ahead of the landing zone. It’s not going to
be cakewalk, though, as many of these pesky humans have
congregated outside the grounds. Fortunately, Crypto can rely on
his mental abilities during his mission so as not to attract the
attention of local authorities. If more people become aware, police,
military and eventually those mysterious men in black agents will
begin to hunt him down.
Crypto practice his Hypno skills on that annoying peeping Tina next
to the car down the path but there are plenty more subjects down by
the fairgrounds. Indeed, the area is teeming with humans who have
come to participate in the annual county fair. They visit the carnival
to meet with local alpha male or enjoy the various rides.
Inside the fair, Pox informs Crypto that he needs him to use the
Cortex Scan on all the fairgoers until a malleable test subject is
found. There’s no time to waste! The few primitive creatures scanned
reveal shared thoughts, their minds seemingly focused on one single
specimen that appears to influence their impulses: the newly crowned
Miss Rockwell, winner of the beauty pageant!
In order to obtain and gather potentially vital information, Pox
orders Crypto to Find Miss Rockwell, hypnotize her, then bring her
back to the saucer for probing. She is practicing her walk down the
red carpet inside the circus tent. And there's nothing easier than
implanting an order in her tiny, peanut-sized brain so that she goes
to the spaceship on her own!
With Miss Rockwell underneath the UFO, Crypto starts probing her
with a grin on his face. Just as he’s about to get stuck in, sirens are
heard in the distance and Crypto runs to his flying saucer. Indeed, at
this point, while humans start to panic due to the miss unexplained
disappearance, the authorities seem to have been alerted and the
little Furon is about to contend with few of them.
Neither Pox nor Crypto want anyone reporting that there was a
little green man, er, gray, man skulking about its grounds now!
However, it looks as if the police and the military are on to Crypto!
He concentrates on eliminating their forces around the perimeter of
the fairgrounds before attempting the tackle the fair itself. In
addition to tanks and ground troops, camouflaged gunnery stations
also threaten Crypto's saucer, but he has no trouble reducing them
to ashes.
Crypto finally enjoys his time around the fair, destroying the
smaller stands, tents and the Ferris wheel in a thorough sweep
before attempting to take down the main big tent in the center of
that carnival of primitive souls.
As the big top collapses in a cloud of dust and fire, it seems few
witnesses survived, which helps to keep the news of what had just
happened relatively quiet.
The local newspaper attributed the destruction of the fairground to
lightning from a sudden and unpredictable freak storm.
As both Pox and Crypto savor their victory, when the dust settles,
two mysterious black-clad men appear in an unmarked black sedan. "A
little green man in a flying saucer annihilating the best infantry unit
in the U.S. Army!". They mention something about Silhouette, the
worst scenario, and Roswell. The plot thickens…
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1988 American science fiction
musical romantic comedy film "Earth Girls Are Easy" directed by
Julien Temple.
This mission represents the one and only opportunity to witness the
Rockwell Annual County Fair before its permanent destruction for
the rest of the game. A ruined and deserted site after the mission's
completion, its destruction nonetheless unlocks a landing zone in
the middle of the former fairgrounds.
In the game previous early builds, the fair would reappear in its
original state if you returned to the site (even if it was deserted),
and it was also possible to land there.
At the fair, near the cattle pen, you might overhear a long
conversation between two women discussing the strange events that
have occurred recently at Turnipseed Farm and learn more about
Martha's fate. Of course, rumors are circulating that she has lost
her mind and may even have murdered her husband.
If, during the mission, the player decides to kill and extract the
Mayor of Rockwell brain stem, who is on the stage for his speech,
Crypto will obtain 100 DNA. The mayor's murder will have no impact
on the next mission where he plays a key role.
In early prototype versions of the game, at the end of the mission,
Crypto had to destroy the Fairground before the local authorities
arrived. A progress bar appeared at the top of the screen, and the
fairground had to be leveled before the bar was full. This feature
was removed from the final game because army and tanks are already
present when the flying saucer arrives above the fairground.
After the devastating incident at the annual county fair in Rockwell, the
pathetic inhabitants of the small town are on edge, especially since
strange mysterious green lights have also been seen in the surrounding
fields. The local alpha male will clearly have to explain to the paranoid
population what is happening.
Crypto, my highly evolved sensors indicate a pack of those nearby
bovoids emitting unusual high levels of radiation. Stop wasting time,
return to Earth and investigate them immediately!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Rockwell
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Death Ray upgrade
Rewards:
500 DNA
MISSION GOALS
1 - Scan a radioactive cow
2 - Kill the scientists.
3 - Holobob the mayor.
MISSION SCRIPT
Upon landing in one of the fields closest to the Rockwell gas
station, Pox orders Crypto to follow the mysterious green glow to
locate a radioactive cow and scan it to find out why they’ve been
pumped full of radiation. After further investigation, it is revealed
that a strange thirst for "brains" has abnormally replaced their
usual "moo".
Pox figures out the reason instantly: those conniving scientists have
genetically altered these pathetic gasbags and turned them into
radioactive exploding zombie cows! It’s time to show these humans
the folly of their mad science by killing them all. By using the cows
against their own deviant creators, Crypto causes a chain reaction
of some green gas explosions!
The roar of the explosion echoes throughout the city and it looks
as if the Mayor has been spooked! He then takes off down the street
on foot, which could potentially ruin the mission if he gets away.
Crypto has now few time to stop him before he can alert the
townsfolk. The scared alpha male has retreated to his palatial
estate up the street. Unfortunately, he has company since he’s
speaking to a police man but Crypto put him asleep in seconds. With
the officer sawing logs, it’s time to focus on the primary target.
Crypto, then just as quickly Holobob the Mayor and transform into
him. After doing so, a town meeting takes place. Disguised as the Town
Alpha Male, Crypto must quell the locals’ fears. Alone on the stage
and facing a crowd of paranoid humans on the verge of breaking
down, Crypto is given the "difficult" task of answering their
questions in order to avoid a widespread panic. In a passionate
speech where he discredits scientists, articulates nonsensical
sentences and blames communists for being the cause of all the
recent misfortunes of which the city was the poor victim, a citizen's
remark does not go unnoticed by Pox.
Indeed, according to the Townsfolk, there is another “human hive” in
a place called Santa Modesta. This should be the next destination.
Crypto finally enjoys his time around the fair, destroying the
smaller stands, tents and the Ferris wheel in a thorough sweep
before attempting to take down the main big tent in the center of
that carnival of primitive souls.
As the big top collapses in a cloud of dust and fire, it seems few
witnesses survived, which helps to keep the news of what had just
happened relatively quiet.
The local newspaper attributed the destruction of the fairground to
lightning from a sudden and unpredictable freak storm.
As both Pox and Crypto savor their victory, when the dust settles,
two mysterious black-clad men appear in an unmarked black sedan. "A
little green man in a flying saucer annihilating the best infantry unit
in the U.S. Army!". They mention something about Silhouette, the
worst scenario, and Roswell. The plot thickens…
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1941 American drama film
"Citizen Kane" directed by, produced by, and starring Orson Welles.
This is Crypto's second opportunity to extract the brainstem of the
Mayor of Rockwell to obtain a bonus of 100 DNA. Unfortunately,
unlike the previous mission, doing so will cause the current mission
to fail.
The mayor seems to overreact to the explosion of a cow. In an early
version of this mission, Crypto was supposed to throw a radioactive
exploding zombie cow at the Rockwell gas station, causing a massive
explosion. The mayor was only a few meters from the blast, which
explains his panic. This is also why the local newspaper headlines
at the end of the mission: “lead-free fuel to blame for explosion at
gas station!” However, the gas station does not explode in the final
version of the game. Furthermore, at the very beginning of the mission,
Crypto was supposed to draw crop circles in the nearby wheat fields,
and once the objective was completed, he would unlock the landing
zone near the gas station.
When Crypto engages in conversation with the local citizens, he is
picking from a selection of predetermined statements. If the player
happens to choose the wrong one, Crypto will receive a bad mark.
However, choosing a correct statement after a wrong one will undo
the damage. However, choosing wrong three times in a row, and the
gig is up!
If Crypto fails during his speech to the crowd, a special newspaper
will appear on screen revealing that the angry mob chased the mayor
out of town.
This is the one and only time that scientists will be visible around
the town of Rockwell in order to justify their presence regarding
the unnatural radioactive experiments being carried out on cows.
Apparently, the residents of Rockwell have betrayed the existence of a
second human hive on the country's West Coast. It's time for Pox and
Crypto to wreak havoc on this slice of seaside paradise. But first, they
need to infiltrate the local mayor's pool party!
Here we are Crypto. Sunny Santa Modesta! First up, I want you to
find the Alpha Male of this town. Perhaps we can gain an insight into
the way this whacked human social hierarchy functions. Quickly take
a human disguise and remain completely incognito. If your true form
is seen by anyone, your mission will fail.
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Disintegrator Ray
Rewards:
Psychokinesis upgrade 1
MISSION GOALS
1 - Find the mayor.
2 - Scan the mayor.
3 - Clear the pool party area of humans.
4 - Reduce the Santa Modesta police force to half strength
MISSION SCRIPT
The saucer lands on a sandy beach near the sprawling suburb of
Santa Modesta as Pox urges Crypto to find the mayor of this human
hive immediately. As he investigates the suroundings, Crypto notices
several signs advertising a pool party in town and, after scanning a
few humans in the area, learns that it's being organized by the Mayor,
who will be attending himself.
The pool party is being held at Ed Schully's Motel, a renowned Santa
Modesta establishment located just steps from the beach
As Crypto approaches the Motel, Pox orders him to scan the Mayor
for more information. Once the portly politician found, Crypto
reveals some of his innermost thoughts. Thoroughly disgusted with
the results, Pox commands Crypto to trash the place!
End of the infiltration, time to have some destructive fun Furonstyle. With the full blessing of the Furon leaders, Crypto finally
breaks out his Zap-O-Matic and Anal Probe to wreak some havoc! A
carefully aimed Zap blast at a nearby propane tank or gas grill
causes it to explode, catching those pathetic humans in its blast
radius and sending them flying into the air.
Crypto continues to eliminate the humans until some major damage
has been done to the population of Santa Modesta. Eventually, the
alert level rises high enough to bring on some heat. This is when Pox
chimes in which a new present: the Disintegrator Ray!
To take care of this current situation of unrest, Crypto uses his new
shiny weapon to cut the local police force in half.
After taking out the authorities in the immediate area of the pool
party, the little Furon heads over the Parking lot and proceed into
the street to continue the carnage. In addition to explosive propane,
police cars are a good source of highly combustible material. With
repeated fire, they blast into a flaming ball of molten metal
eliminating groups of police simultaneously.
This attack is gonna leave a scar on the local police force, as half
of its officers have been wiped out. The local newspaper reports that
the madness of rock and roll clearly took hold of the depraved
minds of those at the pool party, inevitably leading to chaos.
It's the music and these deviant teenagers that are to blame!
MISSION TRIVIA
This is one of only two missions whose title does not reference any
film, although the theme of pool parties is a stereotypical element of
pop culture from the 50s to the 70s, which included some memorable
scenes in movies such as Teenagers from Outer Space (1959), The
Giant Claw (1957) or Boogie Nights (1997).
This is Crypto's third opportunity to extract a mayor's brain stem.
After Rockwell's, he can extract Santa Modesta's to obtain a 100
DNA bonus when Pox asks to clear the pool party area of humans.
Crypto can overhear a conversation between two police officers in
the city's suburbia, not far from the landing zone, discussing the
alien invasion report outside their car and questioning the veracity
of recent events related to a potential invasion from space.
When Pox gives Crypto the new weapon, he calls it the "Destructo-Ray,"
a name also confirmed by the subtitles. This is a slight error, as it
was actually one of the weapon's earlier names before it was renamed
Disintegrator Ray. It's an old line of dialogue that clearly wasn't
updated after the weapon's name was changed.
In a early 2004 prototype of the game, the "Alien Pool Party" mission did
not include the sequence where Pox gives Crypto his new disintegrator
ray, as it only involved hypnotizing the mayor of Santa Modesta and sending
him back into the flying saucer. Therefore, there was neither a
disintegrator ray nor a shootout with the Santa Modesta police.
Furthermore, in the final version, the barbecue and propane tanks
scattered throughout Ed Schully's motel, inviting the player to interact
with them, are remnants of the cut mission "It's a Gas,"
with which it was merged.
Another day under the blazing sun of Santa Modesta, but clearly, some
unsavory characters don't seem to mind the sweltering California heat,
snug in their black suits. Those same guys again, in their black sedans…
What are they up to and who are they?
These urban humans seem savvier, grittier, stringier… even harder to
fool than the rest of the lot. Keep your eyes sharp and your wits
sharper. Listen up! I have an idea. If our plan is to succeed, simply
breeding human minds is insufficient – We must CONTROL them To ease
the harvesting of their brain stems. Grease the wheels, so to speak.
I believe your ebon-garbed friends have provided us direction.
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Disintegrator Ray upgrade 1
Rewards:
None
MISSION GOALS
1 - Destroy the Majestic car
2 - Collect the discarded briefcase and retrieve it from the Majestic agents before they reach the TV station
3 - Scan “Sleepy Ernst” at the TV station
4 - Destroy Sleepy Ernst
5 - Destroy Sleepy Ernst’s car
6 - Go to the human dwelling
7 - Use PK to bend all of the antennas within the time limit
MISSION SCRIPT
Crypto eavesdrops on a conversation between two black suits, the
same type of guys who seem to have been tracking him since he landed
on Earth. They're clearly part of a secret government organization
called Majestic. Being wary of these people seems like a good idea,
but keeping an eye on them could prove useful. They appear to be
plotting something related to phase one of a plan to take place at
the station with the help of a man. According to them, they also have
a subliminal TV message tape in the briefcase they're carrying.
Crypto can rely on his mental powers to levitate the car or attack it
for longer with his weapon, and even if the agents manage to get out
of the car and continue on foot, they are no match for Furon's
technology. The car blows into smithereens and both agents are
neutralized. According to Orthopox, the briefcase contains a reel of
magnetic tape with order to commence an experiment of human mind
control. A human scientist is waiting at the TV Station SMCBS for
these orders. His name is Sleepy Ernst!
Upon arriving at the Santa Modesta Community Broadcast Station,
Sleepy is taking mid-day power-nap under the shade of an old oak
tree. Crypto gives Sleepy the ol’ Cortex Scan to see what’s on his
mind. Pox cannot allow these scientists to control the humans –
that’s his job after all! It must be ensured that Sleepy goes to
sleep permanently. The good old brain extraction should do the trick
and the Furon Empire will thank Sleepy Ernst for donating his body
to science with his generous sacrifice!
Just to be sure, Pox wants Crypto to also destroy Sleepy’s car.
What a stroke of luck! The propane tank right next to the car might
just come in handy. The explosion attracts local authorities who are
patrolling the area, but it's already too late; everything has been
reduced to ashes and the little bird has flown away.
With the information thus retrieved, it is time to put together a
little alien broadcast. Pox reveal his diabolical plan to use TV to
subjugate humanity to the indomitable will of the Furon Empire! To
do so, he needs Crypto to bend the antennas around town so that he
can manipulate the TV signal from the Mothership. For reasons
known only to Orthopox, Crypto only as three minutes to find and
bend nine antennas.
The antennas are scattered throughout the town, so Crypto must
work quickly! Since he can’t jump while in human form he loses his
disguise and rely on the jetpack to get from one antenna to another.
After bending all of the antennas, Pox begin the transmission.
Unfortunately for the humans, The signal is too strong! Humans are
weak – their minds can't take that kind of amplitude! The result is – to
say the least- a bit messy.
The poor panicked primates start running frantically down the street
as their heads explode! Total chaos reigns. Santa Modesta Tribune
newspaper reports a freak lightning strike (of course). An entire
block is hit, 12 people lose their lives! A local electrician is being
tried in court for faulty ground wiring, while some mourn the passing
of the local personality Sleepy Ernest.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1984 American action adventure film "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" directed by
Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas.
If Psychokinesis Upgrade1 was purchased from Pox, it’s more easy to
use the PK powers to pick up the car as it slows down at the first
corner. After doing so, it’s more or less easy to make it flips around
on its roof. Then the Disintegrator Ray is handy to destroy the car.
Furthermore, if the car eventually sinks, the briefcase will appear on
Crypto.
Without the Psychokinesis upgrade, this requires extra effort.
However, propane tanks are scattered throughout the Suburbia; they
can cause further damage to the vehicle or create traffic accidents
that will block the road, preventing the sedan from moving forward.
If Crypto managed to shoot the car to withing approximately ten
percent of its damage meter, but wasn’t fast enough to finish the
job, both agents will jump out of the car and make a beeline for the
TV Station (they run fast). When this occurs it’s possible to Hypno
Blast them, commanding the one holding the goods to “Drop the
briefcase” and pick it up.
The horror caused by the sheer intensity of the signal emitted from the
television antennas in the residential neighborhood remains etched in
everyone's memory. And that's an understatement. Even though the bodies
have been removed, the brain stems are still there. This is the perfect
opportunity to retrieve them before the Majestic begins the cleanup!
I want you to collect any brain stems that may have survived the
signal broadcast still intact. While you’re collecting the overloaded
brain stems, take a moment to extract 300 DNA from living humans
would you?
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
None
MISSION GOALS
1 - Collect the overloaded brain stems and fresh DNA
MISSION SCRIPT
It's time to steal all the evidence and collect DNA at the same time!
Crypto is assigned two brain stem retrieval mission objectives.
The small, scabby Furon has already become a master with extracting
DNA from live test subject… except that the human target from
which you’re trying to extract the DNA can fight back. That’s why
some humans take a lot of concentration to snatch their DNA, so
Crypto have to be cautious when attempting this dangerous, yes
viscerally satisfying experiment!
Some overloaded brain stems are hidden inside metal crates that
must be broken. Crypto uses his mental powers to smash them
against the ground, a wall, or by blasting them with the
Disintegrator Ray, though this sometimes draws attention... As
Crypto get close, he discovers that Majestic has left some
dangerous presents behind in the name of the EMP Mines. This
strangely advanced technology devices fire an electromagnetic pulse
that disable Crypto’s weapons and Jetpack. If he gets to close they
will trigger.
The Majestic agents seem on high alert, reacting to the slightest
suspicious noise. They are even sometimes accompanied by scientists
who appear to be studying the brain stem samples scattered on the
pavement. But Crypto, combining his mental powers to remain
undetected and his weapons to eliminate any threat, ultimately
manages to recover all the overloaded brain stems as well as some
healthy ones.
With the failed mission at the TV station and now the disappearance
of the masterminds, it seems the Majestic is experiencing some
setbacks, much to Pox's delight. Meanwhile, the press is reporting on
a supposed stunted sniper who has claimed more victims in the area,
much to the authorities' dismay. Faced with this growing threat,
federal agents are arriving in force in the city and across the
peninsula.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to "Aliens Ate My Buick" the third
studio album by English new wave/synth-pop musician Thomas Dolby,
released on 25 April 1988.
Although Pox asks Crypto to collect fresh DNA from living humans,
Furon Probes can also be collected and counted towards the total.
Each one yields 75 DNA samples, allowing the goal to be reached
more quickly.
This is the first mission in the game that introduces the EMP Mines.
The mission also reveals that the Majestic agents possess the ability
of Holobob Jamming, the ability to unmask Crypto when he is in
human form.
Only during this mission, Crypto can overhear two exchanges
between a police officer and a woman, as well as another officer
interrogating a couple.
After reading a Santa Modesta Tribune article about government scientists
who supposedly developed the "All-American Fast Food Sensation", a
revolutionary way to fight communism through better cuisine, Orthopox
investigates the scientists' connection to the Majestic.
Crypto, you’re going to investigate the activities of the humans
scientists. I want to establish their connection with the Majestic.
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot / in the air
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Zap-O-Matic upgrade 2
MISSION GOALS
1 - Retrieve information from the scientists
2 - Destroy the Majestic operated Diner Diner.
3 - Destroy the majestic convoy and the army patrol.
4 - Catch a G-Man and take him to the landing zone for interrogation.
MISSION SCRIPT
Pox tasks Crypto to investigate on two fast-foods near the sandy
shores of Lake Modesta. Something strange is going on at these
Diners. The people lined up at the door seem to be under some sort
of mind control. They’re all extremely paranoid and hostile. Then
scientists are arriving in ice cream trucks and park nearby the
restaurants. Could they be to blame for the agitated customers?
Through Crypto's mind-reading analysis, it’s clear to Pox that the
scientists are responsible for carrying out Majestic’s population
control scheme. Using various food outlets throughout the city,
they indoctrinate the population of Santa Modesta with special
ingredients in the food. If every humanoid in this population turns
paranoid, hostile, xenophobic and eventually Republican, it’ll maker
life very difficult for the Furon cause.
To put a stop to this, Pox orders Crypto to take out the Majesticoperated diners. Crypto unleashes his death ray on Cassidy’s and the
Star Diner. The scientists and their mobile facilities are mercilessly
obliterated, leaving only smoldering ruins. Majestic is down, but
certainly not out. It seems that something – or someone – by the name
of “Silhouette” has ordered a convoy of military tanks, which are
approaching the outskirts of Santa Modesta. The human military
industrial complex means business! In addition to standard cannonfiring tanks, gunnery stations have been set up around town that
have the ability of shooting powerful heat-seeking missiles.
To learn more about this organization that carries out nefarious
actions against citizens, Pox orders Crypto to bring a Majestic
agent back to the UFO for an in-depth probing.
When the G-man finally arrives at the saucer for his designated
probing, he’s a bit ornery and refuses to reveal anything about their
plan or about the crash of Crypto-136's Saucer. Ultimately, Crypto
pulls out the big guns – The jumbo Probe – and goes to work. What’s
left of the pathetic agent mumbles something about an upcoming mind
control experiment at Rockwell’s Blue Moon drive-in theater, Furon
DNA, and what sounds like “Area 42” before passing out. Following
these events, local newspaper reports the strange disappearance of
a Majestic agent...
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1955 American science fiction
film "This Island Earth" directed by Joseph M. Newman & Jack Arnold
and produced by William Alland.
In an earlier version of the mission, there were more strategic
restaurants to destroy; among them, Tasty Pete's Donuts Shop was
one of the restaurants used by the Majestic to indoctrinate the
population of Santa Modesta. Crypto discovered the restaurants'
involvement by tracking an ice cream truck from his flying saucer as
it made its rounds of the city's food establishments.
Just like with Rockwell's Fairground, once this mission is completed,
Cassidy's Drive-In Restaurant and the Star Diner will be permanently
destroyed. This wasn't the case in previous early builds of the game,
but it was added later for narrative consistency.
This is Crypto's fourth opportunity to extract a mayor's brainstem. Early in the mission,
not far from the Star Diner, he can be found behind a building, talking to a Majestic agent.
With a good old-fashioned brain extraction, the Mayor of Santa Modesta once again provides 100 DNA samples.
During the mission, if Crypto chooses to kill the scientists arriving in the ice cream trucks,
rather than scan them, given that they possess a sufficient amount of DNA, this does not cause
the mission to fail. Upon a scientist's death, a briefcase appears near their body, and Crypto
simply has to take it to gather information about their mind control plan.
Night falls on the small town of Rockwell. In the shadows, at the turn of
a dark alley, a G-man distributes pamphlets to the incredulous teenagers of
the neighborhood who dreamed of a better life. A sedan is parked not far
from the drive-in, and a menacing figure wearing a raincoat, hat, and gas
mask is urgently heading to Santa Modesta. The mastermind behind the
Majestic organization is finally showing itself.
Crypto! It looks as if that goggled human is running the show.
Majestic is planning something big at the Blue Moon drive-in theater,
but mine is, ahem, bigger. See the plaza over by that big screen?
I suggest we beat Majestic at their own devious little game. Get to
the drive-in. Quickly!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Rockwell
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission / Deathray upgrade 2
Rewards:
Plan 9 From Outer Space clip
MISSION GOALS
1 - Go to the drive-in.
2 - Kill any enemies at the drive-in.
3 - Get the Furon Film patrol.
4 - Play the Furon Film.
5 - Defend the projector.
MISSION SCRIPT
Crypto crosses the Rockwell River in direction of the Blue Moon
Drive-In Cinema as he exits the ruined fairgrounds. Compared to
Santa Modesta, the Rockwell’s streets are less crowded. However,
there are still enough pedestrians to keep Crypto in disguise. Once
in front of the Drive-In, Crypto quickly spot a group of Majestic
agents guarding the projector at the back of the lot. He disposes of
these hapless foes and sneak around the backside of the projector.
By the look of the blank stares of the moviegoers, it seems as if
Majestic’s mind altering propaganda film is working.
The majestic influence on their primitive minds must cease
immediately! To do so, Pox has prepared his own film for the masses
and the premiere is tonight! To get the film on the big screen, Crypto
must first retrieve it. The Furon film is located inside the army base
behind the Drive-In. It happens to be heavily guarded by a group of
military men that Crypto Distract with his Hypno Blast. This
temporarily grab the other’s attention providing Crypto enough time
to quickly get the film. With the film in hand, he returns to the
projector and replaces the Majestic reel with Pox’s re-education
film. Pox is ecstatic! Now sit back and enjoy the following educational
presentation from the Furon Empire!
However, few seconds after the
start of the film, a squad of Majestic agents descend upon the DriveIn in an attempt to thwart the aliens’ plans. Crypto does his best to
keep the projector working and defend it from the meddling agents
for two minutes. The disintegrator ray proves effective, firing a
continuous barrage of molten projectiles at the approaching agents.
The agents defend themselves armed with high-tech weaponry capable
of causing extensive damage!
The film ends as the Majestic's forces prove unable to stop the
projection. The audience is clearly more than charmed; hypnotized,
one might say! But the film's influence doesn't stop there! "Furon Flix
Hit Stix," as Pox's movie finds itself dubbed "Meet the Furons" by the
local newspaper, which clearly has something for everyone! Critics
seem to be raving about the film, and it's well on its way to becoming
a timeless classic.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to multiple movies. The most obvious
one is the 1959 American independent black-and-white science fiction
cult film "Teenagers From Outer Space" produced, written and directed
by Tom Graeff. The film's working titles were "The Boy from Outer Space"
and "The Ray Gun Terror".
It's also a reference to the 1959 American independent science fiction
horror film "Teenage Zombies" produced, edited and directed by Jerry Warren.
The movie, which never was copyrighted, was released on a double bill with
"The Incredible Petrified World".
Over the years, the "Teenage..." title was played on by several films
wishing to make a connection with the cult AIP hits “I Was a Teenage
Werewolf” and “I Was a Teenage Frankenstein”, including “Teenage
Caveman”, “I Was a Teenage Zombie”, “I Was a Teenage Doll”, “I Was a
Teenage Mummy”, “I Was a Teenage Serial Killer”, “I Was a Teenage
Intellectual”. this convention was satirized lot of times through the
years and left his mark on pop culture.
The film shown by the Majestic before the mind control reel
concoctioned by Pox is an excerpt from the 1957 American
independent science fiction-horror film “Plan 9 From Outer Space”
produced, written, directed, and edited by famous “worst” director
Edward D. Wood Jr.
The film, which was also actor Bela Lugosi's last before his death, is
regularly described as the worst film in the history of cinema.
However, others have rated the film more positively; many say that
the film is simply too funny to be considered the worst film ever
made, and that its absurdity adds to its charm.
Like many others, Pandemic Studios believed “Plan 9” entered public domain, which
is technically true. That's why they intended to present it in its entirety. However,
to their surprise, to obtain permission to use the film in the game, they had to acquire
the rights from the Wade Williams Collection. But the price proved so high for the full
film that they opted instead for the rights to a short excerpt of a few minutes.
Pandemic did, however, partner with the Wade William Collection to release a Limited
Edition DVD of "Plan 9" in a small cardboard case with the DAH! logo on it, few were
distributed at E3 2005 but they were mostly intended as a pre-order bonus depending on retailers.
Fortunately, Pandemic Studios did not encounter a similar problem
with "Teenagers From Outer Space", which was definitely in the public
domain and they were able to put the entire film in the game's
Archives.
Once the mission is over, all the spectators at the drive-in are
completely under the influence of the Furon movie. They will
approach Crypto, hypnotized. This is the only time this happens in the
game, and it was originally a similar effect intended for when Crypto
used his Hypno Ray, but it was cut during development.
In the mission's opening animation, the character Billy yells "It's
tearing me apart!" in a completely unnatural, over-the-top manner,
referencing the American independent comedy-drama film "The Room,"
written, produced, and directed by Tommy Wiseau.
In an earlier build of this mission, before reaching Blue Moon DriveIn, Crypto had to convince several groups of teenagers and adults
from Rockwell to go to the cinema to watch the Furon film prepared
by Pox. After killing the projectionist, the Furon film would play on
the screen, and just like in the final version, the projector had to
be protected (the projector was located inside the building, not
outside). Once the film ended, Crypto had to flee the drive-in and
return to his saucer, which was parked on the riverbank near the
residential area, eliminating any Majestic agents in the vicinity. After
escaping, an animation was supposed to show the UFO fly off into the
distance, and Silhouette cursing the Furons.
If Crypto's hijacked drive-in movie projector is stopped by the Majestic agents,
the mission will fail, accompanied by a special report in the Rockwell Gazette.
The report claims that a reel of communist propaganda was intercepted by government
agents, causing a red scare at the city's drive-in.
After a tumultuous night in Rockwell, the sun rises over Santa Modesta,
where the few Majestic agents left behind are about to meet a grim fate!
Pox is preparing to unleash the full power of Crypto to trigger some
hostilities and give the Majestic a taste of their own medicine.
I’m letting you off the leash, Crypto! The time has come to escalate
this little war against the Majestic! Go nuts. Terrorize the town.
Probe whomever. Just make sure to bring me back a delicious churro
when you’re done will you? You will definitely be needing a more
powerful weapon. Be careful with it, Crypto — it can hurt you as well
if you get too close!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot / in the air
Unlock:
Ion Detonator / Sonic Boom
Rewards:
none
MISSION GOALS
1 - Destroy vehicles.
2 - Cause $20,000 worth of damage to the Majestic Organization.
3 - Investigate the motel area.
4 - Destroy the Majestic base.
MISSION SCRIPT
Pox has given Crypto free reign to unleash his own brand of terror
on the denizen of Santa Modesta. Of course, this will be even more
fun with a brand new weapon! The Ion Detonator! And Furons do love
their Ion Detonators! This ingenious weapon launches a plasmatic Ion
Bomb, which will either explode within approximately 10 seconds,
catching and instantly killing any human beings caught withing its
wide blast radius, or it can be detonated remotely at will!
As Crypto moves into the street next to his saucer and wait for some
approaching cars. He uses his new pride to destroy ten automobiles
raising the alert level in just a few seconds. After this destructive
opening, it’s time for the little Furon to move onto bigger and better
things. Pox wants Crypto to cause $20,000 worth of damage to
anything that looks Majestic. Unfortunately, Crypto’s saucer is
grounded at the moment, so the damage must be done while on foot.
Majestic black sedans pile up in the “Bowl World” Bowling lot
parking lot where the saucer is located, and thanks to an explosive
chain reaction with the help of new Ion Detonator, Crypto manages
to blow up the vehicles and reach the target goal set by pox in a
very short time. Finally Pox wants Crypto to head over the nearby
Motel, which is actually a facade for Majestic’s point of operations.
Crypto returns to the saucer and gets himself ready to destroy the
base. It’s heavily protected and fortified, so Crypto needs some hefty
fire power to counteract it. Luckily, the saucer has been outfitted
with the Sonic Boom. This concentrated shock wave of sound weapon
is perfect for knocking down buildings and leveling entire city
blocks. The assault starts on the base by unleashing every last bit
of Sonic Boom ammo on the targets as Crypto makes sure to avoid
the many heat-seeking missiles. The motel doesn't withstand Crypto's
repeated attacks for long and collapses in a smoldering blaze.
The local newspaper headlines that manager blames aliens while
federal authorities point faulty wiring.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1959 American spy thriller
film "North by Northwest" produced and directed by Alfred
Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason.
It is worth noting that this film's musical score was composed by the
renowned composer Bernard Herman, whose music inspired “Destroy
All Humans!” soundtrack.
In a prototype version of the mission, the part around the Bowl
World Bowling parking lot did not take place. Crypto was landing on
the beach just as in the mission “This Island Suburbia” and rushed
directly to the Majestic base to decimate the agents and destroy
their entire facility complex.
Just like with the Rockwell fairground and the two Santa Modesta
diners, the Motel that serves as cover for the Majestic and their
facilities will remain as a permanently ruined and deserted site after
the end of the mission for the rest of the game.
Following the chaos dealt by Crypto during his rampage in the city
streets, and according to the damage meter, destroying a black
Majestic sedan costs the organization four thousand dollars
($4,000), while killing a G-man agent costs them four hundred and
fifty dollars ($450).
As The Furon Scout Ship lands on the sandy shore of Lake Modesta, behind
the destroyed base of the Majestic, Pox shares that he has his sights set
on a popular journalist whom he hopes to exploit to extend his influence
over humanity. The journalist appears to have taken refuge in a hideout
whose mysterious location seems to be known only to a town crazy.
We seem to have put a dent into Majestic’s mind-control efforts, but
they won’t stay down for long. What we need is to harness the
massive power of television! We can easily transmit our signal on
normal television frequencies; All we require is a suitable guise – a
persona the human will trust. My research indicates one possibility.
A human television presenter called Bert Whither. But he's made
himself scarce. Perhaps he got wind of what you did to Sleepy Ernst!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Sonic Boom upgrade 1
MISSION GOALS
1 - Find Bert Whither!
2 - Take Bert Whither to the saucer!
MISSION SCRIPT
That crackpot with the crumpled metal on his head claims he can take
Crypto to Bert Whither. His first stop is a fisherman's shack on the
beach and quickly ask Crypto to scan him. This freaky humanoid is
full of facts, some of which maybe be useful in upcoming mission
stuff that could come in handy later. His next stop is by a tree
where he shows more of his stashed goods. Crypto continues to
follow the lunatic, stopping and scanning, humoring the guy until he
reaches the top of the hill.
According to the crackpot, the cook Carmine taking a break at the
side of the Lou’s Diner takes food to Bear Whither, and he’s the only
one who can get past to gunnery stations and the guards. Crypto
leaves the crackpot where he is and uses the Hypno Blast to order
the cook to “deliver Food to Bear Whither”. Carmine immediately
takes the direction to Bert’s secret location. Crypto is following
closely, having taken on the appearance of a police officer to arouse
less suspicion while remaining vigilant and avoiding the nearby G-men.
Carmine leads him to the lighthouse peninsula, where police and
Majestic agents swarm like flies. Such a security operation must
surely be connected to the journalist in hiding. As Crypto gets
nearer, he spots a cave right under the lighthouse that must be the
place where Bert Whither is holed up.
Carmine talks with a police officer guarding the tunnel entrance who
deactivates the energy field. Crypto quickly enters the cave once the
lasers are shut down and approach the quivering Bert who begs him
not to hurt him.
Time to take this sniveling newsman back to the saucer. Crypto Hypno
Blasts him and order him on his way. Crypto escorts the valuable
journalist, taking great care to ensure he is not injured or, worse,
killed by the Majestic forces who rush in to apprehend the alien.
Despite the reinforcements, Crypto and Bert manage to escape the
lighthouse peninsula and, with some difficulty, reach the sandy
shores of Lake Modesta.
Crypto continues to follow Bert as he makes his way to the saucer.
Majestic agents pull up in their cars and attempt to stop this from
happening though… without success
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title reuses the 1940 American spy thriller film "Foreign
Correspondent" American black-and-white spy thriller film directed
by Alfred Hitchcock. It stars Joel McCrea and features 19-year-old
Laraine Day.
The mission offers a multitude of ways to accomplish the objective,
from brute force to the most discreet method possible:
Using the "Blow ‘em all to smithereens" way, the gutsiest one, Crypto
goes commando and kills the crackpot by extracting his brain stem.
He then flies directly to the lighthouse peninsula shore with the
help of his jetpack. Once there, he takes out the turrets and the
federal agents facing him, and destroys the energy field generator
blocking the cave entrance. He is then able to retrieve Bert and
bring him back to his saucer.
Using the "My compliments to the Chef” way, Crypto hypnotizes Chef
Carmine at Lou's Diner and sends him to the lighthouse peninsula.
Carmine speaks to the police officer guarding the cave entrance so
that the officer can deactivate the energy field, allowing Crypto to
see Bert. Throughout the route, Crypto must Holobob an agent or a
police officer beforehand to remain discreet. if Crypto Holobob
Carmine, it means the chef is being followed by his doppelganger,
which will alert the police officer, who will then open fire on
Crypto.
Using the "Kill the Cook” way, (well Crypto don’t really need to kill
him but why deprive yourself of another brain when it's possible)
Crypto can Holobob Carmine's lifeless body and heads directly to
the peninsula. when Crypto approaches the guard, he is prompted to
start a conversation. The police officer asks for a name: “The Cook”.
Then, he asks, what is your quest? “Deliver Food”. Choosing any
other option blows Crypto’s cover. So let’s stick to the script, will
you?
The dialogue of the police officer asking Crypto his name and his
quest makes a direct reference to the mysterious and feared Bridge
of Death in the 1975 British comedy film “Monty Python and the
Holy Grail” written and performed by the Monty Python comedy
group. if someone wanted to go over the Gorge of Eternal Peril,
they had to cross the bridge, but before this, had to answer three
of the bridgekeeper's questions:
- What is your name?
- What is your quest?
- What is your favourite colour?
As the installation that federals had deployed to protect Bert
Whither is now proving useless, the local newspaper headlines that
the Lighthouse Peninsula will become an amusement park under the
supervision of Puckertron Industries.
Pox's diabolical game is unfolding perfectly. Having ensnared their latest
catch, popular news anchor Bert Whither, the two Furons plan to use him
to broadcast a propaganda message aimed at turning these impressionable
American citizens against their own government! Santa Modesta's SMCBS
station will be invaluable in broadcasting this message, which is sure to
raise the alarm of the authorities!
The success of the broadcast depends on you, Crypto. You must
protect those towering transmission. er. Towers! Each tower has a
transmitter at its base. If the army wants to stop the broadcast,
they will have to take out those transmitters first!
Don’t let this happen!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot / in the air
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
1500 DNA / Ion Detonator Radius upgrade 1
MISSION GOALS
1 - Defend SMCBS station and towers.
MISSION SCRIPT
The appointment has been made, Bert Whither will address the Nation
at 6PM and SMCBS remains tight-lipped over the mysterious content
of this "News Special" about to be broadcast. Once the saucer
landed, the military arrives near the station. The troops, led by a
high-ranking general named Armquist, are ordered to attack the
communication towers in waves and dislodge the “communist
insurgents” entrenched inside the station:
“No beet-eating, vodka-swiveling, Trotskyite son of a bitch is gonna
hijack this great nation's God-given airwaves - Not on my watch.
CHARGE!” screams Armquist as Bert Whither’s speech is about to
start.
The broadcast is starting and Crypto must bravely defend the station
and its towers at all costs! After disposing of some soldiers
directly in front, Crypto check around tower one and two if any
pesky human is firing at them.
More military transport trucks arrive
with fresh troops and Crypto quickly disposes of them with his Ion
Detonator. The little Furon concentrates on keeping the two towers
intact, running back and forth between them and taking out the
monkeys who are shooting at them. After a few minutes the big guns
show up. Tanks can do incredible damage to the towers, as well as to
Crypto who keeps moving to avoid the enemy fire and doesn’t relent
until the general and his pathetic troops fall down in defeat.
It seems that General Armquist still has few tricks up his sleeve and
here comes the Giant Robot Attack! These giant mechanical monsters
called “Power Suit Soldiers” may look fierce, but they are no match
against the power of the Furons! From then on, The military assault
immediately mobilizes all of Armquist's defensive forces. Soldiers
pour in, trucks deploy reinforcements, and the robots advance in
pairs toward the towers. The battlefield is utter chaos, and
explosions resound all around the station.
Bert Whither informs that, as the army attacks the building, he
reveals the discovery of an extraterrestrial race that has visited
Earth. These aliens attempt to communicate their message, "to
befriend all humans," but are exterminated by government agencies of
the country. After a few more intense minutes of battle, the threat
finally ends and Bert ends his broadcast. As Pox congratulates
Crypto for defending the program a newspaper headline claims that
Bert’s speech only fueled the witch hunt against communists,
accusing him of being a communist sympathizer.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1960 science fiction horror
film “Village of the Damned” by Anglo-German director Wolf Rilla
featuring George Sanders in the lead role as Professor Gordon.
Adapted from the novel "The Midwich Cuckoos", the film was also
remade in 1995, this time directed by John Carpenter and features
Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley, Linda Kozlowski, and Mark Hamill.
The mission offers two ways to accomplish the objective, from on
foot force to a more destructive approach in the air. Indeed, this
mission can be attempted on foot, in the saucer, or a combination of
both. However, if Crypto choose to use the saucer he must be extra
careful not to fire its weapons on the towers or anticipate death ray
damage radius. Fun fact: many players didn't initially notice that the
flying saucer was available for this mission.
The mission marks the first appearance of General Armquist as well
as the Power Suit Soldiers who will now appear regularly in the
game.
In an obviously unintentional typo, it is amusing to note that this
mission was falsely called "Suburb of the Dammed" in the official
strategy guide for “Destroy All Humans!” published by BradyGames.
Regarding the recent revelations obtained from the G-Man carefully
probed by Crypto, which revealed the existence of a secret human base
under the name of Area 42, Pox sends the little Furon into the Nevada
desert in search of his missing clone brother.
Now we should be able to discover what happened to your brother,
Cryptosporidium-136! My scans have identified several radioactive
areas in your vicinity, but there is one in particular that looks like it
could be a crash site. Get over there and inspect it. Now!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Area 42
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Psychokinesis upgrade 2
MISSION GOALS
1 - Inspect the Radioactive Area.
2 - Recover Furon Technology.
3 - Locate Crypto-136.
4 - Rescue Crypto-136.
5 - Destroy all Furon remains.
6 - Collect Data Tape.
7 - Return to the saucer.
MISSION SCRIPT
The saucer lands in a remote area away from prying eyes in the middle
of a desert landscape where only a few yucca palms and dry bushes
dare to grow under the crushing heat of the sun. Pox needs Crypto
to inspect the radioactive area to the north of the landing site.
Military personnel and Majestic agents guard what appears to be an
old crash site, just over the hill. As Crypto quickly Holobob one of
the nearby military men, he approaches the small makeshift base
surrounding the crash crater. Upon reaching the crater and
recovering the first piece of Furon technology, Pox commands
Crypto to recover any remaining pieces of the downed Furon ship, as
well rescue Crypto-136.
Crypto manages to distract A G-man and a scientist guarding a
second piece nearby the crash site, same for two majestic agents
close from a third piece. Crypto treads carefully due to some deadly
land mines buried in the dirt! Close from the entrance to the military
compound, he notices a fourth piece behind army barracks guarded by
two agents whom he manages to distract without too much difficulty.
The last piece of Furon technology is recovered next to a parked
transport truck guarded by three G-men. Now that all five pieces of
the Furon ship have been recovered, it’s time locate Crypto-136.
Pox deduces his location somewhere inside a secret Majestic
Stronghold off the east. Crypto, quickly exits the base and follow
the dirt road, being very careful to avoid a large number of agents.
Once inside the stronghold gates, Crypto searches a way to get
inside of the main compound, heavily guarded by agents, a couple of
EMP Mines and the electro-gate, which can only be shut down by
someone with the right clearance to do so. Fortunately two egg-
headed scientists are not to far away and with the help of the Hypno
Blast, Crypto forces one of them to deactivate the Lab Shield Door.
Inside is the wreckage of 136’s downed saucer, as well as his dead
body on a dissection table. Filled with rage, Crypto unleashes is
anger on the facility and any Furon remnants that still remain. He
also grab the Data Tape from its base. After doing so, it’s time for
him to return to his ship in one piece. A final assault takes place at
the saucer, which unfortunately has been discovered and under fire
by Majestic and the military. Crypto breaks out his Ion Detonator
and uses any remaining ammo to completely eliminate the hostiles
including tanks and ground units. Crypto quickly bream into the
saucer to escape the area fast as possible.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1962 American psychological
horror thriller film “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” directed
and produced by Robert Aldrich, and starring Bette Davis and Joan
Crawford, and featuring Victor Buono in his major film debut. The
film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Henry Farrell.
The presence of an alien on a dissection table at the heart of the
top-secret military complex inevitably evokes popular images,
conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51, the Roswell crash in
1947, and especially the “alien autopsy” video. In 1995, this grainy
black and white footage of a hoaxed alien autopsy, carried out
shortly after the Roswell incident, was released by British
entrepreneur Ray Santilli and broadcast on television channels
around the world.
On the hill near the crash site, Crypto can overhear a conversation
between two soldiers—actually spies from the Central Committee—
who are preparing to leave Area 42 to report to the Kremlin later
that day. This dialogue foreshadows what will become Destroy All
Humans! 2, where the Kremlin plays a major role in the plot.
the communists seem very interested in the Area 42 facility, because
if Crypto enters the military zone, he can see another Central
Committee spy fighting two Majestic agents after being identified as
a communist.
It’s possible to get inside the military base by following a truck (the
gates will automatically open for them), it’s possible to activate the
gate opening trigger with PK or hypnotize the guard and make him
open the gate. However, for the conversation route with the guard,
Crypto get the chance to “threaten to report him to his Boss” being
effective in forcing the soldier to open the gate.
Although the Star Spangled Banner newspaper reveals at the end of
the mission that a scientist has died at the base, no scientist is
intended to be killed to progress in the mission. This echoes the
original plan, where a scientist was supposed to be near 136's
dissected body and was to be killed by Crypto.
Crypto's latest foray into Area 42 and the Majestic stronghold revealed
that these primitive humans have access to Furon technology, which they
were able to reverse engineer, as well as DNA samples from the deceased
136. This explains their technological advancements in recent years. It's
time to investigate their experiments further and clean house quickly.
The Data Tape you retrieved from the human research lab has
revealed a most disturbing development! They've unlocked the
dormant psychic ability hidden deep in their primitive brains due to a
dash of Furon DNA! They are training these mutants humans for use
in the battle against us! We can’t let this happen. Destroy everything
at their lab!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Area 42
Approach:
on foot / in the air
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Disintegrator Ray upgrade 2
MISSION GOALS
1 - Enter the Majestic Lab.
2 - Destroy the PSI Mutants.
3 - Destroy Research Data.
4 - Destroy the Tesla Coils.
5 - Return to the saucer.
6 - Destroy the Majestic Base.
MISSION SCRIPT
Crypto finally returns in the desert as his new mission objective is
to get into the Majestic Lab. Unfortunately, the entire compound has
been re-supplied with fresh troops and heavy artillery, including
those Power Suit Soldiers from the previous Santa Modesta SMCBS
Station attack. As the coast seems clear, Crypto heads to a cracked
opening of the Majestic Stronghold gates and progress carefully.
The secret lab is right next to the main compound area where 136
was found. Crypto quickly looses his disguise and head inside.
There, the little Furon meets a fearful scientist and use the powers
of Hypno Blast persuasion to order him to “Deactivate the Lab
Shield”. This results in him running up the stairs and, quite literally,
deactivating the energy field that bars his path into the lab. Crypto
enters through a tunneled overpass to reach the lab to find the
mentally mutated test subjects. They are there, still protected by an
energy grid; are these genetically modified humanoids still human?
Their heads are deformed and veins pulsate on their temples.
Crypto engages combat against these creatures! The PSI Mutants
Agents have been use by Silhouette in heinous experiments to create
an army of Furon-stopping Mutants. Although they cannot cause
harm in conventional ways, they have the ability to emit deadly
shockwaves of psychic energy that completely wipes out Crypto’s
concentration.
These monsters can temporarily construct an
impervious shield around them, but only lasts a few moments before
it must be recharged. After eliminating those Mutants, Crypto
finishes the job as there is some research recording devices against
walls. One Ion Bomb and it is no more.
Now, pox recommends to disable the Majestic Stronghold from within
and destroy the four energy-generating Tesla Coils positioned
around the perimeter of the facility. Crypto wreaks havoc within the
complex, destroying Tesla coils one after another. With all four
coils destroyed, he returns to the saucer to put an end to that base
once and for all. It’s time for one last visit to the stronghold, but
this time it’s to level it to the ground! Thee usual suspects make an
appearance, including tanks, Power Suit Soldiers, gunnery stations
and even some odd explosive weather balloons. Crypto unleashes a
rain of fire on the entire Majestic base, reducing it to dust forever.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1999 American epic space
opera film “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” written and
directed by George Lucas in his first directorial effort since the
original Star Wars released in 1977.
During this mission, the pens surrounding the Majestic Stronghold are
filled with glowing, radioactive zombie cows; the same type seen at Rockwell.
These cursed bovoids can be used to destroy the numerous Tesla Coils
protecting the perimeter. The sequence involving the destruction of the Black
Suits Base using the cows was actually part of a separate mission titled
"A Bovine Too Far"; the loading screen card for that mission can still be
found in the game files. The name referred to the 1977 epic war film
"A Bridge Too Far", directed by Richard Attenborough and based on a book of the
same title by historian Cornelius Ryan. Like many others, these missions were
merged to make "The Mutant Menace" more substantial and less brief.
The full name of these genetically modified humans, created using
Furon DNA, is Psionics-Mutants. These Psionically-powered mutants
are referencing the American science-fiction of the 50s and 60s,
where “psionics” was a proposed discipline that applied the principles
of engineering (particularly electronics) to the study (and use) of
paranormal or psychic phenomena, such as extrasensory perception,
telepathy, and psychokinesis. The term is a portmanteau of "psi"
(meaning "psychic phenomena") and the suffix "-onic" from electronics.
The term "psionics" was initially, and remains, a technical term within
the sci-fi community.
Although integrated into the Area 42 military complex, whose
existence is not officially recognized by the government, the
Majestic Base uses the cover of a so-called laboratory in the
service of the fight against world hunger.
Just like with the Rockwell fairground and the two Santa Modesta
diners, the Majestic Stronghold and its facilities will remain as a
permanently ruined and deserted site after the end of the mission
for the rest of the game. However, some Power Suit Soldiers and G-
Men will continue to patrol the area.
A secret test is being conducted at the Area 42 airfield. The US Air Force,
under the command of General Jack Higgs, is attempting to dominate the
skies by developing its own "ultimate weapon," the X-13, a saucer-shaped
fighter jet. Watched by other warlords and General Armquist, who is also
present, the aircraft rises a few meters above the ground before crashing.
The test proves to be a failure and a disaster for a project costing forty
million dollars.
My scanners tell me General Armquist is inspecting one of their
primitive aeronautical contraptions inside the military base. This
could be an excellent chance to crush their pitiful air defense
forces and destroy Armquist once and for all! We’re going to need
some extra firepower for this mission, Crypto. I suggest you make
your way to the nearby testing range and find a way to hijack that
nuclear device!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Area 42
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Sonic Boom upgrade 2
MISSION GOALS
1 - Go to the Atomic Testing Site.
2 - Hypnotize the driver.
3 - Escort the truck.
4 - Escape the blast radius.
MISSION SCRIPT
Right after landing Crypto heads toward the Atomic Testing Site. In
the process of doing so, Crypto will encounter a group of soldiers
gathered around some small explosive crates. He Holobob one of the
soldiers without being seen and quickly PK shakes the crates to kill
them all leaving no trace. Once at the outer perimeter of the testing
site, Crypto manages to trespass the gates and reach his target,
which is a large truck holding a rather large atomic bomb. The little
Furon manages to Hypno Blast the driver and order him to “Drive
the Truck”.
From this moment on, Crypto's objective is to escort the vehicle to
its final destination, the airfield in Area 42. Strewn with obstacles,
the road taken by the truck winds between the rocky reliefs of the
desert landscape. The task proves more complicated than anticipated
as he encounters patrols of armed soldiers firing at wild cows
roaming the perimeter, a rockslide blocking the road, and landmines
scattered along a wide stretch of the road. As he reaches the
outskirts of the military compound he takes the form of a soldier so
as not to arouse suspicion within the perimeter.
Crypto follows the truck until it reaches its final destination. When
it ultimately stops, the bomb gets armed and is set to blow in one
minute and forty seconds. Unfortunately, these monkeys have caught
on and are attempting to disarm it! Crypto stick with it for
approximately 40 seconds, and they won’t have enough time to
dismantle the warhead. Several scientists head towards the
explosive device to stop the countdown, Crypto disintegrating them
one after the other, but the die is cast! The explosion is inevitable
and Crypto has less than a minute to get clear of the nuke’s blast
radius.
In a blinding flash and an apocalyptic roar, the nuclear bomb
explodes, destroying the airfield, the military personnel, and the X-
13 craft. In the aftermath, Silhouette contacts Armquist, who
managed to escape the blast. Silhouette confronts him with the
recent events, but the general, a master of denial, asserts that the
situation is under control. He then reveals that "the communist spy
from Santa Modesta" has infiltrated the base and assures they will
arrest him. Silhouette orders the general to meet him and President
Huffman in Capitol City as soon as possible. A dejected Armquist
leaves Area 42 by helicopter, closely followed by Crypto’s saucer.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title uses the same title than a 1952 American civil
defense animated and live action social guidance film “Duck and
Cover!” directed by Anthony Rizzo and produced by John Sutherland.
This film, funded by the US Federal Civil Defense Administration, was
widely distributed to United States schoolchildren in the 1950s, and
teaches students what to do in the event of a nuclear explosion. The
film, deeply rooted in American popular culture, has been parodied
numerous times, among them, the Fallout games or "Volcano" episode
of South Park.
This mission introduces the X-13 test flight and subsequent failure.
A scene that alludes to the real VZ-9 Avrocar (Avro Canada VZ-9
Avrocar) first flight in November 1959. The 3D model used during
the cinematic leaves no doubt regarding the reference as the two
ship are identical. The Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar was a vertical
takeoff and landing aircraft designed and developed by Avro Canada
as a secret American military project launched in the early years of
the Cold War. It turned out to be a disappointment due to its
overheating and its instability.
During the mission's ending cutscene, when playing the game in
widescreen mode, Armquist's office is a half-cube modeled outside the
base. The back wall of the room, which isn't modeled because it wasn't
meant to be visible, reveals the road and some buildings in the
military zone. As for Silhouette, in the close-up, his 3D model is
placed behind a giant television to give the illusion of a live TV call.
The wall behind the TV isn't modeled, and in widescreen mode, the sky
is visible on either side of the television.
Area 42 is one of the invasion sites where the non-respawning of
buildings, which therefore remain permanently destroyed, is most
noticeable. The entire airfield area is devastated, and the Majestic's
base itself remains permanently destroyed. Local newspaper, The
Star Spangled Banner, reports that the reconstruction of the
airfield is awaiting funding.
This mission serves as a tease for the end of the game since once the
base is destroyed, it is possible to see Robot-Prez's foot in a hangar
near the takeoff pad.
During the escort mission, if the nuclear device is destroyed, a short
cutscene will show the bright flash of the atomic explosion
followed by the deafening roar of the blast as the screen begins to
shake. Following Crypto's death, The Star Spangled Banner, will
report on the Area 42 being nuked with its nuclear program put on
hold.
Clearly, the atomic explosion at the Area 42 airfield has given Pox some
explosive ideas. He wants to test a new weapon to share with Crypto. A
quick detour to Santa Modesta is in order to put an end to this human hive.
Crypto! Here's a frightening new weapon for your saucer – The
"Quantum Deconstructor"! It has a blast wave that destroys
everything! Try it out on the commercial buildings of Santa Modesta!
Then sit back and watch the havoc!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
in the air
Unlock:
Quantum Deconstructor
Rewards:
2500 DNA
MISSION GOALS
1 - Destroy Santa Modesta
MISSION SCRIPT
This mission is all about wanton destruction, and that’s the way
Crypto likes it! The little Furon can finally uses his saucer’s new
weapon to bring down fifteen of Santa Modesta’s most established
edifices. The Quantum Deconstructor fires radioactive bombs that
explode in huge clouds of nuclear energy laying waste to anything
inside their blast radius!
In a matter of minutes, the tranquility of a sunny day quickly
descends into chaos. The saucer flies over Modesta Shopping Mall,
which bursts into flames upon contact with the death ray. Panicked
humans scream and run like headless chickens! Buildings collapse
under radioactive discharges, and cars, hurled like toys, have
transformed the streets into smoking wreckage, while Crypto,
relentless, leaves behind an unrecognizable city!
Of course, the local newspaper attributes the destruction of the
buildings in the Modesta Shopping Mall district to an attack caused
by a communist saucer.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1946 American Christmas
fantasy drama film "It's a Wonderful Life" directed and produced by
Frank Capra. It is based on the short story and booklet "The
Greatest Gift", which itself is loosely based on the 1843 Charles
Dickens novella A Christmas Carol. It is one of two films directed by
Capra whose name is parodied in the mission cards with "Mr. Smith
Goes to Washington".
In the early build of December 2004, the mission doesn't appear,
meaning it was added later in 2005. It was originally intended to take
place just before reaching Area 42. However, to avoid making things
too easy for the player with the new weapon, the mission was placed
after the final mission in Area 42. This creates a strange narrative
continuity, as Crypto was supposed to be pursuing General Armquist
in his helicopter.
Flying over the ocean in stormy weather as he approached the coast,
Crypto, in pursuit of Armquist, sees his saucer struck by a gigantic Tesla
coil. After a dizzying fall, the saucer crashes violently on Monroe Island
near Union Town. The impact is so severe that Crypto gets thrown through
the cockpit and loses consciousness. But his troubles don't end there, as
he is quickly surrounded by soldiers.
Crypto! can you hear me? I’m not sure if you’re getting this, by my
sensors indicate you’ve been shut down and taken to an undisclosed
location where you will most likely undergo sick and twisted
experimentation – and not in a good way. If you can hear me, you must
escape!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Union Town
Approach:
on foot / in the air
Unlock:
Next Mission / Quantum Deconstructor upgrade 1
Rewards:
Furon Down opening movie
MISSION GOALS
1 - Escape the humans.
2 - Retrieve Crypto’s gun.
3 - Retrieve the Power Cell.
4 - Scan workers to locate the saucer.
5 - Talk to the barge driver.
6 - Find the saucer.
7 - Free the saucer.
8 - Retrieve the Jetpack.
9 - Return to the saucer.
10 - Destroy the island base.
MISSION SCRIPT
The saucer is shot down. Crypto awakens in a cage with humans
nearby. Still dazed by the recent crash, he slowly regains
consciousness as he realizes a scientist is pricking him with a huge
syringe. His gun and jetpack are missing. Crypto must be freed from
captivity as soon as possible before the Majestic begins their
invasive examination. He manages to escape the cage and rid himself
of his damned keepers. Once outside the hangar, Crypto finds himself
on the docks, still unarmed. The place is gloomy, teeming with
soldiers and Majestic agents. Luckily, A trio of workers surrounds
what appears to be his weapon. Unfortunately, the gun is missing its
clip, which means no wholesale carnage. Crypto searches around,
looking behind some metallic crates underneath the large dock crane
to find the much needed Power Cell and finally manages to receive
the first communications from Pox since the crash.
The extra-terrestrial curmudgeon needs Crypto to locate his saucer
immediately. To gain some insight to its whereabouts, Crypto Cortex
Scan some dockworkers as he proceed down the docks, being careful
to seer clear of the agents and creating distractions to make his
way through undetected. From the clues provided by the
dockworkers, Pox can now discern that the saucer is still being held
on nearby Monroe Island. Unfortunately since the Jetpack has been
pilfered, there’s no way to get to the island without the help of a
malleable human. Crypto sets out to find the barge driver, whom he
locates near the docks. Although the driver demands a password to
drive to the island, the information Crypto gathered allows him to
discover the password: "Marilyn".
Once delivered to Monroe Island, it’s time for the little Furon to
locate and retrieve his precious saucer. As he heads up the hill,
scanning humans in the process to keep up his disguise to avoid
agents and Power Suit Soldiers, Crypto discovers that it’s being
moved by a rather large crane to yet another undisclosed location.
He finds an easy way to get it loose by sneaking around to the
driver’s side cab of the crane and hypnotizing the worker to “Free
the Ship!”. To get the saucer operational, Crypto must locate its
Power Cells that are being stored in a variety of location on the
island and also a docked container ship in the ocean. Barges allow
Crypto to reach the offshore ship and return to his saucer with the
six Power Cells.
Confronting groups of G-Men and facing some redoubtable Power
Suit Soldiers, Crypto finally manages to beam up onto his ship,
getting ready for a rocky ride! Monroe island facility must be
destroyed in its entirety! No evidence of the crash must remain, and
the makeshift base must be reduced to ashes. There is some heavy
resistance at first, but as the gunnery stations and other targets
are eliminated, the threat level is reducing greatly. In just a few
minutes, the island is in flames and all the military installations are
permanently destroyed. The destruction is visible from the town, and
the Union Town newspaper attributes this burning event to local
delinquents.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 2001 war film "Blackhawk
Down" directed and produced by Ridley Scott. It is based on the 1999
eponymous non-fiction book by journalist Mark Bowden, about the
crew of a Black Hawk helicopter that was shot down during the
Battle of Mogadishu.
This mission, conceived early in the game's development and
prototyped as early as 2004, is the only one where Crypto must
confront his lack of weapons, having to find a way to recover them.
He also finds himself without a jetpack for an extended period,
forcing the player to adopt a new, more stealth-oriented gameplay
style.
This is the only mission in the game that features its own pre-
rendered CGI cinematic, typically used for the game's intro and
outro. This highlights Pandemic's intention to place this highly
scripted mission, with its numerous plot twists, within a very
cinematic atmosphere, making it one of the most meticulously crafted
missions in the game.
Several infiltration methods and opportunities are available in this
mission:
For example to escape his cage Crypto can get out of this
predicament by Hypno Blasting the scientist in front of his cage
ordering him to “Turn off the cage”. He’ll move to the control panel
behind him and shut it down. In the other scenario Crypto can kill
all three of the occupants in the immediate area (such as PK the
scientist and slam him around the room or use exploding barrels on
the agents) and then use PK powers on the console to shut off the
electro field.
Also, If Crypto “accidentally” kill one of he dockworkers or the
Barge Driver, he’s forced to find another way to reach the saucer.
Thankfully a nearby jetpack should do the trick. It’s located in a
hangar surrounded by Majestic, military and Power Suit Soldiers.
After obtaining it and to reach the saucer, Crypto must fly to the
island. To get there, Crypto sails from buoy to ship, then buoy to
buoy, until finally reaching the ramp on the opposite side of the
water. It’s a way to skip the “find the Saucer” mission objective.
After his brief but explosive visit to Union Town, Crypto finally resumes
his pursuit of General Armquist, which leads him to a vast metropolis on
the country's east coast. This giant urban complex appears to be of
considerable importance, the largest human hive that Crypto and Pox have
stumbled upon so far and definitely one of the country's main strategic
epicenters.
How curious! I was tracking Armquist in hopes of discovering his
secret base. But instead, he came here, to a civilian facility known as
the “white house” to meet with his leader, “the president”... I want
you to seek out this “White House”: find out what sort of place it is
and what defenses it has. Do it with stealth Crypto, I don’t want
them to know you were ever here!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Capitol City
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Ion Detonator upgrade 2
MISSION GOALS
1 - Go to the White House’s front gate.
2 - Scan the scientist near the White House.
3 - Follow this human: He said something about Armquist.
4 - Infiltrate Armquist’s Headquarters!
5 - Find Armquist.
6 - Stop the humans stealing the saucer.
7 - Get the saucer away from this landing zone.
MISSION SCRIPT
Crypto quickly sets off for this “White House”. Capitol City's
streets are full of pedestrians, enough to keep the Furon in human
form. Crypto remains on his guard as he approaches the White House;
majestic agents are on every corner, capable of jamming his Holobob.
Upon reaching the presidential palatial, Pox alerts Crypto to the
presence of a team of scientists exiting the building. If they had just
met with President Huffman, perhaps they have some useful
information in their puny brains. Crypto scans the scientists, one of
them reveals something about General Armquist and a stupid “Blue
Rider” password. Crypto follows him as he runs away to see where
he's going.
The scientist leads Crypto around the city, over a bridge and
eventually to a military installation: the Octagon, which is General
Armquist’s Headquarters where he should meet Silhouette. Crypto
avoids any and all Majestic agents along the way. Protected by
enormous Tesla coils and explosive weather balloons, the Octagon
teems with soldiers, G-Men, Power Suit Soldiers, and PSI-Mutants,
which complicates matters for Crypto, who must remain extremely
discreet. He engages the soldier in conversation upon reaching the
front gate, repeating the password “Blue Rider”, and infiltrates the
military compound.
Once inside the Octagon’s main grounds, Pox orders Crypto to get
close to Armquist. It looks as if the General has company. The
mysterious Silhouette is definitely the one in charge.
It looks as if
Majestic has inserted itself firmly into the government landscape,
Which my have terrible implications for the Furons and their ultimate
cause. In fact, under Silhouette influence, President Huffman wants
an overhaul of the United States' security system. This radical new
concept of “national defense” implies to merge the five branches of
the armed forces and Majestic, hoping to usher in a new American
century and counter the Furon threat. After a strong argument,
Silhouette leaves Armquist opposed to the idea of Majestic
absorbing the US military.
Crypto’s saucer has been discovered and is being taken away by
Majestic. Crypto rushes from the Octagon and returns to stop the
humans from stealing it before it's too late. He has only three
minutes and twenty seconds to succeed, and a full-blown war erupts
to recover it. Military personnel, robots, tanks, and Majestic's elite
forces converge on his location. Crypto eliminates anyone who
appears hostile. As he manages to reach the landing zone, he
discovers his saucer surrounded by scientists and equipment
designed to size it. After an exhausting battle, Crypto successfully
beams up into his ship and reach the mothership in orbit.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1939 American political
comedy-drama film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” directed by Frank
Capra, starring Jean Arthur and James Stewart, and featuring
Claude Rains and Edward Arnold. The film is based on Lewis R.
Foster's unpublished story “The Gentleman from Montana”. It is one
of two films directed by Capra whose name is parodied in the mission
cards with “It's a Wonderful Life”.
The mission's later name was “The Capitol Menace” as seen in a
December 2004 prototype, before the similarly named mission “The
Mutant Menace” was added to the build. The prototype version of the
mission has a similar overall structure with very minor changes (The
description of this prototype mission is available in the “Scrapped
Missions” category). Around 2005, the mission was later renamed
“Mr. Crypto Goes To Capitol City”.
If Crypto attempts to use the password “Marilyn” from Furon Down,
the soldier guarding the front gate will appear perplexed before
stating that they could have accessed the area if they had said “Jane
Russell”.
After Crypto's escape from the Majestic, a newspaper reports that
the Octagon is locked down following the intrusion of a “Pint-sized
spy” on the main grounds. However, if Crypto fails to reach his
saucer within the allotted time, his saucer will be captured by the
federal authorities. And so, the usual scrolling newspaper headline
is replaced by a Majestic top-secret file presenting a report to the
National Security Council about the technical analysis of the
captured UFO. This is the only appearance of such a top-secret
document in the game.
It is with a heavy heart that General Armquist must travel to Union Town
for a secret meeting with other high-ranking military officials regarding
the joint fight against the Furons. Having learned of the upcoming meeting,
Pox sends Crypto into the foggy city to sabotage Silhouette's plans and, in
doing so, eliminate the general.
Crypto, the warlord Armquist is heading to a meeting with the other
human warmongers. Thanks to Majestic and their leader, Silhouette,
his orders are to unite them against us! Don't kill Armquist for now
as that would still leave the others alive. Martyring Armquist will
only stiffen their resolve. Follow Armquist to that meeting!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Union Town
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Psychokinesis upgrade 3
MISSION GOALS
1 - Follow Armquist to the meeting.
2 - Hypnotize the Navy warlord and make him sleep – don’t kill him!
3 - Holobob the Navy warlord – don’t kill him!
4 - Enter the meeting area disguise as the warlord – don't kill him!
5 - Destroy Armquist.
MISSION SCRIPT
Upon landing in Union Town, Pox informs Crypto that Armquist plans
to meet with the other heads of the military to unite the branches of
the army against the invasion. He orders Crypto to follow Armquist's
car to the meeting place. As his vehicle is already on the move,
Crypto Holobob the first available human and follow his car, taking
extra pains to avoid the Majestic agents patrolling in the streets.
When Armquist arrives at the meeting place, the Union Town Maritime
Museum, Pox orders Crypto to take the form of a human warmonger,
infiltrate the meeting and use his powers of persuasion to turn the
others warlords against Armquist.
Luckily, the Navy general is loitering around the back of the museum.
Crypto Hypno Blasts this puny warlord and commands him to sleep.
Being sure no one is looking, he finally Holobob the Navy general's
form. With this adequate disguise Crypto can now infiltrate the
meeting and do some filibustering.
Inside the Museum, the meeting is already taking place. The Army
general, the Air Force general are present and Armquist is making an
impassioned and convincing argument to present evidence of attacks
by "communist spies" against the United States, starting with the
goings on at the fairgrounds in Rockwell and the kidnapping of a
beauty pageant winner. Crypto, still in disguise ridicules Armquist,
calling him paranoid and blame rowdy kids suggesting that some may
have accidentally set fire to the fair. It results in the Army general
agreeing and walking out with his troops.
Armquist tries again, this time highlighting the grisly details about
the recent incident at Area 42 and the assassination attempt on him
using a nuclear weapon. When it’s Crypto’s turn to speak, he
attempts to discredit Armquist by simply asking if he managed to
catch the alleged "assassin" to support his story. Once again
Crypto’s debating skills surpasses Armquist's tale of woe prompting
the Air Force general to leave as well.
Enraged, Armquist confronts the Marine Warlord. As Crypto finally
reveals his true alien form, a furious Armquist orders his troops to
attack the Furon while he flees, only to return moments later inside
a towering mechanized powersuit. It’s go time! Armquist is no
pushover. His armor is super powerful and it’s going to take massive
firepower to bring it down! Right in front of the Maritime Museum,
the battle erupts with devastating fury. The General’s first attack is
to stomp the ground, creating a spectacular shockwave that sends a
handful of explosive barrels flying through the sly.. Crypto dodges
the blasts and unleashes his arsenal of ion bombs, while Armquist
retaliates with his machine guns and missile launchers. Crypto must
remain mobile above all else to avoid becoming an easy target. As the
battle rages, backup troops arrive to help Armquist in the form of
military, agents, tanks, and so on. After an intense fight, the little
Furon finally manages to overpower Armquist and destroy his Power
Suit.
As Armquist lives his final moments, Crypto tricks him, claiming that
the Furons only wanted peace among humans and that they could
have lived together if they hadn't gone against each other. Armquist,
regretful, realizes that deep down, they are all human. Crypto
blasts him with a disintegrator ray, reducing the general to ashes
and calling him a psycho. Relishing his victory over the fallen
general, Crypto returns to his saucer and takes off for Capitol City.
The local Union Town News newspaper reveals that Armquist was in
fact a Russian “red General” spy killed during a failed coup d’etat
attempt.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1956 American black-and-white
science fiction film “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” produced by
Charles H. Schneer, directed by Fred F. Sears, and stars Hugh
Marlowe and Joan Taylor. The stop-motion animation special effects
were created by renowned American-British animator and special
effects creator Ray Harryhausen. The name is also close to the
1958 American black-and-white science fiction horror film “Earth vs.
the Spider” produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon.
In the final cutscene of the mission, although Crypto is clearly
shown blasting Armquist with his disintegrator ray, logically leaving
only ashes, the image in the Union Town newspaper shows Armquist's
lifeless body lying on the ground, a pistol nearby and bloodstains on
his uniform. This inconsistency could be explained by a simple
photomontage provided to the press by federal agents, the
newspaper title already being entirely fabricated with the aim of
discrediting the general.
Armquist's power suit armor has a unique design. With a gray metallic
texture, it is more imposing and better equipped compared to other
ordinary soldier power suits. A Roman eagle emblem, borrowed from
the SPQR Roman flag, is visible on his chest, while the American flag
is present on his rear.
The mission features Armquist's in-game model for the first time,
outside of in-game cutscenes. That model is recognizable, notably by
the corncob pipe in his mouth (that he doesn’t have during the rest
of the game), a reference to General Douglas MacArthur, of whom
Armquist is practically a doppelganger. MacArthur was an American
general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army
during the 1930s and played a leading role in the Pacific theater of
World War II.
In an earlier version of this mission, present on a 2004 prototype,
Crypto had the option to assume the identity of one of three
warlords: the Army general, the Navy general or the Air Force
general. Once the meeting began, Armquist spoke of three events: the
destruction at the Rockwell Fair, the attack on the SMCBS station,
and finally the explosion of the atomic bomb. Armquist’s stories had
to be discredited three times. For the SMCBS attack, Crypto was
supposed to accuse Bert Whither of being a communist.
Crypto returns to Capital City under Pox's orders, lamenting that
Armquist's death hasn't impacted human society more than it has, while
intense activity seems to be swarming around the White House building.
Listen up Crypto! I’ve been monitoring the radio. According to the
human – Bert Whither – the president will appear before his subjects
today. This “president” must be more integral to their social order
than I suspected. I have noticed a significant increase in activity in
front of the White house. I have ascertained he uses those convoys
of long black vehicles for transport. I can't exactly pinpoint the
"president" from orbit, Crypto; it's not like he walks around with a big
red arrow aver his head. Follow those vehicles so we can identify
him.
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Capitol City
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Zap-O-Matic upgrade 3
MISSION GOALS
1 - Check for black vehicles outside the White House.
2 - Follow the Presidential motorcade to the press conference.
3 - Destroy the humans!
4 - Find and assassinate the President.
5 - Stop the Majestic agents destroying the saucer.
MISSION SCRIPT
Upon landing in Capitol City, Pox informs Crypto to reach the White
House building. Once perfectly disguised, Crypto ventures into the
street to get soon as possible to the presidential palatial.
Outside the front of the White House, the President's motorcade is
just leaving. Without missing a beat, Crypto follows it as it pulls
away. He stays on the President’s vehicle as it drives through town,
his most difficult task at hand is avoiding the many surrounding
agents. Crypto looks for them but steer clear, even if it means
taking a wide path around them. Crypto needs to remain cautious
because if he stays too far from the presidential vehicle, Pox risks
losing his signal and the mission could fail…
Pox discovers that the cars are using carbon compounds that
prevent him from seeing inside. It appears to be very suspicious.
Unfortunately, the presidential convoy, after stopping in front of a
military van, turns out to be a trap and Crypto is led right into it! He
quickly equip his Disintegrator Ray and start clearing the area of
hostiles. Backup for the puny humans arrives in the form of Power
Suit Soldiers. After compiling enough death and destruction, Pox
informs Crypto that president Huffman is actually elsewhere and has
even begun addressing the nation. He orders Crypto to seek out the
location of his public appearance and assassinate the president.
Crypto leaves the neighborhood and follow Pox’s direction to the
Capitol building.
It’s not easy for Crypto getting to the President, who’s located at
the top of the Capitol Building drive on the podium facing the human
crowd and a few television cameras. In addition to the ground troops
(military, agents, PSI Mutants), there are tanks and more Power Suit
Soldiers. The Capitol building itself is surrounded by scientists with
various technological equipment. Crypto actually only has one
minute and forty seconds to carry out the assassination before
President Huffman finishes his speech and get out of reach. Once
within range, Crypto gets close enough to zap the puny human
leader. Huffman is no more! Four more years? Heck, not even four
more seconds. But it would seem that the troubles are not over.
Indeed, Crypto’s saucer is once again under attack, Majestic has
located the Furon ship and plans to destroy it with explosives. Pox
warns Crypto that if the power cells are damaged, the entire city
could be nuked. Again, there's only a measly one minute and forty
seconds for Crypto to get back to it and stop them! He uses his
jetpack to quickly slim above ground, while heading in a straight line
directly for the saucer. A fierce battle ensues upon arrival in the
landing zone. Crypto clears the entire area of enemies and explosive
devices as quickly as possible, then get underneath the saucer and
beam on up, flying off to the orbiting mothership.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the nickname given to assassin Lee
Harvey Oswald, infamous for the assassination of US President John
F. Kennedy during a presidential motorcade in Dealey Plaza in Dallas,
Texas, on Friday, November 22, 1963.
Also, “The Lone Gunmen” are a trio of fictional characters, Richard
"Ringo" Langly, Melvin Frohike and John Fitzgerald Byers, who
appeared in recurring roles on the American television series The X-
Files, and who starred in the short-lived 2001 spin-off, “The Lone
Gunmen”.
It is possible to listen to President Huffman's speech, but only the
first part, as Crypto will fail in his mission if he doesn't eliminate it
within the allotted time. Two of Huffman's speeches were recorded:
one on patriotic values and the fight against communists, and
another paying tribute to General Armquist after his death.
This is the only mission where you can see and interact with
Huffman's 3D model in the game. Furthermore, since Huffman
automatically appears immediately after the Majestic ambush is
triggered, it's possible to ignore the ambush and head straight to
the Capitol to assassinate him. Crypto must then return to the
ambush site to eliminate the federal agents, and the countdown to
return to the saucer will begin immediately.
This is the only mission that features three different newspaper
headlines depending on how the mission ends. One newspaper is for
mission success, a second if Crypto lets the president finish his
speech without assassinating him, and a third if Crypto's saucer is
destroyed by the Majestic. In this last case, just like in the "Duck
and Cover" mission, a short animation will play showing a bright
flash followed by an atomic explosion leveling Capitol City.
During this mission, near the Capitol, it's possible to overhear a
conversation between two scientists discussing a sequel project
involving ninjas. This dialogue hints at what the storyline of Destroy
All Humans! 2 will become.
Huffman is eliminated, even though officially the federal government and
the Majestic deny the information. Apparently, the vice president has fled
to Cuba, and senators have been urgently summoned to the Capitol to vote
discreetly for a new human leader.
Now that their President is dead, the human senators are voting for
a new leader! The vote is agonizingly close! Doesn't the Vice-
President become President? Just shut up and kill those Senators
before they get inside the Capitol!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Capitol City
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Disintegrator Ray triple shot of love for only 2000 DNA!
MISSION GOALS
1 - Eliminate all senators approaching the Capitol Building.
2 - Stop the Senators using the side entrance.
3 - Stop the Senators using the front entrance.
MISSION SCRIPT
As the saucer lands on the steps of the Capitol Building, Pox
informs Crypto that the senators are en route to urgently elect a
new leader. Eliminating them will leave humanity leaderless, allowing
them to surrender to the Furon Empire. Pox orders Crypto to
decimate any senators rushing toward the building. Crypto runs
straight ahead to the steps of the Capitol Building and one by one
takes down the senators running up toward the steps in waves, as
well as the Majestic and military units arriving to defend them.
But senators are getting wise and try to enter the Capitol from the
side entrance to the left. As soon as Pox gives the word, Crypto
quickly alternates between the side and main entrances, strafing
back and forth, continuously shooting a stream of molten fire from
his Disintegrator Ray. In addition to keeping the senators out, there
is the added threat of dealing with the military and Majestic forces.
Crypto focuses on eliminating everything that moves, grabbing more
ammo from the nearby crates when needed.
After they have been exterminated, and once the vote is over (and
fewer than twenty senators have entered), Pox declares that the
vote could not proceed and that humanity will have no choice but to
surrender. The Capitol Post reports the Senators were massacred,
and reds blamed for the Senator slaughter.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title may be a reference to the 1911 drama short film
“Mexican Filibusterers” directed by Kenean Buel or the 1912 short
film “Filibusterers” from the same director.
At the start of the mission, Pox exclaims that Crypto shouldn't dwell
too much on why the Vice-President isn't replacing Huffman, as this
scenario anticipates. During the previous mission, "The Lone Gunman,"
after letting Huffman deliver his speech, the mission failure
Newspaper indicates that the vice president was sighted heading for
Cuba.
In its 2004 prototype version, the mission was titled "On Capitol Kill,"
a reference to "Capitol Hill," the area dominated by the United States
Capitol, which stands at the hill's highest point. It is one of the oldest
and most historically significant neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.
The prototype did not differ significantly from the final version, except
that it featured a large number of human Senators rushing toward the
various entrances of the Capitol Building, and Crypto was not allowed
to let more than five Senators through, thus increasing the mission's difficulty.
General Armquist is gone, President Huffman is eliminated, and all these
senators are vaporized! The conquest of humanity seems within reach, if
only the airspace above Capital City could be safer for Furon ships...
The humans have mass-produced a weapon that threatens our main
invasion force! These Tesla Coils are cheap, shoddy versions of the
ones you met in Area 42. And you, my impulsive friend, are to destroy
every Tesla Coil Unit in town!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Capitol City
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
Ion detonator upgrade 3 / Quantum Deconstructor update 2
MISSION GOALS
1 - Destroy all Tesla Coils.
2 - Eliminate the scientists as well as Tesla Coils.
MISSION SCRIPT
According to pox’s information, there are a total of fourteen Tesla
Coils scattered through Capitol City that must be located and
destroyed. As Crypto Holobobs the first human that comes into view
he quickly takes the direction of one of the first Tesla Coils marked
by Pox. According to him, some are automated, but others require
human operators! Each unit must be connected to a nearby Control
Console that must be destroyed by any possible way.
Inside some enclosures, Crypto meets puny human scientists at the
controls. He uses his Hypno Blast powers to order them to
“Overload the Control Panel”. The explosion of these consoles
triggers an infernal chain reaction that not only destroys the power
installations, killing scientists in the immediate vicinity, but also
instantly destroys nearby Tesla coils.
After destroying the first set of these electric menaces, Capitol
City is put on high alert. Some Coils, such as an isolated one by the
shore, are automated. This means that Crypto must destroy them the
old-fashioned Furon way. A few Ion bombs are always doing the trick.
Crypto quickly re-Holobobs someone before anyone even knows
what’s going on! At some point, Pox orders Crypto to eliminate the
human scientists standing in front of some Tesla Coils, as they have
the capabilities of rebuilding them once they are destroyed. The
little Furon know what to do of them…
Crypto continues to seek out and destroy the remaining Tesla Coils,
either by force or coercion, until all these electric devices are
reduced to smoking ruins. Capitol City's airspace is finally secure.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to a phrase commonly used in English journalism
to announce new, surprising, or disturbing facts within an ongoing article. It
combines both “Shocking” and “Developments” to signal to the public that recent
information is changing the understanding of an event. This phrase is primarily
used in headlines, news tickers, and program interruptions.
Although Crypto's mission is to annihilate every Tesla Coils Unit of
Capitol City (as well as the scientists to prevent their
reconstruction), this will not prevent their return in the next
mission.
In the prototype of the game developed in 2004, the mission "Shocking Developments"
was located between "Armquist vs The Furons!" and "The Lone Gunman"; it was moved
again in early 2005 to become the penultimate mission of the game.
Finally Capitol City has fallen into the hands of the two Furons. Major
political leaders have been exterminated, and the Majestic has suffered
such crushing defeats that their mastermind, Silhouette, has requested a
meeting at the Capitol with Crypto to raise the white flag. World
domination by the Furons seems imminent!
Here you stand at the seat of all human power and they’re turning
over the keys to the whole planet! Our victory is complete! The
Furon Emperor will be most pleased. Silhouette will be meeting you
there himself… try to be not too pleased when you accept his
surrender. World domination awaits!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Capitol City
Approach:
on foot / in the air
Unlock:
Outro Movie & Animatic
Teenagers
from Outer Space
Developer Darwinism
3 Booth footage
Goofy Screenshots & VO
Crypto, phone home!
Rewards:
Furon DNA
MISSION GOALS
1 - Go to the Captiol building.
2 - Get intro the saucer!
3 - Destroy Roboprez!
4 - Land at the Octagon.
5 - Take out Silhouette!
MISSION SCRIPT
It looks like the Furons have won! According to Pox, all that
remains is to meet Silhouette at the Capitol and accept his
surrender. Could it really be this easy? Silhouette finally emerges
at the steps of the Capitol Building. After some mindless chitchat,
Crypto finds that he really is a she! What’s more, Silhouette played a
key role and was the one who tortured and killed Crypto’s brother
clone, Crypto-136. Angered by this, Crypto damages Silhouette's
mask and jacket, causing him to remove his disguise and reveal that
he is actually a woman. Claiming "plan A" a failure, Silhouette informs
Crypto that time as come for "plan B" and put an end to the Furons’
insidious invasion with a new kind of new weapon. A new enemy soon
appears on the scene – Roboprez! This giant robot, topped with a jar
containing the pulsating brain of President Huffman, is the ultimate
political killing machine. This six-story cyborg is surprisingly fast,
agile, and comes equipped with high-tech, state-of-the-art weaponry.
It’s armament include twin arm-mounted, heat-seeking missile
launchers as well as a deadly gamma laser that shoots from its
chest. Even with the best weapons Crypto can have, it’s not possible
for him to cause any impressive damage to Roboprez’s titanium plated
armor. The only weapon that stands a chance against this deadly
political cyborg is the saucer! As Crypto finds himself at the feet of
the mechanical monster, he escapes the explosive scene and returns
quickly to his saucer.
It’s on! It’s time for Crypto to engage in a fight to the death with the
mechanical menace Roboprez! This iron giant is not completely
invincible though. All of the saucer’s weapons can weaken it’s
metallic exterior but for sure the fight is going to be tough. Crypto
unleashes everything at his fingertips starting with the Quantum
Deconstructor and judiciously alternating between the Sonic Boom
and the Death Ray. The saucer takes a beating as the giant robot's
attack is supported by the military. After an intense confrontation in
front of the Capitol, Roboprez makes a hasty retreat to Jefferson
Memorial. The scenario repeats itself several times, as the robot
unleashes its full arsenal on Crypto, who bravely retaliates. The
military has deployed its forces; recently installed Tesla coils
threaten to destroy the saucer at any moment, and weather balloons
make the airspace extremely dangerous. The Roboprez makes another
stop near the Lincoln Memorial before finally coming to a halt in
front of the White House. This is where the battle reaches its climax.
Despite the brutal assaults of his assailant and armed
reinforcements, Crypto holds firm and does not give up, continuing
to send all his weaponry into the face of the mechanical menace.
After a few more intense moments Roboprez officially “drops out of
the race” for good. Unfortunately the battle is far to be over.
There’s not much time to gloat. Silhouette interrupts Crypto’s
conversation with Pox and challenge him to meet her at the Octagon.
The little Furon then lands in the perimeter of the former Armquist
headquarters and prepares to wage a fierce battle against the
Majestic mastermind. This is it – the final battle for control of
mankind. Silhouette appears and she’s really ticked off. This nubile
vixen packs dual plasma rifles and can cartwheel her way out of
danger in a flash. She also has the ability to momentarily surround
herself with an impervious PK shield that will deflect anything
thrown at her while calling on extra troops to join the fray, which
includes Power Suit Soldiers, G-Men and PSI Mutants. Added to her
weapons and skills she can also regains full health after each
shield recharge, but hopefully she cannot repeat the process
indefinitely. After a third recharge, she is no longer able to do so.
Both Crypto and Silhouette take heavy hits in a fierce firefight, but
she ultimately goes down for the count.
Silhouette lies defeated on the ground. In her final moments, she
taunts Crypto, asserting that the United States is not the only
country in the world and that three billion human beings inhabit the
planet, much to Crypto's surprise, referring to the navel-gazing of
the puny American humans he has encountered since his arrival on
Earth. “wherever there are humans, there is Majestic” she declares,
adding that Majestic will never give up the fight against the Furon
race, repeating “Majestic”, “MJ12”, “the twelve all over the world”.
Crypto surmises that without Silhouette, the Majestic agency will
inevitably collapse. Silhouette breathes her last as Crypto declares
that Earth is now a territory of the Furon Empire, before crushing
her doll-face with his foot. In the aftermath, the Capitol Post
newspaper announces that President Huffman is alive, proclaiming
victory over some communists invaders on home soil.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1958 independently made
American black-and-white science fiction horror film “Attack of the
50ft Woman” directed by Nathan H. Juran, starring Allison Hayes,
William Hudson and Yvette Vickers. The film is a variation on other
1950s science fiction films featuring size-changing humans: “The
Amazing Colossal Man” (1957), its sequel “War of the Colossal
Beast” (1958), and “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957); in this
case, a woman is the protagonist. The film's popularity and cult
status and famous poster has spawned numerous parodies and
homages in pop culture.
A new version, also titled Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, was filmed in
1993 with Daryl Hannah in the main role. A second remake, directed
by Tim Burton, has been announced by Warner Bros.
Although in the mission "The Lone Gunman" Crypto can disintegrate,
ionize, or even use brain extraction on President Huffman during his
speech, this has no impact on this mission given that his brain stem
survived and was recovered by the Majestic.
The president's brain in the jar atop the Roboprez is a reference to
these films depicting a brain modified during scientific experiments
can be ethical, as in the 1962 American science fiction horror film
“The Brain That Wouldn't Die” directed by Joseph Green or the 1958
American science fiction film “The Colossus of New York”. Similarly,
the image of a giant robot wreaking havoc in a city is part of the
typical imagery of the 1950s, which is deeply ingrained in pop
culture.
Long before this amusing gender reveal, it is possible to know that
Silhouette was actually a woman well before the end of the game by
simply scanning some Majestic agents who are obviously surprised
that their hierarchical superior is actually a woman.
Silhouette's appearance is a mix of several visual references. Her
face and hairstyle strongly resemble Sylvia Van Buren played by Ann
Robinson in the 1953 American science fiction thriller film “The War
of the Worlds”. Her tight-fitting black latex suit may also be a
reference to the one in the 1954 British second feature black-and-
white science fiction film “Devil Girl from Mars”, which notably
inspired Darth Vader's costume.
Silhouette fights with weapons in each hand, something that was
also initially planned for Crypto, as evidenced by some 3D
renderings of him in certain mission cards where he is seen wielding
two different weapons in each hand.
This is the only mission in Capital City where it is possible to use the
flying saucer; the others can only be done on foot. The mission is
proving perilous for the Furon Scout Ship because the Tesla Coils,
which were supposed to have been permanently destroyed during the
previous mission “Shocking Developments”, have clearly returned.
Following recent tumultuous events, President Huffman, speaking
live from the Oval Office of the White House, addresses the entire
nation in a televised speech
STORY SCRIPT
“Good evening, my fellow Americans. In recent days, rumors have run
rampant: of flying saucers, alien invaders from other worlds –
indeed, of my own demise. I'm speaking to you tonight to put these
rumors to rest. The truth is, America has been attacked – not by
little green men, but red, and our invaders are most definitely of
this Earth. Despite the efforts of this administration, our nation has
been infiltrated by Communists. Godless deviants who hate us for
our freeddom-loving way of life. Their conspiracy, details of which
are only now coming to light, included drugging our water supplies
and controlling our media via mind-control. The result was mass
hysteria, a national delusion which provided them the cover they
needed to execute their fearful scheme. But your military and
intelligence agencies fought back – and I’m proud to report that one
again, America has emerged victorious!
However, the price is dear. At
this moment, millions of Americans are working hard and playing by
the rules, unaware of the lingering toxic pollutants in their minds.
To combat this lingering menace, we have set up testing centers
across the nation – at shopping malls local schools, even churches.
The test is simple and painless. Why, our family had it just this
morning – and I’m back at work, Doris is in the kitchen baking
brownies and little Billy is out playing tag in the Rose Garden right
now. It’s completely safe! So trust your government… Trust your
President. Freedom is on the march, my friends. Good night – and God
bless America.”
In an alley surrounded by armed soldiers and military personnel, a
line forms to enter a testing center. The area, cordoned off by the
army, is open to citizens who arrive after the President's address. At
its center stands an imposing metal structure: an unsettling booth
topped with an antenna. Every civilian must enter the device to
undergo the test designed to rid the body of the so-called
communist pollutants in their minds. Despite some anxious individuals
being reluctant to enter the machine, which doesn't exactly inspire
confidence, the hesitant are "encouraged" by armed soldiers shouting
to enter. The crowd also urges them on, as the fear of being
infected by the communist evil lingers. A human entering the machine
creates a reddish light that emanates from the entrance door,
accompanied by a shrill sound.
In his Oval Office, President Huffman seems pleased with the result.
As he rises to admire himself in the mirror, a ripple from Holobob
distorts his image, revealing Crypto abandoning his disguise. These
so-called Test Centers scattered everywhere should do the trick for
effortlessly collecting the Furon DNA necessary for the survival of
the Furon Empire. With a satisfied air, he exclaims, "Like shooting
monkeys in a barrel!"
"...And so the world breathes a sigh of relief; the threat of alien
invasion proved a false alarm. As for those who scan the skies for a
real visit from outer space, they may be in for a very long wait.
Perhaps the lesson is that we should turn our gaze inward,
remembering that man's worst enemy is often... himself."
THE END?
STORY TRIVIA
In the final version of the cinematic featuring Crypto's speech
disguised as President Huffman, several passages are omitted. The
speech written above is the full version recorded by voice actor Bill
Farmer.
It's not specified what really happens inside the metal booths of the
testing centers. Despite the red glow emanating from them, which
might suggest that the human inside is killed to retrieve their DNA,
it's more likely that Pox created a system to collect human DNA
without killing them, thus avoiding any public concern or panic. If
the person entering the machine doesn't come out, that would be very
strange. Could humans really be that stupid?
The closing narration just as the opening sequence is a tribute to
Charles Criswell King aka The Amazing Criswell who provided the
very famous "Criswell Predicts" opening & closing of the equally
famous 1959 Ed Wood film "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and whose
intro and outro of the game are almost visual reproductions.
In an initial version of the ending scene, Crypto was supposed to
interrupt the Narrator's final speech by disintegrating him before a
rotating globe appeared on screen, revealing that there is not only
the United States on Earth, much to Crypto's astonishment as he
discovers that there are other puny humans on the planet!
After kidnapping the mayor of Santa Modesta, Crypto returns to this sundrenched human hive ready to wreak more havoc with the brand-new weapon
Pox is preparing to give him. But perhaps other elements scattered
throughout the city can also help sow chaos and destruction!
Crytpo, you will need a weapon better suited for these more
populated human hives. You now have the desintegrator Ray. You can
do much more damage with it! Remember to stock up on ammunition. I
will drop some ammunition down to you at the start of every mission.
Unfortunately, I cannot counter the effects of the Earths
atmosphere, so you’ll have to pick them by yourself wherever they
may be...
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
none
MISSION GOALS
1 - Destroy the barbecue.
2 - Destroy the cylinders.
3 - Go to the Gas Station.
4 - PK the gas cylinders into the large fuel tank.
5 - TDestroy the police.
MISSION SCRIPT
The saucer lands on the same beach as during the previous mission,
and as soon as he steps out, Crypto receives a transmission from
Pox indicating that he definitely needs a better weapon, one better
suited to densely populated urban areas. Crypto is thus given the
Disintegrator Ray, capable of causing more impressive damage. So why
not test it right away on some nearby picnickers? Pox instructs the
little Furon to destroy the barbecue a few steps from his position.
Crypto unleashes his Disintegrator Ray and obliterates everything in
sight. The grill table, fueled by a propane tank, explodes with great
force, which Pox notices with interest.
If such a small container could cause so much damage, there must be
others. Pox suggests something risky but worthwhile to Crypto:
learn to use his PK skills on these explosive containers and use
them like bombs to sow chaos. Pox doesn't say this randomly, given
that he just located a high concentration of these gas cylinders
nearby Crypto's position.
Crypto quickly heads towards the nearest gas station. The humans
who see him approach are terrified, but even more so when he begins
levitating gas canisters and throwing them onto the fuel tank in
front of the station.
That's all it takes for a massive explosion to
occur, setting the station ablaze and instantly destroying all the
vehicles parked nearby to refuel. Pox is ecstatic! The explosive
objects experiment is a success! Unfortunately Crypto has woken up
the local constabulary.
The little Furon must remain vigilant as the explosion has drawn the
local police. He must eliminate five uniformed officers patrolling the
residential neighborhood on foot. More cops rush to the scene, and
police cars pile up along the road. Dodging their gunfire, Crypto
moves through the neighborhood, blasting away, one by one, the
officers Pox has indicated. Crypto leaves the residential area,
leaving behind still-warm embers.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title alludes to a phrase popular in the 1960s and early 1970s used to describe something fantastic,
popular, or a "must-do." If an activity was described as "a gas," it was essential to take part; otherwise, one
risked appearing boring or a killjoy, since all the "cool" people were doing it. Also, this can be seen as a play on
words echoing the American Superman animated shorts produced by Max Fleischer Studios in the 1940s; specifically
the opening line: "It's a bird... It's a plane... It's Superman!" This famous line was subsequently used countless
times, including in the 1952 American TV series "Adventures of Superman" (starring George Reeves) and the musical
of the same name that premiered in 1966.
This mission was intended to take place between "Alien Pool Party"
and "Televisions of Doom!" and in 2004 early builds of the game,
"Alien Pool Party" didn't include the section where Pox gives Crypto
his new disintegrator ray, as it only involved hypno blasting the
Mayor of Santa Modesta back to the saucer. "It's a Gas" therefore
serves as a tutorial on using the disintegrator ray, but also
introduces the player to the ability to use explosive elements
scattered throughout the environment to cause significant
destruction.
Given the brevity of the "It's a Gas" mission, Pandemic Studios decided
to merge it with "Alien Pool Party," which allowed for the addition of
the disintegrator ray and the shootout sequence with the Santa
Modesta police. The barbecue and propane tanks are scattered
throughout Ed Schully's motel, inviting the player to play with them
—other remnants of the "It's a Gas" mission.
The Majestic base may be reduced to smoldering ruins, but the secret
agency doesn't seem inclined to leave the city. They've even scattered EMP
Mines throughout Santa Modesta shopping district. It's time to clean those
streets.
Listen up Crypto! My sensors indicate that these Majestic agents
have placed EMP Mines around the town. It’s time to eliminate these
EMP Mines! Now go!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
none
MISSION GOALS
1 - Destroy the EMP mines.
MISSION SCRIPT
Crypto lands near Ed Schully's Motel in Santa Modesta and begins
his mission, the objective of which is quite simple. He must patrol the
city and destroy, one by one, the eleven EMP mines that the Majestic
has scattered throughout the city's shopping district.
Ideally, the EMP mines should be destroyed without getting too
close, because if they detect Crypto, they will activate, rendering his
weapons and jetpack useless.
There's no need to be discreet; Crypto is well-armed enough to stop
the police patrolling the area. He encounters varying degrees of
resistance here and there, but can manage to fade into the
background thanks to the Hypno Blast by creating distractions.
When the forces become too numerous, he holobobs a police officer
and waits for the alert to subside.
One by one, each mine is destroyed, causing further losses for the
Majestic, which is having a very hard time capturing this diabolical
little alien!
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1942 French comedy film “No
Love Allowed” (Défense d'aimer) directed by Richard Pottier and
produced by Alfred Greven.
This mission was intended to take place between "South by Southwest"
and "This Island Suburbia” in 2004 early builds of the game. The
mission's sole objective is to destroy the EMP Mines scattered
throughout the Santa Modesta shopping district. Given the brevity
of the mission, Pandemic Studios decided to merge it with "Aliens
Stole My Brain Stem!" where the mines play a significant role, though
their destruction is not the primary objective.
Just like in the "Aliens Stole My Brain Stem!" mission, scientists can
be found near EMP Mines, metal crates, and Majestic black cars
scattered throughout the cityscape. It also appears that scientists
are already driving the ice cream vans, as some are parked nearby,
including at Ed Schully's Motel. This foreshadowed what the next
mission “This Island Suburbia” was to be.
The sun rises over Santa Modesta, where the few Majestic agents left
behind after the attack on their secret base are about to meet a grim fate!
Pox is preparing to unleash the full power of Crypto to trigger some
hostilities and give the Majestic a taste of their own medicine.
I was hoping to keep our presence low key for a bit longer, but it
seems you will definitely need a more destructive weapon. The Ion
Detonator is useful against groups of enemies as well as larger
vehicles. It works a bit differently to your other weapons. It fires a
bouncing ion grenade that explode in approximately ten seconds. You
can also fire the grenade and remotely detonate it by pressing fire.
Be careful with this weapon, it can cause damage to you as well if
you’re too close from its blast radius!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Santa Modesta
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Ion Detonator
Rewards:
none
MISSION GOALS
1 - Go to the alley.
2 - Destroy the cars in the alley.
3 - Destroy the Majestic.
MISSION SCRIPT
Upon landing on the ruins of the old Cassidy's Drive-In Diner, Pox
has given Crypto free reign to unleash his own brand of terror on
the denizen of Santa Modesta. Of course, this will be even more fun
with a brand new weapon! The Ion Detonator! And Furons do love
their Ion Detonators! This ingenious weapon launches a plasmatic Ion
Bomb catching and instantly killing any human beings caught with its
wide blast radius, or it can be detonated remotely at will!
As Crypto moves into a nearby alley, Pox orders him to test his new
toy on a group of parked cars. He uses his new pride to reduce them
to a pile of smoking metal raising the alert level in just a few
seconds. After this destructive opening, it’s time for the little
Furon to move onto bigger and better things as Pox points out a
Majestic black car that Crypto only takes a few seconds to
pulverize.
A group of agents arrives on the scene and is also instantly reduced
to smithereens. Crypto must then destroy other Majestic vehicles
while avoiding the city police forces who are invading the area, still
smoldering from Crypto's latest atrocities. Finally, the last Majestic
vehicle is destroyed, and Crypto, after sowing a very satisfying
amount of chaos, leaves the scene in his saucer to rejoin the
mothership in orbit.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1977 American docudrama
“Pumping Iron” directed by George Butler and Robert Fiore. The film
presents the world of professional bodybuilding, with a focus on the
1975 IFBB Mr. Universe and 1975 Mr. Olympia competitions starring
Arnold Schwarzenegger and one of his primary competitors for the
title of Mr. Olympia, Lou Ferrigno.
Given the brevity of the "Pumped Ion" mission, Pandemic Studios
decided to merge it with "South by Southwest" which allowed for the
addition of the Ion Detonator tutorial and the Majestic cars
destruction sequences. As “South by Southwest” only had the attack
on the Majestic secret base, that allowed to increase the duration
of the mission and add more objectives.
This scrapped “Pumping Ion” mission was originally intended to take
place between "Foreign Correspondent" and "Suburb of the Damned”
in 2004 early builds of the game.
Back in the vicinity of the base after their recent misdeeds, Pox and Crypto
intend to discover and sabotage the secret projects designed within the
complex of area 42 in order to reduce any threat that could stop their
plan to collect DNA, but also to guarantee their own safety, threatened
by the army and the Majestic.
It's time to cripple their military forces! I want you to infiltrate the
main base and find out what the warlords are planning. Human
warfare is astonishingly primitive. Which is exactly what worries me.
They're just advanced enough to blow themselves up at any moment
and if they do our chance of reclaiming our genetic future goes up in
a mushroom cloud. Try not to let them detect you this time. We don't
need any more complications. And you know how jumpy these
creatures can be!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Area 42
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
none
MISSION GOALS
1 - Enter the base undetected.
2 - Scan officers.
3 - Reach the rooftop undetected.
4 - Scan General Higgs.
5 - Kill scientists in charge of the project.
6 - Destroy military assets.
7 - Enter the hangar.
8 - Sabotage the X-13 project.
MISSION SCRIPT
As the saucer lands in the middle of an arid desert region, Pox
orders Crypto to infiltrate the military compound in Area 42 to
uncover some of the warlords' plans. Following the rocky path
leading to the complex, Crypto re-enters the military base, taking
care of Holobob a soldier form to remain undetected among the
others. Disguised, he uses the Cortex Scan to gather a wealth of
valuable information about the new top-secret project being
developed within the base, a mysteriously codenamed "X-13," and its
project leader, General Jack Higgs. Being worried that such a new
human weapon could be a threat to Furons, Pox asks Crypto to
gather more information on the said project.
Crypto manages to observe the General in conversation with two G-
Men from a nearby rooftop. Higgs is furious that the X-13 isn't fully
operational, despite successful trials, and ready to be presented to
Armquist due to some unforeseen delays. The agents suggest he
instead present the warhead intended to explode at the nearby test
site, but General Higgs refuses another goddamn nuclear test, which
Armquist would consider totally insignificant compared to the
expected potential of the X-13. Forty million dollars have already
been spent on this top-secret revolutionary fighter jet project. The
new X-13 fighter jet packs a real punch. Fires missiles, has a laser
on board… it even mixes cocktails at five o'click sharp! When Higgs
threatens to personally go to Sector 13 to force the issue, the
agents dissuade him, confirming that the test flight will proceed as
planned.
Having learned some interesting things from this heated
conversation, Crypto scans General Higgs's mind, revealing that they
cannot complete the X-13 prototype without three key scientists
located within the military complex. Pox orders to Crypto to
discreetly assassinate them and make their deaths appearing as
accidents. Deadly hazards happens! One scientist is lured into a
minefield, another is crushed by a crane's load, and the last one
explodes in barbecue disaster. Once the three scientists are
eliminated, and still under Pox's orders, Crypto rushes to the heart
of the military complex and sows discord, rapidly raising the alert
level by destroying some military installations and vehicles to divert
the military personnel's attention from the prototype.
While the armed forces are all located in the military base, Crypto
slips away and heads towards the airfield where he reaches and
enters the hangar, where the famous X-13 is located, through a
hatch on the roof. The supersonic craft is here! It's a primitive human
flying saucer! Crypto eliminates all the humans in the hangar,
destroying all their equipment and the project data. Little Furon
uses his PK mental powers to sabotage the X-13 prototype and
prevent it from being operational for its flight test. Crypto manages
to escape before the two Majestic agents arrive and assess the
damage. They contact Silhouette and inform him that the alien has
infiltrated the hangar and wrecked everything. Silhouette,
disappointed by his escape, demands his immediate capture as soon as
he sets foot on the base, without informing Armquist.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1983 American epic historical
drama film “The Right Stuff” written and directed by Philip Kaufman
and based on the 1979 book of the same name by Tom Wolfe. The
book, like the film, recounts the adventure of the first American
astronauts in their conquest of space.
This scrapped mission originally predates "Duck and Cover" and
actually reveals more about the X-13 project and why its test flight
failed due to Crypto's sabotage. The mission subtly references the
warhead Crypto will use in "Duck and Cover" to reduce the airfield
and the X-13 prototype to ashes.
Project X-13 is a reference to the real VZ-9 Avrocar (Avro Canada
VZ-9 Avrocar) first flight in November 1959. The 3D model used
leaves no doubt regarding the reference as the two ship are
identical. The Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar was a vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft designed and developed by Avro Canada as a secret
American military project launched in the early years of the Cold
War. It turned out to be a disappointment due to its overheating and
its instability.
After his escape from Union Town, Crypto finally resumes his pursuit of
General Armquist, which leads him to a vast metropolis on the country's
east coast. This giant urban complex appears to be of considerable
importance, the largest human hive that Crypto and Pox have stumbled
upon so far and definitely one of the country's main strategic epicenters.
I am curious – It appears the warrior Armquist is not the human
leader. I was tracking him to discover his secret base, yet he comes
here to a civilian facility known as the “white house” to meet with his
leader, “the president”. Seek out this “White House”. I must know if
it is a Military structure, or what defenses it has. You will not
engage them in open combat! We must find the Human Leader. Just
disguise yourself and approach the White House, Hmmm?
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Capitol City
Approach:
on foot
Unlock:
Next Mission
Rewards:
none
MISSION GOALS
1 - Disguise yourself and investigate the White House.
2 - Scan the Scientists near the White House.
3 - Follow this human – he mentioned something about Armquist!?
4 - Scan & Impersonate the Scientist to infiltrate Armquist’s HQ.
5 - Kill the Scientist.
6 - Now bluff your way into the Octagon.
7 - Discard your disguise & return to Mothership.
8 - Stop the humans steeling your saucer!.
MISSION SCRIPT
Crypto quickly set off for this “White House”. Capitol City's streets
are full of humans, enough to keep the Furon in disguise. However,
Crypto remains on his guard as majestic agents are on every corner,
capable of jamming his Holobob. Upon reaching the presidential
palatial, Pox detects a herd of Human Scientists leaving the White
House. Crypto scans their minds and notice they are all thinking
about a certain Professor Hergensheimer who cut their funding,
some of them are also jealous of his meeting with Armquist. Nearby,
a white coat scientist stands out. It's him! Crypto follows the grumpy
Professor as he runs away to see where he's going.
Hergensheimer rages as he can’t remember his password. Crypto had
to follow him to Lincoln Memorial, where the professor quickly
speaks to a soldier who reminded him of the password: "blue rider."
Once the password known, Pox asks Crypto to disguise himself as the
Professor and discreetly dispose of him at Pox’s command. Indeed it’s
a busy city: there are very few places where a VIP can be eliminated.
When Hergensheimer crosses Memorial Bridge, Crypto PK him into
the Potomac River. Crypto finally reaches a guardhouse on the
other side of the bridge and engages a soldier in conversation
repeating the password “Blue Rider”. He finally enters the military
compound surrounding General Armquist’s Headquarters, the
Octagon.
The little Furon avoids any Majestic agents along the way. Protected
by enormous Tesla coils and explosive weather balloons, the
Octagon teems with soldiers, G-Men and Power Suit Soldiers which
complicates Crypto’s task. He engages a scientist in conversation
upon reach the front gate by announcing himself “I’m the Professor
Armquist was expecting”.
However, the scientist remains wary and insists on verifying the
professor's identity. Crypto then begins threatening to cut his
funding! The human insists once again as Crypto, still in character,
shouts at him “This is intolerable! Call that idiot Armquist at once!”
The frightened scientist lets Crypto pass, who begs him not to hit
him. The alien finally infiltrates Octagon's main grounds
Crypto hides to listen in on a conversation between Armquist and
Silhouette. It looks as if Majestic and Military are joining forces.
Which may have terrible implications for the Furons and their
ultimate cause. After that meeting, Pox asks Crypto to leave the
area, making him grumpy because he hasn't had the chance to
annihilate some humans before leaving. It seems that his wishes have
come true: Crypto’s saucer has been discovered by the black suits.
Crypto rushes from the Octagon and returns to the landing zone
where he discovers his saucer surrounded by Majestic, scientists
and equipment designed to steal it. After an explosive battle, Crypto
successfully beams up into his ship. A defeated Armquist leaves in his
helicopter.
MISSION TRIVIA
The mission title is a reference to the 1999 American epic space
opera film “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” written and
directed by George Lucas in his first directorial effort since the
original Star Wars released in 1977.
The mission's later name was “The Capitol Menace” before the
similarly named mission “The Mutant Menace” was added in the game.
The prototype version of the mission has a similar overall structure
with very minor changes. Like the professor's behavior, the presence
of a guardhouse on the other side of the Memorial Bridge, where the
password “Blue Rider” is requested, as well as the presence of
another discussion to be had with a scientist at the Octagon gates.
Around early 2005, the mission was finally renamed “Mr. Crypto
Goes To Capitol City”.
This mission was intended to take place between "Furon Down" and
"Armquist vs the Furons!” in 2004 early builds of the game.
Therefore, it did not change its position for its final version.
Crypto must assume the appearance of the Professor Hergensheimer
leaving the White House and must kill him before he reaches the
Octagon. This detail was not included in the final version. In the
final version, Crypto's costume is irrelevant.
Furthermore, if Crypto attempts to use an incorrect password or
provide an incorrect answer at the Octagon entrance, the mission
will fail. Therefore, it is crucial to get it right.
Also, unlike the final version of the mission, when Crypto has to
reach his saucer threatened by the Majestic un less than three
minutes and twenty seconds, there is no time constraint.
The “Blue Monday” password choice is a reference to “Blue Monday”
is a song by the English rock band New Order. It was released on
March 1983 through Factory Records.
The “Honey Rider” password choice is a reference to Honeychile
Rider, a fictional character created by the British writer and former
spy Ian Fleming for his sixth novel, Dr. No (1958). She was later
reimagined for the first time in the film adaptation where she was
portrayed by Swiss actress Ursula Andress.
The line “At least blue Rider beats Solid Snake password!” is a
reference to Solid Snake, a character, created by Hideo Kojima, for
the Metal Gear video game series since 1987. Also, the line “Would
you believe me if I said Rosebud?” is a reference to the 1941
American drama film “Citizen Kane” directed by, produced by, starring
and co-written by Orson Welles.
In a strange way, when Crypto has to say the name of the professor
whose identity he stole, he mistakenly calls himself “Hergenholio”
instead of “Hergensheimer”.
Clearly, Pox wants Crypto to try out one of his latest inventions—a new
weapon of destruction! So, what better way to test its destructive power
than to return to Rockwell one last time?
Crypto! Here’s a perfect weapon for knocking down buildings and
leveling entire city blocks! The Sonic Boom shoots powerful antimatter globules at its target, creating a large and devastating
shock-wave that will cause serious damages to anything nearby! Try
it out on the buildings of Rockwell!
MISSION DETAILS
Location:
United States (Earth)
Invasion Site:
Rockwell
Approach:
in the air
Unlock:
Sonic Boom
Rewards:
Unknown
MISSION GOALS
1 - Destroy Rockwell
MISSION SCRIPT
This mission is all about wanton destruction—exactly what Crypto
loves! The little Furon can finally use his flying saucer's new weapon
to level Rockwell's most iconic buildings. However, the city's defense
forces seem to be more on the alert than usual; Crypto should
expect plenty of heat from Rockwell's defenses, as heat-seeking
missiles have been scattered around the city center.
In mere seconds, the tranquility of a full-moon evening turns into a
nightmare, and this two-bit town “where nothing ever happens”
plunges into chaos. Emerging from the darkness, the Furon scout
ship soars over the homes and main street of Rockwell. Suddenly,
structures explode and nearby parked vehicles are hurled into the
air. Panic-stricken, people scream and scatter in every direction, only
to be sent flying by the spectacular shockwaves of the devastating
Sonic Boom!
Buildings catch fire and ultimately collapse under the repeated
blasts! Cars, tossed about like toys, litter the streets in a heap of
smoldering wreckage. Relishing the chaos, Crypto leaves behind a
town in ruins, beyond all recognition!
MISSION TRIVIA
How Scorched was my Valley? title is a funny reference to the 1941
American drama film "How Green Was My Valley" directed by John
Ford. It stars Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee, Donald
Crisp, and a young Roddy McDowall. It’s an adaptation by Philip
Dunne from the 1939 novel of the same title by Richard Llewellyn. It
was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning five!
This mission, which was ostensibly set chronologically after "Teenage
Zombies from Outer Space" and before "Pumping Ion”, was intended to
introduce the flying saucer's new Sonic Boom weapon. However,
during development around October / November 2004, "South by
Southwest" was ultimately chosen to introduce the new weapon in
Santa Modesta. Nevertheless, the Rockwell destruction mission was
not completely scrapped, as it was repurposed to create the
"Armageddon!" challenge.
Although the title card intended for this mission remains in the final
game's files, the newspaper meant to conclude it could not be found
and may never have been created. Similarly, no dialogue was recorded
for this mission, nor was any dialogue recorded for Pox to introduce
the Sonic Boom (which is indicated only by a blue box insert during
the final objective of "South by Southwest").
As the game progresses, new and
The humans in Destroy All Humans
won’t be sympathetic characters
that we will feel any attachment
toward. Instead, we will identify
with the aliens and share their
perspective on the species. The
human race will consistently be
depicted as a bunch of sterile,
conformist, paranoid squares. In
short, they have it coming.
On a strange and distant planet, a race of aliens, the
Furons, stands in rapture before their exalted leader.
He has finally brought an end to a million years of
suffering. They are to put aside their warlike
tendencies and build a new world of peaceful
coexistence. It is the dawn of a new era.
From the beginning, after I had provided him with
some background, Garry Schyman generously
expressed his warm support and enthusiasm on his
contribution toward the DAH Tribute preservation
project I had undertaken. He offered invaluable advice
and assistance, which far exceeded my expectations.
Garry has a touching personality of deep humanity, and
knew how to find the right words during our exchanges
where the emotion was palpable, to that I will be
eternally grateful. We had the opportunity to share and
exchange our memories and anecdotes, allowing me to
provide a better understanding of his invaluable
contribution toward the Destroy All Humans! Saga. This
is the first installment in a series of four articles, each
one focusing on a specific game in the franchise
It was finally in 1993 that Garry Schyman
entered for the first time the still little-known
but burgeoning world of video games under the
impetus but above all the choice of his friend
Robert Weaver then creative director for Philips
Interactive on what would become the
interactive movie video game Voyeur… don’t
get caught.
“In those days that’s how it was done! So we recorded
that here in Los Angeles though a modest size band,
sounds pretty darn good! And that score, by the way, I
think you maybe know this, it's available on my 
Voyeur might not mean much to newer generations
of gamers, but its release garnered enough
attention to be featured on the cover of the
September 27, 1993 issue of TIME magazine, which
focused on the rise of video games. According to
Jonathan Wiedemann, a producer for Propaganda
Films in charge of shooting Voyeur for Philips
Interactive, the video game cost $150,000 to
produce—expensive by video game standards of the
time, but peanuts by Hollywood movie standards.
A sequel, Voyeur II Watching is not enough… was
released in 1996, and although it took a similar concept
to the previous game, it was specifically requested to go
in a different direction regarding its music. This did not
prevent Garry Schyman from also composing the music
for the game, which this time, however, remained
confined to synth compositions without a real orchestra.
Between the two Voyeur games, the composer
continued his collaboration with Philips, working on the
music for Off-World Interceptor (1994), an off-road,
on-rails vehicle combat game that gives players a
certain freedom to drive (and sometimes fly) as they
please.
Bernard Herrmann's score for The Day the
Earth Stood Still is a quintessential example of
1950s science fiction cinema. He notably used
the theremin, one of the first electronic
instruments, characterized by a high,
sweeping vibrato. The sound is reminiscent of
a bowed saw, an instrument with a truly
unique and atypical tone. And of course,
anyone who has seen films from the 1950s will
recognize it. Herrmann was, in fact, the first to
use this instrument for a movie score; the
man had a particular penchant for
experimentation and an interest in electronic
sounds, which were then heavily marginalized
in cinema, a good way to find new distinctive sounds. From then on, he
launched a veritable trend; every producer demanded this sound from their
composer. Thus, most science fiction films, or at least a large number of them,
employed an orchestra and a thereminist. It is emblematic of this era and
ultimately became a kind of cliché, instantly associated with outer space
mysteries and monsters.
From the earliest prototypes, the game used It Came From Outer Space Main
Title for the main menu screen. Then, later in 2003, the Brisbane team opted
for The Day the Earth Stood Still Prelude, a track
they kept for the E3 2004 presentation and even
for several months afterward.
During this preview shown to the international
press, they also used Bernard Herrmann's On
Dangerous Grounds (Hunt Scherzo) for the
Rockwell Drive-In Cinema attack, The Day The
Earth Stood Still (Radar / The Captive) and
Psycho (The Rainstorm) for some on-foot
sections of Capitol City, and finally Mysterious
Island (Escape To The Clouds) when the Saucer
ravages the metropolis. They had no composer,
it was only temp music and the game itself at
that time was holding with duct tape.
“Rachel DiPaola was working at THQ as she was an
executive there. My resume just happened to be on the
fax machine at the time. That's when people still used
faxes in 2004. And she saw it. She says, I know him!
He a great composer! She was my girlfriend's roommate
from college. Rachel connected me in some way and
accepted my demo from my agent, heard one piece of
music on there that was Bernard Herman like.
She asked me if I had more like that. And I said, well
yeah, yeah, I do! I have! I sent her a whole bunch of the
recordings from Spooky House and Voyeur.
She sent them to Pandemic in Brisbane, Australia where
the game being made and the audio director there, Emily Ridgeway, really liked it.”
At the time, Emily Ridgway was working among
the Pandemic Australia team. She entered the
world of video games through the back door, but
with fierce determination. After completing her
Bachelor of Music degree, she decided to take
matters into her own hands. She spent her days
knocking on the doors of local Brisbane studios,
not to land an immediate job, but to understand
how video game sound is created.
Garry Schyman was hired around October
2004 and began composing in November.
He wasn't really a gamer and found
himself literally blown away by the
possibilities offered by that new
generation of video games.
“That's a really common way of working with a
composer. Because you're not at the studio, they don't
want to let the game out. So they'll do video game
capture of gameplay and send it to you. That happened
on dozens of projects that I've worked on. On video
games, it's a very common thing to do. They did the
same for the cutscenes of the game that I had to have
intact, because it was scored to picture. So I needed
those as a movie file. I composed the music in front of
these cutscenes, just like I would score a TV or film. When you write the music, it has one title that's just
a functional title for the game. So here they had “Hunted” would be the active action, “Normal” would be
a less intense version, and then “Disguised” would be like an ambient version.
That was me writing music that I thought was right for what they were asking me to work on. I was just
finding my way, I wasn't trying to imitate anyone. The Bernard Herrmann vibe was always in my mind,
but not that I had to, to slavishly copy it, you know. I had written a lot of music, so I was just doing my
own thing. So in the end a lot of it is just Garry Schyman!”
The first mock-ups of the Destroy All
Humans! soundtrack that Garry sent to
Pandemic Brisbane were created using
synths and samples as early preview
mixes, particularly for tracks that would
later be performed with a real orchestra.
Several of these mock-up versions, such
as the Furon Theme with its “Build at top”
beginning and the “Hunted” themes, were
notably included directly in the game's
Alpha (and following builds) as early as
November 2004; a good way to see how
everything fit together.
“Two months. Almost exactly 60 days! That's not fast
for TV or for films, but it's very fast for games. Of
course there is back and forth with the Pandemic team
but there was a deadline. It was right at the end of
2004. And they said you have 60 days to do that.
And you know what I thought, wow, that's plenty of
time! I was used to TV, and, yeah, that's where I would
get insane. I scored one TV movie, and I had to write 68
minutes of music in, like, seven days. And I did it. It
was insane. I hated that week. It was like the worst
week of my life. But in any event, Destroy All Humans!
was like a luxury for me.
But since then, I've worked on games sometimes for a
year, which is too much time. I'd rather finish it sooner.
But in any event, that was it. I had 60 days. It was
right at the end of 2004, like, I think it was like November and December of 2004 when I wrote the
music.”
Garry Schyman received praise from the press, as
well journalists specializing in video games and
music. Of course, some compared his score to
that of Bernard Herrmann, while others found
similarities to Danny Elfman's work on Mars
Attacks! (Elfman having himself drawn inspiration
from Herrmann for his own soundtrack). Given
that Tim Burton's film was released in 1996 and
Destroy All Humans! in 2005, the movie was still
fresh in the public consciousness. Indeed, the
game made no secret of the fact that it also drew
inspiration from the film. Greg Borrud, Director of
Production at Pandemic Studios at the time
saluted the brillant work of the composer:
THQ, in partnership with the Lakeshore Records
label, released the Destroy All Humans!
Soundtrack CD alongside the game's launch on
Xbox and PS2. Although the back cover claims
to feature "music from the video game," only
two tracks can actually be heard in-game:
The disc opening track Build at Top by Garry
Schyman and So Nice (Summer Samba) by
Walter Wanderley. In reality, this album
followed a trend common at the time of
releasing music "inspired by" a video game;
consequently, the CD consists almost entirely of
remixes than the actual in-game score.
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In a press release dated July 5, 2002, St.
Petersburg-based Creat Studio, LLC, was
pleased to announce the completion of prerendered 3D animations for Pandemic Studios'
new game: Star Wars®: The Clone Wars™.
Developed by Pandemic Studios LLC for
LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC, the
game is based on the recently released film
Star Wars®: Episode II – Attack of the
Clones™. It features ground and aerial combat
inspired by and delving deeper into one of the most dramatic and intense conflicts in the
Star Wars galaxy. Creat Studio produced 10 minutes of introductory animation and
cinematics featuring iconic characters such as Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin, and Count
Dooku. The game, slated for release in Fall 2002, marks the first collaboration between
Pandemic and Creat Studio.
The Studio also created advertising animations for international brands like Coca-Cola,
Konica, and Kodak, as well as on-air
graphics for Russian television
channels and digital effects for feature
films. With clients ranging from Los
Angeles to Moscow, Creat Studio has
developed a business model that
facilitates collaboration with remote
producers and directors, as well as
within a larger production team. The
studio boasts an impeccable track
record:
Building on its collaborations with other studios and its recognition in CGI animation, Creat
Studio added an "s" to its name in 2005 following the opening of a branch in Boston, which
gradually became its second headquarters. Creat Studios have welcomed veterans of the
video game industry, many in their fifties who experienced the Amstrad and Apple II era,
such as Peter Calabria, formerly of Legend Software, who contributed to the graphics of
Mission Critical and later worked at Reality
Bytes on Dark Vengeance. Another veteran of
the 8-bit era is Jason Benham, now the
assistant director of the Massachusetts
studios. Finally, the studio's defining
characteristic is its constant pursuit of
innovation. The CreateEngine game engine
allows them to be official developers for
PlayStation® Portable, PlayStation® 3,
Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360.
