Word of a violent fighting title on the horizon generally provokes a sort of Pavlovian response from gamers. So when rumors of Virgin's Thrill Kill title began to emerge, somebody had to go in and get the facts straight. Virgin Interactive producer Harvard Bonin helped videogames.com filled in the gaps between what's already known about the fighting game and what's hoped for when it hits the Sony PlayStation later this year.

　　First, the bloodshed. There's a lot of talk about the brutality gamers can expect to find in Thrill Kill. Videogames.com asked Bonin to put it in perspective. "I really hate to focus on our violence, since we consider this to be an afterthought," he said. "We will hang our hat on the gameplay and the new experience it will bring to gamers. Anyone can do a violent game, but it takes true talent to make a fun, enjoyable, innovative experience that will justify the price tag of games these days. The Paradox Team and the many contributors here at Virgin are indeed on top of their profession -and players will appreciate this."

　　Speaking of gameplay, it's no secret that the game is being touted as an intense fighting and carnage fest, pitting grotesque characters against one another in maudlin environments. According to Virgin, the game was conceptualized based on the need for innovative titles that offer something more to gamers. Some of the innovations include four-player simultaneous play capability, a "gang up" mode, in which one player holds another player while the third pounds on the restrained party, and characters that reportedly go beyond the personality driven fighting game that players have gotten used to in the past.

　　Videogames.com asked Bonin about the character development, "The team at Paradox has been very creative with their character design," said Bonin. "We currently have eleven characters, including three boss characters. Each one has four unique alternate outfits. The three bosses will not be playable until they are beaten." Although Bonin held back all the facts, he did add, "We also have a special guest star in our practice mode that enjoys being beaten to a 'pulp' regularly. I can't tell you his name, but let's just say that he is inspired by a certain Tarrantino movie and his name rhymes with 'Blimp.'"

　　These characters will have several levels to tear each other up in. And while rumors of levels such as Insane Asylum, Hell, and the Meatlocker have been generated, Bonin told videogames.com that the actual level names will be Hellevue, Dante's Cage, the Crematorium, Sacrificial Ruins, the Slaughterhouse of Flesh, Sewer of Styx, Sinner's Cell, and Homicide Ave.

　　How the characters move within these levels is noteworthy, according to Virgin. But it is keeping specifics under its hat, for the time being. This we know: The development team is maxing out the PlayStation's hardware capabilities with the title, in the area of speed (maintaining 30 fps), 650-polygon characters, and dynamic lighting within the 3D arenas.

　　So all there's really left to tell right now is that tournament and multiplayer modes are progressing full-steam ahead. "Since we have four characters battling to the death using our 'kill meter' instead of the standard 'health bar,'" said Bonin, "we are able to include brand-new types of modes rather than the status quo so many other fighters are offering gamers today. I'm speaking of modes like survival and time attack, etc. We will have our version of these, but look at our team mode, for instance. It really is a team mode. Not a tag-team impersonation of a team or allowing the player to pick a few characters and they all come into the game in succession, but a real team mode where you and a friend can go head-to-head with the computer or two other friends (now sworn enemies)."

　　Thrill Kill is expected to appear in late '98, and Bonin says the game should appeal to players looking for something new. "Any player that is tired of being fed the same old thing over and over and appreciates intense, in-your-face action and true 3D fighting, will like this game," said Bonin. "Any player who has a sense of pride when showing off a new game to their friends will like this game," he adds. "Finally, any player that likes to kick a little ass and take names will absolutely love Thrill Kill."