Always on the lookout for a good story, Joel has a chat with Majesco's Liz Buckley on being the great white shark in JAWS Unleashed.

Hi and thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us about Jaws Unleashed. Can you first tell us how you are involved with the game?

Sure. I'm the product manager at Majesco Entertainment working on the game launch.

What is the storyline in the game and are there any tie-ins to the movies?

The game's story is as follows: Amity Island is growing, making corporate connections with prestigious companies like Environplus to improve the Island's economy. Unfortunately the increased population around the Island and recent industrial activity has also attracted YOU -- one of Earth's most fearsome creatures -- a Great White Shark. When the Environplus CEO's son falls prey to your deadly attacks, the CEO hires renowned shark hunter Cruz Ruddock to track and kill you. Meanwhile, Marine Biologist Michael Brody tries to capture you for research. Can Ruddock and Brody stop you from wreaking havoc before the 4th of July celebration?

Our story takes place 30 years after the original JAWS movie so it's not a literal interpretation of the movie, but there are plenty of connections. Michael Brody, the son of the chief, has survived all of the movies and is a main adversary in our game. He is now a renowned research scientist and is trying to catch you, the shark, for research. Like Quint in the original movie, the game features its own acclaimed shark hunter who will be trying to hunt you down. The game also emulates certain scenes such as dragging the first female victim through the water, being chased and shot with harpoon barrels, causing panic on the 4th of July beach, etc. You can even find the movie's Orca boat sunken within our game.

With gamers taking the unique role of a vicious shark, what sort of things can we expect from the shark?

As JAWS, players will get to unleash the true power of a great white-in other words, you can devour and destroy just about everything. JAWS has a range of underwater, surface and air attacks he can perform on humans, marine life and boats. For example, as JAWS you can leap out of the water, snatch a human off a boat while capsizing it and drag him underwater for a meal. The game play is free roaming so the waters around Amity Island are available for exploration. The game's 10+ environments include underwater caves, a ship graveyard, beaches, deep sea oil drilling rigs… even an indoor aquarium to escape from. JAWS Unleashed also includes several boss battles so you can square off against killer whales and a giant squid, among others. The wide range of missions per level include stealth, chase, timed destruction, escape and evading capture so as the shark, you will be challenged in many different ways.

Very cool. From a developer's viewpoint, what do you think was the hardest part in creating a Jaws game?

The biggest challenge is creating a well-rounded game that has depth of play. Obviously there are limitations to what you can do as a shark but our development team has worked hard to really fill out the game's feature set with compelling game play.

Will the game include any multiplayer support?

The team is focused on creating a tight single player experience so there is no multiplayer support planned.

What accomplishments thus far are you most proud of for this game?

Delivering a free-roaming experience in an underwater environment that is teaming with life. This adds a tremendous amount of depth and believability to the game. You will encounter creatures from small sea horses to colossal squids to gigantic whales. There will be people swimming, riding jet skis, water skiing, in helicopters, on boats, etc.

What consoles should we expect to see the game be released for?

PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC.

We have to ask - out of all the Jaws movies, which one is your favorite?

The first, by far. It had the most impact and as the original, it really freaked me out the most. Even now, I still hear that JAWS theme in my head when I'm swimming in the ocean.

I'm sure that is true for most people. And finally when can we expect to see the game released and why should our readers run out and purchase the game?

JAWS Unleashed is due out late August. There are so many similar action games in the market right now but this one truly offers something unique-the ability to play the entire game as the Great White Shark. JAWS Unleashed will appeal to fans of the movie and anyone who's looking for a fresh action gaming experience. Check out www.jawsthegame.com for more information. Thanks!

Click for more info on JAWS Unleashed for PlayStation 2 and Xbox.