The space epic Star Citizen will feature its single-player campaign Squadron 42 with well-known actors. Among them is Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.
PCGamer had the chance to look around the set where Mark Hamill was currently recording his scenes for Squadron 42, the single-player campaign that is set to come with Star Citizen. The “set” is not an exotic location somewhere on the edge of the world, but a motion capturing studio in London.
In the studio, it’s a wooden chair; in the computer, it’s a pilot seat
And this “motion capturing” fascinates Mark Hamill about the process. Everyone wears the same outfit, regardless of whether they are the main actor or in a supporting role. There are no differences. After a lifetime on film and television sets, it feels as if one is starting all over again.
Differences can now also be adjusted technically. Hamill plays in some scenes with John Rhys-Davies, a heavier actor. But the image that the eye sees does not correspond to what the players will see in the end.
Because the computer removes the size difference, changes the body shapes – only a kind of essence of the actors remains, which is beamed into the game, writes PC Gamer. Rhys-Davies should have experience with that. The 1.85m tall actor played the dwarf Gimli in the “Lord of the Rings” films.
Also from the improvised wooden sets in the studio, a fantastic, futuristic cockpit appears in the computer.
Hamill plays a tough guy
Hamill will take on the role of Lt. Commander Steve “Old Man” Colton in Star Citizen, a veteran and the player’s mentor. He will be a rough character, someone who takes his duty seriously. Hamill says: “He doesn’t teach people anything – he hammers them into the form he wants, he believes in the cause. My father was in the Navy. I’ve met a lot of these people, career soldiers, serious types. Often with reservations against those educated from university.”
For Hamill, the project is a reunion with Chris Roberts – nearly 20 years ago, Hamill played the character Christopher Blair in two Wing Commander games, twice under Roberts’ direction, once without him.
When Roberts asked him if he wanted to be involved, Hamill replied: “I don’t need to see the script! I’m in!” His agent was not thrilled: “You really didn’t say that to him? Please sell yourself for heaven’s sake a little more expensively!”
