Terminal fan made into a RTW2 General

**DarkLiberator** · March 18, 2013, 06:39 AM

http://www.willowfoundation.org.uk/N...ews?newsid=392

One gamer got to grips with computer game Total War: Rome II more than a year before anyone else is likely to get a go, as part of a Special Day organised by the Willow Foundation at The Creative Assembly’s studio in Horsham, UK.James was just 24 and had liver cancer. James had been through an incredibly tough time at this young age and was undergoing chemotherapy to stop the spread of the disease when he got in touch with Willow.
James was a massive fan of the Total War game series and Creative Assembly (CA) were thrilled to invite him along to the studio for the day and take him behind the scenes of game production, as well as an overnight stay. He was shown around the whole studio, seeing all the elements of game creation - design, art, animation and programming. He became the first person in the world outside the studio to get his hands on Total War: Rome II.
“It’s pretty rare for us to open the studio doors to the public as we always have a lot of secret stuff going on,” said Craig Laycock, Community Manager “ and James and his brother William pretty much saw it all. It just so happened that we announced Rome II the day before, so it seemed kind of fitting that he should be the first person in the world outside of CA to play it, even though we are so far from release”.
And did he enjoy it? “He certainly seemed pleased, despite how early the code is…“ said Craig.
James got to play a very early version of the game before anyone else and the day after the game was announced to the public
James also got to meet and chat with the design, art, animation and programming teams to discuss the new features going into the game and take a sneak peak at what they were currently working on.
One of the most exciting things from the day was the opportunity for James to appear in the game. A series of high resolution photos and measurements were taken of his face in order to convert them into 3D likeness.
These images represent the steps taken to convert a normal photograph into a 3D character model featured in the game.
This once in a lifetime opportunity gave James something positive to focus on, a welcome break from the rounds of hospital appointments and gruelling treatment - something other than the daily challenges that living with a serious illness presented for him.
Spending time having fun with his brother, he was able to return to the young man he was before his diagnosis - carefree and happy. This unique experience enabled James to create precious memories for his loved ones to treasure forever and he has now been immortalised in the game forever. Sadly James passed away just a short time after his Willow special day.

The last sentence just punched me in the feels.

Thanks CA for doing this.

**♘Top Hat Zebra** · March 18, 2013, 06:48 AM

*Sniffle*

**~~DarthShizNit~~** · March 18, 2013, 07:11 AM

Son of a ***** now I'm all sad. Alright, give me his Character modle, an army, and I shall march it to the ends of the world spreading peace and happines (through...ya know...pointy objects) in his memory.

**ComnenusTheOne** · March 18, 2013, 07:16 AM

Who cares?

**The Roman Republic** · March 18, 2013, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by DarkLiberator

http://www.willowfoundation.org.uk/N...ews?newsid=392

The last sentence just punched me in the feels.

Thanks CA for doing this.

It's things like these that make CA such a great company, something that other company's could follow if it had any ounce of respect for it's fans.

**♘Top Hat Zebra** · March 18, 2013, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by ComnenusTheOne

Who cares?

**Frontlines** · March 18, 2013, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by ComnenusTheOne

Who cares?

Me for example

**ComnenusTheOne** · March 18, 2013, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by Dictator Of The Roman Republic

It's things like these that make CA such a great company, something that other company's could follow if it had any ounce of respect for it's fans.

While in the mean time run through our pockets, getting even the last penny for unfinished BETAs, useless DLCs, patches that dont really patch anything etc. But the fact that they gave someone a walk in their company, well... ****, they are all together the reincarnation of Gandhi.

Originally Posted by Frontlines

Me for example

Why?

**athanaric** · March 18, 2013, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by ComnenusTheOne

Who cares?

Lack of empathy is a medical condition, not a sign of badassery.

**The Roman Republic** · March 18, 2013, 07:24 AM

While in the mean time run through our pockets, getting even the last penny for unfinished BETAs, useless DLCs, patches that dont really patch anything etc. But the fact that they gave someone a walk in their company, well... ****, they are all together the reincarnation of Gandhi.

yeah its a company, not a wish fund company for terminal illness people,

If you don't like it you can **** off as you are simply not needed here.

**Serkelet** · March 18, 2013, 07:26 AM

I like videogame companies doing this stuff. I don't like so much that they advertise it... Using human tragedies for sales doesn't sound ethic to me.

The last line gave me back bad memories

.

**Frontlines** · March 18, 2013, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by ComnenusTheOne

While in the mean time run through our pockets, getting even the last penny for unfinished BETAs, useless DLCs, patches that dont really patch anything etc. But the fact that they gave someone a walk in their company, well... ****, they are all together the reincarnation of Gandhi.

Why?

Empathy.

**ComnenusTheOne** · March 18, 2013, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by athanaric

Lack of empathy is a medical condition, not a sign of badassery.

Then i have a medical condition.
I wasnt trying to look badass actually, so your whole sentence is irrelevant. For example.....

Originally Posted by Dictator Of The Roman Republic

yeah its a company, not a wish fund company for terminal illness people,

If you don't like it you can **** off as you are simply not needed here.

THIS, is badassery. Kinda stupid though, but still.

**The Roman Republic** · March 18, 2013, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Serkelet

I like videogame companies doing this stuff. I don't like so much that they advertise it... Using human tragedies for sales doesn't sound ethic to me.

The last line gave me back bad memories

.

they never advertised it, the only advertisment was from the company that allowed the guy to go to CA, plus the OP advertising the page.

**Will CA** · March 18, 2013, 07:33 AM

It was myself and Craig who gave James the tour of the studio tour, it was really cool to meet someone so passionate about Total War games. When I found out he passed away, well nothing really prepares you for that.

**~~Prince Regent George~~** · March 18, 2013, 07:34 AM

You shouldn't react. Of course dear ComnenusTheOne tries to enrage us by being a

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Mortarion** · March 18, 2013, 07:34 AM

So to get to play Rome 2 early, all i have to do is get cancer?

Relax im joking.. This was awesome by CA, and glad he tried the game

When i read it, the last part was so sad

**♘Top Hat Zebra** · March 18, 2013, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by Will CA

It was myself and Craig who gave James the tour of the studio tour, it was really cool to meet someone so passionate about Total War games. When I found out he passed away, well nothing really prepares you for that.

Good man.

**athanaric** · March 18, 2013, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Serkelet

I like videogame companies doing this stuff. I don't like so much that they advertise it... Using human tragedies for sales doesn't sound ethic to me.

It was published by the wish foundation, not CA.