Monday, July 21

Shaun Murray: He's Got Game

By Scott Steinberg
EXPN.com

When Activision offered three-time world champion wakeboarder Shaun Murray the opportunity to create a game worthy of carrying his name, he didn't hesitate.

"We're all young guys who love to have fun, and videogames are a major part of our lifestyle," explains Shaun, who's qualified for X Games IX in L.A. He should know: His debut virtual venture, Wakeboarding Unleashed for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, hit stores in June.

Shaun during his silver-medal ride at X Games VIII in Philly. With all his accomplishments, Shaun has yet to win X Games Gold. He hopes to change all that in L.A.

An avowed joystick junkie -- "I've beaten every Mario game out there, except for Sunshine, which I'm working on now." -- Murray was both a uniquely qualified cover specimen and prime candidate for a playable character.

"I jumped at the chance to participate," Shaun admits. "This sucker not only features great gameplay, but a very unique approach, too. They nailed the feeling of the water and the way tricks handle when you let go of the rope. There's nothing cookie cutter about the experience."

It might have something to do with players literally being dragged by a speedboat for nine gigantic levels. Replete with obstacles like buildings, rails and houseboats, these stages present dozens of props that clever opportunists can exploit to land jaw-dropping stunts.

Seven stars like Dallas Friday and Parks Bonifay rip it up on real-world locales ranging from Hong Kong Harbor to Lake Powell. Buddies can even join forces in co-op mode with one player boarding while the other steers the ship. "It's a revolution in gaming," Shaun says.

"The tricks didn't exist in the real world until us pros saw Wakeboarding Unleashed and used it for inspiration," says Shaun Murray.

Best of all, Unleashed was created with direct involvement from participating pros. "The developers actually listened to us for once," our beaming buddy confides. "I made sure Activision's crew got a feel for the sport by bringing 'em out to my house and taking them for the ride of their lives."

For the foreseeable future, Murray's fate is in your hands. With stunning water effects, great personality and a unique sense of style, his signature game will quickly rack up mileage.

Although frustrating camera angles and dodgy collision detection dog its heels, Unleashed turns in a respectable performance. But had each scenario been planned with equal care (certain environments appear more professionally designed than others), it could have been a classic.

Even so, the man of the hour gives credit where it's due. "Whatever the game may be guilty of, you've got to respect its street cred," Shaun says. "The tricks you see in there, some of them didn't exist in the real world until us pros saw Wakeboarding Unleashed and used this puppy for inspiration."

Game Grades

Overall: B

Gameplay: A-

Graphics: B

Soundtrack: B-