Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been Co-Driver to a couple of the guys from the Racing Studio, who are actually developing SEGA Rally.

This week however, the man sitting next to me at the wheel is Al Hatch, PR Guru on SEGA Rally.

Al describes himself as an ‘Elite Gamer’ though many of us in the office prefer the more appropriate nickname of ‘Complete Lamer’ and I think you’ll agree, the photographs speak louder than words ever could!

Q… What are your all-time favourite video games?

There’re too many!  I’ll try and narrow it down to three though:

Crackdown, because it didn’t have much hype and then blew everyone’s expectations away.
Its sheer size and the openness of its gameplay offered a refreshing look at sandbox games and because every time I go back to it I seem to find something new.

Super Mario World because it was so vibrant and so playable - I don’t know how many times I’ve finished/played that game, but it’s way more than any other.

Lastly, but by no means least of all, would probably be Tony Hawks the original because it was the first combo based game that I really got into and lost a lot of hours at University playing it. I’m not so keen on the other Hawks games but the second one was pretty good.

That was really difficult and I can’t believe I’ve not even mentioned Halo, PGR, Gran Turismo or Mario Kart…

Q… What games are you playing at the moment?

Halo 3 beta test - there may only be three levels to test out, but they’re amazingly well designed and it’s been really good fun learning the layouts and battling against friends online.

Condemned - thought I should have a play of this as I’m working on the sequel, but I got hooked within a couple of levels and really want to finish it to find out what the hell is going on!

Worms - can’t beat it for a quick, fun and easy multiplayer game with my flat mates.  Timeless classic.

Q… What’s your role on the development of SEGA Rally?

I work closely with the Brand Manager, our PR Managers across Europe and America, the Producer and Studio Director at the SEGA Racing Studio to devise plans for how we’re going to reveal aspects of the game to the press. I then manage these plans to make sure they stay on track and update our teams if there’re any changes. So, rather than being on the development side of things I’m involved with the promotion and marketing side.

Q… Who is the best SEGA Rally player in the office? And the worst?

We’ve been having an ongoing lap time competition with SEGA Rally ever since we got our first build back in January 2007.  So that’s probably a good way to judge whose hot and who’s not.  Jim Woods, Head of External Development at SEGA Europe, had a very, very good lap time on the first build we received and I’ve not been too far behind him.  It’s probably worth mentioning that SEGA Europe have had quicker lap times than SEGA of America

I wouldn’t like to say who the worst player is, as I know that the more you play the game the better you become, but I’ll stick my neck out and say the slowest driver is Matt Eyre - but only because he hasn’t played it as much as us!! (Sorry Matt)

Q… Who is your all-time favourite driver? Why?

Nigel Mansell. Best ‘tache in sport ever.

Q… What car do you drive? Why?

I don’t have a car and have no plans to get one in the immediate future. I live in London so am very happy using public transport and riding a bike. If I did get one I reckon I’d get a SMART car or an electric one as they’d probably be the most practical for living in a city.  Personally, I can’t see the point in having a large car if you live in a city.

Q… What five vehicles would you have sitting in your fantasy garage? Why?

Bugatti Veyron - for no other reason apart from it being the fastest production road car available.
 
Mitsubishi Evo - not overly fussed which model number, but it would be nice to have the original Japanese import for nostalgia.
 
Koenigsegg CCX - My absolute dream fantasy car.  It looks ridiculous, is stupidly powerful, has doors which open upwards and is essentially everything a supercar should be.  Perfect.

Fiat 500 - A classic for all the wrong reasons makes this an essential for my fantasy garage.  It’s a shame the remake doesn’t look as good.

Imperial Speeder Bike - Hey, it’s a fantasy garage; I’m allowed a fantasy vehicle too surely?!

Q. What is the fastest speed you’ve ever travelled in a road vehicle? Was that on the highway or a racetrack?

On a press trip in Germany once we were driven at around 130mph along the motorway in a modded BMW 3 series.  We weren’t in any particular rush; the owner was simply a speed-freak of sorts.

Name your favourite movie car chase?

I really like the car chase in Borne Identity.  It’s a critical moment in the film when the girl is given the chance to walk away, but instead chooses to stay for what turns out to be the ride of her life.  It has music which fits perfectly to the scene and Bourne drives the mini like a man possessed. Thrilling from start to finish.

What were your favourite TV shows as a kid?

A-Team, Nightrider, Dukes of Hazard.

Which toy could you never seem to put down as a child?

Star Wars figures! I had a few, but not as many as a friend of mine.

If you could listen to one tune while you drive, what would it be?

You know what; I really loved the inclusion of classical music on PGR3 and would often skip to those tunes to drive to in-game.  Not sure why, probably because they were different and not the generic teen rock a lot of driving games pursue.

In real life I suppose it would depend on what type of driving I was doing - if it was a sunny day and I was able to take my time I’d probably go for something like Cypress Hill, but if I was in a rush I’d have some breaks on.

Q… You’re stranded on a desert island, which car part would you take with you, and why?

The headlights, to attract ships to come and rescue me…

Q… Describe SEGA Rally in five words?

Best racing game I’ve played.

Not a bad endorsement from a ‘complete lamer’ I think you’ll agree.

Next time round our focus spins back up to Solihull and the Racing Studio in the form of Lead Car Artist Keith Burden.

Incidentally, Keith is also doing his very own blog right now taking us through all the cars that will feature in SEGA Rally, which includes some lovely imagery and everything.

Check out the latest blog here - click here

To find out more about SEGA Rally, why not visit the official website at www.segarally.com