According to Tigon head Ian Stevens, Diesel is as involved as his film schedule permits. "If he's shooting a Fast and Furious I get a lot less of his time," the game exec points out. When Diesel is around, what does he do?

"He'll look at these things and bring up a list of thirty things you could do to make this hour of gameplay, from a narrative standpoint, more immersive, more interesting," Stevens says Diesel's involved in game development. "So we take it back to shop, and maybe half of them are things we can do, and half of them aren't — but it's an interesting bit of feedback that otherwise wouldn't exist, wouldn't be solicited, that happens because he's involved in the process."

Steven also adds that Vin is "not quite the meat-head action star that a lot of people see him as." Well, duh! While other Hollywood studios have been grappling to "get" gaming, Diesel has been churning out game after game since 2002. Regardless what you think of his games or his movies or his arm pit, that's pretty smart.

A Hollywood Tale [Games Industry] [Pic]

Diesel appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, an entertainment/interview program (fine, programme, happy?) on BBC One. The tables get turned rather quickly when Ross asks Diesel about his gaming origins. Vin's spoken about this before, but it seems he also had a Dungeons & Dragons phase. And he plays World of Warcraft. So does Ross, and more important, so does Ross' wife, which thoroughly impresses the actor and game producer.

The relevant portion begins at 5:24 of this 10 minute video; here's the transcript, beginning with Diesel talking about MMOs.

Jonathan Ross: Do you play those games?
Vin Diesel: Oh, how could you not?
JR: What level are you in World of Warcraft?
VD: Oh ... I'm deadly.
JR [Not letting him off the hook]: What level are you? Bring it on Diesel. Because I'll tell you what you're looking at right here. You're looking at a level 7 dwarf. That's a very low level I should point out, but I haven't a lot of time. My wife is a level 80.
[Diesel is stunned]
JR: You're right to look amazed.
VD: Level 80 what?
JR: I don't know ... [Diesel looks like he's thinking this is BS]. But she's green and rides a spectral tiger.
VD [agog]: Oh my God, you're not - He's not kidding. Seriously he's not kidding. No this is really, really serious.

Diesel then stood and shook Ross' hand and asked him to give his best to his wife, which, when you think about the construction of that sentence, is quite a compliment.

Vin Diesel on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross [YouTube, thanks VinLieger]

Speaking with G4's All Access, Vin talks about his gaming history for a bit before discussing his lastest run as Riddick in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. Apparently the game was being developed without online, but Diesel pleaded with developer Starbreeze, which resulting in them adding some compelling multiplayer modes to an already compelling game.

Check out the full segment below, while I try to imagine Vin Diesel begging. I bet it involved knives.

But Diesel - and Tigon, the studio he owns - aren't one-trick ponies. They're not driven solely by an obsession with science fiction, guns and neck-snapping. Which is why the game they're working on now has nothing to do with science, fiction or guns.

In an interview with Destructoid, Diesel reveals that Tigon are working on his "dream game". And that it's...an MMO. An MMO set during the Punic Wars, which pitted Rome against Carthage, Scipio against Hannibal.

The game's called Barca BC (named after Hannibal's family), and Diesel says of it:

The reason why it's my dream game is because it is an MMO and — remember you said funds were not an issue in this scenario, this is obviously a hugely expensive game — but, it's a massively multiplayer online game where you create an avatar that lives in the reality of Hannibal Barca, the Punic Wars and life 200 B.C.

Where you would have avatars that you would invest — it would be an RPG game — and creating that ancient world as your backdrop. Creating an ancient world that is your 'Azeroth.' That is probably my dream scenario.

You know, Vin, for a lot of people who feel games do a poor job of really portraying history - myself included - that really does sound like a dream scenario.

Don't dream too long/hard, though, because he also says the game is still in its early stages, and could be up to four years away from release.

Vin Diesel talks about his dream game, reveals Barca B.C. [Destructoid]

And it's a lovely shaved head, to be sure. It just tickles me to no end that this season is going to see the release of not one but two titles featuring extensive screen time for the back of actor Vin Diesel's head. It's even better when you realize that Wheelman is coming out March 24th, and The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is due on April 7th, giving us exactly two weeks to tire of Vin's contemporary head before we start staring at his future one.

It's the little things that amuse me.

What can't virtual Vin Diesel do? He escapes from space prisons, engages in mech combat, and now he rides a motorcycle through a subway in order to recover important documents. See, Wheelman isn't just about cars. When you think about it, the title could cover anything with wheels, so as exciting as this whole motorcycle chase scene is, it's nowhere near as impressive as the downhill baby-carriage shootout playing out in my head right now.

A set of three new car-centric screens can be found below, in case the whole motorcycle gunfight concept just blows your mind and you need some grounding.

And yes, the mech suits look lovely, but they aren't really Riddick, now are they? Riddick is about skulking, stabbing, and interacting with little children, each of which is represented in this "Hunter" trailer for the upcoming game, due out April 7th. I really think the Riddick character shines brightest when there is an innocent for him to play off of, like the Jack character from Pitch Black. Perhaps that's where The Chronicles of Riddick movie failed. Changing Jack into the female bad ass Kyra in the second film stripped Riddick of his innocent side, leaving us with a straight up action film without any real heart to it.

Or maybe I'm putting way too much thought into this. Just nod and enjoy the trailer.

No one lurks quite like Riddick, the finest role Vin Diesel has ever portrayed outside of The Iron Giant. In Pitch Black, he managed to lurk in a sun-drenched desert in broad daylight. That takes skill. I think the problem with the movie sequel was there just wasn't enough lurking going on. Luckily Starbreeze understands the appeal of lurking, and in the introduction to Dark Athena we get to see Riddick at his prime. Lurk on, little Furion. Lurk on.

The better news for fans of Mr. Diesel and open-world driving games is that a pre-release demo of Wheelman will be hitting Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. When? We're not sure exactly, but will put a solid guesstimate on March 19th or earlier.

Publisher Midway also wants to let you know, that, should you have made it this far into the post, the Wheelman web site is flush with new content. Who doesn't love content?!

Wheelman [Official Site]

Man, if we were calling the shots around Midway, there'd be a decapitated Scorpion atop a gore covered snowman or the contestants from Smash TV putting a star on top of a Christmas tree shaped pile of cash with little Mutoid Man stockings in the background. Yes, you've got a game to promote — pre-order Wheelman now, shipping February 20th for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system! — but a little old-school goes a long way.

Okay, the cheestastic tagline "The snow is his battlefield. His sleigh is his weapon." goes a long way too, but you get what I'm sayin'.

Just a couple things to think about next year Midway marketing department. You have my address.

“We’re designing Wheelman to play like a Hollywood blockbuster,” said Vin Diesel, Wheelman star and executive producer, Tigon Studios. “Playing this game will be just like taking control of the greatest car chases from feature films, except this time you’re in the driver’s seat.”

Think of it like the Transporter series of films, only instead of starring a physically fit bald man who talks funny, it...nevermind.

Midway Confirms February 16, 2009, Scheduled as Global Ship Date for Wheelman™

Action-Packed Open-World Driving Game Featuring Vin Diesel Expected To Be Available On Store Shelves by Feb. 20 In North America and Europe

CHICAGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, today announced a planned global ship date of February 16, 2009, for Wheelman™, the upcoming open-world driving game starring action-film megastar Vin Diesel as an expert driver for hire. Set in picturesque Barcelona, the game is scheduled to be available in stores everywhere by February 20, 2009, for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and personal computers.

Co-produced by Vin Diesel and created in close partnership with Diesel’s video game production company Tigon Studios, Wheelman is being developed by Midway Studios - Newcastle Ltd., a Midway internal studio that has assembled an international world-class team fusing proven industry veterans with a AAA track record and future emerging talent focused on creating high quality, best-in-breed gaming experiences.

“We’re designing Wheelman to play like a Hollywood blockbuster,” said Vin Diesel, Wheelman star and executive producer, Tigon Studios. “Playing this game will be just like taking control of the greatest car chases from feature films, except this time you’re in the driver’s seat.”

“Featuring Vin Diesel and set in Barcelona, Wheelman is a title with enormous sales potential ,” said Martin Spiess, executive vice president, international of Midway Games Ltd. “We’re making a multi-million dollar marketing investment to make sure that gamers around the world are ready when Wheelman goes on sale worldwide, which we have planned for February 2009.”

Midway is working closely with Vin Diesel and Tigon Studios to create an all-new property that is expected to eventually lead to a feature film, with a script that is already in development.

“This is not just another run-of-the-mill, licensed Hollywood knock-off,” said Matt Booty, president and CEO, Midway. “Wheelman features revolutionary new game design mechanics like cinematic super moves and vehicular combat. Once you experience Wheelman’s Vehicle Melee, you’ll never want to play another driving game without it!”

Vehicle Melee allows gamers to sideswipe pursuing enemies with a simple flick of the joystick Wheelman’s devastating “slam-n-ram” maneuvers can be carried out in all directions, just like you’d see in a Hollywood-style car chase.

Inspired by Hollywood’s most famous action-sequences, Wheelman will deliver powerful cinematic moments throughout the game’s compelling storyline.

For the most up-to-date information, screens and trailers for Wheelman, log onto www.wheelmangame.com,

About Wheelman

Action film megastar Vin Diesel and his Tigon Studios are again blurring the lines between entertainment mediums, this time collaborating with Midway in the design and production of Wheelman to ensure an edge-of- your-seat gaming experience. Diesel’s voice and likeness will appear as the game’s main character, expert Wheelman Milo Burik.

Combining spectacular Hollywood-style stunts with a gripping storyline, Wheelman provides an adrenaline-fueled, cinematic thrill ride guaranteed to leave you breathless. Vin Diesel stars as an undercover agent and highly skilled driver who must infiltrate the Barcelona underworld to gather intelligence surrounding a covert heist. Posing as a driver-for-hire, he ends up caught in a crossfire of corruption and chaos while trying to stay one step ahead of local law enforcement and rival gangs.

As the title implies, there’s a lot of driving in this game. About 80% of it is you in a car holding down the right trigger button (or as I like to call it, the “go” button). The other 20%, you’ll be on foot. I didn’t get to see any ‘on foot’ gameplay, but I imagine you’ll be doing the same thing when you’re in the car. Shooting and fleeing. The overall graphics are good - the cars obviously look better than anything else in the game - but there were a few cases when the frame-rate did drop. Nothing horrible, mind you, but lets see if the delay helps the team polish that up.

The first ‘mission’ when you start the game off is basically one, long high-speed chase through the city of Barcelona trying to evade cops and roadblocks. Only after you complete this first mission will the city then open up for you to explore. It’s actually a long level. I didn’t get to see just how big the city was, unfortunately.

I’ve seen some footage of this game a little while back, so I knew about some of the features going into the demo. You can use the right analog stick to swing your car at nearby vehicles to take them out. It’s kind of odd, and physically impossible I think, but it worked. Also, as you drive well and make all kinds of sweet drifts, a gauge fills up that you can later use to perform ‘cyclones’ which help kill enemies in bullet-time fashion as you car is doing donuts in the street.

The main story of Wheelman can be completed in about eight to ten hours, but there are a lot of side missions for you to try out once you get through that. 105 in fact. According to the Midway rep, they haven’t actually QA tested the entire game start to finish, so they have no idea how long the game is if you do everything. But he said to expect it to be around 20-25 hours total.

You can also hijack other cars without ever having to actually stop the car you’re currently in. Vin’s character can leap from vehicle to vehicle until you find something you like. This can come in handy, particularly when you’re car is badly damaged. It helps keep the speed of the game going, too.

The game seems really arcade-y, and still needs a bit of work before it's out the door, so let’s see how extra dev time can help it out. Now, who’s going to see Wheelman The Movie? Anybody?

I took a look at the opening chapter of the game entitled Frantic that introduces us to the character and the heavy driving theme of the game. You are the titular Wheelman and your first mission is to help a gal named Lomi escape from a bank heist. Because you are new to the area and don't know your way around, you must follow her directions to complete the mission. An inset map also helps with finding your way around. Throughout the level you are being pursued by police and a quick flip of the left stick will have you ramming your car into your chasers. If you are in possession of a gun, you can also use the stick to fire your weapon out the window. One insane special move called the cyclone sends your car spinning 180 degrees allowing you to shoot at enemies through the windshield. Your car takes a lot of abuse in this game, constantly smashing into other cars or in my case, walls. Luckily, once your car is wrecked, you can merely hop out and jump into another one.

Wheelman isn't all about driving however and you can leave your car to run around and take on enemies with your gun. The portion I played used both driving and on foot controls to complete the mission. The driving controls felt very tight and intuitive and the on foot controls had a similar feel. Accelerating and reversing in the car is done via the triggers and when you switch to on foot, the triggers allow you to aim and shoot your gun.

The graphics, while nice, had a certain sparseness to the details which I'm sure will be polished up in subsequent builds of the game. The camera work is very cinematic and dramatic. For instance, when making one particularly large jump, the camera switched to a front view and we got a little "bullet time" as the action slowed down so we could take in the full effect. Once the car hit the ground again everything went back to full speed. It was an effective trick and really gave one the feeling of being in a movie.

There's quite a bit of content to explore in Wheelman as well. Besides the open worldliness of the game there are also ten hours of missions and ten hours of events. I appreciated the work that went into making this title and thought it was a decent enough game, but ultimately there was not a whole lot about it that really wowed me. But then again, I am rarely impressed by franchise games in general and driving and shooting can get a bit boring after a while. I will reserve my final judgments of Wheelman until the game is actually completed and I have a chance to see more than a couple missions. Perhaps the addition of a little spit and polish will help me change my mind.

The long nightmare is over. Ain't It Cool News is reporting that everyone's favorite primate, Vin Diesel, is no longer set to play Agent 47 in the movie adaptation of Hitman. The script has received the green light from 20th Century Fox, with Deadwood's Timothy Olyphant set to play the titular character. The movie could hit theaters as early as next fall.

Confession - I've never watched Deadwood, though many of the folks I work with have and assure me it's great casting. Please be gentle with me.

I was personally hoping for Jason Statham from The Transporter films. He's already got the outfit. Still, anything is better than Vin, who peaked with The Iron Giant. If you didn't tear up just a little during the final "Suuuu-paaahh-man" scene then you have absolutely no soul whatsoever. Michael Fahey

HITMAN Is Finally Greenlit! But Vin Diesel Got Whacked!! [Ain't It Cool News]