- "From her porch she would sit, shotgun in lap and survey everything going on in the town and not be shy to voice her opinion (by shouting to anyone passing by) about everything that took place"
- ―Morten Larsen in Hitman Absolution: Full Disclosure
Big Mama (also known as Ma, The Nosy Neighbor or The Terror of Hope) is both a unseen/cut character from Hitman: Absolution. She was supposed to appear in the level Streets of Hope but is rather mentioned throughout different missions like the Gun Shop, Streets of Hope and The Arena.
Overview
Big Mama was the original owner of the Scrap Yard in Hope. She was an older overweight woman who would yell and scream foul language at both NPC's and the player that would pass by. She was always confined to a wheelchair, on the verge of breaking down. She was to carry a shotgun and anyone that trespassed on her yard would get shot.
Developers of the game stated she was a nightmare to program. AI profiles didn't fit at all. The only way the player could have unique interactions with her was to push her into the motor oil pit on the side of the house.
Ma's Fate
- "Unfortunately, she had to go. The animators were in tears as they were very committed to make it work but ultimately they were happy that she went, as it would be impossible to make her work on top of polishing the rest of the level to a shippable quality. So here's to Ma, and let's hope she makes it back into a Hitman title in the future"
- ―Morten Larsen
In the end her appearance was cut due to her being near impossible for the developers to make a new AI profile, polish the level and to animate. Ma however, was mentioned in the game through NPC's or objects. Ma does remain in the game (through mentions) however cannot be seen by the actual player.
In the level "Gun Shop" her name can be seen on a scoreboard with 325 points and her weapon choice being a shotgun.
However in the level "Shaving Lenny" it is possible to find an old school yearbook image of Todd (The barber), Ma and other classmates. It's stated that at some point in time Todd and Ma became married over the years. With a portrait saying " Portrait of my love " being taken in June 1960 and another referencing her by a lake during the summer being taken in 1956. It's stated on an old yearbook image that Ma graduated from her school in 1939. This was more than likely a small retcon/rework of Ma so the developers wouldn't have to entirely cut her from the game.
In "Streets of Hope" two civilians can be seen talking about Ma. One of them mentioning how Ma mentioned a false rumor on the other civilian and spreaded that rumor around Hope. The civilian would act shocked and angry before walking to Joana Collins mentioning the rumor and how terrible Ma was. She would agree with his statements and tell him about what Ma did at some point. This dialogue means that Ma was cut very late in development.
In "The Arena", in the back area's of the Arena is concept art of Ma in a picture fram, sitting in her wheelchair at an early gun range at the Gun Shop. Wielding a different weapon.
Trivia
- Ma was essentially a big turret as stated by Larsen.
- In "Shaving Lenny" the barber Todd had a liking for Ma. They may have been married. However, like Ma, he was cut from the game.
- Ma's wheelchair isn't actually apart of her model but rather separate from her completely.
- It's never stated which shotgun was supposed to be Ma's however it was more than likely a M590 12a. However, the definitive image shows an older shotgun that looks to be cut as well. It does bear heavy resemblance to the shotguns in the Gun Shop.
- The old black and white portraits of Ma show that she is much more younger with a different hairstyle and sun glasses.
- Ma was included in an early trailer exploration of the game during development that never released to the public.
- The IOI team made an animatic featuring Ma.
- It is heavily unknown if Ma was ever a target for 47 to assassinate, as its stated by the developers that it was possible to kill her. However it's not stated if she would die from falling in the motor oil pit.
- Ma was the animators' most beloved character in the game during development.
- Ma's clothing changed colors during development. Originally she was to wear green, before it was changed to purple.
- The concept art of Ma shows her wielding a heavy machine gun. However, early builds of the game show and state she was to use a shotgun. It is unknown why this decision was changed.
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