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Developer WayForward Technologies needs no introduction to Nintendo fans. The company has made a name for itself with a plethora of quality titles for Wii and DS, including Contra 4, LIT, Mighty Flip Champs!, A Boy and His Blob, and the just-released Batman: The Brave and The Bold. And fanboys’ hearts flutter with any mention of the Game Boy Color title, Shantae.
We got a chance to talk about some of the developer’s upcoming plans (via e-mail) with three of the main creative minds at WayForward: Adam Tierney, director of Batman: The Brave and The Bold for Wii; Sean Valesco, director of Batman: The Brave and The Bold for DS; and Matt Bozon, creative director of WayForward.
Nintendojo: How do you feel about 3DS? Is WayForward already working on future games for the handheld?
Matt Bozon: We are full speed ahead. Personally I’m a big fan of 3D comics and (I’ll say it) Virtual Boy. So, this is everything I love with none of the negative elements that keep those kinds of things trapped in offbeat or nostalgia circles. 3DS is a true stereo visual experience that needs no special equipment. It’s going to fly off the shelves, and we’ll be there with the rad games.
Sean Valesco: I love the glasses-less 3D, it’s amazing. I’ve wanted analog control forever, and the extra processing power means we can do a lot more, too. The only caveat is that the top screen and touch screen are much more differentiated than the DS, meaning that you can’t ever touch the 3D gameplay. It will be interesting to see how developers tackle this hardware, but needless to say I am over the moon!
Adam Tierney: I like that I can finally see something in 3D without having to wear goofy glasses. I’m very excited to be working on the system.
ND: Any plans for Shantae coming to 3DS, or at least 3D-enhanced versions of her GBA or DSiWare adventures?
Matt: We’ve been throwing around ideas, but nothing concrete. I’d love to make a new adventure that embraces the 3D visuals, assuming people want more Shantae after this one.
ND: Any chance of Shantae swerving her hips on WiiWare?
Matt: For now, we’re focused on the eminent release of Risky’s Revenge for DSiWare. A lot of fans are asking for a version on WiiWare, but the game is still a DSiWare-exclusive title.
ND: Gamers who have played the first Shantae seem to expect a lot from Shantae: Risky’s Revenge. Does WayForward ever pay attention to the buzz around its games, and if so, how does that affect game development?
Matt: Yes, we read and listen to everything. If you write it, if someone blogs or makes a comment, it will find its way around our office. The same goes for fan art, fictions, cosplay, and video reviews. Sometimes we see how nuts you people are, and it motivates us to elevate the craziness. It’s how we can connect to the audience and understand who they are and what they respond to, even if the game is 10 years old.
ND: A 3DS version of A Boy and His Blob was announced at E3 2010. Will this version be a port of the Wii game or something altogether new? Is WayForward involved?
Sean: The details on this one are yet to be announced.
ND: When will we get to pick up our flashlights again in LIT 2?
Adam: We would really like to put out another title in the LIT series but any plans in that direction are under wraps at this point. Hopefully, we will be announcing something soon.
ND: And, finally, can we expect to see more Alta in the future? By that, we mean another Mighty Flip Champs! game.
Matt: Ha ha. Yeah, I’d love to take those characters on another Mighty adventure. Mighty Flip Champs! sold very well, and some players are still discovering the joys of flipping. So, maybe we could do another down the line if the opportunity arises. But for today, gather up those Nintendo Points … it’s time for Risky’s Revenge.
A boy and his blob is one of my favorite Wii game. Look forward to the 3DS sequel. I know there was a DS version that was canceled near completion maybe this is built off that?