Game:

Jett Rocket (2010)

Duration: 16:15

1,267 views

19

The 'graphics geeks' confess their secrets for squeezing the Nintendo hardware, talk about their "Only for" philosophy and detail the new Jett Rocket II. Also, comments on Nano Assault saga, next-gen comparisons and an exclusive announcement for Gamereactor users.

On Jet Rocket II:

"It's the first time we present the game worldwide. We're very happy that we have the chance to show it playable in iDÉAME. (...) It's still a platforming game, still the same character, but the camera and the way you play the game change and we've tried to pick up comments from all over the Internet -we love to listen to our fans or even people that didn't like our products- and implement that".

"The cycle of development started with a 2D sidescroller Mega Man type of game (...) now we implemented 3D parts which are similar to Super Mario 3D Land and we implemented mini-games. We have a jetski section, we have a shoot 'em up section, we have a sky diving section".

On technical aspect in 3DS:

"It's tough for us to develop on 3DS not because we don't know, but we always want to push the hardware to the end. And the 3D, which we want to support, cuts the framerate (it just needs more frames) so we really have to push the hardware really hard (...) and of course we managed to keep the game at 60fps".

On Nano Assault saga:

"Neo was a launch title for Wii U, we were approached by Nintendo and of course it's a great honor to get early devkits and be part of the Nintendo family".

On Wii U and 3DS versions:

"i think it worked out well. We know it's a little niche title - not everybody likes shoot 'em up games, it's a little bit Super Stardust, but people like the different setting inside the body".

On being Nintendo-exclusive developer:

"We're exclusive. I think our first game was for the Game Boy Colour. (...) Our people are Nintendo fans, we love Nintendo franchises, so it's natural seeing we like to work for our heroes".

On how to be a graphical geek developing for Nintendo platforms:

"Maybe it's because our programmers come from the demo scene. A demo 15 years ago was like a little program where people met like in university and we tried to squeeze everything out of the Commodore Amiga, and it's where our origins are, from making great graphical demos. Our programmers really know how to push hardware, how to go very deep, how to analyze it, how to get everything out of it. On the other side we have quite a track record with our own artstyle since 1999".

"Maybe [other developers] don't know how. I wouldn't say we're better than others because we all have the same resources, but we just look at other games and see depth, normal mapping, "let's do that!" And we just try so hard until "we've made it!" Maybe our programmers are doing a good job -they're for sure doing a great job- so we can squeeze it out. I just can advice other people to just try hard. Nintendo hardware is not so bad as you sometimes read. I think it's way more poweful than it's communicated over the press. Because everybody says Xbox, PS3, that's a good hardware, the Vita... I don't think so".

On next-gen:

"I don't like the word 'nextgen'. Because, what is a next-gen? There's always going to be a next-gen. Of course the Wii U is not a next-gen, because that'll be the next Wii U, that's a next-gen (laughs). To be honest, of course the Wii U is not a big leap hardware power wise, but it is a big leap to the Wii. And to be honest I think we've reached the point that we don't need so much more hardware power: we need better games. And for every game, you can make it look so good that's enough for everybody. And I think the Wii U is a good compromise at its price point (don't forget you have a tablet controller and a great hardware base). it's much better than everybody reads, it's better than Xbox [360]. Sorry, it's better, and you can squeeze a lot out of it (...) And I'm not sure if a much more powerful PS4 will produce much better games. We've reached a point in which good games will sell".

On what's next:

"People still have to wait until we finish Jet Rocket II and then we can talk about a release date. Of course there's another project we're working on..."

Maybe a racer?

"I should not talk about it, but it could be a sequel to a racing game - maybe I can say that exclusively for Gamereactor (laughs). No, actually we wanted to present something for the Wii U. It might be what you just said - a sequel to a racing game and it will be something where we'll really try to push the hardware. I know that there are not many games on the Wii U in that genre -if I might do something like that-. We really want to show something to say 'wow'. We'll reveal that in the next few months".

More on dual-sticks shooters in a single-stick handheld, retail possibilities nowadays, great Miiverse support.

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