After engaged on the pixel artwork for Speedollama, I now have the possibility to sit down down with Nicola Piovesan, the sport’s designer, to ask him a couple of questions in regards to the mission. As a part of the staff, it’s fascinating to listen to extra about his inventive course of, the challenges we confronted, and what went into making this quick and quirky recreation.
Let’s begin from the start. The place did the concept for Speedollama come from?
Nicola (N): Speedollama is my fourth recreation (fifth when you rely an unfinished one), and with every new mission, I intention to experiment. My earlier video games have been principally point-and-click adventures set in a darkish, cyberpunk universe, however with this platformer, I discover one thing completely completely different—vibrant, chaotic, and enjoyable. It’s like my inventive yin and yang. After engaged on one thing dramatic, I felt the necessity to dive into humor and vibrancy. Speedollama got here from this have to create one thing colourful and fast-paced. And what could possibly be more strange and enjoyable than a battle between llamas and alpacas?
What are the sport’s standout options?
N: The retro-arcade really feel is the very first thing that hits you—from the pixel artwork graphics to the gameplay mechanics. However what actually stands out is the pace. Speedollama is designed to be one of many quickest in its style, particularly in later levels when gamers unlock pace upgrades. It’s intense.
Some folks have in contrast it to Steel Slug. Does that trouble you?
N: I’ve seen Speedollama described as “Steel Slug with llamas,” and whereas that’s flattering, it’s additionally a bit irritating when folks suggest I copied it. Positive, there are similarities—any retro, run-and-gun recreation may have them—however Speedollama does its personal factor. It’s not only a horizontal side-scroller; it develops vertically, making it extra of a platformer. Plus, it has procedurally generated ranges and a “collectathon” factor the place gamers race towards the clock to assemble objects. So, whereas the comparisons are inevitable, I feel we’ve crafted a novel expertise.
Isn’t it dangerous to launch this recreation an indie market saturated with so many pixelated platformers?
N: Completely, it’s a threat. I’ll admit, I’m not nice at market analysis or creating video games with a selected viewers in thoughts. I are inclined to go along with my intestine—if I like an concept, I’ll run with it. That stated, I do take heed to suggestions. We launched a demo a couple of 12 months in the past, and I took plenty of participant strategies to enhance the sport. Sure, the market is crowded, and pixel-art platformers are in all places, which could make Speedollama arduous to note at first. However I consider that when folks decide up a controller and really feel the pace and enjoyable, they’ll see it’s one thing particular.
How giant was the staff behind Speedollama?
N: That is an fascinating query as a result of folks usually marvel if Speedollama was a solo mission. The reply is each sure and no. In the event you outline a solo mission as one individual doing completely all the things, then no—it wasn’t simply me. You, as an example, have been the lead pixel artist, and we had a pair extra pixel artists, two animators, a music composer, voice actors, and a small staff of beta testers. In whole, round eight or 9 folks contributed to the sport. Nonetheless, if by “solo mission” you imply one individual dealing with a lot of the growth—coding, writing, degree design, enemy AI, UI, sound, and even advertising—then sure, it was largely my work. I did all the things besides create the artwork and music, which was dealt with by you and different proficient of us. However their contributions have been essential, particularly in bringing the sport’s distinctive, quirky visible type to life.
The indie recreation market is a troublesome area, little doubt. There are tons of platformers popping out each month, and standing out is a problem. However I’m assured that Speedollama brings one thing contemporary to the desk—it’s quick, eccentric, and plenty of enjoyable to play. I can’t wait to see how gamers reply to this wild, goofy journey.
Wishlist Speedollama as we speak, and decide it up on Xbox when it launches October 22.
Speedollama
Chaosmonger Studio
$8.99
$8.09
Speedollama is a quick platformer shooter that units a brand new benchmark for pace within the style. Bursting with quirky humor and vibrant pixelated carnage, this recreation isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. Are you able to embrace the chaos and show your expertise?
Filled with hilarious splatter components, fast-paced motion, a wide range of upgrades and weapons, and a great deal of humor, Speedollama guarantees to entertain players of all ages.
The sport’s visuals function pixel artwork to seize a retro-arcade aesthetic, paying homage to late 80s and early 90s video games. Drawing inspiration from basic titles like Steel Slug and Turrican, in addition to fashionable hits like Broforce, Mercenary Kings, and Pizza Tower, Speedollama delivers a nostalgic but contemporary gaming expertise.
STORYLINE
A smart previous llama has enlisted a bunch of elite mercenaries for an virtually unattainable mission: to destroy the alpaca military that has waged a brutal battle to exterminate the llamas and seize world domination. Geared up with a robust tunneling machine, the llamas embark on a weird journey, burrowing by means of the earth, gathering funky substances, and battling the relentless alpaca forces together with their beastly allies.