After working on the pixel artwork for Speedollama, I now have the probability to take a seat down with Nicola Piovesan, the sport’s designer, to ask him a couple of questions on the mission. As half of the crew, 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 sport.
Let’s begin from the starting. The place did the thought for Speedollama come from?
Nicola (N): Speedollama is my fourth sport (fifth when you rely an unfinished one), and with every new mission, I purpose 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 fully totally different—shiny, chaotic, and enjoyable. It’s like my inventive yin and yang. After working on one thing dramatic, I felt the have to dive into humor and vibrancy. Speedollama got here from this have to create one thing colourful and fast-paced. And what might be more strange and enjoyable than a struggle 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 the quickest in its style, particularly in later phases when gamers unlock pace upgrades. It’s intense.
Some individuals have in contrast it to Steel Slug. Does that hassle you?
N: I’ve seen Speedollama described as “Steel Slug with llamas,” and whereas that’s flattering, it’s additionally a bit irritating when individuals indicate I copied it. Positive, there are similarities—any retro, run-and-gun sport 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” aspect the place gamers race towards the clock to collect gadgets. So, whereas the comparisons are inevitable, I believe we’ve crafted a singular expertise.
Isn’t it dangerous to launch this sport 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 particular viewers in thoughts. I are likely to go with my intestine—if I like an thought, I’ll run with it. That stated, I do hearken to suggestions. We launched a demo a few yr in the past, and I took lots of participant recommendations to enhance the sport. Sure, the market is crowded, and pixel-art platformers are in every single place, which could make Speedollama arduous to note at first. However I imagine that when individuals choose up a controller and really feel the pace and enjoyable, they’ll see it’s one thing particular.
How giant was the crew behind Speedollama?
N: That is an fascinating query as a result of individuals usually marvel if Speedollama was a solo mission. The reply is each sure and no. If you happen to outline a solo mission as one individual doing completely every thing, then no—it wasn’t simply me. You, as an illustration, have been the lead pixel artist, and we had a pair extra pixel artists, two animators, a music composer, voice actors, and a small crew of beta testers. In complete, round eight or 9 individuals contributed to the sport. Nonetheless, if by “solo mission” you imply one individual dealing with most of the improvement—coding, writing, stage design, enemy AI, UI, sound, and even advertising—then sure, it was largely my work. I did every thing 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 fashion to life.
The indie sport market is a tricky house, 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 lots of enjoyable to play. I can’t wait to see how gamers reply to this wild, goofy journey.
Wishlist Speedollama as we speak, and choose 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 in the style. Bursting with quirky humor and vibrant pixelated carnage, this sport shouldn’t be for the faint of coronary heart. Are you able to embrace the chaos and show your abilities?
Packed with hilarious splatter parts, fast-paced motion, a spread of upgrades and weapons, and hundreds of humor, Speedollama guarantees to entertain avid gamers of all ages.
The sport’s visuals characteristic pixel artwork to seize a retro-arcade aesthetic, reminiscent of late 80s and early 90s video games. Drawing inspiration from traditional 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 clever previous llama has enlisted a gaggle of elite mercenaries for an nearly inconceivable mission: to destroy the alpaca military that has waged a brutal struggle to exterminate the llamas and seize world domination. Geared up with a robust tunneling machine, the llamas embark on a weird journey, burrowing by way of the earth, gathering funky substances, and battling the relentless alpaca forces alongside with their beastly allies.