GL: BioWare’s previous efforts have been for the PC and the Xbox (and now the 360 with Mass Effect). What is the appeal of designing for the DS?
RM: The handheld group at BioWare is certainly very excited about the innovation that can take place on the DS platform. We’re really innovating what a BioWare RPG is with this title - we’re looking forward to offering new and unique ways to enjoy a fast-paced, story-driven experience with tons of exploration, customization and progression. We’re very excited by the opportunity to use all the cool features on the DS, and to make BioWare’s first handheld RPG, one with a lot of action too, since it’s based in the Sonic universe!
GL: Given BioWare’s wealth of RPG experience, what have you learned not to do for this project?
RM: With this project our team will be crafting an RPG that is still rich in story but which also has awesome pacing, full of those “wow” moments that keep you wanting to find out what happens next. Sonic is perfect for that, since the Sonic universe is full of very cool characters and is already very fast-paced to begin with. Also, people don’t tend to spend quite as many hours in a row on the DS as they would when playing a BioWare game for console or PC, so gamers can expect the Sonic RPG to not only be fast-paced, but very easy to pick up and play at length or in shorter bursts – whichever they prefer!
Can Bioware do for Sonic in an RPG what Square did for Mario?
-GT-
