After engaged on the pixel artwork for Speedollama, I now have the possibility to take a seat down with Nicola Piovesan, the sport’s designer, to ask him a couple of questions in regards to the challenge. As a part of the workforce, 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 thought for Speedollama come from?
Nicola (N): Speedollama is my fourth recreation (fifth for those who depend an unfinished one), and with every new challenge, I intention to experiment. My earlier video games had 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 engaged on one thing dramatic, I felt the necessity to dive into humor and vibrancy. Speedollama got here from this must create one thing colourful and fast-paced. And what could possibly be weirder 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 many quickest in its style, particularly in later phases when gamers unlock pace upgrades. It’s intense.
Some folks have in contrast it to Metallic Slug. Does that hassle you?
N: I’ve seen Speedollama described as “Metallic 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 collect 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 growing video games with a selected viewers in thoughts. I are likely 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 few yr in the past, and I took lots of participant solutions 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 after folks decide up a controller and really feel the pace and enjoyable, they’ll see it’s one thing particular.
How giant was the workforce behind Speedollama?
N: That is an fascinating query as a result of folks typically marvel if Speedollama was a solo challenge. The reply is each sure and no. For those who outline a solo challenge as one individual doing completely all the pieces, then no—it wasn’t simply me. You, as an example, had been the lead pixel artist, and we had a pair extra pixel artists, two animators, a music composer, voice actors, and a small workforce of beta testers. In whole, round eight or 9 folks contributed to the sport. Nevertheless, if by “solo challenge” you imply one individual dealing with a lot of the growth—coding, writing, degree design, enemy AI, UI, sound, and even advertising and marketing—then sure, it was largely my work. I did all the pieces besides create the artwork and music, which was dealt with by you and different gifted people. However their contributions had been essential, particularly in bringing the sport’s distinctive, quirky visible model to life.
The indie recreation 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 at present, 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 will not be for the faint of coronary heart. Are you able to embrace the chaos and show your abilities?
Full of hilarious splatter components, fast-paced motion, a wide range of upgrades and weapons, and a great deal of humor, Speedollama guarantees to entertain avid gamers of all ages.
The sport’s visuals function pixel artwork to seize a retro-arcade aesthetic, harking back to late 80s and early 90s video games. Drawing inspiration from basic titles like Metallic 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 virtually unimaginable mission: to destroy the alpaca military that has waged a brutal struggle to exterminate the llamas and seize world domination. Outfitted with a robust tunneling machine, the llamas embark on a weird journey, burrowing via the earth, amassing funky substances, and battling the relentless alpaca forces together with their beastly allies.
