from the interview
How about pressure in general? Red Steel 2’s a reboot, and – based on a recent comment from you – it’s a do-or-die situation for the series. On top of that, you’re one of the first non-first-party games to require Wii MotionPlus. What kind of effects have those factors – and the associated pressure – had on Red Steel 2’s development?
At last! A chance to respond to that! That comment was, perhaps, given some extra emphasis that I didn’t really intend at the time, so it’s awesome to have it come back. Volley!
Red Steel 2 isn’t really a “do-or-die” situation. What I meant by my comments was that the desire to make another game in the series will depend on whether or not Red Steel 2 is a success (by several measures, not just sales).
Fact is, that’s always true. If the fans don’t want us to make a sequel, we generally won’t. See, because we know they won’t buy it. Which is sort of the point. So, in that way, this situation isn’t really all that different from any other first or second releases in a franchise. We either prove that the idea is cool enough to keep chasing, or we call it and try something else.
As far as pressure goes, believe me when I tell you that the pressure here at Ubisoft is a light, airy breeze compared to the kinds of pressures I grew accustomed to at other companies I worked for. The pressure was all focused in the same place: the game had to be fun. We knew that, and so it led to us shaping our dev process around iteration, playtest, and gameplay. That’s a good thing.
Does that confirm a sequel? No. Then later in the same interview he was asked:
Finally, the question that’s on everyone’s mind: as a sort of unofficial ambassador to the hardcore for Wii products, will you include Wii Vitality Sensor Support in the next Red Steel?
Duh. I intend to include a “zen” mode where if you can keep your heart-rate low, your spirit (re: mana) will regenerate faster, and, to the contrary, if you maintain a high heart-rate, you will generate more rage with each strike, which will allow you to unleash ultra combos.
It's the interviewer that asked as if it was coming.
Read the whole thing here: http://www.vg247.com/2010/03/22/interview-red-steel-2s-jason-vandenberghe/
