This extensive interview with Christopher Ortiz, the creative mind behind Sukeban Games, delves deep into the development journey of their acclaimed titles, VA-11 Hall-A and the upcoming .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND. Ortiz shares personal anecdotes, design inspirations, and reflections on the overwhelming success of VA-11 Hall-A, its merchandise, and the anticipation surrounding their new project.
The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:
- The Unexpected Success of VA-11 Hall-A: Ortiz discusses the initial sales expectations for VA-11 Hall-A and how the game's immense popularity surpassed all predictions.
- The Status of the iPad Port: The interview clarifies the reasons behind the stalled iPad version of VA-11 Hall-A.
- Team Growth and Collaborations: Ortiz provides insights into the evolution of Sukeban Games' team and the collaborative processes with key artists like MerengeDoll and composer Garoad.
- Merchandise and Fan Engagement: The discussion touches on Ortiz's involvement in merchandise creation and the strong fan engagement surrounding VA-11 Hall-A.
- Inspirations and Influences: Ortiz reveals the inspirations behind VA-11 Hall-A's art style, particularly referencing the album Bocanada by Gustavo Cerati. The influence of Suda51 and The Silver Case is also explored.
- Character Popularity: Ortiz reflects on the unexpected popularity of certain characters from VA-11 Hall-A.
- Development of .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND: The interview provides details about the development process, inspirations (including cities like Milan and Buenos Aires), and the game's unique battle system.
- Visual and Gameplay Design: Ortiz explains the visual style of .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND, emphasizing the blend of modern and old aesthetics, and the South American cyberpunk influence.
- Team Dynamics and Challenges: The interview highlights the team's collaborative spirit and the challenges faced during development.
- Console Plans and Self-Publishing: Ortiz shares information about their plans for console releases and their approach to self-publishing.
- Character Design: A detailed discussion of Reila Mikazuchi's design, including inspirations from actor Meiko Kaji.
- Future Projects: Ortiz discusses plans for future projects and the possibility of smaller projects following .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND.
- Personal Life and Gaming Habits: The interview concludes with a glimpse into Ortiz's personal life, including their coffee preferences and current gaming interests.
This interview offers a fascinating look into the creative process and the personal journey of a successful indie game developer.
