On with the interview and remaining screens…
Multiplayer: Last year’s “Drawn To Life” DS game was a surprise critical hit. How and when did the idea for a sequel come about, and how did the SpongeBob license get involved?
Evan Icenbice, Associate Project Manager, THQ: We’re always thinking about opportunities for new Nickelodeon games here at THQ, so when “Drawn to Life” was coming together, we noticed the similarities to the classic SpongeBob episode, “Frankendoodle”. From there, it just wrote itself.
Multiplayer: Who’s making this game? Same team as the original?
Icenbice: The Fifth Cell guys are working on other top secret projects, so we brought in one of our favorite DS partners, Altron. They have years and years of experience making great platformers, so they’re a great fit for this title.
Multiplayer: How does this game build on the drawing-based gameplay of the first game? I know it’s set in the SpongeBob universe, but is this one simply different? Or can you point to improvements, next-gen drawing gameplay, as it were?
Icenbice: This game gives players all of the classic drawing gameplay of the original: draw your character, draw objects in the game world to help you out, and lots more. But in addition to this, we add a few new twists. In the upcoming game, players will be able to draw a wide variety of cool new power-ups, re-draw enemies to turn them into friends, as well as draw their own Bikini Bottom home and fill it up with all sorts of fun creative gadgets.
Multiplayer: What did the development team and THQ learn from the reaction to the first “Drawn To Life”? Were there things that people liked or didn’t like that you’re therefore doing more or less with in the new game?
Icenbice: Everyone loved the drawing aspect in the first game, so we wanted to make sure there is as much or more drawing for the player to do in the new game. We also added new twists to the gameplay with roller coaster levels, chase levels where players will need to outrun a giant eraser, and slingshots that use the DS stylus to shoot the character around the level. We want every level to give players something different to do.
Multiplayer: Are there things players won’t be allowed to draw due to the rules of the SpongeBob License?
Icenbice: The game is designed so that players can draw whatever they want and get creative. We’ve also added a few guides to help players draw in the SpongeBob style, including template characters based on the SpongeBob world.
Multiplayer: Will players be able to draw SpongeBob himself?
Icenbice: You’ll create and play as an all-new character, with SpongeBob and friends tagging along and helping you on the way. We also have a drawing mode that teaches the player how to draw SpongeBob and friends, separate from the main game.
Multiplayer: Does the two-player mode involve drawing? How so?
Icenbice: Yes, but we’re not revealing details of that mode yet.
Multiplayer: Can players of the new SpongeBob game import their drawings from the first”Drawn To Life”?
Icenbice: No, we wanted to keep the two games a completely separate and different experience. And it’s more fun to draw new things to fit the SpongeBob world.
Multiplayer: What should gamers make of the idea that the first “DTL” was all-original, but that the second one is a license? What does that mean in terms of THQ’s support of original intellectual properties and non-licensed games?
Icenbice: Using the “Drawn to Life” concept in conjunction with Nickelodeon is a win-win for players. The great characters of Nick mix well with the great gameplay of “Drawn to Life.” However, THQ still very strongly supports original IP. We recently released “Frontlines: Fuel of War,” which features a unique frontline-based combat system and dedicated multiplayer servers for a phenomenal next-generation warfare experience. In addition, we have some amazing original IP for the Wii coming down the pipeline with the upcoming releases of “Deadly Creatures” and “de Blob.”
Multiplayer: Will there be “DTL” sequels that don’t involve licenses? And, for that matter, is THQ interested in bring the “DTL” series to other licenses?
Icenbice: We certainly think the “Drawn to Life” concept can continue to grow as an original IP, as well as a licensed product, but we have not announced any future “Drawn to Life” releases.
Multiplayer: Any plans for a Wii DTL?
Icenbice: THQ has not announced any future “Drawn to Life” releases, but we certainly think that the brand could lend itself well to the unique gameplay features that the Wii offers.
Multiplayer: Recently I wrote a piece wondering why there haven’t been as many drawing-based DS games as I had expected at launch. Is this something you noticed too? Why do you think that is, and what do you make of the fact that the “DTL” series doesn’t’ seem to have many, if any, competitors on that front these days?
Icenbice: Well, it’s certainly a great position for THQ to be in. We’re really excited by the deep drawing potential of the DS. I wouldn’t be surprised if others start to catch on now that “Drawn to Life” has experienced such great initial success.
Multiplayer: Lastly, does this new game have an option for lefties? I can’t find it in the first one!
Icenbice: Generally, it shouldn’t be a big issue with “Drawn to Life,” as you can ignore the buttons while drawing and draw with any hand you want. Most of the stylus inputs are separate from the buttons during gameplay as well.
Multiplayer: Last year’s “Drawn To Life” DS game was a surprise critical hit. How and when did the idea for a sequel come about, and how did the SpongeBob license get involved?
Evan Icenbice, Associate Project Manager, THQ: We’re always thinking about opportunities for new Nickelodeon games here at THQ, so when “Drawn to Life” was coming together, we noticed the similarities to the classic SpongeBob episode, “Frankendoodle”. From there, it just wrote itself.
Multiplayer: Who’s making this game? Same team as the original?
Icenbice: The Fifth Cell guys are working on other top secret projects, so we brought in one of our favorite DS partners, Altron. They have years and years of experience making great platformers, so they’re a great fit for this title.
Multiplayer: How does this game build on the drawing-based gameplay of the first game? I know it’s set in the SpongeBob universe, but is this one simply different? Or can you point to improvements, next-gen drawing gameplay, as it were?
Icenbice: This game gives players all of the classic drawing gameplay of the original: draw your character, draw objects in the game world to help you out, and lots more. But in addition to this, we add a few new twists. In the upcoming game, players will be able to draw a wide variety of cool new power-ups, re-draw enemies to turn them into friends, as well as draw their own Bikini Bottom home and fill it up with all sorts of fun creative gadgets.
Multiplayer: What did the development team and THQ learn from the reaction to the first “Drawn To Life”? Were there things that people liked or didn’t like that you’re therefore doing more or less with in the new game?
Icenbice: Everyone loved the drawing aspect in the first game, so we wanted to make sure there is as much or more drawing for the player to do in the new game. We also added new twists to the gameplay with roller coaster levels, chase levels where players will need to outrun a giant eraser, and slingshots that use the DS stylus to shoot the character around the level. We want every level to give players something different to do.
Multiplayer: Are there things players won’t be allowed to draw due to the rules of the SpongeBob License?
Icenbice: The game is designed so that players can draw whatever they want and get creative. We’ve also added a few guides to help players draw in the SpongeBob style, including template characters based on the SpongeBob world.
Multiplayer: Will players be able to draw SpongeBob himself?
Icenbice: You’ll create and play as an all-new character, with SpongeBob and friends tagging along and helping you on the way. We also have a drawing mode that teaches the player how to draw SpongeBob and friends, separate from the main game.
Multiplayer: Does the two-player mode involve drawing? How so?
Icenbice: Yes, but we’re not revealing details of that mode yet.
Multiplayer: Can players of the new SpongeBob game import their drawings from the first”Drawn To Life”?
Icenbice: No, we wanted to keep the two games a completely separate and different experience. And it’s more fun to draw new things to fit the SpongeBob world.
Multiplayer: What should gamers make of the idea that the first “DTL” was all-original, but that the second one is a license? What does that mean in terms of THQ’s support of original intellectual properties and non-licensed games?
Icenbice: Using the “Drawn to Life” concept in conjunction with Nickelodeon is a win-win for players. The great characters of Nick mix well with the great gameplay of “Drawn to Life.” However, THQ still very strongly supports original IP. We recently released “Frontlines: Fuel of War,” which features a unique frontline-based combat system and dedicated multiplayer servers for a phenomenal next-generation warfare experience. In addition, we have some amazing original IP for the Wii coming down the pipeline with the upcoming releases of “Deadly Creatures” and “de Blob.”
Multiplayer: Will there be “DTL” sequels that don’t involve licenses? And, for that matter, is THQ interested in bring the “DTL” series to other licenses?
Icenbice: We certainly think the “Drawn to Life” concept can continue to grow as an original IP, as well as a licensed product, but we have not announced any future “Drawn to Life” releases.
Multiplayer: Any plans for a Wii DTL?
Icenbice: THQ has not announced any future “Drawn to Life” releases, but we certainly think that the brand could lend itself well to the unique gameplay features that the Wii offers.
Multiplayer: Recently I wrote a piece wondering why there haven’t been as many drawing-based DS games as I had expected at launch. Is this something you noticed too? Why do you think that is, and what do you make of the fact that the “DTL” series doesn’t’ seem to have many, if any, competitors on that front these days?
Icenbice: Well, it’s certainly a great position for THQ to be in. We’re really excited by the deep drawing potential of the DS. I wouldn’t be surprised if others start to catch on now that “Drawn to Life” has experienced such great initial success.
Multiplayer: Lastly, does this new game have an option for lefties? I can’t find it in the first one!
Icenbice: Generally, it shouldn’t be a big issue with “Drawn to Life,” as you can ignore the buttons while drawing and draw with any hand you want. Most of the stylus inputs are separate from the buttons during gameplay as well.