Gemology dev discusses controls, DLC, multiplayer, two GamePad support and more
A portion of a Nintendo Life interview with BNC Design Studios' Jake Taylor...
NL: It seems that it's about gem management, in terms of successfully manipulating large gems into smaller items for combinations. It'll be interesting to see in action. Quick touch controls seem important, so is the GamePad touch screen the only control option here?
JT: It is. The game is very much to be played on the GamePad and although it would be possible to use, say, the Wii Remote or even a standard controller, it wouldn't have nearly the same effect or efficiency as being able to tap and manipulate with the stylus. Especially since both are very time sensitive, players are going to need a quick hand to find their way up the ranks in this one.
NL: Will that online play be real-time, or asynchronous with data exchanges? Does the absence of double GamePad support also rule out local multiplayer?
JT: Actually... we're working with the possibility of two GamePads as that was something promised at the time of the Wii U's release, so if you have a buddy and you like the game enough, maybe you'll be able to bring your pad over because Gemology's multiplayer is about vengeance and punishment!
But in the meantime it will be real-time. Players will be competing to step on each other and drive the other into oblivion while simultaneously shooting for the higher score come end game. Something different to the genre as Tetris or Puyo (or both!) are really more about survival for the average player. I rarely get a successful combo that means anything in the end, when playing Dr. Mario with my wife it's more a question of 'who sucks less' as no one ever actually beats the level, opting instead to just live longer than your opponent. Kind of like, I don't have to outrun a bear, I just have to outrun you. Instead, even though you may 'lose' because the magma catches up, if your score is there, you may still win. So it'll be an interesting shake to the formula.
NL: Do you have any thoughts on pricing yet, and will there be additional DLC beyond the planned online multiplayer update?
JT: There will and we have. The game is going to be released at $4.99. Euro and Pound prices pending as we're still a ways from getting it on the European market (sorry guys!). Similar to Spin the Bottle the additional content will reward early adopters with the full game for the initial $4.99 offering. Otherwise the price of the added content will go into the game as well.
Other content to be on the look out are added levels, which I feel is a puzzle studio's duty to supply regularly and for free, as well as level builders and new mechanics for the single player modes.
NL: Will the level building have online sharing?
JT: Of course! SpotPass, Miiverse and all of the works will be present.
NL: It seems that it's about gem management, in terms of successfully manipulating large gems into smaller items for combinations. It'll be interesting to see in action. Quick touch controls seem important, so is the GamePad touch screen the only control option here?
JT: It is. The game is very much to be played on the GamePad and although it would be possible to use, say, the Wii Remote or even a standard controller, it wouldn't have nearly the same effect or efficiency as being able to tap and manipulate with the stylus. Especially since both are very time sensitive, players are going to need a quick hand to find their way up the ranks in this one.
NL: Will that online play be real-time, or asynchronous with data exchanges? Does the absence of double GamePad support also rule out local multiplayer?
JT: Actually... we're working with the possibility of two GamePads as that was something promised at the time of the Wii U's release, so if you have a buddy and you like the game enough, maybe you'll be able to bring your pad over because Gemology's multiplayer is about vengeance and punishment!
But in the meantime it will be real-time. Players will be competing to step on each other and drive the other into oblivion while simultaneously shooting for the higher score come end game. Something different to the genre as Tetris or Puyo (or both!) are really more about survival for the average player. I rarely get a successful combo that means anything in the end, when playing Dr. Mario with my wife it's more a question of 'who sucks less' as no one ever actually beats the level, opting instead to just live longer than your opponent. Kind of like, I don't have to outrun a bear, I just have to outrun you. Instead, even though you may 'lose' because the magma catches up, if your score is there, you may still win. So it'll be an interesting shake to the formula.
NL: Do you have any thoughts on pricing yet, and will there be additional DLC beyond the planned online multiplayer update?
JT: There will and we have. The game is going to be released at $4.99. Euro and Pound prices pending as we're still a ways from getting it on the European market (sorry guys!). Similar to Spin the Bottle the additional content will reward early adopters with the full game for the initial $4.99 offering. Otherwise the price of the added content will go into the game as well.
Other content to be on the look out are added levels, which I feel is a puzzle studio's duty to supply regularly and for free, as well as level builders and new mechanics for the single player modes.
NL: Will the level building have online sharing?
JT: Of course! SpotPass, Miiverse and all of the works will be present.
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